Journey to IRONMAN: 5 Months: A Coach in My Corner

When I think of coaching I simply cannot help but picture Rocky Balboa.  I know it seems a bit left field for me, but there is something about the image of a boxing ring that comes to mind when I ponder coaching, especially individual coaching.  The image of an athlete, ready to fight, tired and worn but ready to take on another round.  A fearless and driven coach standing in the corner, refocusing, re-energizing, reminding that athlete what he's there for.  That boxer steps into the ring as a single person, trained, focused and not deterred by set backs or a knock out.  Why?  Because he has a coach in his corner.

Up until December of last year, had you asked me, I would not have given a high value on personalized coaching when it comes to triathlon.  After all, its just a distance game right?  Go out and make sure you can do the distance.  Its a long day when it comes to IRONMAN.  If the goal is to finish, isn't it just about training your body to be able to just go the distance?  Boy, how glad I am to have met this woman.

This month I want to introduce you to the amazing coach who is in my corner, Dawn Brooks.  I met Dawn last year right after signing up for IRONMAN.  I will admit, when I met her I was right in the middle of trying to figure out what my "plan" was to get me to IRONMAN.  How was I going to do this?  Where do I even start?  I truly was lost (and drowning) in the overwhelming ocean that is IM training.

After a long bike ride together, talking with her about Racelab coaching, hearing her story, and listening to her wisdom, I decided to take a leap and jump full force into this amazing coaching relationship with her.  Oh how glad I am that I did.  Remember when I crushed that marathon a couple months ago?  When I took 13 minutes off my best ever marathon PR?  Yeah, Dawn coached me there.  She taught me how to work the track and benefit from tempo work.  She taught me about going easy long and hard short. I let everything that I thought I knew go about training and allowed myself to be completely coached by her and BAM.  I became an athlete!

Dawn inspires me.  She is one of the strongest, kindest, most driven women that I know.  She teaches Tabata, Body Pump and a wicked Spin class.  This woman is a monster on the bike.  My life goal right now? Ride a bike like Dawn.  She is an IRONMAN, and a fierce one at that, but she is a real woman who has made helping and coaching others a life goal.  Her coaching style is empowering and life giving.  I feel motivated by her and supported.  That is the Racelab way. Dawn has a way of getting the absolute best out of her athletes, and she is not afraid to tell you when you need to jump off your high horse and remember what your goals are.  She keeps me humble and focused while making me feel like I can and WILL move mountains.  She doesn't frustrate easily ( I will one day also swim with my arms at "10 and 2!")  and she works tirelessly to coach me inside the constraints of my life.  When I completely freaked out over the results of my VO2 Max test, Dawn was on the phone with me teaching, explaining and stopping the crazy train I jumped on.  She coached me through an entire diet and lifestyle change.  Remember that girl who needed rest days?  Not anymore.  Dawn showed me how to do it.  She has coached me every step of the way.

I am surrounded by amazing people.  Whether its my amazing AZ TRI Club and all of the incredible athletes I get to share my journey with, the Las Sendas Run Bike Tri group or the Racelab coaches and friends I have made along the way, the camaraderie and friendship has been indescribable and I am grateful for it. 

Dawn is one of those people who will forever have a mark on my life.  As a coach, a fellow athlete and a friend.  She makes me want to be great and do great things.  She reaffirms the belief in myself on those days when it wanes.  Her determined and joyful spirit radiates through her and I am unbelievably blessed that she is the coach in my corner.

My Unsung Hero

12 years ago I met you

 And I fell in love so fast.

It didn't take too long for me

To know our love would last.

I fell in love with all your charm

Adventure, strength and boldness.

Your heart for Christ, Your love for others

Your self defining witness.

I had no real understanding

 Of all that you would show me.

I didn't know that marrying you

Would uncover wings inside me.

There really is no greater gift 

Than a spouse who lifts you high.

Who gives you voice and strength beyond.

Who lives to see you fly.

The woman that I am today,

I credit most to you.

I never would have found her

Unless you insisted that I do.

You are my unsung hero

In this season chasing glory.

I'm humbled by the way you've taken

A backseat to my story.

It hasn't gone unnoticed, 

Not by me and not by others.

How selflessly you give your time

Its one of your greatest wonders.

IRONMAN takes everything

And you've graciously let me go.

You have taken on the homefront

Kept the team going to and fro.

You are my unsung hero

And I really should tell you more

How thankful I am to have a friend

Who lives to see me soar.

You're always patient, never angry,

And gracious through and through.

You amaze me.....completely

You are my dream come true.

Thank you Bob for choosing to

Lay down your life for me.

Thanks for being Mom and Dad 

For our two Mini Me's.

You are my unsung hero

The IRON in my IRONMAN

I am grateful you have chosen me

To walk with hand in hand.

To the best Father and Husband......Happy Fathers Day and Happy Anniversary my Love.

Journey to IRONMAN: The Dueces Wild Triathon

Alright, Little Miss Lily had had her day so its now time to share my story up at the Dueces Wild Triathlon!  There is a Meme that goes around on Facebook of a surprised little girl and the caption goes, "Ooooops......I signed up for another race!"  This was SO me when it came to Dueces.  After my experience with the Rocky Point Tri and my stomach troubles, I was just hankering for another go at an Olympic event and didn't want to wait until July!  I know.........its an obession.  So 2 weeks before Dueces I Hail Mary'd it and signed up for the event.  After all, we were gonna be up there anyways.

It was going to be such a fun weekend especially with my girl Bridgit doing her Half IRONMAN.  I really didn't want to miss out on the racing frenzy.  We headed up to Show Low a week and a half ago,  got to our campsite and headed over to collect our numbers and race day swag.  I am going to say it again.....Man I love racing.  Nothing quite like giving your name to the volunteer and having your number, cap and swag ready for you.

We were up and out early on race day morning.  Since switching my diet, I had an entirely new approach to pre race fueling and during race nutrition.  I was anxious and excited to see how it was gonna work.  Since this would be the first big race since I became a high fat, low carb eater I was hoping it was gonna pay off.

I LOVE that my coach was not only there but racing.  She is so motivating and such a kindred soul.  She makes me want to be great and I am grateful for her.  Secretly my goal was to catch her on the run (cause she is a monster on the bike) since I failed epic-ly at that attempt in Rocky Point.

I felt fantastic in the water and out on the bike.  My diet is WORKING and I killed it.  I was most nervous about the transition from the bike to the run, but as I approached transition after the bike I knew I had it.  Everything was ready for it.  Stomach wasn't slowing me down!

I left transition flying and just hoped that it wasn't a fluke and I could continue to hold it.  I even caught my coach :)

This race was most definitely a high point for me.  I felt fantastic through the whole race and cruised into a 2nd place age group finish after holding a solid 8:45min/mile pace for the run.  I felt so good!

The Dueces may have been a last minute race for me, but it was an amazing event for me.  The diet and changes I have made are working and making a huge difference.  The sky is the limit and I simply couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

Bridgit came in from her Half IRONMAN a couple hours later and after a 2nd place finish in her own age group, we couldn't help but feel unbelievably grateful for powerful coaching and our friendship in training.

The next morning following the race was lovely.  I spent the early morning making a Starbucks run with Evie (yes we were close to Starbucks.....Hallelujiah!)  and then enjoying a lovely hike with our buddies.  

Our entire weekend was a huge success and we came home with lots of bling to prove it.  I am proud of myself for executing a phenomenal race and I am proud of our family for living life boldly. 

I am getting stronger and stronger.  Next stop is the Boulder Peak Triathlon next month followed by a couple more races and then the push to IRONMAN! 

The Bee is 3!

To my Little Bee,

Happiest of birthdays kiddo.  You are 3!  Time always has a way of moving forward so fast when you are little and it is hard to believe that it has been 3 years since you came into our lives.  You have made our family complete and have filled our home with sweet giggles, strong willed "No!"s and countless snuggles and kisses.  Oh Bee you are special.

You are fearless Evie.  Completely bold and brave and determined to do everything that you want to do.  The other day you had us ask the lifeguards at the pool if you could jump off the diving board.  You can barely swim by yourself and yet were still determined to jump.  I love that about you.  It will take you far.  Your tenacity and bravery will lead you up great mountains.  Find Jesus little one, fight for justice for the down trodden.  Be the change in the world Bee. Determine yourself to move mountains.....I believe you will.

Evie, I know you can't understand this now, but you my dear are the one who taught me to be brave enough to chase my IRONMAN dream.  Every day I look at you and remember giving birth to you.  When you came I had to find a level of strength and courage to bring you into this world.  I found it.  Every day I look at you and see my own strength reflected in you.  

You are a special little girl Evie.  You are perfectly matched for your sister.  You love her and can hold your own with her.  I pray you will always be close to her.  You fit into our family perfectly.

I love you so much Bee and am grateful that I was chosen to be your Mommy.  Always know you are loved, that you are strong, that you are beautiful, purposeful and a warrior for Jesus.  Be a light, shine bright and know that I love you.

Mom

Lily's First Tri

This triathlon lifestyle.......its a family thing for sure, it has to be.  I love that my girls talk about doing IRONMAN.  Whether or not IRONMAN is in their future, I hope that they pick big dreams and chase them wholeheartedly.  When Bob and I asked Lily if she wanted to tackle her first triathlon, she nearly leaped with joy.  So we signed her up for the Dueces Wild youth triathlon and immediately went to work getting her ready.

50 yard swim, 1.2 mile bike and .5 mile run.  

We removed her training wheels and worked for 4 weeks on riding her bike around our neighborhood.  She worked through a lot of fear and uncertainty, but last week....she had it.  The running thing was a no brainer.  My kids run.  The open water swim was the other event that I knew might need some work, so the Thursday before we left I took her out with the other kids racing for a practice in Lake Saguaro.  It was scary.  The boats on the lake were creating a wavy wake and between the other kids swimming, the terror of open water swimming and the overwhelming feeling of not being able to see Lily was battling an intense amount of fear.  She really wanted to stop.  So I got in and worked with her.  She jumped from the dock, swam to me and back.  I made her fight through it.......handle her fear, wrestle with that voice telling her she can't.  I pushed her to understand her limits without being immobilized by fear.  After all, courage is knowing you can do something even in the face of fear.  And.....she got it....she did it.  I kept asking her, "Lily, what do you know about yourself, Say it!"  She would say "I am strong, I am Brave, I am Confident, I can do this!"  Over and over again she jumped off that dock and swam.  By the time we left I could see it.  She had found her brave.

So 2 mornings later we packed up our Prius and headed up the mountain,  Lady Dash and The Pink Princess in tow.  

When the time came for Lily to start getting geared and numbered up for the race she was so ready!  I pinned up my number belt to fit her little waste and we got her 402 numbers where they should be.

We walked down to transition while teaching her all about what that meant, racked her bike and let her get body marked. 

Little Evie wanted so desperately to do everything Lily was doing and the volunteer was kind enough to give Evie a little body marking of her own.  Evie was so excited about her chance to be even a small part!

This picture below is simply the best.  Look at that brave, bold, strong little girl standing on the bank of the lake.  She was so ready to go out there and get that buoy.

As a member of the AZ TRI Club we had the awesome chance to volunteer for the kids race and I jumped at the chance to be one of the safety swimmers.  I watched with so much excitement as Lily stood there amidst 20 other kids...all bigger than her...ready to go.  She amazed me.  She stood at the front of the pack...right next to the boys ready to go.  I yelled at her again, "Lily, what do you know about yourself?!" To which she yelled out, "Mommy, I am Brave, I am Strong, I am Confident, I can do this!!"

The countdown happened and my Lily BLEW ME AWAY.  She didn't falter, or hesitate or once let fear impact her.  My girly swam right past me, out to that buoy, around it, past me again and to the shore.  She was the 2nd little girl out of the water.  

She ran up to transition where her Daddy helped her get her shoes and helmet on.  She got on her bike and pedaled hard.  

Unfortunately, Bob's phone died and I was still swimming safety so we didn't get picks to the finish, but Lily did amazing!  Even when she got stuck on a hill during the bike course she got some help and finished strong.  She took off running like a champion.  

I think the best story is one Bob relayed to me about Lily Grace.  As they were on the final running leg of the event Bob was encouraging Lily to pass one of the little girls ahead of her.  Lily took up the challenge, but upon passing her noticed that the little girl was complaining of her tummy hurting.  Lily and Bob instantly stopped everything and discovered that her number belt had been put on too tight.  They stopped, helped her and then Lily and her sprinted together across the finish (Lily took her across the line:).  Not only did Lily keep what truly matters in her mind, but she made a best friend in the process (no kidding...Lily insisted I get her parent's number........Lauren be ready for my call :)

Lily has a heart of gold.  She is strong and driven......but also has compassion and beauty.  I am so proud of her.  Her Gma and Gpa Longmire sent her a bunch of athletic attire and this card.  I am so grateful for the people that see the potential inside of her and who foster her spirit of adventure. 

Lily Grace, you make me proud.  I would never have done what you did this past weekend at your age.  There is simply no stopping you my dear.  Your trophy was well deserved.  You are strong, you are confident, you are brave and you baby girl are 

A TRIATHLETE!

Evie the First

Can you believe it? This little girl is about to be a 3 year old!  She has been anxiously awaiting her birthday and, much to her delight, we decided to celebrate a wee bit early!

Grandma Jill and Grandpa Steve came down for a visit last weekend and I thought it the perfect time to lavish some party love on my little Bee.  For days leading up to the big Sophia the First party Evie kept asking, "Is today my birthday? Is today my birthday?"  Her excitement was so precious.  When the day arrived and everyone started showing up she couldn't help squeal with delight.

I am so grateful for the people in our lives who came to celebrate Evie.  I could not have asked for a better little crew and truly love this community of people we have discovered!

Evie's first present was a ginormous slip and slide!  Oh man!  Talk about a kid paradise.  Evie got a new pool and a slip and slide.  Bob set it all up and the kids had a BLAST in our backyard splashing and being kids.  Made me smile so big that we have a place to do this kind of stuff!

Amelia

Jared

Lena

Kyla

Makensie

Jack

Hayden

 When it was time for singing and cake Evie was at the tired and overwhelmed stage of the party (It's tough being 3).  She was so cute and after she endured her birthday song she blew her candles out and enjoyed her cupcake.  Actually I think she had 3 cupcakes that day......but whos counting.

The entire afternoon was such a wonderful way to celebrate Evie Frances.  She is so special and is growing up so beautifully.  I am glad that we decided to extend her birthday celebrations for a couple of weeks.

Happy Birthday Bee!