We all have our heros … people we admire, respect, and are motivated by their drive, accomplishments, or whatever.  Well, one of my heros is unequivocally Sister Madonna Buder.  At 80 years old, Sister is vibrant, still competing in triathlon (hoping to return to Kona this year), and has just published her first book, “The Grace to Race.”  It’s a wonderful read.

Well, this past Wednesday, we were blessed to host Sister for a book talk she was doing that evening in Boulder.  Spending just that afternoon and evening with her further inflated my admiration for this amazing lady.  Within 30 minutes of arriving at my home, a videographer was at the house, ready to spend the next 2 hours with Sister, filming for an upcoming running documentary.  After a 15 minute “break,” we needed to rush off to KGNU, Boulder’s public radio station, for a taping of “Book Talk.”  We left there immediately for dinner; and, then, her evening talk at the Boulder Book Store.

The pace left me tired; but, not Sister Madonna.  While many, many 80 year olds are in assisted living or even nursing home situations, this triathlete is as vibrant as, well, this 55 year-old!  She’s sharp, her hearing is perfect, and she operates at a feverish pitch … always.

The talk at the book store was standing room only.  The store said it was the best attendance for a book talk in quite a long while.  People loved it, and a great many stood in line to have Sister autograph her book, and just to meet her.

Sister Madonna Speaking at the Boulder Book Store

On a personal note, my latest venture is titled “Life Endurance.”  The genesis of it, and its meaning, is focusing upon those things that allow us to live long, joyful, happy & healthy lives.  Sister Madonna Buder may become the “poster person” for Life Endurance.

Introducing Sister to the Audience (Timex is in the house) - photo by Warren Schuckies

The hardest part of being on a rock star triathlon team is having rock star-like hang overs.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at camp soon.

Groningen - And there I was! Suddenly, in the Indian Ocean. Wondering! It had been a while since the last open water swim! Everything felt a bit strange, but at the same time it was an awesome feeling being out there! Normally those first couple of meters are the ones I hate most. Water crawling slowly into every corner and sending shivers up and down my body… But this time was different. Those first couple of meters seemed like they had never taken place! And I was just swimming, swimming!
Now and then a massive wave rolled by giving me a little bit of sight seeing over the almost flat ocean! A little bit of mist was hanging over the water, sometimes making it hard to see far ahead! But I still could hear cars far in the distance, so swimming towards those would bring me back to shore. My strokes felt great! Boom, boom, boom! And another couple of meter going! And with the torrent coming from the back it became easier and easier to push myself to the limit, before taking it easy again and taking a turn to slowly head back!
My mouth had become dry from the grey salt water on all sides! Normally I would mind that, but this time it was just amazing to have that salty taste of the ocean in my mouth! It truly made me feel alive! And there she was, my red haired girlfriend, with a yellow and red bikini! Swimming underneath me, with the water air bubbles ‘flying’ by! It was so amazing to see her swim that fast! Unbelievable…
After one hour thirty the sky started to become dark and it was time to head back. But the tide was making it hard to get back. We both pushed it hard and finally made it back to the beach. After some searching we found out that we forgot our towels and so we had to use an old towel to get off all the sand!
And then I tripped! Fell over and when I got back up I noticed that I was back at home! In Groningen! My ‘red haired girlfriend’ with red and yellow bikini turned out to my Obrea with two Powerbar bottles I just rode in pooring rain for 1h30. The waves were just dikes in the bike ride and the salt water had come up from the wet streets, nothing close to the ocean. Damn! I wish it had been true! At least it kept me going in the rain and cold and I already wonder where I will end up next time!

When I moved to Boulder, Colorado back in 1991, I had no idea that I would still be calling this place home 20 years later. In the past two decades, I have made some of the best friends a person could ever ask for. I have been pushed; pulled and picked up by these friends in every victory and defeat in my life.

 Turning 40 this past weekend has caused me to reflect on how I got here. Starting with my friend Jen, for getting me started into the sport of triathlon in 1995. Monica for helping me to start, finish and win, my first ironman in 2001. Michael for helping me raise over $25,000 for the Alzheimer association. Danny, from Newton Running, for always keeping shoes on my feet. Jeff for the pick me up at mile 20 in Kona in 2007, I needed the pep talk of “don’t let the guys in Speedos and compression socks beat you!”

And lastly, Miss Tingle, for putting in a good word to Tristan for me, I have loved being a part of the Timex family.

These are just a few of the many folks that have pushed me to some of the highest highs in my life. Now that I have aged up to the 40-44, I say farewell to some of the fiercest competitors I have ever toed the line with (especially you, Tim Hola and Chris Thomas). Maybe Tim will stop racing when he turns forty. Maybe?! 

And I say hello to some of the fast forty year olds: Bruce, Gordo and Curt, please have some mercy.

Thanks,

 Denny

 My first swim set of the year was one I had never attempted before.   I like to do one big work out after New Year’s and this year was it.  11 x 1000 in a 25 yd. pool at the Salt Lake City Aquatic Center, equivalent to 6.25 miles.  It took me 2 hrs and 44 minutes including 1 minute rest in between each 1000.  Below is the exact set in case any of you want to spice up your winter swims!    My trusty Timex watch saw the whole thing while sitting atop the starting block.  Enjoy and happy new year!

 11 x 1000 at SLC Aquatic Center -  1/6/11 Start time 5:06AM
 
1) 1000 free
 
2) 1000 pull
 
3) 1000 free as (500 easy/500 fast)
 
4) 1000 free as (250 easy/250 fast/250 easy/250 fast)
 
5) 1000 IM as (10 x 100 IM’s back to back)
 
6) 1000 as (50 kick/100 swim repeated)
 
7) 1000 free
 
8) 1000 free (50 fast/50 easy)
 
9) 1000 free every 3^rd length stroke
 
10) 1000 free pull
 
11) 1000 free (100easy/100 fast)