Great article

With some courage, a love of working with kids and some patience, it is pretty incredible what one person can do in even the most difficult environments. Check out this article on an Australian starting a skateboarding school for Afgan kids.

Hanging out between sessions. Food, massage and email...

The Real Maui

Oh Maui... Land of Mai Tais and big wave surfers, luaus and friendly islanders. Prior to coming here, these were the images that occupied my imagination- basically, Gauguin's Tahiti meets Gidget. Although the rational side of me knew better, I definitely had a romantic concept of what Maui would be like. Like everything else in life, the reality is far more complicated and far more interesting.

While out riding our bikes, we've been able to get a fairly good sense of the "real" Maui. From the angry driving locals (one of the guys was even spit on!) to seeing the variability of the landscape (the western part of the island is anything but lush- the dry, windswept terrain is what I imagine Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, to be like), my idea of Maui has been altered a bit.

Likewise, I'm sure that my experience has been shaped by the fact that we aren't experiencing Maui in the typical, tourist way. Since we are here to train, we've avoided the sweet, umbrella drinks and hokey hula dancing. Much to my chagrin, not yet had any Hawaiian food, either. No roast pig, poi, poke, lomi lomi, haupia... *sigh* Fortunately, we do have Chez Jordan Rapp providing us with culinary deliciousness every night. While here, we eat, sleep and stretch when we aren't training. That also means that we aren't spending time at the beach between sessions, in the futile attempt to even out tan lines (I'm currently sporting a tiered effect of five shades of brown from different training garments). I'm secretly hoping that tomorrow I'll get to lie down at the beach for the first time, once we are done with our open water swim race. And I still have another week to meet my cute surfer...

While the reality might not mesh with my preconceived notions of Maui, I can't imagine a better way to experience the island. My only real complaint is that the locals shout and honk at us on our bikes and, frankly, that happens everywhere. To be honest, Maui is pretty darn incredible, even when experienced with a crazy bunch of Canucks...

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words...

Sarah's Complaint

Every year, upon days of starting a training camp, I will call home and have a long, drawn-out whinging session about the fact that I've put on too much weight and gotten too unfit during the off-season. I always get the same response about my need for patience and am reminded of the terrible weather conditions back in Upstate NY. For me, this time in the season is torture and every year I vow that the following year will be different and that I'll start the season lean, fit and ready to train hard- a vow that I invariably break.

Naturally, this year is no exception, as I am in the midst of a 3-week training camp in Maui with coach Joel Filliol's group of Canadians (I know- Maui. Life is hard, eh?) and was struck with the feeling of deja vu about three days into the camp. The other athletes are fit, tough and ready to train hard. I, on the other hand, am a complete cream puff at the moment and find that the only thing that I have in common with Joel's athletes is my pale, pasty complexion. I'm trying my hardest to limit my complaints to Lauren Groves, who is well-accustomed to my early season kvetching, my parents and to my coach, whose response is : "Yeah, of course you are out of shape. You are at a training camp to get your butt in gear". Thanks for the sympathy, Justin.

When Joel invited me along to Maui, I don't think that he realized what he was getting into with early-season Sarah (a very different beast from a fit, mid-season me). In the fear that I will be sent back to the mainland in shame or publicly shunned in front of his group of thoroughbreds, this Clydesdale is trying her hardest to keep her mouth shut and pretend that everything is hunky-dory. Of course, Joel is a smart guy and probably figured out that I am unfit upon 30 seconds of our reunion on Monday. In case I'm still tricking him and he is waiting for me to bust out an incredible session one of these days, I've outed myself in this blog to Joel, an avid blog reader. Please don't send me back, Joel!

By the end of the camp, I'm hoping to turn my soft self into a something a bit more representative of an elite athlete. While this may seem like I'm intending to carve David out of marshmallow, I'll be a lot closer with a little more patience, some more discipline and a steady stream of workouts. And if that doesn't work out, at least I'll head back to Colorado with a nice bronze glow.

Aloha,
Sarah

Springs Ranch Elementary

Last Friday, I had the honor and privilege to speak with the members of the Springs Ranch Elementary School (K-5) in Colorado Springs. A fellow triathlete, Tim O'Donnell were asked by the US Olympic Committee to speak about the "Golden Rule", respect, and how it plays a role in sport and in our lives. I was very impressed with how attentive and engaged the kids were during our talk, even when they were subject to some ad libbing on our part when we had technical difficulties. I always love being around kids, but working with children like the Springs Ranch Elementary group was a unique pleasure!

To Joe, on his 40th Birthday

When I went to my first World Cup in Madrid a few years ago, I didn't know a single person at the race, American or otherwise. I had only done a couple of domestic pro races prior to going and was acutely aware that I was in over my head. I remember being incredibly nervous, intimidated and overwhelmed (not surprising, considering my complete lack of experience in the sport). Before long, however, I was fortunate enough to meet a cheerful, outgoing American triathlete named Joe Umphenour, who took me under his wing.

Over time, Joe has served the role of mentor and friend to me, as well as being a source of inspiration. Joe turned 40 today and continues to perform incredibly well. While he might occasionally complain about age-related aches and pains, he keeps on bouncing along like the source of his nickname, Tigger. He even managed to finish his 2008 season with a win at the Singapore Continental Cup, soundly beating men half his age! While Joe is undoubtedly blessed with some serious talent, I can't help but be amazed by his drive and dedication. There is no job in the world that Joe would rather do and he continues to bring this passion for triathlon to his training, year after year.

Joe and I are extraordinarily lucky to be in a sport where you can continue racing at a high level into your late 30s and early 40s. There are few sports where 38 year old women race competitively against women still in their teens. I look to older athletes such as a Joe and Samantha Warriner, ranked #1 in the World Cup series at the age of 37 (after taking up the sport at 30!), as an indication of how long I can pursue triathlon. While I doubt that I will be racing professionally into my 40s, older athletes prove time and time again that we are capable of improvement despite the progression of time, as long as we maintain a Joe-like enthusiasm for the sport.

So here's to Joe on his 40th birthday! Thank you for being my mentor, my friend and, most importantly, proving that "Age ain't nothin' but a number".