One Tough Mud-Covered Cookie Part II

The Tough Mudder is now about two months away, and I am feeling more prepared. In addition to hitting the gym every day, I have tried to seize every opportunity I can to get in some extra exercise, be it intense or not. My children have been the best supporters I could ask for. At the end of April, my daughter and I attended the 16^th Annual Sean’s Run in Chatham, NY. We got in a short sprint from the car to the starting line only to find out that the run was cancelled due to severe weather. As a show of appreciation, the organizers named all participants honorees.

Next up was the 2017 CDPHP® Workforce Team Challenge. I had run this race in years’ past. One year I even made the local paper, but not for the reason you might think. On my drive home after the race, I took a turn on a highway I drove every day, but on this particular night a

n unexpected obstacle was in my path: a Black Angus beef cow! I hit the cow at 45 mph. My wrist was sprained and my new car was totaled. This year had to be better!

I was always a sprinter rather than a long-distance runner, and I have found that this still holds true. I ran my hardest, despite the hot, hu

mid 92-degree day. As I ran, I felt like I was breathing in pure asphalt. Nevertheless, I pushed through it. The final downhill stretch is always my favorite since I get to sprint and shave a few seconds off my time. I crossed the finish line at 43:30. Out of 180 women from my company, I placed 25^th. I am proud of those results!

On June 3, I again attended the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk. This walk is near and dear to my heart. While this next story is hard for me to write, I hope that it will help raise awareness of the seriousness of heart disease. In 2001, my mother, aunt, two cousins, and I packed into a van and drove to Florida for my uncle’s wedding. This was my first out-of-state vacation. While there, I noticed that my mother was not her usual self. She was forgetful, her words seemed muffled, and she was retaining water. I begged her to see a doctor, but she insisted she was fine. The first night we arrived, my cousins and I took advantage of the pool at the hotel. My mother was already asleep when I returned to our room, so I did not get to say goodnight. At around 3 a.m., I was awakened by my aunt, who seemed panicked. My mother had collapsed on the floor in the bathroom and no one could get to her. My scrawny arm barely fit through the door as I tried to understand what was happening. She was unable to speak, and I was pulled away by the EMTs. That was the last time I spoke to her. My mother died from heart disease. To this day, I wish I was more informed and able to recognize the signs so I could have saved her life. This is why I support the AHA and its life-saving education and resources in any way that I can. I am a motherless mother, and my children never got to meet the amazing woman who gave me a giant heart.

My mother’s death is also the main reason I have always strived to eat right and maintain a healthy weight, and why I recently decided to give my body a jump start and do everything in my power to make sure I am here for my children as they become adults.

I was born with a heart murmur, which I sometimes notice if I overwork myself or if I am too fatigued. Nevertheless, my heart is healthy, and I always amaze my PCP with my cholesterol levels. I owe credit to my father who was always an active person and a great physical fitness role model. He introduced me to racing flat track and motocross and taught me how to properly do bench presses as a young adult. He is one of the strongest people I know, and if I can remain as resilient as he still is today, I will be happy.

On with the training! While I continue to attend classes during the day, I have decided to add a new level to my mix – CrossFit classes. Stay tuned as I explore another realm of physical fitness.