My journey officially begins for participating in the World Championship Ironman Hawaii 2012 today. The race is on Saturday, October 13th 2012 but we have lots of activties prior to the big race day. My goal to is share my experience with you during the next week as I rarely talk about my Ironman training, races or accomplishments. I wasn’t until recently at my TD Mastermind retreat last month that I should share my race accomplisments and inspire others to challenge themselves. I never thought of myself as a “world class athlete” but I am going to try to think that way this week during the World Championships at least!
My first Ironman (IM Canada) was in 2001, since then I have participated in 14 Ironmans and qualified for the World Championships in Kona four times… this will be my six time qualified but only fourth time racing. I have been coached my Luis Vargas and Mark Allen with the “Mark Allen Online” coaching program since 2003-2004 and I have been a member of the MAO Elite team for most of the last eight years. My goal in at any triathlon is to place top three (or five) in my age group and top ten overall female. My swimming has always been my weakest link (area of opportunity) but my bike is my strongest. My goal is to pass as many people as possible on the bike and hold it on the run.
This past year of racing has been successful even though I juggle balancing owning and operating Fitness Forward Studio in Bellevue, WA and training clients. I have been struggling with my swim stroke and now overthinking. At this time in the season the mental training is more important as I can’t let the swim get to me. My race results this year…
- Honu 70.3 in June 2012, I place second in my age group but was only passed the last 1.5 mile to the finish!
- Lake Stevens 70.3 in July 2012, I place first in my age group even with the rainy bike ride that slowed me way down.
- Ironman Canada 140.6 in August 2012, I placed second in my age group against ex-Olympian Susan Williams who I was almost catching up to on the run. Susan killed it on the swim and I had a horrible swim but I was only 4-5 minutes behind her at the finish line.
- Vegas 70.3 World Championship in September 2012, I didn’t push the pace as it was two weeks after IMC and IM Hawaii was my priority. Recovery was more important than racing hard but it was great tempo race and heat training.
- Ironman Hawaii World Championship 140.6… we shall find out on Saturday, October 13 2012
