Thank you's: 2015 Triathlon Season

Behind every triathlete, there is a crew of supporters.  As my 2015 season closes, I am so grateful for everyone who helped me this year.

My coach, Brant Bahler, is amazing.  When I first contacted Brant two years ago, he told me that he was “born to coach.”  I believe that to be true.  His nurturing and patience were exactly what I needed when we started, and as I transitioned from an exerciser, to a recreational triathlete to a competitive triathlete, Brant’s knowledge of technique and training took me to the next level.  Brant saw things in me that I couldn’t even imagine and then developed a plan to get us there.  He is the brains.  I just do what he says.  The nice thing is that in addition to having high expectations of me as an athlete, Brant also has high expectations of me as a person.  And . . . he always keeps it fun and safe – even in the toughest workouts.

My husband, Brian, is my rock.  His support means that I can spend countless hours training, drag into the house too tired to talk after a tough workout, spend funds on a hobby, and remove all the “fun food” from our house.  When I’m discouraged, he provides a shoulder and tells me that he is proud of me.  So sweet.  During races, Brian serves as a Sherpa, lugging around all my tri gear, and has become a darn good videographer.  I am so blessed and so grateful for his love and support.

Our sons, Mike and Andy, continue to play a huge role in my quest to get healthy and my love of triathlon.  They raced side-by-side with me in the beginning, and their support means the world to me.  They are the BEST sons in the entire world.

My brother, Tom, serves as my triathlon mentor.  I love to “talk tri” with Tom.  Tom did his first Ironman last year at age 55.  What an inspiration!  When I did my first Olympic distance triathlon and was having a meltdown before the race, Tom said, “You should be scared.  Doing an Olympic distance is a big deal. . .  But you are prepared and if will has anything to do with it, I know you will finish.”  He has our father’s wisdom.

My colleagues at work - Amy, Nancy, Tina, Debbie - who have made this journey possible in so many ways.  I always feel their support during the “weekend reports” segment of our Monday staff meetings when I share my latest triathlon adventures.  And I’m so appreciative that we all cover for each other as needed.  That means I can flex my hours to get in a bike ride before it rains or take vacation time to do long workouts on Friday afternoons.  I work with the BEST group of smart, dedicated, caring and fun people who not only excel at their jobs but also make me laugh!  So blessed!

The list goes on and on.  Many thanks to . . .

Dave “Rip” Ripley at 51 Speed Shop, who not only provides bike fits for the best pro athletes in the country, but also helps age-groupers like me.  Rip made riding my tri bike feel like lounging on the couch, and told me that I was “strong,” a word that I never would have applied to myself.  To this day, when I’m struggling in a race, I think about Rip’s words, “You are strong.”

Fred Rose at Bicycle Garage who keeps my bikes mechanically fit and is wonderfully patient when I am afraid of the mechanical aspects of my bike (!).

Tom Mangia at Revolution Bike and Bean who gives me great advice with regard to my bike and gear purchases (but unfortunately, does not sell Cervelos).  Tom and his family have become race-buddies as we often compete in the same races.  I greatly appreciate the considerable time Tom spent riding with me this fall to help me learn how to ride two inches from the bike in front of me during a draft-legal race.

Dr. Mike LaGrange (sports medicine) who not only keeps me healthy, but also helps me understand when to push through pain and when to pull back.  At age 61, everything always hurts so it’s nice to have a doctor to help me understand which pains are ok (so I can keep training) and which warrant my attention.  

Dr. Wendy Corning whose patience, understanding and support with various issues related to running at age 61 after having a couple of babies has been wonderful.  A cyclist herself, she understands my desire to be active while also supporting my wish to be conservative about safeguarding my health.  The best!

Brittney Beardon, Sports Performance Dietitian at Indiana University, who helped me transition from a weight-loss diet to a sports-performance diet, successfully building muscle while decreasing my body fat percentage.

Margie Kobow, Lisa Fulkerson, Mark Ochsner  who helped me gain valuable experience with pack riding.

Sue Aquila, local business owner, 2015 USA Triathlon Long Distance AG National Champion, and three-time Kona qualifier, who graciously shares her time and expertise with the Bloomington triathlon community.  Sue has also been a voice for gender-equity in triathlon especially in the area of pro athlete spots at Kona where men have 50 qualifying spots while women only have 35 qualifying spots.  As a business woman, Sue has served as a role model for me, and has provided sound advice regarding the balance of family, work and training.

Adam Schaeuble at Next Generation Personal Fitness (where I still weigh-in every two weeks) who taught me the concept of food as fuel, helped me understand that obese people can (and should) exercise, provided me with a positive accountability system, taught me how to be coachable (a major mindshift), and told me the one time I fell off the weight-loss wagon, “I will not let you fail.”  I truly appreciate Adam and his staff.

Kerri Hojem who somehow convinced me that going to a core cardio class would be ok, and was always there to “talk cardio” or “talk nutrition.”

Jerrilyn Kean, mother and wife, triathlete, friend, and future Ironman finisher who shares my love of triathlon.

Facebook Friends who cheer me on via Facebook and give me so much energy when the workouts are hard or I’m dying in the run at the end of a race.  There’s just something about knowing that my family and friends (some who I haven’t seen for 40 years) are supporting.  It keeps me going.

All the kind strangers who were there at just the right moment with just the right words.  I continue to be blown away by all the kindness that has been showered upon me.  The list of kind strangers is long, but as an example, thank you to the man at Lake Louisa in Clermont, Florida.  He came from nowhere two days before my biggest race as I stood on the beach afraid to get in the water to do a swim workout.  When his assurances that alligators would not attack me failed to calm my fears, he volunteered to stand in the water to protect me from the alligators that were in my imagination.  Ignoring my objections, that kind man stood chest deep in the water for almost an hour “protecting” me from alligators while I did my swim workout and his wife waited patiently on the beach.  I am simply dumbfounded by people’s kindness.

FINALLY . . .

When I think of the challenges that I have with triathlon, I realize they are first-world challenges. I am so blessed to have the love of my family and friends, clean water, enough to eat, my health, and shelter.  I am blessed to have had the chance to go to school.  I am blessed to live in a community that embraces freedom and is free from war.  While it is just a hobby and really not important, I am blessed to be able to train for and participate in triathlons.  I am thankful every moment for all that is right in my life.  Thank you God!