|
Irongeezelle™
July 2009
A monthly webzine for smart, savvy women
who live an active, healthy lifestyle!
|
|
 |
|
(Contemplation: Lake Pleasant) Women in the News
You are the news. Send us your news: irongeezelle@msn.com We all need to read this one over and over - until it becomes part of who we are! 1. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind, if you are one of those grouches)
2. Keep learning: Never let the brain get idle. 3. Enjoy the simple things. 4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her. 5. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Live while you are alive. 6. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 7. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 8. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 9. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend. 10. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time. 11. Lost time can never be found. 12. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. 13. Try it all, at least twice. Once is not enough.
(Thanks to Island Girl, Kim Lorenz, for sharing these wisdoms of life.) Happy Fourth of July! Sorority! Equality! Liberty!
And the Right to Pursue Happiness!
|
(Podium Finishers Rainbow Triathlon)
Updates:
May 30th, 2009 5th Annual Rainbow Cup Triathlon Tobago, Caribbean (by Winston Crooke)
Nevis Triathletes Shine in Tobago: The triathletes of Nevis once again demonstrated their importance in the regional triathlon scene as they tested themselves against the best in the Caribbean at the 5th annual Rainbow Cup Triathlon. Kristina Stoney was the returning champions of this event from 2008. She was accompanied by two friends of Nevis Gwen Pullman-Trucco and Sarah Ittman. The stage was set for a thrilling race, as pro Elite female Kelsey Kooreman, a former winner of this event had returned to challenge Kristina. After the swim, Kristina finished 10 minutes behind the pro, but undaunted she proceeded to do what they are trained to do, race as hard as she could. Next Kristina took on the 8 lap bike course and this was where she shone, posting the 2nd fastest bike splits of the day in her division. Lastly the run, which proved a very long day in the sun, not only because of the weather, but because there had been a mistake in the setting of the run course: the course was longer by an astounding 6 km. None of the athletes were aware of this, prompting Kristina to remark “that was the toughest 10km course I have ever run, ” but she held on to overall 2nd places by comfortable margins. The Nevis guest racers Gwen and Sarah had also podiumed in their respective categories and Gwen took 4th overall in women’s Olympic distance, so the whole group returned with trophies they should be very proud of. May 30th, 2009 Ironman 70.3 Hawaii
Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii
Ponce de Leon had nothing on the Hawaiians. If you want to swim not just in the fountain of youth, come swim 1.2 miles in the spring of life, at Hapuna Beach Park. Restored, refreshed, renewed, bike with the Queen, that’s 56miles on the legendary Queen K Highway to Hawi and back, before running 13.1 miles home through Paradise of a lush, tropical golf course set along the ocean; Arizona women in Paradise for the 2009 edition; Gail Archer, Kimberlyn Slocum, Deborah Coy-Cirillio, Patricia McQuade. Oldest Eden Eve: A beast, a tri-beast, though and a kindly one, Cherie Gruenfeld won the 65-69 age division. Next year, this race will be held June 5th! Plan accordingly. www.ironman703hawaii.com
May 30th-31st ,2009 Deuces Wild Triathlon Weekend
Fools’ Hollow, Arizona
Diana Heintz, tribal Diva, 28, was 4th; Tara O’Sullivan and sweetheart, Urmas, both placed among the top 5; Jane Esahak–Gage was the numero uno and her partner, George 2nd ; Winner of the 65-69 AG was Karin Bivens, “Just returned from Show Low where I did the Deuces Wild Olympic distance triathlon. I won my age group...but then I was the ‘only’ one in it! (Editor’s Notes: Karin, never admit that! Secondly, you beat all the women in your age group who decided to stay on the couch. Sadly, there are plenty of those out there.) TriSportsRacing did a superb job of putting on this race and 75% of the money taken in goes to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the remaining 25% goes to Show Low for the athletic programs there.”
In the long course, the DeuceMan Triathlon, Laura Nagy, 41, won her age group swimming 1.2 mile, biking 56 mile bike and running 13.1 mile. Deanna Richardson, 46, was in the bronze medal winner spot.
New for 2009! – The Aquabike: 1.2 mile swim and 56 mile bike
Tribe Racer Min Wang, 4th overall; Judy Kamela won her AG, 40-44; then, a gap – until Rose Neiman, 56, and Gwen Hyatt, 60.
Also, new was the Youth “Deuceathlon” of .5 mile run, 3 mile bike and a .35 mile run – Girl winners, all who participated: Lauren Bailey, Alex Kuna, Alyssa Bailey, Isabel Arboleda, Emily Bailey, Emma Hornak and Sydney Andersen – but can you say Bailey triathlon dynasty? www.trisportsracing.com
USA Triathlon USAT All-American Irongeezelles:
In a league of her own plus one: Madonna “Iron-Nun” Buder, 78 and Molly Hayes, 76;
Susan Bradley-Cox, 71, HM Jan Miller, 70 of AZ;
Ann Erickson, 66, the only Irongeezelle to defeat the Endurance Empress, Louise McGonigal, 65, who is also an All-American Triathlete;
Cherie Gruenfeld, 64, and Amy Fredericks, 62; Honorable Mention Diane Dedek, 56 of AZ; Kate Samuelson, 50 and HM Kay McCormick, 50, of Arizona ; Jane Esahak-Gage, 46, Mary Jo Ford, 48 and HMs Marlene Zuhl, 45, and Linda Hurley, 46 – all of Arizona; HM Elisabeth Lawaczeck, 40; AA Erica McClurg, 38 and Heidi Pahl, 36. www.usatriathlon.org
|
(Wendy Gesund, Aquaphor Triathlete) June 6th, 2009 Tribal Sprint Lake Pleasant, Arizona
The day began early for racers who made the trek to Lake Pleasant for this hot Tribal sprint triathlon, but these early birds were rewarded with a glorious sunrise over the water set among the serene Sonoran desert, resplendent with cacti awash in the orange and purple and pink hues of the dawn and - tribal wear. The setting is splendid to the eye, but tough on the limbs, as this short race is surely on one of the most difficult sprint courses in the country. Add to that the heat and well, it is another day of fun for trigeeks – don’t believe that hype? Then, mark your calendar for next year to attend this now well-organized event – same tribe, same place… but in the meantime, realize that you missed out, while 90 women – among them, Claire Moty, Denise Benjes, Min Wang, Ellen Summo, Wendy Gesund, Brenda Szewc, Theresa Cibulka, Sheila Reid and the oldest female (if you can believe this) Deborah Gobins, - did not. By the by, for you single gals out there, there were twice as many guys there as gals – talk about odds in your favor! www.dcbadventures.com
June 6th, 2009 Arizona Open Water Swim Series #2
Lake Pleasant, Arizona
Who got wet? Over 200 swimmers, that’s who? And that’s in the desert!
Open water! This was the largest open water swim ever held in Arizona – who would have “thunk” it that there was such a pent-up desire for open water swimming in the Sonoran desert. The pristine water of Lake Pleasant swim made for a pleasant change (pardon the pun) over swimming pools, in which 1 out of 5 American adults gladly admit peeing into…who are these people? Anyway, I digress. As in the previous open water swim, there were four divisions: 2000 meter with or without wetsuit, and 4000 meter with or without. Although for the life of this kayaker, I have yet to figure out, why someone would swim without a wetsuit, unless that swimmer was a confident, experienced swimmer, which quite of the non-wetsuitted swimmers in the 2 and 4 thousand meter were not, based on first person observation. Bathing beauties in the 2,000 and 4,000 m wetsuit swims were: Heidi Pahl, and Laura Smith, the overall winner; winner of the Pixie division, Alison Burnett, who preservered valiantly through a tough swim and succeeded as always; Claudia Eldib and Laura Nagy.
Now to the mermaids, the ones without the wetsuits: Kay McCormick, Meghan Bullock and Mom Kathi Lindstrom, Katie Ellis, Erica McClurg, and Patty Gray. Special cheer goes out to Tribe volunteer (before and after the races) and Tribe racer, Min Wang, who not only her division in the preceding Tribal Sprint Triathlon, but also swam 4000 meters sans wetsuit in 1:12! www.dcbadventures.com
June 7th, 2009 Ironman 70.3 Switzerland
Rapperswil-Jona
Not only did Irongeezelles compete locally that weekend in June, but one of our favorites, Spatzi, who has sadly left Arizona for the peaks of Colorado, managed to squeeze in a 70.3 race in the City of Roses and that little jaunt of a 1,9 k swim, a 90 k bike ride, and a 21.1 k run came in between job interviews, moving to another state, working full time, and attending a wedding in Europe. While a bit frazzled, Elisabeth Lawaczeck still dazzled with a top 10 finish in a time of 5:26, which stateside in her age group 40-44 may have meant a podium finish, but as those of you who have raced in Switzerland know, the Swiss are wicked fast – must be the cheese and chocolate www.ironman.ch |
(Arizona Road Runners Summer Series Logo: Race Like It’s Hot)
June 13th, 2009 Ironman 70.3 Boise
Boise, Idaho
“Rain, rain go away,” would have been the chant among the athletes, but it was not to be. This Boise race was a blustery day of rain, wind and hail. Nevertheless those who raced still love the course: Peggy Ellis, 50, finished top five and has vowed to return again next year for an even better finish in the BoDo district. Irongeezelle thought 6:08 on that course was excellent, but Mama Ellis would have liked a bit better bike split, but safety first on the slick roads was saner. Mighty Mausi, Diane Alkins, of course, had to finish with aplomb – no, she did not sky-dive across the line this time out, but managed to finish 13th on the 13th - how did she manage that? That’s some voodoo, witchy woman! www.ironmanboise.com
June 14th, 2009 Eagleman Ironman 70.3
Cambridge, Maryland
While the racers in Boise had to bide their time until 1pm in the afternoon to start, things started early in the Choptank River at Eagleman. Among the starters this year, perennial Irongeezelle favorites, Ironcouple Canada, the Endurance Empress, Louise McGonigal and her Irongeezer Dave Watts. Having recently returned from coaching the “younguns” of the sport, you know anyone under 60, these two once again prove to have the tristuff – Louise, the reigning Queen of Kona won her age group, and Dave came in second among the 70-74 year olds, a group which seems to be sprouting geezers. Another familiar face back east, Juda McGannon of Maryland, who swam, biked and ran as well as she had years ago – that eastern air must be agreeing with this consummate runner, the discipline which once again at this race, carried the day for her. If interested in participating in this race that has been ranked as a classic of the sport and has recently won the accolade of “best race support” on the circuit, best sign up early – this race always sells out. www.tricolumbia.org
June 14th ARR Summer Series #2
Reach 11 Horse Lovers Park, Phoenix
This was truly one of the coolest races at this “happy trail” venue, but we all ran like we were hot (and dusty) – all 690 of us, women and men. Among the “hot” women runners: Erica McClurg, Tara O’Sullivan, Maureen Melton, Paula Case, Connie Garrity, Heidi Hill , Karla Averill, Jan Teft, Lynn Mushorn, Lynne McGinley, Sue Berliner, Kathy Stinchfield, Karen Davis, Sharon Ross, Michelle Steiner, Sue Smith, Judy Lang and the oldest runner, Roberta Warshawsky, 75, who was neither last, nor least – she was 673rd overall.
Of course, there were 40 walkers, too. Winning the walk in a time of 31:12 was Ciara Everhart…she beat many of the runners. This Arizona Road Racers summer series is and remains one of the top bargains in amateur athletics and we encourage you all to support their efforts at bringing quality racing with chip timing to the Valley of the Sun, not just in the summer months, but all through the year.
www.arizonaroadracers.com
June 14th, 2009 Ironman Kansas 70.3
Lawrence, Kansas
Ad astra per aspera - "To the stars through difficulties" – that’s the state motto of Kansas, and yes, Toto, we are still there. In 2008, the race did indeed have difficulties when severe weather forced race directors to shorten the run course to ensure the safety of the competitors. This year the difficulties were the usual ones for an endurance event – swim 1.2 miles, bike 56, and run 13.1. This event did not fill to capacity it appears from perusing the results, but there were some wickedly fast times – Holly Alexander, 62, of Derby, KS, the oldest female in the race, went under 6 hours and Jan Mohs, 57, won the AG of 55-59 in under six, and Kelly Dibold, 47, of Dibold, KS slid in under 5 hours – what is in the “wheaties” in KS? (wheat is the largest crop in KS).
www.ironmankansas.com
|
(Start of the Magnolia Run – Photo Credit Super-Mom Ute Popp) June 20th, 2009 26th Annual Magnolia Run for Epilepsy
Atlanta, Georgia
Hot ‘Lanta lived up to its name on this race day. It was hot. It was humid. But wait there is more to running in Atlanta than heat and humidity, as anyone who has run the Peachtree Road Race in July can attest. There are hills. One might make the assumption, wrongly, that Atlanta is flat…why one would do that, I don’t know, but Atlanta is anything but flat. And while some of us may harbor the quaint, antebellum image that the Southerners are gentile and slow, that is another ill-advised stereotype; the Southerners encountered at this 4 mile race, while polite, friendly and courteous, race fast and furious – perhaps because many were using this as a warm-up (or should I say heat-up) for the world famous Peachtree Road race. The pace was blistering among the top contenders from the start gun – no chips here; you had to line up front and run top speed from the get-go. Oldest runner in the race Eleanor Wilke of Marietta, GA, 75, who outdistanced 13 other runners younger than herself. The overall Master’s female runner, Mary-Gay Li, 45-49, ran the four miles in 25:45, which also put her in 3rd overall among the 312 women racers in attendance. While the race predominantly featured local racers, there were also several athletic tourist taking in the local color: Mariam Staunton of Chicago, Illinois, Mary Anne Rodgers of Hartford Conneticut, Kim McConnell of Erie, Colorado, Karrie Norman of Irmo, South Carolina and Irongeezelle, who highly recommends this race should you find yourself in the Atlanta area next June…after all, it is a smooth, undulating course run for a good cause with proceeds going directly to help fund support groups, educational programs, children’s camps and medications for those with epilepsy. It was a fun-filled morning of exercise, good company, and philanthropy!
www.epilepsyga.org/magnoliarun.htm
June 21st, 2009 Ironman Coeur D’Alene
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Irongeezelle Finishers from Arizona in alphabetical order for a change:
Dena Aucoin, Kelly Buckley, Content Burke-Frazier, Pixie Division winner- Alison Burnett, Audra Cox, Shannon Crane, Amanda Davis, Heather Donnel, Ora Fried, Jenifer Garner, Erin Glenn, Shannon Gahl, Meagan Kassner, Francine Katz, Lynn Langenderfer, Jennifer Lastfogel, Chrissy Mancini, Cheryl Miller, Laura Nagy, Karen O’Hagan, Chrissy Paz, Nicole Pondell, Pamela Reed, Lisa Rex, and Ashley Robota. Oldest female finishers were in the age group, 60-64, with Cindy Rach claiming the number one spot that will take her to Kona in a time of 13:40:30, and the number two, Naomi Pickrem. And, of course, 1998, Mighty Mausi, Diane Alkins, 50-54, finished yet another Ironman Coeur D’Alene. Will she ever stop? – Never until she gets to Kona! If you want to get in this race for 2010, better hurry, 2010 is almost sold out. www.ironmancda.com
June 28th, 2009 Buffalo Springs 70.3 Ironman
Lubbock, Texas Only 253 women participated in this year’s event with an average time of 5:59 compared to the 683 men who swam, biked and ran this half-ironman distance course in an average time of 5:38. This race was not sold out this year. Why? Was it the economy? The frightening weather that is often a key factor in Lubbock? But there was one gal from Arizona who braved all of that and more, Elizabeth Rich, 24, of Cave Creek, AZ, who was on the podium in 4th with a time of 5:37:06, with a swim of 35:29, a bike of 2:50 and a run of 2:07. www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com
|
(Roswitha Köhler, Irongeezelle’s Aunt, Tour Guide, Draisine Rider, Gardener and Breast Cancer Survivor)
Extra! Extra! Read All About!
Join the Army! No, not that army, but the Army of Women. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation for Women, a global leader in breast cancer research, joined forces to launch the Love/Avon Army of Women. This revolutionary initiative has two key goals: -To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all. -To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women. Join us in this movement that will take us beyond a cure by creating new opportunities to study what causes breast cancer—and how to prevent it. Here are some of the current research studies: Project Title Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects on Fatigue, Immune Function, and Mood Project Title The Gap Study Study Summary African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than Caucasian women, even though fewer African American women are getting breast cancer each year and screening use has improved. Project Title Weight loss and biological parameters in breast cancer survivors Project Title The Milk Study: Using Breast Milk to Screen for Breast Cancer and Assess Breast-Cancer Risk Become part of the solution, this Army needs YOU!
: www.armyofwomen.org
Best wishes go out to Irongeezelle Nancy Pauw, the Überbiker, who had a severe bike crash on an organized bike tour in Italy. On a descent, a pothole and other construction equipment became her demise as she toppled over her handle bars; she lacerated her hands severely, broke her arm, elbow, sternum, chin, and lost some teeth. We all send her our thoughts for a speedy recovery. She’ll be back – after all, this is one though grandma, having survived the Russian hinterlands without a scratch just last year.
We said goodbye this month to Irongeezelle Elisabeth “Spatzi” Lawaczeck, who has moved to the greener pastures of Colorado. She has never been a “desert rat,” and now this self-proclaimed “Mountain Girl” has fulfilled this dream – to live in cooler climes near one of the tri-meccas, Boulder. We wish her all the best in her new career and know that triathlon will become an even bigger part of her life in the Centennial State among the magnificent scenery of purple mountain majesty, verdant river valleys and windswept plains.
Mark Your Calendar:
Athletic Tourism:
August 1st, 2009 Full Vineman – the 20th Anniversary
Time to celebrate the oldest, continental USA 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run: What do we call that? An “ironman distance” race, of course. A non-corporate, franchise event, where the race is about YOU. Yes, the credo, “the people’s ironman distance event,” was part of the charter of this event, and remains one of its core values – this is an athlete-centered race with a small field of about 500 competing in the gorgeous, tranquil, inspiring setting of California’s wine country. Join the celebration, “far from the Ironman® crowd,” www.vineman.com
August Moon: Barb’s Race.
A women’s only triathlon. Actually, the only half ironman distance for women only in the world. How is that for unique? Well, there is more: Women may also choose to do this event as a relay with other women, giving each participant a “taste” of the “Vine” and longer distance racing. This race also serves as a fundraiser for women who are facing a cancer diagnosis. This adds to the altruism of this environmentally friendly race. Sounds like a win, win, win to Irongeezelle – play with friends in a glorious setting and raising money to help others. Half of the entry fee will be placed in the Vineman Cancer Charities, which has raised $265,000 since 2001. And yes, the race is named after a cancer survivor, volunteer, Barbara Recchia, who is currently living a healthy life.
Barb’s race will be held on the same day, August 1st, as the Full Vineman, the oldest ironman distance event in the continental USA. www.vineman.com or contact Barb direct at barbsrace@yahoo.com
September Song: Monaco 70.3 Ironman Relay Challenge
When? 6 September 2009 1.9km Swim | 90km Bike | 21.1km Run
What? 50 qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida 30 qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
The 5th edition of this 70.3 triathlon will again feature the Relay Challenge, an event inside the event. Of course, the regular half-ironman distance race will also be on.
The course will still using the mythical frame of the Formula 1 car race, the race that is a major sports event in the Principality. On September 6th, the racers will swim, bike and run. Racers of all ilk, professionals and age groups, men and women, who have trained all year long will try to grab a spot for Hawaii or Clearwater, dream triathlon destinations.
Same place, same race, but a different challenge, the Relay Challenge will also take place on that same day. The goal? A swimmer, a runner and a cyclist will attempt the same distance as the individual distances. This will be an exciting challenge between friends, office colleagues or sportsmen. It is a fun way to participate in the big event, but, if you wish, only in your favorite discipline! All combinations are allowed, and there is only one requirement: Have fun and cross the finish line with team spirit! Won’t you join us? www.monaco-ironman.com
Trek Women Triathlon Series
1/2 Mi. Swim | 12 Mi. Bike | 3.1 Mi. Run
Sally Edwards, Hall of Fame triathlete, and Spokesperson for the new Trek Women Triathlon Series, invites you to race with her at the cities listed below: More venues will be posted shortly, check www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com
• July 5, 2009--Seattle, WA
• July 12, 2009--Pleasant Prairie, WI
• August 9, 2009--Mount Snow, VT
• Sept. 6, 2009--Orlando, FL
Dates to Remember: RIGHT NOW
Yours for the Doing - Always: IronCare Spring Special: $35 for a one hour true deep tissue sports massage.
A sports massage helps reduce muscle tension; improves range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance; shortens muscle recovery time between workouts and prepare the athlete for peak performance.
Massage Therapist Stephanie Buettner is herself an ultra runner and understands what it takes to compete at your best. She is certified in MyoMotion Therapy.To be able to perform at your highest level, MyoMotion Therapy, along with Ironcare Sports Therapy, is now offering a Spring Special: A One Hour deep tissue sports massage for ONLY $35. Go to www.ironcare.com for more information.
From Cheryl Miller: Spinning ‘til your winning!
6:00 pm Tuesdays @ Tribe This is a beginner to moderate spin class. GetFit is a triathlon training company that hosts this spinning class here at Tribe. Your first class is always free and her pricing varies depending on your participation. Questions: Email Cheryl: cherylmiller06@yahoo.com
|
|
|
|
|
