…How can your dreams come true?
My triathlon season is 5 days away from kicking way back up into high-gear. On Sunday I’ll be in DC racing the Nations Tri- a pretty big and competitive Olympic distance race. I am feeling very confident about myself and firmly believe that what you believe is what you will make happen. The opposition is going to be fierce so I will take it for what it is, however, after doing some research lately, I’m coming to believe that our minds are our only limiters and that believing in yourself, you can push through any pain that you believe limits you! After this race, I have a week off before Ironman 70.3 Augusta, my third half ironman of the season.
But lately I’ve been somewhat questioning myself- not questioning my ability, but questioning WHO I am racing for. Recently, it has seemed that I am not grinding through hard workouts solely for myself, but so that I can work harder, work more, and live up to the expectations of the people who follow me. Whether it be coworkers, friends, my family, and even all the other triathlete I interact with on Twitter… What if they are doing more that me, what if they rode their bikes 60 miles and I only rode 50? Well what F**king if?! If I do “less” than another person, does that make me a worse athlete? Does it mean that I then need to eat way less to make up for that? I’ll let you decide on what you think the answer is…
Who cares? I need to race/train/LIVE for me, not anyone else. But this being said, let me train, race, and eat because of them, not for them. It is motivation to see the success of others- people who have turned from non-athletes to Ironmen, of for people who cannot do what I do as much as they’d like to. Or even for those who have NO desire to do anything I do–I know my mom is absolutely no way wants to do a half-Ironman, but I do know that she is proud to watch me race in HEALTHY, competitive, properly nourished fashion.
So who am I? I’m someone who races for the love and passion of it all- not to be “better” than anyone else, or, God forbid, for an excuse to all myself to eat.
Go time
What really has me excited and nervous though, is my impending ITU Long Course Championships triathlon in Las Vegas in November. This race, as I’ve mentioned, is on the world stage and is going to require a lot of hard work from me starting… well a month a go, ha. I got my registration notice in my e-mail today and have to sign up by the end of the week (gulp!) The race is like a 3/4 ironman so it will be the longest race I’ve done to date. But you know what? Who knows when I will get this chance to be part of Team USA again? It will be hot, hilly, windy, and unforgiving… But I’ll finish… and I’ll finish strong.
And check out the new Team Apex Endurance gear I’ll be repping for the rest of the season!
I missed all the rides I had planed this weekend, but was really proud of myself for getting out and putting in work on my own. Sunday I did a 4.5 mile run, 25.5 miles bike, 3.2 mile run, 60 minutes on the spin bike (20 miles), and another 1.6 mile run. Then Monday, I used the same format, but made the outdoor ride 10 miles longer. Dude, the wind was BRUTAL this weekend! This was all on the old Felt too, as the my baby, my B12, is en route to DC!
So if you’re in DC this weekend, let me know and let’s meet up!
I also know its been forever since I’ve blogged! Here’s a quick recap of my why and whats been going on:
First I was in New York with the family for a day (and got to meet up with Katelyn!)
Me and Katelyn and the legendary Dinosaur BBQ!
After that, the family and I went to a lake where I got to spend another day with them before jetting off the Virginia Beach for work
Sister, me, brother, and brother's girlfriend
After spending the week in Virginia Beach, it was back to Tampa for a weekend or so. Got some good training in and some awesome homemade grub. I’ve basically just been using coconut oil to bake butternut or sweet potatoes fries… um like every night. So healthy, and if it tastes good, why not, right?? I have like 30 different variations now, haha, so just ask if you want to know what they are.
Paleo chicken fajitas in Virginia Beach- lettuce wraps, no vegetable oils cheese or beans, and instead extra avocado!
Butternut squash fries in coconut butter with some raw cheddar cheese!
Then, later that week, I had to fly to Atlanta for work for a couple nights. Finally I’m home, but I’m flying to DC Friday morning for the race! And, yay, I get to fly home just hours after the race to be back at work Monday… whoop whoop!
Shredded sweet potato mixed with parmesan cheese and baked- made like some little cheese crackers... not bad!
Have some leftover coconut oil from you fries? Coat some avocado slices with it!
After baking the avocado- these actually came out really tasty
Classic almond butter sweet potato fries, but with some coconut cream (coconut butter) mixed into the "batter"
Think about something you do that your are passionate about… now ask yourself WHY you are passionate about it? Rekindle that love for it and do it for you!
- What is that thing you are most passionate about and why?
- Best thing you had to eat this week? And how do you use coconut oil, if you don’t, any reason why?
Have an amazing week!
"To thine own self be true"
