The Happy Turtle's Journey to the Start: An Ironman Tale

For those of you that believe that you have to be sleek, slim, cut and fast to be an Ironman, think again! Some of our bodies just don’t fit that mold but we have the guts to set our intention, make a plan and see it to the end. In my heart, I believe that turtles CAN fly! The turtle society is not just challenged by fitness, but by the time limits imposed by race companies insisting we keep up with the status quo so they can get to the bars before last call. Well, I suppose there has to be a cut off or us turtles might be out there for days enjoying the sun on our backs. Some stare at the turtles on the course wondering why it even embarks on such a journey and what purpose it has. It is old, weathered, wrinkled, and slow no matter how you twist it. I just know that you can train a turtle and the turtle might teach you a thing or two along the way. We are old and wise and we have a shell that cannot be broken. We want a taste of victory just like our other friends. I cannot find another creature that I am most like. Join me on my journey from start to end to help the Happy Turtle win again!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

What Turtles Are Thankful For

Here I sit here on Thanksgiving morning before the crack of dawn because I still can't sleep in though I am thankful for the 5 or 6 solid hours that I got. 

My body is exhausted though I am thankful that the excruciating pain from Day 2 has come to an end thanks to rest, Dr. Hoy's magic cream, compression gear, hot tubs, slow motion, stretching and massage.

My mind is beginning to want my body to move again, yet I am thankful that the desire to move did not get totally wiped out from my brain.  The act of moving will have to wait as I now possess the ability to resist temptation.

My family is coming over despite I have not the energy or strength to cook a turkey, but thankful that others will step in when I can no longer stand on my feet.

I am depleted, but thankful I am not defeated and I will be back on the track with new goals for 2013.

I am thankful that I had a year where I stepped out of my comfortable shell to experience something that not everyone will understand.  I am thankful for the feeling that my life is complete.

I am thankful for a sport that is not all about what your body can do or how many people you can beat, but it is about what you can do in life.  I am thankful for the men in Hawaii who decided to put together a race with 3 events to see who could endure.  I am not sure I would have come up with the idea to "tri" on my own.

I am thankful for the people who have inspired me through their own journeys to overcome hardship, to work hard, to push forward, to pursue, to persist, to share, to stay positive, to run away from negative energy, to jump over the obstacles, to never give up, and to make it to the end.

I am thankful for completing something that I set out to do and for the people that inspired me and supported me along the way.  I am thankful for those that accepted that I was too busy or too tired to do the simple things in life like clean my house, help with homework, stay awake to watch a movie together, or spend time with friends.  I am thankful for those that did not question WHY and stuck by me no matter what!


Top 20 blessings of triathlon which I am most grateful for.....

1.  fit body
2.  fit mind
3.  lots of friends
4.  lots of food
5.  events to participate in
6.  triathlon gear
7.  energy bars
8.  compression gear
9.  calf sleeves
10.  good coaches
11.  talented massage therapists
12.  teammates
13.  my bike, Scottie
14.  sherpas
15.  sag wagons
16.  water to swim in and to drink
17.  hills to climb
18.  shade
19.  volunteers
20.  sanity (and insanity)

That is a lot to be thankful for.  Enjoy your day!


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