Triathlon – PushMyLimits

the best of 2023

Published on December 29, 2023 by Kecia2 Comments

I love looking back and thinking about all of the amazing things that I’ve accomplished and all of the challenges I’ve overcome! I’ve reflected for the last 10 years and now it’s time to reflect on 2023! You can look back at my previous posts if you’d like: the best of 2013, the best of 2014, the best of 2015, the best of 2016, the best of 2017, the best of 2018, the best of 2019, the best of 2020, the best of 2021, and the best of 2022. 2023 was full of a lot of darkness, but I am not going to focus on that. Instead, I am going to reminisce my favs from 2023.

Best adventure?

In September I visited family + friends and got to experience Lake Tahoe for the first time. What an absolutely amazing place! It is a place I will definitely go back to and one that now holds a special place in my heart!

feeling small next to the vastness of Lake Tahoe

Best swim?

OMG…did I mention I got to spend Labor Day weekend with my sister and her family in Lake Tahoe?!?! As a result, I got to swim in Lake Tahoe (more than once) and it was seriously the most amazing swim(s) EVER! The water was so crystal clear (you could see FOREVER) and was so refreshing (hint…cold). If we had the time, I would have swam here for hours at a time without getting bored!

Look at how crystal clear this water is!

Best bike?

Biking from Mom and Dad’s in Okoboji up into Minnesota with my fav. The roads up in Minnesota are so peaceful with little traffic and smooth surfaces. It is definitely one of my most favorite routes!

Best run?

Getting to run with Isabella for her first ever 1/2 marathon! There were highs and there were lows, but the grit and determination she displayed was so inspirational! We are all already signed up for next year!

We did it!! Isabella’s first 1/2 marathon!! SO PROUD OF HER!!

Best finish line?

I decided spur of the moment (literally 3 days before race day) to race the Okoboji Triathlon. I love racing at home-home, but getting to cross the finish line with family and friends surrounding you is the BEST! Oh…and then finding out you won your age group and were in the top 5 overall female finishers was icing on the cake!

Best race-cation?

Sadly we didn’t travel far this year for races, but we did take a week off work and spent it at home-home with Mom and Dad to relax, swim, bike, play on the water, and enjoy life.

Best moment out of my comfort zone?

This was the first time ever racing two 70.3 races one week apart. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me in new and different ways than ever before! I raced Ironman 70.3 Des Moines on Sunday, June 11 and then followed it up with Milkman 70.3 on Sunday, June 18. You can read more about the double challenge here.

Making my way home with the Capitol building in the background!

Best enCOEURaging moment?

The Ames Triathlon was so fun!! It is always great to see people achieve their goals and do things they once thought were impossible. The absolute best part of my day was creating an opportunity for first time athletes to complete their first triathlon ever. If you want to experience the Ames Triathlon for yourself, come to Ames in June 2024! You won’t be disappointed!

Race directors having fun at the Ames Triathlon!

Best new gear?

Coeur Sports recently started producing the Merino Wool Long Sleeved Run Top which has become a clear fav for fall/winter/spring running. This shirt is super soft, light weight, warm, and has amazing moisture wicking capabilities. If you live in a cooler climate, this is a MUST HAVE!

Best help with perimenopause?

Acupuncture…this year has been rough with the symptoms of perimenopause, but I was able to finally get some relief with acupuncture. I have since been sleeping better, experiencing fewer hot flashes, and overall feeling more and more like “myself.”

getting acupuncture to try to help my foot…thankfully it is helping perimenopause symptoms 🥰

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

challenging, dark, ebb, lost…2023 was a rough year, but even in the darkest of times, there were times of light that shone through and that is something to be grateful for.

Tell me about your 2023 year!! What are your “bests” from 2023?!

4 year anniversary

Published on December 28, 2023 by Kecia4 Comments

They say “never quit” but I disagree; there are some things definitely worth quitting! Alcohol is one of the best things I have EVER quit.

Four years ago I had my last alcoholic drink. On December 24, 2019 I took my last sip and I’m SOOOO grateful that I made the decision to quit this bad habit. I am in a much happier, healthier, and wholesome place without it. There are many things I don’t miss about drinking alcohol:

I don’t miss feeling out of control when alcohol flows through my veins.
I don’t miss waking up the next day with low energy, feeling slow, low, and/or hungover.
I don’t miss the headaches, restless sleep, and feeling unmotivated.
I don’t miss the extra calories and the lack of hydration.

I feel SOOOOO much better physically, mentally, and emotionally without the addition of alcohol in my life! Deciding to stop drinking alcohol has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve made and one that I am SO DAMN PROUD of.

Cheers to many, many more alcohol free days in the future as I continue to live my best life!

update

Published on September 21, 2023October 3, 2023 by KeciaLeave a comment

At the end of July I took a break from the blog. I thought my weekly updates were getting redundant with mostly the same things week after week. Things have been mundane, and I’ve felt stagnant with my writing, training, and life in general this year. I took a break from following a training plan and racing…I lost myself in the process. It’s easy to lose yourself sometimes. I have taken some time recently to reflect and really sit with my desires and dreams. While 2023 hasn’t really been the year I wanted for myself, it is what I’ve had. It’s been a year of change, learning, and growth.

What have I been up to? We spent the first week of August at home home in Okoboji relaxing, spending time on the water, in the water, by the water, on the bikes, walking, etc.

exploring the trails and roads around Big Spirit Lake

solo riding on the trails around the lake

swimming the Point to Point 3.2 mile swim from Gull Point State Park to Pikes Point State Park

I spent Labor Day weekend in California. I got to spend 24 hours with my friend, Michelle, in Sacramento and then 4 days with my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces in South Lake Tahoe. So many amazing memories were made!

making memories with Michelle in Sacramento

swimming at sunrise in Folsom with Michelle

While in South Lake Tahoe, I got the wonderful experience to swim in Lake Tahoe…not once, but twice in 3 days. The water was absolutely magical! I have NEVER swam in such crystal clear water that you could see FOREVER in. It was definitely one of my top 5 favorite swim experiences EVER!

Swimming in Lake Tahoe was one of my favorite swim experiences EVER!

We have been cheering on our niece as she has been moving her way up the field in cross country. I am so proud of her and with her in the progress she has made. She is so strong physically and mentally!

Cheering on this girl as she has gotten stronger + faster throughout her XC season. (BTW…I was yelling at her to keep her eyes up as she climbed the hill in front of her.)

These things of course are the highlights. The lowlights have been dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause on the daily. While I’m grateful to have lived long enough to go through this transition, it has NOT been easy. The weight gain, the night sweats, the hot flashes, the mood changes (which at times can give a person whiplash), the loss of motivation, the sleeplessness…it is all just SO much!

I have been getting laser treatments on my foot to help alleviate the pain I’ve been experiencing from Morton’s Neuroma. I am happy to report that after 4 treatments, I am starting to feel improvements and am so happy to be running longer pain free!

Laser treatment on the foot to help with the Morton’s Neuroma.

I had my first colonoscopy. They lowered the colon cancer screening age to 45 and boy am I glad they did. While the colonoscopy prep is the WORST TASTING CRAP I’ve EVER had and a truly miserable experience, I had a 4 mm polyp removed that was benign, but often known to turn cancerous if they remain in the colon. Thank you to the doctor, nurses, my husband, technology, insurance, my snuggle bugs, and everything that brought me through this experience cancer free. Don’t worry…I will spare you a picture from this experience. 😜

Looking ahead…I will be getting back to racing in 2024 and am SO EXCITED! I have REALLY missed racing and all that comes with it…the structured training, the community, setting challenges to push myself to try to achieve, learning + growing in the process, the race day hugs + high fives, exploring where my edge is, and giving my best to get to the finish line. I will definitely be toeing the line of more start lines in 2024 than I did in 2023 and the fire inside me is burning bright! Get excited, because I’m going to be back with my weekly updates soon as I gear up for a racing season that I’m truly pumped for!

2023 week 29: get it done

Published on July 25, 2023 by KeciaLeave a comment

Last week was all about getting it done. With no race goals on the horizon, I am simply focusing on intentional movement for one hour every day.

“The only way to get the job done is to get started.”
~Scott Stensland (friend)

Swim highlights: 6452 yards

Bike highlights: 152 miles

Bikes + watermelon + bluebird skies + open roads = pure joy ⚡️💙

Run fun: 0 miles

SUP: 5.64 miles

Why was the paddle boarder so slow? • Her board was SUPside down 🤣🤣🤣

15 minutes of core strength daily

Attitude of Gratitude:

Some days you just have to soak up the water therapy! 💙

These two make us laugh and always end up soaking wet when we are on the water.

Sunday we celebrated Tim! Happy first breath day to my fav! 🥳

What are you highlights from week 29 of 2023?

2023 week 28: unexpected race week

Published on July 18, 2023 by Kecia4 Comments

Last week I signed up for the Okoboji Triathlon on Wednesday and raced on Saturday. It was definitely a last minute decision and a fun one! I also got to spend more time with my sister and nieces who were back visiting from California.

“Weekend forecast: 100% chance of fun!”
~unknown

Swim highlights: 3302 yards

The swim was a bit choppy on the way to the turnaround buoy. Lots of people didn’t self seed correctly on the swim as I passed multiple people who went out towards the front of the race and couldn’t hang. After the turnaround, it was “give it all you’ve got” as I was committed to giving my best effort!

Grateful for the opportunity to race despite the poor air quality.

Bike highlights: 99.8 miles

I put in the majority of my miles on the trainer last week.

This is where the majority of my bike miles were last week.

Run fun: 3.79 miles

Running during the triathlon was the first run I’ve had in a month (since the last time I raced). I started out a bit fast in the first mile and really felt heavy chested, so I backed off just a bit in the last 3 ish miles. I thought it was because I haven’t ran in a month, but I found out after the race that the AQI was 140 and unhealthy for sensitive groups, so we probably shouldn’t have been racing in it.

15 minutes of core strength daily

Attitude of Gratitude:

Walking to the water for my pre-race swim warm up.

1st place AG + 5th place overall female ⚡️

Grateful for the support of Abbie and Dad at the finish line (Tim too…he was the one taking this pic)!

What are you highlights from week 28 of 2023?

2023 week 27: family time

Published on July 11, 2023 by KeciaLeave a comment

Last week had some family time, fun times, and was an all around good balance. Right now I am focusing on doing what I want instead of following a training plan. It is just the break I’ve needed before deciding what my future goals are.

“Time spent with family is worth every second.”
~unknown

Swim highlights: 5796 yards

The week started off well with some solid swims in the outdoor 50m pool.

Sometimes you just have to flip things around…like when you wake up thinking it’s Monday. Take that”M” and flip it around so it becomes a “W” and just like that you are winning on a Wednesday! ⚡️

Bike highlights: 115 miles

Tim and I went for a couple of bike rides last week on the open roads. I am so happy to have him back alongside of me while riding.

Creating new memories by taking new adventures on Independence Day. ❤️🤍💙

Run fun: 0 miles

There was no running last week and I am perfectly fine with that.

Walking: 5.03 miles

Last week I went water walking in the lazy river with our neighbor and on a longer dog walk with the family. Getting out and moving (that wasn’t running) was a good change…not sure I want to do it all the time, but for right now it has been good.

SUP: 1.23 miles

We took the twins out on the water on Sunday and had good times!

Today was a 10/10 on the fun-o-meter! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

15 minutes of core strength daily
30 minutes of full body strength

Attitude of Gratitude:

Teaching the twins how to jump the car…just in case.

Having all of the nieces visit us was a fun time!

These girls are so strong, independent, and fun!

So grateful to have Tim back in the saddle by my side!

Spending time on the water together was SO FUN!

What are you highlights from week 27 of 2023?

2023 week 26: recovery

Published on July 5, 2023 by KeciaLeave a comment

Last week was all about recovery! After having races for 3 weeks in a row, I was in Zombie mode! I am not signed up for any races at this time, so I am taking time to reconnect to the process before deciding what goals are ahead.

“Recovery is about progression, not perfection.”
~Unknown

Swim highlights: 3828 yards

I finally made it back to the pool on Saturday morning and it felt GOOD!

“Set big goals and love the work that gets you to them. Even if you fall short, you’ll still be winning.” ~Des Linden

Bike highlights: 38.6 miles

YAY for outdoor rides with Tim!! It’s been FAR too long since I’ve had my fav riding alongside me. So grateful for this time together on two wheels and the open roads!

“British researchers found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate,” according to Ron Gutman, the author of Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act • Smiles for miles! Today’s ride had me earning all the chocolate! ⚡️

Run fun: 0 miles

I just haven’t felt ready to run quite yet, so I am listening to my body and not fighting it.

15 minutes of core strength daily

Attitude of Gratitude:

Ya know that swim I did…well, I my goggles slipped out of my hands as I was putting them on my face and slapped my eye…I think I am the only person I know who can give themselves a black eye while swimming! 😜

What are you highlights from week 26 of 2023?

2023 week 25: race week

Published on June 27, 2023 by Kecia2 Comments

Last week was race week…it’s like Groundhog Day, BUT this time I wasn’t racing…I was one of the race directors for the Ames Triathlon. It is always SO MUCH FUN to have put together the triathlon and see the rewards of having people race in our hometown! So many first timers, friends getting together to race as a relay, and people who have been in the sport for years get to challenge themselves at a sprint triathlon. We are so grateful to all of the athletes, the volunteers, medical team, USAT officials, spectators, and everyone who helped make this the best year yet!

“The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race.”
~unknown

Swim highlights: 2406 yards

We practice mass swimming for the triathlon/open water swim for those racing.

Bike highlights: 3.14 miles

These were bike commute miles…otherwise there were no bike miles logged last week.

Run fun: 0 miles

There was no running last week…unless you count all of the running around we did in preparation for the Ames Triathlon

15 minutes of core strength only a couple of days…OOPS!

Attitude of Gratitude:

Being on the water makes my heart happy. Jersey loves it too!! 🐶🥰

So grateful to this crew for helping to set up transition for the Ames Triathlon!

It was a beautiful evening setting up transition

Congratulations to Coeur Sports teammate and pro triathlete, Jess Smith, on her overall win!

Our 3 professional triathletes! Congrats to all who raced and had a blast (quite literally thanks to the STRONG winds 😜)!

What are you highlights from week 25 of 2023?

2023 week 24: race week

Published on June 21, 2023 by KeciaLeave a comment

Last week was race week…again, but it had a very different vibe since it was sandwiched between Ironman 70.3 Des Moines and Milkman “70.3” (that was actually 71.3)!! The first two days were really focused on getting lots of sleep, eating lots of good calories, getting a massage, enjoying snuggles, and giving Moxie a bath. On Wednesday I showed up for a swim and super easy bike and then added a LITTLE pop of intensity into cycling on Thursday to wake up the legs. I didn’t run one step until Saturday to allow my legs to recover the best that they possibly could before racing again.

“What really matters when facing a challenge? What matters is learning. You want to test yourself, throw yourself into something outside your comfort zone and see what you’re capable of. Your true goal is not to conquer fifty feet of inanimate rock, but to expand your abilities through learning.”
~Arno Hintjens

Swim highlights: 6727 yards

I got in a couple of swims to get some pep back.