I know this blog is about my journey to Ironman but I am off to a bit of a rough start. I have been plagued with some sort of bizarre respiratory infection/issue that is really starting to just piss me off! I would say "pardon my language" but it really is making me mad!
Here's a typical scenario: I feel fine except for this tickle/irritation in my bronchial passages. On occasion I will begin to cough. When I do...the cough completely takes over and my airways completely close up. I turn dark red/purple in the face, gasp and wheeze for air until they calm down and open back up again. Sometimes that passage and wheezing is so strong, it triggers a gag reflex and I throw up a little. Yummmmy.....bet you didn't know this blog would be so descriptive. I went to the doc AGAIN as I am not really getting better and was tested for Whopping Cough. Yes, whooping cough!! I thought that was eradicated in like the 1920's! Seriously?!? I have inhalers, antibiotics, more inhalers, nebulizers, oral prednisone....you name it and yet.....when the cough starts....there is no stopping it and the series of events described above. Now.....add to that a run or bike, in our recent weather? Yea....not so much. So, I'm getting frustrated and fluffy around the middle!!
This minor health annoyance (and it is more an annoyance than anything else) combined with the issues we had with one of my dogs, Dakota over the past 17 days has created quite a challenge to my training environment to say the least. For those who don't know, Dakota (and his brother, Dodge) got out of our backyard on November 16th and were picked up by Animal Control on the 17th. How they got out we do not know--it is a locked yard. When they were found their collars were missing. Collars that had tags on them that would have made the dogs easily recognized and hopefully returned. Upon return home, Dakota bit my Dad who had just arrived from California for an eight (8) day visit and Grandparent's Day. After 16 stitches and a four day stay at Harris downtown for a secondary infection, we ate Turkey and he got back on a plane and went home. Needless to say, not his best visit to Cowtown. :-( . Dakota was quarantined by the City for ten days. When he returned home he continued to show aggression and almost bit Abby while she was petting him. Had it not been for her quick reflexes and our other dog, Dodge jumping in, I am pretty certain he might have gotten her on her face. She was trapped in the corner, at eye level while the dogs fought. Dodge pulled away with a damaged ear, Abby got away with a horrific and traumatic experience and I made the decision to put Dakota down on Thursday, December 1st. Probably one of the most difficult choices I have ever made and certainly not one I made lightly. I discussed with our vet and other animal professionals--if you disagree with my choice please do not feel the need to post here. I made a choice for my family and unless you live here...you really don't get a vote. :-) I cried hard. I cried very hard. It was difficult but I have no regret in the decision. One of many difficult tests of recent months. I was with him the entire time and held his head in the end. I am even crying a bit just relaying the story. I loved Dakota however I love my children, and the children I welcome into my home, more.
So, while these events (and others I may choose to share later) that created a distraction to my training may seem like excuses, I guess it is part of my journey. How do you find the way to just do it anyway? To get the job done so that on July 2, 2012 in Klagenfurt, Austria, I lie exhausted on the field of battle....victorious. Well......I guess you just do. And on the days you don't.....you try again tomorrow. Everyday...you just try a little more. That's all we can do.
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