I normally wouldn’t travel thousands of miles to do a 70.3 triathlon I’d never heard of.  But, MiamiMan is the USAT Long Course National Championship and the only qualifier for Team USA Long Distance Triathlon 2017. And I really, really want to race on Team USA at the ITU Long Distance World Championship in Penticton, Canada next August. Note that the Team USA Aquathon qualifier is part of this event and that an International Distance triathlon also runs simultaneously. Location:  The event…

I wasn’t unhappy at all that my youngest son, Geoff, chose the University of Colorado at Boulder as his college of choice. From our first visit, we both fell in love with Boulder for its beauty and its celebration of the outdoors. Whenever I came to visit Geoff, I took the opportunity to bike, run and even swim with a diverse community of triathletes, including pros, newbies and everybody in between.   So, it was pretty easy for me to…

It’s been 7 weeks since my “10th and final” Ironman and I’m thinking about doing another one.  Well, sometimes thinking about it.  For now, I have a huge goal in front of me–to launch a successful bikesharing program as the CEO of Bikeshare Hawaii.  It is already taking most of my time whether I’m at my computer, on the phone, in a meeting, or tossing and turning in bed with ideas racing through my head.   Many of you know that what makes me tick…

I have participated in almost 20 Ironman-branded races, including the Ironman World Championship. When I was invited to race with Team USA at the Long Distance World Championship in Weihai, China on September 21, 2014, I thought I knew most everything about long distance triathlons.  But, hello Lori.  This wasn’t an “Ironman” event–it was an International Triathlon Union (ITU) event.   This wasn’t an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 distance either.  The swim was 4K/2.5 miles, the bike was 120K/74.5 miles…

China. Team USA. ITU. World Championship.  I wouldn’t have ever dreamt that these words would come out of my mouth in one sentence.  But if you ask me what’s up next, you’ll hear them all.  And with an undertone of honor, excitement and pride. “On September 21, 2014, I will be racing with Team USA at the ITU Long Course World Championship in Weihai, China.”     The distances and formats of ITU (International Triathlon Union) races vary.  In my…

I consider myself an Ironman after racing at nine Ironman triathlons and earning an invitation back to Kona this year by winning my division at Ironman Brasil. But earlier this month, I also became an IronGirl. And that race has been a major highpoint of the year.   IronGirl is a sprint distance triathlon (500 meter swim, 20k bike and 5k run) for women run by the World Triathlon Corporation, the same folks that bring you Ironman (3.8k swim, 180k…

There are so many things to share about my experience at Ironman Brasil–traveling for two days to get there, the venue, the details of my race, what I learned about my physical and mental fitness, the power of desire, competing with few language skills, racing in a field that was more than 90% male, having a tough competitor with an almost successful plan to run me down, the thrill of winning my age group and a Kona slot, the medical…

There were two times in my life when I wanted to be older than I actually was.  First, was the obvious 20 year old who wanted to be 21 so I could legally drink Boone’s Farm and Sloe Gin.  The second was likely less obvious to most people–when I was 59, I couldn’t wait until I turned 60.   Welcoming a major birthday with open arms is a gift competing in triathlons and running races has given me.  I am…

The Ironman World Championship is known for heat and wind and suffering.  Held on the same Big Island of Hawaii, is the Lavaman Triathlon, known for fun and a great post-race party.  Having experienced my share of suffering on the Big Island, fun and partying  sounded absolutely great.  And it was.  Here’s my recap of the Lavaman Olympic Distance Triathlon, held on Sunday, March 30 2014.   LOGISTICS:  The setting is Waikoloa, a resort area with numerous hotels, condos, shops…

My two favorite moments in Ironman are signing up for an event and crossing the finish line.  When I sign up for an event it is often close to a year away, so I can imagine the excitement of the venue, picture the beauty of the destination and dream about the great race I will have.  I share my excitement with virtually everyone!  And while they congratulate me, I know that many of my friends think I’m crazy or addicted….