Sr. Maddona Buder's August Tri

[KnottedYet]

I was trying to find out how Sister Madonna did in the Ironman a couple weeks ago. Found her results, and it looked like a DNS.

Nowhere have I been able to find out what happened!

It would have been her first in the 80+ age bracket.

Anybody know (have links?) to what went on and why she DNS?

ETA: I know the Vatican has been putting pressure on the US nuns to act more lady-like and contemplative, and I'm really hoping they didn't force her to drop tris. And I really hope nothing bad happened. I'm fretting! Tell me why she DNS!

[PamNY]

This story (http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/101927808.html) said her wetsuit restricted her breathing so she had to withdraw.

[OakLeaf]

This (http://www.pentictonherald.ca/stories_local.php?id=290747) has more.

[KnottedYet]

Thank you.

Oh, it makes me want to cry. I'm very glad the report didn't mention the brand of the wetsuit, it really wasn't their fault. Just one of those things. And Sr. Madonna was gracious about the whole situation.

I love that she stayed on site and helped at an aid station.

I *must* get her book in October!

[Bike Chick]

She's such an inspiring woman!

[Trek420]

Oh, it makes me want to cry. I'm very glad the report didn't mention the brand of the wetsuit, it really wasn't their fault. Just one of those things. And Sr. Madonna was gracious about the whole situation.

Of course she took the high road. It'd be kinda funny and shocking for a nun to be bitter "I coulda beat the cut off but for that fracking wet suit :mad:". Instead as always, grace under pressure. :cool:

I was moved by her philosophy of "thank G*d for this. It protected me from what could have been a bad situation later on".

It sounds like the conditions were tough on the day. And to envision her struggling to make adjustments in the cold water ... what an inspiration!

I have no doubt that the IM community knows who awarded her the suit and willing to bet heads are rolling as we speak :p ;) But good on her not to name or blame them and instead give credit where credit is due :)

[Pika]

Sister madonna's bike was racked right next to my husband's at IMC. She was so pleasant and gracious when people stopped to talk or ask for pictures etc. (I didn't have the nerve and really I kept thinking I would not want to be interrupted as I was sorting out my food etc prior to race start so I didn't ask)
I hope I get to meet her again sometime she really is an inspiration.
Tam

[Trek420]

Ok, so I gotta ask: what does she ride? :D (And sister, if you're lurking feel free to jump in. Wouldn't that be cool :cool:)

[Possegal]

Looks like a Cannondale, at least when she was 77. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44843434@N00/1574272763/

I vaguely remember hearing about her, but this thread has led me to more googling and reading and thank you for that, as she is amazing and I'm loving reading about her.

[KnottedYet]

I saw a video interview with her where she was pulling that bike out of a van and talking to it and calling it "Blue Angel."

I think she said "good morning" to it, as she was just getting up after camping at a race site.

[KnottedYet]

I have no doubt that the IM community knows who awarded her the suit and willing to bet heads are rolling as we speak :p ;) But good on her not to name or blame them and instead give credit where credit is due :)

I don't know that heads would roll, but I would bet that who-ever sent her the wrong suit (not the one she requested) feels really bad about the mistake.

[spindizzy]

Looks like a Cannondale, at least when she was 77. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44843434@N00/1574272763/



I want to look like that when I'm 77!! I sure hope I can still do anything at 77.

And I think everyone took the high road in not mentioning the wetsuit company. Nice for a change.

[Trek420]

I would bet that who-ever sent her the wrong suit (not the one she requested) feels really bad about the mistake.

Make that really really really bad :o: It's one thing if the athlete is 24 and scheduled to do many more IM length in a season. But wasn't this to be her first IM at 80?

OTOH I imagine so many things can occur with an event of that length and difficulty. I imagine it goes with the territory. You train and prepare and snap a shoelace, break a spoke ... stuff happens. She knows that's part of it.

Spindizzy and all; I want to look that fit NOW :D at 54. What an inspiration. :cool: Now where's I put my excuses? :rolleyes:

[Possegal]

I want to look like that when I'm 77!!
I'd be happy to look like that now! :)

Just saw that Trek said the same thing. Seriously - I'm in my 40s and I'd love to look that good. I agree - a GREAT inspiration. Maybe I need to print that pic out and use it when I am feeling like I don't want to exercise, or that the big bag of chips look really good. :)

[shootingstar]

Good to know she will have a book out soon. Love to read it too. :)

[spindizzy]

just to add one more thought to this thread. Don't use anything on race day that you haven't used in training. I did the Gatorade thing once- my stomach ending up killing me. I thought it was a good idea at the time :confused: