Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Making a List and Checking it TWICE...



With just 6 days left until IRONMAN USA, this weekend was all about errands, packing and LISTS!  I have 8 different lists to help keep me organized and make sure that I don't forget anything.  

Inevitably, something will get left behind.  It's Murphy's Law so I try not to worry too much. Whatever is forgotten can be bought or borrowed - that's the advantages of doing big races with big race expos and a local bike shop (Placid Planet) that I hear is open 24 hours a day from Thursday until Saturday at 5PM this week.

So these are my lists, in general - modified to fit my particular needs.  I won't bore you with the details but if anybody wants a copy you can email me.

PRE_RACE MORNING PREP
TRANSITION CHECK LIST
SWIM/DRY BAG
T1 BIKE BAG
SPECIAL NEEDS: BIKE
T2 RUN BAG
SPECIAL NEEDS:RUN
VACATION CLOTHES/BASICS LIST

I began my list by borrowing Nancy's Lists from her IRONMAN Florida Prep and then modified them to suit me along with input from Team Z info from Coach Ed, a few books on TRI that I have laying around and my own personal experience over the last 8 years of triathlon.

Thinking over it now, I can't believe it has been 8 years since I towed the line at my first triathlon back in May 2001 at the Columbia Triathlon.

It's been a long and winding road to IRONMAN with a few side detours thrown in for good measure.  I met Jim, I was diagnosed with Cancer, we got Wallace & Grommette, I became an Aunt - twice!!, we started the CANCER to 5K program,  I have gotten married (to Jim!!) and along the way I have completed over 90 races.

Those 90 races have included:

• multiple 5K/8K & 10K road races
• multiple 1-Day Bike Events
• 2 LiveSTRONG Challenges
• 3 Ten-Milers
• 6 Half Marathons
• 3 Marathons (2003, 2005* on chemo & 2007)
• 15 Sprint/Olympic Distance TRIs
• 2 Half Ironman TRIs (4 attempts at the distance...)
• 8 Multi-Day BIKE tours (350+ miles per trip)
• 1 Muddy Buddy
• 1 Two-Mile SWIM Race

My life is more FULL than I could have ever dreamed!  This weekend's race is going to be a celebration of that! I'm going all out, full on...Why? 

Because this is the only way I know how to be!

Did I mention that IRONMAN USA just happens to be the day of my 39th Birthday?

YEP!  140.6 miles - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Life is GOOD!  LiveSTRONG!





4 comments:

Lindsay said...

Yay thats awesome - when I see you out on the run course, I may or may not break out singing happy birthday. Odds are I wont have enough energy, but I'll try. :)

Catharine said...

Oh my gosh, Holly. What a way to celebrate your birthday! I hope Jim has a big cake for you afterwards.

Ross said...

Holly,

That is awesome. I can't believe you did a marathon while having chemo treatments.

Happy Birthday.

Livestrong!!!

Tammy said...

Good luck out there, Holly! LIVESTRONG, LOVESTRONG, BESTRONG! :)