Sometimes it takes hitting the road to realize just how far you've come. I approached the month of July with a sense of dread with a calendar jam-packed with travel for both work and pleasure and the knowledge that it was just the beginning of an increase in my training volume as I reached the midway point in my 1/2 Ironman training. It was daunting and I didn't have a lot of faith in myself that while on the road I would be able to keep up with the training or have the desire to stick with it much less the healthy, metabolic efficient eating my coaches and I have made a priority. How do you get in 6-plus servings of veggies a day while entertaining clients, eating out, flying on planes and traveling on Florida highways for 8 hours at a time.
But armed with commitment, fear of failure come September 26, friends and amazing coaches, I can proudly say I am 8 weeks out from Augusta 70.3, several pounds lighter, on track with my training and the happiest and healthiest I have been in years. I guess you could say that I can feel that monkey coming off my back and the fire in my belly to get to Augusta 70.3 and kick it's ass!
And I did it by having a plan and sticking to it despite the fact that my free-spirited nature bucks at following a script to closely, I found the change of scene, having to seek out new training buddies and using my training as the only "me" time I got during two weeks on the road was a pretty good formula for success!
The other thing I'm learning along the way...don't be afraid to listen to you body and take a break when you need it, talk to you support system, whether that be friends, family, coaches or training partners, and most importantly enjoy the trip! The road to any triathlon Ironman distance or otherwise can be long but it doesn't have to be lonely and it certainly can be fun...that's what makes race day icing and who doesn't like the icing!?
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