Showing posts with label coach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coach. Show all posts

Monday, December 31, 2012

Bye Bye 2012

Wow, has it really been THAT many days since my last blog post??

My sincere apologies for NOT blogging but life has been crazy (and I mean CRAZY) the last couple weeks...so much so that I have not even had a few minutes to sit down and jot down my thoughts (which were in the thousands! ha). Life has delivered some topsy-turvy times with some ups and downs and this gal is just rollin' with the punches. But just when things seem darkest, that is when you notice the little bits of light shining through and it gives you hope.

No matter what this little ole world throws at me, I am strong and I am resilient. I will be just fine.
Having an amazing support system of family and friends also helps :) and they have been amazing.

My word for the last couple years has been BELIEVE. A word that still serves me well and I believe that everything is going to be just the way it needs to be! 

So do you think things are going to settle down now? 

HECK NO!!


In two sleeps, I will be hopping on an airplane and heading SOUTH to sunny Florida to run with my From Fat to Finish Line crew, film a little movie and have an absolute BLAST!!

I cannot believe IT is here already...so many months in the making and the time just flew by! 

Then once I get home from Florida, it's off again to snowy Colorado to see some of my favoritist people in the entire world (more on that later!). I just love my Rev3 peeps and I am one lucky gal to have a crew like them around me. I consider them all family!! 


...and speaking of Rev3...

I am now working with a new Coach, THE amazing and wonderful Carole Sharpless and I am excited to head into 2013 with her at my side! 


2013 promises to be a year of 
Change, Growth, Positivity 
and being FEARLESS!!



Wishing you all the best in the coming new year! 
I'll post as much as I can on Facebook while in Florida. 
Who knows, I might even throw up a crazy blog post 
(from my mobile)

Happy New Year!! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

(kind of) wOrDLeSs WeDnESdAy

drink up-
go away germs

Lola was very curious as to what Mommy was drinking

My altered version of Coach's "ChuckieTea"
Hope it works


Monday, November 28, 2011

I love Monday!! (well this one anyway)

It's Monday.
Cyber Monday. I won't be doing any shopping today. I am actually ALMOST done my Holiday shopping.
I know. Impressive. Now to wrap it all up :)

I do have a fun HOLIDAY giveaway coming up very, very soon!!
(like, tomorrow-)
My Fashletics giveaway ends 11/30-you did enter right?? 

So yeah, Cyber Monday. 
But more important, it was the first day training with the Coach.
My first training day was today and I have been looking forward to this for a while-
I started the day early (4am) with a little easy running, at 5:30am taught my boot camp class and then hit the pool.
It's fitting that my first day included some time in the pool. Now, I have made NO SECRET of my dislike of the pool as I am an OWS girl for sure!!
But
having a definite plan, a variety of things to do AND having to answer to someone really changed my mental perspective on the pool today.
Dare I say....I actually ENJOYED it??
Shhhhhhh
Don't tell anyone. I have a pool hating reputation to protect.
After the warm up it was time for some faster sets and then a TT.
Before I knew it, I was done and I felt like I actually accomplished something.
I think this is the start to something great!

Speaking of great and speaking of Coach.

check out time line 9:35 of the feed






and then again at 10:06


Hello!!


What a race for the women's 30-34 title - it took a sub-10 to get it!
KENNEY, CHRISTINE 23/8/1 33/Female 30-34 Q 01:06:11 05:30:29 03:14:37 09:57:59
WIECK, SONJA 4/4/2 32/Female 30-34 Q 00:58:22 05:30:39 03:27:16 10:00:33
SYKOROVA, HANA 11/6/3 32/Female 30-34 Q 01:02:39 05:26:49 03:38:18 10:14:41
ZELTNER, TAMARA 10/5/4 34/Female 30-34 Q 01:02:37 05:27:05 03:37:46 10:15:23
ROCHE, MELISSA 25/10/5 30/Female 30-34 Q 01:06:42 05:34:02 03:35:40 10:27:12


How about IM Cozumel in 10:00:33?
How about 2nd in her age group? 
How about another trip to Kona for Sonja?
(wonder if she'll let me sherpa!!??)
amazing....


Also, my friend Erika is now an IRON(wo)MAN!! She did her first 140.6 yesterday in Cozumel too-I cannot wait to hear the details but she promises tales of jelly fish stings, flat tires and torrential rain!! Congratulations Erika!!!








Wednesday, November 2, 2011

C is for Candy, Cardio, CrossFit, Chucking, Contests, Coaching...

C is for

It's been an "interesting" week so far-
(how about craptastic!)
This weekend's workout scheduled got totally FUBAR'd due to family stuff, wicked weather (snow!), losing power, etc. Meaning NO TRAINING GOT DONE Saturday OR Sunday.
It's amazing how BLAH! I feel when I don't get my sweat on...combine that with a little Halloween indulging --can you say too many Reese's PB cups AGAIN!! I don't even like CANDY!

I swore last year I would never do that again. I had so many of 'em last year, it gave me a tummy ache for days. At least this year I did not go overboard but still. Too many sugary treats. I feel like a bloated carcass. BUT That's ok-it's a new day and every day is a new day to attack. Ya!!
So, gonna get my Cardio on for a couple hours this morning....

I got in another CrossFit session this week. I'm really, really liking it too. I love that it is strong, powerful and competitive!! I just wish I could go more often!! So far I can get in two sessions per week and work on some of the other WOD's on my own but I really like getting feedback on form-especially for some of the Olympic lifts and stuff.
Yesterday we did some skill work-deadlifts, snatch and reviewed hand stand push ups (HSPU) and wall crawls.

Then we did DIANE.

21/15/9 reps of deadlifts and divebomber push ups or HSPU's for time
(I did 6:24) I can definitely go heavier on the DL and gotta get those divebombers bangin'!!

I did the divebombers and boy! are my shoulders and tri's feeling it today. LOVE
Then we did 50 CF style sit ups with weight for time (1:55)

Monday's interval workout was pretty epic. Almost make me chuck!! You know-hurl, puke, vomit....
I did my own bootcamp class in the morning, which was a 1,000 rep challenge.
Then I ran 7 miles on the TM

Zuzana from BodyRock.tv
Then did this little gem from BodyRockTV:

6 Rounds 20 seconds active/5 seconds rest
  • push ups with side jumps
  • elbow to knee plank
3 minutes AMRAP
  • 5 side to side 1/2 squats with a drop down & power up
12 Rounds 20 seconds active/5 seconds rest
  • jump squats
  • side crunch, alternating
It was awesome and I felt totally spent after. The hallmark of a good ass kicking. I can't wait to try this again in 2 weeks and see how much more I can get in.

I have several contests going on right now-
  1. Did you enter my Sparkly Soul giveaway??
  2. Did you LIKE IronCowboy on Facebook?? see this link for details...
  3. Did you LIKE my picture on the GoTribal INSPIRATION contest?? This ends Thursday, 11/3 so your Like is MUCH appreciated!! And yes, it is the picture of me hugging Chrissie Wellington :)

I am SOOO ready to start working with Coach (coach awesome) Sonja.
This year is gonna change a lot for me and I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of improvements I can make as an athlete with her in my corner. I also know I will work 110% harder just to please her so that is extra motivation to kick ass. Not that I lack it (motivation), but answering to her will just push me that much harder.


not THAT Coach...

So...are you Coached?
I would love to hear the WHY's and WHY NOT's.
If it is money that holds you back from hiring a coach, what WOULD you pay??
There are several valid points on both sides of the fence with this one.
Please share your comments, insight, thoughts, opinions!

Happy Wednesday


 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Three Kona Things Thursday

How much KONA can I fit in one post??
Hmmmm-I have lots to say....
Coach's feet post Kona -ouch...but this has got to be the best picture ever!!
Kona Thing #1

First and foremost, CHRISSIE!!
Yes, as in Chrissie Wellington. As you know, we are bff's.
Yes...we are. Do I have to put up pics again??
And you probably know that she freaking KRUSHED IT IN KONA.
Now, on any given day she is an animal. A powerhouse. Just an insanely talented athlete.
This woman is made of pure guts.

Well, if you had any questions just how tough this gal is then listen up.
Remember that "little bike crash" Chrissie had just before Kona? Well, there was some pretty good road rash but she did not disclose the extent of her injuries. (read about it HERE)
but here's a line from the article that will sum it up for you-

"...doctors discovered tearing in an intercostal muscle and her left pectoral...The swim that sent Wellington to the hospital five days before the world championship was her final session leading into the race. She missed several swim workouts that week."


yup, she came from 12 back to fight for the win.

Kona Thing #2
I have to give a big shout out to several ladies who kicked A$$ in Kona over the weekend.

And how about my super awesome amazing COACH Sonja!!

photos courtsey of Sonja Wieck

Hello!! Sonja totally rocked it in Kona and finished in 10:08:44-and just check out that finish photo!!
She's amazing-I love her spirit and energy.
Swim- 1:06:42
Bike- 5:26:36
Run- 3:30:16
I am so psyched & honored to call her Coach!



Then there is Maine great, Angela Bancroft.

This summer she did Lake Placid in 10:19 and then went on to finish Kona in 10:26:00
Swim- 1:04:41
Bike- 5:37:15
Run- 3:34:57
I am so proud of her-she is such an inspiration to me.
If Sonja was not my coach, Ange would be sitting at the top of that very short list.

Then there's Mary-IronMatron- another Maine connection and awesome lady!
Mary finished Kona with a smile and executed her day as planned. She finished strong with a time of 11:21:19. Congrats Mary!!

I enjoyed following the Pro's and those triathlon buddies who were competing in Kona on Saturday!

Kona Thing #3:
I am sure most of you are aware that like the prestigious Boston Marathon, Kona is the "mecca" race for triathletes. And like Boston, you need to qualify to race unless you (Boston) run for a charity or (Kona) get a slot via lottery. This week WTC CEO Andrew Messick announced that you can now get a Kona slot if you complete 12 or more Ironman races. The more IM's you do, you will move to the top of the lottery list.

“We’re changing how our lottery works,” Messick explained. “For athletes who have done 12 or more Ironman over their career – and who are still racing – we are going to make sure that they have a chance to race Kona.


“It might take a little bit of time to cycle them all in but we feel that you should have an opportunity to race Kona once in your life if you’re a serious triathlete, are serious about the sport, are dedicated and are loyal but you just happen not to be fast. I believe that being a long term triathlete and demorating by doing twelve or more fulls…you deserve it as much as people who are super quick.


“We’ll start by the people who have done the most and start ticking them off every year and eventually we’ll get through all of them.

I get it. I really do. I have no issue with those who run the Boston Marathon as part of a charity team. I can see how this gives those triathletes who have a ton of money to spend on 12+ races who are dedicated to the sport a chance to race Kona.It just reeks of another way for the WTC to make even more money (well, they are a business and Ironman is a brand). Remember Access Ironman??

But for ME personally-
these feet will not run from Hopkington to Boylston Street until these feet run fast enough to qualify for it.
and respectively,
these arms will not stroke
these legs will not pedal
and
these feet will not run
the hallowed grounds Ali'i and Queen K until I qualify.
I might be 99 years old but...that is how I feel about it FOR ME.
(feel free to ask me again when I am 60 and still gunning for a Kona slot!! lol)

Speaking of an insane amount of Ironman races...
I have someone to introduce you to very soon.
He is on a mission and looking to break another world record.
Not for his own sake but to help a great cause.
Find out why he is Tri'ing to Give a Dam.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Did you enter my Tough Chik giveaway yet?

There is only a couple more days to enter-
make sure you check it out


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Setting the Course for 2012

I cannot believe that my 2011 triathlon season is done.
It has been so much fun and this summer just flew by.
It has been an amazing year of growth-personally, professionally and physically.
I have learned so much-BUT I have already been planning 2012 for some time.

I have been setting the course and getting ready to sail into an epic year.

As I have talked about before, I have been lusting over Rev 3's Quassy race since early January and while this race did not fit into this year's schedule, this is certainly going to be an early season race for me.
This is a challenging course and I really, really want to challenge myself.
I love to eat hills for breakfast. (lunch, dinner and snacks needed for this course!)
I was not sure how I would feel after completing my first half-iron distance and now that I have that under my belt, I cannot wait to do more!!
So Quassy it is for sure-most likely the half.
THEN 2 weeks later I'm thinking-
The Patriot Half in Massachusetts. The opposite of Quassy. flat n fast
Then there is the Black Fly Triathlon extravaganza in July...a sprint, an international distance, a TT and if you are feeling really crazy there is the Lord of the Flies challenge.

And just when I did not think things could get any better...

There was the announcement of
Revolution 3 Old Orchard Beach
to take place on August 26th, 2012.

It was as if the sky opened up and the angels were singing.
WOW.
A half iron distance race by Rev 3 in my own back yard.
And Revolution 3 no less.
I have several bloggy friends that are on Team Trakkers and just LOVE the Rev 3 race. Plus, I have been following the Revolution 3 race series since last year.
How amazing is that that they are coming to MAINE
I am SO.FREAKING.Excitied!!!!
(as if you can't tell--I just talked about this race last week!)

So I'm ready and excited to do Rev3OOB!!
That will be my a #1 race of the year in 2012.

I know tht I have been in talks with at least ONE follow triathlete from Texas about coming to Maine for this race! Who else is in? Let's see how many triathletes we can fit into my house!!

But what I am really excited about--

This year will be different,
I will have someone to guide me
give me direction and advice
someone I respect and admire as a woman, Mother and triathlete
a lovely gal I have been stalking following for well over a year
and now
I am pleased as punch to call her
COACH
This is a big step for me but it is something I have spent a considerable amount of time contemplating.
I believe that all things happen for a reason--and this was just one more of those things that happened when it was supposed to.
I was heading in one direction (happily-singing away) and I reached a giant fork in the road. I had to spend a great deal of time considering which direction to travel.
I am happy that I chose THIS road and I am really looking forward to working with Sonja.

New and exciting things are on the horizon and I am ready to take on new challenges, learn and enjoy the journey!!