The Iron Woman of NaBloPoMo

I am accepting a new challenge as of today – it’s called NaBloPoMo. That stands for National Blog Posting Month and to be a member of this club, you have to post every day in the month of November. Sounds like a real challenge to me but I’m crazy enough to go for it.

I am behind in posting and in everything else today because of the IronMan Triathlon. Are you shocked to think I am in training? I would be shocked too!

The reality is, there are 2600 athletes in my area today and the race has disrupted my day. Today’s job of avoiding the major traffic jams created by 2600 cyclists was not nearly as rough as the day I met one of those cyclists up close and personal.

The race organizers pay local clubs and organizations to work the hydration & snack stations along the route. For several years, I enthusiastically volunteered. The second year I did it, a cyclist lost control of her bike near our station and crashed into my friend's car. It slowed her down, I'm sure, as she left a big dent where she hit the vehicle.

I thought that was a random event but the next year, I was running alongside the cyclists to hand off GatorAid. Another one of them lost control of her bicycle and crashed right into me. When I came to, I was lying facedown in the dirt. Yep - it completely knocked me out. In defense of the IronMan athletes, I must say that it was not this race. It was the spring triathlon that enters amateurs as well as experienced athletes. But needless to say, I no longer volunteer at these events.

I think these athletes are amazing. I am happy they come to this area for lots of reasons. But I have learned that it’s not for me. So I give them a wide berth and change my plans to make it all work.