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Ironman Florida 2009 Race Report
15 hours ago
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Triathamom Takes a Big, Deep Breath
The racing season had a lot of ups and downs for me this year. A PR early on and then plagued by some nagging injuries. All in all, there were some notable improvements, mostly on the bike, which brought a lot of satisfaction.
While rehabbing the injuries, I began to focus on my yoga practice. The actual practice, or asanas, brought healing to my injuries. However there's a more spiritual aspect to yoga that allowed me to settle my mind, unwind my nerves and handle the stresses of daily life. That brought about consideration of pursuing yoga as more than a practice. I also began to consider making yoga a career.
The MBA in me thinks if healthcare really heads in the direction of preventative medicine, then yoga could be an important part of helping prevent a lot of physical ailments. There's a growing aging population (think babyboomers) who live in a country with terrible nutrition, an addiction to sedentary lifestyles and most likely, a misunderstanding about yoga. Beginning yoga classes offered through park districts and at gyms are mainly about the practice of the poses. You might get a dabbling of chanting or a reading in a yoga studio but still, nothing heavy, crunchy or too granola.
I'm a month into my teacher training and am completely enjoying the journey. I struggle with some of the lifestyle concepts but am learning a new way to consider things. There are some easy steps like reducing my animal protein intake (though my inner triathlete struggles with that), reducing/eliminating refined sugar, practicing yoga daily, chanting at sunrise and sunset, etc. Then there are some larger concepts that I will take into consideration and determine how it will work in my life.
So, triathlon is sort of on hold for the moment. I'm still doing some run training but yoga is the main focus. It is also the main demand on my time so everything else is frosting on the cake. Mmmm, frosting. Like I said, it's a journey.
Namaste.
While rehabbing the injuries, I began to focus on my yoga practice. The actual practice, or asanas, brought healing to my injuries. However there's a more spiritual aspect to yoga that allowed me to settle my mind, unwind my nerves and handle the stresses of daily life. That brought about consideration of pursuing yoga as more than a practice. I also began to consider making yoga a career.
The MBA in me thinks if healthcare really heads in the direction of preventative medicine, then yoga could be an important part of helping prevent a lot of physical ailments. There's a growing aging population (think babyboomers) who live in a country with terrible nutrition, an addiction to sedentary lifestyles and most likely, a misunderstanding about yoga. Beginning yoga classes offered through park districts and at gyms are mainly about the practice of the poses. You might get a dabbling of chanting or a reading in a yoga studio but still, nothing heavy, crunchy or too granola.
I'm a month into my teacher training and am completely enjoying the journey. I struggle with some of the lifestyle concepts but am learning a new way to consider things. There are some easy steps like reducing my animal protein intake (though my inner triathlete struggles with that), reducing/eliminating refined sugar, practicing yoga daily, chanting at sunrise and sunset, etc. Then there are some larger concepts that I will take into consideration and determine how it will work in my life.
So, triathlon is sort of on hold for the moment. I'm still doing some run training but yoga is the main focus. It is also the main demand on my time so everything else is frosting on the cake. Mmmm, frosting. Like I said, it's a journey.
Namaste.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Season is Upon Us
BRING ON RACING SEASON! I am so ready to get going. Training is going remarkably well on all levels. I'm back to having fun and enjoying the process. My speed is coming back slowly but surely. And the first triathlon of the season is about a month away.
Winter was tough for me this year. Not so much from the snow/ice/crap weather aspect but my will to train was nearly non-existent. I just didn't care. That's hard for me as someone who has spent the last four years enjoying even the most basic training experiences. All it took was one warm day for things to snap back into place but still ... I was floating in a sea of uncertainty. I wonder if there is a way to hedge against that in the future?
Spring is a time for renewal, regrowth and anticipation. Just as flowers push their way up out of the ground to share their happy blooms, I'm back; ready to share my excitement for my sport with anyone who will stop and listen.
Winter was tough for me this year. Not so much from the snow/ice/crap weather aspect but my will to train was nearly non-existent. I just didn't care. That's hard for me as someone who has spent the last four years enjoying even the most basic training experiences. All it took was one warm day for things to snap back into place but still ... I was floating in a sea of uncertainty. I wonder if there is a way to hedge against that in the future?
Spring is a time for renewal, regrowth and anticipation. Just as flowers push their way up out of the ground to share their happy blooms, I'm back; ready to share my excitement for my sport with anyone who will stop and listen.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Rock On Fellow Voters!
I LOVE election day.
I love election day for several reasons. First of all, the privilege. I heard a story on NPR last week about a guy from Serbia and how elections were mandatory and didn't really mean anything. They were mandatory wastes of time. Here, my vote counts. Second, the actual act of voting ... it still seems so grown up. I know I am one, but still. Something thrilling about being involved. And last, the choice. I have a choice. I might be excited for the choice. Or I might be making the best negative choice. (My mom used to tell me that not all choices are between a diamond ring and a new car. My child hears this a lot but with whatever the toy du jour is.) Regardless of perspective, it's still a choice.
All this can sum up in one request ... if you're registered, please go vote.
I love election day for several reasons. First of all, the privilege. I heard a story on NPR last week about a guy from Serbia and how elections were mandatory and didn't really mean anything. They were mandatory wastes of time. Here, my vote counts. Second, the actual act of voting ... it still seems so grown up. I know I am one, but still. Something thrilling about being involved. And last, the choice. I have a choice. I might be excited for the choice. Or I might be making the best negative choice. (My mom used to tell me that not all choices are between a diamond ring and a new car. My child hears this a lot but with whatever the toy du jour is.) Regardless of perspective, it's still a choice.
All this can sum up in one request ... if you're registered, please go vote.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
What's Old Is New Again
Twenty years. That's twenty, 2-0 years have passed since I graduated high school. Weird. Wild. Wonderful. Saturday night was Riverside Brookfield's Class of '88 reunion. A room full of adults who have, for the most part, hardly seen one another in a remarkably long time. And it was fun.
The reunion left me with the following thoughts: People do change, and yet they remain the same. Time mellows us out, gives us perspective and let's us be who we really are--not who we think others see. And I like that. While I always thought I went to high school with a bunch of nice people, it is clear we have all developed into interesting adults with thoughtful things to say.
I'm looking forward redeveloping some old friendships. What's old is new again. Thank you Class of '88 for a great night!
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