I’m MAD excited for a #NoExcuses 2015

Posted on January 12, 2015 by sportymama70 | Leave a comment

It has been November since I have written a stitch and I was almost certain that my post-holiday brain would’ve forgotten how to login entirely to my blog, but alas here I am. I do have a lot to write about, but am going to start slow!

MyThanksgivingChristmasandNewYearwasamazing! And we will come back to that. BUT…Just for the fun of it I decided to write a Mad Lib with my girls over at Fit Approach today. We have started a New Year, New You, No Excuses challenge. The rules. Simple; MOVE! Have fun! Motivate others! Encourage! Don’t make excuses! Pretty darn easy! So today we started with a plank challenge. 30-seconds, any variation! I chose side planks. It was a hard decision, because for some strange reason, I LOVE PLANKING! You can check out my side plank on my Instagram by clicking here.

Ok on to the really fun stuff. Mad Lib! Do you remember these things from when we were kids?? I remember sitting with girlfriends with our little Mad Lib pads and filling in blanks for hours, all while rolling around laughing to the point where more than likely we were shooting Dr Pepper through our noses! They were so fun! So here we go!

Hey 2015, it’s me SportyMama (nickname, spirit animal, real name, blog name)

This year I would like to do more yoga, learn to speak Italian, and get a PR at Ironman Boulder in August.

It would also be super duper awesome if I also travel more this year. It’s not a resolution, though, just a reminder to myself to try and have the best year yet because my family and my health deserve it!

The thing I am looking forward to most this year is racing Ironman Boulder (again) AND doing my first Half Ironman distance with the hubs in Canada (the competition is on like Donkey Kong.)

I’ll use the one thing that truly gets me out of bed in the morning which is COFFEE (uhhhh…just keeping it real) to help me get up, get my bootie movin’ (verb) and get after my #NoExcuses 2015.

Speaking of excuses (ahem), my very favorite excuse is I don’t have the time and I have used it to get out of doing hill repeats and laundry…which I LOATH on more than 6,405 (number) occasions.

I vow to move my body and be more healthy this year even if it means I have to give up some wine nights with my girlfriends.

Even if my alarm clock gets eaten by the dog in the middle of the night, I’ll still vow to make the time, get up and bust out my daily workouts!

I will stop blaming the daughter and hubs [ex: kids, dog, husband] for eating the rest of the chips and salsa when everyone knows it was really me.

My hubs and girl-child [job, hair, car, husband, kids] are not the reason I make excuses. I will show my hubs and girl-child[same as before] who’s boss this year and get my track workouts[type of sweaty activity] on.

I know that swimming [type of workout] is better than coconut ice-cream [noun]

I will reward myself by eating even more chips and salsa (and Guac)

No Excuses 2015 has just begun and already I am imagining myself a winner. I can’t wait to rock a Zeal Hoodie (article of clothing) from Augusta Active. I can’t wait till my sweaty friends are jealous of how fresh, clean and glowing (adj) I am between workouts with help from ShowerPill body wipes. I can see myself rocking side crow [yoga pose / workout move] in new Tab it Over Jacket [article of clothing from Actio926] from Actio926 and looking fit and fly while doing it. And of course, I’ll be taking my workouts to the next level and improving my Core [noun] with my new ActivMotion Bar to help me train for my next Ironman [distance] race with Sasquatch Racing.

Oh, and let’s not forget how amazing my running tights [article of clothing] will smell in my / during my run [favorite type of workout] after washing with some WIN Detergent. And lastly, I’ll keep rocking my 2015 with clean eats and nutrition from Beaming with Health!

Want to join the fun? It’s easy, just…
- Copy the MadLib above
- Fill in the blanks with your own answers
- Tag 3 friends to share how they’ll make 2015 the year of #NoExcuses!
  Tag, Tweet, shout-out, call, text, fax or email 3 friends to take this survey and share how they will have a #NoExcuses 2015. Remind your friends to simply fill in the underlined parts!
  
  Use the #NoExcuses hashtag and post to win prizes from Augusta Active, ShowerPill, ActivMotion Bar, WIN Detergent, Actio926, Beaming with Health, and Sasquatch Racing
  
  PS: Click here to join #NoExcuses.

Ironman Boulder-Part One

Posted on August 8, 2014 by sportymama70 | 2 Comments

On the road to Boulder in the middle of Wyoming with my training partner-in-crime

Beautiful Boulder.

For years I have wanted to visit this triathlon mecca tucked away in the Flatiron Mountains at the base of the mighty Rockies. Imagine my surprise when Ironman triathlon decided to chose this little gem of a city to host a full Ironman triathlon. I had told my husband years ago….”If there is ever an IM in Boulder, WE’RE THERE!” (I have a few cities that I think this about) So when WTC announced a new IM race in Boulder, it took me all of three-seconds to decide my race venue. The day it opened, I woke up with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning and the second I could register, I was on to secure my spot.

A night at the fabulous Avery Brewing Tap House

After months of training for my third Ironman, we took the trip to Boulder. Deciding to go early (2 weeks) because I had never raced at altitude before and was unsure how it would effect me. We got there and training continued into my taper; the altitude never having any effect, thankfully. We immediately loved the area. My hubs LOVED the area. Lot’s of sun, lot’s of great food options (what a foodie city) LOT’s of fit, health conscious people who were so friendly and eager to talk to out-of-towners, great outdoor activities and bikes EVERYWHERE!! All things we adore! We enjoyed every day of the 2 weeks leading up to race day.

WHAT THE KALE!!!
During this whole trip I craved Kale!! This made my night. Roasted Kale and Brussels Sprouts with Sweet Soy at Foolish Craigs. OH yes please!! We tried this place because it had been on the TV show Diners, Drive-In and Dives (click pic for info)

When Ironman village opened we enjoyed hanging out there, being at the Athlete Welcome Party, listening to the Ironband (these guys ROCK!)and the great Mike Reilly pumping us up for race day!

The Saturday before race day is bike and gear bag check in. I made sure my bike was all clean and ready to rock (Thanks to my bike handler hubs) packed my run and bike gear bags (your T1-T2 bags)

T1 Bike gear bag: Helmet, Rudy sunglasses, cycling gloves, cycling shoes (I do not wear socks)

Saturday getting ready to pack my bags

T2 Run bag: EFS Liquid Shot flask; filled, visor, Garmin, socks (Nike dry fit) and my kicks (Hoka One One Bondi 3) Running in socks is all new to me, but with these shoes I feel like I need them. Hoka I beg you for a seamless, sock-less friendly shoe.

After a quick little workout that morning; 10 min swim, 10 min bike, 10 min run, we headed down to Boulder Reservoir for the bike/bag drop. It was a swirling beehive of activity as athletes and family members walked their bikes down for their security photos (I told them that my bike looooooves having her photo taken) and to rack them up for their overnight stay at the reservoir. It was so fun for me having friends from CdA there at checkin that came down to volunteer. To see a familiar face when nerves are starting to brim up inside is such a huge comfort. I left the hubs and walked in with my bike giving JB a quick, nervous, hug that immediately brought the sting of tears that just wanted to fall from my eyes. I went into bike transition and found my number on the rack and hung my bike. I walked back to the start of transition and walked back to my bike ensuring I knew exactly where she was (this will be a funny story later). Then with a sigh and a little lip-quiver of knowing the next time I saw her I’d be past a 2.4 mile swim and ready to head out on a 112 miles, I walked out. I saw JB again and grabbed a quick, reassuring hug, thanked her for being there to volunteer and went to meet the hubster to drop my gear bag. I dropped that bag and came around to check out the swim buoys that were already placed. The reservoir is beautiful. Looking at a one-loop swim course always seems to appear SO huge! (I mean it is…almost 2 1/2 miles) Some of those buoys were almost out of eyeshot. I giggled at thinking how nervous I was for my first IM swim and how far I’ve come. I have learned to love that swim so much (it was actually the first workout I did post IM this week) I also noticed that the transitions seemed long from water exit, to wetsuit peelers, through bag pick up, into the changing tents, but that ended up not being the case and didn’t effect my transition times at all.

Race ready and Dropping of the goodies!

IronBand rocking us with some sweet tunes at the Athlete Welcome

Next was run bag drop. That was at Boulder High School. This was something new to me, having split transition areas. But again, during the race, was of no effect. I dropped my bag on the track, looked to see which tent I’d be entering (left or right) and left for the day. Lunch, rest and packing Special Needs bags was all that was left on my schedule for the day.

I was set!!

Hiking in Chautauqua Park…Gorgeous Day!

Running in our Undies-Ironman Boulder Underpants Run. Love this tradition!

Loved the “bike” lights

Mountain Goats at Chautauqua Park

Dear, Husband-Ironman Boulder

Posted on July 28, 2014 by sportymama70 | 6 Comments

I am one week out from my third Ironman. I’ve been in Boulder for a week to finish training and have some time to acclimate, as I wasn’t sure how the elevation would effect me. So far so good. After our first training day I text the hubster and said “what elevation?” I feel so fortunate to have the ability to be here this early and fortunate enough to have my training partner-in-crime, my daughter and hubby alongside me. It’s been a long few months of training starting way back on January 6 of this year and I feel like I need to give a shoutout and some credit where credit is due.

I thought about adding up my total days of training and listing an attribute for each day but in all honesty I don’t even think that would be the icing on the cake…..

Dear Husband,

Three Ironman triathlons and you are still by far my biggest fan. I have loved the way from day one…during training my first triathlon that you just dove in to learn about this sport that I quickly fell in love with. You have been by my side for every hard training day, sunburn, muscle cramp, sore IT band, restless night, cry-fest (there have been a few) melt down, and blister. You have cooked countless dinners when either I wasn’t home because of training, or was just simply too tired when I got home. You have held my hands daily praying with me and for me. You have maintained my bike as if it were brand new; cleaning, lubing the chain and airing my tires. You have made my nutrition bottles, loaded up coolers of ice for my recovery drinks. You have done laundry when needed, picked up prescriptions, and played the roll of dad AND mom when needed. You have played race/training support for me on miserable hot training days bringing me ice, water and towels. You’ve rubbed my feet and sore muscles nightly for MONTHS. Your support is limitless and for not only one, but multiple Ironmans! Not to mention the countless other races that happen during the year.

RAINY TRAINING RUN!

You never even bat an eye at my crazy schemes, adventures and antics and when I talk about future races, you light up and encourage me onward. You have traveled countless hours, through innumerable states, getting me from place to place to a myriad of races. Your love, joy and dedication is present to me every day.

Dear Husband,

Count the stars and that doesn’t come close to the adoration, love and respect I have for you. I hold you in highest esteem for your willingness to encourage me in my passions.

Dear Husband,

How would I EVER do any of this without you?

I just thank you. I thank you for the man that you are, the father that you are and the husband you are to this crazy-mighty chick.

I hope you know how much I appreciate you. How truly grateful I am and how privileged I feel to have such support from you.

You have gone so far beyond Iron-mate for me. I have learned that racing this distance takes more than just yourself. It’s takes a household. It takes all hands on deck. It takes communication, determination and encouragement. It takes someone on occasion to kick you in the pants to get you out the door on days when you just do not want to.