Just as I was thinking that my triathlon centered thinking could take a rest for the year, the Big Dance is upon us. Ironman week is a great source of entertainment for me. I love all things Ironman. And there's nothing more Ironman, than World Championships.
I was on the Big Island in early October of 2007 and the experience is one I will treasure forever. My whole family participated. It is the ultimate volunteer experience, if you love triathlon the way we do.
I look forward to the Ironman Features posted on www.ironman.com daily, and try to remember all the new names. I am old school and miss seeing names like Luc van Lierde, Normann Stadler and Natascha Badmann. However, I'm a big fan of Chrissie Wellington and Craig Alexander. Each year, I'm amazed at the dropping times. It seems almost super-human.
This year, I will be riding my bike as the pros and age-groupers test the waters in Kailua Bay and traverse the lava fields. Usually, I'm keeping track on Ironmanlive.com. This year, I will have to settle for whatever updates I can get on my iPhone at the end of the day.
For those of us who worship Ironman, this is the day. I hope to get back there one day. It is definitely worth the trip.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Running as a salve
Do you ever have one of those days where you feel overwhelmed by.....life? Everything seems monumental. You have about 1800 things to do in 12 minutes. Generally, my first reaction to such a situation is to panic. I've found a much better way to handle the stress. To run. I'm not alone in using this tactic. My friend Lisa does this too. See her take on it here, http://bookwoman.com/2011/09/22/runners-nothigh/
The release of endorphins improves my outlook and while I'm running, I can prioritize my mess and decide what's really important and what can wait.
Case in point - yesterday afternoon, after having spent the entire weekend supporting triathlon, I really needed to do the laundry, clean the bathroom, vacuum up the dog hair and get ready for my cycling vacation that starts on Wednesday. When I thought about the energy involved in producing such work and the available time and energy I had, I began to hyperventilate.
No need. All I needed was a run. In 35 minutes, I'd gotten my priorities straight, created a 'plan of action' and drastically improved my attitude. Sometimes, I'm not sure if it's the physical activity itself or the fresh air, but it surely makes me feel better.
Now, this is not to say that I got everything done on my to do list when I got home, but at least the list didn't depress me so badly.
So today is a new day, and with my new found optimism, I will attack my to do list and get ready for vacation!
The release of endorphins improves my outlook and while I'm running, I can prioritize my mess and decide what's really important and what can wait.
Case in point - yesterday afternoon, after having spent the entire weekend supporting triathlon, I really needed to do the laundry, clean the bathroom, vacuum up the dog hair and get ready for my cycling vacation that starts on Wednesday. When I thought about the energy involved in producing such work and the available time and energy I had, I began to hyperventilate.
No need. All I needed was a run. In 35 minutes, I'd gotten my priorities straight, created a 'plan of action' and drastically improved my attitude. Sometimes, I'm not sure if it's the physical activity itself or the fresh air, but it surely makes me feel better.
Now, this is not to say that I got everything done on my to do list when I got home, but at least the list didn't depress me so badly.
So today is a new day, and with my new found optimism, I will attack my to do list and get ready for vacation!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
My helmet is BROKEN....!
Today was the final race in the North Carolina triathlon series. It took place at picturesque Pinehurst marina and on this cold, sunny Sunday morning, my daughter went to the start line of the final race of her first full season of racing.
She handled the cold really well this morning and got off to a fine start. The wind caused there to be a little current, so she swam a little off course, making her swim time a little longer than expected, but she was fine coming out of the swim.
She'd planned to don arm warmers, a bike jersey and vest, as the temperature was not expected to hit 60 during the entire bike ride. She was calm as she dried off her arms in transition and pulled on the arm warmers. Although it took a little time, it was worth the comfort. As I'm ready to move along the transition area fencing, waiting to see her emerge, I hear, 'MOM, MY HELMET IS BROKEN!!' Hmmm. At this point, I cannot go into the transition area to inspect the helmet. Instantly, I morph from calm coach into hysterical mother. I go screaming to the top of the swim finish for my friend, whom I think has ridden her bike to the race venue to spectate.
'Heather', I scream, 'Do you have your helmet? Caroline's helmet is BROKEN!' 'No', she replies. Apparently, she has jogged along as her kids rode their bikes to the race. I run back to transition, frantic. I yell to my friend Mark, who is volunteering, directing cyclists out of transition. He scrambles to find a spare helmet. Meanwhile, the resourceful Caroline, has asked for assistance from fellow participants. A member of a relay team snapped the 'broken' plastic back into place and the crisis is averted.
I feel like the previous 2 minutes have lasted half an hour. My heart rate is up like I had done an interval workout. Whew!
It's hard to be the mother of an athlete!
She handled the cold really well this morning and got off to a fine start. The wind caused there to be a little current, so she swam a little off course, making her swim time a little longer than expected, but she was fine coming out of the swim.
She'd planned to don arm warmers, a bike jersey and vest, as the temperature was not expected to hit 60 during the entire bike ride. She was calm as she dried off her arms in transition and pulled on the arm warmers. Although it took a little time, it was worth the comfort. As I'm ready to move along the transition area fencing, waiting to see her emerge, I hear, 'MOM, MY HELMET IS BROKEN!!' Hmmm. At this point, I cannot go into the transition area to inspect the helmet. Instantly, I morph from calm coach into hysterical mother. I go screaming to the top of the swim finish for my friend, whom I think has ridden her bike to the race venue to spectate.
'Heather', I scream, 'Do you have your helmet? Caroline's helmet is BROKEN!' 'No', she replies. Apparently, she has jogged along as her kids rode their bikes to the race. I run back to transition, frantic. I yell to my friend Mark, who is volunteering, directing cyclists out of transition. He scrambles to find a spare helmet. Meanwhile, the resourceful Caroline, has asked for assistance from fellow participants. A member of a relay team snapped the 'broken' plastic back into place and the crisis is averted.
I feel like the previous 2 minutes have lasted half an hour. My heart rate is up like I had done an interval workout. Whew!
It's hard to be the mother of an athlete!
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