Andi's Movement Towards Change

Today signifies the first day of summer. At least for me. This was the first of a series of triathlons and run races that I have signed up for throughout the summer, and I couldn't have started this season on a better day. Today was the Motor City Triathlon, on Belle Isle in the great city of Detroit. I had signed up for the Olympic distance as opposed to the sprint distance, basically since I felt that I could pull it off even though I haven't trained a lick in three weeks. Other than still being somewhat in shape after having finished my half ironman in May, it's mind over matter, as far as I'm concerned. I awoke at four in the morning to a clear sky, a slight briskness in the air and singing birds; a good sign that this would be a great day for a race. I arrived on Belle Isle at around 5:30am and picked up my registration packet. The Motor City Triathlon had a set-up that I had not experienced before, a dual location transition area. I had to set up T2 first with onl...

Blink. Another Team in Training race season has come to an end. The phenomenon of how fast time flies has always intrigued me. We see this in our careers, in our children, in our pets, in ourselves. As I type this, I look over to my beautiful cat of 17 years, and feel like it was just yesterday that I brought her and her sister home. The past six months of training, fundraising, and preparing for this race didn't go at a snail's pace either. It's hard to believe that the half Ironman that the team and myself had been training for so hard all winter has now come and gone. This was a difficult season for me, and admitting that isn't easy either. At times, I felt almost defeated. There were even times that I actually wanted to quit. I'm really glad I didn't. In fact, this season taught a few things. It taught me that it's okay to lean on friends, to ask for help if I need it. It taught me the power of support, knowing that with that and God's love, anything...

"Update your blog!" I hear from Bananaman. It's a comment that isn't meant to harp or pester, but simply to nudge, as a good friend would do. I'll always appreciate those nudges, especially because these last six months have dealt me up with an extremely full plate as if I had just been served up a heaping dish from the all-you-can-eat buffet of life. Surely, with everything on my plate something is bound to drop on the floor. This blog is one, and my apologies to my dear friend Brian and anyone else who has checked this site so much more often than I have lately. Thanks for having patience in me, in holding me accountable. Moving forward, I can't guarantee that I'll keep my blog as updated as I once used to, but knowing that there is an occasional soul that checks in every once in a while does make a difference. Keep on me, and I'll keep on posting. At the very least, I'll do my best to try and squeeze this in between meals.

One nice thing about training for a big race is that you can incorporate a lot of little races in your training program to help you prepare for the big day. A short while ago, I took advantage of a local race to do just that. The race is called the Martian Marathon, and I had signed up for the half. I must admit that I just chucked out loud to myself. Only two years ago, this girl could barely run a mile and a half, and my pace was about as fast as my dad's after his hip surgery. And here I am, choosing to sign up for a half marathon as a "warm up" fun event? HAHA. Ok, it's more than a chuckle now. I digress... My goal for this event wasn't to just get the strange looking shirt and medal at the end of the event. It was a pulse-check to see how well I've been training for my half ironman in May. My fastest (what a subjective word) 13.1 distance run was around two and a half hours up until now, with a 3 hour half marathon time when I competed in last year's ...

Do you ever have times when you just need to get away? It's easy to get caught up in the moment, or should I say the thousands of moments that comprise a day. Staying focused is a requirement, yet a challenge. Juggling everything gives a sense of accomplishment, especially when you are successful at it. But then there are those times of feeling overwhelmed, totally stressed, having the need to just get away. Often, I can address this need by taking an hour out for myself and submersing myself in music, or perhaps a hot bath engulfed with bergamot-scented bubbles. A good bike ride or run does the trick too, or just cuddling up with my kids on the sofa and watching a good movie. Perhaps sympathy has come into play for me now that I have reached the tender young age of 40. "You need to get away, just for a couple of days," my dad said. His translation? A vacation for one. Wow, that sounds nice, but totally unrealistic. All those thoughts come flooding back into my head again...

Hello family, friends, and followers. For those who know me, you know that March is my favorite time of year -- it's not because of my birthday, and not because of St. Patrick's Day. It's MARCH MADNESS time! And this year, you have the opportunity to have a lot of fun and be a part of something special! I invite you to join in the Team in Training NCAA Basketball Bracket Challenge. Even if you really aren't too into college hoops or don't think you are built for predicting winners, now is the time to get involved and have some fun and know that you are helping fight cancer at the same time. What's in it for me? And where does the rest of the money go? Each bracket entry fee is $25, with a maximum of 3, and all of the proceeds, minus the prize pay-out will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Prizes will be 25% to the 1st place person, and 15% to the second place. The more people that participate, the higher the payout, so spread the word and tell all of ...

Below is the formal letter from the Michigan Chapter of Team in Training, on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The letter serves as proof that I am indeed raising money for a good cause, and not trying to scam you in any way. --------- March, 2009 This letter is to confirm that Andrea Duncan is serving as a volunteer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michigan Chapter, and is eligible to collect funds on our behalf. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is licensed with the state of Michigan as a 501 © (3) not-for-profit agency. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Andrea Duncan is a member of our Team In Training program and has agreed to raise a minimum of $4400 for the Society and train to complete a long-course triathlon. Please support Andrea’s hard work and efforts, on our behalf. Andrea's fundraising page is http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/gctri09/a...

Here I am, a mere 73 days away from the first event of the season, the Gulf Coast Half Ironman. That seems like a long way off, but like a shadow in the light of day, the time is quickly fading away. So am I on the right road of preparedness for this 70.3 mile challenge? I suppose it depends on who is asked. My coaches, mentors, teammates, friends, family, all think that I can pull it off. And if you catch me in the right moment, you'll see that I can drink that Kool-Aid too. I'm one of the lucky folks (I just knocked on wood) where I can head out with little preparation and get a good distance under my belt now, whether it's a swim, bike or run. The biggest challenge that weights heavily on my mind right now is the challenge of meeting my fundraising goal of $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through this Team in Training program. I'm admittedly slow out of the gate with this effort. Normally, I send out some letters and do an event or two and I am able to ...

Looking back on my life, I've learned that life has ebbs, and it has flows. There are great days, and there are crap days. And then there are days that are just there, where time passes by before we know it. Each day, each hour, offers an opportunity -- but I've learned that you have to know where to look for it. It's been almost two weeks since I've worked out becauser there is so much going on...it's one of those times where the tide is out, and I have a considerably higher amount of stress than normal. I have a lot going on in my life -- the joy and dedication to my awesome children, the emotionally draining process of a divorce, a demanding yet most enjoyable job, and yes, training and fundraising for this upcoming race. I am wondering if I can keep it all together. I woke up today more stressed out than I have been in a while. My mind has been racing for the last few days -- logistics, bills, taxes, practice, fundraising (which I am way behind on, certainly due...

In just a few weeks, I will be turning 40. Historically known as the mid-life of a human being, I did something crazy, or so some may say. No, I didn't go and buy a shiny new convertible that I can zip around town with. No, I didn't quit my job and decide to follow some dream of becoming an artist. No, I didn't jump in the sack with some hot Ken doll of a man. I bought a bike. A bike, you say? Yes. A beautiful, sleek, smooth fantabulous bike like no other I have ever had. It's a triathlon bike, and it rides like " buttah ." Traditional cyclists call it strange looking, but for me and my teammates, we call it beautiful. It's eye candy, this bike, and I don't regret one penny that I spent on it. However, I'm in a dilemma. You see, I'm one of the weird ones...I've always named the bikes I race on. (OK, I've only had one before now, and her name is Elly -- after my grandmother who fought multiple myeloma .) This bike was purchased for the ...