September 11, 2009 - Resilience

"Resilience: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change"

Today marks the 8th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93. A tragic day in American history that exposed our vulnerability to attack on civilian targets. Our fear and subsequent insecurities led to two major wars, lost civil rights, and eight years living in fear for another attack. It's been a long, tumultuous road to recovery, but as a nation we are becoming stronger than we were before due to our courage, will to fight, and the amazing Armed Forces that are working around the clock to fight for our freedom and liberties.

As a nation we are reselieint and as individuals we must also show resilience a time of loss, defeat or injury. Losing someone you love is difficult and it's easy to give up and let yourself drink, abuse your body, and forget about your responsibilities such as your home, work or dogs. But the ultimate measure of character is how you deal with that loss. Whether you take it for what it is, reflect on it, learn from it and move forward stronger, or whether you let your anger and regret push you to act out of character in order for gratification and feeling of security and happiness. While this seems like the easier, more rewarding option, it's likely that you will eventually realize you never dealt with your loss and weren't in touch with yourself, which will make the recovery long and painful.

An injury is quite the same. It's easy to pull a muscle or sprain an ankle when training hard. But one must attend to their bodies signals when pushing themselves to a high level of fitness and health. If you are injured, it's best to take time off to allow yourself time to heal. Eat well, spend time reading, with friends, and focusing on your mental health. Be resilient, allow yourself to adapt to your change in a positive manner. Use the injury as a reason to improve the mental aspects of your training as well as to reevaluate your goals and dreams. Never lose sight of your long-term goals but don't get discouraged that you have a short-term setback. Once you have recovered, take it slow until you are back to near 100%.

Our losses on September 11, 2001 were deep. We lost loved ones, friends, strangers, children, bosses, co-workers, emergency workers, police, firemen, and much much more. We lost buildings, planes, and other infrastructure. Our economy took a downfall, our civil liberties have been torn away, and we lost our ability to board an airplane without thinking back to that horrible day. But, as a nation, we were resilient and have come through stronger. While we're not completely recovered, we're definitely getting there. But what applies to the individual, applies to the nation. We must take time to help ourselves, our domestic policy, our own people who are suffering without food, shelter, jobs or health care. We must take time to reflect on where we've gone since 09/11/2001 and where we need to be on 09/11/2021. We must support our neighbors, friends, and most importantly our loved ones. Through thick and thin, we can never give up on someone if they haven't given up on themselves. There is no greater tragedy than quitting on someone or something when there is still some fight left in them. But, when we're beat up and down, we must take some time to let things heal properly before trying to move forward. It's impossible to show resilience if you haven't taken the time to accept what has happened and allowed time for the wounds to close.

I took Thursday off after a few hard days of running and working out. While it's always important to push yourself as hard as you can when training, it's even more important to listen to your body. If you need a rest day, or two, or week, then take it. Recovery days are essential to muscle growth, injury repair, and overall mental and physical well being.

Today was a tough day. I was out last night until 1:30 AM helping a friend with wine service at a private event. I haven't done much wine/food related stuff in the last 4 months so it was a lot of fun. That said, it wasn't fun to wake up at 7:30 AM to head to a session with my swimming coach then to do the ridiculous workout on http://www.crossfit.com.

Friday, September 11, 2009:
5 minute bike warmup
35 minute training session with swim coach (I have a lot of improving to do!)
Crossfit.com Workout: "Barbara"

Complete 5 rounds of the following, with 3 minute rests between rounds:
20 pullups
30 pushups
40 situps
50 sqauts

Yes. That is 100 pullups, 150 pushups, 200 situps, and 250 squats! This took me nearly 40 minutes and afterwards I felt nauseous and very lightheaded. I went home, drank some water and took a nap. After, I ate eggs and bacon, and finally had the energy to leave the house for work!

Today I realized that my overall fitness is at a very good point, but I really need to focus on pool work. I will be spending at least 30 minutes in the pool 4-5 times per week, plus a 1 hour training session with my new coach. Being the first leg of the Ironman, it's important I come out of the water (2.4 mile swim) feeling as if I had just warmed-up and to be mentally strong from knowing I finished the swim in my goal time. I know I will get to the point where I can swim that 2.4 miles in under 1:20:00, it's just a matter of staying focused, listening to my coach, and working hard for the next 10 months.

Tonight I'll take the huskies for a 4 mile run at an easy pace and to the dog park. I love the time I get to spend with the dogs on the trail as I can tell they really love being in "work" zone. After, they are always exhausted as am I. As we share a post-run snack I can see in their faces that they appreciate our alone time and feel that these daily runs are what has brought us closer as a pack! They really are great dogs and definitely a big part of my family and life!

Have a great weekend everyone. I hope it's spent with people you love and hope you get some time to yourself as well. Never forget what matters most in this world is the people, friends, family, and strangers, that are all around you. Through their support and love, you as an individual, and we as a nation, are resilient. We can conquer any change or misfortune and use our experiences to come through stronger and better.