CourageToTri

Buy Your Copy of Flying Over the Finish Line

2008-06-05T12:20:00Z

Order now and we'll pay the shipping fees!

Approaching the Finish Line for Flying!

2008-05-20T15:18:00Z

Flying Over the Finish Line: Women Triathletes' Stories of Life is at the book printer! It is currently listed at www.barnesandnoble.com and should be available through www.amazon.com next week. Also, watch this site, www.couragetotri.com to order Flying directly in another week or two.

I am really excited to finally be able to share the stories of over fifty women triathletes in Flying Over the Finish Line. If you are a contributor to Flying, I you will receive a complimentary copy over the next few weeks. Please help spread the word about the availability of Flying and pass on a bit of inspiration to a friend.

The Acknowledgements section of Flying Over the Finish Line identifies many to whom I am grateful for their help--too many to include a complete list here. However, I especially thank Sally Edwards, Robin Quinn (my editor), Leila Joiner (my publisher and book designer), and Mark, my supportive husband. I would not have made it to this point without the encouragement and help of each of them.

Next stop: Austin, Texas, June 7th and 8th for the Austin Danskin Women's Triathlon. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you're at the June 7th Expo!

An Update on Flying Over The Finish Line

2008-04-18T18:13:00Z

Every word has been written and edited for Flying Over the Finish Line: Women Triathletes' Stories of Life! The manuscript is now in production, being transformed into a book to head off to the printer by May 1st. I expect to have Flying Over the Finish Line available for purchase on or about June 1st. Yeah!!! After many starts and stops, the finish line is in sight!

I'm so grateful to everyone who has helped along the way with words of encouragement and sharing of stories. Watch for future changes to www.couragetotri.com that will provide instructions on how to preorder Flying Over the Finish Line.

With the writing behind, it's time to gear up for training for the Danskin Women's Triathlon to be held at Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin on July 13th. If you're interested in participating in Team Danskin WTS Training by Heart Zones, Inc., the official training program of the Danskin Women's Triathlon for the Chicago NW Suburbs, (I'm the Head Coach), more information and registration are available at www.heartzones.com. Click through to "Team Danskin WTS Training" and then "Chicago NW Suburbs". Or I'll be happy to answer your questions. Send me an email (skane0329@aol.com) or leave me a phone message (847-823-9690). I'll get back to you.

Flying into 2008

2008-01-17T01:57:00Z

My preliminary manuscript for Flying Over The Finish Line: Women Triathlete's Stories of Life is now complete. My sincere thanks to the many women who have shared their stories for use in Flying. I also am grateful to Sally Edwards for her continued mentoring, coaching and support in moving Flying forward. I thank my mom, Rosemary Satinover, for her careful and diligent proof-reading, along with her support and love.

I am now pursuing options for publication for the Summer of 2008. I am sure that readers will be truly inspired by the amazing stories included in Flying and look forward to completing this project so those stories can be shared. Readers are sure to recognize themselves in the stories of Flying: it conveys the kind of information that will inspire transformation because it touches and informs the heart.

Watch my blog for more frequent updates in the weeks ahead. I can't wait for you to be inspired by Flying and to share it with a friend.

Flying Over the Finish Line: an updated plan for sharing women's triathlon stories

2007-08-21T02:00:00Z

The journey continues. The path has changed. The destination remains the same.

In July 2005, I was first inspired to collect women’s stories about their triathlon experiences for a book. My thought was that crossing the finish line of a triathlon was about so much more in addition to the physical accomplishment. By sharing our stories, we would provide inspiration to other women to take on a new challenge and, possibly, transform their lives.

For several months in early 2006, my primary focus was writing Flying Over the Finish Line. However, some major changes occurred during the summer of 2006 starting with my intended co-author deciding that the book should be my book—which meant a major shift in tone was required. Then some needs developed within my family that resulted in my putting the book on the “back burner” for a while. When I finally felt I could refocus on the book, it was time to honor my commitment to lead Jill B. Nimble(R)’s Team Danskin Training, (the official training program of the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series (R)), for the Chicago Northwest Suburbs.

Leading the training team, though another detour on the path to completing Flying, was a great experience. Along with my assistant coach, Jean Speigellhalter, and a group of fabulous volunteer Workout Leaders, we trained eleven diverse women who ranged in age from 29 to 54 for the 2007 Chicagoland Danskin triathlon at Pleasant Prairie, WI. Each of them joyfully finished the triathlon.

The training team reinforced my desire to complete the book. Each of my team members had a story about why they decided to complete a triathlon. Some had a personal tragedy to overcome. Examples include the death of a spouse after extended illness and the resultant need of my team member to emphasize her own health to help with healing; another’s triumph over previous spousal abuse. Others decided to tri as part of a life transition: becoming empty-nesters after sending children to college; taking time for oneself after leaving a career to stay home with children. The stories continue. And just as I found inspiration from my team members’ stories, I remain confident that others will benefit from all the stories in the book.

As the summer and triathlon training comes to a close, I am now set to refocus on Flying with the intent of completing the manuscript before the holidays. At risk of sounding like the boy who cried wolf, I AM going to finish the book. Over the next month, say though September 30th, I welcome new stories and updates of those you previously submitted.

I am grateful to all of those who have generously shared the stories and belief in the vision of my book. Know that I am committed to its timely completion.

Sincerely,

Susan L. Kane
Flying Over The Finish Line

Introduction to the Book

2007-01-22T23:00:00Z

The Book: Flying Over the Finish Line

Using a collection of women’s personal stories of completing a triathlon, Flying Over the Finish Line (the tentative title) provides inspiration to accomplish goals and dreams that previously seemed unattainable. Women of all ages, shapes and interests—often unlikely athletes—share their delight in accomplishing the seemingly insurmountable: completing a triathlon. Of even greater importance are the life lessons learned in the process. These women have shared their stories and lessons in hopes of touching someone else’s life with a thought or idea that may be what someone needs to hear to empower their life.

To date, I have collected nearly 100 stories for possible use in Flying Over the Finish Line and created a preliminary draft by the Spring of 2006. I am working on extensive revisions during Winter 2007 to incorporate the many new stories I received. Details on publication plans for mid-2007 will follow and be highlighted here on the blog.

(Story contributor Pamela Kropf)

My photo

2007-01-22T22:45:00Z

Susan L. Kane

Advice From Sally Edwards: professional athlete, mentor, entrepreneur and author

2007-01-22T22:34:00Z

You’ll want to get this book, Flying Over the Finish Line.

Get into the lives of women who have crossed the finish line of their first or their umpteenth triathlon. Get the motivation from the outside (reading) to grow your intrinsic internal drive to do something outside of your comfort zones, a triathlon. Start by reading about others’ successes and accomplishments and be inspired to make yours happen. Get Flying Over the Finish Line so that you can sail under the banner that reads, “I Get It. I am a Triathlete”.

Get smart. Get fit. Get going. Get strong. Get healthy. Get a training program. Get a new friend. Get a bike. Get running shoes. Get moving. Get a new suit. Get a club membership. Get a coach. Get a new life. Get empowered. Get a relationship going with the most important person in your life--you. This time, it is all about you. Get it.

Get an entry form and I’ll see you at the starting line of the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series. And, remember, Get this book!

Sally Edwards

National Spokeswoman, Danskin Women's Triathlon Series

CEO, The Sally Edwards Company

The Head Heart, Heart Zones USA

What Professional Triathlete and mom Susanne Achtenhagen has to say about Flying

2007-01-22T22:20:00Z

Susan, you're doing awesome work. We are all in this together and the more energy we can gather around cheering for each other, supporting each other and loving ourselves, the better. I want to use my life as a professional triathlete and mother to inspire people to notice their thinking and change their lives. I want everyone to see their own innate health and well-being and follow their dreams. Your book provides another way to spread this message."
--
Susanne Achtenhagen
Professional Triathlete

www.triathletemom.com
Live, Laugh and Play Hard!

Susan L. Kane - The Author

2007-01-22T22:08:00Z

I completed my first Danskin sprint triathlon* in 2000, at the age of 42. Crossing the finish line was one of the most emotional and empowering moments of my life. Suffering from an autoimmune disease that affected my kidneys, completing the triathlon was my way of demonstrating—to myself and others—that I would not be a victim of my kidney disease.

On a sunny afternoon in 2005, having completed my sixth "Danskin" earlier that day, I was hit by a lightening bolt (figuratively only, thankfully) that said, "Every woman has a story about why they take on the challenge of a triathlon that is so much more than the physical aspects of swimming, biking and running. You need to collect those stories and write a book."

And so, with encouragement from friend and mentor Sally Edwards, founder and president of Heart Zones, Inc. and National Spokeswoman for the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series, fueled by the inspiration and passion of the stories I had heard, I proceeded along the path of creating the book, tentatively titled, Flying Over the Finish Line.

Flying Over the Finish Line refers to the feeling of empowerment that so many triathletes experience after completing a triathlon. As newfound triathlete Ruth Kaminski put it, "I did fly across the finish line, but it was by the soaring and dancing of my spirit, rather than the fleetness of my feet."

* Half-mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, 5k run

Book Acknowledgements

2007-01-22T21:01:00Z

My sincerest thanks to:

(It's all smiles after completing our first triathlon in 2000. Keri Stanley(l), Susan Kane (r))

Keri Stanley, my 10 years younger sister-in-law, who first challenged me to join her in doing a triathlon. She had been a high school All-State athlete-I couldn’t walk and chew gum. Why she thought I could do a triathlon, I’ll never know. If not for Keri, I may never have discovered The Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series and all the ways I’ve grown because of it.

Sally Edwards and Susan riding, after riding to the top of Mt. Constitution in the San Juan Islands near Seattle, WA.

Sally Edwards, friend and mentor to me and so many other women.   Founder and President of Heart Zones Inc. CEO of The Sally Edwards Co. Inspiration to tens of thousands of women as the National Spokewoman for the Danskin Triathlon series. Well aware that I would always be a “middle of the packer”, she recognized something in me and encouraged me to Fly.

Joy Hermson, President of Heart Zones Training, with whom I immediately “clicked” when Sally first introduced us. So generously shared her contact database of Team Danskin coaches through whom I reached out for stories.

All the Heart Zones Team Danskin Training coaches who encouraged members of their training teams to share their stories. Some I’ve met, others not. I thank you all.

The dozens of women who have taken the time from their demanding schedules to share their triathlon stories and pictures with a total stranger based on an email request or phone call with the hope that their stories would somehow help someone else.


            (Jean Spiegelhalter, Peggy Olson, Karen Seibert, Susan (l-r))

The friends who have accepted the challenge to join me in a triathlon or two: Peggy Olson (my longest, best friend), Jean Spiegelhalter (who always keeps me challenged on our bike rides), Karen Siebert (who set the pace on our runs), Christine Cantarino (the far too busy business executive who amazingly found the time to tri). I hope to find each of you at a start line again with me!

Vickie Driver, who one of the days will join me in tri-ing. In the meantime, however, she was a great resource in first developing ideas for the book.

Ruth Kaminski, my “book angel”. After Ruth submitted her story, we connected via email and became friends—though we’ve never met. When life got complicated or the going got tough, amazing Ruth was always there, believing in me and my project, offering encouragement to keep moving forward.

Last, but not least, my family. For Mom (Rosemary Satinover) who has meticulously proof-read all my chapter drafts and book proposals. To Mom and Dad (Elliott Satinover) for a lifetime of love and support and belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. My children, Gregg, Matt and Carly, who sometimes didn't get my full attention as I sat at my computer and typed away. And, finally, Mark Kane, my husband of 27 years. How grateful I am for his support of me and this project, accepting it would take away from the time I worked with him at our construction business and understanding that it was something I needed to do, even if I never sold more than a handful of books.

Susan L. Kane-The Triathlon Coach and Team Leader

2007-01-22T20:37:00Z

(Diane Michels, recruited by Susan for her first triathlon(l), and Susan(r). 2006 Austin Danskin)

Having completed 8 Danskin triathlons and an international distance triathlon, I have the experience to answer first-timers questions and concerns.  I personally experienced the transformation from non-athlete to triathlete.   During my first triathlon, I joyously finished in the bottom 10% of all participants. 6 years and 8 triathlons later, I finish in the middle of the pack—no need to worry about being intimidated by me.  I will support and inspire you on the path to successfully completing your triathlon. I’d love for you to pass me up on the triathlon race course.

I am certified as a Heart Zones triathlon coach and will use the Heart Zones Training® program, developed by Sally Edwards, to train first-timers for the 2007 Chicagoland Danskin triathlon to be held in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin on July 8th.   For more information on the training program, visit http://www.heartzones.com/about/about_heart_zones_training.php. If you are a returning triathlete and your primary goal is significant improvement in your triathlon performance, advanced training options are available through www.heartzones.com.

My background as a CPA, a Chicago GSB MBA and CFO of several entrepreneurial companies has allowed me to become an expert at setting a goal and working the plan to achieve the goal. If your goal is to complete a Danskin triathlon, I will help get you there!

Share Your Story!

2007-01-22T19:00:00Z

So what’s your story? Are there life lessons you’ve learned by “doing the Danskin” or another triathlon? A story you wish to share? We want to hear your story!

By sharing our wisdom, we can learn from each other, reveal what we’ve discovered from the challenges in our lives, and provide inspiration to others.

Submit Your Story and any Photos to couragetotri@aol.com