Living Life to the Full: My Ironman Journey

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The wait is over!! So much buzz and excitement today as we launch the official websites for our documentary movie.
Heart: Flatline to Finish Line

Please visit the site, donate and spread the word!

THANK YOU!

Monday, May 21, 2012

The wait is ALMOST over....the best announcement of all announcements will be tomorrow....you will not want to miss this! :-))

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Well shame on me....I have to confess, it's been 6 weeks since my last posting which is just not good enough! I wish I was more technologically savvy but alas...I'm struggle to keep up I really do.

Anyway, guess what ! We've been in beautiful Carmel, CA for over two weeks now. We are loving it! It is one of the most gorgeous parts of the US that I have ever seen. Biking and running have been a real treat...few potholes, bike lanes and on the whole, drivers that don't see riders as the 'enemy'....ahhhh....bliss.

Soon I'll be announcing everything about our upcoming documentary movie ....watch this space and remember to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL !

Friday, March 16, 2012

March Maddness in Chicago

I'm not talking about Basketball (coz I'm British and not really into all that!) but what's mad is the crazy weather we are having in Chicago! It's been in the 70's all week and tomorrow marks my first outdoor ride in Chicago for 2012.....BRING IT ON!! May the rain hold off until I'm done riding....pretty please :-))

Definitely going to be LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL tomorrow! Long may this Spring weather continue!

Monday, February 13, 2012

January brings the snow.....

Makes your feet and fingers glow,
February's, Ice and Sleet, freeze the toes right off my feet!.....well that just about sums it up for the last two months in Chicago!......oh hang on, I did manage to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL in Venezuela with Don......!

We just got back from a truly memorable trip hiking and biking in the Andes...it was such an amazing experience and I would recommend Venezuela to anyone wishing to experience life to its fullest. Seeing folk do just that with only a few chickens and a cow simply puts everything else into perspective.....

For some photos check out my Facebook page (more to follow I promise)

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year, 2012 here we come!

Well 2011 was a great year and a little less dramatic than 2010 thats for sure....!

We sadly left Vegas and our beautiful home to follow our hearts and live life to the full in Chicago. What a fun city it is, we've already met some great friends and experienced some fun times. Who knows how long we will be here but one thing is certain wherever and whenever our next journey is we will continue to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL !!

I plan to make 2O12 count....whatever challenges lie confront me, whatever setbacks hit me, i will rise above them all however hard. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, dream big and live those dreams always. Don't wait until tomorrow as tomorrow may never come, live today and live it to the fullest.

Happy new year everyone!
Ellen x

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Here's to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL!!!

Have a great 2012 !

Welcome to my Blog !

Www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com

I'm new at this ! but I've taken the technological plunge and started to write a blog. What fun!

My blog is about me. My journey from Open Heart-Surgery to competing in an Ironman Triathlon in less than 8 months.

My story begins with my bizarre symptoms which puzzled my doctors, the dramatic diagnosis and immediate requirement for open heart surgery. Then came the painful and slow recovery and the longing to return to my triathlon passion. My determination and will power to succeed against all the odds and realize my dream: To become an Ironman.

My Story

On March 26^th 2010, I had unplanned open heart surgery to fix multiple holes in my heart that had gone undetected for 41 years. I was born with a severe congenital heart defect and was told that I needed surgery to prevent my heart failing. The right side of my heart was severely enlarged and doctors told me without the surgery, my days would be numbered. I had no idea, I had such a defect, I was a triathlete and had been competitively racing triathlons for almost 7 years – what now?

The days and weeks following my surgery were miserable. Even walking slowly up and down the hospital ward was difficult. My doctors were encouraging though and my surgeon was confident I would be up and running again soon enough. Of course I had signed up for my first Ironman distance race (Arizona) in November 2009 and did not anticipate having to deal with open heart surgery at the beginning of my training plan! By May, I was back on my bike in earnest and was even able to begin some easy swimming and jogging. My doctors were amazed but were also concerned that I may have been pushing myself too hard. I still had my Ironman goal for 2010 and I was determined to at least try and get to the starting line.

In September 2010, my doctor did a thorough medical evaluation and was sufficiently pleased with the results to allow me to compete in the race. She did place some restrictions on my training and my racing however but concluded that I made a tremendous recovery and my heart was now functioning far better than it ever had been.

I began writing a journal in the spring about my experiences and then continued on throughout my recovery and training periods. My journal became more of a memoir and soon I was encouraged by friends to contact a publisher to discuss publishing my memoir. I was skeptical that anyone would be interested in reading about my life and experience but nevertheless agreed to send in the memoir once I had completed it. The publisher asked me how the book would end and when he could receive the manuscript. I replied that the end of the book would be when I crossed the finish line at Ironman Arizona, when I finally become an “Ironman”. On November 21^st, 2010, almost 8 months to the day since my surgery, I crossed that finish line in my first ever Ironman in a time of 12 hours and 37 minutes, and I have never felt so alive.

My book will is called “Living Life to the Full…My Ironman Journey” and is available through my website

www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com . I'm hoping to raise awareness for Adult Congenital Heart disorders and provide inspiration to those needing it. It is possible to swim, bike, run and compete again after open heart surgery, follow your dreams but listen to your heart!

Also visit my facebook page and click on "like" : www.facebook.com/ellenliveslifetothefull