My year leading up to Eagleman

July 2008 – I met my training partner and close friend Cindy. She convinced me to get in the pool in October. I knew I had to swim, and was scared to get in the water. I swam with her every Wed at masters swim practice and still am swimming. I signed up for the race to combat my disease – didn’t want to tell anyone, everyone was still feeling sorry for me. Cindy didn’t know about it, and treated me like the athlete I used to be. Plus we hit it off pretty quickly, and had a lot in common. This race was my secret endeavor to kick MS in its butt.

July 2008 – My Dad started riding his bike. He rides because he wanted to become healthier, and he saw what I was doing and how it was helping me to cope. I believe it helped him cope as well.

October 2008 – A large group of us entered Seagull Century, and had a blast. Everyone made the 100 mile journey, and this was the start of me feeling like myself again. I never want to be defined by a disease, and riding in that ride made me feel like Karri. I told my husband after that I had entered Eagleman – and slowly started to disclose it. I entered in the physically challenged division so I would start earlier and try to avoid the heat of the day.

October 2008 – Swam in the pool – barely made it to the other end and was hyper-ventilating. Swam back down, and decided I needed a lesson. I finished part of the masters swim workout with many breaks, but finished. Took a lesson with our awesome swim coach, got back in the pool, and I haven’t looked back. It isn’t easy, but I actually enjoy the workouts now.

Jan – March 2009 – Started running with the Thursday night track workout group – STILL HATE IT. Running is not my thing. I waddle, walk, and trudge my way through runs, but still don’t enjoy it. Cindy runs on Thursdays as well and smokes the field. Rode my bike all winter- I really felt strong. Swam on Wednesdays - feeling more confident.

March 2009 – Entered the Tim Kennard 5K race – half of Cambridge Multisports were there – all of the runners from Thursday night track nights. Cindy won her division, and we brought home several other pieces of hardware as well. I was happy to finish – definitely not a smoking time, but I finished. I realized I need to run more. Have I ran more – NOPE. I also decide this month that I need a follow up event to look forward to in case the Eagleman dream isn’t realized. After reading a certain blogger, I signed up for the Beach 2 Battleship Half Ironman. Cindy agreed to sign up as well. It is set – November 7th is the next big event.

April 2009 – I signed up for the Nanticoke Sprint Triathlon – Cindy and 20 other CMS’ers signed up as well. OK – this is real – now I need to saddle up and prepare for these events. Ordered my full wetsuit from Neosport. It arrives, I try it on 2 weeks later and it is a keeper. Did I swim in it before the event - nope - big mistake. Also ran in the YMCA half marathon with my relay partner, and fellow MS'er Jen. I ran 6.5 and she ran 6.5 - legs felt like hamburger, but I felt more confident after finishing the 6.5 miles. I did that for training for Eagleman.

May 2009 – Nanticoke Sprint Triathlon is May 3rd. I start a new job on May 4th – what was I thinking. Cindy and I volunteer for the Character Counts Century ride – and are stuck all the way in Elliots Island. We got out of the car down there, mosquitos were excited to see us and drank at least a pint of blood from each of us prior to spraying down with Off. What a mess. We volunteered, then picked up a fellow CMS’er and headed to Nanticoke to pick up our race packets. We look at the swim – it was an out and back in a jetty – no problem. We rode the bike course, and I was confident riding home. I convinced Cindy to leave at 6am in the morning so we could be there by 7am. The race didn’t start until 10am – she was not impressed, nor was her husband who was chauffeuring us there. We got there and were the 5th and 6th individuals to rack our bikes – Cindy was still not impressed. My race report will be an attached 2nd blog – please feel free to read it. The swim was interesting - and it's pretty funny.

So now it is still May – and it is 27days til race day. Today I ran 2.2 miles with an ipod – what a wonderful experience. Nerves are getting worse by the day.