On Top of Your Game – PushMyLimits

Training

November was the month of #bikeblocktraining and cycling 7 times throughout the week really paid off. My FTP test was on Thanksgiving morning and found that #hardworkpaysoff 🙂 My previous FTP test was on October 5 where my normalized power was 160 watts for my 20 minute TT. In just under 8 weeks, my new FTP test results on November 26 produced a normalized power of 176 watts for my 20 minute TT. I’ll take the 16 watt improvement! The best part?!?!?!?! This is only 1 watt less than my FTP test during peak training before Ironman Boulder. I am pumped for what this might mean for the 2016 season!!

FTP test is the perfect start to Thanksgiving day!

I have also been able to start running again just this last week. While I am not running long or far, I am running without pain. 🙂

Running with these 2 make my heart happy!!

Reading

Carrie Cheadle is an amazing mental skills coach. Her book On Top of Your Game helped me mentally prepare for Ironman Boulder. Her most recent blog post really hit home with me!! Setting a goal and figuring out why the goal is important…not the surface why, but the “why deep underneath the surface at your very core” can help keep you motivated and focused on what is really important to you.

Planning for

2016!!! I have spent time reflecting on my 2015 racing calendar and results. This has helped me develop S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2016 (more on these in a later post). I am so excited to work hard to achieve my dreams!!

My new #believetrainingjournal arrived just in time for 2016 🙂

Pumped about

I believe 2016 is going to be an epic year!! I have been chosen to be part of the Coeur Sports 2016 Ambassador Team. I ABSOLUTELY love these women!! They are inspirational, motivational, enCOEURaging, supportive and full of #heartandcourage 🙂

I found out that I made the Coeur Sports 2016 Ambassador Team...Such a badass group of women that I'm overjoyed to be a part of!! — I found out that I made the Coeur Sports 2016 Ambassador Team…Such a badass group of women that I’m overjoyed to be a part of!!

Thankful for

Family and friends! My heart and soul were full this Thanksgiving as I was surrounded by so much love! #friendsgiving

Jenga war is on… concentration is needed here boys!

Friday morning after our #friendsgiving I woke up with a sore throat and am headed to the doctor today. While I am not a fan of being sick, I am #grateful that it is the offseason and I am not sick during peak training and race season!!

Quote of the week

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” ~Michael Jordan

How was your month of November? How was your Thanksgiving?

A lot of my blog posts lately have been centered around my training, which is a huge part of my life, but there are other things going on in my life as well. I love Erin’s “Currently” posts that Abby and Kristin have jumped on board with, so I decided to step away from the training posts for a minute and catch you up on the rest of my life with my rendition of “Currently.”

Finding:

Balance…trying to balance a 40 hour work week with ~20 hours of training and still find time for friends, house chores, dog snuggles and the little things in life is a challenge, but it is all worth it!! I’ve noticed that I am so much more efficient and productive during these busy weeks. I also eat healthier and sleep better. During recovery weeks, I tend to skip more workouts; the pressure isn’t high enough during recovery weeks, so I am not as efficient and productive elsewhere in my life.

Catching Up:

With my Sole Sister…we do work together and see each other everyday, but we haven’t had a workout together in a LONG time and we haven’t had a conversation that wasn’t work related in even longer. I miss her and am in need of some #solesistalove and #solesistasweat REALLY soon!!

Loving:

Warmer weather, fresh air and sunshine…I am definitely loving outdoor workouts and am getting excited to do some landscaping in the backyard. With 20+ hours of training in each of the next couple of weeks, I’m hoping for less rain and more sun to get out and soak up even more vitamin D!!

Counting Down:

The days to the end of the school year…only 9 more days with students. I don’t think there is anything more to say. #bringonsummervaca 🙂

Looking forward to:

The start of our triathlon season is less than 4 weeks away…Legend 100 will be the first triathlon of the 2015 season and I. Can’t. Wait!! I’m definitely ready to play 🙂

Excited to:

Meet my new niece…I was blessed to have niece #5 born on April 23. That makes 3 nieces in Walnut Creek, CA and the twins are in Okoboji, IA. I definitely don’t get to see them often enough!! My sister and I have worked out some dates that will work for my trip out west…now I just have to find a cheap flight 🙂

Reading:

On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance by Carrie Cheadle…I just can’t get enough on mental training! LOVE IT! This book will help you learn how to:

Remain positive under pressure

Be mentally tough in the face of any challenges

Achieve more consistent results

Feel calm, confident, and ready to compete

Rekindle the excitement and love for your sport