Episode 19: Heather Cole: Diabetes, Ultra Marathons and Ironman Oh My!
This episode is a little bit different than the usual business interviews I do. This week I have the privilege of interviewing an inspiring young woman who I recently met through my triathlon club. Heather Cole is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age […]
ISTAR: Nichole’s Journey
In my last post I gave you a brief summary of my experience at the ISTAR (Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research) event. I alluded to one young woman’s speech that I found particularly powerful. I had asked her for permision to share excerpts and planned to give you a summary of her speech but […]
What was hard becomes easy
So here we are less than two weeks away from the most challenging physical thing I have ever done in my life. In 12 days I will swim 3.8km, bike 180km and then run a marathon. This is a feat that 18 months ago I would have thought impossible. Now don’t get me wrong or […]
My Half Ironman Experience
So here it is, 32 weeks of training all comes down to one day. On Sunday July 7, 2013 I raced the Great White North Half Ironman Triathlon and I have to tell you that after my swim experience at the ITU I was a little nervous leading up to this event. I made extra […]
Race day: I fought the Suck, and the Suck won!
So today I did my first sprint triathlon. It was the 2013 Edmonton ITU Triathlon World Cup and man was it well run. This was a big event and a qualifier for worlds for 2014 which will be hosted in Edmonton. To qualify for Worlds you needed to place in the top 8 in your age […]
To be coached, or not to be coached, that is the question
If you look at any of the great performers out there you will find a common thread…. they all have a coach. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if I needed a coach as there are so many resources online and, after all, it’s not like I’m training to win. I’m training to finish. Well, […]
Challenge 2013, what was I thinking??
Why would I want to do a race that consists of 3.8km of swimming, 180 km bike ride and then a 42.2 km run? Does this sound like fun? What possessed me to sign up? Well, I have always loved the thought of triathlon – would rather do 3 sports instead of just focusing on […]
It must have been the sea air!
So last week I was in Vancouver for our annual Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals Mortgage Conference. Like a good little athlete I brought my running gear intent on making sure that I got out for a few runs while there. Historically where the intent has always been great the execution has been lackluster at best. My […]
I can’t swim!! How am I gonna do a triathlon
One of the first things I recognized I would need to do to reach my goal of completing an iron distance race was to improve (OK maybe ‘learn to’ would be more accurate) swim. I was referred to a local fitness trainer/triathlon coach whom I contacted in September. His suggestion was to sign up for […]
OK, I guess it’s time to make it official
Alright, I guess it is time I admit it. I have signed up for Challenge Penticton (formerly Ironman Canada). What exactly does that mean you say? Well, it means I need to get my butt in shape. Challenge Penticton is an Iron distance triathlon set in the Okanagan on August 25, 2013. We begin our […]
Perceptions of a Newbie: Group Cycling; who knew??
So today I had my first experience with an organized group ride. I have to admit when my friend invited me out for this 65KM ride I was more than a little nervous. My previous longest distance on a bike was somewhere shy of 40KM so going with a group of people I did not […]
Back at ‘er
You know how it is. You’ve gone too long without getting out for a run. You want to do it, you need to do it but you just need that kick in the pants to get out the door. Well my ‘kick in the pants’ came while I was on vacation and of all places from […]
My first Marathon: 2003 ING Edmonton Marathon
It all started with an email. A friend of mine and REALTOR had run many different marathons over the coarse of a few years. We had often talked about them and he knew I had a small nagging interest in pursuing the challenge. We were exchanging emails on a file one day and once we […]