Just three short weeks ago I got an email out of the blue from the Timex Sports PR team asking if I would be interested in joining them as a blogger for the 2013 Ironman. No brainer right?! There goal was simple: share the story, be authentic, enjoy the experience.
Timex started as a watch for the military which gave them that immediate tough, durable, lasting feel which continues today. It made them a perfect partner for Ironman and they’ve been supporting it for years! How many of you have Timex Ironman watches? It was the first one I bought when I started running in 2003 and I’ve gone through a number since then as my daily watch. I wear it because it’s cute, but also because it says “hey I’m an athlete”. Actually I wish it had a button that would make it say that out loud, but beyond that it definitely conveys a message.
Back to the story at hand, Timex wanted this passionate runner to get a taste of a whole new world and to see if experiencing it first hand might just wet my appetite to challenge myself in a new way. {Spoiler alert: of course it did.}
First, I got up, got on a plane…ok too many details?? Highlight reel:
First was hoping in the water with all the athletes to swim out to the “espresso bar”. They were warming up, I was getting in a workout and being utterly amazed at the clear water and the cool fish!
After Hines Ward finished his swim warm up, we all went to a great breakfast and spent time talking with him about his experience training {read it here}. I need to go update that post with his finishing photo!! What an achievement.
Attended a dinner up in the mountains with the entire Timex Sports team, athletes and partners. Another super interview from age group winner Suzanne coming soon to inspire the pants off you. Dinner was catered by Scratch Labs, who I thought only did fancy sports drink mixes, but look at them being all multipurpose.
Interviewing Dave Orlowski {original Ironman} and Luis Alvarez gearing up for his 100th, which he finished hand in hand with his 18 year old son!!! When his son was 5, he told his dad that he wanted to do one with him…so what better chance than number 100 in the biggest Ironman possible.
Already feeling inspired we attended the Banquet of Champions and the Timex crew was nice enough to give us a table literally right next to the stage. Serious VIP access giving me a chance to snap photos and soak it all in. This banquet is about recognizing last year’s winners and giving a shout out to some of the really special stories.
Then there was the Underpants Run {read about it here}, collecting white coral to place on the lava rocks where the athletes spend so much time on their bikes, and my 20 mile run with members of the Timex Sports group who are also training for NYC! They hooked me up with a awesome new reflective handheld from Nathan Sports and a cool shoe light to keep me safe.
Of course there was also eating poke, laughing a lot, hitting the beach, spotting a whale, more interviews and meeting some amazing people who I know I will stay in touch with for a long time.
Are you exhausted yet?? I haven’t even told you about race day!! Since that is it’s own incredible story…it’s coming soon! Thank you to everyone who commented all week on the photos I was sharing. I had so many great moments that I wanted to just blast them out like crazy, but was trying not to photo vomit on you.
Do you have any specific questions about the Ironman race? The experience? The stories? I aim to share what you want to hear and I can absolutely reach out to people to get answers to your always intriguing questions!
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Gratitude Journal
Oct 15
I am grateful that my mother was so understanding about not getting more than a quick phone call on her birthday! A 6 hour time change and a packed scheduled had me running in circles mentally.
All photos {except run} from my Sony NEX and water photos provided by Timex from GoPro.
Three 20 Mile Weekends in a Row