It Takes a Village
It takes a village to be a triathlete! Yeap- it really does.
It Takes A Village
What got me thinking about this was what my day was like this past Saturday.
I started the day at Doudy Draw in Boulder with my friend Brenda who I wrangled into joining me for a 13 mile run along trails I hadn’t explored before. She was only going to join me for 7 miles, but after taking out the map and trying to explain where I would run, some puppy dog eyes and probably the fact that I was running pretty slow….she decided to join me for the whole run. So- there’s Villager #1.
Next, after a quick swim, I was off to Active Imprints to meet with Danny Abshire (Newton Co-Founder)to have him help me with a final tweak to the orthotics he’s been making for me.
I happen to be VERY fortunate and am sponsored by Newton Running Shoes. These shoes have transformed me from a heel-striking-wannabe-runner, into a (almost) real runner! I was having a problem with pain in my achilles and after Ironman decided to meet with Danny to have him help me with orthotics. Within 2 minutes he figured out what was wrong with my left foot (something to do with metatarsal bones) and began working on an orthotic. So- with this new orthotic coupled with my Newtons- I am golden again and running ultra-distances sans pain. And did I mention Danny fixed my inserts for my bike shoes also?!!! Voila- Villager #2
From Active Imprints I was off to Colorado MultiSport to meet with Jeff for some help with my road bike. After a summer of switching my road bike from TT back to road…I wasn’t sure how the bike should be set up. Plus it was time for a new saddle.
After shooting the breeze and visiting with friends, Jeff and I got down to business. Jeff spent an hour plus, moving this and moving that; adding this and changing that; and when he was done- I was feeling like I had the perfect bike fit again!!! I have to say- the guys at CMS are so unbelievably patient! They will work with you for hours and always make you feel like you are their most important customer! I don’t know how they do it. Alright- Villager #3
In one day- I had three different people help me on my road to being a long distance triathlete. And that’s only ONE days worth…..there are others who keep me going- like….
Dr Ken Sheridan from Active Care. He’s my chiropractor and without my weekly visits to him, I would not be able to keep running and training the way I do. See, I have SI joint problems (as in they don’t stay where they’re suppose to), and Dr Ken is able to keep me from locking up…literally! There ya go- Villager #4
Along with Dr Ken- I get regular bodywork by Brian Ray. Now this guy is amazing! When I first went to him 3+ years ago, I had back pain that wouldn’t quite. I would get out of bed in pain, I took Celebrex daily….it was bad. Brian was able to get my back working great with in few months (no more pain!). He also keeps me going. I mean at 50 years old and just starting this long distance stuff- there have been a few times where my body needed some help getting itself working. And Brian is the man for that! Yeap- we have Villager #5
One person I can’t forget to mention is my coach Andrea Watkins! Not only does she write my training programs, but she works out with me, helps me through the mental stuff, and has become a good friend in the process. She has taken me from a overweight 48 year old- to a descent long distance triathlete in two short years! Now that is amazing! Not sure how she does it….but her approach to training sure works great for me!! Here ya have- Villager #6
Now there are many, many more Villagers who support me in many ways. Whether it’s joining me for a workout, going to a race with me, calling to check on me, getting together for dinner….You name it. The list goes on and on. I never realized when I took up this sport what a great community I would be getting involved in…..and as we all learn in this triathlon life….It TRUELY does take a VILLAGE to raise a triathlete!!!!!!!!!!!
