Triathlon season is over and I am settling into the holiday season. I vow each year to not slip into bad eating habits and try to stick with my exercise routine- even though I am not training for anything specifically yet. How do you stay inspired to stay with the program? That is the million dollar question that many people ask themselves to stay on track with diet and exercise. So what do you do?
Find something that you love and go for it. That advice sounds so simple and yet how many times have you started a diet or exercise program only to find yourself defeated ? The only answer is to realize that staying fit and healthy is a lifestyle.Most people have short term weight loss goals; they want to look great for a big occasion but what most don't realize is that exercise and proper nutrition doesn't ever end. There is a start point, but there is no end point. Proper nutrition and exercise should be incorporated daily into your life like sleeping and showering. It's a harsh reality, but it is the honest truth when it comes to maintaining fitness health.
I have heard over and over again by countless people that the number one reason for not staying active is time. But there is time for a workout if you consciously put it into your schedule. I know for full time working people this is the hardest thing to incorporate into a schedule. My advice, sit down and schedule it. Personally, nothing in my life is accomplished unless I sit down each week ( maybe five or ten minutes) and think about what I have to do. Write a list of what needs to be done, look at your list and then see when you have a block of time for exercise- even five minutes is a start. During the holidays it is important to do this to keep sane.
Five minutes? I can already hear some of you squawking that five minutes is not enough so why bother? You can climb your own stairs for five minutes, never leaving your house or apartment. You will see benefits if you do it everyday. Don't like stairs? Walk to your mailbox and back as many times as you can for five minutes. Live in a cul-de-sac? Walk to the cul-de-sac and back as many times as you can for five minutes. Get the picture? Get moving. Park further away from the door when you go to the mall; this adds walking time. Try adding a minute to your walk or stair climb each day and after a week you'll be up to twelve minutes. Most beginners can run a mile in that amount of time. If you speed walk, a mile can be done in around thirteen to fourteen minutes. The time excuse just doesn't cut it.
Last week at my son's basketball practice everyone was sitting around on their phones, reading their Kindle's, or working on laptops. I kept thinking that some of the people sitting around should get up and walk around the gym or go outside and walk around. Why not manage that time better? That was an hour practice. Think of what exercise you could do in an hour. Put away the technology and get off your bum is what I wanted to shout! I had visions of Richard Simmons pulling people off the bleachers and forcing them to walk around the gym. The point is that here was a block of time. It was only a practice and not a game so parents should not feel guilt for fitting in a walk or run here.
What inspires me to keep fit is that I physically feel better and have more energy to tackle my day; especially this time of year when the holidays are approaching and there is so much that needs to be done. I am inspired to keep at it when the clothes I have in my closet fit, when I go for my yearly physical and my blood pressure is outstanding, when people tell me that I look the same as I did in high school. Those are the little reasons I am inspired to stay active, but there are big reasons as well.
Recently losing my aunt and grandmother to cancer has taught me to be inspired by little things like a beautiful day or my kids sharing with me their school day or perhaps my husband explaining his victories in work. I am inspired by friends that make me feel good about my accomplishments and goals. I am inspired by one of my spin instructors at the gym who always seems to get me to work a little harder. The biggest inspiration to me is when I see someone with a challenge out there participating in sports.
A few days ago I was running at Lake Pine Park in Cary, NC. I was not feeling in the moment at all, in fact I was not really enjoying my run as I was distracted by all the things on my to do list for the day. I was getting through it when I saw a girl in a wheelchair going around the lake. I was stunned, but she was using one foot to push off and propel herself around a two mile loop. She had a group with her and what struck me was that she had a big smile on her face. She was rehabbing an injury and it looked very difficult and yet she was having fun with her group. I immediately realized that although I was tired and really didn't feel like running at the moment, I was so lucky to be out there; I was inspired by witnessing one person who was challenged, but she wasn't feeling sorry for herself. She was simply doing what she had to do.
When I am struggling to continue with my training, I look to other people to train with, take a fun group class, or put on music with a great beat. Sometimes if I need a further push I look to two videos for inspiration. One is with Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father and son team that do triathlons together, the other is Jim Valvano's famous ESPY speech from 1993.
Rick was diagnosed as a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy as a result of a lack of oxygen to his brain at birth. His mother and father have strived all of Rick's life to make it as normal as possible. Rick's parents were able to have a special interactive computer built for him that enabled him to communicate.The computer gave their son a," voice," and they quickly learned that Rick loved sports. In 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a five mile run that benefited a lacrosse player that had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick agreed but was not really a runner at the time. He pushed his son in the wheelchair for the five miles and finished the race. Later, Rick told his father that he did not feel paralyzed when they were running together. This was the catalyst that sparked the beginning of a foundation Dick started for his son called Team Hoyt. Together the two have done over 1,000 races including marathons, duathlons, and triathlons(six of them ironman competitions). Dick pulls his son in a boat, pulls him while riding a bike, and pushes him in a wheelchair during triathlons; it is a sight to see.
Ten years ago when I decided to sign up for my first triathlon, I had seen Rick and Dick Hoyt on the televised Kona Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. I was so inspired I knew I had to try one. I cried the entire time watching them and the feeling that came over me was overwhelming. I knew that there was absolutely no reason for me to not do a triathlon. I was hooked after my first race and have continued ever since. Each year I watch Kona and am inspired by anyone who attempts this race, but seeing the Hoyt's blew me away. Kona is still a dream for me, but I am hopeful that someday it will be a reality.
The other person that inspires me is Jimmy Valvano, a former basketball coach at NC State University. He blew me away with his speech at the 1993 ESPY awards. It was my first time watching the ESPY's; I remember my husband saying that I would love the awards show.Valvano gave the speech of a lifetime, talking about the important things in life while he was fighting cancer. His motto,"Don't give up, don't ever give up," is something we have all heard, but there are many things I have taken from that speech like when he said ,"a good day is when you laugh, cry and you think." These are very simple things that we can do each day. When I'm feeling down about anything I think of his powerful words.
Finally, I am inspired by the founders of HydroWorx for the wonderful pools they have created that help people all over the world. Through the power of water therapy they are continually improving the quality of life for people.
I am inspired each day by the grace of God and my many blessings, and like Dick Hoyt has said, "Yes you can," and like Jimmy V. has said," Don't ever give up," I say tri-on friends! Below is Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY video-You Tube and Team Hoyt video-You Tube.
Kelly
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful
Today is perhaps my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is all about the food and the football, but more importantly it is a kick-back day of realizing what we truly are thankful for. The story we learned in elementary school was that Thanksgiving was a celebration of the first harvest of the colonists in Plymouth with the help of the Native Americans. The colonists struggled until the Native Americans gave them seeds and taught them how to fish.
How many times have we taken for granted the fact that we can just run down to the store to get what we need for our meals? Thankfully, our world is realizing the importance of getting back to our roots, so to speak, and buying food from local farmers or farmers markets. My husband Mark is a big hunter and fisherman so we do eat venison meat and fish that he provides from his hunting expeditions, but what if he didn't have those skills? Would we go hungry? No, because we can go to the local Harris Teeter and get what we need. But the colonists weren't so lucky. Thankfully, they were able to figure things out with some help so that their entire population did not get wiped out.
How many times do we really think about the original Thanksgiving? I guess my point is that it's probably a good idea to revisit that lesson we learned in elementary school. But in a modern day world filled with computers, flat screen televisions, Kindles and Ipods and...electricity, it's hard to comprehend that if you didn't hunt you didn't eat. So as you are eating your feast today, appreciate the small things, like you didn't have to actually venture out in the cold woods to find a turkey first. Perhaps you did venture out in the cold ,but only to get into your warm automobile and drive yourself to the local market.
Beyond the bare bones meaning of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a more personal reason I'm thankful. In 2001 my husband Mark was supposed to go to New York City for a meeting on Windows on the World, the restaurant on top of the World Trade Center. At the time he was working for Metlife and they had scheduled a managers meeting on Sept. 11, 2001; now currently known as 9/11. That day our world changed forever as we were bombed by al-Qaeda terrorists and our," twin towers," were destroyed forever. We all know the story, but mine was significant because my husband did not end up going to the meeting, as Metlife, thankfully, changed the meeting to another day. My life could have been greatly altered, but I was spared.
I remember exactly where I was when the attacks took place that morning. We were living in Apex, NC. After I had dropped my son Bryce off at pre-school, and had put my son Nick into his jog stroller,
I had gone out for my morning run, donning my Sony headset. I did not own an Ipod yet. I was listening to G105, a Raleigh radio station, when the story broke. At the point of the breaking story I was climbing a nasty hill and I remember thinking that hill was nothing compared to what just happened. The newscaster thought the attack was an accident and by the time I ran home and turned on the local news, the real story was playing out before my eyes. I immediately called my husband Mark at work to tell him the news. I silently prayed to God and thanked him for not sending my husband to New York for the meeting.
I often think of all the wives that lost their husbands in the 9-11 attacks; all the kids that lost their dads and moms, all the unnecessary violence, and I thank God everyday that I was spared. It sounds almost selfish, but I feel there was a reason I was spared that day. I am thankful that I still have my husband and that my kids have their dad. In times of marriage when I am feeling frustrated; and if you are married (let's be honest) you definitely have times that are challenging, I remind myself how lucky I am. The one thing I am truly thankful for is that I have the person I am meant to be with standing by my side and cheering me all the way to the finish line of life.
Tri-On,
Kelly
How many times have we taken for granted the fact that we can just run down to the store to get what we need for our meals? Thankfully, our world is realizing the importance of getting back to our roots, so to speak, and buying food from local farmers or farmers markets. My husband Mark is a big hunter and fisherman so we do eat venison meat and fish that he provides from his hunting expeditions, but what if he didn't have those skills? Would we go hungry? No, because we can go to the local Harris Teeter and get what we need. But the colonists weren't so lucky. Thankfully, they were able to figure things out with some help so that their entire population did not get wiped out.
How many times do we really think about the original Thanksgiving? I guess my point is that it's probably a good idea to revisit that lesson we learned in elementary school. But in a modern day world filled with computers, flat screen televisions, Kindles and Ipods and...electricity, it's hard to comprehend that if you didn't hunt you didn't eat. So as you are eating your feast today, appreciate the small things, like you didn't have to actually venture out in the cold woods to find a turkey first. Perhaps you did venture out in the cold ,but only to get into your warm automobile and drive yourself to the local market.
Beyond the bare bones meaning of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a more personal reason I'm thankful. In 2001 my husband Mark was supposed to go to New York City for a meeting on Windows on the World, the restaurant on top of the World Trade Center. At the time he was working for Metlife and they had scheduled a managers meeting on Sept. 11, 2001; now currently known as 9/11. That day our world changed forever as we were bombed by al-Qaeda terrorists and our," twin towers," were destroyed forever. We all know the story, but mine was significant because my husband did not end up going to the meeting, as Metlife, thankfully, changed the meeting to another day. My life could have been greatly altered, but I was spared.
I remember exactly where I was when the attacks took place that morning. We were living in Apex, NC. After I had dropped my son Bryce off at pre-school, and had put my son Nick into his jog stroller,
I had gone out for my morning run, donning my Sony headset. I did not own an Ipod yet. I was listening to G105, a Raleigh radio station, when the story broke. At the point of the breaking story I was climbing a nasty hill and I remember thinking that hill was nothing compared to what just happened. The newscaster thought the attack was an accident and by the time I ran home and turned on the local news, the real story was playing out before my eyes. I immediately called my husband Mark at work to tell him the news. I silently prayed to God and thanked him for not sending my husband to New York for the meeting.
I often think of all the wives that lost their husbands in the 9-11 attacks; all the kids that lost their dads and moms, all the unnecessary violence, and I thank God everyday that I was spared. It sounds almost selfish, but I feel there was a reason I was spared that day. I am thankful that I still have my husband and that my kids have their dad. In times of marriage when I am feeling frustrated; and if you are married (let's be honest) you definitely have times that are challenging, I remind myself how lucky I am. The one thing I am truly thankful for is that I have the person I am meant to be with standing by my side and cheering me all the way to the finish line of life.
Tri-On,
Kelly
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Reflections of a Triathlete
Reflection-Something such as light, radiant heat,sound or an image that is reflected; a fixing of the thoughts on something, careful consideration.
A few weeks ago I completed my last triathlon of the season and it was a challenging event. Being my last event always stirs up many emotions for me. I am usually a little sad that the season is over, but hopeful for the next season. Pinehurst Olympic Triathlon was a wonderful way to end my season. Rolling hills on the bike and run; a clean, clear lake with beautiful homes surrounding it and a golf community that provided a beautiful venue while I tortured myself one last time will keep me coming back to this race.
During the swim I was challenged by the glaring sun reflecting on the lake, but rather than cursing the sun I suddenly was overcome by the beauty of the morning. I was reminded of my grandmother and my aunt who I have recently lost and realized how lucky I was in that moment to be in the warm water even if it was a bit rough from the winds. I realized that with each arm stroke I was gaining momentum to the shoreline. The sunlight was blinding, but it didn't blind my spirit. I felt a sense that my aunt and grandmother were with me guiding me through the light to the bike transition. This was living; feeling the waves, the cold water, the sunlight in my eyes, the cool morning temperatures- all examples of life and experiencing these elements keeps me coming back for more. I could have slept in and been home drinking a cup of coffee, but why sit on the sidelines when you can be in there," in it?" It's a privilege to be a triathlete and the ability to participate is never taken for granted as it is a gift that I reflect on regularly. As I've written before, I ,"tri," for those who can't.
The bike and the run lead me through the beautiful Pinehurst community and while the hills challenged me, I enjoyed the cool temperatures of the day, especially during the run when I so often overheat. I always like to talk to people on the run. During Pinehurst, I talked with a man that was in his sixties. The cool thing, or maybe not so cool, is that your age is marked on the back of your leg. I am always so inspired to see all age groups out there participating in the field of triathlon. The man that was in his sixties expressed that he was tired when I asked him how it was going. But then he said," I keep doing this because of how I feel afterwards." I nodded and told him I felt the same way. Whatever his reasons were for feeling good after he didn't say, but I had a pretty good understanding of what he meant. When you are done it is a feeling that something great was accomplished in a morning. Rather than watching TV or drinking coffee or perhaps having breakfast, there is something great about knowing that your body travelled a long distance (37.2 miles in this race) in a morning using arms, legs and a bike. Through this,"play," I feel like a child again. Competing in triathlon gives you strength to get through tougher things in life.
I met another guy on the run who was closer to my age and he,"carried," me for about four miles. He kept me going by talking with me. What I learned from him was that he was a," weekend warrior," type of athlete. He said he didn't train much but rather just came out to the events and did them. I was impressed with his ability as at mile four he increased his speed and took off; probably tired of talking to me. What stuck with me was that he said he'd rather be,"spending time on the weekends playing and fishing with his son," so he doesn't put in as many training hours as he should. I could relate to that philosophy as my race schedule is always around my family.
Part of reflecting is also realizing how thankful I am to be able to share my stories and to have people that believe in me and support my efforts as an athlete. I can't say thanks enough to my friends at HydroWorx for believing in me. I believe in water therapy and would recommend an underwater treadmill at every gym in the country. The people behind HydoWorx are visionaries in the sports medicine industry, much like Steve Jobs was a visionary in technology. Recently, they put an underwater treadmill in the Keefer home that was featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover:Home Edition show. One of the family members featured on the show is a paraplegic that needs therapy and HydroWorx installed one of their pools right in the home. The power of water therapy is so incredible. The show featured another man with a disability that is now walking as a result of one of the pools.
Beyond reflecting on my last race, I began to reflect on the challenges faced by my family over the last six months. We recently relocated back to North Carolina after a five year stint in Pennsylvania. Although we were returning to an area we call home, we were leaving behind new friends that we'd made and traveling far away from family members again. Moving across country is no easy task,especially when you have children. "Setting up shop," is an adventure, but hard work. Relationships/friendships from the past have changed as well and so our old life was a bit different. We moved back to our,"home," but things had changed over five years. Again an adjustment had to be made for all of my family. Through it all, the swimming, biking, and running kept me on task. Sounds crazy, but when you have a checklist of things to do and follow it, voila it happens. I train for triathlon that way and live my life that way. The workouts were a great release in between packing, unpacking, setting up my kids in school and sports, DVM visits. et cetra.
A few weeks ago I completed my last triathlon of the season and it was a challenging event. Being my last event always stirs up many emotions for me. I am usually a little sad that the season is over, but hopeful for the next season. Pinehurst Olympic Triathlon was a wonderful way to end my season. Rolling hills on the bike and run; a clean, clear lake with beautiful homes surrounding it and a golf community that provided a beautiful venue while I tortured myself one last time will keep me coming back to this race.
During the swim I was challenged by the glaring sun reflecting on the lake, but rather than cursing the sun I suddenly was overcome by the beauty of the morning. I was reminded of my grandmother and my aunt who I have recently lost and realized how lucky I was in that moment to be in the warm water even if it was a bit rough from the winds. I realized that with each arm stroke I was gaining momentum to the shoreline. The sunlight was blinding, but it didn't blind my spirit. I felt a sense that my aunt and grandmother were with me guiding me through the light to the bike transition. This was living; feeling the waves, the cold water, the sunlight in my eyes, the cool morning temperatures- all examples of life and experiencing these elements keeps me coming back for more. I could have slept in and been home drinking a cup of coffee, but why sit on the sidelines when you can be in there," in it?" It's a privilege to be a triathlete and the ability to participate is never taken for granted as it is a gift that I reflect on regularly. As I've written before, I ,"tri," for those who can't.
The bike and the run lead me through the beautiful Pinehurst community and while the hills challenged me, I enjoyed the cool temperatures of the day, especially during the run when I so often overheat. I always like to talk to people on the run. During Pinehurst, I talked with a man that was in his sixties. The cool thing, or maybe not so cool, is that your age is marked on the back of your leg. I am always so inspired to see all age groups out there participating in the field of triathlon. The man that was in his sixties expressed that he was tired when I asked him how it was going. But then he said," I keep doing this because of how I feel afterwards." I nodded and told him I felt the same way. Whatever his reasons were for feeling good after he didn't say, but I had a pretty good understanding of what he meant. When you are done it is a feeling that something great was accomplished in a morning. Rather than watching TV or drinking coffee or perhaps having breakfast, there is something great about knowing that your body travelled a long distance (37.2 miles in this race) in a morning using arms, legs and a bike. Through this,"play," I feel like a child again. Competing in triathlon gives you strength to get through tougher things in life.
I met another guy on the run who was closer to my age and he,"carried," me for about four miles. He kept me going by talking with me. What I learned from him was that he was a," weekend warrior," type of athlete. He said he didn't train much but rather just came out to the events and did them. I was impressed with his ability as at mile four he increased his speed and took off; probably tired of talking to me. What stuck with me was that he said he'd rather be,"spending time on the weekends playing and fishing with his son," so he doesn't put in as many training hours as he should. I could relate to that philosophy as my race schedule is always around my family.
Part of reflecting is also realizing how thankful I am to be able to share my stories and to have people that believe in me and support my efforts as an athlete. I can't say thanks enough to my friends at HydroWorx for believing in me. I believe in water therapy and would recommend an underwater treadmill at every gym in the country. The people behind HydoWorx are visionaries in the sports medicine industry, much like Steve Jobs was a visionary in technology. Recently, they put an underwater treadmill in the Keefer home that was featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover:Home Edition show. One of the family members featured on the show is a paraplegic that needs therapy and HydroWorx installed one of their pools right in the home. The power of water therapy is so incredible. The show featured another man with a disability that is now walking as a result of one of the pools.
Beyond reflecting on my last race, I began to reflect on the challenges faced by my family over the last six months. We recently relocated back to North Carolina after a five year stint in Pennsylvania. Although we were returning to an area we call home, we were leaving behind new friends that we'd made and traveling far away from family members again. Moving across country is no easy task,especially when you have children. "Setting up shop," is an adventure, but hard work. Relationships/friendships from the past have changed as well and so our old life was a bit different. We moved back to our,"home," but things had changed over five years. Again an adjustment had to be made for all of my family. Through it all, the swimming, biking, and running kept me on task. Sounds crazy, but when you have a checklist of things to do and follow it, voila it happens. I train for triathlon that way and live my life that way. The workouts were a great release in between packing, unpacking, setting up my kids in school and sports, DVM visits. et cetra.
This blog is more than a blog about a girl who loves triathlon. This is about life and how triathlon shows up in my life. I am reminded of my brother-in-law, Dr. Frank McCluskey, who wrote a book called Thoughts on Fire; a book about being a fire fighter. In his book, his life was brought full circle by his passion for fighting fires and the relationships he developed doing so. It is not much different than what I am trying to convey in My Tri Life; do what you love and love what you do. I am lucky enough to have figured out my mantra and I am only middle aged. Thankfully, I still have half a life to go.
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| Pinehurst Triathlon Swim Transition |
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
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| Pinehurst Triathlon Run Transition |
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| HydroWorx Pool at Keefer home featured on ABC Extreme Makeover Home Edition |
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| HydroWorx Pool featured on ABC Extreme Homemaker Home Edition |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Triathlete's Tribute to Steve Jobs
How in the world is Steve Jobs related to a blog about triathlon? Easy, without the invention of his Ipod I would probably have not been able to accomplish all that I have as a triathlete. Last winter, when I was training for my first half ironman, I never would have gotten through those rotten workouts on my bike trainer. Talk about boring; spinning indoors, looking at the television occasionally and spending literally hours on a trainer is not my idea of fun, but with the help of a little device called an Ipod, indoor spinning has become something I look forward to. I even recently took a course to certify myself as an indoor cycling instructor. With the use of upbeat music, I can pretend I am riding hills and flats in the great outdoors, even when the weather is crummy! Thanks to the Black Eyed Peas and Eminem, I was able to train on my bike during a very brutal Pennsylvania winter.
But biking is one component of triathlon. Running is also a very important part of the three sports. I can't tell you how many times I've reached for my Ipod before donning my running shoes. I love running with other people, but for me it doesn't happen frequently. Finding someone that is at your pace, schedules and convenience are all factors that play in. Sometimes I fit in a quick run during my kids soccer and lacrosse practices, sometimes it is early in the morning, sometimes I run at lunchtime. Mostly it is around my families busy schedule so ... Lady Gaga, Madonna, Maroon Five, Christina Aguilera, Usher, to name a few artists, become my running buddies with the simple push of a play button. There are no phone calls, emails, or texts to make just a simple device that I strap around my arm and off I go with music that has a great beat and gives me energy to get my run done.That little device has been a buddy from day one.
I remember when I first started running; too many years to calculate and too embarrassing, but to give you an idea of how far devices have come, I remember days gone by when I was sporting a Sony Walkman about the size of a small book. Later, I was seen running with a huge set of earphones on my head. I hated carrying such a heavy thing as the Sony Walkman and I could never quite get those huge headphones right. I would start out my run in the old days with those devices, only to loop back home to drop them off because they were so cumbersome and drove me crazy during an activity that I was so fond of.
One of the challenges I face as a triathlete is the fact that USAT santioned races do not allow any devices such as an Ipod. So while I can get my groove on during training runs and cycles, during race time I cannot don my Ipod. I wish that USAT would change this rule because by the time the run happens in triathlon you've already swum and biked. You can imagine the mental anguish of having to run after all of that and without music.
I was able to sneak my Ipod at a smaller event in Pennsylvania called the Anthracite Triathlon. The officials were not looking as closely as they might at other events. Thanks to the smallness of my Ipod ,I was able to conceal my Ipod in places I'll leave to the imagination. This was my first Olympic Distance triathlon, sporting many hills in the mountains of Jim Thorpe. I knew I was going to need a boost for the run. I risked disqualification by using my Ipod, but in the end I did not get caught and was able to place 3rd in my division.
Meanwhile, a friend of mine swears that there is a device that she uses so she can use her underwater Ipod to get through her swims. I admit I haven't tried that yet because even with all the new technology I'm still from the old school that you just don't get electronics wet ,but hey I didn't believe that you could touch a screen and get it to work.
More importantly than the Ipod, I am thankful for such a visionary as Steve Jobs. He lived his life by what he believed and I love his mantra that you shouldn't listen to the negative talk out there." Find what you love to do and stick with it. Keep looking and don't settle," is a quote from his now famous speech to the 2005 Stanford graduating class. He faced many hard times in his life and yet he never gave up. In his work and even with his health issues he was a fighter.
One of the reasons for writing this blog is because of my love of triathlon. I too have faced adversity in my life and have had people who did not believe in my efforts in work and in triathlon, so the fact that a man like Steve Jobs who never even graduated college can succeed because of hard work and determination, gives me hope and inspiration.
"Stay hungry and stay foolish," was how Jobs ended his speech to the Stanford grads. Don't give up on your dreams because they are a possibility.
Tri- On,
Kelly
But biking is one component of triathlon. Running is also a very important part of the three sports. I can't tell you how many times I've reached for my Ipod before donning my running shoes. I love running with other people, but for me it doesn't happen frequently. Finding someone that is at your pace, schedules and convenience are all factors that play in. Sometimes I fit in a quick run during my kids soccer and lacrosse practices, sometimes it is early in the morning, sometimes I run at lunchtime. Mostly it is around my families busy schedule so ... Lady Gaga, Madonna, Maroon Five, Christina Aguilera, Usher, to name a few artists, become my running buddies with the simple push of a play button. There are no phone calls, emails, or texts to make just a simple device that I strap around my arm and off I go with music that has a great beat and gives me energy to get my run done.That little device has been a buddy from day one.
I remember when I first started running; too many years to calculate and too embarrassing, but to give you an idea of how far devices have come, I remember days gone by when I was sporting a Sony Walkman about the size of a small book. Later, I was seen running with a huge set of earphones on my head. I hated carrying such a heavy thing as the Sony Walkman and I could never quite get those huge headphones right. I would start out my run in the old days with those devices, only to loop back home to drop them off because they were so cumbersome and drove me crazy during an activity that I was so fond of.
One of the challenges I face as a triathlete is the fact that USAT santioned races do not allow any devices such as an Ipod. So while I can get my groove on during training runs and cycles, during race time I cannot don my Ipod. I wish that USAT would change this rule because by the time the run happens in triathlon you've already swum and biked. You can imagine the mental anguish of having to run after all of that and without music.
I was able to sneak my Ipod at a smaller event in Pennsylvania called the Anthracite Triathlon. The officials were not looking as closely as they might at other events. Thanks to the smallness of my Ipod ,I was able to conceal my Ipod in places I'll leave to the imagination. This was my first Olympic Distance triathlon, sporting many hills in the mountains of Jim Thorpe. I knew I was going to need a boost for the run. I risked disqualification by using my Ipod, but in the end I did not get caught and was able to place 3rd in my division.
Meanwhile, a friend of mine swears that there is a device that she uses so she can use her underwater Ipod to get through her swims. I admit I haven't tried that yet because even with all the new technology I'm still from the old school that you just don't get electronics wet ,but hey I didn't believe that you could touch a screen and get it to work.
More importantly than the Ipod, I am thankful for such a visionary as Steve Jobs. He lived his life by what he believed and I love his mantra that you shouldn't listen to the negative talk out there." Find what you love to do and stick with it. Keep looking and don't settle," is a quote from his now famous speech to the 2005 Stanford graduating class. He faced many hard times in his life and yet he never gave up. In his work and even with his health issues he was a fighter.
One of the reasons for writing this blog is because of my love of triathlon. I too have faced adversity in my life and have had people who did not believe in my efforts in work and in triathlon, so the fact that a man like Steve Jobs who never even graduated college can succeed because of hard work and determination, gives me hope and inspiration.
"Stay hungry and stay foolish," was how Jobs ended his speech to the Stanford grads. Don't give up on your dreams because they are a possibility.
Tri- On,
Kelly
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wilmington YMCA Sprint Triathlon and Living in the Moment
This past weekend I had the pleasure of racing in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Wilmington Sprint is a Set-Up Event that is one the last triathlons in the North Carolina Series. This is a fun event because it is a little longer than a normal sprint as the swim is 1500 meters. The swim seems less than 1500 meters because it's done in the channel and there are usually currents to help swimmers have faster swim times. The bike is a fast twelve miles out and back and the run is fast 5k that's done in a loop around the park and into a local neighborhood.
Not only do you have a 1500 meter swim in what feels like the,"ocean," but there were 1400 participants which makes this event seem like one of the bigger triathlons. Spectators lined the streets as we came out of the swim and again on the run, and anyone doing one of these events will understand the importance of a "stranger," cheering you on; it really does help.
More meaningful than good spectators was the fact that I was going down not only to compete myself, but also to cheer on some college kids from NC State University whom I have the privilege of helping coach. A long term goal of mine has been to somehow give back to a sport that has given me so much over the years. When I named this blog it really rings true that my life is intertwined with triathlon. I have been able to help coach the NC State Triathlon Team for just a few short weeks, but I can't express how grateful I am to be associated with such a great group of people. I mainly help them with the swimming aspect of triathlon but they have helped me in more ways than they know.
The club officers were thrilled with my offer to help with the swimming. They didn't really have a set practice or a structured practice so that was something that I could help with right off the bat. The appreciation and thankfulness they have shown me for showing up once a week to help out has been a dream come true. Teaching and helping other triathletes attain their goals couldn't be more satisfying. They are a very organized group of young men and women, most working on graduate studies. Most of these students have a full school and work load, and yet they are also incorporating training and racing into their busy schedules. These kids are living proof that you can stick to a regular exercise program. I love the dedication this club has.
The other great part of the day was the fact that when we finished we were at the beach. Wilmington is a great beach town and Wrightsville Beach has lots of great restaurants and shopping as well as a beautiful beach. After the race my friends and I were able to relax and have some great food at a restaurant called Tower 7 that offers fresh,"baja," style Mexican cuisine. A stroll on the beach ended our afternoon and even though the weather was a bit cool and overcast, life was still good.
A very powerful thought entered my head during the swim this past weekend... the channel was a bit rough which caused me to ingest salt water, my eyes were burning from a goggle malfunction, but I was reminded of how thankful I was to be there in the moment swimming and feeling more alive than ever.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
Not only do you have a 1500 meter swim in what feels like the,"ocean," but there were 1400 participants which makes this event seem like one of the bigger triathlons. Spectators lined the streets as we came out of the swim and again on the run, and anyone doing one of these events will understand the importance of a "stranger," cheering you on; it really does help.
More meaningful than good spectators was the fact that I was going down not only to compete myself, but also to cheer on some college kids from NC State University whom I have the privilege of helping coach. A long term goal of mine has been to somehow give back to a sport that has given me so much over the years. When I named this blog it really rings true that my life is intertwined with triathlon. I have been able to help coach the NC State Triathlon Team for just a few short weeks, but I can't express how grateful I am to be associated with such a great group of people. I mainly help them with the swimming aspect of triathlon but they have helped me in more ways than they know.
The club officers were thrilled with my offer to help with the swimming. They didn't really have a set practice or a structured practice so that was something that I could help with right off the bat. The appreciation and thankfulness they have shown me for showing up once a week to help out has been a dream come true. Teaching and helping other triathletes attain their goals couldn't be more satisfying. They are a very organized group of young men and women, most working on graduate studies. Most of these students have a full school and work load, and yet they are also incorporating training and racing into their busy schedules. These kids are living proof that you can stick to a regular exercise program. I love the dedication this club has.
The other great part of the day was the fact that when we finished we were at the beach. Wilmington is a great beach town and Wrightsville Beach has lots of great restaurants and shopping as well as a beautiful beach. After the race my friends and I were able to relax and have some great food at a restaurant called Tower 7 that offers fresh,"baja," style Mexican cuisine. A stroll on the beach ended our afternoon and even though the weather was a bit cool and overcast, life was still good.
A very powerful thought entered my head during the swim this past weekend... the channel was a bit rough which caused me to ingest salt water, my eyes were burning from a goggle malfunction, but I was reminded of how thankful I was to be there in the moment swimming and feeling more alive than ever.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tri-Son
Last Sunday August 21st I had the pleasure of completing and competing in the Rex Wellness Sprint Triathlon in Raleigh, NC. This was a special event because it was my son Bryce's first triathlon. He trained, like most fourteen year olds, by eating a diet of burgers and sleeping in until around ten am all summer only to realize that it was,"too hot," to run or cycle. His famous words all summer were," I'll go with you tomorrow Mom." After much coaxing he would run with me some mornings only to moan and groan that he was tired, but it never failed that he would blow my doors off the last mile of each run we did together.
We developed quite a banter working out/training together. As Bryce's coach I would say something like,"I'm four times your age, you should be kicking my butt," for motivation. Only to be followed by Bryce's banter of," You are not encouraging me, Mom!" "Of course I am," I would say... "No, you are harassing me." "I want you to do well," I would say, followed by his,"You don't believe in me," and so on and so on... coaching your own kid is not as easy as I thought it would be.
One hot summer morning we got into such a banter that we ended up separating because he said I hurt his feelings. But the story was that Bryce decided to eat two bagels with cream cheese prior to our long run. This was after sleeping in until 9:30 am to venture out in the ninety degree heat; that was another reason for my last post- how to train in the summer heat...
We did manage to have some fun during our training together. We did a twenty mile ride together the week before the event and Bryce said later how much he liked riding with me. His idea for our next ride; we need to stop at Five Guys and get a burger on the way back. Leave it to a teenager to try to wiggle a fast food meal out of an activity that is supposed to be healthy. "We'll burn it off Mom," was his reply to my counter of, "I don't eat fast food." "Five Guys is not fast food Mom, it's good food." Oh boy.
We ate our pasta meal the night before, and although we usually do this as a family anyway it was more meaningful that my son was also eating pasta, not just because he likes it, but because he was trying to store up some carbs for the next day.
Sharing my pre-race routine with Bryce was almost as fulfilling as our training together. I loved going to the race site the night before and showing him where and how to set up his things. I must have bragged a hundred times to the volunteers passing out the race packets that this was my son and it was his first tri the next day. Cartoon bubbles formed over their heads with the words,"yeah whatever," inside as they rolled their eyes at me. I felt like I did when Bryce was born and I was showing off his new-born pictures with his puffy cheeks, bragging about how beautiful he was. Only a mother can appreciate the," new-born," look. Helping him affix his race stickers in the correct place gave me goosebumps. I know...
The next morning we packed the car and headed to the race as a family. Again that is something that we usually do, but this morning was special because one of my family members was racing along with me. Helping Bryce set up his transition area and hanging out pre-race with him was about the best morning I could ask for.
FSS,who put on the race did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend this race to any first timer. The directors were into safety first. When my swim time was off they let me hop into the pool with the faster group and they kept a keen eye on the pool during the race, spacing swimmers so that there would not be any collides. The course was very kid or first time friendly as the race took place within the Wakefield neighborhood. The course was well marked and they had plenty of volunteers directing; there is nothing worse than not knowing where to turn, but at the Rex Wellness Sprint there was no question.
Post race food was awesome. The Meat House provided their yummy beef tips and there were plenty of drinks and the usual post race fare of bagels and fruit. They even had lasagna.
Bryce did really well for his first triathlon. He finished very strong with a time of 1:11:00 and just missed placing in the top three for his age group. He was right behind me at 1:06:00.
The next day Bryce told me how hard he had slept the night before. He said,"Man was I wiped out. Hey Mom, that was really fun. I'd like to do another one sometime." I could have jumped, but I maintained composure. Then he said,"Hey Mom, do you think you could teach my kids to swim someday?" Needless to say my,"tri-life," has certainly come full circle with the recruitment of my first born.
Tri- On Friends!
P.S. Someone recently said that this race must have been easy for me, but I want everyone to know that no matter what distance of triathlon you participate in it is always challenging. The sprints are easier to finish because the length is not as long,but during a sprint my focus is to try to go as fast as I can in my pacing. This is more difficult as I get older. What keeps me coming back to this sport again and again is that there is always room to improve, no matter what the distance.
We developed quite a banter working out/training together. As Bryce's coach I would say something like,"I'm four times your age, you should be kicking my butt," for motivation. Only to be followed by Bryce's banter of," You are not encouraging me, Mom!" "Of course I am," I would say... "No, you are harassing me." "I want you to do well," I would say, followed by his,"You don't believe in me," and so on and so on... coaching your own kid is not as easy as I thought it would be.
One hot summer morning we got into such a banter that we ended up separating because he said I hurt his feelings. But the story was that Bryce decided to eat two bagels with cream cheese prior to our long run. This was after sleeping in until 9:30 am to venture out in the ninety degree heat; that was another reason for my last post- how to train in the summer heat...
We did manage to have some fun during our training together. We did a twenty mile ride together the week before the event and Bryce said later how much he liked riding with me. His idea for our next ride; we need to stop at Five Guys and get a burger on the way back. Leave it to a teenager to try to wiggle a fast food meal out of an activity that is supposed to be healthy. "We'll burn it off Mom," was his reply to my counter of, "I don't eat fast food." "Five Guys is not fast food Mom, it's good food." Oh boy.
We ate our pasta meal the night before, and although we usually do this as a family anyway it was more meaningful that my son was also eating pasta, not just because he likes it, but because he was trying to store up some carbs for the next day.
Sharing my pre-race routine with Bryce was almost as fulfilling as our training together. I loved going to the race site the night before and showing him where and how to set up his things. I must have bragged a hundred times to the volunteers passing out the race packets that this was my son and it was his first tri the next day. Cartoon bubbles formed over their heads with the words,"yeah whatever," inside as they rolled their eyes at me. I felt like I did when Bryce was born and I was showing off his new-born pictures with his puffy cheeks, bragging about how beautiful he was. Only a mother can appreciate the," new-born," look. Helping him affix his race stickers in the correct place gave me goosebumps. I know...
The next morning we packed the car and headed to the race as a family. Again that is something that we usually do, but this morning was special because one of my family members was racing along with me. Helping Bryce set up his transition area and hanging out pre-race with him was about the best morning I could ask for.
FSS,who put on the race did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend this race to any first timer. The directors were into safety first. When my swim time was off they let me hop into the pool with the faster group and they kept a keen eye on the pool during the race, spacing swimmers so that there would not be any collides. The course was very kid or first time friendly as the race took place within the Wakefield neighborhood. The course was well marked and they had plenty of volunteers directing; there is nothing worse than not knowing where to turn, but at the Rex Wellness Sprint there was no question.
Post race food was awesome. The Meat House provided their yummy beef tips and there were plenty of drinks and the usual post race fare of bagels and fruit. They even had lasagna.
Bryce did really well for his first triathlon. He finished very strong with a time of 1:11:00 and just missed placing in the top three for his age group. He was right behind me at 1:06:00.
The next day Bryce told me how hard he had slept the night before. He said,"Man was I wiped out. Hey Mom, that was really fun. I'd like to do another one sometime." I could have jumped, but I maintained composure. Then he said,"Hey Mom, do you think you could teach my kids to swim someday?" Needless to say my,"tri-life," has certainly come full circle with the recruitment of my first born.
Tri- On Friends!
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| Bryce Swim |
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| Kelly and Bryce at finish |
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| Swim start |
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| Bryce Transition 1 |
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| 1st place age group |
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| Kelly at finish sporting HydroWorx Jersey |
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| Bryce and Buddy |
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| Bryce Bike |
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| Bryce coming in! |
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| The Fam! |
Monday, August 22, 2011
Summer Is A Great Time to " Tri"...Calling All Runners and Beyond
My sister-in-law gave me a really great book called The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration last year for my birthday. I love the book because I can open it up to any page at any time and read something, “inspirational," about running. The book is especially helpful if I don't feel like running- it gives me a boost of motivation. Another reason I love the book is because it is in chronological order so if you read one page a day, you'll have it read in a year without much sacrifice. I call those types of books, “coffee-table books," as you can pick them up and put them down at your leisure. The other day I came across an entry that inspired me to write this blog entry.
The entry in the book was dated August 11th and it was about the dog days of summer. The author, Kevin Nelson, wrote about the tremendous heat and how even the weatherman was stating that there was no relief in sight. Summer in North Carolina is always hot and this year has been no exception. Perhaps even record heat as we have had weeks where it has stayed in the hundred degree range. Runs when it is hot and humid are particularly grueling for most people. I myself prefer a perfect seventy degree, clear day, which in the summer in NC never happens. The author continued to write that in order to get your run in when it is that hot to go early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler; makes perfect sense.
But what if you hate getting up early in the morning? What if by the end of the day when the sun goes down you don’t feel like doing your exercise? Sometimes if you are training for an event such as a marathon or a triathlon you’ll still have to get your training done; even in the heat. I find shaded areas to go and do my training. There is a wonderful trail near my house where there are dirt paths surrounded by trees. The shade helps shield the heat so time of day is not a factor.
Summer is a great time to train and do a triathlon. I challenge all runners or anyone out there to add some cross training to their program. Runners tend to want to stick to one thing; running. What most runners forget is that cross training can enhance their running. During summer it is easier to get outside, even when it is hot. You are probably riding your bike more and perhaps you are doing some laps at your neighborhood pool. Why not put all those things together and do a triathlon? I'm not talking Ironman, but there are many sprint triathlons out there where you can accomplish a tri without making it a full time occupation. Many local gyms have what's called, Try a Tri- or try a triathlon. In these events there is usually a pool swim for those who are inexperienced in open water. I recently joined a gym called Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC and there is a program there for people who want to experience this growing sport. The YMCA has also offered, Try a Tri. My son and I are doing a sprint this weekend at Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh where the swim will take place in a pool. The distance is 250 yards in the pool, a ten mile bike and a 5k run to top it off. This is a very fun and attainable distance that won't take over your life with training.
Summer can be tough for training because of the heat but if you are in the water swimming you can burn some calories and stay cool. Hop on your bike and feel the warm air or take these activities inside to the gym. Pool running has become popular as well. I am lucky enough to have access to a HydroWorx underwater treadmill, but if you don't, running in a lap lane can give you some great benefits and keep you cool. Add some cross training to enhance your workouts and beat the heat at the same time. I'm positive some of you," runner only," people may get the triathlon bug by giving it a,"tri."
Tri-On,
Kelly
The entry in the book was dated August 11th and it was about the dog days of summer. The author, Kevin Nelson, wrote about the tremendous heat and how even the weatherman was stating that there was no relief in sight. Summer in North Carolina is always hot and this year has been no exception. Perhaps even record heat as we have had weeks where it has stayed in the hundred degree range. Runs when it is hot and humid are particularly grueling for most people. I myself prefer a perfect seventy degree, clear day, which in the summer in NC never happens. The author continued to write that in order to get your run in when it is that hot to go early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler; makes perfect sense.
But what if you hate getting up early in the morning? What if by the end of the day when the sun goes down you don’t feel like doing your exercise? Sometimes if you are training for an event such as a marathon or a triathlon you’ll still have to get your training done; even in the heat. I find shaded areas to go and do my training. There is a wonderful trail near my house where there are dirt paths surrounded by trees. The shade helps shield the heat so time of day is not a factor.
Summer is a great time to train and do a triathlon. I challenge all runners or anyone out there to add some cross training to their program. Runners tend to want to stick to one thing; running. What most runners forget is that cross training can enhance their running. During summer it is easier to get outside, even when it is hot. You are probably riding your bike more and perhaps you are doing some laps at your neighborhood pool. Why not put all those things together and do a triathlon? I'm not talking Ironman, but there are many sprint triathlons out there where you can accomplish a tri without making it a full time occupation. Many local gyms have what's called, Try a Tri- or try a triathlon. In these events there is usually a pool swim for those who are inexperienced in open water. I recently joined a gym called Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC and there is a program there for people who want to experience this growing sport. The YMCA has also offered, Try a Tri. My son and I are doing a sprint this weekend at Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh where the swim will take place in a pool. The distance is 250 yards in the pool, a ten mile bike and a 5k run to top it off. This is a very fun and attainable distance that won't take over your life with training.
Summer can be tough for training because of the heat but if you are in the water swimming you can burn some calories and stay cool. Hop on your bike and feel the warm air or take these activities inside to the gym. Pool running has become popular as well. I am lucky enough to have access to a HydroWorx underwater treadmill, but if you don't, running in a lap lane can give you some great benefits and keep you cool. Add some cross training to enhance your workouts and beat the heat at the same time. I'm positive some of you," runner only," people may get the triathlon bug by giving it a,"tri."
Tri-On,
Kelly
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