Subaru Kids Fun Run at Subaru ironman Canada
July and August have been a whirlwind of activity. The summer is always “full” with the Subaru Triathlon Series events, Subaru Ironman events, our athletes racing and training, managing our professional athletes and their sponsors and a few speaking engagements and book promotions. And of course, we have family and personal life commitments as well. Needless to say, July was “full” but “fantastic”. (“busy” sounds so out of control).
Visiting with Craig Alexander and Brent McMahon at Subaru Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant
1st triathlon for Nick Stoehr en route to IM Louisville in October. Race announcer Greg Nicol – multiple Ironman finisher – joined in the fun
At the end of June, I was at Subaru Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant representing Subaru Canada. There were 3 major events – the Sprint, the Olympic and the Ironman 70.3 – so that kept me busy speaking to the athletes and greeting them at the finish line. We had a few of our coached athletes racing and Brent was racing (he finished 3rd) and we caught up with Craig Alexander and many friends. And, of course, there was plenty of swim time with Fenway!
Then it was off to Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka where I wear a variety of hats and most importantly, Muskoka was home to me for many years as a professional athlete. I even convinced some crazy friends to ride with me at 5:30 am before the work day began!! We had another great Subaru Kids Fun Run, a book signing and a picture perfect race day with our sold out field!
Our morning run at the Tim Hortons Lead 4 Heart Retreat
Fenway and I on day one at the Lead 4 Heart Retreat
After Muskoka, I had a speech in Collingwood for the Saisthesons Organization. They own 43 Tim Hortons Franchises and they create an atmosphere of compassion amongst their staff. I spoke at their “Lead 4 Heart” retreat and led a workshop and a morning run. This retreat filled my heart with so much love. Amit and Rachana Seth are incredible leaders and truly lead with heart with each of their staff.
Our Subaru Team at Subaru Ironman Canada
My friend Mike Bain and I at Whistler
Soon after, we were off to Whistler for Subaru Ironman Canada where I represented Subaru! Again we had a terrific Subaru Kids Fun Run and I spoke to the athletes at the Welcome Banquet, pre race and greeted them at the finish line and awards. Brent won the race so it was extra special to get to be at the finish line for him! I also got to catch up with so many special friends: Karen, Lexi and Murray and Mike and Barb (Mike got me into triathlon back in 1989!!) and I even got to do some special runs with Danna who I met at the NYC marathon 2014. She ran a 2:34 marathon in Boston 2017 so needless to say, I was pretty out of breath on those runs!!
And that brings us to an incredible honour I received being voted Canada’s greatest triathlete. Of course, polls are just opinions but I am still humbled. Here is a link to the article on Ironman.com – http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2018/08/40th/greatest-canadian-athletes.aspx
I was also featured on the Epic Love Radio show. That will be on iHeart Radio at some stage!
Epic Love Radio Show
And finally, Subaru Iron Girl Canada is now in the books. This event sold out in December 2017. It is a weekend full of emotion and joy and fulfillment. For me, I was so happy to see Olivia Sullivan race. Little did I know, I posed for a picture with Olivia about 13 or 14 years ago when she was a little girl and raced her first Kids of Steel event in Caledon. And now, many years later, she was racing again. This is a classic finish photo!
Olivia finish at the Kids of Steel race over a decade ago and finishing her Iron Girl event in 2018
And now, it is time for Subaru Ironman Mont Tremblant this weekend! Fenway is ready to swim, I am ready to cheer for athletes and get them to the finish line and Dave is ready to keep us all organized. I will be signing books at the Subaru Tent and having a Subaru pre race shake out run at 8:30 on Saturday morning. It will be another epic weekend!
And remember my achilles surgery in October 2015 (which is pain free by the way) – well the surgeon published an article about it!! You can read it here – https://academic.oup.com/jscr/article/doi/10.1093/jscr/rjy182/5073284?guestAccessKey=fb170ea0-b57d-415a-82ec-ba87c14f5854
One final thought and inspiration for folks racing this weekend- it is from the Bible – I will summarize: suffering brings perseverance; perseverance build character and character brings hope!
You can still order my book, An Unlikely Champion at www.AnUnlikelyChampion.com – it will change your mental game and help you get to your own personal finish line! Let’s do this!