Looking back on the Season

I've had time to sit down and really analyze my season. It has been a great first season being coached and I am so excited for the 2012 season.

I really want to thank my Coach, Mary Eggers for all she has done to get me healthy and sane to toe that finish line back on October 29th. It was a long haul with many ups and downs but we made it through together. I am sad to say I will not be coached by Mary this year as she is onto bigger and better coaching with QT2 Systems. One of the most well known coaching businesses in the world. She is going to do great. Its her personality and commitment to the athletes that will make her a great choice for athletes.

I am, however, Staying with Train-This (or T2 multisport coaching) under the direct guidance of the great Kristen Roe! I cannot wait to start the season with her guiding me! She is a fantastic person both in and out of Triathlon. Im so glad she agreed to coach me. I am also looking forward to computrainer time at Bike Loft East which is the main store sponsor for our team!

Looking back on the season, I had times where I wanted to give up. Throw in the Towel, Get it done and over with already. But, I made a goal and that goal was not to be broken. I had times where I wanted to party with my friends instead of go to bed at 8am to wake up and do a 4-6 hour bike ride. But, I realized my goal and what was important to me at that time.

I know what my strengths and weaknesses are and I have listed them and put them away to revisit when the 2012 season is underway. I know I want to build a strong base to carry me through the next season, lose a few more pounds, build strength in all disciplines and execute that run!!!

I have been looking at all the races I did this year and I have had more PRs this year than any other year. Eight to be exact EIGHT!!!! Can I get a Woot woot?!!!

I owe alot of this to consistency and training right with the help of my coach.

Once again...Thank you Mary!!!

Big Changes Ahead

I received a email a few days ago from my coach. I knew what it was going to say even before I opened the email.

I cannot give full details but it will change what I decide to do in the near future with coaching.

As you all know my "A" race is in October, Beach to Battleship. I am a little worried if I am getting enough training in and will I get enough especially when I am down in Florida on Vacation for 10 days the last week in August!

But thats besides the point....

The point is there are changes to my plan for next year. Where do I go from here?? Should I settle down and have a family as my honey so wants to do? Do I sign up for Cedar Point Iron-Distance race as I so want to do this race?? What are my goals after this year??

I have met some great people and have done some amazing things this year. I have PRd many of my races which I think I wouldn't have without the help of a coach. I would be half-assed with my workouts and do whatever I wanted. This year I buckled down and hired a coach to get me to the start line at B2B. Which I know will happen and I have gotten so much stronger this year with triathlon.

I wish the news would've waited but it was a decision I had no control over.

Im going to sit back and embrace this change and see what unfolds for me for 2012.

To be Cont.....

Coaching

Im so excited that I will be coached for the upcoming Tri season!! I've thought back and forth, long and hard about hiring a coach. When I signed up to do a Half-Iron man this year I was ready to make the commitment to triathlons and give it my best shot. I found a plan that I thought would work for me off of BeginnerTriathlete.com. I'd have to say it had its downfalls. Let me explain to you that if I need to do something, Im very anal about it and will complete my workouts. Which maybe is a blessing to my coach!! Ha ha!

Anyways, what I didn't like about the plan is that it never gave you a workout to do. I can say it gave me sets to do for swimming. The bike and run was just mileage. No tempo runs, no hill work, no speed drills, etc, etc. I tailored my plan a little to get me these workouts. Also there was no lifting/weights involved. Now you tell me not to do weights Im fine with it! But as the season progressed I noticed that I needed strength training more than ever.

Introduce my new coach, Mary Eggers!!! Woo hoo!! I know I've been bragging a little, but Im so excited for her to coach me! We tried to do an Online meeting yesterday but technicalities of the computer world made us talk by phone. It was great! I felt like she was my family..we talked..we laughed..I really think she will be good for me!

Now the nity grity. I am committing myself to Beach to Battleship Ironman Distance Race in November 2011, Musselman 70.3, and possibly Syracuse 70.3 again. I am also going to do a few sprints/olympics here and there I suppose. I know Im taking on alot!! Oh boy!!

We discussed what my goals are for the upcoming season...Mary asked for 3 and I think I gave her about 10!! Boy am I a needy client!! :) They are all attainable in my book if consistent effort is placed on my part!

Here are my goals for the upcoming season:
1. Improve running performance (This is my weakness)
2. Improve nutrition on longer distance races (So Im not cramping at mile 4 on the run!!)
3. Finish an Ironman Standing up
4. Improve swimming stroke
5. Increase power and endurance
6. Lose body weight.

See..I gave her 6! All things I know I can do!!

I will be starting training soon and I already have homework to do!!

"All life is is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." Ralph Waldo Emerson