My name is Molly Cain, and I live, breathe, exclude passion for SMILE #UWokeUp. Our mission is movement. And I am a firm believer in leading by example.
Movement comes in all shapes and sizes. This could be hand movement or eye movement. Like opening an envelope of mail or brushing your teeth – both are HUGE wins in the traumatic brain injury (TBI)/brain injury (BI) world. This may be walking without your gait belt or taking your first re-step alone.
When I think about movement, it brings me to tears.
A decade ago, I started. I relearned hand movement from playing in playdough. I regained finger dexterity from typing on my keyboard one finger at a time. I would do push-ups and sit-ups to regain my core muscles, finding the balance needed to take my first steps alone. I’m 1% to have this opportunity – I choose to lead loud.
Next week, at this time, I will be packing my gear to race Ironman, Madison, for my first FULL IM and get on the plane to show up.
Triathlon was the beginning of where my journey started at Deserts Edge in Fruita, Colorado. I sat by the water and read a book called Walden, looking for signs that I would get through the race with zero issues – as I had just been medically released from my physician to ride a bike. And not just any bike. My 1969 metal frame with a kickstand bike: Prudence.
The swim took 53 minutes and was a sprint (750y). I wore a nose plug and full-faced goggles with a $7 cheap one-piece swimsuit from Target and swam backstroke after the first 20 seconds. When I broke my face, I fractured the whole right side. I did not get this repaired, so the aftermath is, ‘IF MY FACE IS IN WATER, I AM DRINKING THE FUCING WATER.’ This is the biggest challenge of the three disciplines but also an opportunity to learn different techniques and pathways that work so I can jump over the obstacle – no problem.
As for the run, at this time, I had drop-foot so bad that falling was my number one technique. But I learned to listen to my body’s signs and warnings to avoid tripping or eating shit every other minute.
To now.
Here we are. Approaching the biggest race of my journey thus far with three disciplines: swim, bike, and run. Where you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles in the time allotment of 17 hours.
I’ve broken commitments to train, missed birthday parties to prepare, said no to work functions to swim, bike, and run, and pretty much every other opportunity that did not involve training – I was absent.
In 7-days, I will get on a plane to show up for what I have been working so hard for. To test my limits and boundaries and to see what I am truly capable of. Movement saved my life by giving me life, and I want to inspire other survivors to take the first ‘step.’
What are your goals?
Let me help you get there!
#smileuwokeup #tbi #bi #support #trialanderror #movement #passion #supportgroups #ironman
