The most insightful combination of words I may offer you on this Christmas eve, is one of my most favourite writings on the bicycle.
Mark Twain, Taming a Bike
It's a worthy read- enjoy with a hot cup of coffee, or warm mug of cocoa... however you like it, I hope you do.
We rarely take time to enjoy the simple things anymore. We are obsessed with gadgets and times, PR's and PB's, with carbon and aerodynamics, with the complicated... When we break it down, is the most beautiful, awesome, childlike parts of life not simply riding a bicycle?
This eve of Christmas Day, let's break it down, each aspect of today, to the child like- to remember the simple joys of life, of love, of friendships.
Happy Holidays to you, my friend.
Train safe.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Teamwork
....I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Excerpt from The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost.
Because, sometimes, someone else said it best.
For all you are to us, my friends, Thank you.
Train safe,
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Excerpt from The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost.
Because, sometimes, someone else said it best.
For all you are to us, my friends, Thank you.
Train safe,
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Great Minds Think Alike
I’ve started working with a new coach- who will be testing me over the next 2 weeks. Not to see if I’m motivated enough, but to see if I can follow direction when direction tells me to only train a few good quality hours a week. For this endurance junkie, scaling back this offseason will be the greatest challenge.
Somebody stop me!!!!!!
Biggest change of all, and one that is certainly more entertaining than what I’m doing- is Dylan. Dylan has joined the U7 tri team, and it’s been both very exciting for him, and very challenging. This is where my little man finds out the difference between liking the idea of something, and being committed to it.
Just 2 days ago, out of nowhere, another Dylanism, “Mommy, if I were a bird I’d fly over the clouds. Even if the other birds told me I couldn’t.” In one sentence my baby showed more will than most adults. I smiled, big smile, at his determination, strength, and sense of curiosity. I prayed he keeps on, not losing those qualities as he grows up.
Then, his first swim training: 6:30pm Thursday. He was the only U7 who showed. The lanes taken up by much more experienced, faster, lean & able older kids. My baby, standing in his new goggles and new TYR race suit, faced intimidation beyond anything he had ever felt before.
I wanted to tell him, “Be a bird!” But I needed him to be a bird on his own. Because it doesn’t matter if you are 5, or 55, if you back down, you’ve quit. And quit is a bad word in this house.
45min later, showered and ready for bed, he simply told me that swimming was not as exciting as he thought it would be, but he’d go back next week.
And once again that night, I went to bed in awe, and in thanks, of my tri-kid.
Being a mother is not the biggest challenge; it's certainly tough work, I'm not knocking it. But having survived a 15 month battle with PPD, a fight I almost lost, I can assure you that learning to be a good parent is much harder than just being a parent. There are days I do great, days I mess up, there are moments I must ask Dylan for forgiveness, there are times when I question every word I say. I over analyze because I'm terrified of falling back... Striving everyday to do better with the 2nd chance I have been given is a goal I myself, can never quit. Watching him fly- watching him soar, with fear in his eyes but a goal in his heart- inspires me and reminds me that we are all doing the same....We line up on race day, uncertain but confident, and we chase down the goal because we made a commitment to it. We are trying to fly higher, be better, do more with the chance we've been given. As I stare into the darkness outside my window this AM, I high 5 you all, and cheer you on as you keep going, through the early morning darkness and boredom of the indoor trainer- because, just as Dylan's learning them for the 1st time, this is also our time to relearn the many valuable lessons this awesome sport has to offer.
Train safe- You are all awesome!!!!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Pumpkinman 70.3, my Race Report
Oh my, is it really over? Say it can’t be…
The day I have waited for all year has come and gone, leaving it’s mark both in my hamstrings and in my heart. How smart of Little Miss. Me to make this year about Pumpkinman, because truly, I’m honored. I’m a Pumpkinwoman and darn proud of it! What an awesome day it was.
Writing a race report is not always the easiest thing to do. People want to know about the race, yet, often times we have so much reason & emotion weaved into the miles that it’s hard to only write about the swim, bike, run, volunteers, RD, organization, and what food they offered at the aid stations. I can say this, short & sweet, about Pumpkinman- it’s top notch. Kat, the RD, does an awesome job, and as a woman who still races endurance events herself, she knows what she is doing. If you need a later season Sprint or Half distance race- do the Pumpkin- you’ll be thrilled you did.
The longer, more descriptive RR starts here: The swim. The swim is gorgeous in crystal clear water- a 2 loop course. We started almost an hour late because the thick fog was hiding our course markers. About an hour after we all had gathered on the shore, at about 7:35am, the sun was starting to peep through and the adrenaline started to pump. Looking out into the water I was amazed at the beauty surrounding me; 550 athletes, all ready to take on the day- all strong & beautiful & offering a part of themselves not only to the race but to the memory of those we lost in 9/11. We honored the brave, applauded our freedom, and took in the awesome energy the morning sunshine offfered down to us. Tears flowed, muscles warmed up, and slowly the fog lifted revealing the 1km loop that would start our day.
Age group W30-34 dove in as the last wave. I was with a group of mostly local ladies- they knew the course. I knew nothing. 8:02am, my fight began.
T1 is on the top of a big ass hill that they challenge you to run up after the swim. Half way to the top of this mini ski hill I stopped to take my wetsuit off. There is a prize for the fastest man / woman to summit this beast of a hill- I say take off your wet suit at the bottom and use this hill drill as prep for the run course (more on that in a bit). It’s a sign for things to come. I was expecting a much slower swim on my part- because my swim training fell to pieces this season. I’ve done 1 or 2 OW swims p/wk, nothing I could say was adequate for a Half Iron. But I enjoyed the swim course and once we, the last swim wave, had passed the slower swimmers who took off ahead of us, the water opened up and I was able to cut almost a minute off last yr. HAPPY!
The bike is B U tiful. Stunning. Practically traffic free in regards to cars, because security is on high alert. It’s also almost traffic free in regards to bikes too…which, after having done Timberman last year, I can say this free- to- ride race has given my future races a new standard. Kat limits the field to 550 athletes, and although I wasn’t sure how fun that would be, it was awesome. At Timber I spent the bike focused on everyone else around me…. We rode in packs only because there were so many of us out on the course. It sucked. At Pumpkinman, you get passed, or you pass, but besides a rider several meters out in front, and one several meters in back, you can put your head down and work. 2 packs of about 5-6 athletes came by, drafting off each other, which at first frustrated me, but then I brushed it off and got back to racing my race. If people want to cheat to gain an advantage, go ahead. I’m staying 3 bike lengths back and will have an honest time for myself.
The bike is not rolling accept for 4 very fun rollers in the middle of the loop, but it is gradual. The ups are gradual and there are plenty of them. Sneaky buggers. The downs are just as lazy, nothing steep enough to allow you a recovery break- just throw it in high gear and make up some time lost from the ups. In no way would I call the bike course flat, it goes up, an although I saw a few in front of me get up and stand on the pedals, I kept it low and in aero for (mostly) the entire course.
Mercy was loving the ride, and my legs had a good burn to them. Mentally I allowed myself the freedom to push, knowing my bike is what would place me where I wanted to be. Last year I relied on my run, this year, the training meant ride on the edge of too hard, then hold on for the run. So I rode, and enjoyed every painful second of it. I let the tears flow twice on the ride- with an overwhelming feeling of joy, relief, and Thankfulness. The scenery fed my fairytale, while the race itself gave me time to think of all the wonderful people in my life- Mom, Derek, Ian, Lynn, Francois & Do, Ellen, Liz, Jesse, everyone at Immunotec and on FB and the boys @ SynergyCycle who showed such awesome support this season, and of course my baby boy who was waiting for me at T2- I cried and blew snot bombs in total gratitude of my life and how brilliant this sport is. If Timberman was the start line to freedom, Pumpkinman was a celebration of how far we’ve come.
I rode into T2 right where I wanted to be. Cut 22 minutes off last yr, in what I consider to be a tougher course for a few reasons. HAPPY!
Run- OH MY GOSH. I let my run fall apart this yr to focus on the bike. That was a choice I made. I'm happy with it.... mais, this course was up hill… up up up hill. A superb challenge! My plan was to 1) remember I have a base, dig deep & find it. 2) not allow myself to be intimidated by the fact that I was totally unaware of what the course was. I hadn’t previewed it, had never trained on it, and had zero idea of what I was in for- I had to forget that and just go forward as fast as I could one mile at a time. 3) run the race, walk the water stations to get in good nutrition. I’ve had my family come to only 1 other race, where they saw me collapse due to dehydration. The run course didn’t offer the shade that the bike did; it was sunny & it was time to be smart. So I followed my plan and it worked. I ran as fast as I could, never gave in even on the big ups, walked when drinking. When I did want to stop, I knew it was because I was simply fed up, but I had no real physical pain until the last 2 mi. Then it was obvious the bike & the hills had worn into me and it was time to HTFU to the finish. Turn the last corner and there is a big, steep, mother of a hill. It felt like an eternity. It put me in a place of pain I had never ever been before. Somewhere on that hill I lost all concept of reality, I went into a daze and only knew that Dylan was waiting for me. It took all my will, all my sanity, all my might to get me to the finish…. I saw stars and pink bunnies and as I gave my legs over to a higher power, I ran on determination….I was empowered to run with perseverance and I just counted my steps, followed the pink bunnies & fuzzy stars, gave thanks for the moment and kept going. Rounding the corner on the up & over the finishing chute appears. It’s the longest and steepest downhill of the day and it took every last ounce of me to not embarrass my mother by simply tucking it in and rolling down.
I saw Dylan on the sideline, I burst into tears, and ran smack into the volunteer who held my medal.
Pain, joy, gratitude, more pain and more pain all came over me at once. It was over, and I knew I had more than beat my time, I had kicked it’s scrawny butt. I only got my time once they posted it an hour later- holding onto the bouquet of dead dandelions that Dylan gave me, I found my name on the list: Julie Gorham 5:45. 11th in my AG of 32 women. HAPPY!!
I AM A PUMPKINWOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t eat, could hardly walk. We sat at the top of that last hill and cheered on the last athletes coming in. In the midst of cheers and encouragement, with salt and snot and sweat caked on my face, I felt like to most beautiful Mommy alive. PPD has left a black hole of missing memories- so be it. Dylan & I are building new ones. Sitting in the grass that afternoon, hearing my baby cheer and play his harmonica for these awesome athletes- I lingered in my physical pain knowing I wanted it to last, so I could remember it and how worthy and deserving this celebration race was. Dylan and I both learned a lot during the 70.3 miles that make up Pumpkinman- we learned that our family, as silly and irrational as we might seem, we are a team. We are strong and able and totally blessed to be who we are. For as long as I don’t finish last, then we will be on the sidelines to cheer that last person on. We know what it means to need some support. And since life gave us that chance, since we got through and we survived the toughest race, we will be here to cheer on the other families who are raging the battle against PPD…..There is a finish line, there is passion where the void now rests, there is love waiting to fill up the darkness- just walk, one step at a time, through the aid stations and hold on….
Most people finish a race thinking, "I could have done this better, or pushed more there..." No Way! I was at the limit and I knew it and that is what balancing 3 sports + life + being a Mommy is about. It’s what I’m striving & learning for everyday in training- to simply be the best I can for those I love. 5:45 is the best I could have done on Sunday, and I'm darn proud of it.
Thank you, all of you, YOU ARE AWSOME!!
The day I have waited for all year has come and gone, leaving it’s mark both in my hamstrings and in my heart. How smart of Little Miss. Me to make this year about Pumpkinman, because truly, I’m honored. I’m a Pumpkinwoman and darn proud of it! What an awesome day it was.
Writing a race report is not always the easiest thing to do. People want to know about the race, yet, often times we have so much reason & emotion weaved into the miles that it’s hard to only write about the swim, bike, run, volunteers, RD, organization, and what food they offered at the aid stations. I can say this, short & sweet, about Pumpkinman- it’s top notch. Kat, the RD, does an awesome job, and as a woman who still races endurance events herself, she knows what she is doing. If you need a later season Sprint or Half distance race- do the Pumpkin- you’ll be thrilled you did.
The longer, more descriptive RR starts here: The swim. The swim is gorgeous in crystal clear water- a 2 loop course. We started almost an hour late because the thick fog was hiding our course markers. About an hour after we all had gathered on the shore, at about 7:35am, the sun was starting to peep through and the adrenaline started to pump. Looking out into the water I was amazed at the beauty surrounding me; 550 athletes, all ready to take on the day- all strong & beautiful & offering a part of themselves not only to the race but to the memory of those we lost in 9/11. We honored the brave, applauded our freedom, and took in the awesome energy the morning sunshine offfered down to us. Tears flowed, muscles warmed up, and slowly the fog lifted revealing the 1km loop that would start our day.
Age group W30-34 dove in as the last wave. I was with a group of mostly local ladies- they knew the course. I knew nothing. 8:02am, my fight began.
T1 is on the top of a big ass hill that they challenge you to run up after the swim. Half way to the top of this mini ski hill I stopped to take my wetsuit off. There is a prize for the fastest man / woman to summit this beast of a hill- I say take off your wet suit at the bottom and use this hill drill as prep for the run course (more on that in a bit). It’s a sign for things to come. I was expecting a much slower swim on my part- because my swim training fell to pieces this season. I’ve done 1 or 2 OW swims p/wk, nothing I could say was adequate for a Half Iron. But I enjoyed the swim course and once we, the last swim wave, had passed the slower swimmers who took off ahead of us, the water opened up and I was able to cut almost a minute off last yr. HAPPY!
The bike is B U tiful. Stunning. Practically traffic free in regards to cars, because security is on high alert. It’s also almost traffic free in regards to bikes too…which, after having done Timberman last year, I can say this free- to- ride race has given my future races a new standard. Kat limits the field to 550 athletes, and although I wasn’t sure how fun that would be, it was awesome. At Timber I spent the bike focused on everyone else around me…. We rode in packs only because there were so many of us out on the course. It sucked. At Pumpkinman, you get passed, or you pass, but besides a rider several meters out in front, and one several meters in back, you can put your head down and work. 2 packs of about 5-6 athletes came by, drafting off each other, which at first frustrated me, but then I brushed it off and got back to racing my race. If people want to cheat to gain an advantage, go ahead. I’m staying 3 bike lengths back and will have an honest time for myself.
The bike is not rolling accept for 4 very fun rollers in the middle of the loop, but it is gradual. The ups are gradual and there are plenty of them. Sneaky buggers. The downs are just as lazy, nothing steep enough to allow you a recovery break- just throw it in high gear and make up some time lost from the ups. In no way would I call the bike course flat, it goes up, an although I saw a few in front of me get up and stand on the pedals, I kept it low and in aero for (mostly) the entire course.
Mercy was loving the ride, and my legs had a good burn to them. Mentally I allowed myself the freedom to push, knowing my bike is what would place me where I wanted to be. Last year I relied on my run, this year, the training meant ride on the edge of too hard, then hold on for the run. So I rode, and enjoyed every painful second of it. I let the tears flow twice on the ride- with an overwhelming feeling of joy, relief, and Thankfulness. The scenery fed my fairytale, while the race itself gave me time to think of all the wonderful people in my life- Mom, Derek, Ian, Lynn, Francois & Do, Ellen, Liz, Jesse, everyone at Immunotec and on FB and the boys @ SynergyCycle who showed such awesome support this season, and of course my baby boy who was waiting for me at T2- I cried and blew snot bombs in total gratitude of my life and how brilliant this sport is. If Timberman was the start line to freedom, Pumpkinman was a celebration of how far we’ve come.
I rode into T2 right where I wanted to be. Cut 22 minutes off last yr, in what I consider to be a tougher course for a few reasons. HAPPY!
Run- OH MY GOSH. I let my run fall apart this yr to focus on the bike. That was a choice I made. I'm happy with it.... mais, this course was up hill… up up up hill. A superb challenge! My plan was to 1) remember I have a base, dig deep & find it. 2) not allow myself to be intimidated by the fact that I was totally unaware of what the course was. I hadn’t previewed it, had never trained on it, and had zero idea of what I was in for- I had to forget that and just go forward as fast as I could one mile at a time. 3) run the race, walk the water stations to get in good nutrition. I’ve had my family come to only 1 other race, where they saw me collapse due to dehydration. The run course didn’t offer the shade that the bike did; it was sunny & it was time to be smart. So I followed my plan and it worked. I ran as fast as I could, never gave in even on the big ups, walked when drinking. When I did want to stop, I knew it was because I was simply fed up, but I had no real physical pain until the last 2 mi. Then it was obvious the bike & the hills had worn into me and it was time to HTFU to the finish. Turn the last corner and there is a big, steep, mother of a hill. It felt like an eternity. It put me in a place of pain I had never ever been before. Somewhere on that hill I lost all concept of reality, I went into a daze and only knew that Dylan was waiting for me. It took all my will, all my sanity, all my might to get me to the finish…. I saw stars and pink bunnies and as I gave my legs over to a higher power, I ran on determination….I was empowered to run with perseverance and I just counted my steps, followed the pink bunnies & fuzzy stars, gave thanks for the moment and kept going. Rounding the corner on the up & over the finishing chute appears. It’s the longest and steepest downhill of the day and it took every last ounce of me to not embarrass my mother by simply tucking it in and rolling down.
I saw Dylan on the sideline, I burst into tears, and ran smack into the volunteer who held my medal.
Pain, joy, gratitude, more pain and more pain all came over me at once. It was over, and I knew I had more than beat my time, I had kicked it’s scrawny butt. I only got my time once they posted it an hour later- holding onto the bouquet of dead dandelions that Dylan gave me, I found my name on the list: Julie Gorham 5:45. 11th in my AG of 32 women. HAPPY!!
I AM A PUMPKINWOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t eat, could hardly walk. We sat at the top of that last hill and cheered on the last athletes coming in. In the midst of cheers and encouragement, with salt and snot and sweat caked on my face, I felt like to most beautiful Mommy alive. PPD has left a black hole of missing memories- so be it. Dylan & I are building new ones. Sitting in the grass that afternoon, hearing my baby cheer and play his harmonica for these awesome athletes- I lingered in my physical pain knowing I wanted it to last, so I could remember it and how worthy and deserving this celebration race was. Dylan and I both learned a lot during the 70.3 miles that make up Pumpkinman- we learned that our family, as silly and irrational as we might seem, we are a team. We are strong and able and totally blessed to be who we are. For as long as I don’t finish last, then we will be on the sidelines to cheer that last person on. We know what it means to need some support. And since life gave us that chance, since we got through and we survived the toughest race, we will be here to cheer on the other families who are raging the battle against PPD…..There is a finish line, there is passion where the void now rests, there is love waiting to fill up the darkness- just walk, one step at a time, through the aid stations and hold on….
Most people finish a race thinking, "I could have done this better, or pushed more there..." No Way! I was at the limit and I knew it and that is what balancing 3 sports + life + being a Mommy is about. It’s what I’m striving & learning for everyday in training- to simply be the best I can for those I love. 5:45 is the best I could have done on Sunday, and I'm darn proud of it.
Thank you, all of you, YOU ARE AWSOME!!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
WOW! Summer has flown past me… perhaps because I’ve been blessed to log in some serious bike mileage this season, so everything went by in a whirl (I’m fast like that!) or simply because this summer was truly about finding that balance between Awesome-Triathlete-Wannabe and Awesomest-Mommy-Tryingtobe. A win win situation really, and thanks to my mom, some sexy compression socks and lots of coffee I have been able to make it all happen without falling asleep in aero. ☺ (Thank goodness, cause I spent most of my training time riding my bike!)
The start line is 1 week away. That’s close enough to smell, not yet close enough to taste. That means 1) I should probably look back on my program and do all that speed work I skipped over 2) I should be feeling ready, and almost at peak, to take on anther 70.3 mile sandwich.
1) I hate speed work. I’ll be slower yet longer my entire life. That’s OK with me. I’ll rep the MOP’s, no problem.
2) I’m ready physically (ok, my run sucks) but I’m ready to START. Just not ready to FINISH.
If I could spend the next few months out on the race course I’d be uber-joyed. I’m not at all ready for the season to be over. Because although I’ve been putting in lots of mileage- I’m not tired yet. I’m having too much fun.
That’s my only fear now that taper time has settled in my mind. Did I spend too much time having fun in training, that I forgot the purpose of it all was to become a faster AGer? Perhaps. But that’s life as I know it. That’s the ultimate joy for me- being able to balance 18hrs a week of training with raising a little person. Training, quite simply, is my twisted idea of fun.
If it’s my party, can I cry if I want to now that taper is here and I’m not quite ready to turn down the volume?
See, life, my dear reader, is truly shits & giggles. This sport, however, is not. It’s pain and gain and just when those two come together it’ll beat the BAMF out of you. Chop wood, carry water. All play and no work doesn’t make for a strong FINISH…. Or does it?
I can take the next 7 days and try to figure out where I missed out or left out a precious swim session. Or, I can focus on the now, knowing that 70.3 miles has got nothing on me… I’m a tough cookie!!
Maybe, for the next few days at least, it’s about finding the road less taken, to the outcome most sought after.
I’ve got 1 week tilll race day, and about 4 weeks of warm weather left to go…. If you need me, I’ll be on my bike. Enjoying the ride- living my good life. My smile is still there. My cheeks still hurt. My legs are thick as trunks. Who said I can’t float, ride, crawl?
You guys are awesome… TRAIN SAFE!
The start line is 1 week away. That’s close enough to smell, not yet close enough to taste. That means 1) I should probably look back on my program and do all that speed work I skipped over 2) I should be feeling ready, and almost at peak, to take on anther 70.3 mile sandwich.
1) I hate speed work. I’ll be slower yet longer my entire life. That’s OK with me. I’ll rep the MOP’s, no problem.
2) I’m ready physically (ok, my run sucks) but I’m ready to START. Just not ready to FINISH.
If I could spend the next few months out on the race course I’d be uber-joyed. I’m not at all ready for the season to be over. Because although I’ve been putting in lots of mileage- I’m not tired yet. I’m having too much fun.
That’s my only fear now that taper time has settled in my mind. Did I spend too much time having fun in training, that I forgot the purpose of it all was to become a faster AGer? Perhaps. But that’s life as I know it. That’s the ultimate joy for me- being able to balance 18hrs a week of training with raising a little person. Training, quite simply, is my twisted idea of fun.
If it’s my party, can I cry if I want to now that taper is here and I’m not quite ready to turn down the volume?
See, life, my dear reader, is truly shits & giggles. This sport, however, is not. It’s pain and gain and just when those two come together it’ll beat the BAMF out of you. Chop wood, carry water. All play and no work doesn’t make for a strong FINISH…. Or does it?
I can take the next 7 days and try to figure out where I missed out or left out a precious swim session. Or, I can focus on the now, knowing that 70.3 miles has got nothing on me… I’m a tough cookie!!
Maybe, for the next few days at least, it’s about finding the road less taken, to the outcome most sought after.
I’ve got 1 week tilll race day, and about 4 weeks of warm weather left to go…. If you need me, I’ll be on my bike. Enjoying the ride- living my good life. My smile is still there. My cheeks still hurt. My legs are thick as trunks. Who said I can’t float, ride, crawl?
You guys are awesome… TRAIN SAFE!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Roth is not in Africa
So, WOW, it happened. Sometimes I think I am so brilliant- because I knew this was going to happen, and now it has, too bad so sad I didn’t use my awesome smarts to come up with a plan B for when it did happen like it just happened cause now I don’t know what’s going to happen at all.
Roth sold out. In 47 minutes. Before I got a chance to register. Now, if you are that one person who reads this blog you know that Challenge Roth is my ultimate dream. It’s my IM, my line to cross, my course to race… it’s THE race for me. Given all the huppla I’ve put around it I should have been sitting in front of the computer for hours waiting to sign up, so missing the ‘race’ on this one is, technically, my bad. I know if you are that one person then you’re wondering how the heck…..
So here’s the story, straight from the donkey’s mouth, so that we all know, or so that I can allow myself just one more cry about it, because I might really need a hug.
I don’t know at this point if I can go to Roth next year. My number 1 supporter in life, my mommy, might not be able to make it. Yes, I know, this is the same mommy-person who told me to live my dream & do it & she would come along so that Dylan could be there, blah blah blah… BUT, mommy dearest might be hitting the high road for South Africa. MIGHT. She’s kinda undecided right now. So until she knows where she’s headed, what life changing decisions she is making (my dad is included here too, but, he’s a smart man (my brains are genetic, my lack-of-speed is too!) he’s going where mom goes) but until they know, well, I can’t know.
Hence this blog title changed some time ago. If my biggest supporter & race /training camp co-traveling Nanny decides to go live in SA- well, Roth will have to wait.
So, here is the question everyone is asking… I’ll forget Roth and do IMSA, right? No. Wrong. SA70.3 yes. IMSA, no. WTF? Well, because really, the 140.6mi race I want to do is Roth. Kinda that simple- so let me complicate it:
Completing Roth as my first biggie is where my heart is. It’s where a lot of emotions lie for me, where the desire to train so many, many miles will motivate me everyday. I don’t think I could ask Dylan for that much e-motional drainage if it didn’t really, really matter to me.
This sport is a tricky one. It’s feisty and opinionated. It’s darn expensive in roller coaster emotions, time, physical ability, and money. I am one person raising another one person- I need him to learn by example that when you dedicate your heart to something you go for it, blood sweat tears and joy. And you never, ever yo-yo string along your cheerleaders for something you’re only going to half-ass. I have learned in life that the people who will stick with you, who will high 5 you and push you along are rare, and golden. Those most awesome people are worthy of nothing less than all of your best.
I also know from Timberville that the moments that define me are the moments I need to share with Dylan. He wakes up each day to a sweaty, got-in-just-in-time-to-make-pancakes type of mother—he deserves even more than I do to be at the finish line. So unless I chain him to the bike rack in Roth, well, Roth will simply have to wait for Nana to return from her safari. Then I can simply chain Nana to Dylan for the day!
We’ll get there, one day. Que sera, sera. In the meantime, I’ll keep trecking along these Yellow Bricks, with my eye on the prize and a silly song in my heart, enjoying every awesome training day & every mile of each 70.3, with you.
Thank you, for all you do, to keep my big dream big. You are all awesome!!
Train safe, race smart!!
Roth sold out. In 47 minutes. Before I got a chance to register. Now, if you are that one person who reads this blog you know that Challenge Roth is my ultimate dream. It’s my IM, my line to cross, my course to race… it’s THE race for me. Given all the huppla I’ve put around it I should have been sitting in front of the computer for hours waiting to sign up, so missing the ‘race’ on this one is, technically, my bad. I know if you are that one person then you’re wondering how the heck…..
So here’s the story, straight from the donkey’s mouth, so that we all know, or so that I can allow myself just one more cry about it, because I might really need a hug.
I don’t know at this point if I can go to Roth next year. My number 1 supporter in life, my mommy, might not be able to make it. Yes, I know, this is the same mommy-person who told me to live my dream & do it & she would come along so that Dylan could be there, blah blah blah… BUT, mommy dearest might be hitting the high road for South Africa. MIGHT. She’s kinda undecided right now. So until she knows where she’s headed, what life changing decisions she is making (my dad is included here too, but, he’s a smart man (my brains are genetic, my lack-of-speed is too!) he’s going where mom goes) but until they know, well, I can’t know.
Hence this blog title changed some time ago. If my biggest supporter & race /training camp co-traveling Nanny decides to go live in SA- well, Roth will have to wait.
So, here is the question everyone is asking… I’ll forget Roth and do IMSA, right? No. Wrong. SA70.3 yes. IMSA, no. WTF? Well, because really, the 140.6mi race I want to do is Roth. Kinda that simple- so let me complicate it:
Completing Roth as my first biggie is where my heart is. It’s where a lot of emotions lie for me, where the desire to train so many, many miles will motivate me everyday. I don’t think I could ask Dylan for that much e-motional drainage if it didn’t really, really matter to me.
This sport is a tricky one. It’s feisty and opinionated. It’s darn expensive in roller coaster emotions, time, physical ability, and money. I am one person raising another one person- I need him to learn by example that when you dedicate your heart to something you go for it, blood sweat tears and joy. And you never, ever yo-yo string along your cheerleaders for something you’re only going to half-ass. I have learned in life that the people who will stick with you, who will high 5 you and push you along are rare, and golden. Those most awesome people are worthy of nothing less than all of your best.
I also know from Timberville that the moments that define me are the moments I need to share with Dylan. He wakes up each day to a sweaty, got-in-just-in-time-to-make-pancakes type of mother—he deserves even more than I do to be at the finish line. So unless I chain him to the bike rack in Roth, well, Roth will simply have to wait for Nana to return from her safari. Then I can simply chain Nana to Dylan for the day!
We’ll get there, one day. Que sera, sera. In the meantime, I’ll keep trecking along these Yellow Bricks, with my eye on the prize and a silly song in my heart, enjoying every awesome training day & every mile of each 70.3, with you.
Thank you, for all you do, to keep my big dream big. You are all awesome!!
Train safe, race smart!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
This is War
Yesterday I was almost crushed on my bike by some loser who rode into my back wheel at the red light. He was cursing at me to get off "his" road.... We all know what I'm talking about, those stupid people are out there.
Train safe, and remind others to DRIVE safe!!Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Edge of Glory...
"Like sands through the hour glass, these are the days of our lives...." I remember that soap opera from when I was a kid. I'm hoping it was just background noise and that my mother didn't actually sit down to watch- but none the less, that one sentence has lingered in the back of my brain for all these years. I pull it out sometimes, when life is going slow (usually Jan-Feb-March) because it always seemed to me that watching sand fall through an hour glass must be the most boring thing one can do. Like watching grass grow, no?
Yet, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind here in Jules' World. Big BIG changes have taken place, meaning even bigger decisions have been made, which means through all the swimming & biking & running & raising an Iron-kid- well, the sands have suddenly started to fall much faster. "Take a moment to think about it." Sure, I'd love to, if you could give me a moment to spare.
If you're like me, then most of your major life altering decisions are taken when out training. The constant cadence, the rhythmic breathing, the time to focus, spent in His glory just thankful to have strong, able legs- there really are not many problems that cannot be solved during a sweaty, long run.
A brutal swim also works well when you need time to ponder.
And that's how it happened. In an 8 X 25m set of pulling; a pull buoy between my thighs and a 170lbs lean & mean duathlete champion holding onto my ankles. I went from feeling like a human tug-boat, to being empowered and inspired by my own abilities. And in the midst of all my tugging & dying & really not moving through the water very fast- my life was changed, and my very life changing decisions were made.
Here is what my swim coach not-knowingly taught me: that when people try to slow you down/ hold you back/ stop you from moving forward in life- DIG. Push harder. Reach father and deeper and be tougher than ever before. Find your superpowers!! Do not ever let anyone, not even ankle holding swimmers, prevent you from using all your awesomeness to achieve your goals.
If it matters to you, it matters. If it's a goal you have set, go get it.
The sands in the hour glass fall quickly, my friends. This much, I know now, is true. Don't settle for being the tug-boat of someone else's negativity. Don't ease up your pace so someone can catch up to you.... Run solid & steady and let them draft, but don't ever let them slow you down. I've made my BIG decisions, and life is already different than it was last week. And what many think is crazy is really just me- with my eye on finish line of my many, many little goals- paving my uncharted path yellow brick by yellow brick.
Train safe my friends, & continue to be the Most Awesome!
Yet, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind here in Jules' World. Big BIG changes have taken place, meaning even bigger decisions have been made, which means through all the swimming & biking & running & raising an Iron-kid- well, the sands have suddenly started to fall much faster. "Take a moment to think about it." Sure, I'd love to, if you could give me a moment to spare.
If you're like me, then most of your major life altering decisions are taken when out training. The constant cadence, the rhythmic breathing, the time to focus, spent in His glory just thankful to have strong, able legs- there really are not many problems that cannot be solved during a sweaty, long run.
A brutal swim also works well when you need time to ponder.
And that's how it happened. In an 8 X 25m set of pulling; a pull buoy between my thighs and a 170lbs lean & mean duathlete champion holding onto my ankles. I went from feeling like a human tug-boat, to being empowered and inspired by my own abilities. And in the midst of all my tugging & dying & really not moving through the water very fast- my life was changed, and my very life changing decisions were made.
Here is what my swim coach not-knowingly taught me: that when people try to slow you down/ hold you back/ stop you from moving forward in life- DIG. Push harder. Reach father and deeper and be tougher than ever before. Find your superpowers!! Do not ever let anyone, not even ankle holding swimmers, prevent you from using all your awesomeness to achieve your goals.
If it matters to you, it matters. If it's a goal you have set, go get it.
The sands in the hour glass fall quickly, my friends. This much, I know now, is true. Don't settle for being the tug-boat of someone else's negativity. Don't ease up your pace so someone can catch up to you.... Run solid & steady and let them draft, but don't ever let them slow you down. I've made my BIG decisions, and life is already different than it was last week. And what many think is crazy is really just me- with my eye on finish line of my many, many little goals- paving my uncharted path yellow brick by yellow brick.
Train safe my friends, & continue to be the Most Awesome!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
OMG- just looked at the date of my last post.. April 27th??? What the.....??? Has it been that long that I've given some attention to paving my yellow bricks?
WOW... Training season must be in full distance mode... sorry to you, that wonderful person who reads my blog. :o)
In the meantime, through all my swimming & biking & running wild & free, a major breakthrough has taken place: I have found in me, a true triathlete.
I did not end up racing the Rev3 Half last wkend. It's been rainy here. Like, everyday rain. I've never been shy to admit my bike handling skills are rather shameful, and yes, I am a fairweather rider. Although during a downpour I will open the garage door just to mimic a windtunnel, I consider trainer rides to be nothing more than 'getting 'er done'. So I didn't even show up to my first race of the season. No excuses other than the spring rain caused a delay in my season of about 2 months. Me + rain + 90km clipped in aero = bad for everyone's overall health and safety.
I DNSed.
But entering June without a new race t-shirt made me feel very weak. Like a runner on a long taper I was losing my mind. Feeling a bit ansy. A bit like a fraud. Certainly, it is very untriathlete of me to not have raced even a sprint yet. I feel like I'm standing here...
Ready to go, fit & fabulous, yet not even my toes are getting wet, while
this is where I truly want to be
The mind of a crazy person can be an interesting place. The mind of a complete wacko athlete can be an annoying place. I started questioning my dedication. I thought about the people who get out everyday- the swimmers, the joggers, the nordic-walkers of the world who get up everyday to train.... for nothing. I love training for it's many awesome benefits, but at the end of a few weeks I want to burst open at a start line. Why is that?
Why do some never sign up? Do they not want to start & finish anything? Do they not crave the boost of serotonin and ego that only a race can provide? Or do they know not what they are missing, because they have never tri-ed?
AHHHH.... NOOOOO.... YESSSSSS....We 'racers' are equal to a bunch of crackheads! We're chasing that fix, that moment, that rush... Worst, at the moment I was like a junkie- willing to do anything to line up along the shore...Oh my...
So I got online and thanks to Active.com and their hefty fees I got all signed up for the Pumpkinman Half Iron. A bit down the calendar, but a check off the bucket list that provided temporary relief. I now have another goal, another reason to keep training hard. I WILL & I CAN!!
That satisfaction was short lived. 2 days later I was still fighting the urge.
So what? I am indeed a junkie and most of my friends are addicts. Admitting is the first step, and although I now had an A race just 15 wks away I was honest to admit it just wasn't enough. Patience is not a virtue I was blessed with; I needed more immediate satisfaction. I also decided I really need a new bike! Certainly, a new TT bike and new race wheels will make this summer season immediately better. Right? RIGHT!!!!
Yep. More temporary fixes. More fun and much more expensive, but satisfaction none the less.
So my wacky week of quick fixes and lingering pity cost me a few pennies and a few sleepless nights. Yet it also made me realise the most important fact: race or no race, fast or not quite, ready or not, I am still a triathlete. A crazy, obsessed, in love, happy as a pig in poop AG triathlete. YAHOO!!
So now I'm mentally stable and looking for a plane ticket to Calgary so my new bike & I can go laugh through 70.3 miles.
FUN!
Train safe,
WOW... Training season must be in full distance mode... sorry to you, that wonderful person who reads my blog. :o)
In the meantime, through all my swimming & biking & running wild & free, a major breakthrough has taken place: I have found in me, a true triathlete.
I did not end up racing the Rev3 Half last wkend. It's been rainy here. Like, everyday rain. I've never been shy to admit my bike handling skills are rather shameful, and yes, I am a fairweather rider. Although during a downpour I will open the garage door just to mimic a windtunnel, I consider trainer rides to be nothing more than 'getting 'er done'. So I didn't even show up to my first race of the season. No excuses other than the spring rain caused a delay in my season of about 2 months. Me + rain + 90km clipped in aero = bad for everyone's overall health and safety.
I DNSed.
But entering June without a new race t-shirt made me feel very weak. Like a runner on a long taper I was losing my mind. Feeling a bit ansy. A bit like a fraud. Certainly, it is very untriathlete of me to not have raced even a sprint yet. I feel like I'm standing here...
Ready to go, fit & fabulous, yet not even my toes are getting wet, while
this is where I truly want to be
The mind of a crazy person can be an interesting place. The mind of a complete wacko athlete can be an annoying place. I started questioning my dedication. I thought about the people who get out everyday- the swimmers, the joggers, the nordic-walkers of the world who get up everyday to train.... for nothing. I love training for it's many awesome benefits, but at the end of a few weeks I want to burst open at a start line. Why is that?
Why do some never sign up? Do they not want to start & finish anything? Do they not crave the boost of serotonin and ego that only a race can provide? Or do they know not what they are missing, because they have never tri-ed?
AHHHH.... NOOOOO.... YESSSSSS....We 'racers' are equal to a bunch of crackheads! We're chasing that fix, that moment, that rush... Worst, at the moment I was like a junkie- willing to do anything to line up along the shore...Oh my...
So I got online and thanks to Active.com and their hefty fees I got all signed up for the Pumpkinman Half Iron. A bit down the calendar, but a check off the bucket list that provided temporary relief. I now have another goal, another reason to keep training hard. I WILL & I CAN!!
That satisfaction was short lived. 2 days later I was still fighting the urge.
So what? I am indeed a junkie and most of my friends are addicts. Admitting is the first step, and although I now had an A race just 15 wks away I was honest to admit it just wasn't enough. Patience is not a virtue I was blessed with; I needed more immediate satisfaction. I also decided I really need a new bike! Certainly, a new TT bike and new race wheels will make this summer season immediately better. Right? RIGHT!!!!
Yep. More temporary fixes. More fun and much more expensive, but satisfaction none the less.
So my wacky week of quick fixes and lingering pity cost me a few pennies and a few sleepless nights. Yet it also made me realise the most important fact: race or no race, fast or not quite, ready or not, I am still a triathlete. A crazy, obsessed, in love, happy as a pig in poop AG triathlete. YAHOO!!
So now I'm mentally stable and looking for a plane ticket to Calgary so my new bike & I can go laugh through 70.3 miles.
FUN!
Train safe,
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I have been rather fast in the past. I have ran super silly long distances too. Before tri, I was simply a really dedicated runner- it’s what I do. It’s what I do rather well.
Well, life has it’s moments that will humble you right back down to being nada. Not that I have had a big head lately, the season has just started and I’m certainly not peaking, nor near race weight. The bike is clean and ready to hit the road, I still wondering if I’ll fall sideways my first ride out. I have completely dissected my swim stroke; in order to get faster I have slowed down so much I dropped back a lane. Nope, I’m not a super triathlete these days at all, so being a rather good runner was enough to keep me feeling like my inner Badass Self. Until yesterday.
Yesterday is a day I will never forget. Yesterday is not worth crying over, it’s spilled milk and it’s done. But O yesterday, what happened? What did I do? It’s all a blur and it makes no sense.
Yesterday, I couldn’t run 5 km. I was so slow I stopped running because I knew walking would be faster.
The shame. The disappointment. We were so good together and so close, running knew the secrets of my heart, and it knew all my hopes and dreams. Still, yesterday for the first time ever, running stood me up.
I don’t know what to do today. I’m lost. I’m not injured, not broken. I’m walking fine, everything is good in the legs. No asthma, that’s gone for good (yippee!) Monday was an off day, so it’s not like it was a recovery miscalculation.
I was supposed to swim today, that’s what the program says, but I feel I need to call up running, just to see if it’s possible again. I need to give that run a second chance. I lost sleep wondering if yesterday meant the end. It can’t be. I can’t stand that thought of it…. Then I thought perhaps running was pissed about the tri thing…. Maybe dedicating so much muscle mass to swimming & riding had intimidated my run- but that can’t be- I just registered for a marathon, surly I intend to run it.
Do I do a brick today then? Maybe swim then run a 10km from the pool. I’m not going to waste this opportunity on the treadmill, perhaps it’s best to go old-school and hit the muddy trails. That will ease the fear & tension, make it fun. Maybe hills, if I’m going to cry & vomit anyways...
Its 4am, perhaps I’m over thinking. Yet, Ryan lost his run until he wrote a book and ran 2:04 in Boston. So I’m blogging, putting the odds on my side! HAHAHA.
Run Strong, Train Safe Friends!
Well, life has it’s moments that will humble you right back down to being nada. Not that I have had a big head lately, the season has just started and I’m certainly not peaking, nor near race weight. The bike is clean and ready to hit the road, I still wondering if I’ll fall sideways my first ride out. I have completely dissected my swim stroke; in order to get faster I have slowed down so much I dropped back a lane. Nope, I’m not a super triathlete these days at all, so being a rather good runner was enough to keep me feeling like my inner Badass Self. Until yesterday.
Yesterday is a day I will never forget. Yesterday is not worth crying over, it’s spilled milk and it’s done. But O yesterday, what happened? What did I do? It’s all a blur and it makes no sense.
Yesterday, I couldn’t run 5 km. I was so slow I stopped running because I knew walking would be faster.
The shame. The disappointment. We were so good together and so close, running knew the secrets of my heart, and it knew all my hopes and dreams. Still, yesterday for the first time ever, running stood me up.
I don’t know what to do today. I’m lost. I’m not injured, not broken. I’m walking fine, everything is good in the legs. No asthma, that’s gone for good (yippee!) Monday was an off day, so it’s not like it was a recovery miscalculation.
I was supposed to swim today, that’s what the program says, but I feel I need to call up running, just to see if it’s possible again. I need to give that run a second chance. I lost sleep wondering if yesterday meant the end. It can’t be. I can’t stand that thought of it…. Then I thought perhaps running was pissed about the tri thing…. Maybe dedicating so much muscle mass to swimming & riding had intimidated my run- but that can’t be- I just registered for a marathon, surly I intend to run it.
Do I do a brick today then? Maybe swim then run a 10km from the pool. I’m not going to waste this opportunity on the treadmill, perhaps it’s best to go old-school and hit the muddy trails. That will ease the fear & tension, make it fun. Maybe hills, if I’m going to cry & vomit anyways...
Its 4am, perhaps I’m over thinking. Yet, Ryan lost his run until he wrote a book and ran 2:04 in Boston. So I’m blogging, putting the odds on my side! HAHAHA.
Run Strong, Train Safe Friends!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
I have not been in training induced pain, in a long time. We all know how I make recovery a priority, and being that I'm a Mompreneur who works from home, that task is made rather easy. I conference call in compression socks most days of the week.
(The rule about wearing them in public still stands- if you do, please know that this is VERY wrong, it must STOP now!)
Yet today, after a week of some intense "get back into mode' training - I stepped out of bed, and proceeded down the steps on my tip toes. I had forgotten how track work can linger in the calves- OUCH! So obviously the season is in full swing, and I'm happy to report that the swim and runs of this week have hurt a bit, as they should!
I haven't posted in a while. I guess I needed to step back and prioritize before I filled your world with more useless info. The recent weeks have been buzzing with tri related activity- and I am VERY VERY excited.
I have stated many times how I believe that tri is much like life itself. The planning, the process of trials and achievements, the START - the journey - the FINISH that only brings you enough joy or heartache to get you to the next START. A long run can be a very spiritual few hours, a burning swim sprint just another witness to just how far you can dig.
I have learned that what we take for granted in this sport can be ripped from you in a second, without warning and without fairness. A kick in the swim can ruin a race; a tragedy on the bike can ruin a life. The levels of pain on those first 2km in training can easily lead the whimps right back home. It takes a strong amount of dedication, passion, reason and mental toughness to get out the door everyday; like in life, if we allow the uncomfortable to slow us down, it will proceed to stop us.
Last year, in the days following the deaths of 3 local, beautiful triathletes, a lot of questions came up. I believe most of us had a few very sincere conversations with ourselves and our families: "Do I go on?" "Is it worth it?" With everyone around us saying "NO!", somehow, some weeks later, we persevered. We've all been in this situation I am sure, you only need to watch the Kona broadcast to cast fear -this sport has a dark, dangerous side, and those on the sidelines of encouragement can be quick to ask us why we ever take the risk.
This year, in my personal life, I am facing those same challenges. I have a reason in my heart for doing what I do, yet the majority around me were quick to step down without support or encouragement. I changed the pace of my daily motions (that was comfortable to them), and as a result, I lost most along the way. They don’t get it, they don’t know enough about the details; rather than learning- they ducked out.
But that's OK. And I'm really OK. And big things are happening that very few could foresee.
In most long distance events, being steady wins the race.
So I go back to a blog I posted last year, about doing something good for others:
http://julie-gorham.blogspot.com/2010_09_12_archive.html
Well, it's happening! It's finally happening!! There are final details being worked out; logos to organize, race suits to order, websites to launch, and final media details to be confirmed.... My racing will be for a greater cause. My training will be to shed some light, and together, we will raise awareness for something very worthy, and something greater than this Yellow Brick blog!
Our sport is like life- you can use your race to simply race faster next time, or you can boldly wear your medal to the office and perhaps inspire others to tri.
To the many wonderful people involved and encouraging this new, awesome project- I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your support is golden!
Train safe- spring has sprung!
P.S.- Anyone raising funds for a race charity, contact me if you need fundraising help. There is a better way to raise much more$$!!! 63reasons@gmail.com
(The rule about wearing them in public still stands- if you do, please know that this is VERY wrong, it must STOP now!)
Yet today, after a week of some intense "get back into mode' training - I stepped out of bed, and proceeded down the steps on my tip toes. I had forgotten how track work can linger in the calves- OUCH! So obviously the season is in full swing, and I'm happy to report that the swim and runs of this week have hurt a bit, as they should!
I haven't posted in a while. I guess I needed to step back and prioritize before I filled your world with more useless info. The recent weeks have been buzzing with tri related activity- and I am VERY VERY excited.
I have stated many times how I believe that tri is much like life itself. The planning, the process of trials and achievements, the START - the journey - the FINISH that only brings you enough joy or heartache to get you to the next START. A long run can be a very spiritual few hours, a burning swim sprint just another witness to just how far you can dig.
I have learned that what we take for granted in this sport can be ripped from you in a second, without warning and without fairness. A kick in the swim can ruin a race; a tragedy on the bike can ruin a life. The levels of pain on those first 2km in training can easily lead the whimps right back home. It takes a strong amount of dedication, passion, reason and mental toughness to get out the door everyday; like in life, if we allow the uncomfortable to slow us down, it will proceed to stop us.
Last year, in the days following the deaths of 3 local, beautiful triathletes, a lot of questions came up. I believe most of us had a few very sincere conversations with ourselves and our families: "Do I go on?" "Is it worth it?" With everyone around us saying "NO!", somehow, some weeks later, we persevered. We've all been in this situation I am sure, you only need to watch the Kona broadcast to cast fear -this sport has a dark, dangerous side, and those on the sidelines of encouragement can be quick to ask us why we ever take the risk.
This year, in my personal life, I am facing those same challenges. I have a reason in my heart for doing what I do, yet the majority around me were quick to step down without support or encouragement. I changed the pace of my daily motions (that was comfortable to them), and as a result, I lost most along the way. They don’t get it, they don’t know enough about the details; rather than learning- they ducked out.
But that's OK. And I'm really OK. And big things are happening that very few could foresee.
In most long distance events, being steady wins the race.
So I go back to a blog I posted last year, about doing something good for others:
http://julie-gorham.blogspot.com/2010_09_12_archive.html
Well, it's happening! It's finally happening!! There are final details being worked out; logos to organize, race suits to order, websites to launch, and final media details to be confirmed.... My racing will be for a greater cause. My training will be to shed some light, and together, we will raise awareness for something very worthy, and something greater than this Yellow Brick blog!
Our sport is like life- you can use your race to simply race faster next time, or you can boldly wear your medal to the office and perhaps inspire others to tri.
To the many wonderful people involved and encouraging this new, awesome project- I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your support is golden!
Train safe- spring has sprung!
P.S.- Anyone raising funds for a race charity, contact me if you need fundraising help. There is a better way to raise much more$$!!! 63reasons@gmail.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I have been getting some questions from the younger / fit crowd, wondering why optimizing their immune system would be important. So here is some quick info, meant to help all healthy, physically active people understand why their immune system is cruical to their everyday health & performance. Yes, I am posting this, because this is my blog, my business, and my mission in life is to make you all incredibly stronger, better, & more motivated to use the podium sport has given you, to help someone else change their life & tri- harder. When we are healthy & fit & kickin' butt, we do that last part much more efficiently!
For more info, pls visit my site @ http://www.immunotec.com/trijulieclick products. You will also find my contact info on that website.
Truth is, most of us can reflect and discover the same 'training' problems arise every year when we are stressed out: colds, sometimes turning into the flu, pains in the groin, in your back, knee pains that all go unexplained. Training is slowing, or stopped, and showing no real signs of progress. Motivation is going through the floor? WTH? An exaggeration?
Maybe: but some of you have certainly gone through the whole range several times a year.... So what's up? To always feel great as an athlete on the edge of your limit to performance is quite tricky. It means a balancing act where you can easily lose your balance. Overstep or misstep.... it's gone.
We have all been told to each lots of carbs, and protein on a 4-1 ratio. Counting calories is one thing, but the distribution of energy that happens in the metabolic processes is not regulated by the intake of calories but by a number of regulatory processes.
Sport is often pure stress merely due to the effort of training. The body demands an optimal biological stress response. Who performs to peak is mearly the athlete whose stress response is best optimized. An immune system and a nervous system as well as hormones at the peak of performance; that is perfect regulation. That means that each system itself works optimally and the cooperation between them, too. Meaning that the immune system is not only a protection system you might need when you are old, but a regulatory system that plays an important role in your life NOW. The immune system is activated within the first minute of stress, and releases all the cellular defenses needed for equal distribution of energy within the body. The healing process takes priority over the performance 'go fast now' process, that is why a slight cold can require so much energy, leaving you tired, moody, and weak, and suddenly injured.
Your immune system will determine much about your training, racing, and everyday living. Do not think it's just for old sick people. We all have one, and when we are pushing our bodies and trying to become stronger, better, faster, longer is when we MUST optimize it- so that it can work to optimize us! If you are training for a race, hitting the gym daily, or chasing the kids around the park- you need your immune system working for you.
You can read more here see blog 2010_12_05 in the archives on the right, and check out my website http://www.immunotec.com/trijulie.prod for the best, proven all natural immune optimizing proteins available.
Train safe & enjoy, as spring has sprung!!
For more info, pls visit my site @ http://www.immunotec.com/trijulieclick products. You will also find my contact info on that website.
Truth is, most of us can reflect and discover the same 'training' problems arise every year when we are stressed out: colds, sometimes turning into the flu, pains in the groin, in your back, knee pains that all go unexplained. Training is slowing, or stopped, and showing no real signs of progress. Motivation is going through the floor? WTH? An exaggeration?
Maybe: but some of you have certainly gone through the whole range several times a year.... So what's up? To always feel great as an athlete on the edge of your limit to performance is quite tricky. It means a balancing act where you can easily lose your balance. Overstep or misstep.... it's gone.
We have all been told to each lots of carbs, and protein on a 4-1 ratio. Counting calories is one thing, but the distribution of energy that happens in the metabolic processes is not regulated by the intake of calories but by a number of regulatory processes.
Sport is often pure stress merely due to the effort of training. The body demands an optimal biological stress response. Who performs to peak is mearly the athlete whose stress response is best optimized. An immune system and a nervous system as well as hormones at the peak of performance; that is perfect regulation. That means that each system itself works optimally and the cooperation between them, too. Meaning that the immune system is not only a protection system you might need when you are old, but a regulatory system that plays an important role in your life NOW. The immune system is activated within the first minute of stress, and releases all the cellular defenses needed for equal distribution of energy within the body. The healing process takes priority over the performance 'go fast now' process, that is why a slight cold can require so much energy, leaving you tired, moody, and weak, and suddenly injured.
Your immune system will determine much about your training, racing, and everyday living. Do not think it's just for old sick people. We all have one, and when we are pushing our bodies and trying to become stronger, better, faster, longer is when we MUST optimize it- so that it can work to optimize us! If you are training for a race, hitting the gym daily, or chasing the kids around the park- you need your immune system working for you.
You can read more here see blog 2010_12_05 in the archives on the right, and check out my website http://www.immunotec.com/trijulie.prod for the best, proven all natural immune optimizing proteins available.
Train safe & enjoy, as spring has sprung!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Courage was soooo last year!
Last year, in my training, my every stroke and every stride, I inhaled and exhaled courage. Most days it was the courage just to be out riding on the open roads, other days it was the courage to face my physical limitations head on. In Timberville, well, you'll have to go back and read that post for yourself- because I refuse to cry again this morning in an attempt to explain.
This year they informed us our horoscopes changed, the winter weather completely changed, my numerologist (she is awesome, let me know if you need her info) told me my life number had also changed and I was entering a new era of Jules. Good news to me, all these changes, because I happen to be a person who is quite comfortable with switching things up. But I took the 'it's all new & improved' way too literally, and assumed it meant my heart had changed too. I posted pictures of NYC all over my training wall, printed my time in big & bold above my treadmill, and decided this was the year that I qualify for NYCM. YAHOO!
And all was going so well. Running and running, running and running. In a plane, on a train, instead of a car- opps! I ran too far!
Remember, a little Karnazes took over my legs? Well, he's still in there, and I've got the glutes to prove it! (Can't post a pic, sorry, it's NOT that kind of blog!)
But I ran through January & February like I was racing an ultra... until 3 good friends took note...
They were right, I'm too slow in triathlon to not want to keep tri-ing! It does society a huge favor when I race- other people beat me and it makes them feel good to pass the skinny, really fit bitch who looks as though she should be tearing it up. I just don't have the desire to go fast on the bike, and I don't know if I ever will. Long distance, for me anyways, is freedom. What would I do all summer if I were not out training for 6-7 hours? I'd lose that freedom! My friends are smart people- tri is a huge part of my life, and I'm not willing to let it go now!
I started thinking while I was out running. Deeply. I had intense moments of reflection and sharp pains in my heart (no, not really!) I love this crazy sport too much to walk away- and I'd be foolish to not tri this season, as I am 110% dedicated to Roth in 2012.
Good news to report: I am back in the pool; have my first 'race' coming up on March 19th. A 1500m swim competition, in a 25m pool- it takes a true triathlete to consider THAT a fun way to spend a few minutes, no?
I don't know where you are in your training; I do hope it's going very well. But I've got 2 months to catch up, and 6 this season to be more bad ass than I was last year- YAHOO!!! Oh, the laughs we will have! Watch out people- she's back, more happy, more smiley, just as silly yet much stronger than before! WHOOP WHOOP!!
See you all at the races; till then, train safe,
This year they informed us our horoscopes changed, the winter weather completely changed, my numerologist (she is awesome, let me know if you need her info) told me my life number had also changed and I was entering a new era of Jules. Good news to me, all these changes, because I happen to be a person who is quite comfortable with switching things up. But I took the 'it's all new & improved' way too literally, and assumed it meant my heart had changed too. I posted pictures of NYC all over my training wall, printed my time in big & bold above my treadmill, and decided this was the year that I qualify for NYCM. YAHOO!
And all was going so well. Running and running, running and running. In a plane, on a train, instead of a car- opps! I ran too far!
Remember, a little Karnazes took over my legs? Well, he's still in there, and I've got the glutes to prove it! (Can't post a pic, sorry, it's NOT that kind of blog!)
But I ran through January & February like I was racing an ultra... until 3 good friends took note...
They were right, I'm too slow in triathlon to not want to keep tri-ing! It does society a huge favor when I race- other people beat me and it makes them feel good to pass the skinny, really fit bitch who looks as though she should be tearing it up. I just don't have the desire to go fast on the bike, and I don't know if I ever will. Long distance, for me anyways, is freedom. What would I do all summer if I were not out training for 6-7 hours? I'd lose that freedom! My friends are smart people- tri is a huge part of my life, and I'm not willing to let it go now!
I started thinking while I was out running. Deeply. I had intense moments of reflection and sharp pains in my heart (no, not really!) I love this crazy sport too much to walk away- and I'd be foolish to not tri this season, as I am 110% dedicated to Roth in 2012.
Good news to report: I am back in the pool; have my first 'race' coming up on March 19th. A 1500m swim competition, in a 25m pool- it takes a true triathlete to consider THAT a fun way to spend a few minutes, no?
I don't know where you are in your training; I do hope it's going very well. But I've got 2 months to catch up, and 6 this season to be more bad ass than I was last year- YAHOO!!! Oh, the laughs we will have! Watch out people- she's back, more happy, more smiley, just as silly yet much stronger than before! WHOOP WHOOP!!
See you all at the races; till then, train safe,
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Farewell Till Then... a Love Letter.
I'm throwing it out there; let's see who leaves some love after. Yes, I am openly asking for your e-mails or comments, because I wake up lately almost with certainty that I am all alone. Mind you I kind of am- I live in the Middle of Nowhere, QC. It's winter time and the only thing my town is renowned for is the cycling in the summer, and hurricane type winds. Wait, we have a rather famous fancy hotel here too, but I believe they must keep guests A la Hotel California because I run past it often and I have yet to make a friend on its lush grounds. Today I shall look for hands in the windows...
I think I just ran off track. Now I have some scary movie I have never seen playing through my mind. Whomever it was that stated the common truths about athletes having some serious mental differences, I hereby agree!
We do. We are. Thank goodness for that. The world would be much more pathetic if no one ever tri-ed.
Let’s note that I do love the man very much for all he has done, for sport but more so for cancer- yet I have disagreed with Lance before in this blog. Since he still hasn't called to prove his point (ha ha) I do believe that I am right on this one: Endurance athletes are not running FROM something, we are running TOWARDS something.
It's the common cycle of my own life that makes me right and Lance wrong. Hence I ask for your feedback, perhaps I am not the only one? Go back through the periods of your training, please; perhaps you too will find that when you had a big goal, something huge to accomplish outside of triathlon, that's when the endurance athlete in you justified cheating your program, and simply went long.
LSD Long slow distance. When there are big goals ahead and I begin to take action towards reaching them, I morph into the ultramarathon runner I was really born to be. It's a new year, with new goals, with a lot of work ahead... call me Karnazes!
The new business is proving to be much 'bigger' than I ever could have imagined. It's also given me more time to train. Yet every week, I sit and review my tri training program, I clean my bike (she's on the trainer, but I'm a bit neurotic) and yet all I want to do is run. I'm just running. I run to the bank. To the office. To the store. I run for an excuse to get away from the computer, to leave the cell phone (which broke and I have yet to replace) at home. I download the latest Motion Traxx (total plug right there- check it out on iTunes FREE!) and I just go. The boys of IM Talk are back so I downloaded the newest on the pod as well. I've listened to it 3 times this week- while running. I'm no longer fast, but I'm not injured not sore not thinking that it's an icy barren jungle with wind gusts that would snap a kite... I'm just running free. (fully clothed, but free as in YAHOO!)
Just yesterday on a webinar I referred to myself as a triathlete and I felt like the biggest fraud. I am doing all my tri friends a disservice thinking I stand amongst them. In the season of my life story right now, (get a Kleenex….......) I am a runner.
GASP...................... EXHALE....................... DO I HAVE NO HEART?????
I said it. It used to give me so much pride. I adore my runner friends. Yet right now, as I'm watching the sun peek between the clouds and my legs are twitching just to hit the packed snow for 2hrs, admitting that totally saddens me.
Life really is bittersweet.
Goals can give you a finish line, allowing you to periodize your season so that the ultimate dream is attainable. The WHY's will get you to take action. We proceed in solitude, knowing our mission, hoping to find a few cheerleaders and mentors along the way. I have spent my adult life studying triathlon. The history, the good the bad and the ugly. I am obsessed with the sport, and I do believe it loves me very much. It's been kind and generous, and I know we will meet again. What I had last season was the ultimate friendship. It led me to greatness. It made me a better person. It gave me the courage I was desperately searching for. Yet seasons change.
On this journey, along these Yellow Bricks, it seems I have now lost my heart.... So I'm putting a leash on Toto and taking him out for a run; maybe, just maybe, when we finally get to the wizard, he will very surprisingly be a Kenyan after all...
Train safe.
I think I just ran off track. Now I have some scary movie I have never seen playing through my mind. Whomever it was that stated the common truths about athletes having some serious mental differences, I hereby agree!
We do. We are. Thank goodness for that. The world would be much more pathetic if no one ever tri-ed.
Let’s note that I do love the man very much for all he has done, for sport but more so for cancer- yet I have disagreed with Lance before in this blog. Since he still hasn't called to prove his point (ha ha) I do believe that I am right on this one: Endurance athletes are not running FROM something, we are running TOWARDS something.
It's the common cycle of my own life that makes me right and Lance wrong. Hence I ask for your feedback, perhaps I am not the only one? Go back through the periods of your training, please; perhaps you too will find that when you had a big goal, something huge to accomplish outside of triathlon, that's when the endurance athlete in you justified cheating your program, and simply went long.
LSD Long slow distance. When there are big goals ahead and I begin to take action towards reaching them, I morph into the ultramarathon runner I was really born to be. It's a new year, with new goals, with a lot of work ahead... call me Karnazes!
The new business is proving to be much 'bigger' than I ever could have imagined. It's also given me more time to train. Yet every week, I sit and review my tri training program, I clean my bike (she's on the trainer, but I'm a bit neurotic) and yet all I want to do is run. I'm just running. I run to the bank. To the office. To the store. I run for an excuse to get away from the computer, to leave the cell phone (which broke and I have yet to replace) at home. I download the latest Motion Traxx (total plug right there- check it out on iTunes FREE!) and I just go. The boys of IM Talk are back so I downloaded the newest on the pod as well. I've listened to it 3 times this week- while running. I'm no longer fast, but I'm not injured not sore not thinking that it's an icy barren jungle with wind gusts that would snap a kite... I'm just running free. (fully clothed, but free as in YAHOO!)
Just yesterday on a webinar I referred to myself as a triathlete and I felt like the biggest fraud. I am doing all my tri friends a disservice thinking I stand amongst them. In the season of my life story right now, (get a Kleenex….......) I am a runner.
GASP...................... EXHALE....................... DO I HAVE NO HEART?????
I said it. It used to give me so much pride. I adore my runner friends. Yet right now, as I'm watching the sun peek between the clouds and my legs are twitching just to hit the packed snow for 2hrs, admitting that totally saddens me.
Life really is bittersweet.
Goals can give you a finish line, allowing you to periodize your season so that the ultimate dream is attainable. The WHY's will get you to take action. We proceed in solitude, knowing our mission, hoping to find a few cheerleaders and mentors along the way. I have spent my adult life studying triathlon. The history, the good the bad and the ugly. I am obsessed with the sport, and I do believe it loves me very much. It's been kind and generous, and I know we will meet again. What I had last season was the ultimate friendship. It led me to greatness. It made me a better person. It gave me the courage I was desperately searching for. Yet seasons change.
On this journey, along these Yellow Bricks, it seems I have now lost my heart.... So I'm putting a leash on Toto and taking him out for a run; maybe, just maybe, when we finally get to the wizard, he will very surprisingly be a Kenyan after all...
Train safe.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Capturing our Horses in 2011
As I sit to write there is a song repeating itself over & over again. Not as dramatic as when Amazing Grace blessed my mind in Timberville, but Wild Horses by The Stones- has me writing on a whim, please bear with...
I can sit here, over my Xtra Sharp tea jolt and ponder a long time about it. I'm introspective like that- with a training regime that gives me lots of time to think about silliness. I woke up with a song and I know what it means: It's the triathletes of races past! They are telling me to get over it, to take action, to face the winter demons and get on the trainer!!
Just do it, woman! The hard-to-admit fact is that this last week I have not been much of a triathlete. I am having issues with the massive size of my quads right now, I have been home with Dylan on vacation for almost 3 weeks, which has completely drowned the Phelps inside of me; but now, with visions of running stallions and an ugly image of an old Mic Jagger, I am resetting and refueling... I love this sport and no matter how much I debate going back to the simple life of a runner - those wild, wild horses could not drag me away...
We have so many reasons to do the things we do. We all do, and I am very respectful of the reason's of others. It's part of my job, your WHY. I take other people WHY's with me every where I go, everyday. I think I have so many others WHY's that they are what is now stuck to my quads- the WHY don't my jeans go past my knees anymore question is being answered- by WHY's. With so many wonderful, heartfelt reasons to do what motivates us, I lost track of my own. I do know better, please forgive me, yet I got so caught up, I lost my own marbles...
So here is what we are going to do people. (Please play along with me...) We are ALL going to back up, get out the whiteboard, and set our goals for 2011. Then, only when the goals are clearly outlined and jumping off the page are we allowed to set our WHY. Yes, in my life of coaching & teaching, I tell people to do it backwards. Trust me on this one, you will NEVER achieve a goal if you don't know what it is BEFORE you know the reasons... because reasons are very susceptible to influence; goals are not. I am confusing you- because everything you have ever heard about goal setting just got put into your mental blender and became a green, lumpy mess? OK, here we go:
I can sit here, over my Xtra Sharp tea jolt and ponder a long time about it. I'm introspective like that- with a training regime that gives me lots of time to think about silliness. I woke up with a song and I know what it means: It's the triathletes of races past! They are telling me to get over it, to take action, to face the winter demons and get on the trainer!!
Just do it, woman! The hard-to-admit fact is that this last week I have not been much of a triathlete. I am having issues with the massive size of my quads right now, I have been home with Dylan on vacation for almost 3 weeks, which has completely drowned the Phelps inside of me; but now, with visions of running stallions and an ugly image of an old Mic Jagger, I am resetting and refueling... I love this sport and no matter how much I debate going back to the simple life of a runner - those wild, wild horses could not drag me away...
We have so many reasons to do the things we do. We all do, and I am very respectful of the reason's of others. It's part of my job, your WHY. I take other people WHY's with me every where I go, everyday. I think I have so many others WHY's that they are what is now stuck to my quads- the WHY don't my jeans go past my knees anymore question is being answered- by WHY's. With so many wonderful, heartfelt reasons to do what motivates us, I lost track of my own. I do know better, please forgive me, yet I got so caught up, I lost my own marbles...
So here is what we are going to do people. (Please play along with me...) We are ALL going to back up, get out the whiteboard, and set our goals for 2011. Then, only when the goals are clearly outlined and jumping off the page are we allowed to set our WHY. Yes, in my life of coaching & teaching, I tell people to do it backwards. Trust me on this one, you will NEVER achieve a goal if you don't know what it is BEFORE you know the reasons... because reasons are very susceptible to influence; goals are not. I am confusing you- because everything you have ever heard about goal setting just got put into your mental blender and became a green, lumpy mess? OK, here we go:
1- Have your goals. Write them out: what, in your heart, do you want to accomplish this season?
2- Write out the reasons for those goals. WHY? Why are these the objectives that matter to you. WHY will you shed blood, sweat & tears for that list? You need your reasons, because without knowing WHY each goal matters, you will lose your precious marbles too.
3- What is the minimum effort/ sacrifice/ work/ pace/ distance you will accept of yourself? Write that down. Wtf? I know, you have been taught to write what you WILL do to reach your goals, now I'm asking you to do the opposite. Here it is folks- most people can easily say "I'm going to go run 20km today." and then run 19km and still be content. BUT, if you make a decision with yourself that you will NOT run less than 20km, well you know what- you'll run it, because the mere thought of disappointing yourself is much worse that the attempt to satisfy yourself. Human beings will fight off pain much harder that they will fight for pleasure. THIS IS HUGE in goal reaching. If your business goal requires you to make $20,000 this month, don't write off a to-do list of how you will reach that. You will most probably crap out on yourself. Instead, be clear on what you will LEAST accept of yourself, i.e.- you will not sleep before you follow up with at least 5 customers daily. If you need to run a 3:56 km to reach your goal, than know now that you will not allow yourself to run slower than 3:50km. It's not being negative, it's being accountable in a way that moves you to action.
4- Everyday make a small list of the 'smaller' moves you must make to reach the bigger goals. My goal is the Rev3 Half Iron in June... well, that appears to give me plenty of time. So today, I set my Sunday goal to a minimum 90min run at not a second less than marathon pace, and at least 30minutes of yoga to start the week fresh & limber.
I urge you all to set up your 2011 the way you need it to go. Where do you need to be one year from now? Let's make things happen, let's take control of our wild horses and put them to work for us. Perhaps, in retrospect, they have been running wild long enough.
Happy Season, happy achieving, please train safe- the basement is a wild place sometimes!
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