Amazing Andrea

As I taper (hide under the bed) for my 17th Ironman this coming weekend, I'd like to thank Jayne for her delightful book that inspired my triathlon journey. In 2003, I stumbled upon a review of Slow Fat Triathlete in a small-town Canadian newspaper I picked up while waiting for a friend to finish a phone call. Intrigued, I raced out and bought the book, then zoomed through reading it. Not only did it send me out to buy a wetsuit and a spiffy bike, it also led me to romance with a Kona champion (added bonus!) and a MA at Harvard (equally as memorable, exhausting, and not-to-be-missed as any IM race I have done.) Jayne's insights got me to my first start line and, while I curse her on every race day exactly two minutes into the swim, I am grateful ever after. My background of 15 years as a competitive figure skater is not apparent during Ironman, other than crossing the finish line with grimy, Gatorade-splashed arms beautifully extended. I am not built for speed. Instead, I toodle around the race course admiring the beautiful scenery, the speed f the fast athletes, the kindness of strangers, and the immense joy of simply being alive. I squelch the screaming of my angry muscles and pedal on ~ a metaphor for life, n'est-ce pas? The perfect race day for me means finishing second to last, right under the midnight cut-off. I'd like to personally thank Jayne for her book which led me to life-long friends and, although I'm shocking light on training, has kept my 60-plus year old body in the same jeans I've worn for 30 years. Ironman allows me to eat mucho and still look and move like someone half my age. Even if triathlon is not for you, this charming book will make you laugh as you cheer Jayne on. Three thumbs up for this book from a very grateful Canadian. Triathlon will teach you more than you cam imagine about LIFE.