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Finding Inspiration

Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Atlanta Paratriathlon Camp.  Watching a group of people who have had to overcome a lot do something that many of take for granted was something I wasn't easily going to forget.  Fast forward two weeks - one of the athletes was planning on participating in a sprint triathlon and didn't have anyone to assist him during the race.  I already had some plans for that morning, but they were easy to move around.  I was having trouble with the thought of him not being able to race when this was something I could so easily help with.  And this is how one of the most truly amazing days happened.  Cougar is a 19 year old young man who became a quadriplegic a few years back after he jumped into a snow pile with some buddies. He has worked so hard to get where he is, and he is still fighting every day.  He has little use of hi...
Recent posts

Scary Stuff - Chattanooga Waterfront Aquabike

“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” ― Shannon L. Alder Chattanooga Waterfront Olympic Distance Triathlon (Aquabike) Date of Race: June 29, 2014 Total Race Time = 2h 14m 11s Overall Place = 6/10 Pre-pre-race: Mid-March, I was riding my bike at Silk Sheets when something got caught in my back wheel causing it to lock up.  I fishtailed and crashed, breaking my hand.  I had surgery to have 3 pins put in for 5 weeks.  During this recovery process, there was no training.  Any sweat could cause the pins to get infected.  Once my bike was inspected, there was 2 cracks found on the frame.  The cracks were determined by the manufacturer to have been from riding hard on the trainer.  My new frame came in about a week before the race.  It was fit to me on Wednesday, with a race on Sunday.  I was sick Thursday and Friday --this lead to the first time being back on a bike being the race itself. Pre-r...

Tales and Tips from a Super Sherpa

I will never forget my first triathlon. I raced with my sister (also a first-timer) and my sister-in-law (an Ironman.) My entire family came out to support me.  I saw my sisters on the course and I received cheers from my family throughout the race and again at the finish line.  On a high from being a first time triathlete, I decided that it couldn't get any better than this. Fast forward 12 months to August 2012. I was racing my first Half Ironman with a large number of Atlanta Triathlon Club teammates, many who were first timers as well. The support from my teammates, both racers and spectators, was more than I could have imagined.  As I got out of the water, there was a huge cheer crew yelling my name and cheering louder than ever. We had a smaller cheering station midway out on the bike course and a large crowd on the run course.  Their support helped make this race spectacular. This was my day and they made sure I knew it. I was the last one from ATC on t...

Racing in Paradise - Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico

"I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be." - Ken Venturi Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico - Half Ironman Triathlon Date of Race: 3/15/2015 Total Race Time = 7h 8m 32s Overall Place = 1134/1309 Age Group = Female 30-34 Age Group Place = 44/60 The Road to San Juan:  The decision to sign up for this race was an easy one. We have family in Puerto Rico, a place to stay, and we visit a lot. I wasn't going to feel like I was missing out on seeing something in a new place during race preparations and the race site was at the beach so Sherpa Scott would be occupied! My official training started in December. I swam 3 times and ran about 4 or 5. It turns out I was fighting tendinitis in my right foot. After a few massages, a dry needling session, and some extra arch support I was on my way to being back to normal.  Official training now started in Janua...

The Road to San Juan

"Every day you wait is another day you'll never get back again." The offseason. It is where triathletes eat, sleep in, and spend time with their friends and family. We reflect upon our most recent season, looking to see where we can improve and remembering what we did right. Amongst the weight gain, extra sleep, and too much time with family, we are also planning out our next season.  How can we do it better?  How can we take what we learned from the last season and succeed? I may not be the best at the "on" season, but I excel at the offseason! After Austin 70.3, I took some time. I knew that I had close to 5 months before my next A race, but I needed to get triathlon off of my brain for at least a month. I took off about 3 weeks in October/November, and I must say that it was wonderful! Cold Weather Night Running = Stylish Mid-November was the time for me to pick back up my run.  I was doing great until Thanksgiving.  I ate way to much over t...

Austin 70.3 - At Least I Finished

Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going. Austin 70.3 - Half Ironman Triathlon Date of Race: 10/26/2014 Total Race Time = 7h 49m 40s Overall Place = 1780/2634 Age Group = Female 30-34 Age Group Place = 98/155 Pre-race history: It took a lot for me to get to this start line this year.  March: Bike accident - broken hand May: Surgical pins removed - all clear to start training May - August: ZERO motivation - 1 to 2 long runs, 1 long bike, little to no swimming August: HIM with ZERO training (I wouldn't recommend this) August 28: Told by doc if I did IMCHOO, I would likely end up with a stress fracture or worse. Used the new IM transfer program to officially transfer out of IMCHOO and into Austin 70.3 August 29: began 8 week training plan for Austin Pre-pre-race: The decision to transfer into Austin didn't come easy.  I wanted to get some of the value for my close to $700 entry to IMCHOO.  The transfer program allows you to transfer ou...