Beth Handel-Goodloe possesses one of the most positive attitudes about the sport of triathlon, a healthy life balance and a dream to complete her first ironman this year. She's immersed herself in the triathlon community in Richmond, Virginia and is spreading her enthusiasm with others every step of the way.
Age Group? I've entered a new one this year!! 50-54
How did you begin your adventures in triathlon?
When training for my first half marathon, I met a woman by the name of Sandy Henizman.
After a run, she was telling me about a triathlon she was getting ready
to do. Pink Power.. I thought she was nuts to take on such a thing, but
in seeing her excitement and enthusiasm I was intrigued. Sandy was
training with Trigirls at the time and they
were going to hold an informational meeting soon and Sandy asked if I
wanted to go along, so I did and well, that's all it took.
You are in for Ironman Mont Tremblant this year? Why did you decide to sign up for the ironman? Actually, I'm doing Ironman
Chattanooga, however, am very excited for all those headed to MT this
year! My reason for taking on the full was for the big 5-0 birthday.
Some people celebrate this milestone birthday by going on a trip, a new
car, or a big party to name a few. I decided to do something that seems
unattainable. Something that will bring me way out of my comfort zone,
something that I never in a million years would have ever thought was
possible, something that I would never forget. I am fortunate enough to
have a wonderful supportive husband who has taken over the cooking and
will even text me pictures of the completed dish that he has prepared
for me when I get home. Doesn't get much better then that. Now, if I can
just get him in the water, I know he will enjoy the sport and will
understand the draw.
What
are you most looking forward to this season?
The excitement of race
day. Any race day. The arrival of the athletes, the smiles of the
volunteers, the wonder of what the race shirt will look like, just to
name a few. The sight of the finish line and watching those cross,
that's the best... There are tears from those who have just completed
their first triathlon, there are smiles from those who know they have
achieved a PR, then there are those with the sign of struggle, pain, and
defeat on their face they know it wasn't what they had hoped for, but
continued on to reach the finish. Most important, the sense of
community. No matter where the race is held, you meet friends on the
course. We all have the same common goal, to start and to finish. How we
each get there is our own personal journey.
Outside
of swim/bike/run what keeps you busy? Well, working full time and
training, that pretty much takes up most of my time. I am a closet TV
watcher so I do catch up on everything that's been recorded during the
week on the weekends.
What
are your goals for this season and beyond? My goals for this season is
to actually see my family at the finish lines of the events they attend.
By the time I get to the finish line, I only see that. I don't hear
when they yell my name, I don't see them as they wave wildly at me as I
pass them by. I'm not exaggerating either. For the Richmond Marathon,
the pictures they took, I could have reached out and touched their
hands, but I was in my own mind and didn't see or hear them. May sound
like such an odd goal, but I have such a great support team at home,
that it makes me sad when I don't see their faces cheering me on to the
bitter end!
What
is your favorite piece of triathlon gear/equipment and why? I can tell
you my worst, running shoes! I hate to run! But that's not what the
question is... I guess, my garmin would be my
favorite. As many of us know, we have good training sessions, we have
awesome training sessions and well, we have ones that make us wonder why
on earth are we doing this. It's those, that I will ponder over on the
ride home, sulk, feel sorry for myself and so on. Once I'm home, I will
pull up the information on the unit and realize that not many are out
there running (in my case waddling) 10 miles, swimming 3000 yards, or
biking 50 miles on any given day, (random distances). When I look at the
numbers, it's a constant reminder that I'm doing something pretty
great. I'll review the mileage, avg paces and such and realize, it
wasn't a bad training after all. I could have done nothing. I could not
have started this sport called triathlon, I could not have realized in
my wildest dreams that I would have ever bike 100 miles, competed in a
swim meet (with the most awesome relay team, Susan Alexander, Sallee
Justis and Nancy Faux), and run (again, only ran in my mind, the pictures show the real story) a marathon. My garmin helps keep it real.
Who do you train with? Richmond is very lucky to have so many great teams to train with. I've started off with Tri Girls, have done some pre-season biking with CVE and am currently training with Endorphin. They are a great group.
What
do you enjoy the most about the sport of triathlon/endurance sports?
It's not so much the sport, but the people tied in with sport. It has
been the most positive thing I've ever experienced. Complete strangers
will cheer you on, high five you at the end, yell your name if it's on
your bib. I like the adrenaline as well. I like the feel of
accomplishment when it's done. I like the exhaustion that has over taken
my body. And, I like to sweat. May not be the most feminine thing to
say, but what can I say, I like to sweat.
What
is the most challenging race or training experience you have had to
date? They are all a challenge to me. Each race course has it's own
little nuances that make the event exciting. Even with races I've
repeated, mother nature has had her own plans for race day that have
posed challenges. As for the most challenging training?? Well, hill
repeats... Plain and simple. Not much more needs to be added to that!
What
do you think about when you race? In the water, it's more about fear of
what I will see in the water, so I just pray I won't see anything. On
the bike, I will think about my family, fellow racers and try to enjoy
the ride. The run, well, I know it's the only part that will get me to
the finish, so I start to think about how good the beer will taste, what
the medal will look like (if there is one), and those that are not able
to do what I'm doing out there. I usually dedicate the run to someone I
know who is injured, sick, or is no longer with us. When I dedicate
this to someone else, I know I will make it to the finish.
