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| Makeshift finish line I used for many workouts in my old neighborhood |
As I jogged through my "finish line" I was reminded of one of my favorite sayings that is the slogan for a fantastic girls running club called: the Mini Mermaid Running Club. Their inspiring phrase reminds us all that "the finish line is just the beginning." This beautifully captures that feeling you get when you cross that finish line. No matter how your race went, the finish line marks the beginning of a new adventure as you set new goals and chase new dreams. (see Coach Heidi's Everyday Hero story on ESPNW)
As a kid, I remember sitting in front of the TV, being captivated by the images of athletes racing through heat waves rising off the Queen K during the Ironman World Championships. There was something so inspiring about watching athletes pushing themselves to their limits and hearing the stories of personal sacrifice, dedication, and hard work to get to the starting line of that famous race.
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| Feeling inspired while riding on the Queen K in Hawaii |
Part of me thought that all sounded crazy, and another part of me thought... maybe someday, I could be an ironman too...
Inspiration may come in the form of a makeshift finish line used for your neighborhood workouts, in conquering a first open water swim, a podium finish, or in meeting an everyday hero. Since I am really behind on race reports... I wanted to share some inspiring moments from a few events. I hope they help you get to the finish line with a smile at your late season race or help you start dreaming big for next season!
On course inspiration
Sometimes inspiration comes just when you need it on course. No matter what kind of day you're having out there, be sure to take a look around... Between the countless cheering volunteers who make your race possible, to the family and friends supporting you near and far, to other athletes by your side, inspiration is all around you on race day! Here are a few stories of inspiration I found on course.
Vineman: Cheers from Barb's racers & an aid station angel
This past July, I raced the full Vineman up in beautiful wine country. Although I felt much stronger than my previous iron-distance attempts, my Vineman race day was not pretty. Here are a few stories from some bright moments during my rough race!
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| Beautiful Vineman swim course scenery with finish line in the distance |
Barb's Racers in "Kick Cancer" kits
The Vineman events (full, women's half) have a beautiful looping run course. Throughout the run, these two fantastic Barb's Race athletes and I crossed paths countless times. Barb's race is named in honor of a long time race supporter, triathlete, and volunteer, Barb Recchia. Barb is a two-time cancer survivor, and her event supports local cancer charities. Many athletes choose to race Barb's because of personal connections to cancer and to support these important charities. Barb's was the first long course triathlon I ever raced, and the event always holds a special place in my heart.
I smiled every time I saw my Barb's Race friends, and each time, they greeted me with cheers! We always exchanged some encouraging words before continuing on course. These strong athletes smiled brightly as they rocked their Betty Designs Kick Cancer race kits.
After the race, I read an excellent blog post on the Coeur site about a cancer survivor triathlete who competed Barb's Race. In the picture was one of the smiling athletes I had met on course!! Check out her inspiring story when you get a chance. It was an honor to race with you, Marison! Thanks so much for all the cheers and inspiration!!!
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| 2015 Vineman 70.3 Finish Line |
Aid Station Angel
My Vineman run was sort of a dash from one aid station to the next, as I visited pretty much every port-o-potty on course. Unfortunately, my gut revolted somewhere early on the second lap of the bike course, so the run was pretty ugly...
Cheering for others and receiving encouraging words from athletes was really helping keep my spirits high. Somewhere on my second run lap (3 loop course), I was taking care of my usual aid station business, when I stumbled out of the port-o-potty and came face to face with one of my favorite pros, Meredith Kessler!!! She just happened to stop at this aid station while she was on course cheering and appeared just when I needed some positive words! Being a true professional and great ambassador for the sport, she immediately asked me how I was doing and if I was on my last lap. I said no (one more to go), and that I wasn't feeling too well... She was really positive and said something along the lines of just keep moving and that I could do it! (I can't remember exactly what she said, but I know it left a positive impression on me!). As she was walking away I asked her if she was Meredith Kessler (already knowing the answer). She said yes and seemed genuinely appreciative that I recognized her and that told her I was a big fan. She was really supportive of all the athletes out there racing, and her positive attitude was genuinely contagious! It really made my day to have that quick conversation with her - especially after seeing her inspiring performance in the 70.3 race two weeks prior! Rockstar athlete and person! Thank you, MBK, for being awesome!
Some additional race day inspiration at Vineman came from getting a high five from my pal Tony during the swim (on the second lap upstream turnaround / walk), big cheers from friend Jen who was stationed on the bike course, early day and finish line support from Larry, cheers from Amanda in transition when I wasn't feeling well and at the finish line, and seeing my brother at the finish line! You can see how happy and surprised I was to see him in the photo!
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| High five from superstar, Amanda! photo credit: Larry |
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| Biggest smile all run- seeing my brother at the finish! photo credit: Larry |
Conversations with a Champion
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| Photo of some stars at Vineman 70.3 |
One of the most inspiring moments of my Lake Tahoe 70.3 race was getting passed on the run course by the women winning the full Ironman. I usually don't get super excited about getting passed by anyone, but when the leader of such a tough race comes blazing past you, you have to be inspired!
As this athlete approached me and saw my Team RED race kit, she told me she was good friends with Coach Jim! When I saw who she was, I also realized that I had read her blog before! Even crazier... when I was looking through some race photos from the season... I realized I had randomly snapped photo of her at the Vineman 70.3 (where she raced to the podium!) as she chatted with actor, Sean Astin, on the street.
It was so awesome that she said hello while kicking butt out there on course!!! She looked super strong running past me, and I definitely got a boost cheering for this incredible competitor as she crushed that course. After being really excited for her, the next thought through my crazy race brain was that I was worried she might tell Coach Jim that it looked like I should have been running harder... Funny where your mind goes while racing! I was in a little pain by the time I saw her and had some minor GI distress (what else is new with me), so I wasn't sure I could push the pace without injury or complete gut revolt. The race ended up going ok for me, and I met an inspiring athlete out there on course, so overall it was a win! Always excited to learn from those top athletes, like Sonja! Congrats on the big win, Ironman Champion Sonja!
Cheering for others brings great inspiration
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| IMCdA sign I set up for teammates while I did a run workout during their race! |
I had the honor of cheering for friends and teammates at so many races near and far this season. I watched athletes train hard and then race through pain, illness, injury, and crazy weather. I was so inspired by their tenacity and drive do everything they could to get to that finish line. Even if they didn't cross the official finish line on those days or didn't hit that goal time they were working towards, they were all champs in my book for giving it their all and for racing their best with what they had that day! It is also incredible to be there when someone learns they are capable of so much more than they realize.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to go back to the site of my first ironman finish (Coeur d'Alene) and cheer alongside an awesome athlete, Danielle, with whom I ran almost the entire marathon last year! She continues to be such a positive force out there on the course for all athletes, and it was so great to see her again! It was nice to return the favor and cheer for her husband while he raced this year, as well as cheer for some rockstar Team RED athletes (and coach!) out there battling an extreme weather ironman. I was really impressed with everyone racing under such challenging conditions!!!
When I couldn't be there in person, I cheered from afar and watched for race updates as best I could. Here are some stories from days I was completely inspired by tracking friends' races online!
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| Secret good luck weapons while cheering at home: donuts (and bananas)! |
Perseverance
If you want to hear about an amazing example of race day perseverance, check out the Jim and the Other Guy Podcast Season3 Episode 4. This podcast captured such an incredible race day of an athlete I'm so proud to call my teammate! Amazing example of dedication as well as mental and physical strength to do whatever it takes to get to that finish line. I tracked this race online all day and am still so impressed by this finish! Big cheers to this Team RED athlete!!!
Du the World Championship
Cheering for a friend, Amanda, as she rocked the stars and stripes was awesome! Although I was thousands of miles away, I was cheering loudly and was super proud of my pal as she participated in the biggest race of her life, the Duathlon World Championships. Representing Team USA was truly a dream come true for her, and seeing someone live out a dream was just incredible! It is so inspiring to see someone racing on such a huge stage! I can't wait to hear more about this amazing experience and get back out there and race tris with this superstar again! Go Amanda!!!
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| Congrats Tony! |
Whether it's your favorite pros or local AG heros out on course, there is always something inspiring about the Ironman World Championships. You can watch some of the coverage live online throughout race day, and the TV coverage airs about one month after the event. (The race air on NBC this weekend - Nov 14!)
I followed the pro race all day and was really inspired by Laurel Wassner and Meredith Kessler who finished strong with world class, positive attitudes! I was really excited to cheer for my friend, Tony, and watching him cross that famous finish line in real time (online) was awesome! I was so happy he finished strong and had his support team there to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment! Huge cheers to all of them for being out there all race and for all the training support! I was lucky to run into Tony and all-star support team captain, Jen, on several training days and events over the past 2 years. I knew how dedicated everyone has been to this goal and how hard Tony worked. I'm so excited for their team and hope the trip to Kona was awesome!
I highly recommend cheering for others during your races too! Always play it forward, give some high fives, share good luck wishes, and other cheers in transition and on course. You never know who you will inspire and you'll get a positive boost from it too!
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| Tahoe finish cute 2015 photo credit: Larry |
The last finish line I crossed this season was at the Tahoe 70.3 event. It was a late addition to my race calendar but was a familiar, beautiful course I had always wanted to race on again.
In 2013, I had decided I wanted to attempt a full Ironman as a charity athlete for the Blazeman Foundation which focuses on raising funds and awareness for ALS in honor of Jon Blais' inspiring 2005 Kona race. I started my first ironman attempt on the frozen Kings Beach in 2013. That race didn't go so well for me as I never made it to the finish line. From that experience, I realized that getting to an ironman finish line was possible! That DNF drove me to join a wonderful, supportive team with an awesome coach who has helped me tremendously.
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| Coach Jim's name close to mine on the IMLT 2013 shirt before I joined Team RED! Small world! |
After racing a bunch of other events and finally crossing an ironman finish line, I returned to my nemesis course at Lake Tahoe, stronger than before. I decided to race the 70.3 distance this time, and although it wasn't my fastest performance or greatest race day, I really learned a lot and was so happy I went out there to race again.
This September, I crossed that Tahoe finish line, and for the first time I thought... maybe, someday, I could race a championship too...
Big cheers for a wonderful end of the 2015 season for all! Start dreaming big for 2016!
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| Racing toward the Tahoe 70.3 finish line in 2015 |
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| Bay Area sunset |
