"It's ok to have butterflies ~ just make sure they're all flying in the same direction."

I had my first pre-season Swim Clinic this morning in Larkspur. To be honest, I was really nervous about the prospect of jumping into a pool and seeing just how much more experienced the other swimmers would be. It was like the first day of Summer Camp, only I was fortunate to have a few familiar faces by my side (like Tiffany, Rocky & Head Coach Dave) to keep me from wetting my pants.

I put myself in Group 1, the batch of most inexperienced swimmers -- only to find myself getting bumped into Group 2. I could hear Coach Joe yelling above the water, "Maria, you know how to swim! Go over to the deeper end!" Before I knew it, I was doing repetitive laps: 25 yards out, 25 back. Just after a couple, I felt winded. As I stared down at the pool floor I felt a wave of discouragement. I felt this rush and panic to get to the other end of the pool and I felt like I needed to gasp for air since my heart was beating so fast. When I reached the end of the "warm-up" (yes, this was only the start of our clinic ~ we hadn't even began our swim drills), I had to do some serious self-talk.

See, what I've learned through all my marathon training is this invaluable lesson: You can't let yourself get overwhelmed. Things will happen, not go as planned, and sometimes it won't go right or be perfect at all. But you can't freak out. You have to just take in the moment, accept it, stop, and take a breath. You find your bearings and keep going ~ one step (or stroke) in front of the other. And that's all a part of life, too.

So I trusted myself (haha and to think all of this was happening underwater -- way to multitask, right?) and kept going with the drills. Before I knew it, I was continuously swimming my laps and all that discouragement, self-doubt and worry took a backseat. Sure, I was still tired and feeling winded after every couple of laps. But I trudged on and kept going. For the final 100 yds (after I thought we were about ready for our cooldown), Coach Dave wanted us to go ALL out and swim our strongest out and back. TWICE. Before I could even allow myself to get worked up or stressed, I took a couple deep breaths, focused, and swam my hardest and most consistent. Visualizing a fluid stroke, steady breathing, and using as much power as I could muster up in my legs and well... entire upper body :)

And after a 50 yd cooldown, it was done. I had just finished my first Swim Clinic. It was a small step for an Ironbaby, but a HUGE step for me. What started out as something that made me completely nervous, actually turned into a life-changing workout! Who'd have thought? And I'm proud to say I didn't get scared off or run the other way. I faced it and I did my best. And I know I'm going to have countless other moments like this throughout the season. I'm excited to witness all the mental, physical & emotional growth I'll be doing these next nine months.

Coach Joe said at the end of practice that no matter how many races you've done, whether it's your first or your eighth (and he's a five-time Ironman finisher), you'll always have butterflies. "And it's ok to have butterflies," he said. "Just make sure they're all flying in the same direction."

It's truly amazing what you can get your body AND mind to do.

In reflecting on my second full marathon, which I just completed last Sunday (The Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, on October 18), it occurred to me what a HUGE undertaking it was when I first started training to run 26.2 miles. And keep in mind, I had started this journey less than a year ago.

I never used to be a runner, and the mere mention of running continuously for long periods of time terrified me. But it was my TEAM: My Honorees, Coaches, Mentors, Captains, Teammates and Cheerleaders (on Facebook :), at home and off the trails, and all of you who have so generously donated to the cause) that pushed me to keep going and eliminate all limits I put on myself. And I guess the rest is history.

What first started out as something I feared, has now become a part of my life I don't think I could do without. There's just something about the end of a race and attaining a goal you've worked so hard for ~ that is truly irreplaceable. And for me, having such a smooth race and reaching the finish line at Nike was really a gift. And I feel so fortunate to have it to look back on.

It's been such a transformative process, to discover what you're capable of in terms of changing others' lives... and even your own. So thank you for all your support. You've helped me get to two finish lines of 26.2 miles and I just can't get over it! And can you believe, this is only the beginning?

Really... how far IS 140.6 Miles?

To help put things into perspective...

(click on photos to enlarge)

Life's too short to put limits on your abilities.

If you've found yourself here, it means you're curious to know what I've gotten myself into...

I've decided to commit my mind, heart --and yes-- body, once again, to Team in Training. To helping fundraise and find a cure for blood cancers. And to testing my abilities and begin another chapter and challenge in my life to complete a new endurance event.

And this time -- I've chosen the Ironman.

That's right. I've slightly lost my mind, have signed up, and am determined to complete my first ever:

2.4-mile swim
112-mile bike &
26.2-mile run

...all in under 17 hours. On Sunday, August 29, 2010. In Louisville, Kentucky. Along the Ohio River, and through the scenic Bluegrass Region of the South.

My training has already begun, and I am asking for your moral support, encouragement, inspiration -- and most importantly, your help in making my goals a reality.

I have completed two full marathons with Team in Training in the past year, and have raised over $5,000 in my efforts to help find a cure for a type of disease which affects someone every five minutes. Please don't let it stop here. Along with a new finish line goal, I have a brand new fundraising goal this season: $8,000 to help change and better others' lives. Please give what you can. Every single dollar counts.

Keep an eye out for updates and stories ~ as you're sure to read about a lot of firsts! I'm pumped to begin this exciting, terrifying, exhilarating journey, and can't wait to share it with you!

My sincerest thanks for all your support.

GO TEAM!
Maria