Little-Big Adventure Race Report . . .

Last Saturday, Kelsey and her Daddy (racing as Team "TRIgirl and TRIgirl Daddy") competed in the Little-Big Adventure Race. The race is made up of teams of one parent & one child and the course consists of a 1/2 mile canoe, 3.5 mile mountain bike ride and 1.5 mile run. This was Kelsey's first "real" triathlon and she was NERVOUS!! She's done a little kids one before without a real transition, timing, etc. but this one had chip timing, a finisher's chute, transition area, packet pick-up . . . the whole deal! This was everything she has seen me and all the other pink chicks she looks up to do time and time again and she definitely had a case of pre-race nerves. Mommy, in her infinite wisdom, gave her a shot of her trusty Green Apple caffeinated gel right before the start of the race (she almost puked, by the way) and then she was ready!

The morning was beautiful and started out perfectly. We chilled out with Coach E and his son Henry (who were Team "Jumbo Shrimp") and I got a fly-by kiss and hello from the lovely and wonderful TRIgirl Twila who was out training for the Run Like a Girl race next weekend!!




When Kelsey and Derek started off in the canoe they looked great! Kelsey was serious and totally had her game face on!

Then, disaster struck! Despite Team TRIgirl's great start, when they were about 100 feet from the end of the canoe leg, they TIPPED their boat!!!! And, of course, being the ultra-stupid Mommy that I am, I had told Kelsey earlier that morning how lucky she was that she was canoeing instead of swimming because I always see snakes in that lake! I really wasn't trying to freak her out -- I totally assumed that since Derek used to be a whitewater rafting guide, that they would actually remain IN the canoe during the race!

Anyway, by the time they swam their boat to shore, dragged it out of the water, emptied and started on their way, Kelsey was crying and they were a few teams up from last place. Again, my "Super Mommy" skills kicked into high gear and while the other spectators were clapping and yelling sympathetic and encouraging words like "It's okay!" and "You're doing great!", I shouted out "Kelsey! You've got to suck it up!!! If you want this, then get it together and go get them on the bike! Now stop crying and PUSH THAT CANOE!!" Yeah, I can't wait for my "Mother of the Year" trophy!

Kelsey looked shaken going into the bike leg and I was worried about how she was going to holdl up mentally for the rest of the race. I found the perfect photo op spot, and I planned to get some great pics of team Jumbo Shrimp (who were a good 10 minutes ahead at the end of the canoe portion) before having to grab my signs for TRIgirl & her Daddy. Suddenly rounding the corner came Team Jumbo Shrimp looking strong and ready to tackle the run. Then imagine how impressed I was when right on their tail was Team TRIgirl & her Daddy!!!! She totally channeled the TRIgirl mojo and had passed almost everyone in her wave on the bike leg! GO itty-bitty TRIgirl!!!!

So all was left was the run. I knew that Kelsey had a chance of placing at her first race if she could keep it up for the run. But I also knew that she was so very tired and had already done such an amazing job on the bike. I was so amazingly proud of her that I was crying before she even took 10 feet in the run!!! I camped out at the finish line and just waited to see her smiling face round the corner. Before I EVER expected her, suddenly, there she was!!! As soon as she saw that finisher's chute, she picked up her pace and her face lit up. When she crossed that line, she came through strong and with an enormous smile on her face!! And, I was so amazingly proud!!

You cannot imagine how special and how valuable it is to me that my children are being raised in an environment that exposes them to such strong, brave, amazing women. The pride they feel when they wear a TRIgirl shirt or hat is absolutely unbelievable. A few weeks ago, Kelsey came in 5th out of 5 in a 5k race. She, understandably, started to cry. I pulled her aside and I told her, "Kelsey don't forget that you are wearing a TRIgirl jersey. Do you know what that means? It means we don't measure ourselves by the numbers. We don't define ourselves by times or place in a race. We believe that ALL women -- and ALL girls -- deserve to be valued just for being on the playing field. Do you know how many people are sleeping right now? How many people were too scared to get out here today and try? How many people simply said "I can't." So, I don't want you to look at that number. I want you to think about just how special YOU are for getting out there today. How hard YOU tried. How YOU felt during that race. What YOU learned. And then, if you have other goals of getting stronger or faster, that's fine. But don't ever let someone else steal your joy or the value of your accomplishments." And, she wiped her eyes and wore that jersey for the rest of the day with all the pride of a genuine, grown-up TRIgirl.

So, can I tell you how proud I am? I cannot. I simply cannot express how proud I am. I don't know if I could have done what she did. I don't know if I could have channeled that drive and pushed myself that hard -- I KNOW I would not have at ten years old!

So, how'd she do? Well let me tell you . . . Team TRIgirl & TRIgirl Daddy took FIRST PLACE in their age group!!! I don't think I've ever seen a happier little girl!! Good job, baby!!! I hope when I grow up, I will be just like you!!

Trust . . .

This post is specifically for anyone who is getting ready for their first 1/2 Ironman -- most specifically, my awesome TRIgirl teammates who are in the final prep stages for White Lake's 1/2 IM!!
Trust: assured reliance on the ability, strength, or truth of someone or something

Future 1/2 IM'ers: you are now seated, buckled and taking the express track on the crazy train. Yes, I realize that you 'thought' your ride on the crazy train began months ago and consisted of miles upon miles on trainers, endless circles running along the WC hamster trail and permanent goggle eyes from all those hours in the pool -- well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you have really been on the 'metro-link' or 'monorail'. It's like the train but it has more flexibility. More stops. Maybe even the ability to get off and get back on after a day or two. But, now you are three weeks out from your first 1/2 IM. Let me put it this way: you have now boarded the official CRAZY Train and it has left the station. There are no more exits. No more stops. Your bags are in the cargo hold. And you must sit. Buckled. Waiting. You can almost see your destination. Maybe if you press your face to the glass and try to look really far ahead -- it's almost within view if you could just streeeetch a bit more to see in front of the train. But, no, that is not possible. Reaching your destination without losing your mind will be entirely dependent on one thing: TRUST

While on the train, you will see many other passengers. Some will spend hours running up and down the aisles. Some will be practicing dry land swimming drills or holding their breath to increase their oxygen capacity. Perhaps one or two will even be sticking their head out the window with their pointy-little aero helmets on. You will wonder: Am I ready? Shouldn't I be sticking my head out the window? Maybe I should have a pointy little helmet. Perhaps, this is the wrong train. Maybe I should have gotten on the short bus instead.

Let me share a secret with you: the HARDEST part of training is TRUSTING IN YOUR TRAINING! You are ready and you need to LET GO. I read this on another site:

"'Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.'
The Buddha

Think about how badly you want to make the starting line. Use your goals to motivate you to train and then, when it counts the most and the heat of competition is turned up high, LET THEM GO. Success in athletics and life is a paradox. When it counts the most, you must LET GO of outcome and trust yourself. You must trust your training, trust your hard work, trust your muscle memory and relax, letting the race come to you. This is the only way that you can be successful and this is the only way that you’ll ultimately be happy. Holding on to the importance of this performance and dwelling on all that’s at stake will only kill your joy, rob you of your courage and steal your heart in the process. When you LET GO of winning, it will come and find you."

Now how true is that?

Let me guess how you're feeling: "I am not prepared." "I don't know everything." "Other people seem to know so much more than I do." "I'm not ready." "I need to do more." "Was my training program enough?"

Let me assure you of something: If Coach G says you're ready -- YOU ARE READY. Period. You WILL complete your goal. And, learning to trust in this is all part of your training. Training to trust takes just as much concentration, effort and determination as it takes to begin running, swimming or biking. Think about it. At one time in your life, you probably never thought you could run/bike/swim the individual distances of a 1/2 Ironman. But, now here you are and you have done all of those distances individually. Training to trust is the same. It will be hard. It will put you outside of your comfort zone. But it is just as necessary as training for any other discipline.

I used to work part time at a high ropes challenge course. We had this one initiative where participants would climb a 50 ft. narrow telephone pole. Once on top, they would precariously balance on top of the shaking pole while trying to turn around. Once facing the right direction, they would jump to try to catch a trapeze. Now, if the trapeze was on the ground, anyone and everyone could easily jump from one spot and catch it. But, when you are out of your comfort zone, sometimes perfectly reachable goals seem much further out of reach.

Inevitably, participants would climb the pole, balance on top, turn and then pause. Waiting. After all that hard work to get there, they would see their goal right in front of them but not trust in themselves -- or in me as their safety line. I would talk to them and try to coach them through the experience. I would remind them to trust me and my ability in my role. Then I would remind them to trust their equipment. Trust in the strength of their legs. Trust in their ability. Then let go and take that last leap of faith to try to reach their goal. At that point, each person had a choice to make -- listen to some of the people down below who may be whispering about how they did it differently when they climbed the pole or how how they questioned whether the goal was attainable at all. Or they could listen to the voice inside them that believed they could do it and, maybe, listen a little to me -- someone who had led dozens of people up that pole and had seen what it took to reach that goal. Happily, many times participants would choose to block out the whispers and trustingly leap through the air with arms outstretched toward the trapeze. They would come down happy and fulfilled for giving themselves fully to the experience. For those who didn't trust, there was always regret and a wish to do it again. But that wasn't the deal. There was only one chance. No do-overs. No second chances. Their opportunity had passed them. So, do not let doubt creep into your mind after all your hard work. Trust in your ability. Trust in your training. Trust in your coaches - Grandison, Mark, Ed, Som -- they have all seen what it takes to get you to this point. Trust the plan. And then go for your goal with your arms outstretched in front of you!

Now, with all that being said, maybe what you're really worried about is not whether you will finish but whether you will do as well as you'd like to. Maybe you need to reassess what your 'true' goals are. Do you have other 'sub-goals' like making certain times? Well, if that's the case, then that is dependent on YOU. From another site:

"TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR TRAINING

Want to maximize your chances of reaching your athletic dreams? Then start to practice the 10 most powerful words in the English language: "IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME." This means that to be successful you must understand that ultimately, everything rests on your shoulders. In short, it is up to YOU to determine how far you go in your sport. You have to take responsibility for your training. Blaming coaches, teammates, or lack of training opportunities is NOT practicing these 10 words. Don't look for excuses. Don't shoulder others with blame. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Understand that you alone have ultimate control over what you get out of practice and how far you go in your sport. Remember, if it is to be, it's up to YOU!"

So, for what it's worth, those are my few words of wisdom about these final tapering weeks. And, remember, to cherish every, single, tiny moment of this journey. This time will go by so fast and will seem like a distant memory at this time next year. Write down your thoughts, share them with your family or keep them for yourself, but find a way to remember everything you are feeling right now. This is an amazing time and an absolutely, awesome experience!!

"It is a great leap of faith you're taking, and the kind that flies in the face of all that logic and common sense we often use to strangle dreams before they get a chance to even see a hint of daylight. It is why you race, it is why we race...and you're going to make it. Enjoy this trip...the highs, the lows, the dark and the lighter moments. You'll have a hell of a time, and any attempt you make to do this will feel far better than the nagging regrets you'd have no answer for in your future if you were to walk away right now. Courage...this is your time to do it." Bob Mina

Rock on TRIgirls!


Disclaimer: Make no mistake -- after only two 1/2 IM's and 1 full Ironman, this post doesn't mean that I think of myself as an 'expert' by any means!! But, I know how a lot of you are feeling right now -- and I hope that sharing some of this helps. Much love!

SOOOOOOO proud. . .

Just need to take a moment to be the proud mama here. All three of my girls raced yesterday: Kyle and Kelsey in the 10k and Rylee in the kids' mile. Times are:



Kyle, age 15: 1 hour 14 minutes




Kelsey, age 10: 1 hour 15 minutes








Rylee, age 6: 12 minutes and 31 seconds







I'm sooooo proud of them! They looked fantastic and, more than that, the affect TRIgirls has had on them is nothing less than AMAZING!! Derek ran with Kelsey and said that no fewer than 50 people said "Way to go TRIgirl!" and "Looking strong TRIgirl!" along the course. This was Kelsey's first race and she felt so supported and encouraged!! She even woke up this morning and asked if we could sign her up for the 5k next weekend!! I cannot express how happy and grateful I am that my children have been surrounded and influenced by such powerful and strong women! Because of this, they have learned ways to boost their confidence and I am sure they will grow into women who know they are strong and capable. And, I know they will know how to to help their sisters, daughters, grandmothers, friends and all other women to love themselves for their own "inner athlete" -- regardless of age or ability! Thank you to all the TRIgirls who have helped to shape my wonderful, special, amazing little girls!!

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Anais Nin

Appreciate . . .

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

I visited my doctor for a follow up today. This weekend I am going to go swimming. And, this weekend I am going for a bike ride. Yes, I am back on my feet -- sort of. It will still be a few more weeks until I am allowed to run but that's okay. I will wait. For now, I will swim to swim and bike to bike. Simply for the sheer pleasure of being able to do so. I will not solely focus on improving my time. I will not only think of distance. I will not lament my body's shortcomings or criticize my body for things I think it should be better at. I will thank my body for giving me the opportunity to be strong. I will appreciate what I have.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. And, like most things that happen in my life, when this happened I tried to think of what kind of learning I could take away from this experience. I discovered that need to treat my body better. I dont just need to fuel it and exercise it. So from now on, I will treat my body better. I will care for it. Listen to it. Appreciate it. I will value what it can do for me so that I can spend my time doing what I love so much.

And, soon, I will be out there with my teammates again. And, I can't wait.