Knock 'em dead

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
-unknown

Hello, my name is Hana Truscott, and I am an aquaholic.

I tried to quit. Once. About 10 years ago, but it's hard to kick a habit you've been doing most your life. In 2001, after a childhood career of year-round competition swimming and 4 years of high school varsity swim team regimen, I swore I’d never swim a lap in a pool again. I retired everything but my swimmer’s appetite. After a 10-year hiatus (and 23 pound weight gain), I joined the Denver “Aquaholics” master’s swim team in January of this year as cross-training while I recovered from a sprained ankle. While I did not break any national or state records (nor any personal high school records), I did lose 18 pounds in 7 months. I have surpassed a fitness goal set forth more than 3 years ago by my personal trainer, Caleb, for a total weight loss of 29 pounds thus far. Inspired by Caleb’s faith in me (Thanks Caleb!); propelled by faith in myself upon completion of the 2009 Coeur d’Alene Ironman; and combined with a few steps back (and up the scale) throughout grad school, I have finally found my fitness niche. I was made for the water. I love swimming. Swim practice flies by to the point that I’m still in the water after practice is over, unlike the love-hate (mostly hate) relationship I have with running, spinning and all the many fitness classes I’ve attempted over the past few years (where I stalk the clock with an eagle-eye). I owe my best life to swimming, though now I am faced with a challenge as I head to Macedonia to begin a new chapter and with that, a new routine – one in which swimming may not be an option.

Eight months ago I could hardly contain my enthusiasm for Peace Corps Macedonia. Today, that enthusiasm is slowly returning. The past eight months in Denver have been good to me, and it has been difficult to uproot from such goodness. From weekly swim practices, club volleyball matches, and co-rec softball games this summer to a fabulous job, internship, and non-profit Board position the past 2 years; and from the contemplative wisdom and friendship with my Denver -based "Auntie C" to the many fun adventures of a wonderfully unexpected relationship. I feel Alive! Many of you have voiced concern in these past few months that I have not been writing as frequently and you have been worried. I assure you my writing absence is due only to thoroughly living in the moment and savoring every last bit of this Rocky Mountain high. I am reminded of a homily I heard at Easter this year, of how many of us live in anticipation of the “other shoe dropping” – a state of waiting for the next bad thing to happen. That was me. I was encouraged that day to make a conscious choice to delight in the good things of life. A “resurrection” if you will, from the ego and its disappointments, expectations and attachments to a world that “should be” instead of a world that is. My resurrected self realized life is full of little choices; I chose to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop – to celebrate the little things (like being alive and sticking with fitness goals despite ups and downs) and to bask in the delight of the present moment. And there has been much to delight in.

As I wrap up this email, I am halfway through my flight to Macedonia: halfway between all that I leave behind and all that is to come. My heart is both heavy and light and my tears are of sorrow and joy. There is much to honor in letting go; and I am weary from the many goodbyes the past 2 months: family, friends, boyfriend, job, pets, the Aquaholics and my current fitness routine, my new godson…

Thank you for the prayers, calls, emails, texts, spontaneous roadtrips to Missoula to mountain bike (we saw a BEAR!), fishing, night kayaking, floating the river, hiking, sushi dates, lunch dates, going away parties, cards, and HUGS. I love you all and draw courage from your confidence in me. Just as I know I was made for swimming, I also know I was made for Macedonia. Heeding the words of wisdom that my Grandpa (Glenn Edward Truscott III, a retired career Navy man) offered earlier this week in regards to my 2 years of upcoming service with the Peace Corps…I plan to both “knock em dead” and “terrorize the troops!”…in Macedonia. Ohh, Grandpa :)

Blessings,
-Hana T.