BE FEARLESS

BE FEARLESS & ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

THANK YOU!

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another
140.6 Sponsorships! 140.6 Miles of Blessings!

Thank you all for making this fundraiser a success! You are truly a blessing in my life!

I will be representing the following miles:

Mile 1: Tulio Gagot
Mile 2: Luis Godines
Mile 3: Patty Tejada
Mile 4: Johnny & Dorothy Garza
Mile 5: Debbie Mendoza & Sal Ortega
Mile 6: Kara & John Silva
Mile 7: Fernando Tejada
Mile 8: Erin & Ryan Farrell
Mile 9: Helen Garcia
Mile 10: Alicia Turner "AT"
Mile 11: Karen Pitts
Mile 12: Lisa Cisneros
Mile 13: Phyllis Torres
Mile 14: Tarah Burris
Mile 15: Janna & Victor Ramirez
Mile 16: Yvette DeLeon
Mile 17: Kathleen Woodhead
Mile 18: Hope & Andrew Hughes
Mile 19: Ava White
Mile 20: Priscilla Godines
Mile 21: Joshua Ortiz
Mile 22: AJ "Dada" Ramos
Mile 23: Jason Zepeda "JZ"
Mile 24: Cindy & Eddie Garcia
Mile 25: Daniel Lozano
Mile 26: Sara & Heath Rushing
Mile 27: Courtney Yuskis
Mile 28: Sarita Lopez & JD Lopez
Mile 29: Wendy Parent
Mile 30: Juli Gomez
Mile 31: Tessa Martinez
Mile 32: Amber Reynolds
Mile 33: Marla Ochoa
Mile 34: Don & Holly Ta
Mile 35: John & Maggie Savage
Mile 36: Maritza Dominguez
Mile 37: Tara Cavasos
Mile 38: Tony Thompson
Mile 39: Janice Ayson
Mile 40: Lorena Vasquez
Mile 41: Jesus & Sarah Fernandez
Mile 42: JC Perez IV
Mile 43: Dion & Christy Dorado
Mile 44: Ellen Castillo
Mile 45: Paula & Temo Sandoval
Mile 46: House on Payne Web Design
Mile 47: Katie Jan
Mile 48: Jonathan & Bettina Piotrowski
Mile 49: Justin & Tiffany De La Cruz
Mile 50: Dorothy Caldwell & David Abeyta
Mile 51: Gabe Erales
Mile 52: Scott & Stacey Thornton
Mile 53: Laforie Gaitan
Mile 54: Sandy Del Fierro
Mile 55: Carmen Castillo
Mile 56: Carlie Blandford
Mile 57: Jenny Woodward
Mile 58: Jennifer Wells
Mile 59: Denise Brock
Mile 60: Jessica Garcia
Mile 61: Sylvia Cisneros
Mile 62: Tom Janosko
Mile 63: Monica Chapa
Mile 64: Megan Patek
Mile 65: Amanda Fuller
Mile 66: Matt & Tina Woodward/Woodward Crossfit
Mile 67: Celina Camarena
Mile 68: Laura Zhang
Mile 69: Marina Garcia
Mile 70: Crystal Sandoval
Mile 71: Alisa Leon
Mile 72: Estella Ortiz
Mile 73: Jesse Jurado
Mile 74: Calero & Newton Family
Mile 75: Rene Martinez
Mile 76: Shary Gonzalez
Mile 77: Carrie Barrett
Mile 78: Bethany & Dave Schwanke
Mile 79: Dave & Eden Benavidez
Mile 80: Larry White
Mile 81: Oscar & Betty Perez
Mile 82: Elizabeth Flores
Mile 83: Lauren Loesch
Mile 84: Danny Garcia
Mile 85: Rhonda Halliburton
Mile 86: Lidia Aviles
Mile 87: Alissa Sirianni
Mile 88: Courtney Bryan
Mile 89: Becca McCann
Mile 90: Erica Villarreal
Mile 91: Melanie Gayle
Mile 92: Betty Trevino
Mile 93: Kristin Arriola
Mile 94: Jennifer McDermott
Mile 95: Michelle & Steven Woods
Mile 96: Ana Roberson
Mile 97: Jordan Wyatt
Mile 98: Teagan Wyatt
Mile 99: Adie Munguia
Mile 100: Adrian Dominguez
Mile 101: Fidel Castillo (Ruzzo)
Mile 102: Crystal Trigo
Mile 103: Velma & Tony Ellis
Mile 104: Nikki & Cabot Wilkinson
Mile 105: Vincent Carales
Mile 106: David Munoz
Mile 107: Chris Chandler
Mile 108: Emily & James Talley
Mile 109: Kim DeLong
Mile 110: Maria Ochoa
Mile 111: Ariana Dominguez
Mile 112: Carson Price
Mile 113: John Woodward
Mile 114: Shannon Lambremont
Mile 115: Mario & Bea Zarate
Mile 116: Alfredo & Bodie Garza
Mile 117: Renee Schroder
Mile 118: Kimberly Vanderburg
Mile 119: Delanie Weigand
Mile 120: Clayton & Amber Yost
Mile 121: Rene & Jaime Noris
Mile 122: Vegas Yashewski
Mile 123: Carlos & Christina Martinez
Mile 124: Rhonda Miranda
Mile 125: Kimberley Woodall
Mile 126: Keith Vega
Mile 127: LNV *
Mile 128: Lisa Willis
Mile 129: Suzanne Jacobs
Mile 130: Ida Jimenez
Mile 131: Marco Jimenez
Mile 132: Melissa Vela Martinez
Mile 133: Jenika Perez
Mile 134: Jenyse Perez
Mile 135: Sally Tompkins
Mile 136: Leslie Alexander
Mile 137: JC & Nelda Perez
Mile 138: Nick Mora
Mile 139: Diedra Godines
Mile 140: D Lisa Curry
Mile 140.6: Pamela Gagot "You are an Ironman!"

Honorable miles: Erik & Ilza Morales; Ismael Rodriguez; Abram Benavides; Jonathan, Amy & Luke Freeman; Lucky & Yaya Ramirez; Megan Cody; Linda Courtney; Lisa Rodriguez & Rick Garza; Ruth Hunteman; Freddy, Lindy & Stephanie Garcia; Laura Soliz; Luis & Rosa Soliz; Armando & Ida Silva; Rene Ramon; Olga Baez; Barbara Goodman; Freddy & Samantha Garza; Linda Courtney; Ruth Hunteman; April Besaw

*
Orlando Bernal, Ruben Perez, Mallory Gabro, Mike Gomez, Carol Keys, Joseph Ramirez, Aaron Jaramillo, Brad Sanders, Tony Saenz, Ramon Avila, David Broyles, Eric Villarreal, Grady Atkinson, Logan Burton, Marcus Naiser, Charles Milligan, David Olivo, Juan Pimentel, Hector Casteneda, Dave Furzer, Ron Foster (LNV crew rocks!)


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another

This Ironman means a lot to me. God has blessed me with the desire to complete one. He has given me the athletic ability to train and go out there and do it. I am so thankful that I have the ability to move my hands, arms, legs, feet, neck, etc.

Some of you may have read my post back in December ("WHY?") which I wrote about my step-father being diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's disease). I mentioned how he could no longer work and provide for his household. I also mentioned how I wanted to do a fundraiser for him.

Well here it is: We are calling it Proverbs 27:17
I am asking for a mile sponsorship. I will be completing 140.6 miles on May 21st, so the plan is to get 141 people to sponsor me in any amount that they feel comfortable giving. We are doing everything through PayPal. I will post another blog with 141 slots and will put their name on the mile that they are sponsoring me. I do not want anyone to feel uncomfortable about how much they are donating, so I will only post a name. So if they can only donate $1 then they can only donate $1 and I would be most grateful. Their mile will be determined in the order that I receive the donation.

If you would like to remain anonymous and/or would like to sponsor me on a specific mile please email me at pammyg12@yahoo.com or dci_atx@yahoo.com. However, please know that I am sponsoring myself on the last 0.6. Also, if you would like to use your business name please email me as well.

What you will need to do is click on the donation button on the left hand side of my page, right above my profile picture. You can log into your PayPal account or just use your credit card/debit to make a donation. If you use your credit card/debit please know that you will have to put down your email and phone number. The email is so that you can receive a receipt.

Thank you for helping me get the word out about sponsorship. More important THANK YOU for sponsoring me! I promise I will leave everything out there on the course (meaning I plan to finish 140.6!)

God Bless You all!

Sid & I (February 2011)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Champions Tri

I completed my very first Olympic Tri!

Champions Tri: 1500m Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run

Swim: 2nd time ever swimming with my wet suit. It was nice to have the wet suit on in the cold water. However the water was very choppy which = very scary. Ha! Every time I turn my face to breathe...BAM water in the face. It was rough but I finished it.



Bike: Felt strong. Felt fast. Didn't over do it because I had a 10K to run. Nutrition was on target.



Run: Achilles was feeling funky the first mile and half but then it finally chilled out. It was a hot run. Miles were about 8:15-8:30/mile (which I completely didn't mind).



Finished in 3 hrs and 46 secs. I'll take it!



Next triathlon IRONMAN TEXAS!

Monday, March 21, 2011

100/20

What a weekend!

My first 100 mile ride with a 20 mile run the following day. OH MY!

On Saturday I rode with a new group. They were fun! We started in south Austin and rode up the toll to Lake Pflugerville then around Lake Pflugerville area and back down the toll. It was a crazy windy day. It was hot. I can't believe I did 100 miles. These are the rides when you work on your nutrition and hydration. You find out what works and what doesn't. You find out what your body needs more of or what you should never consume again! These are the rides when you battle with the negative thoughts and continue to push the positive thoughts through. These are the rides when you start singing some random out of the blue song out loud. These rides are what make you an Ironman.

Sunday I had to do 20 miles. I didn't run until mid afternoon so that I could get a feel of what it would feel like during the Ironman. I left my house (north Austin) and ran 20 miles down south (ended up at Barton Springs Pool). I think most of the run I was spaced out. I remember looking down at my Garmin and seeing that I was on mile 7 then not too long after I looked down and I was on mile13. I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! Since I wasn't really in the mood to run 20 miles, I decided to run with my iPod. I miss running with music. I do not run with my iPod anymore because I'm not allowed to in the Ironman. I had a good time singing and running (I'm sure people thought that I was crazy!)

I met Lisa and Greg at Barton Springs. I took a dip into the pool which was probably a fantastic thing to do for my muscles considering it's so cold in there. When I got home I was exhausted. Done! Spent! I was so tired that I lied in bed after my shower and told Greg, "I think I'm crazy. I'm nuts." His response, "You're just realizing that?" HAHAHA! I love that kid!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2011 Austin Marathon

In February 2001 I ran my very first Austin marathon. It was the Austin Motorola Marathon. I ran it in 4 hours, 30 minutes and 19 secs. It was an amazing experience to actually finish 26.2 miles. I was so excited. I cried at the finish line! A few days after the marathon I looked back at all the finishing times and ages of the runners and right on top of my name was a 72 year old man who finished in 4 hours, 30 minutes and 5 secs! WHAT!?...a 72 year old man beat me!? AWESOME! From that day on I made a personal goal to run one marathon every year until I'm 72. When I'm 72 I'm going to beat a 22 year old! It's going to be sswwwweet!

Well I'm still at it. I completed the 2011 Austin Marathon. This year I finished in 4 hours, 3 minutes and 9 secs (which is actually my personal best). I had a great time training with Gilbert's Gazelles. I met and trained with two wonderful ladies, Katie Jan and Lauren Moser. I'm so blessed to have met them. All those long Saturday runs wouldn't have been the same without them. You can learn a lot about a person running the streets of Austin (literally).

Every year I dedicate the marathon to someone or several people. This year I ran in memory of Raul Castillo, a friend who died in a car crash this past October. I also ran in honor of my friend Eliza De Los Santos, who would have ran the half if she wasn't in the same car crash as Raul. She is healing fast but can not run at the moment. It was so awesome to see her at the race.


This marathon was just a stepping stone towards Ironman Texas. It was my foundation for what lies ahead. I'm glad that it's over. Bring on Ironman training!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Fitness Program - Blue Cross Blue Shield

If anyone has Blue Cross Blue Shield log on to the site and check out their fitness program! It's so worth it!

I was pretty bummed about traveling for work this coming week because I didn't have any where to swim, spin, and train. But here comes Tulio to my rescue! He reminded me that Blue Cross Blue Shield has a program that you can pay for to get into gyms around Texas. It is their Fitness Program. You pay an initial $39 and then $31.39/month for unlimited access to places like YMCA, Gold's Gym, 24 hr Fitness, Bally's and other local gyms in different cities. I gave up my membership at Gold's Gym a while back because I go to Woodward Crossfit, but I was using Tulio's Gold's membership to get in to swim. Now I don't have to! I can use my very own membership via the Fitness Program. YEA!

Tulio is canceling his membership to Gold's and getting on the Fitness Program because he is paying the same amount for one gym instead of all of them. Here in Austin we can go to YMCA, Gold's, 24 hr fitness and Curves (hahaha...yes Curves...nothing wrong with Curves...I'm just laughing because I'm imagining Tulio going to Curves...like that would never happen)!

Go check it out!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Money Here, Money There, Money Going Everywhere

This Ironman stuff ain't cheap! (But I'm sure it will all be worth it come May 21st.)

I am keeping a spreadsheet of everything and anything that I have spent money on towards the Ironman. I'm not going to announce how much we have spent but if anyone is interested in training and doing an Ironman and would like to know how much we have spent please let me know. I'm not doing this to discourage anyone from doing one. I'm doing this so that one can be aware of not only the physical and time commitment but also for the financial commitment.

This weekend I went over to Jack and Adam's and purchased a new saddle (seat), new bike shoes, and added more hydration cages to my bike.

I also purchased my first wet suit at Austin Tri-Cyclist! Thanks to my in laws! (Thank you Mama & Rob!)


I love that it has a tramp stamp! Hahaha!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

But I would swim 3000 miles and I would swim 3000 more...

Remember that song?...."But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more. Just to be the man that walked 5000 miles to fall down at your door." Hahaha...well it has nothing to do with my post other than it popped in my head when I was thinking of swimming 3000 miles. Yeah, I know...I'm nuts.

Yesterday, my girlfriend, Christy and I swam 3000m straight! Yes, you read it right....3000m straight! That is just shy of 2 miles. I'm so proud of us. This is the longest straight swim we have ever experienced in our lives. Christy has been gutting out my Ironman swim workouts with me. She is a fantastic swimmer. It's wonderful to have someone to chase in the pool.

I love to think back on how swimming was hard for me (never forget where you came from). Yes, I could get through it (that's just the stubbornness and drive in me), but when I was tired and felt like I was about to hyperventilate I would quit freestyle and go straight to breast stroke. I remember thinking, "Am I ever going to be able to swim freestyle an entire race?" "Am I ever going to get into a swimming zone like I do when I run?"...well I haven't done a race yet this year but I did get into a zone yesterday! Yeppers! I am on my way. On my way on becoming a better swimmer. A proficient swimmer. A 2.4 mile swimmer! An Ironman swimmer!

"Never forget where you came from." - (1) you never know when your story can be helpful to someone else who is going through the same thing as you are or (2) you don't want to get back to where you started.

Christy and I before a triathlon in 2008.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Edurance Weekend

Recap on my weekend:

Saturday: 22 mile run with Gazelle's. Great run! Felt awesome.

Sunday: 3.5 hr ride and short run. Craziness! Body felt good until I could not feel my feet anymore.

Today, Monday, I'm not really sore. I can tell that my legs did some work but overall I feel good.

I'm glad the weekend is over with. I know there will be more like this though.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Hey weatherman...you could have warn a sista!

O - M - G!

So I was pretty pumped about today's ride because I was riding with several FOMOers and we were doing an out and back on Parmer. My workout was to ride for 3.5 hours then jump off bike and run for 40 minutes. The weather was a little cold but not too bad. It was cloudy. The weatherman said that it was NOT going to rain (YEAH RIGHT!). Well when it came down to it...there were only 3 of us riding (the others bailed because it was too cold...yeah...I should have listened...but then that would not be like me).

So we head out and about a mile or two into the ride this unwanted mist starts (not cool). So we keep going. By the time I knew it Parmer ended and it was time to turn around and head back (I'm by myself at this point because one of the girls turned around earlier and I was ahead of the other). Not even 2 miles heading back it starts raining. UGH! It's RAINING! It's COLD! I'm getting mud all over me and my sweet precious bike. I kept telling myself that "I'm a fighter, I can get through this, I'm almost back (even though I had about 25 more miles to go), nothing can stop me from reaching my goal...not even COLD RAINY WEATHER." About 15 more miles to go...I can't feel my toes...let's be real I can't feel my feet.

I finally get back to my car. I'm about to cry because I know that I still have to run. Did I mention that I can't feel my feet. I put my bike in my car, change my socks, put my running shoes on and start running. I'm straight up miserable.

I get home. The warm shower actually hurts my body especially my feet. I can't believe I just did that. Am I proud of it?...not really. Am I glad that workout is over with?...YES! Would I have actually liked it better on the trainer?...not really. So I'm just going to swallow this day and keep drinking hot tea. I'm shocked...did that just happen?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Computrainer Threshold Test II

Yesterday I had my second computrainer threshold test.


My heart rate zones were about the same as my first time. Carrie (coach) said that it could be due to running right before (I had Gazelle's) or because I'm so far along in my marathon training. I'm actually cool with whatever zones I produce.

Here they are:

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Sometimes life gets in the way...

...and sometimes you need your coach (or someone) to remind you that that happens and that you will be ok.

This past weekend Tulio and I went to DC for a business conference. It was an outstanding conference! However, I was not able to do any of my IM training. I'm not going to sit hear and type out my excuses (who wants to hear excuses?..no one), but not training started messing with my mind. I actually felt a little worried (just a little). I emailed Carrie (my coach) and told her that I felt bad about not training and if she thinks that I need to rearrange some workouts or make up anything. We got back into town late Monday night and Tuesday I received a text from her saying "Don't try to make up any workouts. They're gone. Just look forward. Plenty of time." I've heard that from other friends who have done an Ironman..."If you miss a workout, it's gone, don't try and make it up. Be ok with that."

Well shortly after the text I get an email from Carrie. She writes, "The beauty of starting so far out with Ironman training is that life does get in the way sometimes and there will be days and weeks that just don't go as planned. It's ok...At this point, don't try to make up any of the workouts. Simply move forward and proceed as scheduled. You're fine. There are still FOUR full months to put it all together, which is plenty of time. I'm not worried about you at all because your head is totally in the game. It's not like you're slacking off because you're lazy, or tired, or whatever...This was a legitimate reason and these speed bumps will come up throughout the training session."

That's exactly what I needed...my coach to remind me that sometimes life gets in the way and that I will be ok.

THANK YOU CARRIE!

I'm moving forward. Better yet, I'm in forward motion (FOMO)! ;)