1. I wanted to repost this picture from the morning of the Ironman race. And while this Sharpie reminder didn’t survive the 112 mile bike ride, completely… when I started the marathon and looked down, all I could see what a tiny remnant of “Forward.”
That was enough to jog my memory. Ah yes. Forward. Go.
It made me think of that new Sara Bareilles song too. Which was also a feature in spin today.
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
And they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you…
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly,
This song and the “just keep moving forward” dead horse I beat (…Oh, that’s a joke, by the way… I don’t beat horses. Just want to be very, very, very, very clear.).
Anyway, this is just a reminder… there are plenty of people in this world who are ready to tell us that we suck… that we are stupid, ugly, fat, skinny, whatever… but in the end, say what you wanna say and be who you wanna be and create the life you want.
It’s tough to deal with our demons, our fears, our past and regrets. But this little triathlon world is an blessed outlet to do it, and I am so thankful for it.
By being triathletes or by taking the first baby steps to become triathletes—-I declare that we are all brave!!! And somehow, that bravery will spill over to the other areas of life.
Be brave. Let’s all be brave. Yesssss. Brave!
2. Went to Coach Monster’s spin class this morning. Debated not going, which is weird because I usually never skip. So I went anyway. And like most workouts, I was glad I showed up for it. Ran 2 miles before class too, and while my body isn’t liking what’s going on with it lately, I felt like a million bucks getting a sweat on, working out the nuttiness, or whatever.
I’m taking the kiddos down to my parents’ this weekend, and I hope to get in another run while we’re there. Then by Monday, I think it will start the process of Part I: Getting my act together again. Because I do, in fact, have a sprint tri in a few weeks…and I am ALLEGEDLY still signed up for Augusta 70.3…
Allegedly. I needed to throw in a lawyer word. I was having withdrawals. Ha.
3. I’m kind of tattling on myself with this. But I have a confession to make.
I had this for lunch yesterday. It’s so delicious. I mean disgusting. Disgusting… …delicious….
Not brave.
Actually, eating a Filet-O-Fish is pretty brave. You never know what’s going to be the end result.
Brave! Yes!
4. There is a sprint tri here in the area on Sunday. The Expert is registered, but he’s flip-flopping on whether he will go do it. I need some SBM peeps to start blowing up the comments as to why he should. I may just give out his phone number, so you guys can text him directly. Sound good?
Oh lawdy, he’d LOVE that.
“Mere! Now what have you done? Who is Debbie and why did she say to kick you to the curb!??! That there’s THOUSANDS of SBM ladies in line for me???”
Heh heh. (Love ya, Debbie! :))
5. Lastly and most importantly, thanks for all the love and support you guys have shown me over the weeks, months, days… and (wow) years. Believe it or not, while I appear to blog about “everything,” there’s sometimes more to the story than meets the eye. So I am thankful for this forum to complain, to (hopefully) inspire a little, and to (hopefully) give you guys a laugh every now and then.
Many of you have been a source of great, unconditional love, support and perspective… so again, thanks…. for more than you know, and for more than is said.
Now, go have a great, brave weekend, ya’ll!! (Filet-O-Fish).
you have done an Ironman, you can do anything!!! you need to come down and do the PTC Sprint tri with an awesome group of georgia MRTT Tri ladies. Holler at the tri board if you need anything.
Always a laugh and Always an inspiration!! THANK YOU!! Have a great weekend and stay AWAAAAYYYY from the Filet-O-Fish!!!
You are incredible brave for eating a Filet O Fish. I’m not even sure what kind of fish is in there!
As for you, Expert – it’s time for you to suck it up and go to that Sprint Tri this weekend. Just think, while you’re suffering out there on the course you will forget all about the recent craziness at home!
I’m so impressed that you are getting back into it with everything going on! Such an inspiration to me!
I needed this. Thank you! I will be brave this weekend. I WILL keep moving forward!
First, we all have to have our filet o fish moments… mine is a date chocolate chip cookies!~
Second, love the Brave song; played it on my short run this am.
Third, thanks for letting us all in. 🙂
Love Sarah Barielles’ “Brave.” My favorite line…”Show me how big your brave is.”
I’ll need my brave for a muggy, humid run on Saturday morning!
Expert best not keave me hanging.
Filet O Fish are my favorite.
I have enjoyed all of your blogs post Ironman. While no one’s life is quite like yours 🙂 it is humbling to know that we all face challenges in our own ways. Tell The Expert that he needs to do the Sprint this weekend. 90 minutes or less, and he will be done! I wish I could race right now, but I am VERY pregnant. He can’t use that excuse, so he has to do it. The Expert will do great!
Thanks for the inspiration and reminders to be brave and thankful. I hope you enjoy your week-end and come back recharged. And the Expert should do his tri – he’s registered and he’ll be glad once he’s finished. I love the filet o fish…must stay away….
Huh – I’ve noticed a few times that there are 2 of us named Mary Sue regularly stalking you. Weird to me as I’ve only met one person with my name before in my 40 years of living… But anyway, I digress. LOVE the Brave song – although I don’t think I had ever really *heard* it until I just watched the video – brought tears to my eyes. I definitely needed this – doing my “A” race sprint next weekend and not feeling good about my training – life has intervened. I am not a newbie triathlete, but I thought I’d be further along by this time of year. But I will be brave anyway and just go for it. Thanks SBM for the inspiration yet again…
If you’re talking about Crow’s lake on Sunday, I will be there with my mom. It’s her birthday so we’re tri-ing. The expert should definitely do it!
I laughed out loud when you mentioned my comment from yesterday!! Aw well. No worries. Don’t tell my husband I said that lol!! It’s nice to know you read out comments. :-).
The Expert needs this upcoming tri! He will feel so much more balanced if he gives himself the chance to get out there with other adults and do his thing. I vote he goes for it.
I am doing an Olympic on Sunday. A sprint would be a blast! Go Expert go! And Meredith you inspire me so much I almost (ALMOST) signed up for am Ironman! I will just stick to halfs though (I didn’t completely lose it!). Hang in there though the rough times-there is always something better just around the corner. And not everyone may understand the Ironman but any of us who tri do. Wear that tattoo with pride-you earned it!!! Thanks for being there for all of us, and know that there are a lot of out there rooting for you:)!
My brave thing I did today? Cut off all my long hair into a short and sassy pixie cut. Why you ask? Because it”ll be better for running and swim caps and bike helmets. Because becoming an athlete is changing my confidence, attitude, and life. And I too, would love those Hello Kitty shoes in my size.
Hey Expert, get off your butt and do that sprint tri this weekend. You KNOW you’ll be glad you did!
Signed,
Yet another nagging wife
Of course the Expert should race. He’s paid for it. He’s got to do it! For sure.
LOVE Brave! It speaks to me on SO many levels.
LOVE Filet-O-Fish! Although I only allow myself to have them during Lent. One of my silly food rules that I’m sure signals that I have an eating disorder. Whatever. How do they get the buns so soft ?
LOVE you SBM! I’m glad that you are getting back in the gym, but you need to stop beating yourself up over recovering from your IRONMAN. You put a shit-ton of hours into training, you deserve every day you take off!
LOVE the expert too! He really needs to do the tri this weekend! We need a race report. 🙂
Rock that pixie! I love mine.
I found your blog the day after your Ironman. I’m training for my first sprint tri at the end of August, and your “just keep moving forward” is so helpful to me. Now I’m going to sleep to rest up for my first long bike ride tomorrow!
Just remember how awesome you are ( truly inspiring -and in a very cool way). You can do anything!
To the Expert- I’m doing my first sprint in 5 weeks, I Just got my bike yesterday, and I haven’t swam in 7 years. You Can Do It!!!
Filet o Fish nothin’… I’m eatin’ a home made 7 layer cookie as I read. AND I haven’t worked out today, nor did I intend to… till there was you. Thanx 4 the reminder and push!
You are amazing!
Please, please, please have him do the triathlon! I need the motivational blogs from both of you!