T-Rex & Flu Shots

I saw this on facebook via fellow triathlete & GOTRIbal member Donna T.
Thanks! It made me smile.

I couldn't stop smiling during my last trip to the doctor --- (no I'm not expecting!). Read my latest GOTRIbal post Flu Shot Strength.

Question for You:
- What's your favorite push-up style?
- What do you love about being strong & fit?

Merry Christmas!

Friday Fun: The Corn Maze

Thanks to tri blogger Kelly Jepson Covert for posting this Friday Fun! The photo is making the rounds on facebook and totally brightened my morning!

Follow Kelly on twitter at www.twitter.com/trimommykelly and her blog at http://www.trimommylife.com.

Questions for You:
- Ever been through a corn maze?

Track Camp - 1980s Meets 2011

In the summer of third grade I ran the 400. Our city held community track meets at one of the high schools. My younger sister and I ran several events. She excelled at short bursts, like the 50 and 100 m dash. And I preferred longer events. At school I also liked the hurdles and high jump and once tied an older boy for best high jump. (Read the rest of my previous post here.)

This summer our oldest son Truitt went to track camp and ran his first 400. It was his favorite event that day.

I loved watching him run. Like me he started slow and let his pace build along the loop and in the final stretch he passed three kids before the finish. His younger brothers and I cheered from the stands.

And before we went home, I took his picture on the track. I had my photo in mind, but hadn't studied the details to try and replicate one with Truitt. Looking at us side-by-side I see:
- His posture is better.
- His shoes are nicer.
- Our stance and hand positioning is similar.
- And by luck, our position along two different tracks is similar (off by a lane).

Questions for You:

- What do you see?

- What do you have in common with your kids?

400 m, Super 8, Get in the Game

In the summer of third grade I ran the 400. Our city held community track meets at one of the high schools. My younger sister and I ran several events. She excelled at short bursts, like the 50 and 100 m dash. And I preferred longer events. At school I also liked the hurdles and high jump and once tied an older boy for best high jump.

The 400 drew a mix of kids, boys and girls ages 9-12. My dad gave me a pep talk pre-race suggesting I run a steady lap vs. starting off too fast and then burning out. So when the pack pulled away, I stayed steady, determined to run the race correctly. My dad filmed the race with 8mm. He zoomed out, panning between the race leaders and me, running on my own in last place. The gap grew and Dad's camerawork was unsteady, likely due to laughing (in a good way.)

• I didn't fall.


• I didn't pull a hamstring.

But there I was in last place -- and I chose to keep running following the plan. I caught and passed someone in the final stretch.

The 400 is one of my favorite life moments. There are so many races worth running, experiences worth having. If you're curious about a sport, get up and go. Stop waiting for the perfect moment -- it's not coming. Instead, give yourself permission to be a beginner and go. Get in the game.

The film is a family favorite at holidays. It makes me laugh too. I asked Dad to help me transfer it to digital format, even if it means filming the screen and then uploading. 8mm transfer is tricky with audio and super old equipment.

Questions for You:
- What track event is your favorite to watch or compete in?
- Have you seen Super 8? I loved it. I miss making movies as a kid.

Favorite Track Moments
Bonnie Richardson, a girl from Texas, wins the state team track title by herself. Twice.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1160517/index.htm

Eric Liddell's 1924 Olympic 400. Watch the Chariots of Fire clip.
http://youtu.be/GPB7r0UpNIE




Derek Redmond's 1992 Olympic 400 semifinal.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/94
-

Heather Doriden's 600 M race at Big 10 Indoor Track Championships
http://youtu.be/uqnqLrakxY8

Swearing at Church Camp: Summer Adventures

photos: My dream came true the year I worked as summer staff---I got to be one of the puppet fish. (right) We went to the Apostle Islands for a staff team-building weekend.

A few weeks ago we spent the weekend camping at the church camp I attended as a kid. Lake Beauty Bible Camp is in Long Prairie, Minn., about a seven hour drive from where we live.

photos: Camp-style braids, hat, flannel and layers. The most glorious crisp-rich dutch oven potatoes. My spork, I love it.

We set up our tent immediately and wrapped that up right as the first drops of rain fell. It would rain for the next 12 hours and thunderstorm later on during the long weekend.

Thankfully our tent and gear stayed dry and warm and all three kids slept through the thunder! We signed up for the meal plan for lunch and dinner, but made breakfast on our campfire each morning. We brought our dutch ovens, skillet, kettle and coffee press.

photos: Ken enjoying breakfast.

It was fun showing my family around camp, comparing what was new and what was not. When I worked on staff, I was one of two activities directors and I led and played games with the campers in groups from 10-200 kids ages 6-18.

photos: hi-ropes course, the pamper pole, playing soft baseball in the gym.

As a family we spent a lot of time playing:
- a game we call run scrub run
- kickball
- baseball
- paddling
- hiking
- cards
- army guys
- on the jungle gym.

photos: On our way to chapel. The dining hall. Playing Bandits.

photos: Fun times around the campsite.

photos: bacon, blue skies and coffee.

photos: Little Falls, Minn. Beautiful spot along the way, though being close to rushing water freaks me out.

And finally, I have a special little story about swearing at church camp.

Our youngest (Orry) is in pull-ups. He's about the same age that his older brothers made the move to underwear, but we're not there yet. Fine.

It's our first morning at camp and we're settling in. My husband walks Orry to the bathroom. The bathroom building in family camp has flushing toilets, but it's rustic (not much water pressure, exposed pipes, bugs etc). He and Orry walk up to a stall and creak open the plywood door. They observe the clean, but rust-stained toilet before them...

And then Orry drops the f-bomb. "Oh f***," he declares, this from a little boy who craps his pull-up. Go ahead and pray for us.

Questions for You:

- Did you attend camp as a kid?
- Do you know what a Pamper Pole is?
- What's your favorite campfire meal?

photos all by me.

A Run with Mom & Little Fockers

I was about six in this picture, but I remember my run with mom pretty well. After wrapping up this classic runner's stretch we walked through our garage and onto the sidewalk good to go.

Because our house in Minnesota was at the bottom of a hill it didn't matter what direction we turned, we would start uphill. But, we were ready. We had on sweats, my hair was in a bandanna and we were wearing shoes with laces.

... Read my entire post here within GOTRIbal, an organization created to empower and connect women through the journey of endurance sport. I flew to San Diego last fall to attend GOTRIbal's conference & retreat, what an awesome weekend! See related posts:
http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2010/11/gotribal-on-tricenter.html
http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2010/11/san-diego-snorkeling-with-leopard.html
http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/search?q=san+diego

In honor of Mother's Day weekend, here's a snippet of our life:

• We actually replayed the vomit scene during Little Fockers this week, laughing away ... and then life pressed rewind from upstairs as our 6-yr-old projectile vomited on & out of his bunkbed and onto his brother's bunk below ... vile bile.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxujEMtAiQM
  


• Our youngest son (3) debates most everything. But in this recent conversation with my husband, Orry was repeating everything Ken said ... well not everything.
  the scene from Orry's firetruck bed:
  Ken: "I am an elephant."
  Orry: "I am an elephant."
  Ken: "I have blue feet."
  Orry: "I have blue feet."
  Ken: "Mom is the hottest mother in the world."
  Orry: " .... no she's not!"
  


• And, I saw this book title on facebook recently (thanks Vanessa) and laughed away.
  FYI: I love being a mom and it is a blessing ... even so sometimes this book title is exactly how I feel!
  The book is titled "Go the F@#k to Sleep." A sample from this TODAYMoms article:
  “The cats nestle close to their kittens.
  The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
  You're cozy and warm in your bed, my dear
  Please go the f@#k to sleep.”
  
  http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/04/26/6534646-want-another-bedtime-story-sweetie-heres-one-go-the-fk-to-sleep?GT1=43001
  
  Questions for You:


• - How are you celebrating Mother's Day?


• - Did you like Little Fockers?

Photos: guess who?

Potty Mouths & Stalkers: I ♥ Writers!

Last weekend I attended the Writers' Institute in Madison, Wis. It was awesome being back on campus and learning more about something I love -- writing! I pitched my triathlon project as well!

Writing conferences host a strange variety of personalities, including:

• The potty-mouth: an attendee who draws attention to his or her idea by throwing in random swear words.


• The hi-jacker: an attendee who attempts to take-over a speaker's session with his or her own information.


• The stalker: he or she stalks a designated agent, editor or speaker hoping to pitch his or her idea. During the Q&A panel a male agent specifically outlawed men from approaching him in the bathroom between sessions... but he left the option open for women (humor is good people).


• The close-talker: hopefully he or she is not a coffee drinker ... if so, offer this attendee a piece of gum or strong mint.


• The cookie thief: pockets extra cookies during the mid-session break.


• The bold forgetter: he or she boldly stands to ask a question during a session or panel and then can't quite come up with his or her question.


• The space hog: even in a packed session this participant spreads out, arranging his or her laptop, purse, conference tote, coat, umbrella and more. Odds are he or she also has claim to the power outlet too.

Questions for You: - What personalities have you met at conferences? Who did I forget? - What cookies are your favorite mid-session snack? I chose white chocolate macadamia nut. - Do you love the rush during a pitch, triathlon or interview? - If you had to sell something what would it be?

photos by me: The Pyle Center, The Red Gym, The Memorial Union & Rathskeller (I worked there in college.)

Friday Fun: Killer Ducks & State Swim Prep

This weekend our oldest (9) swims in two relays at the 12 & Under Short Course State Swim Meet.

He'll swim a 50 free as part of the 200 Freestyle Relay and a 50 fly as part of the 200 Medley Relay. I'm really excited for him and the Sharks!

Last night the team had its state pasta party at the high school and each swimmer got a bag of goodies.

Inside Truitt's bag was a rubber duck. He explained later that he and his teammates noticed the duck has long eyelashes, which was not acceptable. So they took their sharpie markers and decorated the ducks.

Meet Killer.

It makes me smile. I love being his mom and watching him grow up.

Questions for You:

- What would you name this duck?

- How do/did you prepare for big meets, tournaments, matches etc?

Photos by me.

Dancer Meets Triathlete - Oscar Week!

Dancer Meets Triathlete: Oscar Week!
When Oscar-nominated Natalie Portman was training for her role in Black Swan she studied with the New York City Ballet five hours a day for six months. For cross-training, she also swam.

With the strength and agility required for Black Swan, I bet Portman would make a solid triathlete.

Let's compare:

*(D) Dancer, (T) Triathlete

Training schedule: (D) Obsessive, (T) Obsessive

Clothing: (D) Leotard, (T) Trisuit

Modesty suggests: (D) Black tights, (T) Black tri shorts

Performance enhancer: (D) Leg warmers, (T) Compression socks

Underlayers: (D) Commando, (T) Commando

Quick costume changes required: (D) Offstage, (T) Transition tent or on the fly

Wear and tear: (D) Bloody toes, chafing, blisters, (T) Fin bites, saddle sores, raw heels

Covers the butt: (D) Tutu, (T) Sparkle skirt, running skirt, transition skirt

Crowns: (D) Tiara, headpiece, feathers, (T) Swim cap, bike helmet, world championship crown

Hairstyle: (D) Bun, (T) Two braids

Segments: (D) Intermission, (T) Transition

In charge: (D) Director, (T) Coach

Shoes: (D) Tap, jazz, ballet and pointe, (T) Bike, run or tri

Laces: (D) Satin, elastic, (T) Speed

Bag: (D) Duffel, (T) Tri backpack

TMI: (D) Shaves more than general population, (T) ditto

In peak form: (D) Mesmerizing, (T) Effortless

Venues: (D) Talent show to Broadway stage, (T) Indoor, traditional, off-road and winter

Footwork: (D) Beautiful feet, (T) Born to run

Race preparation: (D) Dress rehearsal, (T) On site walk-through

Begins: (D) Curtain opens, (T) Cannon fires

Audience, spectators appreciate: (D) Gorgeous lines, (T) People watching

Concludes: (D) Nailing the finish, (T) Sprinting across the finish line

Post-finish: (D) Encore, (T) Sign up for another tri!

Questions for You:

- Is Portman a triathlete?

- What elite triathletes have dance backgrounds?

- How has dance helped your skills as a triathlete?

- What did I miss?

And finally, "Who's dancing? Come on, who's dancing? Want me to get it started?"
-- Elaine Benes youtube clip

pictures:

- free media download from Black Swan,

- me in a tutu and

- me in my tri suit & sparkle skirt after a local triathlon.

Friday Fun: Look! A Bat Carrier!

There was this one time...

I was running errands with the kids, hands gripping the wheel at 10 and 2. My tense posture and aggressive eyebrow scowling would for sure create a permanent crease, like a super wrinkle. We were actually headed to the Super, otherwise known as SuperWalmart (though my kids pronounce it wool-mart).

You see, I was in heavy traffic in a roundabout. I'd need to stay in the zone to make it through.

Because of my intense concentration, I didn't think much about the delivery truck we were following. Then my kindergartner says, "Look! It's a bat carrier!!"

What? Where? Oh, I see. To a six-year-old, a Bacardi truck and its massive bat logo, looks like a bat carrier. Cute.

Just in case you'd also be confused I've pasted in a Bacardi desktop download for you so you can see the bat. (bottom right corner.)

At least now I was smiling as I rode the corner.

On Topic:
- Any roundabout discussion must include this European Vacation clip. (can't embed)
Big Ben! Parliament! Watch the official trailer at imdb.

Questions for You:
- Bats: cool or scary? I think they are cool and scary.
- Roundabouts: easy or stressful? They scare me.
- London: yes or no? I've been twice and would love to go back.


image: free desktop download from bacardi.com.

Which Fin is Faster?

Pretty swirly flower-ish design?

or

Scary pirate theme with dolphins and Rubber Duck?

Photos of my fins by me.

Questions:

- Fins are cool, fins are lame, fins are a tool?

- What would you draw on your fins?

- Which is the faster fin?

Stay tuned for new Athlete Profiles coming soon!

Swim - Bike - Run - Smile

During my nearly 17-hour Ironman triathlon, I remember the athletes who smiled. Seriously.

A smile during an event is powerful:
- If I'm in a foggy zone, a smile helps me wake up.
- If I'm barely moving, a smile helps me move a little faster.
- If I'm tense, a smile helps me relax and bike/run more naturally.
- If I'm annoyed, a smile helps me shake it off.
- If I'm happy, a smile makes it all even better.

Triathlon is known for its camaraderie. Triathletes encourage well. I think it's part of triathlon's massive appeal.

A study recently published by a British medical journal shows happiness is contagious, and that being around other happy people is a major boost! I agree, a smile on the bike or run segment of a race certainly helps carry me to the finish.

Tell me:
- As you swim, bike and run, do you smile? Or are you too serious?
- Do other athletes smile back?
- Are triathletes happy people?

My smile is biggest when I'm reading your comments.

Picture: Me, on a bridge near our village. I'm smiling as I almost bike right into my husband, who is taking my picture. Look out!

You Know You're a Triathlete When...

For a little fun, on a cold drizzly afternoon.

You know you're a triathlete when...

• You have a rain bike.


• Your laundry bin is always full.


• You love the smell of sharpie on race morning.


• You hoard safety pins just in case.


• You've taken an ice bath.


• When you hear a canon fire, you automatically want to start swimming.


• You can run farther than your dog.


• You compete with your spouse for the lowest resting heart rate.


• Your coat closet is filled with bright yellow jackets, vests and jerseys.


• You shout "on your left" when passing other After Thanksgiving Day shoppers.

With thanks to my husband for helping me create this list and for introducing me to triathlon 13 years ago! Thanks also to Sherpa, our lab, who basically walks next to me as I jog.

What's your favorite? What would you add?

Head to this iamtri.com group for more unique attributes!

And, for even more list-reading fun find a list of race-day checklists here.