My mom, the athlete

When I tell people my mom is training for a Half Ironman, I’m often asked if she has done this kind of training before…

If she has always been an athlete.

And while she has always been athletic

(She always could hold her own in an impromptu softball game or tennis match…

or on ice skates…

or in a pogo sticking challenge…)

Until she trained for her Sprint triathlon last year…

She had always been on the sidelines of races…

Supporting and cheering on her loved ones.

But when she decided to go after some big goals for herself…

First a triathlon (check)…

Then a sub-30 minute 5K (check)…

(And check again)…

Then a half marathon (check)…

I really began to see my mom as more than just “athletic” for the very first time.

She has been training so very hard for Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island…

This is her time to shine…

And I could not be prouder of my mom…

The athlete.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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8 Comments

  1. 6.24.10
    Nancy said:

    Oh and shine she will Jane. I can’t imagine how proud you are of her because I know how proud I am of her. She is awesome personified!

  2. 6.24.10
    feener said:

    love love love it.

  3. 6.24.10
    admin said:

    Awww, my Janie-Girl… you made me cry. I LOVED being on the sidelines of basketball games, swim meets, Little League, field hockey, soccer, track meets, tennis matches when you were all little and then teenagers and now adults… and I LOVE watching the grandkids have such fun in their competitions… but somewhere inside me was that tomboy kinda girl who still wanted to play, I guess. Remember that I grew up with brothers and I was always telling my parents what was “fair and not fair” about being a girl!! But that was the 50’s and 60’s and then being a Mom, blessed with my wonderful children, everything was the way it should be!! I’ve read that menopause makes women feel 12 again… you know, like we can beat up the boys if they get us ticked off enough… !!!!… and that brain chemistry leads to new adventures. These athletic things are adventures that I’m now seeing as possible. CHALLENGING, to say the least… but possible. And I wouldn’t be running or swimming or biking or anything ONE INCH if not for the love and support and happiness and inspiration of Dad, you, your sister and brothers and my in-law kids, including your guy!!! I was nervous this morning about my 10-mile run today, but this post has me running for my running shoes. I will carry your post and your words and love through every single step of today’s race… and the IronGram!! I love you, Janie… my heart is T-H-I-S big for you, Honey!!

  4. 6.24.10

    you and your mom are an inspiration on so many levels! Notonlly are you both strong, healthy,athletic women; but your relationship is also awe-inspiring. You make me miss my mom who lives in ireland and is in very poor health. Best of luck in the half ironman; will look for you in results. jane thanks for picking up the RIRR newsletter. let me know if you ever want me to report after any of the races i run that you mightn’t be at. cheers, trish

  5. 6.24.10
    Barry (Sharon's proud husband) said:

    I first met Sharon while we were both teaching in a high school Summer Program at Davies Career and Technical HS in 1975. We were both assigned to play on the same softball team during a “teachers vs students” recreational day. When I saw the way she threw and hit a softball I knew that she was an athlete!

    I learned later that she played basketball and baseball in an interscholastic league in Jr. High School in New Hampshire. But when her family moved to Rhode Island in 1966 and she entered high school in Warwick, RI, she found out that not only didn’t Rhode Island have interscholastic sports for girls in Jr. High, they didn’t have it in high school either. It wasn’t until Sharon graduated from high school that Rhode Island instituted girls varsity interscholastic sports in the public schools. SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN AWESOME!!

    But it’s great to watch her participate now with our adult children.

  6. 6.24.10
    admin said:

    Jane… This is beautiful! Mom is so inspiring… and it’s amazing to see!
    xoxo

  7. 6.24.10
    Chrissy said:

    Have I told you lately that your Mom is my hero!?!?! I love, love, LOVE your Mom! So beautiful. So inspiring. So full of life. Love her!

  8. 6.25.10
    Eve said:

    Oh man oh man. That is inspiring. Wow. Another reason to get up and train everyday. I love strong women who continue to experience life to it’s fullest. I want to be like her!

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