Accomplishing More By Doing Less

I've had a few revelations since January. With the unknown nerve problems going on with my right arm worsening, I realized that as much as I wanted to swim, it was ultimately damaging me. In the beginning of that month I went to my neurologist, got some MRIs, and was told to take a month of rehab meaning swimming 2x a week for 30 minutes and then going to an exercise physical therapist. If my arm function did not improve within a month then my neurologist was going to say that my body was going through a progression. I knew it wasn't a progression because I was having so much pain and the lack of function in my tricep dramatically declined within 2-3 weeks. I was happy though that I was allowed to swim and to finally get back into the water, but more hopeful that my arm would improve.

Over this time of rehab there were moments of feeling really good, then being anxious of not knowing what to do with myself. I couldn't do much in the beginning, if not anything at all with my right arm and had to chill out and watch movies if my arm was in pain; I couldn't even hold a book to read or study for my classes, that's what drove me crazy. My physical therapy started to improve in early February and I started to become more positive about myself and where my body was at. I realized that I had the ability to be calm and in the moment with my free time instead of how I use to be when training; running from place to place and mentally stressing over things in the future. In addition, I realized that the way I think is directly related to how my body feels. For instance, I know I'm feeling really good if I'm thinking positively without trying whereas if my body's tired and needs rest I mentally will be harder on myself. I later told this to my trainer and she thought it was great that I learned this at an early age.

In mid February I was starting to feel really good in the water and was given the okay to swim 3x a week for 45 minutes. During that time I had some long conversations with my coaches and trainer about the way my body with Muscular Dystrophy responds to training. This came about since I was improving more by swimming and training less while giving my body more rest. We realized that once my arm gets better, the most I'll ever train is 4x a week for 1:30 instead of 5-6x for 2 hours because I'll be able to recover and ultimately become a faster swimmer. By doing this, I've been able to accomplish more by doing less and I've also taken on this mantra onto other things outside of swimming, such as how I motivate myself and what I'm setting as goals. I've realized that if I can do a simple thing, whatever it is, great then I will be able to do more with more energy and a positive attitude instead of stressing myself out and worrying about what I can and can't control.

I ultimately feel like this was the major lesson I had to learn while going through this time of injury and honestly I'm very grateful for it. I'm a happier person now and realized that the best way I can accomplish something is to have a healthy balance in all aspects of my life, not just doing a swim workout and making sure that I'm in my best physical shape. There's always something good out of a challenging situation and I'm glad that life can throw me these bumbs in the road so I can become a stronger person.

Oh! And this past week I went to the neurologist since it's been a month of rehab and my arm's stronger! I still have a way to go, but I've been getting some of my old times! I've been feeling really good in the water and decided to go to my next national meet in April so I've very excited and hopeful to say the least!

Happy New Year!

These past few months have been so busy and I finally have time to sit and write. Much has happened since I've gotten home from Greece so here's an update...

 

In July, I spent many mornings swimming from 6 to 8:30 and then going to another evening practice with a master's team I joined over the summer. Other than that, July was pretty relaxing compared to what happened next.

 

August was when things started to change for me. I went to San Diego to train with a Paralympic Coach and his team for a week. Boy did I get a work out! Practices were at least 3 hours. I was so exhausted but it was a really good experience for me. I spent most of my time outside of the pool with my mom and shopping :).  That week in San Diego I decided to transfer to another school. I ultimately knew that Wheaton was not the right "fit" for me, especially with my swimming goals. This decision was made 3 weeks before the semester was going to start, so I knew I had a lot of work to do when I returned home. Also during that week I was informed that I was nominated for the national USA Swimming's Adapted Swimmer of the Year Award! In addition I had a chance to catch up with my mentor Ryan and his wife Nicole, and also my friend Scout. They all helped me with suggestions about transferring since it was a hard decision for me, but ultimately the right choice. When I returned home, I decided to transfer to Trinity College and crossed my fingers that I'd get in before the fall semester started. Well...I got in! I registered for classes and all of my credits transferred also. After that situation, in swim practice I was getting slower in the water. My coaches, family, and I just thought it was due to stress and transferring schools, but we soon found out that it was more than stress.

 

September was a time for adjustment for me. Transferring to Trinity was certainly the right choice for me. Although I didn't have many options for classes that semester since most of the were already filled, I made the best with what I had. I registered for Sociology, Political Philosophy, Biology, and Spanish. My classes were much harder, but I managed. My hardest class was Biology since the material was so detailed and complicated. I studied for hours and even had my cousin help quiz me, but still did not get the best grades. The professor was really understanding though and was available many times for extra help and study sessions. Also in September, I joined a club team for swimming and absolutely love it! I joined CCAT (Central Connecticut Aquatic Team) and love my coaches and teammates. In addition, I found that my right shoulder was the main cause of my problem for swimming. I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but I was starting to get a tingling sensation down to my fingers and having my entire arm go limp during practices.

 

October was such a fun month! My family and I went to the San Diego Triathlon sponsored by the Challenged Athletes Foundation. I had an amazing time! I can't put into words how amazing that weekend was, but it is always such a positive experience! I had a chance to catch up with some of my challenged athlete friends who live across the country and in other parts of the world; it's one time when we're all together and can have fun! My family and I also met Bill Walton which was great since we're Celtics fans. The triathlon was a Half Ironman distance and I signed up only for the swim portion, 1.2 miles. I wasn't exactly sure if I could even swim the whole distance since I'm a sprinter and also with the problems I've been having with my arm. Well, I was certainly nervous, but had my swim buddies, Felicia and Tony, with me the whole time. The water was about 64 degrees and I was actually warm the whole time since I had my wetsuit on. I did get really frustrated when we reached the 2nd buoy because I thought we were half way and then Felicia said we were a 4th of the way done. The waves were pretty rough at the half way point and then swimming back towards the shore, but I did it! I swam the 1.2 mile distance (which I've never done before) in an 1:37 minutes! I was so happy with myself especially since I really thought I wasn't going to be able to finish. And the most amazing part was Ryan helped carry me up the Cove's stairs. It was an amazing moment and unfortunately since I was so disoriented I didn't know what was going on. I actually have a picture of me and Ryan and it means so much to me; you'll never be alone, mentor and mentee, helping one another, and I'm sure there's more. The rest of the day my family, Felicia, Ryan and Nicole, and I spent time talking and having fun at the fair CAF put on. I absolutely love the CAF for everything they do to help challenged athletes help achieve their sporting goals and also showing that you can have an amazing life even with a disability. That weekend was so much!

 

 

November was relaxing. I had a swim meet the 1st weekend after the triathlon and dropped 10 seconds in my freestyle! Also in that month I was awarded by Connecticut Swimming Adapted Swimmer of the Year Award. I said a few words when receiving the award and dedicated it to my parents since they instilled in my sister and I at a young age that you can do whatever you set your mind too. I absolutely know that I would not be where I am today without their support and positive reinforcement.

 

And now to December. Well school ended December 16th and I was so happy to be done with finals! Trinity is definitely a harder school than I had imagined, but I certainly learned more about myself and how I study for exams. I ended on a good note with a 3.2 GPA which I'm really happy about. Swimming's been on a hold for a bit due to the right shoulder and arm. I've been seeing a chiropractor and physical therapist and have been seeing positive results. My chiropractor thinks my shoulder is a result of maybe muscle weakness and nerve damage or pinshing.  It'll be a slow process to fix, but I'm hopeful that in 2011 I'll be better than ever! Since I'm on break now, Ive been seeing friends home from school, taking it easy, and spending time with family. For New Year's Eve, I'm planning on spending time with my friends and ring in the New Year with those I love!

 

Speaking of 2011, my next national meet is in April in Minnesota. U.S. Paralympics will be picking 2 international teams; 1 to Guadalajara, Mexico and Edmonton, Canada. I'll also be getting reclassified due to the problems with my shoulder so we'll see if anything results from that. I'm really excited about seeing my teammates from Greece and Colombia and catching up with them! It'll be a fun experience swimming fast and also seeing my swimmer friends!

 

I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store for me, but until then Happy New Year!!