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TIMBERMAN 70.3: BIG SMILES AND GREAT SPIRITS

25/8/10

Timberman 70.3 is held on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, in New Hampshire. Despite having raced there in 2008 and 2009 I still a) cannot pronounce Winnipesaukee and b) have absolutely no clue as to how the Lake got its unpronounceable name. I therefore decided to undertake some research. A few googles later I was enlightened. The Legend of Lake Winny-pes-ow-key goes a little something like this….”Many moons ago on the northern shore lived a great chief, Wonaton, renowned for his courage, and for his beautiful daughter, Mineola. One day, Adiwando, the young chief of a hostile tribe to the south, hearing of Mineola, paddled across the lake and fearlessly entered his enemy’s village. Her father was away, and before long he and the Mineola fell desperately in love. Wonaton, on his return, was exceedingly wroth to find that the enemy’s chief was his daughter’s suitor and he raised his tomahawk to kill him. Mineola pleaded for the life of her lover and finally succeeded in reconciling them. After the wedding, the whole tribe accompanied the two in their canoes halfway across the lake. The sky was overcast and the waters black, but just as they were about to turn and leave the couple, the sun came out and the waters sparkled around the canoe of Mineola and Adiwando. “This is a good omen,” said Wonaton, “and hereafter these waters shall be called Winnipesaukee, or ‘Smile of the Great…

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Challenge Roth: anything is possible

25/7/10

My first trip to Bavaria was almost 20 years ago. About the same time that Mark Allen was conquering the lava fields. I was at school. I had never even heard of Mark Allen. I was more interested in Marky Mark from New Kids on the Block. I wore stone washed jeans and tie die shirts. The traditional Bavarian costumes – lederhosens for the men and dirndls for the women – were not high on my list of fashionable attire. Never did I think I would come back to southern Germany, as a dirndl wearing triple world champion. But this is exactly what happened.

Last years Challenge Roth was one of the most special days of my life.  And returning…

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In memory of Ann: a sponsored walk, in aid of Cancer Research UK

26/6/10

One of my mum’s closest friends, Ann Jones,  sadly lost her brave fight against cancer on 2nd October 2009.  Together with Ann’s family, my mum has helped to organsie a sponsored walk in Feltwell – the Norfolk village where i grew up and where Ann lived and worked. The walk will raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK, and ensure that Ann’s memory lives on.

The walk starts from The Surgery, Wilton Road, Feltwell, Thetford, Norfolk at 11.00am on Sunday, 4th July 2010.  Anyone can donate or take part.

So please, dig deep and donate now……Thank you so much

http://www.justgiving.com/WalkingforAnn

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The Welly-Phant!

17/6/10

Its not every day that you have anything named after you, least of all an elephant. But that is exactly what has happened at Mfuwe Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Now I am not sure whether to be flattered or slightly offended. Does this mean that I am large, leathery, wrinkly and have a rather sizeable feet – and not to mention ears? Perhaps. But forgetting about any possible resemblances with this supersized grey mammal, I have to say that it is rather nice to know that I have a namesake is ambling around the African savannah, eating its own body weight in food each day, wallowing in mud and squirting people with its personal nasal…

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Blazeman Dinner – photos

16/6/10

Here is the link to the photos that were taken at the Blazeman Dinner on the Friday evening before Kansas 70.3.

http://www.competitiveimage.us/tri/Blazeman-Dinner-KIM10/index.html

If anyone wants to purchase copies of the prints, please order online and all of the proceeds from the sale will go straight to the Foundation – to help find a cure for ALS, so that hopefully one day we can celebrate the fact that people are surviving this horrific disease.

With thanks, for all your support

Chrissie

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Rock and (Blazeman) Rolling in Kansas

12/6/10
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Last year I fulfilled childhood aspirations of running down the yellow brick road, hand in hand with Dorothy and her sparkly red shoes, the brainy scary crow, the hearty tinman and the courageous furry lion.  I had such an amazing time I was all to eager to hop, skip and jump back to Lawrence for more of the same 70.3 action. I arrived the Wednesday before the race, time to bike the course again and remind myself just how many hills they had managed to fit into a 56mile ride and, more surprisingly, in a state that is supposed to be as flat as a pancake. (I mentioned to my friend Dennis that I might even have to…

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Amgen Tour of California – the lime green time trial machine

26/5/10

So – the Amgen Tour of California! I flew to LAX on Friday afternoon after a quick run and a swim session. The flight was uneventful, however, for some reason the US security officials decided that they needed to inspect my obviously suspicious looking bike box. Which was locked. Their solution? Smash the locks and all four clasps. Result – a broken box that comes out of baggage claim with its Cannondale contents exposed for all to see. They did have the courtesy of leaving me a note to say ‘we have inspected your bag’ (no sh*t Sherlock).

Anyway, I managed to get myself and my broken box to the hotel and then proceeded to load myself with carbohydrates…

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Its time to trial!

20/5/10

When Cannondale asked if I wanted to come and watch a few stages of the Amgen Tour of California of course I jumped at the chance. A weekend in LA, watching some of the world’s best cyclists strut their stuff, interspersed with a few lunches, dinners and autograph signings. My idea of fun. And then I realised that my visit coincided with the Time Trial stage of the Tour. I have only been to LA once or twice. What could be a better way of seeing some of the sights than from the comfort of my two wheels? So before I knew it I was writing an email to Bill Rudell, from Cannondale, asking if the Tour organisers would consider…

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The heart of triathlon

12/5/10

Today i received an amazing email from a wonderful woman.  Her story reminded me of exact ly why i love this sport (aside from the opportunity to have supersized calves and wear skintight attire). I thought i would share her message in the hope that it will inspire and encourage everyone to test themselves and reach for the stars…

The message went like this…….

“I watched you on tv at 250 pounds (im 5′2). Back then I loved to eat my weight in cupcakes on the couch. One day there was nothing on the tube but Ironman. I didnt even know what a triathlon was.  I watched you get a flat and then win. From there all I wanted was…

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Jenny Does It!

2/5/10

So who is Jenny?! Jenny Hansen is an amazing 17 year old Blazeman Warrior who yesterday completed the WildFlower Long Course Triathlon – the only female participant under age 20 to attempt and finish the half ironman race.  Not only did she complete the race, she did it in true Warrior style – breaking the 11 year old course record for 17-19 year olds.  The new course record in the F 17-19 year old group now stands at 6:26:58.

The day was a wonderful celebration of determination and spirit.  She raced in her Blazeman gear and rolled across the finish line to salute ALS patients, to raise awareness and to raise money to find a cure.  Before the race, Jenny…

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