August Newsletter

Message from Diane

Well it actually happened…the first ever blind and partially sighted relay team completed the Canadian Death Race! Our team, now you see us now we don’t, travelled to Grand Cash Alberta to join hundreds of other trail runners to challenge ourselves on a 125km mountain trail with 17000 ft of elevation. Our BVI athletes and guides crossed three mountain peeks, ran through creeks, and a river crossing. This race is challenging for anyone, but for those of us who are blind or visually impaired the challenge was enormous. Although our team did not make it in the time allocation, we all finished our distances with no injuries and feeling a great sense of accomplishment. I want to thank the other members of the team for stepping up to this challenge and proving that you don’t need sight to have vision! You can read about the team and the event at: Running Magazine's Visually-impaired relay team completes Canadian Death Race article.

 

Even though the event is over, race season is still underway. I am now training for the Mont Tremblant Marathon on October 21st. No time to rest😊

 

Di

 

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Motivation: Where does it come from?

 

Training for any distance of triathlon takes dedication, commitment—and most of all—motivation. Contrary to popular opinion, I do not roll out of bed in the morning, leap to my feet and run downstairs to the treadmill with a smile on my face yelling, “Woot, woot!”

 

In reality, it's more like dragging myself out of bed and trying to figure out if I want to expend the energy to pry my eyes open (I mean, it isn’t like I’m using them).

 

Sighted people can find motivation in finding new and interesting places to train. They go on running trails with beautiful trees and flowers; they cycle around lakes and observe the birds and other wild life. Those of us who are not retinally dependant run on the same treadmill and train on the same spin bike day in and day out. We have to find other ways to motivate ourselves. Continue reading about Motivation: Where does it come from?

 

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Leadership Book of the Month

 

How Bad Do You Want It? Mastering the Psychology of Mind Over Muscle

By Matt Fitzgerald, 2016

 

This book is focused on endurance athletes. It examines how professional and elite athletes have pushed themselves to their limits to cross the finish line and the ways that they have changed their lives to reach their goals.

 

Although the target audience for this book is endurance athletes, the message is pertinent for all of us. The key question is really, what are you willing to do or give up to reach that one goal that you are striving for? The answer is, how badly do you want it?

 

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Podcast Pick of the month

 

I have really been enjoying listening to Tim and Mike on the Think Fit Podcast. This is two regular guys talking about fitness and health by reading interesting, and often amuzing, articles, providing recommendations from their own life, and simply chatting about a topic of the week. Most of all, this is just like listening in to a few friends chatting over drinks in the living room. They are down to earth and keep me laughing. I highly recommend listening to this podcast!

 

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Podcast Pick of the Month

This months interesting podcast is Hacking Your Leadership by Chris Stark and Lorenzo Flores. Chris and Lorenzo break down leadership practices and take you through a discussion about the topic using real life examples from their own leadership journey. They discuss their successes and mistakes and what they learned from both. Each episode ends with a one-minute hack.

Check out the podcast pick of the month

 

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Leadership Book Of The Month

Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Gain the mindset and skillset to get what you need to succeed.

By Kenneth H. Blanchard, Susan Fowler, and Laurence Hawkins

Published: 2017
 
I really enjoyed this book! It was written as a story that helps the reader to get into the life of the main character. It provides not only the theory of self leadership skills, but through story telling it allows the reader to see the practical way of using the techniques.
 
The main character learns the three tricks to self-leadership:

• Challenging assumed constraints
• Activating points of power
• Being proactive about getting what you need to succeed

 
Learn more about the leadership book of the month

 

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Blind Triathlete...How Does That Work Anyways???

Blind Triathlete...How Does That Work Anyways???
 
When I tell people I am a blind triathlete, the inevitable question is: How does a blind person do triathlon?
The answer is, “Very carefully.”
Interestingly, the things that a blind person needs to do a triathlon are some of the same things that leaders need to enhance their leadership skills. Every person with sight loss doing a triathlon will have different methods and techniques for completing their event. Regardless of what techniques they use, there are three main requirements:

• The right guide
• Appropriate knowledge and equipment
• A positive attitude

Continue reading about the how being a blind triathlete works

 

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Message from Diane

Thank you so much for signing up for my monthly updates. I will use this newsletter to provide you with updates on my races, activities, and events. I will also provide you with my most recent blog, a monthly book review, and a podcast pick of the month. I hope you find this newsletter informative and helpful and hopefully we can learn together along the way. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected], or just drop me a note to say “Hi”.

Happy reading!
 
Di

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Diane's First Great Adventure

Diane Bergeron’s first big adventure. This is where a blind lady loses her mind and goes skydiving!

 

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2015 IM Mont Tremblant Diane Bergeron

Diane and her guide Cheryl talking about their experiences prior to 2015 Ironman Mont Tremblant.

 

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