I can’t believe it is nearly Thanksgiving already! We leave tomorrow for our annual vacation to Tucson as a family. Of course, this is a trip we look forward to all year. And, each year it gets more and more fun because the kids get older and can do so much more. Ironically, all they ever want to do is swim in the pool (this is payback for me only wanting to swim my entire childhood and my parents probably bored stiff). So, Jerome and I do some training (Lemmon!) and hang out by the pool with the kids. Eat out…sleep, Hike, relax AND SHOP (even though shopping in Tucson is meh at best)…it is so great. We are all really looking for some quality R&R. I will be in Tempe spectating Ironman Arizona this weekend too. I am looking forward to that. Just last year I raced there and had a great time there – LOVED this race. Jerome is signing up for 2013.
I have been done racing since September 23rd…and have enjoyed a nice break. As many of you know (because I talk about it all the time) I always take a huge break after my last race of the season. I know it is something that so many athletes struggle with, but for me, it is the only thing that keeps me ticking year after year. Admittedly, the first week is easy….I love getting out of the routine and sleeping in and eating chocolate for breakfast (not really, but close). Then, the 2nd week I start to move a little bit more but besides something like YOGA, I am not a gym person. Actually, believe it or not, I do not even own a membership to a gym. I have a personal trainer that I love (Kate at ProKine) and swim with my Masters team, so there is no reason to go to a gym. I have a Computrainer, treadmill, weights and all of that in the basement as well. Besides the social scene, I do not miss it. But, this has also prevented me from getting too involved in the politics of sport and what everyone else is doing. I have a schedule; I follow it and don’t ask too many questions. I prefer it that way.
Now we are in mid-November and I am back to a schedule, which I really enjoy. I like the “freedom” of non-structure for a little bit…but then I get into a little trouble left to my own devices. I will usually DO too much in November and honestly, with my first “A” race in June, it is not necessary. And, I need to be specific in my training to get better each year. After all these years of racing and competing, I have to have a ton of specificity.
I thought I would race Cross this fall too, but really more than needing a physical break, I really needed a mental break from the competition. I am super intense and even something like Cross I would go and compete at –and not just “do it.” I know my limitations. So, after Long Course Nationals, I did not compete again until just a couple weeks ago when I did jump into a 10k. Ironically, this 10k is near and dear to my heart because about 4-5 years ago I won it with a fast time. Now, I was going back, kind of out of shape….but, I was able to step back and race as hard as I could for my fitness, which still was 2 minutes off that time, so not too shabby. And, the stark reality of the race was that I ran a 10k a little slower than I did at AG Nationals off the bike. Figures.
I am back in the pool. Honestly, I have been in the pool for a few weeks. My swim team starts training again October 1st. So, I rested after LC Nats and then swam 1-2 x/week and then starting 11/1 got back into it. I need to try to keep up with the swimmers and get my swim mojo back. But at the same time, I am also back in the weight room/strength —and that really makes me feel like garbage in the pool.
I have started to think about 2013 and what I want to do. I have this darn house over my head…and I will be damned if it does not sell soon. We have not had any offers. It has been rough. Not only is the housing marked lousy, but it is even worse in Chicago AND worse for homeowners with 100+ year homes (us!). I really want to get on with that next chapter of our lives and I feel like we are in limbo land…and I hate that. UGH! Pretty soon I am going to say, “heck with it!” and move on.
I am excited to say that 2013 was going to be short racing…I have signed up for Eagleman 70.3 in June and that makes me happy. I skipped it last year because I needed a break from it – but we both agreed we missed our annual trip to PA and MD to visit Jerome’s parents and race. I will do a bunch of local races that I JUST love and have so much fun doing. Then, past Eagleman, I really wanted to do something else and what is hovering in my head is USAT AG Nationals in August. Probably will be closer to home in 2013, which is appealing and I LOVED IT this year….but what I am trying to accomplish there? Do I have the FIRE to do that again?
I had 3 goals in 2011-2012 and accomplished them all. So, I have to go back to the drawing board and think of 1-3 goals for 2013-2014 that I want to aim for. I have one big one – so figuring out how to get there is what rolls around in my head.
When I think about my seasons – and this will be my 18th racing season – I have to REALLY dip deep and think about WHAT do I want to accomplish? WHAT drives me and what motivates me to get up and do this day in and day out? AND what makes me happy (not my friends, not my mentors, but ME)? I have done this for so long – how do I change things up? How do I address my limiters for another year and keep working on my strengths? One good thing for me is that whatever I am doing IS working. I may not be getting much faster (tough after 18 years+ of racing Triathlon) but I am controlling the slowdown and I am a smarter and more experienced racer. And, frankly, that is what I work on now at coming on 42. AND staying injury free and flexible (don’t laugh Kate).
My inner circle is very tight. While I coach a great group of athletes and talk to them daily about their limiters, races, workouts….I keep my circle tight (again, rare for me because I am SUPER social and a talker – be quiet Elizabeth)….I have also found that if I keep my circle tight, I am not over-exposed to too many opinions. One of the challenges of social media is OVER sharing of information and opinions…and for athletes; this can be too much information that is usually not super helpful. I would suggest finding 2-3 mentors of the sport and utilize them. One, of course, should be your coach, if you have one. Then, the other 1-2 are people you admire in this sport and have proven successful and most importantly, have been successful year after year (Longevity). And, successful doesn’t necessarily mean WINNING – but a good role model for you – or a Mom who has 4 kids like you and balances this sport and working, etc. I am lucky to not only have my husband in this role but a very good friend in Elizabeth and my mentor, Dave. This trio keeps me honest, humble and engaged in what I SHOULD be doing versus sometimes what I want to do (race every weekend in June). That is all I need.
So, on the eve of Thanksgiving week, I am searching for what I want to do in 2013. Of course, Nationals for swimming, which I have been looking forward to since they announced it in Indiana…and I WISH I could have registered for California 70.3 because I want to race that one again. I am itching to race early in the spring with something like Florida 70.3 or Gulf Coast ½ IM …why not? I have always had that on my “to do” list.
I know that JHC Camp is the first week in April – and I am excited for that! I also want to head to Tucson for some shorter trips (training) too – and I need to work on doing /organizing those too.
The real question of the day is this: DO I WANT to race IM AZ in 2013. Elizabeth was giving me sh*t asking if I wanted to eat Apple Cider Donuts in October or ride my bike for 5 hours. My answer to her, “I can do both!” I can ride and eat pretty darn well. So, some of you reading have my phone number….feel free to text me on Monday AM and convince me NOT to sign up for IM AZ. There is a big part of me that wants to do it. Why, you ask? Because when I did it in 2011 I was injured (Achilles). I still raced well, PRd and got 3rd, but I was not satisfied with that. UNLIKE Nationals (LC and SC) where I am satisfied with my races this season…I have unfinished business at the IM. And, after you win LC Nationals – what do you do next? THESE are the questions that haunt my 2013 season.
So, we will see what my vacation to Tucson brings. It will be a great time to clear my head, read some good books, hike with the kids and figure out 2013. Can’t wait!
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