Tag: Challenge

This is what we do: The Vermont 50

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  “Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond what we thought we could do. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it’s all about.” ~ Pattie Sue Plumer, U.S. Olympian Race morning… We stayed in a hotel that smelled of cigarettes and flatulence. The cigarettes were from the people who had the room before us. The flatulence, well, I guess we have to own up to that. John and I joked as we fell off to sleep, “At the starting line, people are …

The first time finish line

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I’m addicted to the first time. You know: The first marathon. The first triathlon. The first 50k. The first ironman. And, this weekend, my first 50-miler: The Vermont 50. Crossing the finish line of any race is exhilarating. The feeling of accomplishment, of achieving a goal that you’ve set and steadfastly worked toward. Only you made it happen for yourself. Of course, finishing feels wonderful no matter how many times you’ve done that race before. But, hold up a minute. When you cross the finish line of your first attempt at a new event, the feeling is absolutely and overwhelmingly …

Ironman Lake Placid: Running to the Finish

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The run course begins along Main Street, among thousands of people, cheering, ringing cow bells, shouting words of encouragement, and drinking lots of beer, which I could smell on the breath of some of the spectators. That is how close they get to you on the run course. A group of spectators held up a sign that read, “Free Beer!” I wonder if anyone took them up on that. One woman commented to me, “You are looking strong! Have some beer!” I replied, laughing, “Not sure I’ll keep looking strong if I drink that!” During the first three miles, I …

Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Bike & T2

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Once clipped in, I had no choice but to go down… …the hill, that is. As you come out of the transition area on the bike, there is a sharp almost 180-degree turn that takes you down a hill. After that, you head down a sharp but short descent on a street that is in motion, with hundreds and hundreds of people, screaming their heads off. I tried my best to enjoy this part, but I was nervous. It was raining, I was surrounded by hundreds of other athletes, and it all seemed just a bit chaotic. As with the …

Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Swim & T1

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At precisely 7:00 a.m., the cannon went off to signal the start of Ironman Lake Placid for over 2,700 age group athletes. I looked at Carrie, one of the athletes I was talking with prior to the start, and said, “Oh, is that us?” She laughed and said, “Yup, that’s us!”   I was in no hurry to start. My plan was to wait one minute before starting. So, I walked along the banks to the start line of the swim. (I had been standing about 50 yards from the official start line.) I looked ahead as the washing machine …

Ironman Lake Placid: The Morning of the Race

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Basking in the post-first Ironman glow, just a mere two days after the race, it is hard for me to remember any other day in my life that was more amazing, more inspirational, more powerful than the day I had on Sunday. It started at 4:00 a.m., to the sounds of the Rocky theme (what else?) as the alarm clock on my cell phone went off. I looked out of our hotel window. The sun wasn’t up yet, and the sky was dark. John asked, “Is it raining?” I smiled. “Nope.” Morning showers were forecasted, but they hadn’t started yet. …

Defining moments

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Yesterday, my husband John and I attended a funeral for a close friend’s mother. I did not know Bill’s mother Gloria personally, but in listening to all that was said during and after the service, it is clear that her presence on this earth touched many people, and their lives are the better for it. I am sad for my friend’s loss; having lost my father 11 years ago, I know how deeply that pain cuts. The wound never heals. Just as people were about to leave the service, Bill approached the podium. “I’d like to ask everyone to hold …

14 days

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On July 27th, 2009, John and I stood in line for several hours to sign up for Lake Placid Ironman 2010. After we entered the Lake Placid High School gymnasium, it took only a few minutes to sign up for the event. It has taken us 12 months to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. In 14 days, we will do this. So, what makes someone want to go 140.6 miles in under 17 hours? Well, there are about 3,000 registered to participate in Ironman Lake Placid, and I imagine that amounts to about 3,000 answers to that question. I …

Mooseman 70.3 Part 2: Some things I learned along the way

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This post will be a bit more technical than my previous posts. If you prefer a more narrative report of the Mooseman 70.3, please check out part 1 by clicking here. As I mentioned in my previous post, I learned more in the six and a half hours of racing Mooseman 70.3 than I did over the course of the entire triathlon season last year. And, I’m thinking that some of this information could be quite useful to other triathletes, or athletes considering triathlon. I’m breaking this post into more easily digestable segments, which should allow you to pick and …

Find your *something*

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“I could never do that.” OR “I wish I could do that.” OR “I don’t know how you can train so much. I would die.” Through much of my training, I’ve heard people say these statements (or similar ones). I know people are saying these things in a complimentary way – and I am grateful for the support and words of encouragement. Yet, as odd as it may seem, these statements make me feel uncomfortable. I’m convinced that each of us have the potential to do and achieve amazing things. There’s no reason to wish to be able to do …