Ironman Florida (Haines City) Race Report 2018

 

1. TriBikeTransport was painless, convenient, and worth it
2. Flying, instead of driving 15 hours, was our best decision
3. The venue change from Panama City Beach to Haines City meant that I "GET" to race and celebrate all this training
4. AWA status pays off with easy packet pickup (no lines) and priority bike racks near the entry/exit
5. Celebrating my 40th birthday was awesome because the volunteers sang to me
6. My Sherpa is the BEST Sherpa
7. Being short at the swim starts means that all you can see is a sea of tall wetsuit wearing dudes
8. That floating platform on the swim is tied to a jet ski...wish I knew that before getting caught in the rope and losing my goggles
9. When you swim through a rope, you feel like your face was peeled off of your skull
10. Eleven turns on the swim equals constant bottle necking and lots of contact with other athletes
11. Swimming through a timing mat tunnel is worse than around a buoy
12. There are hills in central Florida
13. Two-loop bike course means you KNOW what is coming...again
14. Just because you ride by lots of orange orchards doesn't mean you actually get to smell that amazing citrus scent
15. Six bike lengths is really far to drop back after some dude passes you and slows down
16. My Sherpa is the BEST Sherpa
17. There are hills in central Florida
18. Don't let your pity party on the run last 11 miles
19. Lots of turns on the run are super annoying
20. Rainbows on the run course are awesome signs that God keeps his promises

*Special thanks to my support crew. Carra Walker Thomas for watching the kids. Pablo Jimenez for getting our flights. Jason Turner for being the BEST sherpa ever! My Infinity Endurance Team for continuing to be my inspiration! Northwest Cycles and Jim Osbon for keeping my bike in great condition.

Avoid Burnout

Here are some simple things you can do to avoid over-training and burnout: 

Use common sense! When your body is not responding to the workout or you can feel yourself getting sick, work out less. Schedule at least one or two rest days per week. Resting might mean no exercise at all, or active recovery like yoga or a walk. Rest days should give you the feeling that you’re storing up energy.

Fatigue and injury occur when you don't allow your body to recover from harder workouts. As you push through intense workouts, your muscles develop small tears. Those muscles heal during rest and grow back stronger! With a balance between intense exercise and recovery,  your body will become a machine that can power through your hardest workouts with less recovery time. 

Incorporate a variety of activities into your exercise program. Participating in triathlon is a great way to cross train but if there is one thing you really enjoy, consider mixing it up. You can play with speed or inclines on a treadmill, change the route that you walk or cycle or even find a new class or group to meet. As you vary your routine, you will help prevent injury, improve fitness gains, and stay motivated to keep going. Trying different workouts can help push you over a plateau and help you ignite the fire that got you started on your fitness journey.    

Don’t do too much, too soon. When motivation is high, it can be easy to slip into the "all or nothing" approach. Participating in a routine without preparing your body can be a recipe for disaster, starting with extremely sore muscles. Instead, gradually add time and frequency to your workouts to allow for recovery. 

Take care of yourself. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated to make sure that you are providing a foundation for your body to grow stronger. Allow yourself flexibility so that you don't feel discouraged when "life happens". Fitness is meant to make you feel good, not guilty. A healthy lifestyle will domino from a fit body, to a healthy mind, to stronger relationships. 

Exercise should make you feel refreshed and energized—not exhausted. If it’s causing fatigue, soreness, or a feeling of utter dread, listen to your body! It may be time to make a change.

USMS Certified Coach

I attended the Level 1 and 2 certification course in Austin this year. The course was structured as a 1-day event and hosted by three of the top professionals in the industry.

During the morning session, we covered topics relating to the mindset of a coach and adult learner, coaching triathletes, and writing workouts. The afternoon session was focused on stroke progressions and technique, starts/turns/transitions, and drills. 

There were over 30 coaches in the room that ranged from triathlon coaches, swim coaches, and swimmers that want to eventually coach on deck. The group was cohesive and open to sharing experiences.

Although I have been coaching swimmers for many years, I enjoy building my toolkit and earning additional recognition in the sport. The feeling when you see a swimmer make progress is amazing and I truly LOVE being a coach!