About Me

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Austin, Texas, United States
I'll make you laugh, or break my neck trying. This is usually accomplished with daily bouts of swimming, biking and running. A former "chub-a-holic," I got fit and healthy the good old fashioned way and went from a mid-pack athlete to top age group runner and triathlete. I'm a Writer and USAT Level 1 Certified Triathlon Coach. I guess that makes me part Tina Fey and part Jillian Michaels. Visit my coaching site at www.fomotraining.com

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Husband Hijacking!




Don't panic...this is only a test to see if I'm able to commandeer my wife's blog for IMAZ raceday updates (yes Richard, there will be videos).  As y'all know, the countdown to Ironman Carrie-zona stands at a mere 10 days. That means Carrie is in taper mode (don't worry, she is still out-exercising virtually all of us combined), but trust me she is ready for this monumental day in her life.  It is a goal she has had for a long, long time.  She truly loves the sport of triathlon and actually looked forward to the 20-30 hours/wk of training that went into the 9 month preparation for this one day.  I don't know of any other anesthesiologists that get out of bed in the morning after their wives!

Please be patient as my literary (and my aerobic) prowess fails in comparison to Carrie.  The eight of us who will witness the event first-hand want all of you to have the same thrill.

Carrie will experience multiple highs and lows in her 12 hour plus day.  To help motivate and further inspire her, I am asking that each of you share your cheer for her.  This will give her the opportunity to read them well before the race and remember them during her hours of suffering in the hot Arizona sun.  I also want to hear from all the Sapps, Sergios, Barretts, and Sheskeys.  It is real easy to post a reply (you don't even have to register, just post as anonymous).  We are grateful to all of you for getting the vote out last month for the evotri showdown...we just came up a little short. (There's always next time...) Let's hear from you all once again as we give Carrie one helluva sendoff...

Thanks,

Shawn


28 comments:

Meredith said...

Good luck Carrie! Buckeyes can conquer anything and you are going to ROCK this Ironman. Dave and I will be watching from our computers. We're looking forward to watching you cross the finish line. Please post your number so we can follow along.

Sending much love from the Buckeye Nation--Meredith!

Scott and Lindsey said...

Go Carrie!!!! Just remember, you are ready. You have spent endless hours preparing for this event. Your body can handle it, regardless of what your mind might start telling you. Just relax and go. You're going to do great. You are a machine, girl. Go get 'em!!!!!!!!!

Dave said...

Carrie, this is Meredith's husband Dave. You've put in your training, and you're going to be so strong for this race. We'll be here in Ohio cheering you on long-distance!

ShirleyPerly said...

GOOD LUCK, CARRIE!!!

I know you're plenty ready to take the horns of IMAZ and show it who's boss. I'll be following and rooting for you from Florida. Thanks Shawn for taking over the helm of her blog so we can follow what's going on with her during the race.

Richard said...

You are totally going to rock, Carrie - and Shawn, we are going to tailgate the hell out of this IM. Fire up the grill, its race season!

Anonymous said...

Best post ever! That other writer sucks.

I can't wait for next week.

- Thonster

Anonymous said...

hang on sloopy!!!! go bucks. good luck.

kevin
fellow buckeye.

FunFitandHappy said...

Looking forward to following along on race day. Do you have your number yet?

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee) said...

GOOD LUCK and look forward to reading your race report

Anonymous said...

Go Carebear!!!!! You are an inspiration to all of us. I will definitely be cheering you on and following along during the rest as best I can. Please be sure to post your race number so that I can check your progress. You have worked so hard and I know you will rock Arizona!

- Smurf : - )

Mike said...

You've come so far! I'm proud of you and, of course, your ever-supporting husband.

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy."

- quote by Edgar Bergen
- quoted by someone with more sense

IronWaddler said...

Good luck Carrie from a fellow buckeye. I wish you the experience of a lifetime!

Anonymous said...

When someone kicks you in the water, when your saddle starts to irritate places you didn't know existed, when your hamstrings begin to tighten, remember that your training has prepared you for whatever the course can dish out.

God speed and may the wind be always on your back.

The B team Mom & Dad

triguyjt said...

hey carrie... you will totally rock this sucker in carrie-zona...

you got scarlet and gray blood coursing through your veins and you know all about the toughness of buckeyes..

best advice this old bird can give is to keep telling yourself as the day goes along to steady your heart, place your faith in all the training you have done and the great support from friends you have met and all of the others who have not (blush) had a chance to meet you, but think they know you..

kick butt, crack jokes, have fun..its a joyous day, especially finishing off the thing..
all the best

Anonymous said...

good luck!! it's been fun to follow your training. Enjoy the race!!

michelle said...

You kids are so darned cute!! I love the pics. Like Shawn, I will be on the sideline cheering you on to victory!!! Remember, the Ironman is your reward for everything you've sacrificed to get here. It is a feeling like none other...an experience that will stay with you the rest of your life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!!

Anonymous said...

From Buckeye country we say Go Carrie!

Runner Susan said...

Go Carrie!!! Good luck and kick ass!

Anonymous said...

Have an awesome day! Will be following the race from NZ - goodness knows what time it will be, but will work it out and send my positive thoughts!

Stephanie S said...

Carrie, this is going to be an awesome trip. You'll have to forgive me, I'm packing my Austin Marathon cow bell and my UT pompoms. While you are out there kicking butt, we're going to work on a competition of our own, best fans at IMAZ.

Michelle said...

Carrie, rock the course, beat it down into the dirt, you know you've got it! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Thanks everyone for giving Carrie such great support! It means so much to her. Race day forecast calls for a high of 92 degrees...so there will be plenty of suffering to endur. She feels great one week out and is looking forward to the challenge (and to the wine to follow)

Carrie is an amazing wife, athlete, and person...and soon to be Ironman!

Please keep your words of encouragement coming.

Hubby Shawn

Unknown said...

I don't even know-know you, Carrie, but from reading your wonderful, hilarious, and empowering blog I know you will be able to taste the sweet wine at the finish line of your first Ironman. You will, in my mind, become an IRONWOMAN. You go, girl. I'll be following right along with you and sending you ALL my energy on race day. Good luck FUTURE IRONWOMAN CARRIE!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Carrie,

Don't think I'm going to get a chance to see you in person before your blessed day so I guess I'm going to have to suck it up and give you the good luck on the grid.

I've not had the pleasure of your company in my Gazelle pack often enough but what little I've had has been worth much.

What you are doing is impressive and I don't doubt for one second that you will do it with grace, courage and the guts of a Gazelle.

When I get that proverbial question of "WHY DO YOU RUN MARATHONS" I tell them it's all about learning. My greatest learnings have come when I'm so tired I can't think and I hurt so bad I have to focus on something outside my body. It's this place that's amazing, this is where most people never go and this is where the true learning lives.

When it feels unbearable remember you are having the ride of a lifetime.

Learn on my Gazelle friend, learn on...

Patricio said...

Go get 'em!
You'll do great.
Can't wait to read the detailed race report.
PC

KCWoodhead said...

Um...I want a husband like yours! Does he have a brother?? Maybe I can convince my sister that posting on my blog while I'm racing is super important.

Mrs. Lyme and Mrs. Sapp said...

Go baby go! we love you! i am sending a little "kare" package with your mama and papa! we will be routing for a successful run. we know this has been a goal of yours and we are soooo blessed to watch you pursue your goal and go after your dream! enjoy! love you lots! the marc sapp clan!

Anonymous said...

I'm a newbie triathlete who stumbled on your site. you can do this and know you are an inspiration to all of us!! we'll send our best karma from san diego area!!