Viva Las Vegas

What an incredible week I had last week. We went to Las Vegas for a little bit of a vacation and a race for me. Things went really well on an incredibly hard course. Race report to follow. We had wanted to do St Croix but could not make the trip work. This was a great alternative, and a great early season race.

This picture is from helicopter on a tour of the Grand Canyon.
More to come

Vacation running...

I was on a running vacation yesterday morning!
Big thanks to Jennifer Collister, who set up organized the run, to Sam Joseph and Tina Hoban for going with us. We run from North Chagrin Reservation, it was wonderful. All trails,lots of mud, lots of laughing and I have no idea where we actually ran. It was a great vacation. The terrain was challenging and I found that not knowing where I was going, or how far I had been a very good thing. It is one of the most enjoyable runs that I have had in a long time. Can't wait to go back! Thanks again to Jen, Sam and Tina!

Early Riser

I have always appreciated the fact that I am a morning person. After years of getting up early to go swim practice it is interesting that in my adult life that has continued. As I began my training this season I have opted for more early morning workouts. I have come to truly enjoy the solitude of my basement at 4:00 AM. It gives me time to think, to plan my day, the best thing that it gives me back is TIME!
Getting up early is like buying time for me. I have been able to get many workouts in with out anyone even knowing I was up. This schedule has kept me from missing out on the things that I want to be a part of like being there when Wesley wakes up, or seeing Scott before he leaves for work. My biggest struggle this year with my training has been finding a balance that I feel good about and that is good for my family. The balance of marriage, family, work, sport and life for is a constant work in progress.
I did my long run a couple weeks ago at 4:30 AM, thank you Tina! It was awesome to be done by 6:30 AM.

So the next time you get up early just know that your not alone!

Believe

Believe....such a simple but powerful word. Easy to say hard to do. I put this on my jet stream when I did Ironman Wisconsin in 2006. This race was 6 months after giving birth to our son. I had read this quote..."Believe".... It is simple but it works for me- Annika Sorenstam... pro golfer.

As I talk to the athletes I coach I am constantly reminded how it important that Believe is. For many of you doing your 1st Ironman it is a very physical event at least the preparation,by the time you get to race day it is a very mental one. For most of the athletes I work with the biggest obstacle is TIME and what they Believe they can do. We spend many hours training our bodies to perform, not thinking or anticipating what our minds will do. Having a race focus,a race strategy or plan, having A,B,C goals are all part of that. But for me it has been finding out and figuring out why I do this, and why I want to do this. That is what keeps me going and keeps me coming back. ( I will be racing next year!!) I have spent hours writing race plans,going over race plans, answering all kinds of questions, but the why? do I do this question does not come up often.

For most of you your season is winding down, as you start to prepare for next year, think about the why. Why do I compete? Why do I train? What do I get out of it? When the days become shorter, and colder and your looking for motivation these answers might help you.

It has been very exciting watching so many of you do something for the 1st time. It is so awesome to share in that journey. My hope is that you learned somethings from me but you mostly you learned some new things about yourself.... like I can....., I will...., I did...., I could..., I am going to .....

It has been an inspiring season, I am waiting on several race reports that I look forward to sharing with all of you.

Have a great weekend!!

Ironman

What a day!!

It is amazing to watch an Ironman unfold. No matter how fit, no matter how many hours of training you have put in, you can take nothing for granted. From watching to participating you still continue to learn from this sport, most of the lessons repeat themselves, most of which I have personally learned the hard way.

The day in Lake Placid started out looking to be beautiful. The cool weather seemed to play tricks on people, as we watched the bike splits, you began to get a sense that it was going to be an interesting run. The sun and warming temperatures really took the toll on most of the participants.

It is nerve racking to watch my athletes on www.ironman.com, I spent the entire day yesterday chasing down athletes on the computer. A big shout out to Eric Gibb for all my live updates and for delivering messages to my guys racing, special thanks to Paula's husband Michael also. Scott listened to me day long going on and on about who was where and I wonder blah blah., , . I was left to to watch and to wait.

Chris Nook, Paula Kertes, and Jennifer Collister all had incredible days and each in there own right. Each of them suffered in there own ways from flat tires, dehydration, stomach issues, breathing problems all to cross that line and more than earn there title of Ironman. Congrats to you all I am so proud of each of you!!

There were several of our Lake Placid campers racing, John Morris(Baker), Vinny Daniello, Steve Smith, and Sean Gallagher all had great days. Way to go guys, I watched you all finish. Looking forward to hearing all about everyone individuals races.

This is my second Ironman this year that I have watched on the computer. I feel fortunate to have the technology that we do have, if I had to wait all day to find out what was going on, I would be nuts.

As I look forward to Ironman Louisville,Ironman Wisconsin, and Ironman Florida. I just wanted to say thanks to Jodi, Chris , Paula, and Jen for allowing to be part of there Ironmans this year. It has been exciting, nerve racking, challenging, unforgettable and fun to watch each of you. Looking forward to seeing what you all decide to do next.

Take care, enjoy your down time, and make sure to reflect on your accomplishment.

Angela

Days of Summer

This past weekend the weather was incredible, I felt like I was on vacation. We had a big group ride go from Mastick. Thanks to Jeff, Scott, Debbie, Missy, Amy, Martha, John, Kyle, Delia, Trephina, Jennifer, Paula, Mike,and Mary for showing up and playing with me. It was a day for mechanicals, but in spite of all that we had a great time. Check out jen collisters blog for pictures.

It is also that time of year when everyone is fit.. Jennifer and Paula along with Chris leave for Lake Placid this week and they are ready. Mike and Mary are racing down in Columbus this weekend and for so called beginners they are doing great. Kyle will also be racing and several others have races coming up early August is Steelhead.

I love being out there training with everyone and seeing how hard all of you work. Not racing this season has given me once again a chance to reflect and appreciate this sport. I love being part of and playing a role in all of your endeavors. Keep doing what your doing and keeping have fun!

PS- Stacy Rhea had a great Buckeye 50K - it was her 1st marathon and 1st 50K all in the same day, stay tuned for more details.

Make sure to check out www.ironman.com this weekend, and if you want to sign up for Lake Placid next year you better be at your computer Monday AM!

Make it a great week

A Letter to my coach and great friend...

Two weeks ago, Scott and I had the opportunity to go to a Surprise 40th birthday party for Eric Hodska, our coach. His wife Lisa did an awesome job, she kept him guessing right to the end. The look on his face when he saw Scott and I, was worth the trip. We had just spent the week before with him in Lake Placid at our training camp. So he was very surprised to see us in New Haven CT.

Scott and I have both been blessed in many ways to have Eric as our coach, and even more as our friend.Athletically he helped us both qualify for Ironman Hawaii,he guided me through the Mohican 100 mile trail run,we have done more Ironmans then I can remember, I can't imagine doing one without him. I have had the pleasure of going to several Hodska training camps as a camper. Then as I graduated to coaching myself we have done 4 camps in Cleveland and our newest addition was Lake Placid this year. Eric has played a significant role in my becoming a coach and continues to guide me.

On a personal level Eric is an incredible friend, great marriage counselor, confidant, and always willing to give insight to child rearing. I could go on, just wanted to put this out there so sometime when he reads my blog he can read for himself how much Scott and I appreciate him and how much we love him!!
Here's to you Eric!