Reflections

 2013 was a BIG year, huge.  A ton of gains were made, plenty of tears to go 'round, a couple of AG wins, 2 trips to the big island, and the granddaddy of them all, crossing that Kona finish line.  What you'll see I didn't mention, injury, burnout, DNF.

I attribute this to several things...my coach and my (gr)attitude.  See I really wasn't supposed to q'fy for Kona.  No where in recent years has anyone qualified for Kona in Arizona with a 10:50 finishing time (in my AG).  HOWEVER, don't take that to mean I don't think I didn't earn my spot.  Oh it was earned for sure, I fought for that finish.

"Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose.  Work hard, apply yourself and be ready.  When an opportunity comes you can grab it." - Julie Andrews

Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.

Julie Andrews

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/julieandre393020.html#uVbTIosYJbTxIJvT.99

Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.

Julie Andrews

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/julieandre393020.html#uVbTIosYJbTxIJvT.99

Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.

Julie Andrews

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/julieandre393020.html#uVbTIosYJbTxIJvT.99

After I took the slot, talking with Michelle, she mentioned to me..."things will be different now".  I had no idea what she meant until training ramped up.  Not because she coached me any different (that I could tell anyway ;)) but because I knew I had to step it up.  No more missed workouts, no more late nights, no more half assed workouts.  I was about to step onto the biggest stage of my life and I wasn't going to let any 'what if's' cross through my mind on October 12th.

So I worked hard.  Missed VERY few sessions, ate well, slept well, basically said goodbye to my social life..that is unless I saw you at the pool, on the bike, or while running...oh and if you came to my house to watch the game and didn't mind if I fell asleep in the middle of it.  Bless my true friends who stood by me.  xoxoxo

Consistent training and fierce focus got me across the finish line...my FOURTH ironman....in KONA.  What a deal. 



And guess what I've done since?  Hmmm...REST, REST, REST.  Mostly for the mental side.  I decided before Kona I would be taking it easy the rest of the year, doing what feels FUN (surf class), and not beating myself up over a missed workout until after the 1st of the year (there has been a LOT of those).  I've said 'yes' to social events.  Only the past couple of weeks have I gotten back into the pool...last week was my first week of 3 swims.  Ha!  I have been keeping up with my long runs as the first race of the year is a 1/2 marathon with a full in April.  It's been NICE.

Big things are in store in 2014.  *teaser*  I have a first go of my race schedule.  Ironman Cozumel is happening.  Potentially this will be the year of 2 IMs...in true BSC style.  Stay tuned...