You Are An Ironman

Well, sure as I said I haven't been sick yet this year, I should have known what was coming. I'm down and out. Yep, down.. down.. dowwwwnnn... and yep.. strait up out. No training, I can barely go to work. This week was supposed to be my first week back to training. Not so much. I'm not overly concerned, mostly just annoyed. I'm not going to dwell on it though, I have plenty to do and I am not wasting any time an energy on worrying. It's a great time of year to be sick and when I'm better, I'll get up and after it for 2012.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the four words in the title of this post. I'm not quite sure why. At times, I've had this entire blog post written in my head, but alas, I never have any paper around when that happens. It's usually either mid-third glass of wine or in some deep dark place on the trainer. Those are when the thoughts come to me. Those are when the thoughts form into phrases, sentences, ideas and form the shapes that come to be on this medium.

Regardless of the fact that I can't completely recall my exact sentiments, I'm going to try and put it down on paper anyway.

One of the things I'm most amazed about over the last five years has been the huge surge of people entering the sport of triathlon. It seems nothing can stop the growth of the sport many of us know and love. Not even the current state of our country's economics, seems to have any baring. Triathlon seems to be in it's own little bubble, shielded from the rest of the crises that so many think we have faced / are facing. Don't you think that's a little weird? I certainly do. Who are these people (oh wait, they're me) and where to they get their money (wait, me again). I've heard that the average income of an athlete doing the Ironman branded races is $160,000. Seriously?! Again, I refrain from using swear words, but really?? Let's just say, I don't have to worry about bringing that curve up any time soon.

Yet, the people come. They flock to Ironman like white on rice. Ironman Florida 2012 sells out in 12 minutes. People can't wait to slap down their $600 and press enter. Trust, me, I'm one of those too! It's like disposable cash is not even a second thought. Yet, in my heart, I know it is for the majority of us. It's just that something else is outweighing that, out prioritizing.

What is it, friends, that has created this driving force in our population...this need to do something so big and so monumental??! I have more than one athlete these days let me know that they will be doing their first __insert triathlon distance___ in the preparation to do an Ironman. This is usually the same person that has done less than 7 actual triathlons in their life. I'm not upset about it at all. In fact, I'm not even excluding myself from this proposition. I've stated many a time on this blog that I signed up for Ironman Lake Placid in 2008 before I had even done a 70.3 distance race, half the distance of the full. Granted, I didn't do it, but I almost did!

Do you want to know my theory? Well, you don't have a choice really - because it's my blog, and I'm able to say what I want. PEOPLE WANT TO BE CHALLENGED.

There. I said it.

Have you noticed that sometimes we seem to have gone so far the other way, telling each other that everything is ok.. it's fine to not make your goals happen, it's perfectly normal to feel this way, or that way or let go of our dreams to stay somewhere safer.. well, that's just fine honey. Let's be honest, the world has gotten a little soft. We've become a land of suit wearing, socially acceptable sheep in some ways that has found the norm to be not only somewhat comfortable and acceptable, but I would go as far as to say that leading a life with challenge has been rumored to be silly or unacceptable at times.

What I believe is that there is a whole under ground class of us, wearing out suits and ties, our coordinated scarves that feels deep, so very deep, within our hearts that with every single predictable non-challenging day we die a little inside. The same group that is secretly searching for something...no idea what.. but something. We catch a glimpse of it when we watch a TV show where someone does something seemingly so impossible, so far fetched, yet so amazing... it brings us to tears. All of the sudden, we wonder where our life has gone, where our dreams have gone and what could possibly take us out of this current day in day out grind that we are living.

That's where 140.6 miles comes in.

It might have started with a late December day.. when you catch it on TV. The sweat running down peoples faces, the grimaces of pain, the sun setting behind those out on the Queen K. It may be our first encounter with the fact that for some people, life's success isn't measured by money, or power, or materialistic things. In fact, these people are PAYING to be out there for miles on end, feet covered in blisters, sun beating down on their backs, from what I understand. Really? Paying?? You mean they chose this?? On purpose?

Why yes. Not only did they chose it. They prepared for it, with plenty of mornings that started before 5:00am, with sweat, blood, tears, bike crashes, time away from family, churning out hours of swimming, biking and running...most likely for more than a year. They dreamed about hearing those words "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" heck - they even hired someone to help them get there, a coach of sorts. When people see their first Ironman in Hawaii on TV, they never seem to forget it. In fact, I've met many a person who have no idea that there even is another Ironman other than this race. No matter when or why I end up telling them about triathlon, their first question is, without a shadow of a doubt:

"Have you done that one race, that Ironman, in Hawaii?"

It makes an impression to say the least. I believe 140.6 miles, or any race of challenge is more than just a race. I always have. Look at the explosion of warrior dashes and Tough Mudders all over the country, the world.

I believe these races are symbolic of our life, that we won't be caged and that we won't be beat down by the rat race that sometimes becomes our lives. People want to feel intense pain, intense joy and go through all the emotions that the day brings because frankly, it reminds us we're alive.. living here on earth...that we are human and that a day as long, and this challenging, requires mental gymnastics that we haven't yet known until we were in the thick of it. Somehow that's what makes it all worth it though, and keeps us coming back for more time and time again.

I just watched the movie Serendipity and one of my favorite quotes was:

"You know, the Greeks didn't write Obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died "Did he have passion?"

Don't you think that says something. Don't you think we run the risk of losing it as we get older, and responsibilities come and the world requires a certain "standard" of each one of us? I'm all for responsibility and all, but come on... who said it had to be quite like what we've come to today.

People assume that passion will come to them like a flash flood, overwhelming them with a sense of vitality and commitment to purpose. I don't believe it's like that exactly. I think passion develops slowly and purposefully. That it requires you take time and breathe in and out and consider the unique life and activities that have meaning to you, and you only. Passion doesn't seek you out my friend, rather YOU discover it via a proactive pursuit of things that are interesting and challenging to you - whatever that may be.

My main reason for this post is that it's not about hearing the words "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" Sure, those words have significance to me, but it's not about those words or "being" any one thing. It's about what that thing is for you.. that we're all trying to break out like a rash and discover. I just want to tell you that settling is easy, it's the contrary that is not. Just explore it.. just give it a little time.. just nurture it for one second be open to what comes. You don't have to do an Ironman, but just don't be afraid to see what comes when you let that spark of passion into your heart.

I'll leave you with this in this long blog that is just well, way to looonngg:

John Travers Obituary

It was written while he was living and it reminded him of the "why" of all of this. It's an interesting concept to write our obituary before we're actually gone. This one is pretty dang impressive to me and that's why I love it.

Trager secretly clung to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. Uh-uh.. but rather, it's a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan. Asked about the loss of his dear friend. Dean Kansku, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and executive editor of the New York Times, described Johnathan as a changed man in the last days of his life. "Things were never clearer for him" Kansku noted. Ultimately, Johnathan concluded that if we are to life life in harmony with the universe, we must all possess a powerful faith in what the ancients used to call "fatum" or what we currently refer to as... destiny.

A tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite sublime plan. Most of all, I just don't want to be afraid. I don't think fear has any place in this plan. I have no idea what the next years hold.. I don't know what that plan is my friends, not yet..

but I can't wait to find out. I hope you can't either :)

Thankfulness

I always think about Thankfulness more around this time of year. Sure, I think about it other times, but around the Holidays I often find myself a cross between sentimental, happy and sometimes just plain teary eyed. I'm not sure if its the lights, the thoughts of the year(s) past or just how amazing my friends and family are, but I can't help but smile. Sure, there's plenty of work to go around both on the weekdays and the weekends keeping me super busy and wondering how I'm going to get it all done, but it never ceases to amaze me how people come together around this time and take a minute to tell each other what they mean to one another. It's pretty dang cool.

In no particular order, I'm thankful for the following:

• Turkey and Stuffing
• Christmas Lights
• My friends
• Family
• Christmas cards
• Children (not mine, just in general :)
• Pie
• Ice cream
• Warm fuzzy blankets
• Good music to jam to / sing at the top of my lungs in the shower
• Karaoke
• Learning new things
• New challenges
• Scary stuff because it challenges us and makes us stronger
• Movies
• Petting dogs
• My athletes
• Our country
• Opportunities I never even dreamed of happening
• All the good stuff yet to come that I don't even know about yet

Two weekends ago I was fortunate to attend my sister-in-law's 30th Birthday Party. It was A-LOT of fun.. We had a blast and she entitled it "From the 20's to the 30's" so we had a 20's theme! It was at a speakeasy bar which was the perfect setting. I actually really like dressing up and I had such a good time just meeting her friends and hanging out with our family. Plus, I got to wear a Banana Republic dress that hadn't been broken out in a while and a feather - how can you not have fun when you get to wear a cool head thing (which ended up being WAY too tight and I had lines on my head for like a day after, but that's another story)! So, enjoy the pictures & I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday!

What are you thankful for this season??

Beating the Bug

I don't know about you, but I HATE getting sick... like with a passion. When I was young I seemed to be extremely vulnerable to illness. My Mother is at least partially responsible for this fact considering that she pumped me full of antibiotics every single chance she saw the remote possibility of a cold coming on. Bless her heart, she didn't want me to have to deal with being sick. By the time I hit my late teens, what I got out of all of those antibiotics was a very weak immune system. Even in my early twenties at college etc., I remember being sick ALL-THE-TIME. I would miss one night of sleep and BAM, commence sore throat and stuffy nose.

As an athlete, and a coach, things have certainly evolved over the years. One of the biggest things I realized early in this triathlon game is consistency is king. You can be a more talented athlete, but if you aren't consistent, then guess what, someone else can and will beat you to the finish (most of the time). The longer the race, the more important consistency becomes. Once I realized this, I have TRIED to be on it like white on rice. Honestly, I don't think I'm all that talented. I just work really really hard at being consistent and even then, I sometimes can't pull it off because of work or other family commitments. That's life!

One of the biggest interrupters I've found, both in my own training and the training of my athletes, is getting sick. One minute your getting stronger, seeing gains in fitness, feeling good about your training and the next you are down and out, stuck on the couch for three days watching daytime soaps while wearing your snuggie (no really, tell me you don't have one of those, they DO look comfortable though!).

I have a proclamation to make..and trust me kids, it's a doozy (for me anyway).

It is November, almost the end of November, and I have YET to get sick THIS YEAR.

That's right, in 2011 I have yet to be knocked down and out. Sure, I've had a touch of something coming on here or there, but nothing has taken me out of the training or work game.

The biggest difference for this, in my personal opinion, attention to detail and nutrition.

Sure, I've stopped taking antibiotics at the drop of a hat too, but I've also become one of those crazy hand-washing ladies etc. I've also really paid attention to my body and the second I've felt something coming on I've made changes to my life to give my immune system the best possible chance of kicking it.

So, here are a few helpful hints to help you also beat the biggest of bugs this time of year (who wants to be sick over the Holidays - yuck) and to have your best, most consistent season ever in 2012!!

• Wash your hands, not just for a second, but for a full 60-90 seconds. Yes, it's a long time and with SOAP. I like Dial, but a good hand soap and scrubbing will do. Do it well and do it often!

• Drink TONS of water. Make it your business to know how much you've drank per day. Use a bottle with lines so you know in ounces. Viruses have more trouble penetrating your mucus membranes if they are hydrated and slippery!

• When you start feeling something come on, take extra Vitamin C and I also take Ecaanaisia well. Vitamin C is water soluble so the worst that can happen is you just urinate it right out.

• If you start to have congestion, flush out your sinuses immediately with a Nedi-Pot. It took me YEARS to break down and do this, but I am not kidding you - it works! It took care of my sinus issues more than once this year. If you nip it in the bud, then it can't drain into your throat and chest causing more issues. It's strange, but just do it.

• Eat smart: five to nine fruits and vegetable servings daily. Make one high in vitamin C. Vitamin E in nuts and seeds also helps build immunity.

• Get enough sleep. Every time I would feel something coming on I would try to sleep at LEAST 9 hours for two nights in a row. That usually did the trick!

• Find ways to reduce stress – perhaps through physical activity, meditation or simply "time out" from stressors.

• Stay active IF the symptoms are above the neck, if they are below, then take some rest.

• Take the day off. That simple. ONE day off will sometimes be enough that you're back at it the next day or the day after rather than losing a week of workouts. You can ask my coach, it was probably two or three times this year I called him and said, "something is off with my body, I'm taking today off and I'll evaluate tomorrow." He agrees with this philosophy 110%.

• Eat more yogurt with natural probiotics! Keeping your gut healthy is an important part to maintaining immunity!!

Finally, in terms of nutrition, several nutrients may play a key role: beta carotene in deep-yellow fruits and veggies and dark-green leafy greens; vitamin B6 in whole grains, legumes, chicken and pork; vitamin C in citrus fruit, berries, melon, tomatoes and broccoli; vitamin E in wheat germ and nuts; protein in dairy foods, meat, poultry, fish and legumes; selenium in meat and seafood; zinc in beef and seafood.

Try to have a balanced diet that includes lots of color and eat WHOLE foods whenever possible.

A few simple steps can save you hours of laying on the couch being grumpy, wishing you were outside swimming, biking or running!

Here's to happy / healthy training in 2012!

I Heart The Off Season

Sorry for the long time no post! Just because I haven't been training like a mad women, doesn't mean I haven't been busy!! It's been a wonderful couple of weeks and getting ready for 2012 is in full swing, both for myself, and for the amazing athletes I will be working with next year. I have an exciting group from people who are coming off the couch to tackle their first triathlons to people who are attempting to qualify for the big dance. It's a great group that will challenge me and that I can't wait to figure out each individual athlete, what makes them work, their metabolism and how we can pull the very best from each of them. It's a great time to be a coach!

With that said, there have been some things I love about the off-season. Just a few of those are as follows:

• Hot Yoga (I go to Amazing Yoga, which I love, but there are many great places)
• Cross-Fit / Raw Training (which is totally kicking my hiney and making me sore!)
• Wine (yes, vino is good and it's nice to have a little here and there and polypenols are a great antioxidant!)
• Raising money for Ballou Skies at our Champions Gala last week filled with great food, great friends and awesome updates on how the research we are supporting is changing lives for the better!
• Seeing lots of Kyle
• No set workouts
• Catching up with friends
• Working so very hard on my own business and getting it ready for 2012. I worked 17 hours over three days this weekend. It was busy, but it was worth it.
• Planning next season (Race Plan "A" has been established and I will unveil it very soon! So excited)
• Thinking about my strengths and weaknesses as an athlete.
• Getting my bike Retul fitted at Top Gear Bicycle Shop next week
• Flying out to Colorado Springs in December to see my coach and do video analysis / work on some of my weaknesses (aka SWIMMING)
• Looking forward to the Holidays! Who else can't wait!!?? I LOVE this time of year!

It's been a nice break and I think that break will be over on December 1st if I'm feeling good and ready. I think I will be and I'm actually getting excited to be back to training. It's hard to believe last year at this time I was about to do my final Ironman of the season in TWO more weeks over Thanksgiving!

What are YOU loving about the off season??

The Off Season

When my friend Chad told me that he saw my picture on the WTC release of the new lottery program on Xtri, I was really surprised. Why they chose this picture, I'll never know. I remember it vividly in my mind, but it was hard to see through the tears at the time. Regardless, I had an immense sense of thankfulness and disappointment at the same time. It was the strangest feeling ever, but it was human, it was simple and it was racing. We take all of it, the good the bad, the emotional, we bring all of it with us.

I'm adjusting well to the off-season and I was so thankful for all of the comments I received on my last blog about turning pro. You all are so supportive and I'm thankful for each and every comment. I mean that from the bottom of my heart! I'm excited about next year and I'm just thankful to have the opportunity to start this next stage of my career.

The off-season is very confusing to many people. Because I am addicted to triathlon, I read plenty of articles even on this time. Sometimes they almost seem conflicting! One will say "make sure you stay active" and others will say "be sure to rest, put your feet up, take a real break!" It's hard to know what will work for an athlete in the off-season because we are all very different. The most important thing is to know yourself and your body. Do you recover fairly quickly during the season? What type of racing did you do - short course? long course? If you raced short course, only up to Olympic distance, you may not need as long of a break as some people who were pushing through two to three Ironmans this year. However, what is common to each athlete is the need to take a MENTAL break. The season is long, and grueling at times. I find it's not so much the WORKOUTS I need a break from, essentially, it's trying to fit everything in.

Some people only think of their weekly workout "LOAD" as volume. The way I've been taught, that is not truly the case. Your workout load encompasses

Volume + Intensity + Specificity + LIFE

Not just volume. All of these factors contribute to your fatigue level at the end of the season. Have you been mentally and physically working your hardest to balance things from January to November? Well, if so, then for heaven's sake, take a couple weeks off my friend! A couple weeks completely away from working out is a good thing, to let a few little nagging aches and pains heal up, give your body a break and of course, give your mind a rest too. After that, it seems generally agreed upon that you have to follow your heart for at least 2-4 weeks and take cues from your own physiology. Do you feel like working out? Do it! Keep the duration until 2 hrs and keep the intensity down - way down. Do some things you don't normally do - forget your watch / GPS / tracking device / crazy analytical self at home when you take a run! Watch the light dance on the leaves, take a walk, try a mountain bike or just take the day off if you feel like it!

For me, one to two days completely off has been working well and the rest of the days I've been doing a little something. So far, that something is mountain biking, spin class, elliptical, trail running or core exercises. Nothing too crazy. You'll notice there hasn't been any swimming in there - whooops! Well, I didn't feel like getting up at 5:00am.. so I didn't! I'm thinking about it this week.. maybe.. we'll see!

Just be sure to be smart and realize that no one wants to be a January champion. It's best to let your fitness go away a little (not completely - like a month off), and then start to build your plan with a focus on endurance / aerobic work and technique work when you are ready to come back for real.

Make sure you take this time - in the throws of May / June / July next year - you'll thank yourself!