When you go faster then you have ever gone before or complete a distance you have never tried before. Whether that is in training or in a race, there will only be that one time that it is the first time and it feels like nothing you have ever felt before.
I have been slow to the computer over the last few weeks putting the final touches on my Ironman Canada preparation, the kids returning to school and fall soccer quickly approaching. No excuses, just reality.
But I did want to put down on paper the incredible accomplishment had by ALL No DNF Athletes on Sunday August 8th 2009 at the last 5430 Long Course Triathlon. There were 6 of us racing. 3 of us have raced this distance before and 3 had not. When the day was all said and done, there were 3 less ½ Ironman virgins in the world and there were 3 new individual PR’s set at the distance.
I want to congratulate Mark Dayhoff, Jason Oeltjen and Craig Quincy on putting together a fantastic season and capping it off with 1st time finishes at the ½ Ironman distance. I told each and every one of them that going from Olympic to ½ is a whole different animal and to approach it with a conservative finisher’s mindset. Each did just that and had to battle their own small little war inside their head throughout the day but all persevered and finished with a smile and for a few a courtesy visit to the Medical Tent. No major catastrophe’s be told and all wore their medals with pride. Way to go boys! It was a pleasure to watch you progress over the season.
Secondly, I want to congratulate Michele Van Pelt and Richard Morgan for setting new PR’s at this distance and on this course. Michele bested her time by about 5 minutes from a few years ago. Rich bested his time from last year (2nd time going this distance) by over 10 minutes on what was considered hotter conditions this year. Again, both had to push through barriers like everyone else as the race is too long to not have them come up.
I always say that it is not the obstacles that we have to face but how we actually face them that makes the day special. So good on all of you for killing it out there.
You all did your coach proud on this day!
The picture above is 3 people smiling and celebrating their new PR’s!
I have been slow to the computer over the last few weeks putting the final touches on my Ironman Canada preparation, the kids returning to school and fall soccer quickly approaching. No excuses, just reality.
But I did want to put down on paper the incredible accomplishment had by ALL No DNF Athletes on Sunday August 8th 2009 at the last 5430 Long Course Triathlon. There were 6 of us racing. 3 of us have raced this distance before and 3 had not. When the day was all said and done, there were 3 less ½ Ironman virgins in the world and there were 3 new individual PR’s set at the distance.
I want to congratulate Mark Dayhoff, Jason Oeltjen and Craig Quincy on putting together a fantastic season and capping it off with 1st time finishes at the ½ Ironman distance. I told each and every one of them that going from Olympic to ½ is a whole different animal and to approach it with a conservative finisher’s mindset. Each did just that and had to battle their own small little war inside their head throughout the day but all persevered and finished with a smile and for a few a courtesy visit to the Medical Tent. No major catastrophe’s be told and all wore their medals with pride. Way to go boys! It was a pleasure to watch you progress over the season.
Secondly, I want to congratulate Michele Van Pelt and Richard Morgan for setting new PR’s at this distance and on this course. Michele bested her time by about 5 minutes from a few years ago. Rich bested his time from last year (2nd time going this distance) by over 10 minutes on what was considered hotter conditions this year. Again, both had to push through barriers like everyone else as the race is too long to not have them come up.
I always say that it is not the obstacles that we have to face but how we actually face them that makes the day special. So good on all of you for killing it out there.
You all did your coach proud on this day!
The picture above is 3 people smiling and celebrating their new PR’s!
