Survival of the Wettest - My First Triathlon

Surviving a near death experience always makes for a good remainder of the day. You feel invincible. The little things become special (like breathing) and you appreciate everything (like land). This is probably why I remember enjoying the bike and the run so much on my very first Triathlon. I smiled the entire way thru the bike and felt I was in the clouds during the run! I high-fived anyone and everyone in my path. I was just thankful to be alive! I had survived a near death experience -- my first lake swim.

IronSons - Kona 2012

Sons are great; but TWO sons are something else. If you have one son, you understand about the dirt, the tonka trucks, the matchbox cars, the guns and swords and pink Barbie cars (that's ok, too!).  But you have to have 2 sons to understand that the energy level doesn't just double -- it triples! With 2 sons, you understand about the nightly, sweaty, wrestling-to-tears-matches

Nips & Tucks - Learning to Run

Anybody can run, right? If you are being chased, you will run. It may not be a pretty sight and you may hurt yourself, but, given the right motivation, anybody can run.  That is why I think I love running the most. It really doesn't take much skill or equipment-- just determination to keep going -- ignoring the elements, your pain, and anything else screaming at you to stop.

The Keys to my Knees - Learning to Bike

I sauntered into the local cycle shop with $400 burning a hole in my pocket. I told the salesman I was going to do my first Sprint Tri and needed a bike. I must have looked like a newbie, because he steered me right over to the hybrids where he pointed to a pretty teal Canondale. I knew NOTHING about bikes, so I happily plunked down the money for it (it WAS pretty).

Not so Cool at the Pool - Learning to Swim

After making the decision to attempt to do a Sprint Triathlon, I gathered up the courage to begin my swim training at the local pool in the Winter of 2010.  I didn't make it much farther than 2 lengths of the pool before having to stop and quit take a break, I realized I needed to quit some help.

Sucked into the Abyss - What Started it All

I stood on the banks of Wild Cat Lake on September 12^th, 2010, on a cold, dreary morning and was in awe. Hundreds of people in wetsuits and bright swim caps were preparing to actually enter the cold, dark abyss lake. I grew up in Hawaii, so I knew how to swim (or so I thought); but, I was a huge wimp when it came to cold water. The water had to be at least 75 degrees for me to step my toes into it, the sun had to be shining brightly, and preferably I’d be holding an umbrella drink.

Small Packages - My first Olympic Triathlon

It was 6:30 am and the sun had not yet risen.  As I set up my transition area, I looked at the people filing into the area. They appeared to be real athletes - mostly young, buff, hard bodied MALE athletes. Gulp. "Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore', I nervously told myself. It took a total of 3 minutes to set up my area, which gave me plenty of time before my 8 am swim start, to freak the #*&%(@ out!