{"id":1327,"date":"2012-04-30T21:53:00","date_gmt":"2012-04-30T21:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.meredithkessler.com\/blog\/?p=1327"},"modified":"2013-05-24T02:19:27","modified_gmt":"2013-05-24T02:19:27","slug":"getting-comfortable-being-uncomfortable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/blog\/getting-comfortable-being-uncomfortable\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"psgal_wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"psgal_1327_1\" data-psgal_id=\"1327_1\" data-psgal_container_id=\"container_1327_1\" data-psgal_thumbnail_width=\"150\" data-psgal_use_masonary=\"0\" class=\"psgal-inline psgal gallery-columns-5 gallery-size-thumbnail use_masonry_ show_captions_\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/am-mbk.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"604x453\" data-caption=\"We&#039;re off to race Ironman St. George this weekend...so back to Vegas afterwards of course, why not! Looking forward to it! \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/am-mbk.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">We're off to race Ironman St. George this weekend...so back to Vegas afterwards of course, why not! Looking forward to it! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/hpb.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"364x486\" data-caption=\"HPB is ready to dominate (as is the CAT in ST. G!) this weekend at Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia--could she and BG look any fitter or prettier?  BEAUTIFUL LADIES! xoxo \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/hpb.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">HPB is ready to dominate (as is the CAT in ST. G!) this weekend at Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia--could she and BG look any fitter or prettier?  BEAUTIFUL LADIES! xoxo <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/bj.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"360x480\" data-caption=\"A lucky moment here...Kessler family blackjack! \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/bj.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">A lucky moment here...Kessler family blackjack! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/razz-e1335820278705.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"500x666\" data-caption=\"Vegas just isn&#039;t the same without the Osher&#039;s..another great weekend! \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/razz-e1335820278705.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Vegas just isn't the same without the Osher's..another great weekend! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/ak-1.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"AK looking handsome in his tux!\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/ak-1.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">AK looking handsome in his tux!<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/raz-melis.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"453x604\" data-caption=\"Razz+ Melis have 2 year olds..need I say more??  They are dashing! \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/raz-melis.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Razz+ Melis have 2 year olds..need I say more??  They are dashing! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/razzle.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Gussied up w\/ Razzle before the fantastic ceremony\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/razzle.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Gussied up w\/ Razzle before the fantastic ceremony<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1148-e1335820022230.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"500x666\" data-caption=\"Off to Vegas for Zach and Stephanie&#039;s wedding! \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1148-e1335820022230.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Off to Vegas for Zach and Stephanie's wedding! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1130-e1335761330281.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x450\" data-caption=\"Nothing better than our regular gal pal dinners..love these girls. \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1130-e1335761330281.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Nothing better than our regular gal pal dinners..love these girls. <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1127-e1335820002762.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"500x666\" data-caption=\"Celebrating Kaley&#039;s birthday!  \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1127-e1335820002762.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Celebrating Kaley's birthday! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/velo.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Tenille joined Jess and I for our Wednesday GCBU session at VELO SF!  Embracing it here for sure! \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/velo.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Tenille joined Jess and I for our Wednesday GCBU session at VELO SF!  Embracing it here for sure! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-1-e1335819989185.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x332\" data-caption=\"ALAS, we made it!  DONZO.  \" style=\"height:77.466666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-1-e1335819989185.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">ALAS, we made it!  DONZO. <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-3-e1335819971108.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x398\" data-caption=\"Day 3 of the coast ride..Big Sur to Cayucos! \" style=\"height:92.866666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-3-e1335819971108.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Day 3 of the coast ride..Big Sur to Cayucos! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-e1335819950330.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x445\" data-caption=\"Coast ride day 2 in the books! Happy days w\/ K, K and J\" style=\"height:104.06666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/coast-ride-e1335819950330.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Coast ride day 2 in the books! Happy days w\/ K, K and J<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/danieele.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"320x240\" data-caption=\"Day 1 of Coast Ride..dinner out in Santa Cruz w\/ Debtastic and D.\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/danieele.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Day 1 of Coast Ride..dinner out in Santa Cruz w\/ Debtastic and D.<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/EMJ-e1335761281954.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x448\" data-caption=\"Always a pleasure to get to ride with the EVERY MAN JACK guys! \" style=\"height:104.53333333333px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/EMJ-e1335761281954.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Always a pleasure to get to ride with the EVERY MAN JACK guys! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1095-e1335761262513.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x450\" data-caption=\"Charlotte entertaining us pre gals dinner with the crew here! \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1095-e1335761262513.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Charlotte entertaining us pre gals dinner with the crew here! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1120-e1335761238836.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x450\" data-caption=\"Sweet Sweet onsies! (Great shower idea here!)\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1120-e1335761238836.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Sweet Sweet onsies! (Great shower idea here!)<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1121-e1335819931568.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"500x666\" data-caption=\"Molly&#039;s Baby Shower!  Here is our mom-to-be looking fantastic as always! So excited for the June arrival!\" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1121-e1335819931568.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Molly's Baby Shower!  Here is our mom-to-be looking fantastic as always! So excited for the June arrival!<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/andi-.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Cupcaking it up w\/ the Michigan gals!\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/andi-.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Cupcaking it up w\/ the Michigan gals!<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/oside-e1335761167190.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x398\" data-caption=\"Thankful for the trusty Orbea Ordu, Reynolds Wheels, Challenge Tires, ISM combo for holding up in the sideways rain + cold! \" style=\"height:92.866666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/oside-e1335761167190.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Thankful for the trusty Orbea Ordu, Reynolds Wheels, Challenge Tires, ISM combo for holding up in the sideways rain + cold! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/orca.jpeg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"310x479\" data-caption=\"Normally I would not post myself in this seal like state but 2 things here: 1. Orca Alpha wetsuit rocks and 2. my face speaks volumes of my delight (i&#039;m a wuss) to get outta the ocean here (and channeling HPB here who is fine swimming w\/ alligators--so impressive!)!  Thank you Garrett  for the paddleboard lead..my eyes were on you the entire way esp during those 5 ft swells! \" style=\"height:216.49484536082px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/orca.jpeg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Normally I would not post myself in this seal like state but 2 things here: 1. Orca Alpha wetsuit rocks and 2. my face speaks volumes of my delight (i'm a wuss) to get outta the ocean here (and channeling HPB here who is fine swimming w\/ alligators--so impressive!)!  Thank you Garrett  for the paddleboard lead..my eyes were on you the entire way esp during those 5 ft swells! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/lnc-tri-mag.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x788\" data-caption=\"LNC is Triathlete Mag&#039;s June Cover gal!  \" style=\"height:184.21052631579px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/lnc-tri-mag.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">LNC is Triathlete Mag's June Cover gal! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/lnc-e1335761143436.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x448\" data-caption=\"Oceanside Expo w\/ LNC!  TEAM SAUCONY! \" style=\"height:104.53333333333px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/lnc-e1335761143436.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Oceanside Expo w\/ LNC!  TEAM SAUCONY! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_11141-e1335761124266.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x450\" data-caption=\"Paxti&#039;s Pizza night (thanks Michelle!!) w\/ Andi, Raz and Tiff.\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_11141-e1335761124266.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Paxti's Pizza night (thanks Michelle!!) w\/ Andi, Raz and Tiff.<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1090-e1335819895101.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"500x666\" data-caption=\"Birthday boy is walking the red carpet..priceless! \" style=\"height:186.66666666667px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1090-e1335819895101.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Birthday boy is walking the red carpet..priceless! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1076-e1335761051212.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"600x450\" data-caption=\"Ryan&#039;s 2nd birthday party!  \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_1076-e1335761051212.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Ryan's 2nd birthday party! <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/dado.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Dado trying IN&amp;OUT for the first time..\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/dado.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Dado trying IN&amp;OUT for the first time..<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/mom-dado.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Mom and Dado come in from Ohio to visit SF!  OMG we&#039;re at Htowns again..\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/mom-dado.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Mom and Dado come in from Ohio to visit SF!  OMG we're at Htowns again..<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/kels.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Celebrating the move!  At htowns of course. \" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/kels.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Celebrating the move!  At htowns of course. <\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"msnry_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" style=\"width:150px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/kels-mer.jpg\" itemprop=\"contentUrl\" data-size=\"640x480\" data-caption=\"Little sis Kelsey&#039;s first few nights out in SF! So happy she and Davo are moving here from NYC--so lucky.\" style=\"height:105px;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"msnry_thumb\" src=\"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/kels-mer.jpg\" itemprop=\"thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"photoswipe-gallery-caption\" style=\"display:none;\">Little sis Kelsey's first few nights out in SF! So happy she and Davo are moving here from NYC--so lucky.<\/figcaption>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div style='clear:both'><\/div>\n\n<p>People may read the title to this blog and instantly think, &#8216;why on earth would I ever want to get comfortable being UNCOMFORTABLE?!\u201d This seems like pure insanity. After all, who wants to be in any discomfort! I totally understand this initial thought process!<\/p>\n<p>With that said&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Within purplepatch, we dive into the art of <span style=\"color: #c5000b;\"><strong>GETTING COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE<\/strong><\/span> (\u201cGCBU\u201d going forward). <strong>Within specific (BUT certainly not all) workouts\/racing, it is these raw, tender, gentle<\/strong> <strong>moments of discomfort where the magic actually happens<\/strong>. I have seen people question this \u201cmagic\u201d if its deemed as &#8216;uncomfortable&#8217; and while I RESPECT that mentality for some, what I can assure you is that if you&#8217;re an Ironman\/endurance athlete especially, it is something to ponder and reconsider.<\/p>\n<p>I can promise you that whether you are a sub-8 hour or 17 hour Ironman athlete, there are going to be several pockets of discomfort in ANY Ironman that you do. This is where GCBU shines.<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>There are a few ways to OUTLINE the true meaning of GCBU:<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>In Training:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Threshold work. You&#8217;re on the BRINK. The cusp. Zone 4\/5. Wounded animal like. Barely able to hold on to the power..the effort is extreme..<em><strong>but tolerable<\/strong><\/em><strong>.<\/strong> This is GCBU at its finest. I know in these crucial moments, fitness is being gained even if there is massive discomfort. Once again, this isn&#8217;t to say EVERY workout needs to be like this\u2014NOT AT ALL. <strong>However, having a handful of sessions of this nature per week are crucial not only for your overall fitness gains..but also for your mental fortitude.<\/strong> You get through it, and it HURTS, but when it&#8217;s over\u2014IT IS OVER and you&#8217;re able to recover and do it all over again.<\/p>\n<p>Y<strong>ou are not only training your fitness for incredible power but you are also training your mind to adapt to the efforts. It&#8217;s HERE where we find the most success as athletes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In Racing:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Three Quick Examples:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Racing can often be 70% mental (in my opinion).<\/strong> Sure, you have to have the FITNESS but more importantly, <strong>your head + your legs need to have a massive amount of camaraderie and<\/strong> <strong>teamwork to prevail. <\/strong> Your muscle memory bank from GCBU training parlays into racing as one&#8217;s mind remembers the elements of being uncomfortable and mixed with adrenaline, it is all tolerable discomfort! This is why racing becomes FUN and also why the saying \u201cPAIN IS TEMPORARY\u201d evolved.<\/p>\n<p>Hills recently wrote an amazing blog on the MENTAL GAME of the sport. I encourage you all to read it because she hits key points about how vital the mental side of the sport is..<strong>.DAILY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Her advice speaks volumes and I can tell you FIRST HAND, <strong>she is the most mentally strong<\/strong> <strong>person I know.<\/strong>..VERY worth the read:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/hillarybiscay.com\/2012\/03\/24\/qa-the-mental-game\/\">http:\/\/hillarybiscay.com\/2012\/03\/24\/qa-the-mental-game\/<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0<strong>Racing when you&#8217;re not feeling your best.<\/strong> Like any job, there are going to be days where you may not be feeling 100%. ALL of us endure this in our day jobs and countless people rally through their days despite feeling unwell. As professional triathletes, since we RACE for a living, it&#8217;s not often an option to call in for \u201csick\u201d days (I say this without complaint\u2014I wouldn&#8217;t have it any other way) if you will&#8211; so you adapt to GCBU in that capacity.<\/p>\n<p>I recently experienced this at Oceanside 70.3. Simply put, I felt foggy with a sore throat and \u00a0a VERY LOUD obnoxious cough that would not stop once it started. BUT\u2014it was TOLERABLE..and it was RACEABLE. Clearly, getting in the cold ocean&#8230;riding in the rain and trying to sprint a half mary after wasn&#8217;t ideal&#8230;I was EXTREMEMLY uncomfortable (sick or not\u2014trying to go FULL gas in a half is always uncomf no matter what!!) 100% of that race&#8230;.and all I could think about to rally through it was GCBU&#8230;try not to cough, that I was lucky to have healthy legs AND that it would eventually be over. I was excited to get 3<sup>rd<\/sup> and did the best I could in the moment. (A VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Congrats all around to Mel for her fantastic WIN, HJ, Rachel and LNC on their success there\u2014a pleasure to get to race with these ladies).<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. <\/strong><strong>For us women, racing on our PERIOD.<\/strong> Again, GCBU galore! This is sort of the unspoken word in the sport but alas, as women\u2014<strong>WE DEAL<\/strong> even though we would rather be in fetal position with ice cream on the couch\u2014clearly. It is never ideal to race during this period window but again, we mentally HAVE to adjust and GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORABLE with the extreme cramps, bloating, sluggishness et all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>There are ALSO a few cases where you should NOT be GCBU<\/strong>&#8230;<strong>especially if it involves your<\/strong> <span style=\"color: #c5000b;\"><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>HEALTH<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span>. <strong>Being UNCOMFORTABLE should be taken literally only to a POINT.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll never forget in high school when I was racing the 2 mile for track on my way to the State Championships. I had stress fractured my pelvis leading up to the race but my stubborn 16-year old self was certain that my mind could trump the pain my body was feeling and carry on with the race. Six laps into the 8 lap race, I ran right off the track and collapsed in so much pain that I could barely crawl out of the way of the other ladies running the race. My dad had to come down from the stands and physically carry me off the track. At the time, it seemed like the WORSE thing in the world..I could barely walk, was worried that my field hockey scholarship would be taken away as I was about to head off to college that fall to play&#8230;.and I thought I was wimptastic for not enduring the pain in the moment.<\/p>\n<p>17 years later&#8230; That MOMENT still radiates within me as the perspective I gained from that intricate crawl off the track&#8230;IT has helped me GREATLY as an adult athlete. <strong>When our bodies speak to us\u2014WE MUST LISTEN even if we do not want to.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When I DNF&#8217;d my first two Ironman races last year, Dave Erickson taped this bit here talking about that experience and WHY it is so important to listen to your body. There IS a fine line with one&#8217;s health and when you are flirting with the demise of it\u2014AGAIN you MUST MUST listen to your body when you are pushing past the brink and the UNTOLERABLE discomfort happens:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yEloKZv-eAg\">watch?v=yEloKZv-eAg<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>As we head off to Ironman St. George this weekend, my mentality is already set to fully embrace a lot of hours on Saturday &#8216;getting comfortable being uncomfortable&#8230;&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It wouldn&#8217;t be an Ironman without a little GCBU action&#8230;that I can say with certainty and I have some serious redemption to try to salvage on this course for sure!<\/p>\n<p>BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE RACING ST. GEORGE, AUSTRALIA + WILDFLOWER!<\/p>\n<p>Love,<\/p>\n<p>MBK<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People may read the title to this blog and instantly think, &#8216;why on earth would I ever want to get comfortable being UNCOMFORTABLE?!\u201d This seems like pure insanity. After all, who wants to be in any discomfort! I totally understand this initial thought process! With that said&#8230; Within purplepatch, we dive into the art of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1327"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1385,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327\/revisions\/1385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.meredithkessler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}