Tri Challenge: Gaining buns – and nerves – of steel

I think that part of our 6-pack training experience in Kona was intended to jolt us into the reality that the NYC Triathlon is now just twelve short weeks away and we have much training left to do. My Hawaii experience brought changes both physical and mental.

Physically, I became a little more fit, which is actually starting to show. Sure, it feels great to accomplish my workouts and have more energy these days, but when people start noticing that I’ve lost weight, that is an extra bonus! My hope is that I can inspire others to get off the couch like I have done, and get out and live life to the fullest. I have also noticed a humorous twist: Occasionally someone doesn’t even recognize me! (Stay tuned…I may do some mischief with that one soon…)

As we biked along the Queen K Highway, my endurance grew and so did my mental toughness. There’s nothing like pedaling hard through a cornucopia of headwinds, crosswinds, fast loud trucks and even faster cars to foster both buns AND nerves of steel. Add in the patient coaching from Laura on safe hydration and pedaling technique, and I have new-found confidence on the bike. Prior to Hawaii, I had not quite mastered the skill of stopping without a crash, but thanks to the practice on the island, I had only one small spill there (which I prefer to call an “un-ladylike dismount.”)

In Kona, our coaches were eager to get maximum performance out of each of us every day, and we also wanted to derive as much benefit as possible from being together in that beautiful setting. This led me to push through fatigue in ways that I had not done before. I practiced perseverance, and learned that I can always do more than I think I can, which kept this phrase going in my head: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right!”

Although my first week back from Hawaii was more rest than workouts, I need not have worried about losing fitness. This week’s workouts have me reaching for new performance goals every day, and it’s only 12 weeks to NYC-Tri-Day! As long as I stay with it (no reason not to), and keep eating right (I have finally figured out what works for me), I may look even more different soon. Time to start thinking of that mischief.