Fire Up!

We are ready!  The 3rd Annual Cohasset Triathlon is set for this weekend.  After months of planning and promoting, I am super excited to see the finish product on Sunday.  It will be a race to remember!

All racers, spectators, and media should check out the home page www.cohassettri.com for important pre-race instructions (find the link on the home page).  Here you will find important parking and logistic information.

See you this weekend.

Gary Hall Jr in Cohasset Triathlon

A great article today in the Cohasset Mariner about Gary, his relay team, the the fight to find a cure to Type 1 Diabetes.

Check it out here.

Triathlon Fever!

As I sit here tonight, I am thinking about the incredible success of the Commonwealth Race Series.  This great sport is alive and well in Boston!  The Marlborough, Gloucester, and Nantucket Triathlons have on average 150 spots left in each race.  This is an incredible statistic as each race is in it’s first year!  I thank all of our athletes and supporters for spreading the word and building tremendous buzz about the series.  It means the world to me.   We are building something special here in Boston.

The Cohasset Relay To Beat!

The Mother/Son team of Nancy and Colin Whelan will join Gary Hall Jr to form a relay team at the Cohasset race this year.  Nancy, Colin, and Gary have Type 1 diabetes.  This is a fantastic team competing for something much more than crossing the finish line – they are driven to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes!

Cohasset Conditions

Water Temperature:  54 degrees (hey, we still have another 6 weeks until race day!)

Road Conditions:  Marginal.  The town water project is wrapping  up, but it has left some of the roads in less than ideal conditions.  Be careful when riding on Jerusalem, Atlantic, and Main Street.  I am in regular contact with the project manager.  My fingers are crossed that some of the roads will be resurfaced before race day!

Cohasset – Helping to Find a Cure

I received a terrific note from a friend this morning….

“As you know our daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 3 and 1/2 years ago at the age 5– The Cohasset Triathlon was “born” that next summer. My life had been turned upside down as I knew it, after her diagnosis–our family was in dire straits—physically and emotionally. When I heard of the Cohasset Triathlon  was taking place and that you were spearheading it and what the proceeds would benefit, it was just the “outlet” that my husband and I needed. The training, the release of tension, the sweat, the push of ourselves on our sleep deprived bodies –because it was the ONLY thing that WE as her parents could do — to help her in the long run of Type 1. Neither one of us thought twice about participating. To our surprise–neither did a very close handful or our friends–they hopped on board, raised what they could, took time from their kids and families and trained. All because of our family and the struggles that they saw us face day and night. It was their way of helping in an otherwise helpless situation. So my inspiration comes from the need to find a cure for all the children who get diagnosed daily.  For the parents whose children suffer from this incurable disease whether it be physically or emotionally. It is the parents who have newly diagnosed children – where they cant even see straight because they are so overwhelmed inside with grief and “why my child”? and for those adults that are in my life who have type 1–and never let it slow them down, not even for a minute. I dedicate myself to all of these people.

The Cohasset Triathlon has bound a community in one goal–to find a cure. The race has been so successful monetarily and spiritually for many people. Being on this side (as a participant and mother of a type 1 child), I hear lots of feedback about the race, how it was run, how wonderful it is, — all the inspirational stories.  Look at Karen and what she endured these last two years and how she and Joe collectively have touched so many lives because of what happened. It is tribute to how quickly the triathlon sells out every year–24 hours practically, that says it all right there.  People WANT to be in this race, people need this race and I need them to want this race and do whatever they can do to raise $ to find a cure for Type 1.  The Cohasset triathlon has taken on a life of its own–one Iam sure you were not even envisioning would look like this. As has “Sarahs Soldiers Team”—over 50 participants/volunteers–all who want to help. The fundraising party this past saturday the 9th, was spectacular– I couldn’t have imagined that it would be so well received… as I always say: I am humbled from my friends near and far and their friends. What people are willing to do for someone else. THAT is what is truly inspiring–that is why I participate– and for this –all that you do–all that you have done on a volunteer basis–to give us this gift is exceptional.”

USAT Race Director Meeting

I participated in a USA Triathlon (USAT)  Race Director certification class last week in Chicago with 12 other Race Directors from around the country.  The USAT recently developed this program to educate and to help increase the competency of their Race Directors.   The program is well worth it for anyone who is currently a Race Director or considering getting into the business.

Impressive Team

I spent the lunch hour today with 16 employees from Partners HealthCare in Cambridge.  These employees have taken it upon themselves to form a team and compete in the Marlborough Triathlon.  Many of them have never competed in a triathlon before.   I loved talking to them about the course, what to expect, and how to prepare for race day.   This is a great example of a group of people taking the initiative to complete an athletic challenge as a team.   Go Partners!

Two Quick Updates

Two race related items this morning…..

For those of you in the Nantucket Triathlon (www.acktri.com), we have launched details regarding the Steamship Authority special ferry discount (for all registered racers and their families).  The race starts at noon, which we hope will give racers the flexibility to come to the island for the day or the entire weekend.

In other news, a North Shore training outfit called HillTop, is planning group bike rides that will start and finish at the Manchester Athletic Club (in Manchester, MA).   The group rides will start promptly at 8:45 am starting this Saturday for the next 3 months.  Riders will be separated into two groups based on skill and speed.   The cost for the season is $35. 

Enjoy the summer like weather this weekend!

Thank You and a Great Story

Thank you to all who participated in the meeting on Saturday with Jarrod and Tim.  One participant said it best in an email after the meeting.  He said, “that was fantastic meeting this morning.  It was nice to hear genuine elite athletes speak.  Especially local heroes.  It is tiring listening to the highly paid professionals.  Jarrod and Tim were outstanding.”  I agree!

In other fun news, I received word late last week that Sabra Hawkes, a 2008 US Paralympic Olympic team member, will compete in the Gloucester Triathlon this year.  Born with cerebral palsy, Hawkes’ emergence last year as one of the top physically disabled sprinters in the world provides an eye-opening lesson in how one very determined young girl was able to overcome great adversity in pursuit of her long-held Olympic dream.   Sandra will compete the run leg of the triathlon on a relay team with her father who will lead off the swim leg and her best friend who will take on the bike leg of the race.  A fantastic story and we are proud to have Sandra and her team in the race field.