Finding Mary

It feels so good to feel so good. It feels so good to be enduring the aches and pains and tightness of Ironman Training. And those aches and pains can be scary. Out for a brick this afternoon a horrendous pain surged through my left leg, with no apparent source, hobbled me to a walk. Disappeared as soon as it had come and there I was running again.

But that is how it goes in the land of Iron.

Two weeks from tonight... God willing ... I will be in Panama City Beach for the Gulf Coast 1/2 Ironman. While there isn't a whole lotta speedwork in this body yet, there is a lot of base. And I am feeling ready. If I close my eyes I can already hear the ocean. I can already smell the saltwater. I can already feel the sunshine on my back. I can hear the wheels on the pavement and I can feel the sweat. I can see the finish line in my mind's eye.

And wow does it make me smile.

I tried on my brand new wetsuit tonight, the Blue Seventy Helix. I gave up a wetsuit sponsorship to buy this, and it was worth it. There is nothing like the feel of brand new black neoprene against your skin. I can't wait to swim in it.

We have entered the final tune up for Gulf Coast. Within this final base week we established Wednesday through Wednesday as the "big one". Wednesday wasn't bad, a swim and a bike.

Thursday I got to ride with Johnny G. I picked him up at mile 65 and left him at 85 of 100. I didn't tell him I was out for 5 hours, but I bet he wondered why I was riding easy. :-)

Friday was interesting. Swim 1:30, run 0:30. Teach. Run 0:30 Bike 1:00 intervals run 0:30 tempo.

I stood at the top of the driveway when it was done feeling too good. Feeling ready.

So as long as I survive the next 5 days, come Wednesday night I will kick my feet up at yoga and call it a rest day. Taper then begins.

Then Thursday morning May 10th I will grab my bike box and my gear and I will board the plane with bike underneath. And I will launch into the sky looking for warmth, looking for salt water looking for heat and humidity and looking for me.

Because that's what all of this is about really. In 2004 I won almost every single race I did. 14 out of 15. 2005 I came apart at the seams. 2006 I was injured. So Mary is out there, somewhere. I feel that she is close, I feel connected with her. I feel that mojo brewing. And she's looking for me. Wiser, fitter, with a quiet mind this time.

More lovely than being the winner, is being on the starting line at all. More exciting than the crown, is the chance to toe the line. I will look at my competition and now, instead of sizing them up, I will sincerely wish them luck. Together we will find the edge. Together we will push, together we will move ahead and find out what we are made of.

Until next week, thank you so very much for your support and thank you very much for reading. It's time for bed, 4am comes early.

:-) Mary

Sponsored by Bob the Builder

Here's my Saturday morning training partner..... Mr. Luc Eggers. There's nothing like spending an hour on your trainers discussing the highlights of Sponge Bob Square Pants......

Rolling

Total for last week rolled in at 21:30. Whew! Luckily Mondays and Tuesdays are light days, which I was grateful for as I stumbled to yoga class this morning. Ain't nothing better than a yoga teacher who can't touch her toes at 5am!

We bought Luc a hitch for the back of the mountain bike, so now he can ride and pedal and gain the feeling of balance and speed. I am hoping this will help his confidence level on his own bike. However it has turned out to be a double edge sword. Yesterday we did 2 one hour rides and today we have another planned after school.

So this week I have had to plan these 1 hour recovery rides in, as I am absolutely in zone 2!

But onward we go, building into the second week of the block all systems go. Long bike is 5 hours, long run at 18 miles for the third time. I feel it coming around.

Have a great week everyone and thank you so much for reading.

:-) mary eggers

Empowerment

It's fascinating to watch a 6 year old pull up his bike next to you on your computrainer then sit and spin with you for almost an hour. (Place the training wheels high enough and the back wheel won't touch.)

A 6 year old on training wheels? Kids come off of them when they are ready, and strangely getting the feeling of going fast on his little Trek has been a struggle for Luc. It isn't like swimming, which has come easy for him.

As we sat and spun together watching Saturday morning cartoons, I couldn't help but just watch him. Pedaling away, occassinally asking me if I am okay.

And they tell me this kid has issues. The only issue he has is a love for life and a love for movement.

Later in the day the idea struck me! A hitch! A hitch! Off to the bike shop we went and we found the perfect hitch, the kind that hooks to the mountain bike. He sits on a half of a bike, instead of a front wheel he hooks to mine! He pedals as well at a bit of a higher gear to gain the feeling of pedaling rather than just spinning.

An hour later he was screaming in delight as we rode around the neighborhood. I wiggled, I tipped and he slowly lost his fear. We rode for an hour, it was a good zone 2 ride!

So he is hooked. I have promised that after this mornign's 18 mile run and 2 yoga classes that I will be home to ride to the trail and ride for an hour.

I believe this kid has potential. I don't care about his potential as an athlete (I think that is just naturally in his genes), but he has mych more potential than anyone is willing to admit. He feels success in one arena and he will begin to feel success in other arenas.

The progress he has made in school in 2 weeks has been noticeable. To me it has. We began getting some help at the Sylvan LEarning Center, where instead of classifying him by his weaknesses, they are helping him to build his strengths.

So instead of holding him back and telling him he isn't "there yet"... we are figuring out ways to give him wings to fly.

He will make it. He will. And he will make it without us altering his brain chemisrty with medications. What this boy craves is movement, which we can provide. Medicate him and we just may very well squash the next great human being. I beieve as a society we have done that to too many children.

Well the buck stops here society. We will show all of you that a boy can be active and can make the cut. Not only make but rise above in any arena. Because we have discovered the secret. It's quite simple really.

It's called empowerment.

Thanks for reading.

:) Mary Eggers

Here IS the SUN!

To know Curt Eggers is to love him. He has a warped sense of humor. Yesterday morning after I begged him to allow me to wear his Oakley's, he left me a pair of 3D glasses from the movie: Meet the Robinson's.

This morning he left eight coffee mugs hanging from my bike. It was like a coffee mug Christmas tree!

But I love when mornings begin this way, I love when he makes me laugh. In the Eggers house there is always laughter rolling around. Always joking, always the never ending wrestling match with the boys.

That happiness transferred over to a day of workouts which began at 5am. I am truly grateful to my lane mates Ken, Bill, Les, Erik, Mar, Dana and Maureen, as their studliness has embraced me to the point where swimming improvement is noticeable. After 1:15 in the pool I admit to hopping out early, as Luc's but comes at 0739. While Curt gets the morning routine done I will not give up 5 minutes of the morning with Luc, even for another 1,000 yards. There is just something about a day begun with a mooch from your boys.

Before yoga class I was able to squeeze in a 30 minute run, and after yoga I cruised through 1:30 of zone 2-3 cycling, that followed by another 30 minute run. I felt the sun on my back, I felt the warmth in the wind.

The cold bit of winter has finally disappeared and here we are in spring, almost summer.

It makes me wonder if we would appreciate this beautiful weather if we had it all of the time. And do the people who have it all of the time not only appreciate it, but also appreciate the beauty of the snowfall? I don't know but I feel lucky to live where I live. I don't know what I would do without the four seasons to bring change and challenge. To bring color and life. To bring the unique activities that comes along with each season.

Good times.

Heading into the weekend I am at 15 hours with just 5 to go, feeling happy to be back in build week. Not knowing whether I am headed to Montana or Eagleman. Knowing that in a few weeks I will be swimming in the ocean. And knowing that things are right on track.

Good Times.

Thank you for reading.

:-) mary eggers

Looking For Train-This? Yes, This Is IT!

Welcome to the new and improved Train-This blog, the rest of the Train-This site shall be up today or tomorrow. Josh and Andrew at Twin Advertising are talented beyond belief. I have promised them a great big vacation somewhere when Train-This hits the big time.

Looks like the Eagleman Vs. Montana saga has a finish line in sight, with Montana slightly ahead at the 12 mile mark. With a race this close we won't know for a few more days which way this will end up, but one thing's for sure..... on June 10th I will be somewhere absolutely beautiful. It may be in the mountains of Montana or the Wildlife refuge of Maryland.... so I am prepared for a long trip or a long race.

Either way I am ready!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy our big makeover and if you have any website needs, or advertising needs, my friends at Twin Advertising are the people you want!

:-) mary eggers

The Meaning of Things

It's funny when you lay down a plan. You expect there to be bumps and turns. While you expect that, the key to surviving change is just learning to allow things to change as you adapt to them. In the past month I went from planning for Eagleman to switching the focus to my Montana Teacher Training, and now I am back to Eagleman.

The Montana Teacher Training is full. I have been wait listed. As we are trying to still get me in, come Sunday I will make a decision, as so much of my training needs to be thought out, looked at and planned for.

It's funny because I have a lot of unfinished business at Eagleman. That is a course in which I am capable of a good day, and I have not had that just yet. Plus, I have several athletes going, and my friend Jen from Illinois will be there. I see her at Eagleman. The Nugent's my home stay family are expecting me for the third year, and truly they are my favorite reason for going.

If you take a step back and look at the big picture of life, it is much easier to see where all these pieces fit. The answer is crystal clear right in front of me.

This week Spring is slowly arriving and I slide into another 3 week build. Monday was a light 1:20 on the bike and some VASA work, and Tuesday was my traditional day off. Between Wed and Sunday we will back in an additional 18 hours and 15 minutes of volume and here come some intervals! WOO HOO!

I am feeling good sugar free for a week. I feel very happy that spring is finally springing! And I feel lucky, really lucky!

:-) Mary Eggers

Way To Go Boston Finishers!

What a day for the Boston Marathon! Rochester had a boatload of people running in it, and here are just a few of the ones that we know.... The times I have for these runners are not official, but they are smoking fast nonetheless, not to mention these are smoking fast times in 50 mile an hour wind! Way to go gang!

Ryan Pauling 2:48
Michael Dunn 3:30
Scott McNitt 3:17
Brian Emelson 3:20

April Snow Showers

April showers gave way to April snow showers this weekend here in upstate New York. I have since given up reading the weather reports…… I just email my friend Jennifer in Illinois and ask her what's on the way. She's much more reliable than the weatherman. And she can give it to me in terms of triathlete lingo, not gardening lingo.

If I could have scheduled a week to come down with Pneumonia, I could not have scheduled it any better than it happened. But don't call FTD for my get well flowers just yet; I am a frequenter of this illness. Typically I get hit with PNA 2 times a year, so with just once I am doing well! Plus by this time, PNA to me is like a cold, so I am used to it.

I took three days completely off (not in a row…. of course!) and slept a lot. I did walk 90 minutes a day with my little man through the forest. The weather was good and I knew I needed fresh air.

Being that it was rest week, it was also test week. Unfortunately I did have to shift most of the testing to the first week of this block, as the results were not a true reflection of where my fitness was at. In turn the tests were a definition of my ability while I am sick. Not too bad!

With that being said I am here on Sunday morning with a lot of rest behind me and a pretty significant build in front of me. We are heading towards an indicator race, the Gulf Coast 1/2 Ironman in Panama City on May 13th. I have a lot of new things to test out at this race…..

A new wetsuit…. Blue Seventy Helix

A new Powermeter

A new Garmin

New nutrition plan

New training plan.

The data collectors, (garmin and Ergomo) will be used to just collect data, so that we can plan training for Ironman Florida in November.

Nutrition is going very well, as I am on day 6 of being completely sugar free. I have even looked Kryptonite in the eye. My Kryptonite is the Cadbury Cream Egg. And I almost broke on Saturday.

There it was, round and chocolate. A small bite taken out of it the reveal the creamy interior……. left abandoned on the counter. Immediately I threw it into the disposal, and grinded it away. I am sorry Cadbury Cream Egg, our relationship is over.

So rest week has been sick week. I am glad I took the time to recover, because good things lie ahead.

 Mary Eggers

The New Website

My yoga studio has a new website! Click here to visit Breathe! Lots of pictures and get a view into my yoga life. Twin Advertising designed it, and they are redoing the Train-This site! Stay tuned for the unveiling, next week!

:-) Mary Eggers

Priorities

Someone told me this week that I needed to rethink my priorities. Someone who has never taken the time to get to know who I am, but has judged me from the outside. I always find it interesting when we place judgments on people. Whether it be me, a politician, a movie star..... I find that when we decide we don't like someone, it is usually because we see something within that person... that we do not like about ourselves.

I have been guilty of that myself, and it is a hard lesson to learn. It's a very humbling lesson to learn.

But then, think of the most valuable lessons you have learned in your life. Likely they are not from the best days of your life. Likely they are from the most difficult days of your life.

Those might be the days you point out as mistakes, or as things you wish had never happened. Had they never happened though, would you be where you are today?

It's all connected. Everything holds an important lesson. Everything is placed within our lives for a reason, and everything leads to the next. The journey of life may not always be easy, and it is not supposed to be easy. It's too important to be easy.

I learned a very important personal lesson this week, and it is a lesson of how far I have come. While I have come a long way, I still have a long way to go. When you think you have arrived at the top of the mountain, you realize that you have only just begun the climb.

I learned that life is fragile. I learned that in an instant it can all be over. On my death bed what will I remember, what will I wish I would have done?

I am so very blessed that my amazing husband has allowed me to create a situation where I can be at home with our son. I am so blessed that every day when he gets off the bus it is me he comes home to. I am so lucky that during Spring Break I have no worries about child care.... he and I can take long walks in the woods and feed the birds in the park.

We can go out to breakfast every single morning. On the rainy days we watched a movie that we have seen a thousand times. We can swim until our fingers are wrinkled and we are frozen.

This is the stuff life is made of. It isn't about "one-upping" someone else. It isn't about tearing one another down and causing pain.

It's about living. Stopping and breathing the air and feeling the warm sunshine on your face. It's about feeling the feeling of a small hand in yours, walking side by side. It's about the warmth of a hug, and sweetness of a kiss to your cheek. It's about getting lost in childhood stories.

It's about just spending time together. No time constraints, no deadlines, no nothing.

These will be the days that Luc remembers. And these will be the days that I remember.

So if my priorities seem to need rethinking, then allow me to stand tall in the wrong. Allow me to stand firm in it. If you classify motherhood and allowing yourself complete indulgence in time spent with my child......

I hope that I am wrong forever.


:-) Mary Eggers

The Healthy Side of Things

Ever notice that your health takes a dip when you take a break, a vacation, or a recovery week? That's prefectly natural. Perfectly normal. And it is happening to me.

I am sick with pneumonia at the beginning of my recovery week, and it is all right. Normally I get Pneumonia 3-4 times a year. This year.... just once and the timing could not be better.

My husband and I have a common interest in natural health. He finds the article or the "new thing" and I research it. I love research, I love to read studies about nutrition, training, everything.

For example, did you know that Ritalin is more addictive than cocaine? Did you know that the company that makes Ritalin funds many of the studies that promote medication to treat ADHD?

For every study that promotes the use of medication for this, I can find three that condemn it. That are not funded by any medication company.

Same with nutrition, and I am one heck of a skeptic about things. Curt's recent "find" is Pomegranate, and grape juice. And he is actually right. I have found several studies showing that in the short term (there are not many long term just yet) pomegranite, grape juice and the acai berry are three of the best antioxidant fruits you can eat. They contain more antioxidants than blueberries and even red wine.

Speaking of antioxidants there are a lot of studies proving and condeming their benefits on overall health. Again there is not a lot of long term research here, so while we wait for that, I have decided antioxidants are good to include in the diet.

Did you know that in the United States nutritional supplements are not regulated by the FDA? I could grind up the grass in my backyard, put it into a pill and tell you it will help enhance your health. In the United States nutritional supplements need to only prove they are safe. It's why I have aligned myself with nutritional supplements that are held to European standards, per the reccommendation of Cyndi Weis at Breathe. Cyndi is one hell of a Dietician so if she suggests a product, you know it is quality.

So as we make the turn into April I have decided to launch part II of my nutriton plan. Part I was about making good choices, losing body fat, and gaining lean muscle. Part II brings me to the elimination of sugar.

Gulp.

So I have given up the white fluff, and I don't mean in candy. That's the easy part. I mean the hidden refined sugar in our daily foods. And I have given up ice cream.

Both of these are GONE until July 23rd.

I want to know that on July 22nd, I have done everything possible in training, in my emotional world and nutritionally to have the best chances for the greatest day of my life.

Want to feel absolutley amazing? Give it a try as well. Week one is hard. But by week 3 you feel balanced in every way. You will notice a difference in training. You will notice a difference in yur energy level, you mood, you actions towards others.

Putting the proper things into the body, nutrients, minerals, etc will give you the chance to have the best possible health, the best possible BMI and the best day of YOUR life!

:-) Mary Eggers

Dropping My Bag of Stuff

It's come that time of the season where I need to do some house cleaning. Where I need to take a look around me and what is in my life and begin to simplify. Specifically, what is surrounding me that is positive and fills me with good energy? What is surrounding me that is an energy drainer, an energy sucker?

Every time I head towards an Ironman I find the need to do this. This means distancing myself from people and things who radiate negativity.

We all have our bag of "stuff" that we carry around with each day. I tend to carry a lot in my little bag of stuff, and I do that by choice. In my bag of stuff are all the various roles I play in life..... Mom, Wife, Athlete, Entreprenuer / Coach , Yoga Teacher,Nurse. So in a sense, I have enough in my bag of stuff. Enough that a little annoyance or negativity just weighs it all down. When you are traveling 140.6 miles there is just no room for anything but good stuff in the bag.

Traveling towards 140.6 requires me to be in the best emoitonal place that I can be. I think that is the reason why my Montana trip will be the most important week of training for Ironman Lake Placid.

Finding that clear and positive mind gives me invincible strength. When I can nail it, and tap it, nothing can rock me off my base as I call it. No one can walk by me with a sneer or a remark and make any impact. It washes off of me. I am close to that place, and I am excited.

I can't say it is a cocky arrogance that I feel when I can tap it. It is a quiet, calm confidence. Confidence within myself, for myself. It is a place where I never worry about my competitors. Why worry about them? I wish them all amazing races and I wish us all to drive one another to our best days. If that's first or last it is our best that matters. Victory doesn't always mean winning.

Worry about someone else's race, worry about someone else's training, and you pull yourself away from your own true potential. Learn to fly. Learn to let go of inhibitions. Learn to let go of attempting to intimidate other people, let go of all of that which you hold in your bag of stuff.

Allow only good positive things to fill that bag of stuff and you will soon relaize that your bag of stuff is more like a balloon that guides you and allows you to fly.

:-) Mary Eggers

Rabbit Ramble!

Two days before Easter we traveled to Schoharie NY to spend Easter with Curt's Mom, and I signed myself up to run in the 4 mile Rabbit ramble! The Rabbit Ramble was a road race held in New Guilderland New York and about 150 runners showed up to run in the chilly spring. I was one of the very few that ran bare legged in the 25 degree weather. But the sun was shining and I felt excited.

I am at the end of a 3 week build which has seen me average between 16-20 hours per week. We've placed a massive focus on running, averaging just about 40 miles a week. So I came into this race a bit without proper rest. On purpose. Races like this however I like to call "indicator races." I use them as a speed workout, and to see that while tired, where am I at?

It was a late race start of 10 am, so upon arrival I completed a 2.5 mile warm up. It was definitely cold but I was not going to run in tights. It is spring darn it!

The runner crowd is much different form the triathlete crowd, which I always find amusing. I identified the girl who'd likely be in the top three, as she was boasting to some friends about her previous wins. She had long braids so I nicknamed her braids. The other girl whom seemed to be quite good was named "criss cross applesauce" by me in recognition of her cross crossed top.

At the start of the race Braids' friends came up to her laughing… "Who is the girl in the SKIRT?" and I realized they were talking about ME! You see a few years ago I received a sponsorship from Skirt Sports, and I have about 10 awesome running skirts. I tried one out and I have never worn shorts since. You would not believe how comfortable these things are. Now I am not one to frequently wear a skirt, or even wear pink so they must be comfy if they are on me. Apparently they have not yet made their splash in the Albany area, as I was greeted with a sneer from the girls.

It made me smile.

The race begins and I settle into a sub seven minute pace,. I knew there were some sloping down hills and equally sloping up hills. My goal for this race was to stay under 7:30 and to finish sub thirty minutes.

Even with all of my three week build on top of me, I felt good, I felt smooth. Best yet I was running within sight of Braids and Criss Cross Applesauce! Hooray!

You know you are deep in Ironman training when 4 miles seems short!

We hit the turn around and my pace was varying as the terrain was varying, but I concentrated on feeling good, because I did!

During mile three a man whom I named "The Wolf" ran alongside me and pulled ahead. He had good broad shoulders and hair that would make the hippie generation very proud. Rather than fight for position, I decided on a little strategery, and I tucked in behind him. I have never drafted in a run before but I decided to give it a shot. Sure enough at mile 3 when things began to get faster I was able to pass him back and for good. Later I would learn this guy runs 40 road races a year!

I finished within sight of Braids and Criss Cross Applesauce, 29 minutes flat, which is a 7:15 average mile pace. I was ecstatic! I could have gone faster, I felt no pain, and in fact I felt as if I was flying. It has been two years since I have felt this happy about running.

I finished up the day with 2 miles nice and easy and a spin on the computrainer at Curt's Mom's house.

One of the things I love about coming out to Schoharie, is the lack of technology out here. This town is so remote that there is not any internet or wireless phone. 2 days away from the hub always allows me to reconnect, recollect, reassess and then return to society refreshed.

With the winter weather we are getting again this week I am relieved it is a recovery week. Rest week… test week as we like to say around here. Then I will prepare for a final 3 week build into Gulf Coast, which is another indicator race. The taper for this 1/2 Ironman will only be about 8 days.

So the Rabbit Ramble, a success. Another block of training completed….. And here is to a week on Spring Break with Luc. Looks like we will be kicking our feet up a bit and drinking good hot cocoa.

 Mary Eggers

One Door Closes......

Those of you who know me, knwo Kelly Bergkessel. She's my training partener, my travel buddy, and we talk triathlon like regular people talk football. Conversations revolve around Lisa Bentley, Norman Stadler, what we think of Gordo's latest entry..... we are the biggest Gordo Fans there ever were. If we could, we would be President and Vice President of the Gordo Fan Club.

We've trained thousands of miles together in various states. Kelly used to live here in Rochester you see, and she's been in Connecticut the past few years. Growing tired of being in the same place, she has longed for soemthing new and different.

And that time has come. She's moving to Colorado, Boulder to be exact at the end of the month. She's got a better job and she will be joining the gym where Dave Scott teaches Spinning. She'll likely get into the Masters team where Simon Lessing swims. And I am sure she will be in heaven. I am trying to convince her of coaching, and she's emailed with Gordo about going to work for him someday. Now that he is based in Boulder, that becomes more of a reality.

I am really sad. really sad. We've shared a lot and we still will, it will just have to be a little further. Both of my Ironmans I ahve done with her. She's seen me thorugh some great races and she's seen me through some bad races.

So for me the door closes in a way, as a new one opens for her. This is where she wants to be, and this is where she needs to be.

So best of luck my dearest friend Kelly B! And I smell a week long training camp at altitude in 2008

:-) Mary Eggers

The Warrior Poet....

If you have been following the remarkable John Blais, then you are familiar with his war against ALS. This inspirational and magnificent man completed the Hawaii Ironman in 2005, and I had the privilege of seeing him on stage at the Clearwater 70.3 race. The 70.3 World Championships. John's fight and his legacy have brought many people log rolling across finish lines all over the world.

One of our athletes, Philip Clark (who sang the National Anthem at 70.3 world champs) is raising money for the Blazeman, as he is known as. Philip shared some sad news this morning. The Blazeman has slipped into the final stages of ALS and it is expected he will pass away within the month.

If you have ever stopped by his website, then you have been inspired by his words. This man could have crumbled up and died. But he did the opposite. He did the Ironman which was for many of us, living life to the fullest. He not only brought attention to the win less war on ALS but he has inspired the entire world.

So this morning when I am out on my 18 mile run I will pray. And I will pray for his safe passage to the world beyond. I will pray for his pain to end peacefully, I will pray that he will leave this world knowing how much he touched out hearts.

This was written by him and I think this says it all. We love you John. I am honored to have been touched by your life.

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams or for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your motion. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow. If you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and close from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fit it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with the wildness and let the "Meatheadedness" fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not there everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still shout stand on the edges of a lake, river or mountain and shout to the silver of the full moon.

Yes! I'm a Meathead...


It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for someone you love.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and truly like the company you keep in the empty moments of your life and still remember me...

Your friend, Blazeman

You Know You Are Training for the Ironman When...

There are things that happen to me when I begin to dip into my long Ironman training weeks. First and foremost I get really, really stupid. I forget things mid sentence and I search for my keys about 12 times per day. Here are just a few of the idiot things I have done this month....

I showed up for dinner at Jill's a week early and then on the date I was supposed to show up, I completely forgot.

I forgot to combination to the safe where I put my passport and my airline tickets to Montana. Not only did I create the combination but I use it a few times a month.

I have forgotten most of my user names and passwords.

I could not comprehend how June comes after May.

And how April only has 30 days. Or is it 31?

I have locked myself out of my house 2 times.

I have trouble counting in general. Which sucks when you have a kindergartner who depends on your expertise.

I have begun my laundry 3 times and forgotten I began it, necessitating a second wash to each batch to rid my clothing of "washer stink".

I begin a conversation with Bill after the race on Sunday that I continue with Glenn later, with Bill next to me and both looking at me like I am nuts. (Good thing they know I am.)

When I got pulled over for speeding and the cop asked me how old I was, I told him "30-34 sir." (he let me go...)

The institution of an organizational system has been mandated by my husband. I have been told that if I lose my way home he is not helping me. On the other hand he thinks this is hilarious. It's happened before and friends..... it is going to last until November. So be warned. Be prepared.

I am on a permanent 7 second delay. If you tell me something important past running mile 11 please email it to me later. And don't worry, I find it funny too.

That's the road we travel as we head towards the land of Iron. And I am so excited to be on this path. Come rain shine, or one last blast of snow as we are expecting tomorrow..... I don't' care bring all of it. I am so lucky to be able to say I am healthy. I am so lucky to state that I am happy.

And Carl Johntson, I am so lucky to be able to tell you that I am having immense, immense fun.

:-) Mary Eggers

Spring Forward Race Report

This morning we had beautiful weather for the Spring Forward 9.5 Distance Run, and I am pleased to announce I had a terrific workout! The day began at 0430 with a 90 minute ride, and then continued at 7am with a 6 mile run with some of my athletes. We got to the starting line just in time for the start, and the next 9.5 miles were wonderful. Nutrition was working well, and I was feeling great, even with all those miles already on!

This is a very hilly course, not one section is flat, so finding an average pace is never an option! After we finished we ran another 3 to tally 18 miles of running for the day. No soreness, no bonking, a complete success.

Many kind people welcomed me back to the racing scene, and it made me realize it has been a bit since I raced locally. We have an amazing community here.

So build week 2 complete with 40 miles of running, 200 miles of cycling and 8000 yards of swimming. 19 hours total, and we have one more build week in the block!

Hooray! SOrry so short, much more to come!

:-) Mary Eggers