Note To Annette

Dear Annette -

I am writing you a love note.  Why?  Because I want you to know how PROUD I am of you for: (1) signing up for your first OLY; (2)  attempting your first 10k as part of an OLY; (3)  fighting through your cramp; (4)  FINISHING your first OLY and 10k; (5) sticking to your weight loss plan; and (6) maintaining a positive attitude.  YOU ARE AWESOME!  Keep up the good work. 

                                                              The Biggest IronMom 

Registration complete!

Well, it's done!  I (and all of the other Ironmoms) are registered for the 2012 Ironman Arizona!!!   I have to say that I am both excited and slightly terrified.  I volunteered at bodymarking and runner's aid station #6 yesterday and the experience was both inspiring and frightening.  I was amazed at the athletes of all shapes, sizes, and abilities taking on a race like Ironman.  I was frightened by the varying levels of exhaustion and pain I was seeing in the athletes as they approached the finish.

After seeing all of them, it confirms to me that I know I can do this.  The experience will be difficult, but it will be an amazing accomplishment and I excited to be in the company of the other Ironmoms and athletes in less than a year on that Ironman course!!!  Time to train.  :)

I'm inspired!

Today was a great day of volunteering.  I was at the swim exit and loved it.  My job was to help people up the stairs and start unzipping the wetsuits.  I was with IronMom Kristin so it was fun to have a buddy.  It is amazing to feel the energy of the race and see so many fans and volunteers rooting on total strangers.  I loved it.  I think the challenged and elderly athletes touched my heart the most.  Kristin and I saw a blind woman swimming and a paralyzed gentleman.  AMAZING!  There were people with one arm and others with only one leg.  AMAZING!  The older athletes are inspiring to me as well.  I want to be doing this when I'm in my late 60s or 70s!  Pretty darn cool.  I'm going to try to get the other photos up soon.  My phone was not uploading so I need to troubleshoot that problem. 

Ironman Wisconsin 2012 - My friend Debb's blog

So I posted earlier about my friend Debb and her battle with Ironman Wisconsin.  She has signed up again and the 3rd time WILL be a charm.  She started a blog to document her journey.  Here is the link if you want to follow her training for IMOO and weight loss.  I think this will be a great year for all of our training!  Go Debb Go!!

Tri and Tri Again  http://astudyinpersistence.blogspot.com/

My Friend Debb - IMOO 2011

I want to tell you about my friend Debb.  I met Debb on-line about 2 years ago.  She is amazing and a real inspiration.  Debb and I trained together last year for our Ironman races on the beginner triathlete website.  Debb started her training at 302 pounds and has lost 100 pounds on this Ironman journey. 

Last year she competed in Ironman Wisconsin 2010.  The Ironman community referrs to this race as IMOO.  The IMOO course is pretty intense and has lots of hills.  Our Ironman Arizona or IMAZ race is a favorite because it the course is pretty flat.

Although Debb was properly trained, she missed the last run cut off by a minute.  They wouldn't let her go on.  She had to give them her chip and she was carted to the finish line.  She was at Mile 19 of the RUN!  Yep, 133 miles into her 140 mile journey.  Just 7 miles short!  Instead of feeling blue she got up the next morning and signed up to do the race again.  She has worked her tail off this year and is ready to tackle it again. 

Debb competes this Sunday in IMOO 2011.  I am so nervous and excited for her.  I'll be glued to my computer "watching" her times through out the day.   Send her some good vibes this weekend!!  She said no matter what happens this weekend she is going to keep going.  She might even tackle IMAZ with us in 2012.

Excited and a little frightened!

I am excited to join these fantastic ladies on this incredible adventure. I have wanted to complete an Ironman for years. For a long time, I didn't think someone like me (not an "athlete") could do it. Having met Kate and a few other Ironman survivors, I am motivated and inspired to do the same (and a bit in awe). It is great to have a support system to get through the training and to stay on track!

A Nice Reminder

A friend posted this on Facebook.  I love this.  Sometimes I get bogged down in my race times and results.  I need to remember that at I AM moving and trying and that is more than most people.