Showing posts with label Chrissie Wellington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chrissie Wellington. Show all posts

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Over...and OUT

There have been a couple (well, more than a couple) not so awesome things thrown at me this week but I am trying not to let the negativity derail me...and keeping myself UNSTRESSED has been a huge challenge. I can tell that the stress is manifesting itself physically.

Quassy almost is here and I am getting ready to leave.


I know that this course is going to deliver some hurt, I have know this for two years.
Why do you think I wanted to do this race soo badly? Because of the challenge it presents.
Quassy HalfRev was on my schedule this year regardless and now that I am a member of Team Rev 3, it just makes it that more exciting!!

I cannot wait to see my team mates, I am overflowing with joy to see Sonja, I cannot wait to meet some fellow ponies (those of us coached by the Awesomeness that is Sonja) and I am excited/nervous/ready for this race!


I over-packed (as usual).
I am over-excited (duh?!).
but I am ready.

My Coach has prepared me well, physically I got this. The only component that needs some fine tuning in my mental strength. While I do consider myself mentally strong, I know that I have a long way to go before I am anywhere near where I want to be.

So to mimic one of my inspirations, I have written some words of encouragement on my water bottle.
Chrissie writes her manta on her water bottle and bracelet pre-race and carries the poem "IF" by  Kipling

Kind of ironic that the very woman who inspired me to do just this, is the one quoted on the bottle.

"I had that ugly voice on one shoulder suggesting I quit and take the easy route. But I hate the goddamn easy route, and I know that I can never rest until I know I have given it absolutely everything. So I ignored the pain. I ignored the internal whispers. It was the other voice, the louder one on the opposite shoulder, which gave me the will to continue" ~Chrissie Wellington



Thursday, May 10, 2012

Chrissie Wellington-A Life Without Limits {2 chances to WIN & CHAT with her!)

I rarely mention this but 
4x Ironman World Champion, Chrissie Wellington and I are BFF's.
ok, BFF might be a slight exaggeration BUT I did meet her last year at a Make-A-Wish Foundation event, I got my finishers medal from her at Timberman AND she tweeted pics of us hanging out. 
Oh, she also wrote on my Facebook page...
Do I really need to drag out ALL of the pictures of us again?? :)


The amazingly tough Chrissie has taken this year off from racing Ironman to pursue other interests, which include promoting her new book, A Life Without Limits.

Meet and greet with Chrissie Wellington


About the book-

In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.


Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced-- from anorexia to near-drowning to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sports also presents an opportunity to use sports to improve people's lives.


A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.


I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for this book to come out and found out through her publisher, Center Street, that she would be coming to Boston this month to  do a book signing event!! So I decided to wait until the book signing to get my copy. I have been watching the Center Street website waiting for them to release the location but nothing. So I tweeted them wondering when the info would be posted. They tweeted me back.



NO GO FOR ME :(  BOSTON stop cancelled.
But, all is not lost. 


Home

On Saturday, May 12th (so this Saturday) THE Chrissie Wellington will be doing a live Q&A with GOTRIBal on their Facebook page! Not only can you dish with my BFF, Chrissie

You will also have a chance to win an autographed copy of the book! 
This event will take place at 2pm PST (5pm EST) on the GOTRIbal Wall (not their event page) and ALL are welcome to attend (this means you too, fellas!) 

ALSO (yes!! there is more)

Go check out Iron Texas Mommy's blog! She is also giving away a copy of the book (this contest ends May 11th at midnight CST so hurry!!)




I'll leave you with one of the happiest moments I have experienced, finishing my first 70.3 and getting a hug & my medal from one of my biggest inspirations~Chrissie!!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Week #1 Winner & Week #2 Giveaway {Tough Chik love}




Thanks for all who entered my 400 Follower Celebration
and a big, happy welcome to the new followers!!

There were 66 entries for the first giveaway! Who won? Read on to find out!!
I am excited to announce the awesome WEEK 2 giveaway!!
If you have been reading my blog for a while, the you know that I am a Tough Chik through and through.


Tough Chik and Team Tough Chik have exploded in 2011! I am so happy to have been able to be a part of the excitement watching the brand grow and then see the team come to fruition.
Tough Chik was with me (literally) for every single race of 2011.
From the first race of the season
The Nor'Easter Reverse Triathlon-


 to the final run of the season
The Nor'Easter Reverse Triathlon-

with honorary Tough Chik Dude, Marc
and everything inbetween!!


Tough Chik was with me through every mile of my first 70.3-Timberman!




 






I think Shannon summed it up very well in her blog post about how EPIC 2011 was for Tough Chik~

I know that Rev3 has her muscles for the 2012 season, but Tough Chik has her heart!

While I do love my Rev 3 Team so, so much and I am ecstatically happy to be rocking the R this year, Tough Chik will always be very, very special to me and have a place in my heart.

So what would a celebration be without giving away some Tough Chik awesomeness??

First, let's announce the winner of the week one giveway.
Who's gonna get a big ole bag of SWEETNESS from me??

Random.org picked entry #61




Congrats to Suz and Alan from Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between
(coolest blog name EVER!!!)

The winning comment?
I honestly enjoy everything about your blog do more of the same is perfect! Sorry I'm so behind on reading. Have a great weekend

Please email me (jsmall14(at)maine(dot)rr(dot)com) and I'll get you hooked up with your goodie bag of yummy stuff like Gimme Vitamin packed chocolate, GU, CarbBOOM! and much more!!
Thanks for being a follower!!

So you wanna win some Tough Chik love too??
One lucky reader will win a Tough Chik visor like the one I rocked all year long~

How do you enter?
Easy-you must be a follower of this blog. If you are not already, just click that little FOLLOW button on the right side of the page>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mandatory Entry:

  • Leave me a comment telling me how you are going to be TOUGH in 2012??


BONUS ENTRIES:
please leave one comment for each entry
  • Like Tough Chik on Facebook and leave her a note telling her how awesome Tough Chiks are!!
  • Follow the Tough Chik blog
  • Follow Tough Chik on Twitter
  • Share the Tough Chik love-spread the word about this giveaway on your blog, on Facebook, Twitter, email, write it on the bathroom wall...one entry per method of sharing per day.
This contest is open to followers of Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood. Contest starts on Monday, 1/16/2012 and entries will be closed at midnight on Saturday, 1/21/2012. A random winner will be selected from all eligible entries and the winner will be announced shortly after. 

Tough Chik

Disclosure: I am not compensated in any way for lovin' Tough Chik and the prize for this contest is donated by Shannon, the head of the Tough Chik empire.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2011 Rewind



What can I possibly say about 2011?



So much awesome in one year.



January started off great and I welcomed 2011 with a run with Dawn. I remember the weather was amazing for January in Maine...
But just days after that run, I was dealing with some terrible knee pain (PFPS) and ended up in physical therapy for a couple of months. But that little set back actually turned out to be a blessing. Jared at OA fixed me right up, we made some changes to my run and I've running pain free since (knock on wood!)

In January, I introduced my readers to Tough Chik! Tough Chik would be with me during many miles of training, at every single race and even hanging out with triathlon royalty (see March).

I am so happy to see how much Tough Chik has grown in the last year and I am excited to follow the Tough Chik team through 2012!!


February brought all kinds of great news!
I decided that 2011 was the year of BELIEVE!
I welcomed Tiger to the family (thanks to my Daddy) and I made it onto the Dailymile Team.
I was over the moon! I was (and am) so honored to be a part of the Dailymile Team!!
I was profiled on Another Mother Runner

In March, Dawn and I ventured to Boston for the MultiSport World Expo where I saw Jamie but he ignored me, so I hung out with Dave Scott instead.

He shared Chrissie's training secrets with me (and a thousand others) and got me stoked for an awesome 2011 racing season.

Oh, it was there and then decided that I was going to do my first half iron distance race in 2011. My pick was Pumpkinman - but who would have guessed that a snafu later on would turn out so awesome??!!



In April, I had my first overall podium finish-3rd overall female-at the Nor'Easter Reverse Triathlon! Then I did a crazy little #bikestreak, #runstreak and #swimstreak. I had some fun giveaways working with Outside PR, Tommie Copper and I was ready to get Tiger out and on the road!! Half iron training would commence!
Road from home to NewHampshire and back to Maine

May was aMAYzing!! I had my longest bike ride with Tiger since getting her (64 miles) while participating in the club event, The Budgetman 70.3! This is also when I started training with triclub buddy, Marc. Who knew I would literally drag Marc all over the state of Maine and New Hampshire on my swim/bike/run adventures!!

May is also when I discovered the now world famous tee shirt from Triathlon Rocks "I PEE ON MY BIKE". Later this year, this tee shirt would literally open doors for me.

June brought me into heavy training volume outside, a new 5k PR at The Run for Cash, and fun times at The Pirate Triathlon!! Summer was here in Maine!
The KBTC Crew

July was a month of learning, fun and a time I will remember for a long time to come! 
I got to work at The Tri for a Cure with MANDY and talk about her IMLP awesomeness!!
But, things fell through for my planned Pumpkinman half and for about 12 seconds, I was devastated. But then, Dawn, being the calm and cerebral one of us quickly handed me her iPad, in the middle of gym shift where I swifty registered for Timberman 70.3-I was scared, I was nervous and I was excited. The Pumpkinman course is flat, Timberman is not. But who's afraid of a couple (dozen) hills??? NOT ME!! And Dawn reminded me that Chrissie (yes, Chrissie Wellington) usually did Timberman. Now it was time to really focus on training and get ready for August!! I'd be doing my first half ironman three weeks sooner than planned!!

And I got to run this little Maine 10k race called The Beach to Beacon with friends Stephanie and Dawn!
Jamie was there but he ignored me again (actually, I could not find him in the sea of 10,000 runners)

Are there really words to describe August??

I trained, I was ready and I was excited.
Oh, and I hung out with Chrissie.
My favorite tri tee shirt would get noticed by Chrissie's photographer and get me into a private event where I got to hang out with her one-on-one. She was so nice AND funny!
We talked about pee'ing on the bikes and I asked her if she gave those behind her warning before she'd go. Her answer? No, if they get sprayed then they were drafting and deserve it.
LOVE HER!!

There was a pre-race meeting and Q&A with the pro's~Chrissie, Rasmus Henning and Cait Snow.

Damn! we're a good looking pair!!

Then it was here! It was race day. It was ups and downs-literally and figuratively-but each moment was amazing, awesome and in hindsight, downright comical! I got my medal and a hug from Chrissie when I finished!!

Dream = Reality!!


Sweet September!!
I got to race with Dawn, Meg, Melissa, Allison and many friends from my local tri community! I got to meet Jason face to face finally and it was a great way to end the season. The beginning of September I was high on my Timberman awesomeness and Chrissie tweeting a pic of us and writing on my FB page. See, we are BFF's...anyway, it was time for my my favorite sprint tri, The Mainiac and I placed 2nd in my age group and finished 7th overall female. 

Then the post race letdown happened. I felt lost and a little lazy. But I started teaching group exercise classes at my Y, I was getting ready to get ready for 2012. I still had lots to do before the end of 2011~
It was time to start thinking about those REALLY BIG DREAMS that I wanted to come true.

October aka RockTober!!
brought Lola's 3rd birthday-my baby is not a baby anymore. 
I got run the Harvest Half with friends, I got to meet Porter and hang with Mandy again.
I had been thinking of getting a coach and after a couple considerations, serendipity stepped into my life once again and I was going to be coached by Sonja, an amazing woman whom I'd been stalking following for quite a while. I was so thrilled that she agreed to coach me!

Coach and the feet that brought her to a 10:08 Kona finish.

It was KONA time and I was GLUED to the computer all day!! My girl Chrissie just crushed it with an amazing win and Sonja simply rocked it.

The applications to the Rev 3 Team had gone live at the end of September and I knew I had a long couple months of waiting ahead of me. I had been following Team Trakkers/Team Rev 3 now for about two years (after following Sonja) and I knew that someday I would be on that team. I BELIEVED. It might not be this year or next but some day, I would be on that team. The only person on the face of the earth who knew my hearts desire was Dawn. We talked at length heading into 2011 that this is what I would spend the next year (or two or three or four) working towards.
Even if they only accepted me because they were sick of my application coming in year after year.

November
November made my head spin-
I was asked to be an Ambassador for FitFluential!!


I won an INSPIRATION contest on GOTRIbal!!
GOTRIbal

and got news that would change my entire year. 
I had made the Rev 3 Team.
Mere words cannot even describe the emotions I felt and still feel about this.
AMAZING.
I am so happy and honored to be a part of the Rev 3 family. And yes, they are already like family to me.


Team Rev3 Triathlon


December
I started training with Sonja and had some great breakthroughs in the pool.
I logged some serious laps, some nice trainer miles and started enjoying track workouts.


I embraced HR training and enjoyed the last month of the year with a birthday celebration, an amazing Christmas and time with family.
I enjoyed this year so much.
It has been amazing. wonderful.



2011 by the numbers:
  • Swimming: 71.46 miles (22 of those in December alone)
  • Biking: 2,814.2 (502 in December)
  • Running: 971.84

add in some miles walking, hiking and on the elliptical and per my Dailymile account, I had a pretty active year in 2011!!
TOTAL: 4,032.07


2011 was awesome and
2012 will be EPIC!!


What were some of the exciting things that happened for you in 2011??


What are your 2012 goals??

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Rocktober

This month has been so awesome I am re-naming it Rocktober!!

So many fun and wonderful things happened this month.
It was packed with EXCITEMENT!!

There was Lola's third birthday. I simply cannot believe my baby girl is three.
She is amazing and continues to inspire me and bring pure joy to my life each and every single day.
I am so blessed.


Then there was this little race,
you know
Kona!!!

My BFF, Dawn's birthday
(she's 3 too...well 3X)

I got to hang out with Mandy, Porter and Dawn

The Harvest Half Marathon.


Fright Night at the YMCA.

Arrival of the little green monster.


I won a couple awesome blog giveaways too!
Make sure to check out these blogs too if you don't already read 'em!
I just LOVE finding a new blog read :)

From TRI N TRI AGAIN:
I just LOVE HHRG!!

From THE ATHLETARIAN:


this super cute top from FASHLETICS



 From  A RUNNER ROAD:
I needed a SPIbelt.
This goodies also include some Click and a sparkly pink headband from Sweaty Bands.

How about this for awesome??
I entered a cool little contest on GOTribal-
post a picture that inspires you and describe WHY in 10 words or less.
Of course, I had to submit my favorite picture of the year (maybe of all time)!!
My Timberman finish with Chrissie Wellington.
The picture with the most likes wins a SwagBag of goodies-
go ahead, gimme a like :)
Look who commented on my picture.
TWICE
next time you question if I am really BFF's with the worlds most amazing triathlete in the entire world....




Now THAT is the way I want to end a rockin' month.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

It's all in your head

If you have been following my blog for even just a couple weeks you know that I adore Chrissie Wellington.
I don't admire her because she wins races.
I mean, yeah. She is an amazing athlete- an absolute animal out there on the course.
What so impressed me about her was how down-to-earth she seemed to be, how passionate she is about the sport and how she uses her fame as a platform for other issues.
What made me bonkers about the girl is her sheer determination to go all out.
HER GUTS.
I may never be the athlete she is BUT I can emulate her attitude.
I can strive to be an athlete that trains hard with her mind in the moment, pushing aside physical discomfort to achieve gains in strength and speed.
I can learn to let my mind go to another place when I am on the race course and leave it all out there.


If you have not read this yet, please click the link and read Chrissie's recap of Kona. It is worth the few extra minutes to read it. It may just spark something INSIDE.
This is a race report that I will revisit often.
This is not a race report explaining her slow(er) swim, or her bike split. It's about her toughness, her mental game, the mental strength require to endure. And pursue and persevere. To summon every fiber within you to push ahead and win.


source


"There were many instances when body and mind were screaming in agony. The pain in my right hip was excruciating, my form was poor with my left foot turned out like a duck, and soon after other areas of my body started to feel the affects from my changed gait. Hamstrings, calves, even my shoulders cried out for me to stop. I had that ugly voice on one shoulder suggesting I quit and take the easy route. But I hate the goddamn easy route, and I know that I can never rest until I know I have given it absolutely everything. So I ignored the pain. I ignored the internal whispers. It was the other voice, the louder one on the opposite shoulder, which gave me the will to continue: which enabled me to keep my head, and to plunder the words of Kipling, to force my “…heart and nerve and sinew to serve their turn long after they are gone, and so hold when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them Hold On!”


This simple paragraph really spoke to me and I know next time I am suffering, I will reach into the depths of my mind and replay this. There will be No easy route for me.


I shared this quote with Jason yesterday and I am happy to report that he has finished Austin 70.3 with a PR of 5:28.


Yet another example of an athlete who trains physically and mentally-
hijacked from Karen's FB page
Congrats Jason!! Lola and I are very proud of you!!




I am getting the pain cave ready for winter training and it's going to be a long winter. It's going to be made up of a lot of hours sweating, hurting and learning. I am ready to take the next step in this process and become "an aerobic beast" (to quote the other lady who totally inspires me & I get to call Coach).


I got a large dry erase board to put up, I am collecting tidbits that inspire me and re-building my wall of motivation. Including this picture of Chrissie with the quote above.


What is your favorite motivation quote? 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Three Kona Things Thursday

How much KONA can I fit in one post??
Hmmmm-I have lots to say....
Coach's feet post Kona -ouch...but this has got to be the best picture ever!!
Kona Thing #1

First and foremost, CHRISSIE!!
Yes, as in Chrissie Wellington. As you know, we are bff's.
Yes...we are. Do I have to put up pics again??
And you probably know that she freaking KRUSHED IT IN KONA.
Now, on any given day she is an animal. A powerhouse. Just an insanely talented athlete.
This woman is made of pure guts.

Well, if you had any questions just how tough this gal is then listen up.
Remember that "little bike crash" Chrissie had just before Kona? Well, there was some pretty good road rash but she did not disclose the extent of her injuries. (read about it HERE)
but here's a line from the article that will sum it up for you-

"...doctors discovered tearing in an intercostal muscle and her left pectoral...The swim that sent Wellington to the hospital five days before the world championship was her final session leading into the race. She missed several swim workouts that week."


yup, she came from 12 back to fight for the win.

Kona Thing #2
I have to give a big shout out to several ladies who kicked A$$ in Kona over the weekend.

And how about my super awesome amazing COACH Sonja!!

photos courtsey of Sonja Wieck

Hello!! Sonja totally rocked it in Kona and finished in 10:08:44-and just check out that finish photo!!
She's amazing-I love her spirit and energy.
Swim- 1:06:42
Bike- 5:26:36
Run- 3:30:16
I am so psyched & honored to call her Coach!



Then there is Maine great, Angela Bancroft.

This summer she did Lake Placid in 10:19 and then went on to finish Kona in 10:26:00
Swim- 1:04:41
Bike- 5:37:15
Run- 3:34:57
I am so proud of her-she is such an inspiration to me.
If Sonja was not my coach, Ange would be sitting at the top of that very short list.

Then there's Mary-IronMatron- another Maine connection and awesome lady!
Mary finished Kona with a smile and executed her day as planned. She finished strong with a time of 11:21:19. Congrats Mary!!

I enjoyed following the Pro's and those triathlon buddies who were competing in Kona on Saturday!

Kona Thing #3:
I am sure most of you are aware that like the prestigious Boston Marathon, Kona is the "mecca" race for triathletes. And like Boston, you need to qualify to race unless you (Boston) run for a charity or (Kona) get a slot via lottery. This week WTC CEO Andrew Messick announced that you can now get a Kona slot if you complete 12 or more Ironman races. The more IM's you do, you will move to the top of the lottery list.

“We’re changing how our lottery works,” Messick explained. “For athletes who have done 12 or more Ironman over their career – and who are still racing – we are going to make sure that they have a chance to race Kona.


“It might take a little bit of time to cycle them all in but we feel that you should have an opportunity to race Kona once in your life if you’re a serious triathlete, are serious about the sport, are dedicated and are loyal but you just happen not to be fast. I believe that being a long term triathlete and demorating by doing twelve or more fulls…you deserve it as much as people who are super quick.


“We’ll start by the people who have done the most and start ticking them off every year and eventually we’ll get through all of them.

I get it. I really do. I have no issue with those who run the Boston Marathon as part of a charity team. I can see how this gives those triathletes who have a ton of money to spend on 12+ races who are dedicated to the sport a chance to race Kona.It just reeks of another way for the WTC to make even more money (well, they are a business and Ironman is a brand). Remember Access Ironman??

But for ME personally-
these feet will not run from Hopkington to Boylston Street until these feet run fast enough to qualify for it.
and respectively,
these arms will not stroke
these legs will not pedal
and
these feet will not run
the hallowed grounds Ali'i and Queen K until I qualify.
I might be 99 years old but...that is how I feel about it FOR ME.
(feel free to ask me again when I am 60 and still gunning for a Kona slot!! lol)

Speaking of an insane amount of Ironman races...
I have someone to introduce you to very soon.
He is on a mission and looking to break another world record.
Not for his own sake but to help a great cause.
Find out why he is Tri'ing to Give a Dam.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Did you enter my Tough Chik giveaway yet?

There is only a couple more days to enter-
make sure you check it out