December tested my patience. I messed up my back on December 2 and was unable to do much for most of the month. Patience to step back and not do what I want and what my brain needs this time of year. Patience to ease back into training once I was cleared to do so. Patience going without a car for a week. Patience getting my Wahoo Kickr set up with Zwift so I could start 2020 off with a bang. Patience…patience…PATIENCE!!! Thanks to the help and support from Dr. Chris Feil with Team Chiropractic and Rehabilitation of Ames and Nick Morton with Vitality Massage, I was back to feeling myself by the end of the month and I’m ready to start 2020 strong and healthy.
Training:
Swim: 12,400 yards (7.05 miles)
Bike: 91 miles
Run: 14.2 miles
Strength: 10 minutes of core daily (except for 4 days in early December when my back was a hot mess) + some strength training + more yoga ❤
Meditation: 3 minutes daily since January 1
Monthly Totals: 21 hours & 49 minutes
2019 Totals:
Swim: 286,818 yards (162.96 miles)
Bike: 2785 miles
Run: 835 miles
511 hours & 27 minutes
#explore:
Explore was my focus word in 2019 and I’m happy that I incorporated it into all areas of my life throughout the year. In December, I planned for 2020 and #explore was at the focus of this planning! I’m SUPER EXCITED about what’s on my 2020 schedule and will be sharing that with you soon! I also started to #explore functional power training with Chris Chapman at Movewell Iowa. We are working on getting all of my muscles to properly fire like they are supposed to while doing different motions. This takes work, but the work will be worth it as it should help prevent injuries and keep me healthy and active!
Listening to:
Here is what I listened to this month:
Coeur Sports Earsplitz
–Holidays!
KonaKamps always has me inspired and motivated!! Some of this months faves were:
–Ironman St. George 2020 Six Month Preview
–Damien Bethencourt, Overall AG Champion, Ironman Malaysia 2019
–Nicola Beck, Ironman Wales 2019
–PR Ironman in 2020
–Ironman Texas 2020 Six Month Preview
–Tom De Bruyn, Overall AG Champion, Ironman Cozumel 2019
–Rebecca Duxbury, Ironamn Wales 2019
–Nathan Ford, Ironman Cozumel 2019
–Kelly Collins, Ironman Cozumel 2019
–Off Season
Witsup Podcast:
–Linsey Corbin
–Heather Wurtele
The Same 24 Hours:
–Susan Lacke: Life’s Too Short and Running Outside the Comfort Zone
–Notes on Nonsense: Holidays are Hard
–Notes on Nonsense: Talking about Procrastination
–Kevin Curry: Fit Men Cook
–Notes on Nonsense: Publication Day is NOT Nonsense
Clean Sport Collective:
–Emma Coburn, Steeplechase World Champion
–Roger Pielke, Expert in Sports Governance
–Clean Sport Panel with Rob Krar, Dylan Bowman, Alysia Montano, and Kara Goucher
–James Wilks, UFC Fighter and Producer from The Game Changers
Kelsey Abbott brought on:
–Jennifer Brown: With Diversity and Inclusion
Ironwomen Podcast has so many amazing women on!
–Swim, Bike, Ruff – Kearci Smith
Rich Roll brought on:
–Breaking Boston: Scott Fauble is Leading American Marathoners into the Olympics
–Kendra Little is Becoming More: Broadening the Gender Identity Conversation
Michael Gervais has brought some amazing people on his Finding Mastery podcast:
–Missy Franklin on Being a Champion in Victory and Defeat
C Tolle Run brought on:
–Jessie Diggins – Brave Enough
Run4PRs:
–How fast can you become? What are your limits? The Law of Diminishing Returns Explained
Hidden Brain:
–Creatures of Habit
Conquer Athlete Podcast:
–Functional Power Training with Dr. John Rusin
Trained:
–Simon Sinek: Finding Your “Why”
Crime Junkie:
–WANTED: A Christmas Killer
–SERIAL KILLER: Highway of Tears
Reading:
Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High-Performance Edge by Cindra Kamphoff has practical tools and actions to help you improve your mindset and become the high-performer you want to be. “Kamphoff shares the tools and strategies she’s taught executives, entrepreneurs, NFL ProBowl athletes, Olympians, college athletes, and championship teams. Based on almost twenty years of research and consulting with the world’s best, she provides a practical, inspiring, and easy-to-use guide to radically accelerating your performance and improving your happiness.
In this book, Kamphoff teaches you how to develop Ten Practices of the World’s Best:
1. The world’s best are gritty.
2. The world’s best are clear on their purpose.
3. The world’s best become a master of their thoughts.
4. The world’s best know themselves to master yourself.
5. The world’s best dominate the controllables.
6. The world’s best own the moment.
7. The world’s best choose empowering emotions.
8. The world’s best own who they are.
9. The world’s best live and let go.
10. The world’s best choose their courage zone.
You’ll also discover 52 life-altering strategies that you can put in your High Performance Toolbox to develop these practices and change your daily life. Each chapter describes one strategy and ends with a powerful affirmation to help you develop the High Performance Mindset. A widely respected keynote speaker, trainer, and coach, Kamphoff possesses an inspiring style that combines high energy with strategies that work. Her proven system can transform the performance of anyone who wants to up their game, regardless of their field. Whether you re seeking to own your dream business, triple your income, be the best you can be in your sport, or merely achieve a higher level of personal satisfaction, Beyond Grit shows you how. Inspiring and practical, Kamphoff will show you how to ”own your why,” develop your grit, take control of your future, discover your purpose, thrive under pressure, and be your best more often.”
Chasing Kona: From Back of the Pack Smoker to Racing the Ironman World Championships in Kona by Rob Cummins was a fun, quick read. “Sitting watching TV with a cigarette in one hand, a black coffee in the other and nursing a crushing hangover I switched channels until I found sports. There was some sort of bike race on and I half watched while lighting another cigarette off the butt of my last one for a minute before switching channels again. Just as I hit the button on the remote the commentator mentioned something about the athletes swimming before and running afterwards as well as racing the bike. I thought he said something about the run being a marathon but that couldn’t be right.This sparked my interest and I switched back, but he was talking about something else so I waited for him to get around to describing exactly what this race was. I didn’t have long to wait as he said they first did a 2.5 mile swim, then 112 miles on the bike all topped of with running a marathon. I was stunned. I didn’t think that would be physically possible and as I lit another cigarette I wondered how many days did they have to do it. I guessed it would have to be three days. Swim the first day, bike the second and run the third but it still sounded like a crazy thing to do. Then he said that they did it all in the one day, one after another without stopping. I was completely incredulous. And hooked. I remained glued to the TV and learned that these bronzed, muscular Greek God looking athletes weren’t all professionals either. There was an amateur or “age group” race as well Although I could hardly tell the difference between the pros and amateurs. They all looked unbelievably fit. As I sat there mesmerized I swore to myself that I’d race there someday. I’d stop smoking and drinking and somehow do “The Ironman” At the time I had no idea what that meant or how I would do it and after a while as things have a way of doing I got busy with life and I forgot all about The Ironman and Hawaii. I forgot until several years later when I had actually given up smoking and had taken up triathlon. It had taken me two years and sixteen races of swimming breast stroke before I learned to swim properly. I never once looked even remotely like Kona material but I wanted to have a go at doing an Ironman. It took another three years before I plucked up the courage and lined up for my first one in Nice, France. I finished in the last quarter of the field, hours behind the athletes racing for those precious Kona slots. Nothing I had done up to then had given any indication that I should have had a reason to believe I had a chance at qualifying, but three years later when I asked Aisling, my wife if she thought it was possible she immediately said yes and then she added let’s do it. Aisling’s belief in me started us on a journey that led to me treading water on the most iconic start line in triathlon, waiting for the cannon to fire at the start of the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. This is how we overcame all of the odds and discovered what it would take to get to the Ironman World Championships. This is our Kona story.”
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman is a great read to make sure you and your partner are speaking each other’s language to really connect with each other. “Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life? In the #1 New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages, you’ll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman’s proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner—starting today. The 5 Love Languages is as practical as it is insightful. Updated to reflect the complexities of relationships today, this new edition reveals intrinsic truths and applies relevant, actionable wisdom in ways that work.”
Attitude of Gratitude:
-I didn’t pack warm enough gear for the drop in temperature today.
-I should just go home and try to get Zwift working.
-I’m still not quite 100% after my back sprain.
-I don’t have a coach, so I can run tomorrow or this weekend.
-I’m tired. I should just go home and rest.
I ignored all of these excuses, put on my sweatshirt, and ran home from work. I celebrated every step, every breath of air, and every drop of sweat. And yes…I was reminded why I don’t wear cotton when I workout!!
How was your month of December?! What were you grateful for last month?! Are you ready for the start of 2020?!
PushMyLimits 
I had a great end to the month, having the Christmas / New Years break off work and my parents visiting from England. I even managed to get out and ride my bike almost every day, finishing the year strong wiht some solid miles! Bring on 2020!
Thanks for the info on Beyond Grit, I may need to read that one! 🙂
I’m so glad you had a great break and enjoyed time with family! Riding outside sounds amazing!! I hope you enjoy Beyond Grit. Cheers to an amazing 2020!
I’m so happy that you embraced patience and didn’t push your back when hurt! I’m looking forward to seeing what is on your race schedule for 2020. I dug out my wetsuit the other day and was looking at out of province open water events. That might be a good goal for me this year 🙂
Yay!! I’m excited for you!! I’ll get that race list out soon. 😉
Good, Lots, and Yes to answer your questions… You had some impressive totals for the year and I’m glad for how things turned out for you Kecia.
Thanks Jim! Here’s to an amazing 2020!
Agreed!