TriAptitude Coaching

One year ago today, my husband kissed me on the lips with a worried look in his eyes as I was wheeled into surgery. We both knew it would certainly be a long road to full recovery for me. I also knew that it was time to do this. It had to be done if I wanted to continue an active, comfortable life and have any hope of continuing to run. The joy for my sport was dwindling away because of the discomfort I felt during training and racing. I had accomplished some really great things and had a great experience with the sport so I told myself that even if I could not come back to running or triathlon, I would find an alternative. My expectations would need to be flexible and my goals realistic. The pressure of running on my pelvic floor even after rehab could be too great and cause the surgery to fail. It would depend on how patient, smart and conservative I was in the weeks, months, even years to follow.
My husband and my Mom were supportive but also very realistic. They tried to prepare me for the fact that I may not be able to come back to triathlon and encouraged me to focus on my recovery and what other options I had in front of me. It all made perfect and rational sense. But, emotionally,  I was not ready to give up without a try. The first two days post op were miserable- but each day got a little better. I gradually started walking for longer periods of time. It was slow going but then one day about three weeks after surgery, I walked to Alderfer Three Sisters Park from my home, found a beautiful view to look out upon and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Every day built upon that day. Slow, steady…three steps forward, two steps back…set backs yes but always digging deep to make forward progress.
My physical therapist was not a fan of me running at all before the one year mark. But, knowing how determined I was and how careful I was being, she released me at 6 months to start short easy walk/jog intervals. Somewhere around this time, I decided I needed a goal. So, since I’m kind of a “go big or go home” kind of girl, I registered for Ironman St George 70.3 in the hope that I would make it to the start line. Worst case, I swim and bike and have a friend run the 13.1 for me. Best case, I start and finish what I signed on for all by myself. And that was my only goal. Get back to that finish line. Prove to myself I could do it. I had a lot of people support me along the way and many people to thank for standing behind me in my dream of crossing that finish line in St George last Saturday. To my women’s health physical therapist Patty McCord, I thank you for helping me rebuild in the immediate aftermath of surgery and for never limiting me in my dreams but instead directing me in a safe and successful direction. To my coach Kathy Alfino Mile High Multisport, LLC for reminding me every step of the way that I could get this done and that it did not have to be the way I did it presurgery. I can redefine what strong and successful means to me. She guided me to the start line with a realistic expectation for myself and with my biggest goal being to stay safe on the run so that I can continue on to embrace bigger goals as my physical strength and self-confidence continue to grow. To Trisha Holub Byerley for taking me on as a run client and helping me refine my run form and work with me on sport specific run strength so my body can indeed handle a 13.1 mile run after 57.2 miles of swimming and cycling. To my husband, my Mom, my sister for never doubting my ability to make it back to the race course once I put my mind to it. To my dear friends Rachel and Tina for always being my best cheerleaders – calling, texting, driving across the country to be on the race course for me ❤️ To my friends Paige, Nicki, Kirsten, Annie and Audra for continuing to inspire me always as they show such strength on the race course themselves. To my race teams The Cupcake Cartel and Team INFINIT Performance for believing in me and my ability to get back out there and not only represent the teams but also all our sponsors. To my team of body work gurus, Toby Crisp, Vertical Motion Physical Therapy and Paul and Susan Fontana of Fontana Chiropractic, thank you for keeping me moving and recovering well throughout training. So many people to thank. I’m so lucky to have had so many people in my corner. I appreciate you all.