Inspired by the Impossible...

If you have ever been doubtful, Norman Vincent Peale would tell you to repeatedly say, “I don’t believe in defeat!” There is so much power behind simply believing in yourself.  The repeated lesson I have learned is that when I have the slightest doubt in myself negative words creep from my mouth…chances are I will test the slippery slope and end up at the bottom.  For instance, I’m really good at frustration. BUT, frustration will not defeat me and I have learned to better control this viral thing! I am at the top of week 7 and in pre-season training and so far, I’ve had 1 low week (at week 5). I don’t always have that constant high-jolting energy.  You may have already noticed that no one has been able to perform at their best during EVERY race, game, speech or presentation, and so on.  I remember watching the Olympics this past summer thinking that Lola Jones was going to do well in her hurdles. Why not? She almost won the gold during th...

How did I learn how to swim?  At 4 years old (yes, I clearly remember this) I watched my daddy and some guys dig a BIG hole in our back yard.  I played in the pile of dirt and climbed on big limestone rocks that were pulled out by my PeePaw’s bulldozer.  Once this in-ground pool was completed and a diving board was in place, my daddy was swimming in the deep-end and I was on the diving board.  He told me to jump in (water-wingless). Of course, I hesitated while staring at the drain and quickly said, “That drain is going to suck me in!” “Jump in, I got you…” was his response.  I jumped in and he didn’t catch me…I swam to the ladder on my own!  Guess that’s the determination in me.  In fact, there was a time I was so eager to get into the pool that I forgot to take out my hearing aids and literally watched my sun-bathing mom dive into the deep end to retrieve my aids.   I remember standing there thinking, “oops” as she was panicking...

The big day in 2012 After finishing a triathlon in St. Louis for the 2 nd year, another Olympic race and summer training, I was ready for the big day. It was September 22nd in Oklahoma City! It’s a day I will NEVER forget. Strangely enough, I wasn’t as nervous as I had been for all the other races. The only thing I did think about was the headwind. Headwind can make you feel like you are pushing a rock up a hill. Redman Triathlon in Oklahoma is known for their red clay and winds. Plus, it was a flat course that makes it more difficult especially if you don’t have a tri bike or aero bars. Secondly, I don’t wear my hearing aids during most of the races due to the swim, heavy sweating, and possibly splashing water on my head or face. Hearing loss presents a challenge when announcements are made. So, you could imagine the additional stress or some anxiety. Needless to say, I did pray and read a few Bible verses early that morning for calm nerves. I believe God sent me peace ...