Support Crew

Hi guys,

I don't think you've ever realized how much it means to have a good support crew backing you up. Of course your training partners and coaches want you to succeed but I'm talking about more than that.

I'm talking about the teachers that have let me go to training camps and miss weeks of school at a time. Those teachers have supported me in a way no one could and they showed that they believe in me by allowing me to pass assignments in a little late or change test days for a swim meet or training camp. 

I'm talking about my family that has always backed me up and believed in me. The pressure is always on in my family with my brother being a talented cyclist and exceptional student, my father being the physiotherapist everyone wants to see and my mother also in the sport of triathlon has won her age group twice at Ironman races and placed fourth in her age group at Ironman worlds. But the pressure is good, the pressure makes me want to succeed. It almost feels like it's not even close to pressure because it's so positive in our family. My immediate family and extended family have supported me from the start and I truly appreciate it!

My support crew has so many people in it. If I tried naming everyone in it, I'd miss more than a few so I'm not going to try and name names. I have so many friends, teachers, older athletes and mentors that support me. My support crew is always there when I need it. Thanks guys!  

Although, your support crew isn't always there for you at every race or every training day. They are the people that are there for you when you need them even if they aren't on the sideline cheering you on. I want to thank everyone that has supported me in chasing my dreams. I truly appreciate all of the work you have put into me. Take time to thank the people in your life that have made a difference in shaping you as a person or an athlete.

My dad and I on father's day 2011. First and only race we've done together!

The Importance of Mentors

Mentors are probably the most important thing when becoming a high performance athlete. Sometimes all it takes to be a mentor is to say a simple "good job." I have so many mentors in my life that make the difference in shaping me.

My parents are my biggest mentors. They have helped me realize how much of a well rounded person it takes to make it to the next level. They have supported me and encouraged me from the start. My brother has also been one of my biggest mentors. He didn't like to show it as much as my parents or anyone else but he encouraged me in a different way. He was always pushing me to the limit; trying to see how much faster or how much stronger he was than me. He made me work harder than ever.

My family and friends have also mentored me throughout my life. Sometimes it was as simple as the "good job" and other times it was helping me get over a bad race or competition. There is nothing that makes you feel better than encouragement when you are feeling down.

This summer I met so many people that became my mentors. Andrew Yorke, David Hopton, Taylor Reid and John Rasmussen and many other athletes on C3 helped me throughout the summer. They helped me with the strategy through my first race of the season and shared everything with me that I needed to know about draft legal racing. They beat me up a little in the pool, they beat me up a lot in the open water but it had an effect. I started feeling better in open water and they made me feel like I belonged with them. It was nice to feel like they actually wanted me to train with them.

The simple "good job Reid" got me one day at swim practice when I was training this summer. I was swimming as hard as I could and was swimming besides Simon Whitfield, an Olympic gold and silver medalist. This good job made my summer. It was all the encouragement I needed.

Paula Findlay, me, Simon Whitfield

Yorke and I

When I was in Arizona Yorke gave me his official WTS cap from San Diego and made my day! Living with the guys meant I was constantly given advice about triathlon and life. It was an amazing experience and taught me how important mentoring was.  

I hope that I am being and can continue to be a mentor to all of the Triathlon New Brunswick Juniors. Thanks for supporting me and helping me achieve my best!

Arizona April recap

Hi guys!

I just flew back from Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday morning. I was in Arizona for 15 days training with some of the greatest triathletes and mentors in the country. The first couple of days were fairly easy, then the hard days came. We did lots of swimming, biking and running. The swims were done in an amazing local pool all week with the picturesque mountains in the background. The bikes were completed on the hilly, mostly smooth roads of Oro Valley. The runs on the track, trails and roads surrounding Tucson.

Living with the people you train with all day is a completely different experience. You learn so much because when you're with older athletes like I was they give you advice and share their knowledge to help you improve. I felt like a professional when I was living there, with all the hours of training and actually training with professionals.

I had the time of my life down in Arizona, and I can't wait for the season to get started in Winnipeg. Thanks so much for the constant support!

Reid

Here's a picture of myself, Taylor Reid, Andrew Yorke and Barrie Shepley!