Resolute and Determined!

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Lisa Jamison

I casually polled my friends and clients last week. While a few could list a couple of New Year’s Resolutions, most people rolled their eyes a bit when I questioned them. Clearly, not everyone is a fan of “the list”. Personally, I AM fond of making a list. Part of it is a “to do” list for the year, while the other supports the more traditional form of resolutions.

As I’ve posted, I had a bit of a stormy fall. December brought resolution to some issues and had me hurrying into the new year with hope. No need to clean out the (literal and figurative) closests, it’s been done. It’s all about what lies ahead for me. Yeah for me!

So here’s my list of things I’m determined to get done this year. It will act as a table-of-contents of sorts for my next several posts:

1) Toughen Up! Learn how a cold tub, a SEAL, and “it’s only cold…” could give me the biggest kick in the ass of the year.

2) Make a Comeback! Uuuuhhh…was I ever really “here”, and if I was, did anyone even notice I was gone?

3) Spend the year in the Injury-Free-Zone! From rehab to running; a girl’s gotta’ dream!

4) Drop the Fat! Weighing in on the “fat and fit” debate, if you care to hear my opinion.

5) Lose the Fat! I miss mayonaise already. I know I will! My substitution list.

6) Yin is In! Why doing my Yin-homework is essential to maintaining balance during my high-stress times.

7) Practice Intimacy as a Spiritual Discipline! If you think that I’m running one of “those” personal ads or that I have waaaaaaaay to much free time….than this obviously needs a longer explanation. Wait for it…

All in all, I think 2010 (and I’m commited to saying “Two-thousand Ten) is going to be a pretty happy year! Would love to hear of your resolutions, er…commitments…plans for the year!

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I lift my eyes to the hills

Posted on January 9, 2010 by Lisa Jamison

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help?  My help cometh from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:1) 

Or as far as I’m concerned, I will lift my eyes to THE hill.  MY Hill. 

The Hill has been a source of great inspiration for me.  I have learned more from The Hill than ever could have imagined.  On The Hill I have seen glory and joy, pain and suffering.  From The Hill I have felt warmth.  Real love. 

I’ve always felt like I’m a little closer to God because of The Hill.  I mean, God must really love me to even GIVE me The Hill.  I’m just not your average gal.  Seriously, I’m a bit embarassed to put this in print, but in a small recess of my brain I’ve actually believed I’m a little “better” than everyone and looked upon more favorably by God because of the sheer presence of The Hill in my world.  It’s been a solid 15 years.  Through ups and downs, visits and separation, I’ve always known this:  “The love is always there”. 

Well I’ve really screwed up this time.  The Hill had a new message for me last fall.  As I’ve noted in a previous post, I may not have actually been in the right mindset to HEAR things properly (the echo was on reverb?) or DEAL with things the way I should (Whaaaat?  One more thing on my plate?).  For whatever reason (and I do like to think I had one at the moment…) I got up and ran away from  The Hill.  As I was took the first few steps away I realized I was in error.  To no avail…I ran.  Funny that I hadn’t been able to “run” in nearly two years but found the strength the scurry away from Hill. 

Well is it over now?
Do you know how to pick up the pieces and go home? (Fleetwood Mac)

No, I haven’t yet figured out how to pick up the pieces.  But I’ll keep trying.  And in the meantime, if you see The Hill, can you tell Him I’m still here?

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R and R (and R…)

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Lisa Jamison

It’s been a while.  Blog thoughts fill my head, but I feel somewhat obligated (even if to nobody but myself) to write about “year end”. 

January 2008 found me coming off the “high” of my first Ironman.  The year had been spent as my own little form of “honor” to my bother-in-law, who was fighting melanoma.  My 2008 journey had involved and affected all aspects of my very real world (work, play, sports, relationships…) as well as the more esoteric avenues of wellness (spiritual, emotional, physical…).  The avenues, streets, and thoroughfares all lead me to January 2009, and I gladly sat in that crossroads.  It wasn’t about deciding where to go next or where the roads were leading…it was about enjoying the intersection.  Enjoying the block party I had created.  Resting in the moment…

REST

Everyone deserves as rest now and again.  Heck, without rest it is impossible to have any growth.  Like many of my fellow Type-A-Large-And-In-Charge cronies, I don’t always like to rest as much as I should.  There’s always some work to be accomplished, some fun to be had, or some play to be done.  The funny thing about rest:  if you don’t allow time for it, it will become the very thing that controls your life.  At some point you WILL be forced to sleep or heal or recover.  You WILL be side lined; you WILL slow down.  I began 2009 feeling quite well rested after my pleasurable IM journey.  Bike crash…more rest.  A slew of associated “itis” related stuff…a little more rest.  Minor surgery; more sitting around.  And the economy?  Yeah, that added a couple of slow months in there for me.  I felt like I was on perpetual “Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret” mode (OK, maybe only the ladies in the house will know what I’m talking about). 

RE-EVALUATE

I’m reminded of birds flying into picture windows.  You’ve seen that…bird flies into window, gets up, does it again.  Bird hits window and stumbles around on the ground, gets up, does it again.  Bird smacks glass…is a little more dazed and confused, but manages to fly around a little bit more prior to whacking it’s head so hard it…well, you get the picture.  I’m a firm believer in prayer, but I’m also a firm believer that God isn’t always “shining His face upon” me.  I was praying for answers and I thought I was listening.  SMACK!  Into the glass again.  Stupid Girl.  Clearly I wasn’t making the best decisions.  I think a little physical pain, a little heart ache, and a little emotion upheaval go a long way to cloud one’s judgement.

REHAB

(Insert image of Amy Whinehouse in your brain right now)  I knew it was time to check out.  That’s when I called “Camp Sporty” (which is really the wonderful Athletes Performance) and checked in for a couple of weeks of R and R (and R…).  I took the two weeks…which gladly could have been longer…to get back on track.  I began with expert re-evaluation.  Some body parts needed some more rest, while others went straight to rehab.  As unused portions were recovered from the wreck I called “body”, my mind began to REJUVENATE. 

During a weekend there I took off and drove to Alabama.  Why?  Because it is there and I’d never been.  I chose to drive along the coast.  As I paced my way along smooth road my eyes went from small dunes, to washed out buildings, to a new hotel or two, and to spots of bare land.  I remembered the devastation of the hurricanes and how the Gulf Coast communities were forced to REBUILD after the disasters.  Gotta’ love a metaphor that gets thrown in your face.  Thanks God, I got it.  I’m in the right place. 

2010

I’m READY.  I’m in a state of RE-CREATION.  Changed mindset, changed workouts, changed life.  I see the joy of RECREATION on the horizon…by golly, I think I’ll actually be able to race (or at least DO a triathlon) again this year. 

All I can really say is YEAH FOR ME!  Cheers to (Re) New Beginnings!

Posted in injuries, Musings, Training, triathlon | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Entry into Cougarville

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Lisa Jamison

Portofino indoor pool

The purrrrrfect place to swim....

“T” and I checked-in to Camp Sporty on the same morning.  Our differences were obvious; he the young buck, me the old mare.  I guessed he was there for conditioning while I was focusing on pain.  They handed him and fully explained their photo release.  I was clearly going to have to rely on either a) squirming myself into view when a camera appeared, or b) placing my hand in front of my face while bellowing “No Pictures Please!”

Our coming and going generally pass, but we manage to belly up to the bar for at least one meal a day.  We chatter about our days, how we are feeling, what to eat for breakfast.  

 He is staying here for a couple of months and, like many of the pro ball players, is staying at the ritzy digs a couple of miles from my hotel.  They sport a 25 meter indoor pool that’s the best in town.  Or any surrounding town, for that matter.    I was told to check in with him if I wanted to have pool privileges.  Actually, I was told to “hook up with” him.  Now I have made the mistake of using that term with people much younger than me, and it’s is usually met with a roll of the eyes or a backwards step.  I would simply state my case and ask nicely.  He’s a nice boy…

So imagine my surprise when I said “Hey T, I hear you guys have a 25m pool at your place” and he responded with “We do?  Why don’t I just give you the spare key to my place and you can come over and use it whenever you want”.   What I wanted to say was…

“Are you kidding?  That was waaaaayyyyy to easy!  Don’t be giving your keys away to just any woman who says a few nice things to you!!  Helloooo…are you watching The Fall Of Tiger Woods on the news right now?  There are going to be women e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e you go from now on.  And they come in all shapes and sizes and ages.  And professional athletes on the road all seem to lose their freakin’ minds!  This was merely a test…you failed…you need remedial work in this area…”

But what I DID was gently snatch the key and plan out another week of swim practices.  Welcome to Cougar Pool.  It don’t get no better than this.

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Check, please!

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Lisa Jamison

Sometimes you just have to check out.  Well, at least we all want to sometimes.  I’m at one of those times.  I realized that I’ve not been able to run for two years, that I’ve had a couple of injuries, and that I’m just…a little wonky.

And that’s enough to throw the “balance” of my world “off”.  When you hurt, you don’t live your regular life.  When you can’t move as gracefully as you like, your head gets blurry.  When your stress relief relies on drone-like repetitive motion, your body goes into  angst mode with the extra hours of stillness.

So, I checked out.  Physically, I’ve go a great team around me to analyze my data and set me back on track (maybe back on THE track…or maybe an appropriate path!).  I’m catching up on some pleasure reading, a little writing, and some barefoot walking in the sand.  I’ve parked myself on the beach, opened the doors and windows, and am letting the (frigid) wind blow through my stagnant tissues.

A wise friend (OK, that was a little sarcastic, hopefully appreciated by said friend) recently reminded me that “The cure for anything is salt water:  sweat, tears, and the sea.”  OK, if it helps me at all, I’ll find time to cry while I’m here. 

Athletes' Performance at The Andrews Institute

My version of "The Biggest Loser"

Checked out of life.  Checked in with a training and support team.  Check up with great doctors.  A new check-list to run me through the important appointments of the day. 

Balance forthcoming…check!

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It’s All About the Legs

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Lisa Jamison
Scott Rigsby, prosthetics, UnThinkable
Scott Rigsby’s legs…with him in them.

A mother and daughter waited anxiously for their autographed copy during the book siging.  They were greeted warmly by Scott Rigsby, with familiarity, warmth.  I stepped up to help take a photo of the three of them.  As I snapped, Scott said “You may want to back up a little.”  I asked why, noting that it was a lovely close up, all smiles. 

Scott said nothing, just smiled, gave a little shake of his head.  It took a beat, but I caught on. 
It’s all about the legs.  The close up didn’t show the legs.  They had come because of the legs.  The book was about the journey of losing legs, gaining legs, using legs.  Swimming legs, biking  legs, running legs.  Walking legs.  Sweaty legs.  Bloody legs.  Broken legs.
That’s how I first encountered Scott.  In 2007 I was racing in honor of my brother-in-law (Mike) and raising money for the MIF.  Just three months off knee surgery and with one herniated disk acting up I was pretty uncomfortable.  St. Anthony’s was more of a limp than a walk.  The song in my head:
I would walk a thousand miles.  A thousand miles, it’s true.  I would walk a thousand miles just to be with you. Well you’ve got my heart and you’ve got my soul and you’ve got this promise, too.  I would walk a thousand miles just to be with you. 
All the while I wondered if I was doing more “bad” than good.  Was I really doing anything for Mike?  Was I injuring myself even more?  Crap.  Toe hurts.  Think I’m losing a toe nail.  One thousand miles…blood in shoe.  Yup.  Toe nail gone.
I looked up, out of myself and saw a man holding on to a tree.  Handsome guy, just hanging out, holding up a tree.  I looked down to see that someone was duct taping his legs…one foot back together…the other leg, back on to his body.  “Tough day?” I asked, knowing that this guy would kill for a bloody toe-nail.  He smiled a little, gave a little shake of his head, laughed.  I finished my race, counting my blessings (as well as my good toe-nails) along the way.
For as much as I’ve told that story, I’ve thought of it more often.  It’s funny how such a brief moment can carry so much weight, how a glance can cause “someone” to be permanently imprinted on your brain.
In Ironman Florida 2008 I saw the smile and the laughing eyes as I walked into the night.
When a fellow athlete buckled and fell with cramping, I knew I could help.  I smiled as I put my own “duct tape” on their “broken legs”.
As I bent to help someone change their shoes, I gave a little nod and “taped” them on, good and tight. 
When I saw the cover of Scott’s book a smile quickly came to my face; I recognized him immediately. 
His legs are mere vehicles; they get him from one place to the next.  They help him get His work done.  Some of us have a vision and we find our vehicles.  Some get vehicles and discover a new vision.  From that we either sit and dream…or get up and make it our mission. 
What’s your duct tape?  Who’s taping you up, helping to hold you together?  How are you using the tools and the vehicles in your life?
 
The book is UnThinkable by Scott Rigsby.  It’s published by our friends at Tyndale House, so if you need a little duct tape, I’m sure there will be some spare!  I haven’t read the book yet, but of this I’m sure…
…it’s not always about the legs, Scott! 
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“Damn those hamstrings!”

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Lisa Jamison

Yeah, a few of you have said that to me recently.  And a few of you have been on the table (or floor or pool deck or side of road) and I’ve said “Gee, it would be great if you could loosen those things up a little.

Yeah, YOU.  I can help, but you have to put in the time.  And that’s what we’re talking here.  Let’s say…five minutes.  Repeatedly.  Here’s the move:

Viparita Karani-tViparita Karani…that’s “legs up the wall” to the non-Sanskrit speaking people in the house.

First, wiggle your pelvis (butt, patooties, arse) into the wall.  I prefer a towel roll under the lumbar spine (just big enough to honor the natural curve, enough so the pelvis tilts forward).  When you’re ready, bring your feet up the wall.  For the entire hamstrings to lengthen, you need to keep the legs straight.  Keep backing away from the wall until you can do this.  For those of you with tight/forward shoulders, put a pillow under your head so you can get comfortable (and breathe…).

Here’s the “tough” part for some of you:  just lie there.  Yup, “just” stay.  You’ll feel the muscles start to stretch.  Remember, if you think the muscles are ripping, they probably are, so don’t do that.  Back off.  Just a comfortable, mild stretch.  After a little while, those muscles will lengthen…

…but you’re not done.  Now you’re getting into the deeper stuff.  The fascia.  The joints.  You may not know what this “stuff” feels like, so just lie there and try to enjoy the experience.  As always, if you think you are hurting yourself, back off.  (Remember the feeling of braces on your teeth?  The orthodontist would tighten a little, and you’d have some mild discomfort while the teeth moved.  It’s that same type of feeling.)

Do this regularly.  Like…daily.  Twice a day, especially if you are really experiencing hamstring problems.  Just be.

It’s about restoring the natural balance of your body.

“Aaaahh, those hamstrings!”

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Yeah For Me!

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Lisa Jamison

Yeah for me!  I rode my bike today!  It wasn’t real fast, but that wasn’t really the point.  It was the first time I’ve been back on my bike in a couple of months.  I rode 40 miles.  And I got to ride with Hartley.  He’s training for IMFL; down to the last few weeks for him.  It was nice to be out there, give him some company for a bit of his ride…and just BE there!

SH-TR70Yeah for me!  I got new shoes.  I was really at Outspokin to get some cleats for my old (read: former) shoes, but these were screaming my name from the wall.  They were in my size, a real bonus.  I put them on and yelled “they fit!”, only to be told they needed to be heat molded to my foot.  I was sold.  Like butta’, I tell ya’!

85_Oustpokin_logoAnd while I’m on the topic of Outspokin…I read on FaceBook that Val and Giant have helped a friend of mine.  Gus Ignas is, once again, doing a fundraising bike ride.   I know a lot of “us” have done things like this and know how difficult it can be to drum up support.  Gus never takes the easy way.  This year he is riding from Tampa to Miami to raise money for people living with ovarian cancer, and then will ride from Miami to Key West to support local AIDS charities.  Gus is a great guy, rides with all is heart and soul, and is one person who could really use the support!  Yeah for Gus!  And Yeah for Val and the gang!  (side note to Val:  I’m changing my nickname for you…)

Gus…charity bike rides…new shoes for me…new bike for him…two happy cyclists…all helped by one great shop.  Yeah.  Yeah!  YEAH!

That’s the balance we call the circle of life!

It seems like I’ve been here before; I can’t remember when.  But I have this funny feeling that we’ll all be together again.  No straight lines make up my life and all my roads have bends.  There’s no clear cut beginning and so far no dead ends.  All my life’s a circle…(Harry Chapin)

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Balance. Love. Kevin.

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Lisa Jamison
kevin-belton

He's Kevin Belton from The New Orleans School of Cooking, owner of Li'l Dizzy's Cafe at the Whitney. Human Taxidermist.

This is the new man of my dreams.  He’s got a little balance; he  balances me out a little.  He says he’s normal size and everyone else is just small.  I do believe this makes me petite!  His feet require a size 20 shoe; mine are elfin at size 11.  His large frame easily hold his 400+ pounds.  If I’m a Lady Clydesdale, he’s a Super-C and then some!

He teaches you to cook with butter and flour…I mean roux.  You feel the big hand on your shoulder, the love from his eyes, and the passion for all he does coming through his white jacket from his mammoth heart.  He cooks.  He teaches technique.  He educates on history.  He shares.

And he loves.

And that balances the calories, you know.

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P.S.

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Lisa Jamison

  pomfret_banner_editedPomfret School.  I was reminded of the place just last week…back when I was listening to those cassette tapes.  Back when I was having the memories of good and the flashbacks of  not-so-good times.  Back when I decided that I would rather be “here” than “there”.

The truth of the matter is that I think of PS quite often, and it never actually sends me into a state of apoplexy.  I think of it whenever I look at my business logo, which was designed by Nathalie.  Everyday I look at the little metal sculpture that David gave me prior to leaving the school.  The “(insert your full name) is” statements pop up regularly on Facebook, as do pictures of (insert your full name)’s present life…the Tobys and the Judys and the Erics and the Malcolms.

And as lovely fate…or balance…would have it, Jennifer sent a FB message.  She was actually LOOKING for cassette tapes to play!  In her collection of mixed tapes she found a silly gift from me, one in which I had read bed time stories.  She said she appreciated hearing my voice and having the memory.

As did I.  As do I.

P.S.  I love you.

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