Thursday, October 6, 2016

Just eat the fu#*ing english muffin

It's been a long LONG time since I've posted and I've been putting it off for months now but the time has come to write about the day that everything changed.

On July 25th, I woke to a phone call at 6:30 am from a random person telling me my husband had been in a bicycle accident. As I got dressed in a haze I packed my laptop thinking it would probably be a long day in the ER but everything would be fine. I kept saying "please be okay. Please be okay." Over and over. When I got to the desk they sent me through a door and that's when I saw the ER full of people and 2 people on top of him doing CPR. I knew right away that it had been over an hour and I just collapsed into the arms of the doctor.

There was no accident. He just died of a heart attack right then and there on his bicycle on his way to work. Just like that the love of my life was gone forever at 51 years old and suddenly I'm a 46 year old widow. I can't even believe this is my life.

In the weeks leading up to this, I was experimenting with the whole 30 diet after gaining 15 pounds training for my first marathon.  It was SO hard. My brain missed dairy and alcohol the most. My body missed grains. My heart missed having fun and being social. Whole 30 is not recommended during training or intense physical activity but at this point I was "only" doing 10 mile runs at that point ramping up to my 2nd marathon. On July 23rd, after that 10 mile run, I finished in cold sweats and saw black spots and headed to the nearest breakfast restaurant to say goodbye to the whole 30 and eat an english muffin.

When I got home I broke the rules again and jumped on the scale and was delighted to have lost 15 pounds in the 17 days I made it on the program. Of course in my brain that means "let's celebrate and and have fun and drink all weekend now wooohooo!!"

I had A LOT of fun and A LOT to drink that day. So much so that we woke up the next morning in the guest room to my 5:30 alarm. I was confused but got up as I remembered I was supposed to go on a sunrise hike. He asked where I was going and I said "hiking stone mountain!" He said "You're crazy!" I said "I know!" and I kissed him and walked out the door. That morning while I was out hiking, he completed a huge personal challenge of his own which was 10,000 miles on his new bike on map my ride.

Later that day we spent the afternoon in our local pub laughing about the night before and how we ended up in the guest room ;). It was SUCH a fun weekend. More fun that people should be having as I would say about some of our weekends together.

The next morning he left for work and never came back. I'm sure he kissed me. In fact I know he did but I don't remember. What I am thankful for is that I ate the english muffin which led to a weekend of fun which was to be our last.

To me the moral of the story is about balance. Something I'm always seeking. I was obsessed with my weight gain and took a drastic measure to change it but lost myself in the battle once again. Health and maintaining my weight loss is important. Happiness, love and fun are important too.

People ask how I'm doing and I say okay but really I'm not sure. I'm still going to run the NYC marathon which is a former fat girls dream come true. In 2010 I wrote about doing it one day for Al Roker but now I'm doing it for Ali too. He was supposed to have come with me on this trip in 28 days.

Stay strong, hug your loved ones and find the balance. You just never know. You will always be the love of my life Alistair Tait.

18 comments:

  1. You are so strong and so brave. You are an example to me every damn day. And now, I will go have some carbs. Because I always do what you say.

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  2. Love. Love you and your writing and your inspiration and everything you spoke on here. Love Love Love

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  3. You are a rock star, Tina! Long live Ali Tait!

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  4. Oh, Tina - I'm so sorry for your loss! I was so excited to see that you had written, but I'm just so darn sorry! I completely agree - it's about balance. We can focus on our health, but also need to focus on living this life that we have. HUGS to you!!!

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  5. I am so sorry as I know how much love the two of you shared. Have no doubt that Ali will be your running mate as you complete the NYC marathon as he is your biggest fan. I love you & am extremely proud of you. Godspeed Tina & Ali

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  6. So sorry for your loss...glad you had such precious last moments with your hubby.

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  7. Incredible story...I'm so sorry for your pain...without even knowing you or him, I know he loved you too and probably misses you as much as you miss him.

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  8. This is my first time here. I'm glad to have read this, Tina.

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  9. I'm glad you had such a memorable last weekend together. I'm so sorry that your Ali is gone. That sucks beyond measure.

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  10. I'm so sorry for your loss. Peace and Love to you and everyone who loved him.

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  11. You are so brave and strong, Tina, and forever an inspiration. And a very gifted writer.
    You and Ali are always in our thoughts. (Heather & Stefan)

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  12. I'm so sorry. Thinking of you and wishing you strength and courage. Take care of yourself. I'm so sorry.

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  13. Oh no. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you Tina.

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  14. Gosh, I've just read this and I'm so sorry for your loss. Be kind to yourself x

    Melissa

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  15. I am so sorry for your loss. But your strength in the face of this tragedy is a testament to the love you shared. Many hugs and much love to you. <3

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