Accenture IM California 70.3

This past weekend my company, Accenture, served as the title sponsor of the half Ironman (70.3) in Oceanside, CA.  It was an incredible experience in many ways.  In addition to having 19 employees and clients racing under our "colors" the Challenged Athletes Foundation was the official charity of the race.

While the days were long (I have always maintained supporting a race is longer than doing it), I  also had the cool experience of holding the finish line tape for the men's winner (Andy Potts edging out Jesse Thomas by ~ 10 seconds to claim his 5th win).

The weekend was full of meeting new people, having a great time spectating and cheering on racers, but also supporting many of my CAF friends.  It was a crossroads of work, friends and my triathlon passion.

Check out Facebook for photos from the race.

My biggest journey….An Ironman with a purpose

My biggest journey….An Ironman with a purpose

When I first started doing triathlons in 2007, my focus was finishing with a smile.  Never in my wildest imagination did the idea of an Ironman cross my mind.  I liked doing shorter races (sprint and Olympic distances) …then did some half iron distances and enjoyed it.  I was challenged, and satisfied.  Triathlons offered me a new network of friends,  helped me to become a certified triathlon coach and presented me an opportunity to become very active with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).  Why in the world would I want/need to put myself though 10-months of training? An Ironman was for real triathletes…for strong, skinny people…for people who were basically not me.  But things change.

Life throws you curve balls.  My curve ball came in August 2011 when my father passed away somewhat suddenly.  In truth, my world was shaken – not knowing what side was up and what was down.  Besides my family, the only thing that kept me grounded was my training.  Many of my father’s friends told me how proud he was of my athletic accomplishments.  I was never into high school or collegiate sports, so the idea of my father calling me a “jock” (his words) was pretty funny to me.  Hearing how much my father admired my racing “career” pushed me to make the decision to push myself further and harder than even I could imagine. Now, close to six years after I first crossed my first triathlon finish line, on June 23, 2013, I will be participating in an Ironman. 

I am participating to honor my father and to give back to others.   I have a great coach and a solid support network (many who are making the trip to Coeur d’Alene Idaho with me).  And I am trying to raise $10,000 for CAF and continue to support athletes with a physical disability – especially those wounded while in uniform -- pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness.’

I am asking for your support in making my Ironman even more significant by helping challenged athletes achieve their goals.  Your financial support will go a long way in changing someone’s life.

Please click here to make a donation.  While any amount is appreciated, you can also “sponsor” a portion of my race which corresponds to part of the Ironman course.  For example, your donation can be $112 (miles on the bike), $26.2 (miles I will need to run), $140.6 (entire distance in miles of the race), $1,020 (the total time, in minutes, I have to complete the race – that is 17 hours for those doing quick math) or any increment thereof. 

Visit the blog which will be updated during certain milestones between now and race day.

Thanks in advance for your support.  

A few new Ironmen - and Iron-ladies

This past weekend, I had the good fortune of watching a handful of friends compete (and complete) the 2011 Ironman Lake Placid.  It was an amazing weekend with a lot of cheering, laughing, and some recovery workouts.  Congrats to all the new Iron-people (Rev, Margarita, Brad, Danny, Susan, Matt, Cassie, Michelle) and well as those "veterans" (Meg, Kate, James) and countless others. 

From the top of The Bears, to the AGTC Cheering Squad at IGA Hill, it was a blast. 

Check out some pics from this weekend.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150323923180802.390886.573745801