Follow all timex athletes racing Kona live today Oct. 13, at:

www.ironman.com

I’ve decided to write what I will deny writing and stay oblivious to until October 13 at sometime in the evening (see item 1 below).

The First Trip To Kona.  Thoughts, suggestions, preparation:

1.  Don’t talk about it.

Why?  Isn’t it true that if you tell someone you are going to do something that you are more likely to do it?  Yes.  But, that is in the realm of behavior modification.  OCD’s (obsessive compulsive disorder) like me (and perhaps many of you) don’t need that.  What I learned is to not give my energy away to all the casual conversations about “what is your next race?” and “are you going to Kona?” and the must-be-avoided “what will your splits be in Kona” (if I nail that, I’m hitting Vegas, baby).  Possible responses:  I might do another race, I did some bike racing recently; maybe I’ll go to Kona; maybe I’ll go and watch.  All the people asking are trying to be kind and thoughtful, I just have to be conscious of my energy.

2.  Letting go of what I don’t control. 

Like what?  Ankle sprain, adrenal fatigue, bike crash, Autumn (my daughter), Michael (my spouse), basically everything around me except me. 

3.  Flow instead of Force.

I have to say that this has been the most significant lesson over the past 2 months.  I took a break in July then began training for IM again in mid- to late-July.  Initially, I tried to force my swim stroke to come back, push the pedals harder, make myself run faster.  Taking a step back, I re-engaged with the joy that is in my heart when I train.  I let go of the expectations and focused on that moment on the process.  For me, that is “long and strong” in the water, “from the hips” on the bike, and “straight forward and back, get those knees up” on the run.

 Enjoy your journey!

Overall Win for Mroszczyk-McDonald at the 2007 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid

Lake Placid, NY. July 22, 2007

Alex Mroszczyk-McDonald of the Timex Multisport Team scored his biggest win to date with an overall victory at the 2007 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid.  The Burlington, VT resident used a sub-3 hour (2:59:36) marathon to capture the overall title with a winning time of 9:16:02.

Canadian Marie Danais battled through foot issues and achieved a 9th place in the women’s only pro race with a total time of 10:17:01.

Timex age group athletes raced at USAT National Championships at Hagg Lake, Oregon this weekend.

The race day conditions were perfect: the clouds disappeared and the weather was lovely, the course was beautiful and rolling, the Blue Seventies were buoyant, and the Treks flew by the competition in flashes of red…

Click here for Race Results — all placed well enough to qualify for World Championships in Hamburg in September.

Chris Thomas
Kim Dunker
Rachel Ross
Ian Ray

I love Vermont!  Ok let me change that, I love Vermont when it is sunny and warm!  Now that there is no more snow and it’s getting warmer the past few weeks I have been able to get in some great training, however, as with spring comes rain and mud season here in good old VT.  Let me share a recent experience with spring…

I was out for an 18 mile run (~29km for our Canadians and Europeans friends!) and having a short attention spam I decided to do one big loop, instead of several smaller loops/routes thrown together.  Now I also tend to take random turns and make up the loop as I go (the beauty of the Timex body link is I can always know exactly how far I have gone and where I went once I upload the workout the my computer!).   I was running along at about when, on a whim, I decided to take a turn and run about 3 miles on dirt trail alongside a river and some farms, normally a very scenic route.

About 2 miles in, the trail began to get a little muddy…no worries I’m tough.  Shortly after there was about a ten foot section of trail which was covered in about 6 inches of water, no problem, I’m water proof.  I continued to run along, now with the lovely sound and sensation of water squishing in my shoes.

I turn another corner and the river had totally flooded into the adjacent farm field, no problem, I can wash my shoes later.  I decided to run around the edge of the water through the field, however, the farmer must have recently fertilized…it didn’t smell very good and now the mud up over my ankles, Ummmm this was getting to be a problem.  I had thought about turning around, but I knew the trail ended and I could get back on the pavement in less that half a mile, so I continued to  trudge (it wasn’t so much running anymore) through the mud and…agricultural fertilizer, no problem, I’ll just shower really well after this run.    

I began to think this trail run may not have been a good idea.  On this little adventure the best was definitely saved for last.  I could see the end of the trail and pavement ahead, however, between it and me was what is normally a little trickle of a stream, only it had become a river!!  I’m serious, normally I could clear the stream in one small stride, however, this time I had to wade across about 10 feet (9 meters) with very cold water above my knee, normally I wouldn’t have cored too much, but that agricultural fertilizer smell was a little too strong for my comfort!  Houston, I think we have a problem!!

I made it home and considered burning my clothes and shoes, but decided to just take a shower first!  I have since decided that I need a new pair of shoes because my fiancé has made me leave them outside due to a rather unpleasant smell. 

Ahhhh! Spring in Vermont!  I figure as long as I don’t get into too many problems I should be ok!  Oh and for those who are interested as side from the above mentioned snafu’s it was a great run!! J

Swim Fast. Bike Strong. Run Hard.

-Alex