In the first part of my story, I introduced my desire to become a competitive athlete, and the unfolding of my distorted eating and exercise patterns. Before you read the next phase of my testimony, I want to emphasize that my intent is not to come across as boastful, but simply to relay the backstory accurately so the forthcoming part of my story makes better sense.
After dieting myself down to a size 2, I still did not feel satisfied with my life, so I contemplated the next best thing to strive for: training for triathlons (swim, bike, run). It only took one triathlon race and I knew I was hooked - I had found my niche! I quickly put together my race schedule for the remainder of the season, which included a half Ironman distance triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) later in the year. I started increasing my exercise volume to prepare for the race, despite still being stuck in the diet mentality. One hot summer day, I remember completing a 100+ mile bike ride on just two Powerbars, water, and some Gatorade Propel the entire ride. This means that I only consumed about 600 calories during the 5-6 hour workout! I had no idea what my body truly needed to be healthy and to perform well. Despite my ignorance regarding appropriate nutrition for my body, I somehow posted the second overall fastest run split of the day in my first half Ironman distance race - males and females combined. Unfortunately, I inaccurately interpreted this to mean I was doing things right with my nutrition and exercise.
During this phase of my life, I lost my menstrual cycle, always felt cold, and obsessed about food daily. If you can relate personally, I hope you will seek help with an experienced nutrition professional and licensed counselor.
Ironically, I had just transferred to Virginia Tech to start the Dietetics program to prepare for a career in nutrition. Virginia Tech had a Triathlon Club, and I wanted to make a good impression by being the “star athlete” for once in my life. As I started brainstorming the upcoming year of racing, I realized I would benefit from an expert to give me insight on constructing an effective training schedule. Fortunately, I found a coach who designed my key workouts, so instead of exercising compulsively on my own stubborn instinct, my main workouts had a purpose and were intentionally designed. Over the year, my coach made comments such as, “Make sure you are eating plenty of food to support your training.” These remarks helped appease my primary urge to diet and I started to consider that food might be necessary fuel for the audacious goal I was trying to accomplish: qualify for the 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championship triathlon at the end of the year.
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Throughout the year, I trained according to my coach’s advice. I competed in 9 triathlons of various distances and placed 1st female in 8 of the races, which led to taking the overall title for the women in the Virginia Triathlon Series. I had never won a race in high school or any of my previous races in college, so to repeatedly win so many races back-to-back seemed surreal to me.
In November 2007, my big goal became a reality when I won my age group at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship race! I also happened to post a faster time than 7 of the professional women. As a result, I received several sponsorships and interviews with Ironman and The Daily Press (back when subscribing to print newspaper was common 😉). This newfound success triggered me to daydream about competing as a professional triathlete after graduating from Virginia Tech.
Actual finish time: 4:28.00.
My momentum continued in 2008 by setting a new half marathon personal best time (1:21), competing in my first marathon (2:53), and then securing a podium finish at the USAT Collegiate National Championship, which included posting the fastest bike split for the women. I remembered finishing dead last in one of my cross country races several years prior as a freshman in college, and now I was actually winning races on an international level. Other than my rocky relationship with food, I felt invincible and I couldn’t wait to undercover my ultimate potential as an athlete after graduation.
The next month, I registered for the USAT Duathlon National Championship race (run-bike-run) because I realized I would receive $2,000 if I placed first female. I finished the first run (10K) in first place and everything felt so effortless. Shortly after starting the bike portion, I thought I could likely win the race. A few miles later, I positioned myself to go around a turn, but my rear wheel fishtailed on loose gravel and wet pavement and I crashed hard, landing on my hip and cracking my helmet. I was trembling uncontrollably as I lay on the stretcher in the ambulance to the hospital - not because of the immense pain radiating from my hip and road rash on my body, but from the uncertainty of the long-term damage. I felt like I was just getting started pursuing my untapped potential as an athlete, and not knowing what the future would hold grappled my mind with fear. A few hours later, the ER doctor told me I would likely need a hip replacement at the age of 22.
Shortly before the bike crash...
Emotionally, I got so high to fall so hard. Everything I had worked for was gone in a moment. Would I need a hip replacement? Would I run again? The future was so unclear and my fear was scaled high. Even though I thought I was progressing with my life, I had a lot to learn about life, and it was time for a wake up call.
Perhaps you can relate to my story and you've experienced a crash in your life. Maybe a loved one of yours has been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness or syndrome. Or, you learned that your significant other wants to break away from a committed relationship. Your job was going so well and out of nowhere you received the notice that you have 30 days until your last day. You can't fathom your current situation and the future seems unbearably unpredictable. No matter how bleak your predicament appears to be right now, there is hope.
Perhaps you can relate to my story and you've experienced a crash in your life. Maybe a loved one of yours has been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness or syndrome. Or, you learned that your significant other wants to break away from a committed relationship. Your job was going so well and out of nowhere you received the notice that you have 30 days until your last day. You can't fathom your current situation and the future seems unbearably unpredictable. No matter how bleak your predicament appears to be right now, there is hope.
Be on the lookout for the next chapter of my story...
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