Consistency

2015 just started. My focus for the first 3 months of the year... CONSISTENCY!
I just had a good training weekend. I did not feel fast swimming, biking, and running but I got it done!


6 days till race day...

First race of the year.
First race in the 30-34 age group.
Last race before I become an Ironman. (for now)

83 days till Ironman but who's counting? Here we go!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I can not believe it has been over 2 years since I last wrote... In fact, my last post was the day before the big race. The World Championship was a pretty awesome experience but most importantly the trip across New Zealand was an adventure of a lifetime. Amazing memories were created.
I truly enjoyed and took full advantage of the journey. Although not an excuse, I needed the time away from social media, emails, and phones for that matter. It was time for me to focus on myself and enjoy the beauty of New Zealand.

However, when I came back from New Zealand my world somewhat fell apart. The team I trained with dispersed. The past is in the past and I don't want to look back at this confusing time.
Instead, I would like to focus on amazing group of people who gathered together to share the love of the sport. Motivated, disciplined, inspiring are only a few words to describe the people who gathered to create the Wolfpack. All with different goals and inspiration, members of the Wolfpack aim to become the best of oneself and inspire others to be great individuals. The "pack" isn't only known for their speed but also for the genuine involvement around town.... From community fun runs to becoming an enabled body for persons with disabilities to raising abundant amount of funds for various charities, the pack has been present, not for fame but for sincere will to make the world a better place.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/article1925205.html
http://www.triathlonmami.com/category/triathlon/thumbsup-triathlon
http://www.helpinclaw.com/
http://www.empowered.org/Water-Party-MIA-2014

The pack will always be the pack. We might have different goals, inspirations, paths and purposes, but together we stand strong.

The pack changed me. In 2013, I suffered a bike accident while training for Ironman Brazil. I unfortunately had to cancel the race. But the pack was there for me through thick and thin. I will never forget receiving the DVD of Soul Surfer which is the story of this amazing surfer chicks who after suffering form a shark attack, lost her arm but still went back to the ocean and surfed with one arm. Pretty incredible. After months of having my arm stranded in a sling, I committed to competing or should I say attempt to finish my first half Ironman. I only rode my bike for the first time since the accident one week prior to the race. I was not sure if I would even get on the bike. I swam with one arm. I rode my bike not knowing if I would be able to hold the handle bars for 56 miles. I consistently performed safety checks. But once I finished the bike, I knew my mental power would carry me through the finish line. Perhaps not the best decision at the time to complete a half Ironman with absolutely no training but it was an incredible experience. The pack was there throughout the race. I will never forget seeing my pack teammate right before the finish line. Our eyes crossed and I started to choke up. Neither one of us truly believed it was possible for me to finish such distance. But we believe in hope. We believed in the strength of the human mind. I believed in the power of the mind. One of my motto has always been "it's all mental". I can now say, I finished my first half Ironman safely and mentally strong. This type of experiences shape our beliefs, who we are and who we strive to become.

I have struggled to keep focused over the last year and half. I no longer have the speed I used to have. It hurts to run and bike. I try but I don't seem to get any faster. It hurts my confidence but I know nothing is gained without hard work. I might not be the fastest but I can sure focus on becoming the fasted I can be. It is now a competition within and for myself.

So here I am... Less than 3 months from Ironman South Africa. I have signed up and coordinated what will be another trip of a lifetime!
I have one of opportunity to complete my first Ironman and I can only wish for the journey to be incredibly fun and enjoyable. Consequently it is time to commit and be accountable. I must focus on consistent training. I must do it for myself.

The keys to success are self definition, transparency, authenticity and accountability.
It is time for me to commit, be true to myself and my dreams and be accountable.

Happy New Year 2015. Expect to hear (or read) more about my journey to Ironman South Africa!  :)

One race at a time, discovering the world!

It's GO time!

Water temperature: 56.4F
Wind forecast: 35 - 30 MPH
Weather forecast: rain

Seeing the pros racing hard no matter the cold and rain: INSPIRING!

It's NOW time to JUST GO and GO FAST!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgLk6J4_fFc
Race number 2094

Send me the positive energy! :)

Live Life NOW

One week untill New Zealand!!!

So much to do but enjoying every second of it from the last bit of training to the bike prep, crazy work load schedule, trip planning and especially every word of encouragement, motivation, inspiration and excitement!

Taking in the amazing memory in the making!

Power of the Mind!

Never underestimate how powerful is your mind.

The countdown is here! In less than two weeks I would have participated in the ITU World Championship. It seems so unreal.

Over two weeks ago, I competed in Escape to Miami Triathlon. The race was meant to be a tune up for the big A race. However a few weeks prior I was lacking motivation. I had in mind that I was only going to compete in Escape to Miami to see where I stood. I wanted to have no expectation and rather focus on having a consistent race. No ups and downs but a steady strong pace to the very end.

Race weekend started under the rain. Saturday pre-race workout was unusual. Some team members did a short run under the pouring rain while the girls chatted and argued what to do under the trunk door of an SUV. It is quite ironic to think that we portray ourselves as tough girls while we can’t stand the cold rain on our shoulders at 6:30 in the morning and instead of going for a short run and getting it done we stayed outside cold contemplating about our workout. But as superwomen as we are we thought of the perfect solution. Pre race training in the gym!

 

Our stationary bike followed by a quick run on the treadmill.

Nothing better than to start race weekend with a fun out of the ordinary workout with a good group of crazy ladies. The day followed by great moments at the expo mingling and chatting away pre race day excitement. Many of my co-workers showed up to pick up their race packet. Many had never done a race and here they were about to compete in one of the toughest triathlon in South Florida. I still don’t think they realized what they were about to do. Many shared their worries while others expressed confidence. The post race word on the street: it was not easy!

While enjoying sharing my passion, mingling with old friends, and discovering new product and building new relationship, I also tried to concentrate on my performance. I debated whether to take it seriously. I knew all I wanted was to have a consistent race while still being afraid of hurting my confidence.

All those words of encouragements could not go to waste.

Race morning was absolutely superb. I am fortunate to have the race site literally in my back yard. After a good night sleep, my teammate and I rolled out of bed no more than 30 minutes before transition closed. We spent a few minutes cheering a few teammates and some co-workers and there we were back in my apartment with many recruited triathletes to hang out in the AC and the opportunity to warm up on stationary bikes. I took the opportunity to share the passion with two co-workers who started getting involved in triathlon. Jimmy who was supposed to do a relay got stuck doing the whole sprint alone and Monica who is a veteran after doing the swim portion of the sprint relay last year decided to do the whole sprint alone. She taught her how to clip in just one week prior to the race. Both completed their first triathlon with pride and I am ecstatic to report that both are already registered for the next triathlon! J Congarts to all!! Now time for the next challenge!

 Going back to my fun pre-race morning, it was absolutely perfect having so many people around. I did not have time to even realize what I was about to do. I was enjoying myself. I wanted to share my passion and I knew I had made a difference even in one person’s lifestyle.

The gun went off. I had a strong start. I knew I was ahead and while concentrating on my technique, I ironically forgot to sight leading the group past the buoy. One strong swimmer took the lead and for the first time I was able to enjoy swim draft for a few moments until I had to swim around, above and under people. It was a scene from the titanic. People trying to survive all around.

Swim exit was fun having all the relay co-workers cheering. I got on my bike as soon as possible while weaving around the masses. The bike felt so strong. I was so focused, I can not recall having one negative thought. I was concentrated on moving forward. Being in the moment one stroke at a time. It was so powerful and felt just right. It lead into the run portion of the race. After seeing a few teammates and competitors I had in sight, I knew I was in good standing. My thought was clear : just keep moving one step at a time.

My mind was so focused. It was exactly what I needed. Now thinking back, this race was mine. I wanted it and I got it. All the doubts and weaknesses made me stronger. They made me realize that the mind is extremely powerful. If you want it, go get it!

Who would have known... Woohoooo 1st overall woman . 8th tide overall!

  <3 TEAMMATES!!!

 

 

Motivation Report!

If you read my last two posts you know that I have been feeling a bit of stress lately: having a reality check that the big race is coming real soon and experiencing a lack of motivation.

Last week, I promised myself to make a change in the way I think. Turning every negative though into positives no matter how hard it is and no matter how fake I might feel. The power of the mind is so important in building confidence and embracing the journey.

A good friend of mine is going to Kona very soon (Road2IronMan.com). He had to overcome an ankle injury a few months back. He had all the reasons to be unmotivated and quit. By the time he would recover, he would only have less than two months to train for a full Ironman. But he did it. He turned his spirit around and is going for it. Working his body and mind to the fullest all the way to the finish line.

He had a few words with me. I am grateful he did!

This week was a good training week. I swam hard. I biked hard. and I ran hard. All consistent, painful and enjoyable! :) I am coming back strong! No Regrets!

Here is some of the messages he has been sending me randomly making sure his World partner is on her toes!

 

Thank you IronBeto!

Final stretch - why is motivation an issue?

I know it’s been a while since I have posted anything. I have not been feeling myself lately and did not want to share my negative energy.. but after all I am not super woman so here’s why:

In 30 days I leave for New Zealand. Am I ready? Not at all!

I have spent over 14 months anticipating this upcoming once in a lifetime exciting adventure. I would not say to the extreme of putting my life on hold but my life has revolved around triathlon: my friends, social gatherings, eating habits, and let’s not forget my budget and vacation planning. Fourteen months ago, I competed at the national level with a thought of competing among the best in the world and the opportunity to visit New Zealand. Although I am certainly not one of the top triathlete in the world, I took the opportunity seriously and dedicated part of my life to be disciplined and dedicated to triathlon. And although I have had a breakthrough by winning the age group division several times and took one Female overall podium spot, I do not feel I am ready. I have kept myself motivated throughout the past few months but I am now wondering if all that hype and excitement wasn’t premature… I am 30 days away and feel like I should be 6 months away. I am not even looking forward to competing in Escape to Miami Triathlon which is 1 week away. When discussing race schedule with my coach, Escape to Miami was supposed to be a tune up to the World’s Championship. I had in mind of winning my division and I am now thinking of taking the race as a brick workout.

Why this up and down? Why this short fall of motivation and excitement now? Am I taking this race too seriously and unable to focus and cherish the moment? I am usually one to scream, cheer and motivate my fellow teammates to take it all in and have no regrets… Why aren’t I able to follow my own advice and exhort this positive source of power and aspiration I know I have in me?

At this time it is a mental game! I am very aware that mental strength is crucial at this time. This video always puts me back in place, makes me realize how grateful I am to have such an opportunity. I have thirty days: thirty days to refine what I have been working for, thirty days to change my negative downer attitude and gain that confidence I once had. One of my greatest fear  in life is regret.

If I have to watch this video for the next 30 days, I will. If you hear me be unenthusiastic or pessimistic slap me! Regret is not an option!