Strong Women

Strong.   How do you define the word?   How did you come to that definition and why?   If I were going to draw a picture of strong it might be an "Omega" sign.  If I wanted to see a picture of strong I might see a person with an abundance of hypertrophy.   Yet when I use the word strong as an adjective to women my perspective shifts and I am flooded with millions of images, circumstances and a little wit to soften my aggressive thoughts on the matter.  Lady Gaga, uncanny but strong.   Wonderwoman, supernatural but strong.  The full conglomeration of my girlfriends- all strong.  
I'm thinking on another wavelength today as I am troubled by my friends' troubles.   Yet as I have cleared my head in attempt to give my best advice to all four of these women, I have realized that their stirs are their strengths.  I believe that the challenges we face, even if we created them, are the very lessons that present our life strength.   I'm not positive inner strength can be measured in pounds or milligrams or money or manipulation, but what it takes to retain contentment with ourselves.
I'm recalling four close friends who have, after much contemplation, have left their unhappy and unfulfilling relationships to move FORWARD in their lives.  That is strong!  They are undoubtedly feeling moments of weakness and perhaps cowardice, but it is their determination to live a great life that inspires me.   No doubt people will cast stones, but unless you are trapped IN a glass house, maybe you shouldn't. 
 I am reminded of my friends who have children with special needs. Having no children except a hyperactive Great Dane, I can only think I can imagine what it must be like to wake up and care hand and foot on another human being for the rest of YOUR life.  The worries of others that might ridicule or be fearful of these children and who will watch after them long after their parents are gone.   I left for 9 days and worried myself into a frenzy about a dog.  What would it be like with a child?  I solute the women (and men) that show their strength to their children day after day without complaint.   Strong!
I am reminded of a young lady and triathlete, Liz, that lost her sister then her boyfriend in one defeaning crash.  The courage it took for her to stay true to herself and allow her friends supportand her beliefs guide her way, was inarguably strong.   I still wonder how she keeps living,racing  and trusting without any visual sign of defeat.   Strength!  She is one of my biggest inspirations and for her model of strength, I am grateful. 
I am reminded of my friend Nicole, that moved away years ago from our sad little provincial town, alone, and never looked back.  She finds strength everyday to wake up, go to the gym, go to work and be one of the most selfless people I know.   Without her strength I know I couldn't have made it.

  As I become clearer on who my friends are, I am fortunate also to have Gretchen, a fellow triathlete ut an even bigger role model.  The old saying " When life throws you lemons..."is the epitomy of her.  No matter what the situation, she makes a mean glass of lemonade!  I've yet to see her lose her cool, and what's better than a cold glass of lemonade? 

 How could I forget my soul sister Erica?  She is a true symbol of rags to riches.   In the time I have known her, she has worried herself into a blunder on the tides of being a business owner now only to be surfing the successful highway of entrepreneurship and coming nto her own life- as SHE wants it.

Strength.   I have sat here thinking of all the ways strong can be illustrated and I am humbled by its humble nature.   Strong is what you or I do when noone else is looking.  It is who we are and who we have the courage to be.   It is the voice in your head beating the hell of the villain that opposed you.   It is the focus, the drive, the "oh what the hell go for it anyway".   It is my favorite quality in people as it takes on countless personas.  It is Debbie and Shayna and how their mother /daughter relationship will indefinitely thrive superceding their lifespans and pass on to their children.

  It is my mother, perhaps one of the strongest I have known, who worked more than she saw her children, who lost more than she gained, who was the "black sheep" but rose to the occasion and raised us all on her own.   My mother, who always served herself last masking poverty from us, bought us a home, and sent us out on our own to become- strong. 

I have not felt particularly strong lately and I know it is short lived.  Whn I see the strength from those around me under the pressures they have, and yet they still rise to the top, I am epowered.   I felt inclined to make a blog about them, and draw my strength from them.   I hope they don't mind that I have put it into words.   "Don't ever think one person can't change the world, for that is all who ever have"- Margaret Mead

Hey, What's goin' on?

It is mid August and I have been in Houston or "the dirty south" for about 6 weeks now.   I spent the first few weeks getting acquainted with I-45 and  surrounding super targets, as well as making friends and socializing with  local triathletes.    Houston is a fast paced city and it has  Austin attitude.  Although I didn't expect Houston to fit my fancy, I have grown quite comfortable and pleased with what it has to offer...especially since the beach is minutes from the house!

                                                                Mandy came down for a beach day

I've experienced quite a few  unique restaurants, and Boondoggles gets my vote for best in class!  They employ an eclectic yet satisfactory staff, are located on the water and of course Bella-friendly.  They also have arguably the best spinach salad  and margherita pizza in the south!

Bella and me at Boondoggles

I have become quite familiar with two Houston tri communities, HRTC and BAM!  Both organizations host swim, bike, run workouts on a weekly basis and I do my best to frequent as many as possible.  The hardest workout I do all week is called the "Paperclip".  It is so geniously named after the 22 mile loop shape like...a paperclip.   This event isn't for the weak, on the contrary, it is all "roadies".   Although nice individuals, they take off at lightening speeds and if you blink, you'll be on your own.   I ride like a bat out of hell just to stay close, however drafting is illegal in triathlon so peletons are not for me!   To that point, I do believe I will be ready for the Summertime Blues sprint tri and planning to make it to Dallas for the US Open in October.   I am also toying with competing in the Longhorn 70.3 this season...just for giggles.  
I spent hours researching and put my networking fingers out there when a good friend of mine from D.C. suggested I apply at Timberline Fitness in the midtown area.   He's one of the most intuitive people I call a friend, so I did!  Low and behold the stars were aligned and the moon was high because Timberline owner Dean Theriot had been a client of my MAT founder and creator years ago and was sold on the idea of bringing me on! This past weekend I gave a symposium for anyone who wanted a closer look at MAT.   I must say, I was concerned only few would show up, but ended up standing room only!   I am fortunate to have such a supportive group to work with and can not wait to see what else we will accomplish together!

                                                                                a glimpse inside Timberlne

Reviewing my notes before the presentation

While I have settled in seemingly well, there are pieces of Dallas I miss, mostly people honestly.   One of the biggest lessons I have learned during my transition is who my friends are.   I was surprised to see exactly how many people offered an ear or similar appendage and likewise which ones did just the opposite.   In any case, humble pie never tasted so sweet. I appreciate the lesson.

This weekend Iwill be heading to Pagosa Springs, CO for some serious altitude training, hiking and camping, and of course R&R!   Stay tuned for my next epic adventure!!!!

                                                                               Carrie, Gretchen, and me at Kung Fu

Can you spare some "change"?

I have been polling the audiences of my fellow coworkers, colleagues, athletes and just good ol' fashioned friends about the concept of "change".   I'm not talking about the pennies I "accidentally" throw out the window or the nickles and dimes I find in the laundry- although I love finding quarters!   I'm talking about that dreadful point at which a decision needs to be made or a decision has been made and now we get to either move in the same direction or crawl back into our shells and hibernate hoping that storm will pass us by, untouched.   "Some change is good, some change is bad" from the lips of one of my best friends.   Although I shook my head in agreement, I was really nodding in understanding her thought process.  Change, in reality, is a perception.   It's a word.  How can it be good or bad?  It is only what it is, and doesn't deserve such a bad rap.   However, for arguments sake, I say change is change and am coming to understand why so many are resistant to it.   Change comes in all forms: career change, time change, change in physical appearance, change a diaper, change a tire, change your mind, change your boyfriends or your underwear- although these two may be synonymous, change your life.   It has become rather apparent to me that even the most free of minds does not adhere to the qualities that change can bring.   Think about all the times you've said " I am so ready for a change" or " a change is gonna come".   What did you really mean by that?   Where you really ready for a change?   If you did actually change, what was the intention behind it?   Ive been pondering this change thing more closely this week as I have made quite a few changes.   I broke up with my boyfriend, moved to Houston, joined another triathlon team, made some new friends and even rided myself of "friends", I started a new job and see the world much differently given my current circumstances.  Most who know me aren't surprised that I would make so many decisions all at once, however, many would think I've lost my nerve.   I would say to those "did I ever have it"?   HAHAHA.  I've been thinking on each of my decisions individually and really weighed out why I changed so much and what my reasons were.   I have realized that I love change, I also realize that I love to think I love change.   Truth is, I do wonder if each decision was progressive to my ultimate goal or if it was knee jerk and based on emotion.   Whatever the answer to that question is, is irrelevant, as that is what I decided and I do not live on auto pilot or sit and analyze things until I am in a state of chronic paralysis.   The point I am making is that change can be uncomfortable, if we let it.   It can be bad, if that is how we see it.   It can also be the best decision we've ever made.   Moving to Houston ruffled some feathers, not mine, but there were definitely some angry birds.   I wondered why they were so bitter or what had I done.   Realistically, it was the change.   Houston isn't my dream city, but it is the next step in getting to my dream city.  Sure I miss the people in Dallas, but the ones who really care will not allow proximity to define our relationship.   Further, change is a mere excuse for being out of the comfort zone.  Pish posh.   Change and the willingness to allow change can make for some great adventures and life long lessons.  For example, breaking up is never easy to do, but if you stay in a relationship where mediocrity is at its best, you may miss your prince/princess.   We KNOW when we are happy and when we are not, yet so many times we stammer around in that situation sacrificing our livelihoods just to appease the outsiders or the general vibe of society.  
For me, I am going to embrace change just to make myself more uncomfortable.   I am going to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and expect the unexpected  because the "only thing that stays the same is that everything changes".