#IMLP – PushMyLimits

Wow!! What a month!! I officially ended my 8th grade science teaching career, started my new career as the Teaching Laboratory Coordinator for the Physics and Astronomy Department at Iowa State University, put in some big training for #IMLP and #IMLou, helped coordinate and put on the inaugural Ames Triathlon event, had some difficult conversations with those that I love, and had a blast while I lived in the moment as much as possible.

Training:

Swimming outside under the sun in the 50 meter pool is something I really miss this summer!! It is nice to do this on Saturday’s when I can!!

Riding in Minnesota, but the lake to my left is in Iowa. Love this route!

Today marks the last time I’ll run from the middle school as my place of employment.

I had another SOLID month of training!! I completed 10 minutes of core strength daily + 3 minutes of meditation daily + I’m still on the green streak in Training Peaks!! I have not missed one workout so far this year…26 weeks and counting!! BOOM!!

Swim: 36,691 yards (20.8 miles)
Bike: 391 miles
Run: 101 miles
Strength: 10 minutes of core daily + various full body strength
Meditation: 3 minutes daily since January 1
Monthly Totals: 60 hours & 19 minutes

#explore:

Explore is my focus word in 2019 and I’m happy to be incorporating it into all areas of my life…including having some tough conversations with those that I love. It is like having a China cabinet full of China leaning against the doors. You know when you open the doors all of the dishes are going to crash to the floor and make a big mess. BUT it will also open up a LOT of space for new China. How long do you wait to open the door to free up this space? Everyone is different. Some choose to leave the doors closed forever and never free up the space. I am grateful that I have opened those doors and created a lot of space in my China cabinet.

Listening to:

KonaKamps always has me inspired and motivated!! Some of this months faves were:
Kampsite: Ginny Cataldi on Overcoming Obstacles
Kampsite: Rebecca McKee on Mental Toughness
Kampsite: Rebecca McKee on Constant Learning

Coeur Sports Earsplitz Podcast recently brought on Bob Babbit, who is a LEGEND in triathlon and endurance sports! He talked about visualization, gave great tips on balance, and the founding + progress of the Challenged Athletes’ Foundation (CAF).

Reading:

This month I have been rereading my Harry Potter series. I love these books and have probably read them a dozen times, but I’m sure I will read them a dozen more!

Loving:

My new job! I am so grateful that I made the leap and decided to change careers. This seems to be a perfect fit…the people, the work, the hours. I’m looking forward to learning more as I go and making the Physics Department my “home” in the coming years.

Looking forward to:

Our vacation! With the start of July, comes the excitement for our 3 week vacation! We will be heading to the northeast again this year…Detroit, Michigan, Niagara Falls (Canada side), Lake Placid, NY, Finger Lakes region, Cooperstown, NY…lots to see and do with #IMLP sandwiched in the mix! #KTNEAdventures

Attitude of Gratitude:

Sometimes it takes a little encouragement to complete a tough workout!! High fives all around!!

Grateful to spend my last days of teaching with my feet up in my Normatec boots next to my colleague and friend! I already miss seeing her everyday!

Post 100 mile ride playtime! So grateful to have my fave by my side through this roller coaster ride of life!!

Balancing act with my fave post run!! So grateful he is on this life journey with me!!

So grateful to be starting my new gig in Physics Hall on ISU campus!!

Grateful for the kind note and chocolates from my former substitute teacher at my new gig.

I love my new gig!! I get to set up and tear down labs, make sure equipment is running properly, and play!!

I love Basil snuggles…even when she tries to help me stretch my legs.

SUSHI!! YES PLEASE!! I’m so grateful that we get to refuel well!

We missed the sun for many days in June, so having it shine on my back while walking to work was a great feeling!

I’m grateful I got to spend a few hours with the Iron Hippie’s family

I am grateful for some long runs this month to help prepare me for #IMLP in a few weeks!

So grateful we were asked to be on the radio to promote the Ames Triathlon!

WOW!! Early morning runs with sunrises like this are TOTALLY worth it!!

Basil is checking out the Roomba. Each day she gets less and less afraid of it. I’m grateful I don’t have to spend hours vacuuming each week anymore!

Thank you to Kyle at Kyle’s Bikes for always keeping Mojo ready for race day and for getting me into some new bike shoes!!

So grateful these kids came to Ames to have dinner with us…ok, they really came to race the Ames Triathlon!! LOL!!

Watching the downtown crit races was so much fun with these peeps!!

We had an amazing day at the Ames Triathlon and couldn’t have done it without all of YOU…the athletes, volunteers, spectators, other race directors, sponsors, partners, medical support, photographers!! Thank you for making this inaugural event so special!!

Three Cheers to Allen Bierbaum and Dr. Chris Feil for helping one of our para-athletes in and out of the water at the Ames Triathlon on Sunday!!

Who’s ready to race the Ames Triathlon?! These two!! So glad my Coeur Sports sisters came to race in the inaugural Ames Triathlon event!!

Huge shout out to my Coeur Sports teammate, Michelle, for crushing the Ames Triathlon!! #befierce

Congratulations to my Coeur Sports Collective Beat teammate, Char, for knocking the Ames Triathlon out of the park!! #believe

How was your month of June?! What were you grateful for last month?!

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And with that, I am officially done teaching 8th graders!! I still have multiple days of professional development ahead of me, but the students are gone. It is bitter sweet!! You can read more about that here. It is time to start my next new adventure soon, but first, here is a look at what the month of May had in store for me.

Training:

BOOM!! I think I grew gills and fins!! This is my fastest ever 100 yard pace!! 🙂

I love spending time on two wheels outside with my fave at my side!! 70+ miles on the most perfect weather day any cyclist could ask for!!

What?! I got to run with my fave!! WAHOO!! I’m so proud of his patience, strength, and focus on getting to the start line of #IMLP this July!!

Swim: 28,725 yards (16.3 miles)
Bike: 357 miles
Run: 83.6 miles
Strength: 10 minutes of core daily + various full body strength
Meditation: 3 minutes daily since January 1
Monthly Totals: 53 hours & 5 minutes

#explore:

Explore is my focus word in 2019 and I’m happy to be incorporating it into all areas of my life…including racing!! I’ve been talking with Coach Kelly about racing two IRONMAN races in one year and she was just as excited for me to give it a go as I am. So, on May 1, I decided to #explore with racing TWO IRONMAN races 10 weeks apart in 2019. I have officially registered for Ironman Lake Placid on July 28 AND Ironman Louisville on October 13. This will be my first ever experience in doing two Ironman races so close together. Am I nervous? Sure! Am I scared? A bit! Am I excited? MOST DEFINITELY! I am ready to push my limits and see what my body + mind can handle.

Ironman Louisville registration is complete! I am ready for another crack at you and hoping for much better weather this year!!

Listening to:

KonaKamps always has me inspired by some amazing peeps!! Megan Anley won Ironman South Africa in the W18-24 age group at her first Ironman. Congrats Megan!!

Rich Roll brought Jesse Thomas to his podcast recently. Jesse is not only an amazing professional triathlete, but he balances his pro triathlon career with a wife, kids, his own business, and fun. He is quite the inspiration and so down to Earth!!

Reading:

Finding my Voice by Mike Reilly is so inspirational!! “Finding My Voice is a series of deeply personal vignettes illuminating how profoundly the sport of IRONMAN touches both its participants and its fans. Written from Reilly’s unique insider’s perspective as the long-time World Championship race announcer and one of the most prominent personalities in the endurance sports field, it provides an intimate, revealing and entertaining glimpse into a fascinating corner of the world of endurance sports.”

Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins is a great read. He overcame so many obstacles in life and eventually became “the only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller. He went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.” Through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world’s top endurance athletes.”

Loving:

Our new Sleep Number bed!! While we have only slept in it for 3 nights, it has been three of the best nights’ of sleep in a LONG time!! As we continue to dial in our numbers, I can only imagine that out sleep will continue to improve!!

Leaning into:

My last week of my middle school teaching career. This change feels scary, but right!! I’m super excited to embark on this new career as a Teaching Laboratory Coordinator with the Physics and Astronomy Department at Iowa State University starting next week. After all, stepping outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens!

Going out with a splash!! My last day with kids was super fun and wet!! Now for a week of professional development before starting my new adventure next week!!

Attitude of Gratitude:

Morning sunrises are the best way to start the day!!

Recovering in my Normatec boots while watching the Kentucky Derby!!

Our neighbor, Marjorie, came home from Arizona. We are so happy she is here to stay!!

So grateful my favorite girl loves to run!! 13.2 miles later, we were both ready for some food and a nap!! 🙂

I love fresh, homegrown veggies!! So grateful to get our garden planted!!

Grateful to get to reconnect with my mat!

Grateful for the time and nice weather to finally landscape around the house!!

Grateful to have these two amazing ladies show up and attend my triathlon clinic!!

So grateful that Shane, our UPS delivery driver, loves our girls!!

So grateful to have had some of the most AMAZING colleagues ever!! I will miss some of our shenanigans!!

How was your month of May?! What were you grateful for last month?!

Tag: #IMLP

What’s up?! – June 2019

What’s up?! – May 2019