Q: Why do you participate in races?
A: When I sign up for each race, I am at the beginning of a new journey.
I am currently on a long-term journey to Ironman Wisconsin 2014 that will include a few short-term journeys along the way. While I have finished Ironman Wisconsin before, I started it with the goal of “just to finish”…and finish I did…though I was hyponatremic and don’t actually remember the last 8 hours of the event. For this reason, it is time to go back and do what I am capable of with proper race execution!!
I sign up for races to take me on another journey. My Ironman journey will include multiple journeys (races) between now and September 7, 2014. The first of which is coming up in just 2 weeks…Ironman Kansas 70.3 on June 9, 2013. I have been mentally focused and my training has probably been the best it has ever been!! I have been VERY happy with both my physical and mental training lately!! I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that my current momentum will continue to carry me forward through Ironman Wisconsin 2014!! 
With Ironman Kansas 70.3 only 2 weeks away, this short-term journey is nearing the taper. I have created many posts about various workouts I have completed on this journey that you can find at pushmylimits.wordpress.com. With only a few more “big” workouts left before the taper, I am finding myself more ready than ever to properly execute my race and PR!! I am in the best shape, both physically and mentally, that I have ever been before…Let’s do this thing!!
I decided to ask Coach Julie where she thinks I can and should be for Ironman Kansas 70.3 in 2 weeks…Here is her response:
“Swim: You had a great swim at Chisago last year – that time would really please me again, maybe a minute or two faster (if the races have properly measured swim courses). GOAL: 42-43 min.
“Bike: Kansas and Chisago have different bike courses, and I think the times you put up there were great for where you were then. We’ve worked a lot on cycling this season, and you’ve really improved. With the right mental approach (and staying focused throughout the bike leg – plus nutrition, etc), you should be able to average 16.5-16.7mph for the Kansas bike and closer to 17+ on a less challenging course. GOAL: 3:20-3:25 (for Kansas). 3:12-3:20 for other courses.
“Run: There is no reason that you can’t run a 2 hour run split. You’ve become a much more mentally strong runner in the past two years (all that experience is starting to pay off!). If you can keep that mental focus going throughout the bike AND through the run, you’ll be golden. GOAL: 2 hours
“If you do the math, that will set you up for that elusive sub-6 hour half IM – I know you’ve been shooting for that, and I’ve been shooting for that for you. Kansas may/may not be where it happens, BUT the mental training from that tough of a half is going to be what sets you up to make it happen this year. You’ve already overcome some hurdles in your training (many of them mental), but you’re finally on the right track. Let’s keep that going for the next three weeks!”
I am focusing my training (both physically and mentally) on doing my absolute best and pushing myself to a PR!! I am very excited to see the results of the journey I am on and shattering my previous PR (6:32:44)!! I am anxiously awaiting my new PR of 5:59:59…or faster!!
PushMyLimits 