Sharry Miller

2011 Gold Nugget Triathlon

My race motto: keep moving and keep smiling. If I can’t do both, it isn’t worth it. As I worked my way through the 2011 Alaska Women’s Gold Nugget Triathlon I couldn’t help comparing every step of the way to how I had felt during last year’s race. A natural reaction, I suppose, given that I’ve only completed the race twice. Yes, I’m proud to say I completed it again this year, and even bested... Read more →

Packing for the Tri

I know, I know, I said there'd be no more triathlon posts until the one in which I actually told you about the triathlon, but I thought somebody out there might benefit from my bit of experience with having done the Gold Nugget Tri before. Last year I felt like I had no idea what I was doing or what I should bring, so I thought I'd share my preparations this year. It's hard to... Read more →

Mud Bog Trail Run

After starting the day with a migraine that I'd had all night, I was planning on just taking an easy walk after work today. I wanted to see how dry the trail behind our house is (the Alpetco Road). Just because it's what I do, I started up my Nike+iPod as I left to record how far and how fast I went. I walked down to the end of our street and started out on... Read more →

Tri Training Update - Final

It's been 13 weeks since I "officially" started training for the Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon and this will be the last update I post. The next time you hear from me on this topic should be my race report after the triathlon one week from today. I hadn't realized until just now that I'd skipped writing updates the last two weeks - I thought I'd only missed one. I suppose I haven't been seeing... Read more →

Headwind!

It's inevitable: if I'm riding my bike there will be a headwind. It's been a long-standing fact of my life. On our tour last spring in British Columbia I tried to convice Mandy that I couldn't be held responsible for international headwinds, but she refused to buy it. I was tired after work today so I thought I'd just go out for an easy spin in an effort to continue to try to be ready... Read more →

Expanding Your Self-Definition

It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while (especially when my arms feel like they're going to fall off while swimming or my shins are screaming at me during a run) I ask myself why on earth I'm planning to do another triathlon. After all, I did it last year and therefore proved that I could. Why do I need to do it again? I'm not sure that I could really give you... Read more →

Tri Training Update - Week 10

It just doesn't seem possible that it's already been 10 weeks since I started training for this year's Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon. While I'm thrilled that I've kept it up this long, I really thought I'd be much further along by now, especially in running since that's what I've been focusing on. Ah, well, I've been saying all along that it's most important that I keep moving and I still believe that's true, so... Read more →

Competition, Participation, or?

The word "compete," and by association "competition," has been on my mind lately. When I mention to someone that I am registered for the Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon, I never quite know how to phrase it (other that the way I just did, which sounds rather stilted). I'm not really comfortable saying that I will be competing in the race, but participating doesn't sound right either. The conundrum: what verb to use. It's probably... Read more →

Tri Training Update - Week 9

Ah, spring. Despite its vicious vagaries which bring three foot dumps of snow in April, it's good to have it finally here. I'm especially grateful for spring as I was finally really able to move my training outdoors this week. Granted, the snow made it a bit difficult for a couple of days, but I persevered. I was thrilled earlier this week on my first outdoor run from my house (as opposed to in a... Read more →

Tri Training Update - Week 8

Here I am, having completed the eighth week of my eight week running program. Have I miraculously become able to run for 30 minutes straight? Hah! Not a chance. I am, however, still working at it, and that is what I deem to be most important. I was travelling again this week, to Las Vegas this time. Ah, the sun and the heat were wonderful. An early morning (7:00) run was perfect - about 65... Read more →