I have thought about starting a blog for quite a while. I think I actually attempted to a few years back :) BUT now, I want to start- if for nothing else but to document my Triathlon training and racing.

I won't go back and try to 'capture' the 4 Races I have already done this season: C-Different Sprint(3/17), IMTX 70.3(4/7), Kemah Olympic-bike cancelled due to rain(4/28) & CB&I Sprint(5/4).

I will start this with my most recent 'triathlon' experience- Volunteering at IMTX this past Sat.
My morning started out earlier than if I was actually doing the race, as I had to wake up and make the drive to The Woodlands an hour away. I arrived in transition about 5:15am and pretty much ran right in to my Coach, Pro Natasha Van Der Merwe. She looked strong and ready! After she headed to the swim start, I walked through transition, seeing many fellow triathlete friends racing and many also there to volunteer.

My goal was to volunteer in T1 with my first priority to be there when Natasha came in from the swim and to help get her set for the bike- mission accomplished. After that I began helping take the T1 bags and sort them in the various bins. It got pretty crazy as there were about 3 of us trying to keep up, which very quickly became apparent, THAT was not going to happen. Basically did the best we could and after the main 'push' of athletes made it through T1, more people were sent to assist. Pretty much worked non-stop until 10:15ish.

Had a little break, headed over to HEB & got something to eat. Mingled around with friends and then headed back to T2, again with the primary focus to be there for Natasha. Again, success! It was brutally hot and the winds had picked up, so many coming in looked pretty 'beat up'. I did this race the innaugural year-2011& the weather was pretty much identical so I could totally empathize & knew the marathon was going to be brutal for them. I met another Pro- Malaika Homo who had come in to T2 and indicated she would not be continuing. She handed me her chip to turn in for her.

I did not stay to work in T2 but rather headed to Starbucks for a pick me up and then was going to head to the Finish Line to help out until Natasha finished. Ironically, after leaving Starbucks and heading in the direction of the finish line area, I ran in to Malaika again. She was headed to the athlete finish area to retrieve her dry clothes bag so we walked and chatted. She was in good spirits and had said she had some back pain which is why she didn't 'push it' & risk possible further injury, which would prevent her from competing.
She was so nice and it was very interesting hearing the view point from another Pro- definitely amongst the highlights of the day.

At the Finish Line I ran in to some other tri friends and not too long after getting there- got to see the Pro's finish and actually was a 'catcher' for the 4th Place Female. I was tracking Natasha & doing my best to calculate her finish time so I could be for her. By this time, the line to catch those at the finish line was really long, so I just kind of hung out on the side and awaited Natasha's finish.

Once I saw her, I asked one of the people with the medals, if I could put the medal on Natasha, my Coach.
So I had a medal and waited for her to cross. As soon as she crossed, she kind of bent over & I just ran up to catch her. She was whooped, as to be expected & she sat right in a wheel chair for a 'ride' to the med tent for an IV.

After she got her IV, she looked totally refreshed. She was able to see her Coach & husband, at that point I figured it was time for me to head home to my family. Soo 13hrs after my day at IMTX started, I started my drive back home.

To be honest, it was a long day but totally worth it. I was soo glad I was able to 'give back' to the sport I love and has changed my life. I have always made a point to thank each and every volunteer at every race I have done. They are as, if not more, important to Race Day as athletes themselves. As this was not my first time to volunteer at a triathlon or Ironman, it was my first time for IMTX where you get to see soo many friends racing and volunteering.

HUGE KUDOS to all those that finished the race and a lot of respect for those that attempted, but were unable to meet their goal that day. They listened to their body and will live to race another day!

OK - not sure how interesting this really is BUT I figured it a good way to start to try to BLOG :)