I enjoy riding mountain bicycles. I hope you do too. And I hope you enjoy my little video about mountain bicycling.

Just for fun, since making souvenir toys is my business, made one for the baby to keep!  Thought it would be cool for you guys to see our Timex Bear :)

Last weekend I had the pleasure of watching the Olympic Marathon trials.  Call me crazy but there is something magical and mesmerizing about watching the best runners is the US work for two plus hours displaying perfect form.

Seen in the headlines is only 2 time Marathoner Shalene Flanagan breaking the Olympic trial record and Kara Goucher going back to the Olympics just 18 months after giving birth.  What wasn’t apparent in the headlines is the previous record holder to Shalene.

30 year old Flanagan, broke the 8-year-old Olympic Trials Record of none other than Colleen De Rouck.  Who is Colleen you ask?  8 years ago she set the Record at the age of 39.  This year she placed 35^th at the age of 47 out of 180 woman who qualified to race trials.  The next time you run a marathon, tell me how many 47 year olds you see that can qualify for the Olympic trials running a 2:30 marathon.  Simply amazing!

As I turned 40 in November of last year, contemplating what the future holds for me regarding the Ironman I can’t help but be motivated and inspired by Colleen and others.  Just 2 years ago at the age of 45 she finished 8^th in the Boston Marathon.  She didn’t grab a headline or a podium finish but her longevity speaks volumes for those of you thinking……it’s been a long time since my last PR.

Before racing the Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona this year I was determined to knock off 6 minutes and break the amateur world record.  A big task?  Consider, there were only 2 women in the history of the event that have ever broken the 10-hour barrier in Kona at the age of 40.  Karen Smyers and Fernanda Keller (according to my husbands research).  Somehow, I was convinced I could break the big 10!  Maybe it’s me hanging on to my youth, maybe it’s my husband who calculates my splits, maybe I simply think I’m only one year older, or maybe I just can’t give into age holding me back.  In the end I joined them in breaking the sub 10 hour barrier at the age of 40 along with Beate Goertz also in my age group and Natasha Badman who raced Pro!  My finishing time was eleven minutes faster then our previous age group world record!  However, Goertz at the age of 42 topped everyone and  is now the Amateur IM World Record holder!

As we get older we look back on our accomplishments with many of them seeming like they were a long, long time ago.  Chalk up slowing times to age or joints that aren’t as smooth.  Our lives continue to get busier with children and our careers.   I reflect on my Ironman last year wondering where the road leads.  I sat back and watched Colleen in awe.  A 2:36 marathon trials, a 2:30 qualifier at the age of 47.  Are you kidding me?  She may not know it but she just lit a fire in this 40 year old.  Thanks Colleen, for your inspiration.  Thanks to her husband Darren, who coached me a few years ago.  Thanks to all of you over 40 who are still giving it your all and have the dream.   Many people ask me if I’m done racing in Kona, but my heart, spirit and smile tell them I haven’t seen the last of the Queen K.

Need last-minute gift ideas for endurance athletes? Nobody knows their “stuff” better than the Timex Multisport Team. Check out some of our top 2011 recommendations below. (This post is part 3 in a 3-part series.)

Tamara Kozulina

• SPA gift certificate

Tim Hola

• Timex SL Series Chronograph - It’s a great fashionable/sporty watch that allows you to look smooth at work or at the gym!
• H2O Audio - Tired of those long swims training for Ironman with no music?  This is your ticket to have quality music from your iPod with great sound!
• Tri-Swim - What would anyone not want fresh smelling hair after their morning swim?  It’s a great set of products including body wash/shampoo/conditioner/lotion that will make any endurance triathlete happy!

Toby Radcliffe

• Timex Ironman Run Trainer GPS - The perfect gift for a runner/triathlete friend or family member – state of the art, scientific run training at its best
• Nathan Sports Steel Reusable bottle - Get the ‘Recycle’ style and it is a gift with environmental credentials: reuse this water bottle (which itself is made from recycled materials) everyday!
• Road ID - Show a loved one that you care at Christmas with this wrist band that might save their life one day

Trista Francis

• Nathan Vitaband - This is the best thing out there in personal identification! You can update your emergency info online at any time and use the credit card chip for funds on the go!
• Timex Shock in Metallic Red - Every athlete likes to look cool on and off the field.  This is a flashy way to sport TIMEX off the field and still let people know you are serious about your passion.
• House Clean or Car Detail - Multisport lifestyle can lead to tight schedules and when balancing family, training and work, there are some things that drop to the bottom of the priority list!  Giving the gift of “deep cleaning” is bound to strike big with your endurance athlete!

Wendy Mader

• Timex Run Trainer - Easy to use nice fit, the latest watch from Timex
• TRX - Core Functional Strength training for the off and preparation season
• A coaching consultation - To coach you on how to best use your timex GPS

Need last-minute gift ideas for endurance athletes? Nobody knows their “stuff” better than the Timex Multisport Team. Check out some of our top 2011 recommendations below. (This post is part 2 in a 3-part series.)

Dennis Meeker

• Timex SL Series - Sporty is not always fashionable. Give that Ironman athlete something special this year
• Bike Fit - get that new bike fit before the season starts
• Netflixs - plan ahead for those long days on the trainer

Erin Kummer

• Skate Ski Setup - Great off-season training tool and fun to do in the winter!
• Timex 80 Watch - Every girl’s gotta have a cool watch to match every outfit!
• DVD of choice - We all need fun and exciting movies to inspire us while riding on the trainer in the winter :)

Gwen Jorgensen

• compression socks
• Timex Tap Watch

Keegan Williams

• Global trainer cadence sensor
• Gift card to local massage therapist - everyone loves a good massage
• Graham watson cycling calender - best cycling photographer out there, great present, useful

Kyle Marcotte

• Give a donation in your friend or family member’s name to a local charity
• Timex Run Trainer GPS - monitor your fitness goals
• New training shoes - New shoes always put a spring in your step

Mac Brown

• iTunes gift card - always great to have different music to train with
• Gift certificate to local triathlon store - different athletes need different items, this way they can get exactly what they want
• Timex Run trainer GPS - great for motivation for your Winter 1/2 Mary or Marathon

Susanne Davis

• Timex Ironman Sleek 50-Lap Full Women’s Watch - Great every day watch, stop watch easy to use, read, save and recall info for many workouts!
• Manicure/Pedicure Gift Certificate - All athletes who pound their hands and feet in training, racing & as a mother need a little pampering & color on toes is always cuter!
• AVIA Stoltz Women’s Trail/Road Running Shoe –  This is my favorite running shoe (cushion/support/traction) and you will always get a compliment on how cool it looks as well.  Can’t go wrong when there’s a little pink in your shoe!