Training and Coaching

I set a big goal this year. To pay more attention to this blog, in so doing, the goal is to post one, just ONE more blog per month than the previous year. February is quickly coming to an end and so this post must go up!

For the first time since FOREVER I finally trained over 15 hours in a week, not this week, it was last week. But really I could not have made it through without my favorite Powerbar products. Yes, I love the gels and perform but the ultimate is the Snickers bar. Oops, I mean the recovery bar. Just like lip gloss you can find one, or two, or….well, whose really counting, in any bag, purse, car, or any other place imaginable. Those bars are genius.

Also would not have made it through that week without the 110% Play Harder capris. Too bad my husband is practically my size so we are always grabbing the wrong pair :). Mine are always the ones that are clean and ready to wear (right?!). Fighting for recovery around here!

The Shiv got out for its inaugural ride of 6x5’ hill repeats in West Seattle. It was smooth and I am a happy rider again! The watts outside put me in a much happier place than what they have been showing on the trainer.

This week would have been a big week too, but Humira forced me to sleep through a couple workouts. Oh and a stubbed toe, which immediately took off the big toenail, leaving me floored and nauseous and near-vomiting forcing some modification to the plan. Really hate not being right on my game plan, but I am keeping my chin up and knowing that I am giving it my best. Mark says I need to focus more…..I just think that things shouldn’t jump on my toes. :)

Today it snowed. So it was back on the bike trainer for the long ride.

Found some quotes on “coaching” that spoke to me.

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. -Homer Rice

 

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." –John Wooden

Coaching is a profession of love. You can't coach people unless you love them. -Eddie Robinson

Being your best is contagious to others around you! Train on!

Colorado

That big snow storm that made nation-wide news...well, that's the day we were off to Colorado. To Denver then Colorado Springs and later in the trip to Boulder.  We were amongst the lucky whom only had to sit around a few hours with flight delays.

This was a trip to gulp up as much information as possible and within an hour of landing I was working. Blood lactate testing immediately. Didn't even get to think about the altitude..OUCH!

The snow was falling so we tucked in early to arise for an early morning swim.  Coach eased us into things working on drill, after drill, after drill (so sore!), then decided to put icing on the cake with some sprints.  Its a good thing my coach growing up NEVER let us complain. Wait, we DID complain, but we never got a response...the swimmers were too tired to talk and our coach just ignored us. So really, there was no point in complaining if no one was listening.  Back to the sprints.  Coach showed me what was up on the first 50....he really meant SPRINT, I thought he meant sprint. Okay, game on then.....2, and 3, were great then he rested for 4,5,6,7,8...claiming he was watching or stroke :).  Then BAM he was SPRINTING again and I was sprinting.  Okay, I get this game....#10 was ALL OUT!

Next we were chilling our bones riding through the Gardens of the Gods.  We may have looked at the scenery as much as we pedaled but with a no-nap Saturday I was okay with this. Besides the robber face mask I wore that was filled with yucky nose gunk by the time we were finished.

No time for lunch, as we were off to run with a tire.....yep, run with a tire. I have a lot of technique to work on, which means, more running with tires.....feel free to jump on for a ride if you see me pass by. But I won't be passing anyone with that carnage around my waist.

Early to rise the next morning was an hour an a half of filming video clips of  "dos and dont's" of swimming with  Fretta. Later finding out I do a handful of the "dont's".  Underwater filming sure showed my flaws.  Being very eager to work on my swim, Coach and Mark quickly reminded me that tire running was more important!

And all the in-between time was watching films, learning, learning, more questions, and learning.  Loved every moment of it!

Then we were off to Boulder to meet up with our long-lost-world traveling friends.  Johnna and Ryan were spectacular hosts.  Between working out, chatting in the kitchen, hiking, dinners and even a little shopping, the day was perfect (minus losing Snickers ;( ).  The snow continued through the next day so it was unfortunate to not see them again with frozen pull buoys and walking barefoot outside in 30 degree snowy temps!  We look forward to next time and plan that it will be sooner than later....and I am gunning for Lane 2 :)

Thank you to Justin and Natalie for hosting us in Colorado Springs and filling us with more and more knowledge, ideas, and new friendships.  Dave the next chips, salsa and margaritas are on us (you two Nat and Trolle)!