Training for the Caveman Triathlon April 21st!

My mom has been posting more than me so I thought I better jump on or else! LOL

So I decided to do a triathlon this year to push my limits a little farther and to raise awareness for CMT.  My parents found a local one in our town called "The Caveman Triathlon".  We all thought it would be best that my first triathlon is number one in a pool and a smaller one.  The Caveman Triathlon consists of a 275 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride and finishes off with a sweet 3.1 run!  Oh yeah!  Not by any means a Ironman but I will do that at some point. :)

In order to train for this my parents hired a swim coach who does triathlons himself.  I cycle and run several times a week, swim at least 4 days and lift weights off and on.  I have completely cut out all fast food (thanks to the movie Supersize Me), eat a ton of protein and lots of fruits and veggies.  Cutting out the fast food wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Overall, the eating has not been the hard part....the training has been. 

See I ran into a little bit of issue while training.  A few weeks ago I came down with a horrible pain in my lower right back area. Basically from your lower lumbar over to the right side.  It would come and go but then it got to the point where I couldn't really move.  No its not my appendix had that removed already.  On top of that I was having pain again in the area where I had my hernia.  After many tests they believe I had kidney stones. Oh and then of course as you all know there is the CMT pain!  I have gotten used to the pain in my legs and feet but recently I am getting pain in my arms and hands.  It slowed me down for a bit but I am up and running at full speed again.

15 more days until THE CAVEMAN! 

Remember, treat everyday as if was going to be your last.  I like many others with CMT do not know when our legs will give out if they do at all.  So why not push the limits?  LIVE FOR THE DAY!

Carter Hayes
"Stay Strong, Believe"

"With God, All things are possible" Matthew 19:26

I know it has been over a year since my last post and I wish I could say I haven't posted because I was on a extended vaca but that is just not the case.  This past year and a half  has been filled with many ups and downs, twists and turns and so on.  In February of 2012,  my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 Carcinoid Cancer.  Carcinoid is a rare cancer and like CMT it has NO CURE! My mom went through a major surgery over Mothers Day last year and just like her grandson she is a fighter!  Her one year anniversary since the surgery is coming up and I am praying for good news.

So it was just to hard to keep writing emotionally for both Carter and myself since her diagnosis came just seven months after Carter's and Zach's.  We both believe now that some healing has taken place, we need to really reach out again.  I can tell you the one reason why I am writing today is Carter has shown that "With God, All things are possible." Matthew 19:26

As many of you know Carter quit the Cross Country after his Freshman year.  It was not a choice made lightly and not an easy one by any means.  His sophomore year was rough to say the least with many talks about working through the loss of his team.  He missed the camaraderie, support and just the joy he received from running. Plus his team missed him.  Can't say enough about those boys.  So after many, many talks with doctors, we decided to let Carter join the Cross Country team again for his junior year!  Carter spoke with coach T and we all agreed we would see how he handled the summer workouts.  Guess what he did great!  He had pain but pushed through it and let me tell you it made a huge difference for him mentally.

The team had their best season ever!  It was the "YEAR OF THE SWEEP" as we like to call it.  We won 4 meets in a row, District Champs, Region 1 Runner Up and the boys took 5th in State!!!!
Carter didn't come in first or even the top 10 but he did PR(personal record).  He actually beat his record from Freshman year despite taking a whole year off and with CMT!  He fought off the fatigue, leg pain, foot pain and chest pain.  He never complained, he just dug his heels in and ran every meet as if it was last.  Yes, I was at every meet and I did cry.....PROUD MOMMA. 

I believe Carter's faith allowed him to persevere through his trial and tribulations. His faith will continue to guide him through his many challenges to come.

Remember, "pain is temporary, quitting is forever".

Momma Hayes (this is what the CC guys call me, so its sticking around)
"Stay Strong, Believe" ~Carter Hayes