medic0020's Group - CLOSED--BUSTIN AT THE SEAMS (Page 64)

Greg-- Congrats on the job!!!  That is huge and you should feel very good about it!

Okay folks... I really need your help!!  As you might or might not know I started a fulltime job at a non-profit so I am now working 40 hours a week from 7:30 to 3:30.  My HIM is in three weeks from today.  I have one hard training week left and then two tapers weeks.  I am not doing well getting in my workouts... but I have dedicated 6 months of my life to training for this race and need to finish strong.  So I am asking all my BT friends, that you make sure to bug me endlessly this week and for the next few weeks to make sure I get in my training.  Tonight I buy my wetsuit (a birthday present from my parents) and tomorrow I go hardcore all the way!! 

Hello everyone, I am in my usual spot, stuck in an airport with a plane delay... This time to While Planes NY.  I am the keynote speaker at our International Development Conference so it would be a drag if I never got out....  Or, maybe the participants would like to be spared my program... who knows...

I hope you all had a good weekend, I got in one good run early on Saturday, volunteered at an Olympic Tri on Sunday, went to a weeding, took my 87 year old mom to dinner and worked on my presentation... beyond that, I have no idea where all the time went...

Back again later if the plane is delayed again... EK

CONGRATS GREG!!!!!!! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very happy that you got the offer! YAY YAY YAY!!! As for Stef...I will continue to pray for her! hoping that she goes thru NOOOOO pain! but will pray that it is minimal if she does have any! Take care and keep that chin up! Ride your bike and get those endorphines going! but you listen to the doctor....your kids are definitely wanting you to listen....

CONGRATS AGAIN! keep us posted and do not worry about us....we will be here when you stop in again! have a great summer...I am still planning on coming your way in September. See you then! LOVE AND KISSES TO STEPH! and yourself! xoxoxo Jules

Goooo get em Pam.....early birthday wetsuit, eh? when is you bday? and as for keeping you focused. I will be away from my computer for the next few weeks...I am going to Colorado for a family reunion.....as of tomorrow I will not have computer access for almost two weeks....so, I will be sending you lots of mental vibes....do you feel them yet???? hope you have a great race....I will be getting back the weekend you race....so go get em TIGER! and do not let your work stop you from training, m-kay?

Good luck on your flight Emerson! I am sure that they are on the edge of thier seats at that conference....with anticipation as to what you will be bringing to the table! Have a great conference and safe travels. Have a great week! Be back to check on you all in two weeks....til then....KEEP ON KEEPING ON! and train well kids!

Pam-you'll do great.  It sounds like your main goal for this first HIM is survival.  On race day, just focus on YOUR plan.  Think about those long slow distance days on either the bike or run. Remember how you kept your heart rate low(er) and felt like you were hardly working?  That's the way you want to do this race.  If you're a zone person, I'd stay in zone 2/3 especially thru the end of the bike. After that, you just have to feel out where your body is and what's left.  Whether you finish in 5 hrs or 8 hrs, you'll still have completed a FREAKIN' HALFIRONMAN once you cross that finish line. How many people do you know (besides all of us freaks here at BT!! ) that can say that?  Just make sure that you've thought about your nutrition plan and also think about a backup plan if your stomach decides not to like Plan A on race day.  I had 3 different choices of nutrition on the bike.  I found out that shotblocks and gels are fine during that length and intensity but my body wasn't so fond of a powerbar.  On the run, I brought my own gels because my stomach doesn't like the ones provided by the race.  Makes for more to lug along but no stomach issues.

We'll keep harassing you....but you'll be ready!

Thanks everyone for your support!!  I know I just need to calm down.  As long as my ride is good... I did the numbers and can survive through it beating the time cutoff by  walking 15 minute miles if it comes down to it.  I know it won't but that is surprisingly reassuring.  My wetsuit is on the way.  My parents bought it for me even though my birthday isn't till September, so I look forward to working my way into that.

Thanks for the note about finishing Eric.  I know sometimes I forget that triathletes whether short or long distances are a breed of our own... that is an accomplishment right there.  But yes... I don't think the hugeness of a half Ironman kicks in till you are doing it or you look back and go... OMG, what did I just do?!?

Keep up the hard work everyone... I am really proud to call you all my friends!! 

I hope you all have a great 4th.  I celebrated today with a 5k and then a 17 mile bike.  Tonight, I'll be off babysitting the drunken idiots at our uptown celebration.  Two years ago, they basically had to call out the troops, I'm talking tear gas and several hundred arrests.  Hopefully, it will be a little more calm tonight.

I celebrated with a 30 minute bike and 2 hour run during my first paid day off of work.  Never knew how nice that was until I filled out my time sheet

Eric... wow... hope your night is a bit calmer.  I'll keep my fingers crossed! 

double post. also in depression thread but still very sincere:

Hey everyone.

Just a quick update and asking for thoughts, prayers, vibes, whatever. I brought my wife to the ER on Friday. They admitted her to the hospital and ran tests. The cancer has taken over, despite being on chemo. they are stopping treatment and sending her to hospice. we don't know if she has 2 days or 2 months, but its not long. the doctor said she might make it 2 months but that was being very generous. my gut says 1-2 weeks. she told me on Thursday that she thought she was dying. She never complains and said her fatigue is a 10 and pain is a 7 (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being worst). they are hoping I can take her home 1 more time but no guarantees. she wants to die in a hospice or hospital - not at home.

yesterday (when we found out) i had  meltdown, but regained composure pretty quickly. now i'm numb. i stayed with friends near the hospital last night. my kids are with other friends. i haven't told them yet. we are waiting to talk to a social worker and our pastor today for advice (just me or both of us, neutral location, etc.).

lots of hard days ahead. the support that i receive through bt has been phenomenal. thank you!

Greg,

Just like always... my thoughts, prayers and heart is with your family and you during this time.  The one thing you can know for certain is this group of people will be here for you if you need anything big or small.  Please keep us updated and we will be sending our wishes your way!

My dear friend,

The sword that has hung on a thread over your family for all these years is now upon you with threads unraveling before your very eyes.  I cannot expect to know the pressure you feel today, but I do know the stress of the uncertainty.  For five years, three months and six days, I have lived not knowing if Peg would greet me in the morning with a smile or the silence of a soul moved on.  I have pondered who I need to be -- more importantly -- who I want to be in the face of the fate that God has thrust upon me.  After five years of living with uncertainty each and every day, there are a few things I have learned that I wish to share with you in your most challenging hour.  I pray they can offer something for you in a day I can only imagine.

1)  If you think you can go it alone, you can't!  Reach out, then reach out again.  We are all here for you and want to help, we just need to be let in.

2)  You cannot manage or know what your future holds, you can only be your best in it.

3)  You cannot be the man you want to be for Stef, your children, your family and the future that you and those you love deserve unless you take care of yourself first!  Do not skip that ride, that walk, that moment to collect yourself at the expense of your sanity.  Put your oxygen mask on first, then tend to everyone else.  That is not being selfish, that is doing what needs to be done.  That is the meaning of true love.

Souls are only rented.  God placed each of us on this earth for a time, a time that is decided by a fate beyond our control.  We are born into this life in the miracle of birth and the joy to our parents.  We are then born into the next in the miracle of birth into the everlasting life in the peace of God.  We morn at our loss and we should, but we also should never forget the gift of the life and love that we shared and is still all around us to relish until we are called home.  For you, it is another day.  There are some kids who will look to you for guidance, love and assurance that tomorrow is another day worth living.  And my friend, it is. 

You and I have lived with the knowledge that one we love will be lost to us one day.  You will walk that path first.  My prayers are with you, my heart is with you and I -- as so many of your BT friends are -- will be here through it all.

Take care of yourself my friend, God will never hand you a challenge you cannot handle, no matter how tested you feel today.

Please drop us a note as you can from time to time so we can share your challenge and be there for you.

In our prayers,

Emerson

Good evening everyone, it is nice and toasty here in the Ohio River Valley.  I ran today and thought I was running in a Pizza Oven. 

Pam, how is your work coming?  I hope the wet suit fits!  Also, what is with the cheese?

Eric, thanks for the inspires, you are good to still mentor us LONG after your term should be up.

Amy M., looking forward to meeting you at IMKY.  A bunch of other BT folks will be there.  I plan to do a duathlon in Buck Creek the weekend before.  Think about it???

Julie, I have not seen one of your happy posts since 6/30, I hope you are OK...

Dee, over 10,000 posts.... you are amazing.  How is the Tour going.  I assume it must be on cable.  I will look for it tonight.

Greg, in my prayers... you take care of yourself.  That is the most important and keep up posted.

I had a great plan to energize us all but it turned into a melt down... I will explain in a later post after I figure out plan B... Got to get back to work.  Emerson

I'm sorry to crash this group...

I am truly sorry for your wife and family. Cancer sucks.  I hope that your family does as well as possible in this difficult situation.    

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.