Sunday, February 24, 2008

The Final Cut -- Team Evotri

Thanks for all of your support guys! I found out this morning that I didn't make it onto Team Evotri.
I'm really glad I participated, anyway. It was really nice to see all of the support and the loving community that I have here come vote for me. It means so much to me, more than you might realize. And, even though this contest took me WAY out of my comfort zone, that is what triathlons are all about -- so it's about right that I tried anyway. If I inspired just a few folks on the way, then it was all worthwhile.

I hope you will continue to vote for your favorite contestant at www.evotri.com My favorite is Sarah McKibben, and she is running on a similar platform to mine. To vote for her email vote@evotri.com and "Final Round Sarah McKibben" in the subject line.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Thank You for Voting -- this is not American Idol or a Presidential Primary

I want to thank the so many of you that have taken the time to vote for me. There are a few people in particular who have made a really huge difference. First, I want to thank my friend John Sarvay over at Buttermilk & Molasses who featured me on his site. Countless Richmonders read his blog because it is so well written, funny and smart. Plus, he is always telling us things we need to know! Also, I'd like to thank my Near West End News partner, Kory Mohr, who's been getting the word out both on twitter, his personal blog and a local fitness forum. Also, I'd like to thank Chris Humes over at SPROUT who emailed all the folks in my CSA Veggie Co-Op to support me. And finally, thanks to Sarah over at Fat Girl on a Bike, who has been a huge support, and has said some really nice things about me. And, her words are really good at reminding me why I've taken on this challenge in the first place.


This team is an amazing opportunity for non-elite triathletes. It gives them the
equipment, coaching, sponsorship and training availabilities that most
triathletes can’t afford. It exists to honor the everyman triathlete. Jonah
would make an awesome addition to their team.

And finally, none of this would have happened at all if it weren't for TRIgirl 40. She has been my biggest supporter and started the ball rolling on this whole thing!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Team Evotri -- On to Round Two of the Competition

Thank you for all of your support and your votes! With your help, I am excited to say that I made it to Round Two of the Team Evotri contest! The Richmond area support has been amazing -- especially for someone like me who's a bit shy. It is a little overwhelming even!

The entire Richmond community (TRIgirls, Richmond TRI Club members, teachers, bloggers, friends and friends of friends) have been so great in supporting me. I am very grateful.

If you have time please go to the Evotri website and watch all 7 videos and vote for the one that you think best answers these questions (hopefully it's mine):

1. How will you benefit the team if you're chosen? What are your personal
attributes?

2. How have you, and how do you plan to give back to the endurance
sport community? Nothing is too insignificant, list it all.

3. Why tri? Please be as creative as possible in explaining why you are passionate about triathlon and endurance sport?

Monday, February 18, 2008

Team Evotri Making the Team: Round One

I am so happy to say that I am a finalist for a national contest to be a member of Team EVOTRI.

The top ten applications can be found at the EVOTRI website.

To vote for me, first watch the videos, then send an email to vote@evotri.com with JONAH HOLLAND in the subject line.

I entered by submitting a You Tube video, something totally out of my comfort zone -- but that is what the triathlons are all about, leaving your comfort zone. Actually, I'm not sure If I would have entered at all if it hadn't been for my teammates! It is an amazing thing that Evotri would offer someone like me this sort of opportunity.

Since the day I fell in love with the sport, it has always been my mission to get other people like me involved, because it has had such a huge positive impact on my life. So, if I win, one of the things I'd like to do is host clinics for newbies and help them learn how they can do their first race.

I completely support Evotri's mission of helping the general population learn more about the sport, so that they too, might be inspired to try a triathlon. So, if you have time, please watch all the videos and vote for the best one, per the guidelines on the website.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

On the Mend & TRIgirl Season Kick Off

Good news! Dr. Dec, gave me a good report on my chest/rib injury. She thinks I'll be back to 100 percent with 2-3 more weeks of physical therapy and home exercises. Did I mention that I bought a $35 giant tampon-looking thing to roll around on! Well, anything to get back in the pool. You know that is the one thing that she's keeping me from doing, and also the one thing that I want to do most! Dr. Dec says backstroke only until I regain full movement in my arm and neck and things loosen up in my chest. So, Maybe it will be 2 more weeks before I can do freestyle and make it to masters swimming, but I just can't say how happy I am that I'll be back to my full training schedule in 2-3 weeks.

During Saturday's brick, I even was able to go in aero for about 15 minutes of the 2.5 hour bike. It was the first time in weeks. And overall, the workout was pretty painless, well, except for those 1/2 mile repeats.
I'll be happy when I can focus my time on strength training instead of physical therapy. I've never been in PT before, so I don't really know what it's supposed to be like, but anytime I walk in the door, it is at least 2 hours before I walk out again. Jason does a great job, but I thought Redfish was going to loose it when I had to take him with me and he tried to entertain himself. Have you ever tried to entertain a 3 year old for 2 hours in a doctor's office? Let me just say, I think I'd rather do 1/2 mile repeats!

Sunday is the TRIgirl Big Sister, Little Sister Meet and Great and season kick-off meeting and clinic with our team sports psychologist. I can't wait to finally kick off the new TRIgirl season. There is nothing like a sea of fresh faces to remind you of why you are here, and how far you have come since you started your own triathlon journey.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Making the Team: 2008 Team Evotri

My Making the Team Evotri application is coming together. I will post the complete video on Friday, after we finish it. Until then, here are some words I've written for it.

By Monday, the 10 finalists will be announced!

Regardless of whether I am a finalist, I'm having a great time watching other's videos on You Tube (search for "Evotri" or "Evo Tri" or "Making the Team") and I'm really happy for all of the positive exposure the sport will be getting. I just hope the normal people watching on You Tube don't think we are all completely crazy!

Also, I just want to say thanks to my AWESOME TRIgirl teammates for the nomination. I get so much of my inspiration from YOU. More than you know....
Here goes:

I will benefit team Evotri by inspiring everyday people to try the sport of triathlon. Many people are intrigued by the sport, but think that they can't participate because they don't think of themselves as athletic, strong or fast. I can show them that anyone can do this sport. All it takes is a desire, inspiration and training.



I am drawn to the spirit of the sport. Facing adversity, triathletes find a way to succeed. All of us have challenges we have to overcome to get to the finish line. Asthma, injuries, extra pounds, or even everyday responsibilities to work and family are all things that we constantly manage. But the payoff when you overcome those things is tremendous.


When they see how much fun I have, and that you don't have to be skinny or particularly fast to enjoy racing, I hope that they are inspired. There is something special about the triathlon community. I love the culture, feeling like I'm part of a group, and the sense of commitment to helping others achieve their goals.



If I am selected for Team Evotri, I will use what I learn to provide training clinics my local triathlon community. I will continue to blog about my experiences as a triathlete and provide race reports. I will use the knowledge and training that team Evotri offers, to take my training to the next level, but also to spread the knowledge with folks new to the sport. When I'm not racing at an event, then I'm there helping out. When you see me a familiar face volunteering at packet pickup and body marking it helps ease pre-race anxiety.



When you don't look like everyone else, and maybe you're even here for a different reason, it is so, so important to feel, I belong here, because really, anyone who can and wants to tri, belongs.



At TRIgirl Training, my all-women's triathlon team, our focus is on having fun, being fit, and giving back. Last year, as a volunteer team leader, I helped to raise over $2,000 for Safe Harbor House, a shelter for women and their children, who are victims of domestic abuse. And helped mentor over 90 women -- 40 of whom were racing in their first triathlon. There is nothing quite so rewarding as helping someone compete in their first race and watching them cross that finish line.



I love triathlons because they dare to push you to your limits, and somehow you find a way to keep on going. You find that you are stronger than you knew. This is why I tri. Each race can be a condensed version of life -- full of joys, but also sometimes frustrations. I am my best self when I am training hard. Racing reminds me why I have been inspired. Triathlons help me be my best self.

Most importantly, I tri because I want to set a good example for my kids. I grew up in a family where adults didn't exercise. I want my children to have a role model who emphasizes how important exercise is. Also, I want them to know, that when things get hard, they will find they are stronger than they think, and they can persevere. To show them the challenge of working for a long time towards a goal, and seeing it through, despite what life throws our way. and to find the inspiration you gain from watching someone find the strength to do what they thought they couldn't.