Hard to believe my trip to Aus is nigh, but no going back now. I have had to admit to myself and others recently that I have overdone it, maxed out, pushed the limit, etc. After teaching at Rex Wellness last Saturday, the 25th, Caroline and I traveled to Chesapeake, VA. A new TI client assembled a workshop for me to lead for about 10 triathletes, many being members of the charity, Team In Training.
So, after 4 hrs of driving, I led a 3 hr session in a neighborhood pool, in the hhhhhhhhhoooooootttttt sun. After a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel w/ my bride, I was whisked off to the second session at a lake. The lake was ideally situated at the home of Karen Wuertz, DDS, and was great for an open water venue. This was my first time leading an open water clinic, and it was a great experience! It was very gratifying to lead the pack across the lake and back, total of 3/4 mile. I was blessed to see the improvement. Notably, Karen's 12 yr old son, Jason, swam the entire distance in freestyle, no breaststroke. This was a first for him, and his stroke was smooth, graceful and efficient. Nice.
Back to my confession. I returned late Sunday night, then proceeded to do a normal week, putting in another heavy week of yardage. Not too bright. During a workout at 6am on Thurs, I was hurting, and sloooowwww. There's a certain kind of tired I occasionally get, when I hit the wall. My term for it is "transplant tired." This condition is characterized by denying the truth that my body has undergone a heart transplant, and then behave like a 25 yr old strappping, ripped, studley beefcake of a man, who can leap tall buildings, fight in the Octagon, and train w/ Michael Phelps. The result, a good old fashioned anxiety attack. If anything can put me in my place, it is this event. A common occurrence in my sick years, and a terrifying one. Needless to say, I have dialed it down, and embraced my weakness.
I wish I could say that I am so relieved, that I am just going to the World Games to enjoy myself and live my life. This is true, to an extent, a small one. I am going to swim and compete for gold! How can I not? I was scouting the other country's teams today, and I sure found a fast backstroker who I had overlooked. Aahh!
I'll accept the results, and know I've done my best to train. Part of any victory, at whatever level on the medal podium I do stand, is to display that organ transplantation works, and amazingly well! There are over 100,000 people on the waiting list for new life in the U.S., and the supply is fatally low. Those of us who have been privileged to live miraculously on the other side of life-threatening disease, must inspire others to donate life, as well as honor everyone who has made that choice!
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