He does NOT go on vacation to an exotic tropical island.
He does NOT kick back and spend time on the couch.
He DOES throw himself into his coaching business and programs.
He DOES spend more time with his wife and family.
He DOES get a little bit more sleep at night.
He IS less grumpy and tired than normal.
He DOES enjoy life and play some Settlers of Catan.
Leading into Austin 70.3 I spent some time evaluating where I was at and whether I was on the right track to accomplish the goals I have set for myself. For the last two years I coached myself and am very much glad I did. It was a great "experiment," and I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my body better and learning to fall back in love with the sport. I made some big gains in my swimming to where I'm a pretty consistent 26:xx swimmer over 1.2 miles. I'm severely lacking in the bike department though and have yet to produce the 13.1 mile run off the bike that I think I'm capable of.
Before Austin 70.3 I was talking to a few people about coaching for 2015 and after the race I made the decision to work with Kurt Perham, over at PBM Coaching. I'd run across Kurt, at a collegiate development camp after Age Group Nationals a few years ago and liked his personality from my brief interaction with him. We talked a few times on the phone and I was impressed by his perspective on sport and life. He's a level 3 USAT coach and coaches other elite triathletes and cyclocross racers and I've seen the results his athletes produce. He has the scientific background knowledge which I respect but he doesn't want his athletes to be governed by their watch and power meter.
Ten weeks into training with Kurt, and I am absolutely loving the routine of training and the freedom it's brought me to focus on the other things I have going on every day. I'm looking forward to each workout instead of second guessing myself whether I should do more or less. The problem with self-coaching is that as an athlete, we are very emotionally involved with what we're doing and each workout can become a bit of a roller coaster. Removing that stressor and placing it on someone else has free'd me up to think quite a bit less and just "get the work done."
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| Rainy Saturday's call for the local garage group ride |
Even though I feel like I'm training quite a bit less than I was in January last year I am way more CONSISTENT than I was at this point last year. Because I don't feel like I have been doing much training I am itching for my and chomping at the bit to work hard and push myself. In Kurt's own words, "that's a powerful place to be as an athlete." This time last year I was putting in a lot of volume but I was also very tired and barely hanging on each day. That's not a good place to be in mid-January when my last race of the year is in late October. On top of that, I'm actually swimming, biking and running as good or better than I was at this time last year! So basically... I'm in better shape, I'm stronger, my body is fresher and I want to do more!
Along with the better adjusted training load and mental release from thinking about it, I have much more going on in my business and professional life that actually inspires me to work harder. Every day I am hands on with anywhere from 30-50 athletes coaching them in the water, at the track or on the bike. As I work with these athletes and preach to them that they must pursue excellence every day it inspires me to lead by example in my own life. If I demand excellence from my athletes on a daily basis why shouldn't I demand excellence of myself? Many people may not realize it, but I'm inspired every day when I work with moms, dads and students who are juggling school, family and a business but also have made a commitment to health and fitness in their own life.
We all have busy lives balancing family, school, work and many other things. I have an immense respect for people who place their marriage, family and work as their first priority but also value their own health and fitness. I'm at the point in my life where I admire and respect the commitment level of the athletes I coach more than the fellow professional athletes I line up against on race day!
It's looking like my first half of the race season will be very similar to last year:
March 15- Monterrey 70.3
April 19- NOLA 70.3
May 3- Tri-Tyler Half
May 25- Captex Olympic
I'm extremely excited about this year and all the opportunities and changes ahead. I hope to see many of you on the roads and at the races. Remember to enjoy the journey, love your family and work hard. Thank you for inspiring me to the best I can be on a daily basis.
