Timberman 2016!!!!!

Training this year has been very hard for me. It has been a struggle to juggle my work, with parenting and training. Oddly enough though, I am more motivated than ever. Not only is the memory of my brother really pushing me forward and motivating me to keep training, but the hopeful thought that my legacy to my daughters will be that of a strong mom is also a constant thought in my head while training.

 I often find myself thinking about how generations down the line, my great-great grandkids will know about me.

Will they hear about a great great grandmother that settled and lived a meek life, afraid of dreaming big? Or will they hear about a very strong woman who never settled for anything less than her dreams?

My choice is pretty clear. I might not be around to meet them, but I know what I want them to say.

 The funny thing is, my two daughters are already my biggest supporters... And they are only 2.5 and 4 years old!!!

Grit CAN trump talent!

Last weekend was my first triathlon of the season. Not that I have many lined up, but this was the first in preparation for Timberman. I had pretty low expectations since it was being held locally, impliying hills beyond my comfort zone.

While I've been training for the past five months or so on every hill I can find, I'm not a natural climber and I'm also built like a sprinter... A sprinter that still hasn't managed to shed off the extra 10 pounds post babies. 

But on this fateful first tri of the season day, all the hard work I've put in paid off- not only did I win my age group qualifying me for the national championships, but I also came in 5th overall! In my wildest dreams did I ever expect such awesome results.

I've been putting in some hard miles in preparation for this season, now it's time to step it up further and ask myself, how bad do I want it? How much am I willing to sacrifice in order to be good at this sport? The truth is I don't know, but I'm a long way from being done.

Summer is here and so is my new gear!

This training season has been harder and more humbling than I ever expected. Not just physically, but I've had to mentally keep myself in check while juggling with multiple demands that require my attention. Particularly over the last few weeks it has been a big challenge to find the time to train.
My biggest struggles at the moment are:
1) Losing a good 5-10 pounds before HIM (which stands for Half Iron Man) in August.
2) Improving my run. Coach C is busting my chops with interval training, speed and distance work. The improvements have been astounding for short distances so far, but it feels that the improvements to my long run abilities are coming along so slow! I know I can't become a fast long distance runner over night, but I desperately want to!

On another note, I found myself in need to order a new kit and/or join a team. I recently joined this Facebook group WomenForTri, and after learning about the group's goals, I realized that they completely align with my mission to close the gender wage gap. So after much consideration, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. Do I really believe women can achieve what they set their mind to? Yes I do. Do I believe women can raise each other up? Absolutely. Triathlon is an individual sport, but as women, if we support and encourage each other, we can reduce those barriers that limit our ability to believe in ourselves to achieve our dreams.

Here's the kit that arrived today!

It ain't easy.

Training for a Half Ironman is not easy, but neither is being married, having kids, or having a job. At least for me, life in general is hard, and adding anything to the mix outside of the "normal" daily routine makes things chaotic enough that I often find myself on the verge of quitting my aspirations. But when I manage to accomplish everything, I feel so satisfied, that it makes the adventure worth it. This year, Coach C had laid down the gauntlet on training... the volume of work has doubled (if not tripled) from same time last year, and the quality is also under tight scrutiny.
A few weeks ago I was whining about the volume of work and Coach C goes... "Sure, do nothing. But I bet that's not what the woman who won last year's race is doing right now..." That little asinine comment has plagued my mind since, making me train harder and better than ever before. Sure I could get away with less training in order to finish the race, but not if I want to improve on last year.
So I am working on pushing myself harder and for longer because I want to achieve my goals.
And yes, training puts a strain on everything- my body, mind, kids, marriage, down-time, vacation time, friendships, nutrition, etc. Thus, pushing myself to the edge of my comfort zone in any area of life is not an adventure that I can accomplish on my own. Without the support of Paul, my girls, mom, coach, our nanny, and my good friends who encourage me to keep going, I would not be en-route to reaching my dreams- be it athletically, or work-wise.
Thankfully, I have an incredibly supportive network. My family is amazing, and so are my friends. This year, even my tools are spectacular- I have a beautiful triathlon bike! It's a 2016 Cervelo P2 time-trial bike. I've wanted one of these for the better part of 15 years, and thankfully this year this all came together for me to afford it. I put Benji's pedals on it and it goes incredibly fast!!!

Lessons from The Sancho... believing in me is half the battle.

The last couple of days have been very introspective. Coach C has launched me into training with no mercy. Over the last week I joined the local Masters Swim Team, run endless hilly miles and even sneaked in a 30 mile ride after who knows how many months of not doing ANY kind of cycling. 

Just as I was beginning to complain about my choice of sport, my dog Sancho's cancerous tumor took a turn for worse. He had been dealing with it for about a month, but today, his time here with us ended. He was an awesome dog- a pure bred mutt who never doubted his nobility. While he was never able to communicate with words, it was all too clear that he believed his heritage to be that of royalty. He was convinced he belonged to the landed gentry of his canine world.  Sancho was terrible, wild and bossy as a puppy. He turned into the world's best shadow chaser in his teens and the laziest dog in old age. He was our good ol' man, and we will miss him dearly.

His passing has really made me ponder a couple of things- 

1) How life continues to prove its ephemeral nature.

2) How believing in yourself and your story is half the battle. Sancho never doubted his nobility and always played the part. During his 10 years with us, I must have been asked hundreds of times what breed he was and how regal he looked. His confidence and regal demeanor was an integral part of him- he believed his royal breed into being. 

This last point is what I'm extrapolating today into my life. I have to believe in myself and my goals in order to make them a reality. But it all needs to start in my head. 

So here's to a life well lived and to believing in oneself!

Sancho- RIP 04/24/2016

And so a new training season is upon us!

I have spent the last 6 months or so focusing on my business start up www.salarycoaching.com which has taken off and is doing quite well. I'm psyched to be doing what I love and helping women all over the world. That said, my training has almost fallen by the wayside... I've done some crossfit here and there, done some trail running and a triathlon over Christmas break, but otherwise NADA.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday I began again plotting how to take over the world and place in my age group at Timberman. The itch to race is in full swing and I'm quite certain it has something to do with spring. My inspiration is still Benji, and my coach is Carlitos (Benji's best friend and former pro).
This year my goal is to train harder than last year. My goals are lofty, and some would say unachievable, but alas... what do we have if not hope and dreams? I want to place in the top 10 of my age group. I am going to train as if I could place in the top 10. Better yet.... I believe that I am going to place in the top 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The challenge is on!!!

HERE'S TO A GREAT 2016 SEASON!!!!

They say you can't have it all... but I'm out to prove them wrong!

“The good in life does not depend on life’s length, but upon the use we make of it. It is possible, or rather usual, for a man who has lived long, lived too little.” – Seneca 

Today is my 4th day of training and I am really sore. Not merely from working out, but from chasing my two girls around and a couple of sleepless nights. Running a business, cooking dinner, dealing with spring colds, and the overall life outside of my need can be time-consuming. But then add in my own ambitions, and the day isn't long enough! 
That said, I'm determined to see my ambitions through. I want to have it all- a successful and satisfied life. For me, that means figuring a way to juggle my family, work and athletic aspirations. This is a work in progress, but I'll get there one day!