I am signed up for Ironman Japan South Hokkaido and wondered if anyone else is . . . Thinking we might compare notes. I'm trying to arrange my travel, hotel, getting my bike there, etc. I signed up because thought I'd come a bit full circle in triathlon. If you have the time and want to read, here is my explanation of why I signed up:
When I was in college (long, long, long ago), I double majored in chemistry and Japanese. I went to Japan during the summer of 1992 for an intensive language program. It just so happened to be next to Lake Biwa. I did some translation and met some of the English-speaking athletes there. I also volunteered at the finish line, and I had the very lucky opportunity to be right there as Paula Newby-Fraser won. Anyway, I had run for a few years for fun already, and I thought it was an amazing sport. (Of course, having just watched PNF make it look so easy!) I was in Japan as a summer intern at Sumitomo Metals Basic R&D the next year in a different area of Japan. I did my first multisport race in 1993 when I was back in the US and got hooked. I didn't do a full Ironman until 2008. I hit 9 fulls and then the last few years have been pretty difficult; my husband passed away last year after a very heroic (and horrific) 5-year cancer battle. I don't quite have that burning desire to do Ironmans anymore, and I was always a very crappy triathlete because it always took a backseat to the rest of life. I thought it would be fitting if my interest started in Japan and I did my last race there. Anyway, I have always wanted to go back to Japan, life never quite aligned between getting a PhD, working for the USG in other zones of the world not so conducive to training (like Iraq), having a kid, being a caregiver . . . and then the race disappeared for a while. So, I grabbed a slot as soon as it was announced. Mentally, after my husband's death, I wasn't in a great place, either, so it is giving me something to look forward to.
For fulls, I have done IMWI a few times, IM Lake Tahoe, IM Lake Placid, IM Boulder a few times. I was at IM St. George the Year of the Great Waves and finished the swim, but had gut issues from all the water swallowed and didn't finish there. I tend to like races that get canceled! I used to like hills, but I am old and fat now, so I think the flat course will suit me just fine.
:)
Cyndi
When I was in college (long, long, long ago), I double majored in chemistry and Japanese. I went to Japan during the summer of 1992 for an intensive language program. It just so happened to be next to Lake Biwa. I did some translation and met some of the English-speaking athletes there. I also volunteered at the finish line, and I had the very lucky opportunity to be right there as Paula Newby-Fraser won. Anyway, I had run for a few years for fun already, and I thought it was an amazing sport. (Of course, having just watched PNF make it look so easy!) I was in Japan as a summer intern at Sumitomo Metals Basic R&D the next year in a different area of Japan. I did my first multisport race in 1993 when I was back in the US and got hooked. I didn't do a full Ironman until 2008. I hit 9 fulls and then the last few years have been pretty difficult; my husband passed away last year after a very heroic (and horrific) 5-year cancer battle. I don't quite have that burning desire to do Ironmans anymore, and I was always a very crappy triathlete because it always took a backseat to the rest of life. I thought it would be fitting if my interest started in Japan and I did my last race there. Anyway, I have always wanted to go back to Japan, life never quite aligned between getting a PhD, working for the USG in other zones of the world not so conducive to training (like Iraq), having a kid, being a caregiver . . . and then the race disappeared for a while. So, I grabbed a slot as soon as it was announced. Mentally, after my husband's death, I wasn't in a great place, either, so it is giving me something to look forward to.
For fulls, I have done IMWI a few times, IM Lake Tahoe, IM Lake Placid, IM Boulder a few times. I was at IM St. George the Year of the Great Waves and finished the swim, but had gut issues from all the water swallowed and didn't finish there. I tend to like races that get canceled! I used to like hills, but I am old and fat now, so I think the flat course will suit me just fine.
:)
Cyndi
Last edited by:
FeHopeCyndi: Apr 4, 24 17:57