Embrace What Defines You

Embrace What Defines You: 4 simple words that are not always so simple to stay true to.

It is never easy to say you have moved on even if it is only in reference to the sponsorship world. My reason for leaving the Maverick Multisport squad this year was simple but hard to make. The decision to change directions was because I wanted to team up with some terrific local companies.  I am truly grateful for the support they gave me in 2014 and the wonderful relationships that transpired. And now from this end, spring new beginnings.

I wanted to put my heart into my 2015 sponsors like I put my heart into training and this sport.  I wanted to EMBRACE what I believed in and I wanted to be a sponsored athlete in an environment that is open to collaboration.  In 2015 I am dreaming of another level of possible and here is the team that will help me raise the bar.

Northeast Delta Dental and Tom Raffio.  This outstanding company and CEO are highly involved in the NH community. Tom is EPIC and has a goal of running 100 races in the 2015 calender year. Holy moly. Talk about putting me to shame.  Tom and Delta Dental have offered to cover some of my travel expenses for the 2015 year and I am honored and grateful.  In return I will be participating in Delta Dental Radio talk shows and will be live on 107.7 The Pulse as well as choosing some local NH races to participate in. (I think part of the contract also stated that I brush my fangs at least 2 times per day.) DOH!

 VELOCIO: My apparal/kit sponsor for 2015 is Velocio. Ever heard of it? Well if you haven't, hold onto your caps. This company is passionate about everything that matters. Design, detail, fit, quality of fabrics and a promise to make sure their mills are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. I actually got to design my own kit for 2015 and and this will be the tri kit that is sold online. And if there is one phrase that sums up this new company it is that they 'sweat the details.' Its evident the company worked tirelessly to hunt down the best fabrics to make garments that are hand sewn in Italian mills. After a 5 hour trainer ride when I am usually feeling EVERYTHING the ruthless reliability of the quality and detail of the fabric shines through. I am 100% stoked on this let’s-look-at-this-differently brand.  

The Mid Jacket is one of my favorite winter riding/running pieces. I snowshoe raced in Canada in -15 degrees and was actually quite toasty and dry. 

If you know me you know I am serious about food and drink! I was so serious about the latter during the off-season that my current training focus is to #burnoffthechristmascookies. I am also very serious about race nutrition and fueling plans and consider this the 4th discipline.  This is the reason I am sticking with Infinit Nutrition for the 2015. I do believe that Infinit is an absolute game changer. When you find a company that makes a powerful customizable (oh yeah that's a world....google it!) isotonic all in one nutrition solution you can't help but picture yourself like this:

No big deal.

4 hour trainer rides = 8 bottles of Infinit Custom Blend.

MC CYCLE and SPORT.  Wanting to support a local brand/shop and hop back on a Felt I decided to partner up with Myles Chase and MC Cycle and Sport located in Laconia. I send everyone looking for great service and product to this shop. Myles has outstanding customer service and top notch brands.  He is passionate about the sport and is a talented athlete himself. The shop is also very passionate about setting a healthy living example and are passionate about getting the community out running, biking, hiking and skiing.  There are multiple group workouts each week which give you a double dose of sweat and shenanigans.  The shop is in their 10th year and Myles and crew challenge you to #LevelUp and make 2015 an epic one!

Two thumbs up for MC Cycle and Sport

Back on the Felt Baby! #LevelUp

 Zone 3 Wetsuits. Let's start by saying I have a very bizarre body structure. You could say I have the body of a 12 year old boy with lats like a line backer. These 2 gems made it nearly impossible for me to squeeze this oblong body of mine into a wetsuit over the years. And then ZONE 3 came along and saved me! Holy awesomeness. Besides for the new freedom my arms and lats are enjoying in this wetsuit Zone3 also fabricated a very low neck line. No more getting choked out by the neoprene mid swim means Amber can smile even harder!


Beet Performer. Drink daily and Drink lots. You get 15% off if you use Ambertri at checkout. That's all. Enjoy!

Rudy Project Award winning technology. And I get to rock an orange helmet. Oh yeah!

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Rotor Components. Customer service matters. And Rotor is superior. Also Q-rings are the BOMB!

In 2015 I challenge you to Embrace What Defines You even if it gets a little hard... Be true to yourself and never stop believing. Chase your dreams with reckless abandon because nothing is impossible.

It's About More Than Just Endorphins

It's actually about WAY more than just the endorphins. As the dust begins to settle after my 2014 season and after receiving several, very similar e-mails, I found myself reflecting on why sports are so important to me.

The Positive Link Between Sports and Self Confidence:

I remember my mom sitting me down after my first year of Kindergarten and telling me I was going to repeat my Kindergarten year. It's peculiar the specific child memories we remember and those that are lost along the way. But I vividly recall her gently telling me it would be good for me to do another year in Kindergarten because it would give me the chance to grow bigger and stronger. Only much later did I learn I was staying back because I was VERY shy. I hadn't made any friends that year and at lunch and recess I would ask to sit with my teacher.  That summer I remember my mom encouraging me to sign up for the summer track and field program. I shook my head and stomped my feet all summer until she finally convinced me to just go and watch on one of the last nights. Well, I ended up participating that night in the 100 yard dash. My nervous little 5 year old body toed the line nearly in tears.  But something funny happened when the gun went off. All the nerves vanished. I crossed the finish line and they gave me a Thanks For Participating ribbon. I remember how different I felt after that race.  I was always a smiley, shy kid but this ribbon made me smiley and confident.  Slowly but surely my confidence began to grow. Sports made me feel like I had a purpose and I was anything but shy on the field.

Time to go beat up on some boys.

My Eating Disorder and The Turning Point

The love affair with running and sports started early.  The quantity of running and sports ebbed and flowed throughout my childhood years but it was always present in some way.  The reasons I developed an eating disorder are far from simple. It was much more than just performance related.  Although, unfortunately, with the nature of endurance sports that was a small part of it.  At times the disorder and the desire to go faster fed into each other. I had a relentless ability to stay motivated and disciplined. Good for sports, bad for squashing an ED. But soon the eating disorder took over and when it gripped me the hardest was, obvious in hindsight, when my running struggled the most.  During my sophomore year in high school I was deep into anorexia and battling bouts of bulimia.  I remember setting out for a 8 mile run one day until I was forced to stop 10 minutes in, feeling very light headed and broken.  I cried and walked home and realized that if I didn't change I would lose the ability to do what defined me.  Running was vital to who I was.  It empowered the shy little girl unlike anything else and I am lucky I woke up and realized the value of that. And in a role reversal, running saved me and allowed me to quell most of my body issues. I eventually earned a college scholarship and realized after winning the Div 1 New England championship that you don't get a medal for being the skinniest, you get a medal for working hard, getting strong, and having the most heart.

Eating lots. :)

It Was Never About Breaking The Tape

Although it was awesome to take the Win at Ironman Lake Placid. It has never been about that. I have so much respect for the endurance community and I love sharing the course with like minded athletes all fighting their own personal battles. The reward is the journey and hopefully through sports I can be the catalyst for someone to find the courage to go out there and be great.

The Human Connection and Sports

It's amazing how solid a friendship can become after bouts of training. Training side by side and sharing the pain and intense emotions of a session is an invaluable experience.  Conversations may be labored but they are sincere and honest.  Specifically biking and running in packs binds athletes together because everyone has a devotion to the group.  The pack mentality is of extreme loyalty. There is a quiet but extremely strong connection. The ups and downs of an endurance run or ride will expose you at your weakest. But that is why your friends are there to help pick you up, or feed you a GU or give you a hug.

So it is WAY more than just about endorphins. It's about the wonderful unexpected friendships...

My very FIRST homestay after I first turned pro. I consider Jim a GREAT friend.

 It's about the traditions.  You realize Danny ONLY races so he can guiltlessly gorge himself at the Pre-race breakfast buffet:


Pre Ironman breakfast buddy

 It's about suffering with a friend.  A friend who makes you laugh when all you want to do is throw up in your his bento box:

 It's about loving the chase and being chased. Thanks Bree!

 It's about motivating others to do what they never thought possible:

 It's about the thrill of winning and then realizing a second place has strengthened you more than you ever thought possible:

 It's about lovingly nudging your parents to go out and play and laugh like kids (and hope they don't disown you after the snowshoe sufferfest):

And the endorphins don't hurt. I mean look at these crazy fools below. You don't smile like that after sitting on the sofa!

 

50 Tweets Til Christmas

You have heard of Christmas in July but Christmas in November?

Yesterday I started the 50 Tweets Til Christmas Challenge. Everyday from now until Christmas I will be tweeting and Facebooking either a training tip OR a special promo code for discounted gear or products from some my amazing sponsors.

I may even have a few days where there are free give-aways to lucky respondents of some trivia. Make sure to like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter to make sure you stay up to date!

The Snowshoe Race Series Schedule is Up!

Did you see it already snowed in Maine and Mass? New Hampshire is next and that means snowshoe season is almost upon us!

If you haven't raced before, this is the year to do it! I can't wait to do some snowshoeing:)

The list is up for the Granite State Snowshoe Series and while I won't be doing all of them(I am heading to Quebec for the winter triathlon and the World Snowshoe Championships), I do plan to do several. Join me!

January 10, 2015- Moose Mountain Runaround- Brookfield, NH

January 17, 2015- Whitaker Woods- North Conway, NH

January 25, 2015- Sidehiller – Center Sandwich, NH

January 31, 2015- Beaver Brook- Hollis, NH

February 7, 2015- Horsehill- Merrimack, NH

February 14, 2015- Kingman Farm Moonlight- Madbury, NH

February 21, 2015- Exeter Snowshoe Hullabaloo- Exeter, NH

March 1, 2015- Ski & Shoe to the Clouds- Gorham, NH

March 7, 2015- NH and Northeast Championships- Moultonborough, NH

Interested in snowshoeing but don't have a pair? Contact me and I can get you a promo code for a discounted pair of Dions!

Lessons From Kona

Before you starting reading I want you to get a piece of paper and pen and write down a goal that you have been thinking about for awhile but maybe haven't acted on yet. It can be a family related goal, work or sports related goal. Just make sure it is meaningful and something worth doing. Write it in BIG capital letters and set it beside your computer.

1. Sometimes the Struggle is the Reward. I arrived in Kona 16 days before the Ironman World Championships. I had plenty of time to acclimate, explore the area, train on the course, hug sea turtles and focus for a World Championship race. One afternoon I spent nearly 4.5 hours on my bike out on the Queen K. Reporting that it was hot and and windy would be the understatement of the year. There were plenty of moments where I thought I just might perish in the desolate lava fields.   The terrain is not lacking in beauty but very much lacking in population.  I had only the water and food I carried and could not rely on convenient stores to refuel. Toward the end of the ride I kept telling myself just 20 more minutes and you’re back home and can chug the sweet nectar of the Gods that is H20. Little did I know I had taken a wrong turn and found myself climbing into the mountains. Surprisingly, the higher I climbed the better I felt, the air got cooler, the lush Kona greens became plentiful and shaded me from the sun. I decided to go forward instead of back tracking and I found myself climbing the most beautiful switch back hill towards the Kona coffee farms.  My quads were burning, I was dehydrated from sun and lack of water, nearly going cross eyed, lost on an island and loving every minute of it.  This was most likely a bit of foreshadowing for the race. At times we must embrace the struggle especially when it leads us to this: 

2. We should all give a few more hugs each day (even if it risks exportation). After 10 days training in Kona I was missing my family and  friends and wanted a hug. I discovered an excellent snorkeling spot and each time I went I saw the lovable sea turtle.  I decided this cute little guy was my best option for a hug.  So I did. And promptly got bit by the turtle and yelled at by the life guard.  Apparently it's very illegal to hug turtles. Mahalo for not exporting me from the island.  

3. Taking risks leads to opportunity. The Kona island is very alive. You can feel the power, energy, and strength seep into your soul. All that you are, your weaknesses, your confidence, your self-doubts comes bubbling to the surface in this place.  Specifically, the race offers up a rough, open water ocean swim, 112 miles of fiery hot lava fields and a long, lonely run back through the lava fields. One of the most important things I've learned through racing pro is that if I want to be successful I need to take risks. And no matter the outcome, taking a risk and battling your fears is always worth it.  I had nothing to lose on this magical island - I was an underdog at best - and I was ready to go for it.  

To be on the start line with 38 of the fastest girls in the world was a gift.  The moments before the gun went off I looked around at the hundreds of spectators on the pier, the helicopters overhead and tried to savor every beautiful moment of being a contender in the biggest race my sport has to offer.  And then the gun went off and it was go time. The swim was decidedly choppy with a giant dose of swell.  I fought my way through that ocean remembering what Danny had told me that morning: Sharks attack swimmers that are 10 feet from the pack. Gulp! After a peaceful panicky swim that included inhaling copious amounts of salt water and fighting with every last muscle fiber to stay in the pack I entered T2 with a solid group of girls.   

     I jumped on my Argon E-118 complete with Rotor Q-rings and Enve Wheel Set. Each one of these sponsors did something special for me in Kona and my little red rocket of a bike made me smile big on race day.

  The 112 mile portion this year was absolutely brutal. I'm talking about wind that stops you in your tracks and then knocks you left and right for 5 hours.  Nevertheless, when a few of the best bikers in the world caught and passed me I went with them.  I ignored every rational thought to back off and let the magic of the island carry me along. I stole the opportunity to bike with girls I really look up to and I left with tremendous confidence that a top 10 finish in Kona is 100% possible barring a shark attack. It reinforced my strong belief that taking the risk is worth it.  

Look at that kit!!! Thanks Champion system!!

  4. Fear is whats stop us from chasing our dreams.   Fear is what stops us from being 100% motivated and passionate and it stops us from making crazy worthwhile goals. I was reminded of this many times in Kona.  Once while I stood on the edge of a 25 foot cliff trying to talk myself into jumping into the swell of the ocean.  My ten toes had crept over the edge of the ledge but the rest of me was frozen in space.  After about an hour of self talk - I did it. It was the first step that was hardest. I quickly climbed the cliff and repeated the jump over and over. Believe that you will not fail and there is nothing to fear.  

5. Smile! You never know who is looking up to you.  It's no secret that I do smile a lot when I'm racing. Sometimes I smile because I want to say Thank You for cheering but I don't have enough wind to get the words out. Sometimes I smile because I am thoroughly enjoying the sufferfest that I am inflicting on myself. Sometimes I smile because I'm having the race of my life. But most often I am not consciously smiling. I think the Amber-smile comes out because I genuinely love what I do. I love to hurt and suffer and chase and be chased. I love breaking barries and setting the bar high. I also love being a good role model and setting an example of what a little talent and a super-sized amount of hard work can lead to. I encourage you to smile through the pain next race if nothing else but to give the ones looking up to you the confidence that anything is possible.

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      Now if you are still reading....MAHALO! I want you to pick up your pen and re-write your original goal but make it crazier and harder to achieve. So if you wrote something like, I want to run a 5K - I want you to cross it out and say I want to run a marathon. Circle this goal and stick it to your refrigerator and GO FOR IT.

Don't make goals that you are 100% certain you can accomplish - what's the point? Dream big and go chase your dream goals.  Make goals that scare you and challenge you and allow you to explore new oceans, and make new friends.  Aim for way outside your comfort level and remember to smile and give thanks. What is the worst thing that will happen if you don't achieve that giant goal?  I can tell you at times it won't be easy and you will probably second guess your decision. I can also tell you that you'll most likely smile and cry and sweat and belly laugh.  But if you continue to work hard new doors will open, you'll learn new lessons, and learn to love and appreciate all that this world has to offer.

There is no secret I have the best team.  I am already chomping at the bit to get another chance on the big island and I believe that the best is yet to come! Huge Mahalo to: Maverick Multisport and of course the big boss, Kurt Perham. And to Danny Ferreira: To many more crazy adventures that leave your hair looking like this:

Kona-Non Triathlon Related Pictures

Hello Everyone! I will be shortly posting a blog about my race but first wanted to post some pictures of Kona that aren't triathlon related. Besides the amazing race that is held there every year, Kona is such a beautiful place and it was hard to leave! I will be back:)