Marcia Foster
 |
1) Any past accomplishments as a kid
that you remember most?
Hmmm…..I
was quite the “tomboy” as a kid. Always played sports
(basketball/volleyball/track) and then did cheerleading and
dance team as well. I did win a “Knights of Columbus”
Free-throw championship one year, and was pretty proud of that!
|
2) What do you do for a living, and how do you
fit training into your life?
I am mostly a stay-at-home mom to my very active
son, Carson. He is nineteen months old and keeps me extremely busy. I
am also a Registered Nurse and work down at MD Anderson Cancer Center in
the Intensive Care Unit once a week. Training is a welcome relief from
my high stress job and busy home life. I usually train early in the
mornings, before the rest of the family is awake. That is my favorite
time of day.
I also recently received my Personal Training
Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine so that I can
instruct fitness classes and help club members/friends with their
training.
3) Why did you start competing in triathlons and
how long?
I started competing in triathlons in 1999. I was
working as a critical care nurse in Rochester, MN at Mayo Medical
Center. I needed something to do to occupy my time in the frigid
weather. It was too icy to run outside for months on end, so I decided
to do add spinning and swimming (indoor). I came home to TX to do my
first triathlon. It was Cedar Fever (sprint) in Georgetown. After
that, I was hooked!
4) How did you feel at your first race after
your accident?
I actually felt pretty good. I knew I was
well-prepared, but it was a matter of whether or not my body would hold
up during the race. I still have a lot of pain and arthritis on the left
side of my body from getting hit. After the race, I was physically and
mentally drained. I realized that perhaps I should have eased back into
training a little slower than I did. I was very hard on myself because
I did not do as well as I wanted. Looking back now, I realize that it
was an accomplishment to do it at all, after being severely injured less
than a year ago.
5) How have you stayed motivated to train and
compete over the years? What do you do to keep it fun?
Like most athletes, I have that internal drive
that just keeps me going. To me, training is a great mental healing
tool as well. I have been through some pretty unfortunate events in my
life, and pushing myself to train is what keeps me going. It keeps me
strong physically and mentally. I think exercise is the best medicine
out there!
To keep it fun, I take little breaks from training
every now and again when I find myself taking it too seriously. For
instance, right now I am doing lots of Turbo Jam, Body Combat and
Pilates to stay in shape. I will do this for one to two weeks, and then
I will be dying to get back to triathlon training!
6) What do you like most about triathlons and
what is your favorite part?
Running would have to be my favorite part since I
have been a runner for most of my life. Ironically, that is probably
the hardest part for me right now after my cycling accident. Overall,
what I like most is the feeling you get when the race is over and you
realize that all your effort has paid off (or you see how/where you can
improve next time).
7) What is your biggest achievement to date that
you are most proud of?
Completing my first marathon a year after major
knee surgery (soccer injury), Running a marathon nine weeks after my son
was born (don’t know if I should be proud of that one!!!), completing a
triathlon that involved swimming in the Atlantic Ocean (I am NOT the
best swimmer), and now, getting back out there and competing after a
life-changing accident
8) What is your 2006 Goal?
To SLOW DOWN! My doctors have been after me for
months to settle down and take it easy. I think I have finally reached
the point where I am ready to listen. You really do have to take care
of your body if you expect it to perform for you! Two months ago, I
would have told you that my goal was to complete the Ironstar Half
-Ironman this year. That is what I was training for last year when I
was in the cycling accident. Now, I have to tell you that as much as I
want to do it, I have GOT to focus on completing my healing process. I
am going to tone down my training and do another triathlon at the end of
the summer with my wonderful friends/training partners.
9) What would you like people to help you with
this year in your triathlons?
To remind me that I am not the same person
physically that I was last year. I am very hard on myself and expect to
perform at the same level that I have in the past. It is not going to
happen. Thanks to you guys that pointed that out to me after Tejas when
I was upset about my times!
10) What is your favorite food and your favorite
junk food?
First of all, I have to say that I LOVE TO EAT!
Food is my weakness. One of my favorite junk foods are those terrible
Hostess chocolate donuts that most of us ate as kids. My husband and I
can eat most of a bag together while we are sitting watching a movie.
It is really quite sad!
11) Final quote!
“No matter what happens
in life, NEVER give up! Keep your chin up-things will always get better
in time.”
|
