Monday, September 24th, 2007
I turned 40 on Saturday, 3/4 of the way through the Golden Leaf half marathon (I was born at noon). The leaves were blowing and bright yellow, the sun was blazing through the fall breeze; my boyfriend and 2 best friends were running with me and I was overwhelmed by gratitude!! In fact, about 8 miles into the trail – when I realized I was actually going to finish, I thought I would cry from the overwhelming gratitude of being among my best friends, healthy and blessed in every way. There are times when you realize you have everything you need and none of it is outside of yourself – today was one of those days for me.
I reached and exceeded my goals for competing in 2 triathlons. I completed 5 events! I completed 2 sprints, a 5 mile run, a 5K run, the ride for the pass and a 1/2 marathon. This was truly the first time I have ever really trained for anything.
I reached and exceeded my goal for staying healthy and uninjured! I am incredibly sore from the run, but hey – sore muscles are expected!
I got 75% to my weight loss goal of 20lbs, with a 12 pound weight loss and a loss of approximately 5% body fat and considerable inches. I found that training and weight loss on the scale aren’t always compatible. I am happy that I’ve lost more than a clothing size and have learned more about lifestyle vs. diet. I intend to continue this process as a journey and not necessarily a destination. Thank you to Dirk Shultz, my amazing wellness coach, for helping me to see myself as someone who makes good choices day to day, vs. for the time it takes to lose a certain # of pounds. Am I disappointed I won’t be going to Maui lighter, yes! Am I committed to making good choices in my lifestyle, even more so!
If you’re goal is to improve your life, wellness is by far the best entry point I can think of. Contact me anytime (970-948-5791) or call the club to schedule your coaching with Dirk Shultz! If you’re local, sign up for interval cycling with Mark Alderdice and fitness coaching with Angela Rooding!
My biggest learning from this process? Fabulous is knowing you have everything you need inside you and sharing that with others; the rest is gravy (lowfat gravy of course, HA!)
Tags: 40, club, coaching, Cycling, day, diet, dirk, events, fabulous, fitness, health, interval, lifestyle, maui, muscles, run, running, schedule, training, triathlon, triathlons, wellness
Posted in Health and Fitness, dirk, golden leaf, mile run, one of those days, overwhelming gratitude, pound weight loss, sore muscles, staying healthy, weight loss goal | No Comments »
Monday, August 27th, 2007
High Country Triathlon
2:44
Approximate times for each event
Swim – 18
Ride – 1:25
Run – 50
Transitions – about 5 minutes each
Aspen Life. The name says it all! Healthy lifestyles are a priority here like no other place on earth (except maybe Maui). The participants of the high country triathlon here in Aspen are a representation of the most healthy, happy & fit people around. Everywhere I looked I saw confident smiles, determination and the most positive general outlook on life you could find anywhere. People being friendly and helping each other be their best. I believe this is a direct correlation or reflection of how people feel about themselves here.
I showed up with a flat tire on my bike. Knowing I could change a bike tire wasn’t comforting with less than 30 minutes and nerves that made my hands less than nimble. No sooner did I realize I was in real trouble than a guy from Nova Scotia tried to help; and even though he couldn’t do much – the fact that he was there inspired me to figure it out. I looked up and there was Mark Alderdice, the Aspen Club cycling coach and master instructor ready to save the day! After he teased me (thank you), he urged me to get ready for the race and he’d take care of the bike. WOW! I couldn’t believe my relief & good fortune.
I Arrived at the pool to find my tri-posse waiting and cheering for me. I had resigned myself to being on my own that day and was touched and honored to be greeted by my ‘mountain girl power team’.
I made instant buddies with the girls in my swim heat, which made the fact that I had that panic – heart racing, – gasping for breath meltdown again a little more bearable. My nerves are really an issue that I am being called to attend to. Jumped out of the pool (last) and immediately recovered to make my ride up the Bells a tribute to my home and a prep for the run I dreaded. I even got to motivate a fellow racer who was struggling at the top of the ride. Going into the run I was amazed and relieved that I felt strong and light. Surprised that we weren’t going to have to run the high school track before finishing allowed me to sprint to the finish. I felt like I could have run forever!
I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I saw my posse and my friend and wellness coach Dirk Shultz there with his camera, stylish look and a hug for my sweaty body. His presence was the finishing touch to an amazing goal I never imagined for myself.
Later, I couldn’t resist helping a fellow racer by brining her to the local bike shop to fix her broken chain and help her negotiate Independence Pass for her drive home to Denver (and another triathlon the next morning!). She said to me “You know how you described what that guy Mark did for you? I feel like you’re doing that same thing for me!”
Being Fearless and Unstoppable is truly a team effort. Thank you to the Aspen Club and Spa for inspiring and supporting me to be Fabulous at 40.
Follow my countdown to minus 8 more lbs. before my 40th birthday on September 22! 
Tags: 40, aspen, bike, club, colorado, Cycling, day, dirk, fabulous, health, high country, lifestyle, maui, mountain, participants, priority, race, representation, run, shop, spa, sweat, swim, tent, triathlon, wellness
Posted in 40 and Fabulous, Health and Fitness, aspen, healthy lifestyles, high country, maui, participants, place on earth, priority, representation, triathlon | No Comments »
