What?

What?

They say every tri-athlete has one thing that is their least favorite aspect to the sport. I have been upfront that the water has not yet become my trusted friend. This sport is competitive, and most athletes won't tell you their secret. But, I am a newbie. So, I don't mind because I will find my way to conquer water. 

Yesterday, I saw my new coach and his very helpful wife for just a brief time. I have spent a little time in the water with my coach. Hmmm. I will say that he won't let me swim with an anxious nature. Unlike me, my husband swims very calmly. I can never see out of my goggles. So, I've never noticed how my husband swims under water. I see him swim calmly on top of the water even in a lake. He can even swim fast with that very calm nature and a smile on his face. 

I have been following my training schedule and doing my swims. But, as I was walking out the door, my new coach said, "Oh, I want to see how you're doing in the pool tomorrow." Several expletives suddenly crossed my mind. I've been following the training schedule. I think we should check out my running form which you've totally changed. That would be much more productive with speed and ability for running distance, I wished, not the pool! I need to work out some more pool kinks, first. By myself.

I didn't voice any of my thoughts, of course. But, he did say, "Don't worry about it. I want to make sure you aren't developing bad habits." I did worry for a while. I was scared. I swim alone, by myself. No one knows you swim scared when you are alone. 

I see so many athletes who train hard all by themselves. I know them. We chat in the weight room, not knowing each other's names, run the same hill, alone. I see the same man every run. We smile at each other and say, "Hello" on the mountain. He's in great shape. He gets right back up when he falls just like I do. We finally meet the woman in the grocery who we've lifted with for 6 months. She has the sweetest nature... People who "just do it" but, solo. The problem with that is, we don't change. We can develop mental and physical habits that hurt us. 

Kudos to you for your drive! You've got it! I am just saying, why not live outside the box with your drive? 

Yep, change will be on the list, facing fear will be there, too... Oh well, we are used to that. How 'bout pushing it further? Join a group. Train with others! It can be fun! It can even make ya better. You might enjoy it more. 

Helpful Hints to My Training:

Having good support (thank you Jim, and my 2 girls)

Getting a Good Coach

Joining a team

 

The Weather Outside Is...

The Weather Outside Is...

A balmy 18 degrees by the time I joined the group. They picked me up 1/2-way into the run. My schedule was 8 miles today. My new team braved 4 degree temps at their start. EEEK! Tyler mapped out the trail for us. Whoa, it was beautiful. Pikes Peak all the way, baby! In CO, when it's really cold and clear, the mountains are too pretty to go unnoticed. We had some great hills, too. Michelle, a teammate,  is a real trouper! She's tuff and an amazing athlete. 

My hubby gave Kano and me a ride back to our cars. I could feel the huge smile on my husband's face as Kano whole-heartedly agreed w/ my new coach's "slow down" approach to my tri-training as we chatted in the car. Ignoring them, I chose to find the deer outside who were running together... not slowing down :)

Side note: I realize that there are people like me who are also new to being coached. I am making a hard/conscious effort to follow my coach's schedule. It's scary for someone who has been solo this long. However, I am new to tri-training and racing. I am used to figuring it out by myself. But, I got a coach because I don't know this stuff. Live out loud, remember? Yikes! Lots of fears go thru my head i.e. he's gonna make me fat and slow with only 4 miles on my schedule. There should be abs everyday. But, Kano did say something very important, "You want to stay injury free." By the way, my coach had just told me the same thing.  

As I type, I am getting a new cousin. Congratulations David and Ashley. I wish you many happy years together. Ashley, you are marrying a good man. I can't wait to meet you! He always smiled when he talked to you on the phone during his visit. That phone never left his pocket either. I know he picked a beautiful girl inside and out. Love you guys! Wish we could be there. 

Helpful Hints to my Training:

Keep Knees soft. Don't kick-stand run. 

When running w/out i-pod notice scenery, have song in your head, fantasize or think of a good memory so much you can see it, smell it, and feel it... Great fun!

Breathe through diaphragm. If it takes time. It's okay. Slow down thoughts. 

Keep upper body relaxed. Don't tense neck. But, core (gut) holds and protects ya!

HO HO HO!

HO HO HO! 

www.norad.com received a lot of hits from our 8 yr old last night, tracking Santa, of course. She desperately wanted to make sure she was sound asleep when he headed our way. Our 13 yr old made it fun. Right now, we are taking time out to explore our goodies and relax. My hubby is trying out his new road-wheels. 

An intro to me and why I am blogging:

I am a triathlon athlete in training. I've been an athlete since I was in the 10th grade. I love to run. And my husband gave me my very 1st road bike for my 42nd birthday. Oh what fun. I've swum and yet never been on a swim team. I've run many miles even in the snow and never been on a track team. This year with the encouragement of my husband and 2 girls I have joined a triathlon team. I have chosen to get a coach. I want to do this. It's a dream come true and a present I have given to myself.

I got a taste of racing for the 1st time with our 8 yr old. We ran a 5K together this year. It was a blast. Of course, the goal was to encourage her. But, a friend then encouraged me to race again. I did, and I got the bug. I loved it. I decided to give myself a gift. The gift of learning to race.... not just train alone. Having grown up seeing brothers and sisters compete, I knew I could do it, too. 

As they say, it's never too late. Live life, No time like the present. I have great support. After a trail race, I came home to a poster the kids made and a cake. I couldn't eat the cake but, I didn't have the heart to tell the kids. I am learning to live a little more out loud. I am learning to race. I am learning how to train with others. I am learning what it is like to have a coach. 

I am learning how to run differently. I am learning how to swim. I am learning to slow down. The cool thing is that all of this is teaching me to love a lot better. 

Helpful Hints for my training: 

Eat Protein and fats several hours before a long distance run. 

Don't kick-stand run. Use a "Road-Runner" Run. Stride in back of body instead of front body. 

Don't swim in panic mode. Walk calmly to pool. Breathe calmly when driving, dressing, and prepping for swim.

Breathe in pool in manner that works for you. Use goggles that help you see under water. 

Have fun when it's cold outside. It helps training.