41 years......

I share some thoughts today, a little birthday reflection. I take to look back on my 41 years, I swear things do get better. I feel better now than I did at 21, could be the lack of beer and Twinkies!!!(not kidding) Every year has truly been better than the last. I am still learning, growing and yet have so many things that I want to accomplish. As I take a rest from racing this year, it has given me more time to appreciate all that I have done and to get even more excited about the possibilities of what is to come. I believe you have to keep challenging and reaching for something more, different or better. Otherwise you are just filling days, and I want mine to be extraordinary ones.

I am so inspired by all of the athletes that I have an opportunity to coach. To see your hard you work, to see you juggle all life throws at you, and still keep it all together. It is exciting for me to watch the process of development, to be part of the journey that you all are on, for the first times, the second times, the third and fourth and on, it is great to have a front row seat to the action, I appreciate the the chance more than you all know .

I had a great time watching Ironman Arizona yesterday. Big Shout out too Jennifer Hutchinson, our good friend, and sports nutritionist that spoke here in February, qualified for Kona! She was rocking, had a great race, and it headed to Hawaii again. I can't wait to get back there someday myself.

Have a great Monday!

Mental Toughness

I have been working on many schedules for the upcoming week, and have seen many comments about how boring it is to ride on the trainer, and that you just could not stay on it any longer. Best thing I can tell you is to change your focus, especially since we live in Northeast Ohio. I am not originally from here, and I really do miss being able to ride outside in February, March and November but I had to find the man of my dreams and move up here to the North Pole. The 1st year we were married I had signed up for Ironman Florida, Having only been here for 4-5 months, I had no idea how much training I would have to do on that trainer. Being new in town, not knowing very many people, not really knowing where to ride, and Scott being worried about me riding alone, left me no choice but my trainer. I did countless hours on the trainer but the 2 biggest rides I did were two - 6 hour rides, yes - 2 six hours rides, not even on a computrainer, just a good old cyclops trainer. I really did think I was loosing it! Too date that it is my fastest IM time!! This past year I again had to return to my trainer for long rides because of last minute decision to race and because of my life now with my little man. I know many can relate, you have to get it in when you can, sometimes that does mean 4:00 AM.

So the point of this is you can. It will make you stronger, both physically and mentally. Use the time to practice your mental toughness, your focus, your nutrition, race visulization, and the bonus is you can catch up on every movie you have never wanted to see.

Chances are you will be on your trainer again this weekend, so just remember "CAN".
Think of how excited you will be to race, how fun it is going to be to actually pass people, and have moving scenery. Then when your racing you will be able to remember all the tough workouts you made it through when you just were not sure if you could, those are the positive thoughts you want running thru your head raceday, remember where you came from and what you did to get to this moment. Have a great ride!~

Is it really spring?

It has been an interesting week to say the least. Can't say that you could not have trained for every type of weather possible. I ran yesterday at 5:00 AM it was 61 degrees when I left my house, 50 degrees when I got back an hour later and by 8:00 AM it was 40. Crazy!! I really do love my husband otherwise why would I live in the North Pole.

Thanks so much for all the concern over Scott, he is healing well. We are just making sure it does not get infected. He should be back fairly quickly.

I will be starting a new athlete profile for the site, so you all can get to know each other better. If you have any other ideas that you would like to see on the site, please let me know.

I hope you all have wonderful Easter and hopefully someday very soon, we will have a nice group ride outside of all places!!

Train Safe
Angela

What a weekend

There was plenty of racing action this weekend. I was anxiously awaiting for my athletes to call and give there results, I realized again how much I love this sport.

I had a great run this morning with Tina Hoban, we talk so much, or I should say I do, that I do not even realize the time. We were talking about how great and how fortunate we are just to be able to participate. I was expressing my hope for Scott as he was racing in Texas this morning as I was running. He has had a rough couple years as far as racing and injuries, I just wanted him to have fun and to be safe. Well that partly happened.

This was like opening weekend for AFT, several athletes racing, and I am excited and proud to announce they all did great!!!. I am looking forward to the upcoming race reports.

Jodi Thompson had a great race in California, her 1st 1/2 Ironman is now history and it is full speed ahead to Ironman CDA. Jodi is right on target to have a great 1st Ironman experience too. Check out jodi's blog- www.joditris.blogspot.com

Eric Gibb had a great race down in Athens Ohio with a PR in the 1/2 Marathon. Check out his blog www.trierictri.blogspot.com

Down in Galveston Texas, Chris Nook and Bob Murphy both had great days, especially in spite of the conditions. Rain, flooding, humidity, and lots and lots of wind.

My husband who also raced in Texas, did not have the greatest day. He cut the bottom of his foot at the start of the swim. He did not stop to check, did the swim, and the entire 56 mile bike with badly bleeding foot. When he entered in to T2 he stopped at the medical tent, they said he should not be running and needed stitches. He made it through 7 very painful miles and realized(thank god) he needed to stop. His race day was cut short, and then began race #2 began to the airport.He made the flight, got home,and after putting our son to bed, is on his way to the ER. In spite of everything he said he was glad to be back out there. What a day!!
He is amazing , he keeps coming back in spite of everything he has endured the last several years. His day is coming, and the good thing is I will be there to witness it next time.

We should all relish each and every opportunity that we have to train, to race, to just participate because what would life be life if we did not???

Train safe
Angela

Racetime!!!!

Another actual sunny day in Cleveland. Amazing how that can change your attitude. I know many of you have been getting out to enjoy the weather, it really does help your motivation, riding 2-3 hours on the road seems almost easy after being on your trainer all winter.

Please be careful out there, I have heard several stories of the cars not being to glad to see us all back on the road. Make sure to keep your head up and riding with a buddy is always a good idea.

Looks to be an exciting weekend of racing for AFT.

Chris Nook , Bob Murphy and Scott(my husband) will all be racing the Lonestar 1/2 IM this weekend in Galveston, Texas. This is Chris's 1st 1/2 IM, he is going to have a great race, he is using this in preparation for Ironman Lake Placid. Bob is using this as a tune up for Ironman Wisconsin.and my husband is finally returning to racing after 3 years, due to some unforseeable accidents of all kinds.

Jodi Thompson is racing Ralph's 1/2 IM out in San Diego, her first 1/2 IM too. She should have a strong day.

Eric Gibb is also back in action this weekend in the Capital City 1/2 Marathon, we have been working on some speed for the run, so Eric will be motoring.

This past weekend Brooks Modie raced a road race, down in Columbus and finished 11th overall in his 1st bike race. His fitness is really coming along, and he will be more than ready for Ironman CDA.

I myself am somewhat sidelined this season, as we continue to try to have another child. So I am really enjoying being a part of all your races!! It is going to be a great season, and it is just starting. So keep up the great work, stay motivated you all will be racing before you know it!!!

Train Safe,
Angela

Race Realization

It is almost here, the official start of the triathlon season will soon be upon us. Most of us have spent months inside grinding it out on our trainers, and running with way more clothes on then we like to. We have put in a great deal of time and effort into the goals we have set for the upcoming season. We focus so much on the training sometimes, we miss some of the details. As you pack your bags, review your race plans, and look back at all your hard work, here are few details to consider, to hopefully make your day run smoother.


Do you have a race check list? Do you use it?
How are you getting to the race?
Where are you staying?
What are traffic issues race morning?
Do you know the logistics of the race course?
Is your bike set up to meet your nutritional demands?
How will you carry nutrition for the race during the bike and run?
Do you have your nutrition prepared and ready to go? Mixture for bottle, bars, gels, salt?
How will you carry your spare tires?
How are often are the aid stations?
What are they serving at the aid stations?
What is the average temperature for the race?
Do you have clothes for all kinds of weather?
How is the transition area set up? Bike/Run enter/exit?
How is your transition set up? What goes where for quick & smooth transition?
How will you rack your bike? By handle bars, by the seat?
What do you eat race morning? This is something you should pack with you to make sure you have what works.
What time do you need to get up to make sure your ready for the race?
What time do you actually want to be at the race, and in the transition area?
Do you have extra toliet paper? The lines are never short.

Hopefully this will get you thinking as we all head towards race day, if you need checklist let me know.

Have a great week.
Angela

To our health,

What a couple of weeks it has been, I have been to too many doctors. Wesley got sick and now the whole family has gotten sick. It has been years since I have even had a cold. Makes you appreciate your health even more!!

Scott's Mom has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and is finally home, and every time we went to visit, I swear I felt sick. I admire the health professionals that can work in those type of environments, I could not do it.

I have not worked out since last Saturday, we all know what that does to "our" types of personalities, looking forward to maybe some easy spinning over the weekend. Anyway my point to any of this is to take care of yourself!!! Take your vitamins, get some rest, eat a healthy diet, make sure to recover from your workouts, listen to your body, take the rest days...... they all work.

I hope to see you all soon, when I am healthy. Till then be safe!