Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Ironkid to Ironman

Lately my parents have been going through this phase where they're trying to get rid of old stuff.  When they find stuff from our childhood that they would feel guilty getting rid of they try to just give it to us, that way we have the guilt associated with getting rid of it.  :-)  One of the things in my last box of stuff was an old medal they had from when I was in Ironkids.  Now on my medal hanger I have my Ironkids medal hanging right next to my Ironman medal! 


I thought this was pretty freaking cool!  I can say I've been doing triathlons for over 20 years that's more than half my life !!  I love that!  Of course there were some breaks from triathlons here and there throughout those years but I always come back to it.


I can honestly say this has become a lifestyle for me and I love everything that triathlons have done for me from keeping me on my toes, keeping me interested and challenged in life, staying healthy, staying grounded, relieving stress, introduced me to some AMAZING people, bonded me with friends and family, reminds me of all the good things I have in my life and how lucky I am for being able to do the things I can in my life and not take them for granted.  I could go on and on but those of you involved in any sports endeavors already know what I’m talking about.  I thank my parents for getting me involved in every sport imaginable (tee ball, soccer, dance, triathlon, basketball, hiking etc)  and for encouraging an active lifestyle.  So even though there were times I didn’t appreciate being told let’s go hike the Osha trail when all I wanted to do was sit in front of the TV now the thing I looked forward to most when I visit home is hiking the Osha trail!
That is another reason raising money for the Special Olympics seemed like such a good match for me.  Being a part of something special and challenging themselves physically makes a huge difference in a lot of people’s life’s and I am grateful that there are organizations out there that provide these types of opportunities!

  
What has an active lifestyle done for you?  


7 comments:

Michael said...

That's so cool!!! I wish I would have been involved in stuff like this when I was young. I always think it's awesome when I see the younger kids out there at triathlons!

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

It is a life style for sure. You just can't go too gung ho on the training otherwise you can burn yourself out. Simply look at the sport as a way of life.
Looks like you have the balance down pat

MAMI said...

DO YOU HAVE A CLEAN HANDKERCHIEF? LOVE YOU MAMI I AM VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Jerry said...

IrinKids, IronMan, IronOldGuy, IronGrandPa, Iron? Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Jill said...

How incredibly cool is that!!?? I have a bunch of old medals and trophies from 20-26 years ago but I wasn't a kid then :(. Hahah. I did my first triathlon in 1983...seems like eternity ago.

I LOVE your IM cactus medal. I think I need one of those one day ;).

I love how much you live triathlons and have such a strong passion for them. I know you'll continue on and I'm excited to see your journey .

Big Daddy Diesel said...

That is so cool!!!

Sarah said...

so cool! I wish I got into triathlons earlier, you are lucky.