I just got all these great quotes off of a girl's website called Chasing Iron. I thought they were great so I posted them here for myself and for everyone who reads along with me.
If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, it is now. Not for any grand cause, necessarily, but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your aspiration, something that's your dream. You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch. Dream big.
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. Fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward." - Amelia Earhart
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain
I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. -Red from Shawshank Redemption
Our biggest challenge isn’t someone else. It’s the ache in your lungs. The burning in your legs. And that voice in your head that yells “CAN’T,” but you don’t listen. You just push harder. And then you hear that voice whisper, “can” and you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the person you really are.
The reason you want every single thing that you want, is because you think you will feel really good when you get there. But, if you don't feel really good on your way to there, you can't get there. You have to be satisfied with what-is while you're reaching for more.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Update about my time off from training and blogging!
This photo was taken by Brittany Wright to be used for a coffee table book she is working on about...rescue dogs. I tried to take pictures of Boca while he was with me but just could not ever get him to be still enough or far enough away from me to get a good shot. Brittany is an animal lover and it really comes through in her photography. A link to her blog with lots of great photos is on my blog too - check her out! Boca has a new home now and is living the good life. More to come about that in a moment.
Below is a picture of my beloved Ziggy. Just last week we went for a visit in a nursing home and he amazed me yet again with his intuition. This time he licked the hands of every person who had a arm or hand that no longer worked properly due to a stroke or accident. He brought smiles to so many as I simply followed him through the halls as he worked. I am so lucky to have a dog like Ziggy.
This is a picture of Boca (now named Pre - after Steve PreFontaine). He lives with Joyce and her family in Columbia and is her faithful running partner. He has also learned to swim, ride in the boat and behave with a baby, a kitty and a Jack Russell Terrible...oops, I mean Terrier. At any rate he is living the good life. It feels so good to be able to place Weims in homes where they are happy...ironically it almost always seems that a happy home is a running home.
Over the last month I have made a point to spend more time with my Little Sister, Hai'lee. No, she is not my little sister but part of the program, Big Sister, Little Sister. The other day after school we were at my parents' home and were able to steal a golf cart from my father to go for a ride. Willow ran along side us until Bitsy, another Jack Russell Terrible chased her into the golf cart. Bitsy is a new addition to the family. My mother lost her old Jack Russell about a month ago. I tried to offer her a nice, trained Weim but she told me it would be awhile before she got another dog. In my family we move fast. Bitsy was welcomed into the house 3 days later. She is cute, crazy and definitely has given my mother enough to do so that she will not have any time to think about anything other than what is Bitsy into.
Here is Bitsy standing still for a brief moment. She spends her days running circles around my parents yard and has an adorable habit of biting you in the face when you hold her. In her defense she does sleep nicely upside-down in your lap and chase a ball very well.
Oh - so you think that I should say a word about triathlon...well, I have not been training at all. I have managed to go mountain biking and done a few trail runs all that was before I got a super cold/flu that I have now had for a week. Enough already! I think I am going to do an Adventure Race in Nov. and a trail run but that is about it. The tri season is over. Honestly it was over for me after Ironman WI but somehow I managed to race a few more times. Next year I am officially taking off from racing. This means I will not commit to any races. We will see how it goes. I have lots of fun activities going on so I am not worried about getting bored, I just need a change of pace for a year.
Friday, October 3, 2008
She Swims, She Bikes, She Runs SheROX
Week 1 after Ironman: This was my first ever all women's triathlon. 1 week after Ironman Wisconsin I found myself at the starting line of this sprint race. Chasse had the idea for years that we all should go and do one of these all women races. Most are always so far away but with this one practically in my back yard I just could not miss it, even if it was just 1 WEEK after Ironman. My sprint in this race was more like a crawl. I had nothing left in my legs after a week of travel and trying to regroup at home. The race hurt and I was slow, BUT I still had fun. I got to catch up with my friends from Anderson (picture above) and lots of women that I have met from over the years racing. There were lots of beginners there too. The race was well done (thank you Set-Up) and the finisher awards were very cool charm bracelets. Yes, I could get into this girly racing!SC Half Ironman
Week 3 after Ironman - I figured I had not done any training - except 1 sprint race for 3 weeks so why not do the Half Ironman. It really was fun for the first 35 miles on the bike and then my legs had enough. I had another 21 miles left to think about the fact that it was probably a bad idea to race, but since I started and was able to finish I figured I would just get through it. Off the bike and on to the run I found that someone stole my visor in the transition area (If you are reading this and you have a visor with the name MALONE printed on it - I would love to have it back! No questions - really!) Aside from the missing visor I also realized that something in my leg was causing some pain. I made myself just run through it, warm-up and then start running. I even had to stop and stretch but I was able to get back into stride by the end and enjoy myself. While my race was not my fastest ever I can boast that everyone I coached had a PR (personal record) - sure it might have been the great weather but I prefer to think that it was my great coaching :o) Another great day at the races for Malone Coaching!
Boca - another Weimaraner saved!
The day after I got home from Wisconsin I went and picked up Boca. Crazy puppy with no discipline. Boca is the Weim in the above picture. He came home with me and immediately learned some manners (still not perfect but better than none). He was 11 months old and enjoyed all the attention he got here, playing with the other dogs, running, learning to swim and learning to ride in the car. Lucky Boca (now re-named Pre after Steve Prefontaine) has already found a forever home with a runner chick in Columbia, SC. Not only will he get to be her new running partner but he also gets to live on the lake and play with a little Jack Russell. He has now begun the good life. Another happy ending!Ache Around the Lake
Week 2 after the Ironman - put on an 8K charity run at my favorite training location. Ironman was easy compared to organizing and executing a race. Really it should not be that hard but race day is all about the details which I worked on pretty much non-stop from the time I got home from Wisconsin. Pictured above are Scarlette (founder of the race, co director and now friend). This picture was taken right before I realized that someone actually took awards as souvenirs! Yes, that really happened! Overall the event went well, turnout was a little low so I have some ideas how to make it more interesting for next year. For some reason I really want to see 500+ people show up for this race. I want to see it grow. I want it to be the biggest fund raiser of the year for the hospital. I have a long way to go with it but I have a great team. Amazingly enough we are all women too. I guess I am all about girl power lately! I don't have all the stats yet but we had 190 runners and it looks like we raised about $17,000 maybe even more. All in a days work...Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Ironman Wisconsin
I know, I know I never blogged the entire week while I was in Wisconsin. Somehow preparing for Ironman and attempting to rest and relax became my priority. It did help that I did NOT have internet access most of the week. Workouts were limited to one a day but somehow I stayed busy all day even though I was not at home. I guess the fact that I am always so busy has more to do with “me”. After a few relaxing days at a friend’s house we arrived in Madison and that is when Ironman became all consuming. Thursday was spent getting unpacked and Friday was a little open water swim on the race course once the weather warmed up from a balmy 50 to about 75. The water was nice and smooth and despite not really swimming all week I did not forget how! After that we went to registration and then hit the Ironman store where you can buy anything and everything with an M-Dot (the Ironman logo) on it. After that we walked back to the hotel just in time to get ready to go to the pre-race dinner and “mandatory” meeting. The dinner was really nothing to write about but at the pre-race meeting medical portion they did manage to scare the heck out of the 1000+ first time Ironman racers.
For those of you who have never done an Ironman race you might not realize that you have turn in your bike and most of your gear on the day before the race. While this does not sound like a difficult task it can take a good few hours to lay out the 5 plastic bags you have been allotted. You have 1 for Swim to Bike, 1 for Bike to Run, 1 for Special Needs on the bike and 1 for Special Needs on the run and then your Dry Clothes Bag. Then you also have to make sure to get all the food that you are going to need on the bike organized and attached to your bike. Preparing for an Ironman race takes some serious logistical skill. Even though I have done it so many times the day before the race is just nerve racking. After the bags were packed and the bikes were ready we headed down to the transition area, did a quick ride to make sure the bikes were in good working order and then we finally got to drop it all off.
Ironman Wisconsin was an important race for me for a few different reasons. In 2004 I traveled to Wisconsin for the Ironman, unfortunately before the race ever began I already had an injured quad which during the bike portion I finished off. There was no way I could continue the race with a torn muscle so I made the best of it and pulled out at mile 50. It was not a good day but as I have learned with Ironman sometimes things just happen that you can’t take control of. This year a lot of people asked me if it was my first Ironman, or how many have I done. This made me realize I am not sure what my tally is. I have had more DNF’s (Did Not Finish) races than I care to admit but the way I see it you have to fail sometimes before you can succeed. Failing often can make the success that much better. I am fortunate in that way because I have known the best of both during my Ironman experiences. I have ended a race in the hospital which was ironically the same race location that sent me to Hawaii. So here I will share with you a list of my Ironman races – good and bad.
Ironman Lake Placid 2002 – 11:44
Great Floridian 2002 – 11:15
Ironman Brazil 2003 – 11:13
Ironman Lake Placid 2003 – 11:29
Hawaii World Championships 2003 – 12:30
Ironman Florida –2003 – 11:15
Ironman Lake Placid 2004 – 11:14
Ironman Wisconsin 2004 – DNF
Ironman Lake Placid 2005 – 12:24
Ironman Florida 2005 - DNF
Ironman Brazil 2006 – DNF
Ironman Florida 2006 – 11:48
Ironman Lake Placid 2007 – DNF
Ironman Wisconsin 2008 – 11:56
Sorry for all the reminiscing!
Race morning was there before we knew it and I was excited and relaxed all at the same time. It is such a good feeling to know that all the training is done and you can just go out and enjoy an amazing day. The swim was a little rough at the start which made me nervous. It was a bit more of a fight than usual. Once I was past the hitters and scratchers it was pretty smooth sailing. After dislocating both of my shoulders last year I was so grateful to be able to be swimming. I don’t come from a swimming background but I really enjoy this part of triathlon and over the years it has become one of my strengths. I exited the swim in 1:04 and some change which is a time I was very happy with.
After the swim we had to run up a helix in a parking garage in order to get to the transition area. A quick change into dry clothes and I was off on the bike. The weather was perfect! I had arm warmers on with a little tri top and I was comfortable the entire ride. The temperature was about 55-60 when we started on the bike. The first lap of the bike went really well. I tried to hold back a little bit because I knew all the hills would seem harder on the second lap but what I had not counted on was the wind on the second lap. That took the bike ride to another level of difficult. I pushed through it even though my speed was slowing. I focused on eating and drinking so that I would be ready to get off the bike and run. I rode a pace I felt comfortable with and while the time was not fast I have to admit I was happy with it! (6:33 for 112 miles)
As most of you know I love the run. That is my element. I took off running like I was just doing a 10K which was probably not the best strategy but for some reason it felt good. I held a good pace for about 8 miles until stomach distress had me sprinting for a porta-let. Maybe we can count the 3 sprints to the bathroom as my speed-work for the day? At one point I was feeling particularly bad and I looked up at the sign on the door and it said “This is NOT your Happy Place – get out and get going!” As bad as I felt that still made me laugh. About 2 miles later I threw up and then felt much better. Since I knew I had nothing left in my stomach at that point I was forced to try a new strategy…chicken broth and pretzels at one aid station and at the next a flat Coke and with this I survived and actually was able to finish strong. While my pace and my overall time on this portion may not look that impressive I was very pleased with how my form held and how good I felt. I ran a 4:03 which I am very pleased with considering the issues I faced during the run.
Overall time was 11:56. Most importantly it was a completed race. So many have asked if I am satisfied and if the truth be told…I am. I am pleased just to be able to race again. I am fortunate to be able to go to a race with friends and to be a part of their Ironman journey; to have friends to cheer me on; to have strangers yell my name and to share the same road with over 2000 athletes who have battled their own obstacles. The clock may tell the time but it never tells the whole story.
For those of you who have never done an Ironman race you might not realize that you have turn in your bike and most of your gear on the day before the race. While this does not sound like a difficult task it can take a good few hours to lay out the 5 plastic bags you have been allotted. You have 1 for Swim to Bike, 1 for Bike to Run, 1 for Special Needs on the bike and 1 for Special Needs on the run and then your Dry Clothes Bag. Then you also have to make sure to get all the food that you are going to need on the bike organized and attached to your bike. Preparing for an Ironman race takes some serious logistical skill. Even though I have done it so many times the day before the race is just nerve racking. After the bags were packed and the bikes were ready we headed down to the transition area, did a quick ride to make sure the bikes were in good working order and then we finally got to drop it all off.
Ironman Wisconsin was an important race for me for a few different reasons. In 2004 I traveled to Wisconsin for the Ironman, unfortunately before the race ever began I already had an injured quad which during the bike portion I finished off. There was no way I could continue the race with a torn muscle so I made the best of it and pulled out at mile 50. It was not a good day but as I have learned with Ironman sometimes things just happen that you can’t take control of. This year a lot of people asked me if it was my first Ironman, or how many have I done. This made me realize I am not sure what my tally is. I have had more DNF’s (Did Not Finish) races than I care to admit but the way I see it you have to fail sometimes before you can succeed. Failing often can make the success that much better. I am fortunate in that way because I have known the best of both during my Ironman experiences. I have ended a race in the hospital which was ironically the same race location that sent me to Hawaii. So here I will share with you a list of my Ironman races – good and bad.
Ironman Lake Placid 2002 – 11:44
Great Floridian 2002 – 11:15
Ironman Brazil 2003 – 11:13
Ironman Lake Placid 2003 – 11:29
Hawaii World Championships 2003 – 12:30
Ironman Florida –2003 – 11:15
Ironman Lake Placid 2004 – 11:14
Ironman Wisconsin 2004 – DNF
Ironman Lake Placid 2005 – 12:24
Ironman Florida 2005 - DNF
Ironman Brazil 2006 – DNF
Ironman Florida 2006 – 11:48
Ironman Lake Placid 2007 – DNF
Ironman Wisconsin 2008 – 11:56
Sorry for all the reminiscing!
Race morning was there before we knew it and I was excited and relaxed all at the same time. It is such a good feeling to know that all the training is done and you can just go out and enjoy an amazing day. The swim was a little rough at the start which made me nervous. It was a bit more of a fight than usual. Once I was past the hitters and scratchers it was pretty smooth sailing. After dislocating both of my shoulders last year I was so grateful to be able to be swimming. I don’t come from a swimming background but I really enjoy this part of triathlon and over the years it has become one of my strengths. I exited the swim in 1:04 and some change which is a time I was very happy with.
After the swim we had to run up a helix in a parking garage in order to get to the transition area. A quick change into dry clothes and I was off on the bike. The weather was perfect! I had arm warmers on with a little tri top and I was comfortable the entire ride. The temperature was about 55-60 when we started on the bike. The first lap of the bike went really well. I tried to hold back a little bit because I knew all the hills would seem harder on the second lap but what I had not counted on was the wind on the second lap. That took the bike ride to another level of difficult. I pushed through it even though my speed was slowing. I focused on eating and drinking so that I would be ready to get off the bike and run. I rode a pace I felt comfortable with and while the time was not fast I have to admit I was happy with it! (6:33 for 112 miles)
As most of you know I love the run. That is my element. I took off running like I was just doing a 10K which was probably not the best strategy but for some reason it felt good. I held a good pace for about 8 miles until stomach distress had me sprinting for a porta-let. Maybe we can count the 3 sprints to the bathroom as my speed-work for the day? At one point I was feeling particularly bad and I looked up at the sign on the door and it said “This is NOT your Happy Place – get out and get going!” As bad as I felt that still made me laugh. About 2 miles later I threw up and then felt much better. Since I knew I had nothing left in my stomach at that point I was forced to try a new strategy…chicken broth and pretzels at one aid station and at the next a flat Coke and with this I survived and actually was able to finish strong. While my pace and my overall time on this portion may not look that impressive I was very pleased with how my form held and how good I felt. I ran a 4:03 which I am very pleased with considering the issues I faced during the run.
Overall time was 11:56. Most importantly it was a completed race. So many have asked if I am satisfied and if the truth be told…I am. I am pleased just to be able to race again. I am fortunate to be able to go to a race with friends and to be a part of their Ironman journey; to have friends to cheer me on; to have strangers yell my name and to share the same road with over 2000 athletes who have battled their own obstacles. The clock may tell the time but it never tells the whole story.
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