Momentum Matters

The Mantra of 7 Triathletes

Remember the book, The Little Engine That Could, written by Watty Piper? It was one of my kids' favorites about a train of toys that desperately needed an engine to take them over the mountain so they can deliver toys and food to the children on the other side. When none of the big, important engines will help, the Little Blue Engine comes along to save the day. As she inches up the steep hill, she's chanting her mantra: "I think I can; I think I can."

And that's how it was for Team TriEverything. For 90 days we swam and biked and ran and said, "I think I can; I think I can." It wasn't always pretty, but little by little we turned into triathletes.

In the end, all 7 of us finished the race strong with 4 of us winning age class awards. Here's a quick team summary provided by my bff Terry:

 

Awesome Annie, a newcomer to swimming, showed us her transformation when she swam across the lake that she, her husband and son live on. Calm and inspirational, she placed 17th overall and 3rd in her age group.

 

Sassy Shawn surprised herself — but not her team — by placing 32nd overall and 4th in her age group. In just 90 days, Shawn transformed from being afraid of the water to such a strong swimmer that she led the yellow caps in the open water on race day and became a role model for her teenage daughter, who watched with the hopes of becoming a triathlete written all over her face.

 

Dynamo Diane, a lean-mean-fighting-machine, was our expert when it came to all things triathlon. The TriGodess was her 4th triathlon and she excelled in the water as well as on land. Diane's power-packed arms and legs carried her to the finish line in 33rd place overall and 3rd in her age group. 

Laughin-out-loud Leslie cheered on her team and was in total shock when she found out that she placed 34th overall and 3rd in her age category. She laughed at this since she "jokingly" mentioned the night before the race that she wanted to place in the top three... wish granted!  

 

Timely Tammy had a personal goal to complete her race in 2:00, and SHE DID!  She was eager to show her co-workers her medal since some doubted her by saying, “You won’t be at work on Monday.”  Steady and determined was her race.

Laid-Up Lori didn't let a leg brace prevent her from entering her first triathlon. While the transitions were tricky, she managed to finish 7th in her age group and 57th overall.

 

Terrific Terry achieved her personal goals to not "freak out" in open water and to finish in less than 1:30. Her wishes were double granted. When she heard Sassy Shawn yell, “GO TERRY GO!,” she knew that was her clue to sprint in to the finish line for a 10th place age class finish in 1:24. Her support team was Chef David, husband extraordinaire. and their daughter and son-in-law.  

Henry Ford has been quoted as saying, "If you think you can or think you can't, your right." We thought we could, and we did. Bravo Tri Sisters! I'm proud of you.

Tri Goddess Leslie

 

We Tri-ed. We Conquered!

Faster than a speeding bullet...

More powerful than a locomotive...

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's TEAM TRI-EVERYTHING!

We crushed it and had so much fun. It just shows how consistent training combined with an inspiring goal will get you across the finish line. From left to right, the names given to team members by my bff Terry (and first one to say "YES" when I suggested we enter the Tri Goddess Triathlon):

Timely Tammy, Laughin-Out-Loud Leslie, Sassy Shawn, Dynamo Diane, Terrific Terry, Awesome Annie, and Laid-Up Lori

surprise, surprise; we're making it an annual event.

Leslie Hamp, Creative Catalyst &
TriGoddess Finisher (1:11 & 3rd in age group)

über inspired

In the days leading up to my June 24 Tri Goddess triathlon, I'm thinking like my Olympic heroes who will über inspire us from July 27 to August 12. No doubt, all will tell you they worked long and hard to land on the world stage, and many will tell you they practiced visualization and mindset techniques to curb nerves, boost mental awareness, and heighten self-confidence.

During the last Olympic games, I remember interviews with Winter Olympian Julia Mancuso, alpine ski racer. She said starting at the age of 9, she created images of success in her mind. She pictured herself skiing flawlessly and earning four Olympic medals. She drew posters of herself capturing a gold. She created vision boards. And at the end of the 2010 Winter Olympics, she held the most Olympic medals ever for a female American alpine skier — a gold in the giant slalom at the 2006 Olympics and silvers in both downhill and combined at the 2010 Olympics.

I've never done a triathlon but I've heard all kinds of stories. A good friend said he was so nervous before his first Tri that he just couldn't catch his breath and had to float on his back to prevent himself from hyperventilating. Another said she got her shoe laces caught in the pedals and lost precious time straightening them out. And still another said the transitions were so tricky that it took a while to figure out what she needed to do next. 

My Tri experience will be a good one. I've been consistently working on my swimming mojo, my biking technique and my running Chi. I've also embraced the power of visualization. It's gone like this:  

• It's race day and I'm standing on the sandy beach and feeling the energy of the competitors, supporters, organizers and spectators as we prepare for the swimming portion of the event. 
• With goggles, swim cap and Tri shorts and tank on, I look around at all the color and hear laughter, shouts and the sound of swimmers moving forward.
• I feel myself dip into the water and get in the groove with smooth, fluid strokes and an easy breath pattern. Everything is flowing and before long, I'm done. As I depart the water, I'm feeling strong and excited about 11 miles on the bike.
• In the transition area, I lace my tennies, don my sunglasses and helmut, jump on the bike, and feel myself cranking. I refuel on a power bar and sip from my water bottle, feeling a refreshing splash of cold water dripping down my chin. And all of a sudden, there's the next transition.
• I jump off the bike, remove my helmut, add a visor, and away I go for the 1.5 mile run. I feel the wind on my face and settle into and a nice, easy running groove.
• I'm feeling strong and energized and lengthen my stride when I hear the excitement of the finish line and see the banners, spectators and clock. I cross the finish line in under 2 hours, in good form and with a smile on my face. High five, baby! Thanks Mom for the athletic genes and thanks Dad for the determination. Life is very good.

I've used visualization to launch a business, write two books, earn Stott Pilates certification, and much more. You can do the same. Dash me an email, and I'll show you how. 

And cheer me on the day of the TriGoddess Triathlon, whether you're near or afar. It's going to be an amazing journey.

Leslie Hamp, Creative Catalyst
(& über inspired member of Team TriEverything) 

PS - My books, Create the Life You Crave and Beautiful Journal, are available at Amazon (click here), Barnes & Noble and locally at Apostle Islands Booksellers in Bayfield. I prefer buying from Demaris and Theron (715/779-0200) as their fabulous bookstore is one of the many small businesses that make our area special. If you live out of the area, call them anyway. I bet they'd ship the books to you.

 

Unleashing My Swimming Mojo

As I've been working on my swimming mojo at the Bayfield Rec Center pool, I've also been noticing the energy of the place, especially the energy of the swimming community.

There's the lifeguard, a bearded gentleman, who often practices Tai Chi as he watches us swim.

There's a friendly, heavy-set gentleman who tells me he delivers newspapers at 4 in the morning and his wife says he can't return home until after 8 a.m. to ensure he doesn't wake their young daughter.

And there are swimmers of all shapes and sizes, each splashing around with fins, snorkels, aqua belts, noodles or naked (as my TriSister Shawn describes swimming without props and supports).

When I signed up for the TriGoddess triathlon, which is a mere 10 days away (yikes!), it meant I had to quickly dash all of my no-swimming excuses — the water is cold, it takes too much time and organization, yadda yadda yadda — and practice my freestyle. I'm definitely a work in progress as I strive for that effortless glide detailed in the book, Total Immersion, and companion DVD, Total Immersion Swimming: Perpetual Freestyle Swimming in 10 Lessons, both by swimming coach Terry Laughlin.

For the past three months I've gotten myself out of bed and into the nearest pool to practice:

1. low-drag, high-fluency swimming — Laughlin's term for gliding effortlessly through the water instead of being dragged by it
2. railroad arms — Laughlin's description of relaxed hands and long arm strokes pulling along imaginary railroad tracks
3. Zen swimming — Laughlin's emphasis on a relaxed mind and body

As I get in the zone and freestyle away, I imagine the lifeguard watching and thinking:

• "Her technique is improving."
• "She's getting faster."
• And ultimately, "She has good endurance and that effortless glide that allows her to swim longer and longer."

And so it goes as I try to master the correct way to swim like a fish so I'm ready to join my TriSisters — Sailfish Shawn, Dolphin Diane, Torpedo Terry, Angelfish Annie, Ladyfish Lori, Tiger Shark Tammy, Lightfish Lisa, and Electric Eel Yvonne — as we line up against all the competitive sharks on June 24. When it's time to sink or swim, I guarantee Team TriEverything will do the latter!

Leslie Hamp, Creative Catalyst
(aka Lungfish Leslie)  

 

Kelly & Crew Open House Today

It's such an honor (and a kick) to share my clients' stories and successes. Here's another about a woman with a big personality, big vision, adventurous spirit, confidence, sassiness and unbridled style....

BAYFIELD, Wis. — Kelly Kirchner, Proprietress of Kelly & Crew, invites area residents and visitors to their grand opening on Wednesday, June 6 from 3-6 p.m. at 21 South Broad Street in Bayfield. The new store features lifestyle clothing for both women and men, as well as little luxuries for women searching for clothes and accessories that fit their body and lifestyle, exude confidence and style, and are an investment that will last.

Lifestyle apparel is about pieces you purchase because they make you feel good. Turns out they are timeless, you love them and you have them for life... like a true friend,” Kirchner says. “Little luxuries are great pieces of jewelry, bags, hats, and accessories that complete the look. They are all wonderful things that we don't need but must have.”

While Kelly & Crew is a new store, it's not Kirchner's first venture into the retail world. For nine years she owned Island Thyme, a thriving floral studio and gift store on Madeline Island. When it came time to renew the lease, Kirchner decided to pursue her dream to live and work in Bayfield.

"I learned so much at Island Thyme; it was the ideal evolution to opening Kelly & Crew,” she said. “I always wanted to expand to Bayfield due to the longer retail season. I knew I'd have more opportunity and was ready for my new life in Bayfield.”

Kirchner and her partner Bob Breunig purchased the house on Broad Street in September 2011 as it fit their criteria of great energy, the perfect location for a retail store, and ample space to fill the gap for women's lifestyle clothing and apparel.

"We have a fantastic crew of six working together to serve customers,” Kirchner said. “We feature a mix of good things including component pieces that work together with other lines as well as stand alone: Eileen Fischer, Cut Loose, Karen Kane, Johnny Was, and Whitewash for women plus Kavu, Quicksilver and Kuhl for men, to name a few. The color and fabrics make a style statement and are an investment in one's wardrobe.”

Kirchner has a flair for color and a knack for combining clothes and accessories that fit each customer's body and lifestyle. Customers feel excitement and relief knowing they will find pieces that are comfortable, free, simple, sassy or sophisticated.

"I love working with customers, from petite to curvacious, who have an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a desire for comfortable, quality clothing that will last,” she says. “They are looking for guidance for an outfit they want for work, travel, a special event or vacation. It starts with color, maybe a feeling, and, of course, a fit. Sometimes we begin with shoes, sometimes a hat. It's a fluid process as the outfit builds. And it's fun.” Kirchner says.

"Customers are already telling me they're moving old things out of their closets and plan to buy a piece or two each season. Before long the new pieces will take over and create the foundation of their personal style.”

Supporting the local economy is incredibly important to Kirchner and co-owner Bob Breunig.

“We support other businesses and truly appreciate when others do the same. It's income to Bayfield, the community and the people who call this area home. We are lucky to have a good local work force and feel fortunate to have their energy and commitment,” Kirchner says.

"I want my customers — local residents as well as visitors — to experience the adventure of the area and our little store. I want them to say, 'I found this blouse in the sweet little town of Bayfield. What a great, charming, little town on Lake Superior. It has a good spirit about it and offers so many things – beauty, boating, music, arts, Big Top Chautauqua, self-propelled adventures and wonderful people.' I want the piece of clothing they purchase at Kelly & Crew to encompass their experience in Bayfield as well as become a favorite piece of apparel.”

The Kelly & Crew staff look forward to meeting area residents and visitors at the grand opening on June 6. Find out why Kirchner's motto is, “Life is short. Be yourself. Wear a splash of color. Fill your wardrobe with comfortable pieces that exude an adventurous spirit, confidence, sassiness and unbridled style.” For more information, call 715-779-3807.

 

Kelly Kirchner, Proprietress of Kelly & Crew, a lifestyle clothing store for both women and men, invites area residents and visitors to the grand opening on Wednesday, June 6 from 3-6 p.m. at 21 South Broad Street in Bayfield.

 

Leslie Hamp, Creative Catalyst