COACH CYNDEE

Let me start by saying this blog post can apply to anyone out there. You don’t have to be a runner or triathlete for this to hit home. I have always been the type of person that needs a goal. I need a challenge or I don’t seem to be content. With 2011 coming to an end I am starting to think about next year. I am also reflecting on 2011. This was a pretty good year for me. I had a PR (personal record) in a Half Ironman and a Full Ironman. My PR at Miami 70.3 was a total time of 5:18. My previous best time was at the Honu Half in Hawaii at 5:21. I had a PR for an Ironman in Texas. My time was 11:41. My previous PR was at Ironman Arizona at 12:11. In addition to my two PR’s I started dating someone who is also a triathlete. It was pretty difficult for me to find someone who could keep up with me but Michael had done a great job! Not all my races were great races in 2011. In fact my first race of the season in February was one of my worst races. I had one of my slowest time...

Today I finally felt like I was getting back to normal after my half ironman on Sunday.   I did the Miami 70.3 – 5 days ago.   Normally I get back into the pool a few days after any race.   I take it easy but I always get moving right away. I do this after any event even an Ironman.   This race was different.   We made it a very quick trip to Miami and when I returned I couldn’t seem to get enough sleep.   Between the jet lag, race and the end of the season I was tired. We got back early Monday morning and I went to work that afternoon.   I didn’t sleep well while in Miami and it all caught up to me!    Having no energy is a very weird feeling for me. I am always on the go and full of energy.   I rarely go more than one day without some type of exercise.   Today I finally got into the pool for an easy swim.   It felt great to get moving.   After I write this I plan on going for a short run with my dogs.   This week wi...

Early in the year my boyfriend wanted me to do the Half Ironman in Miami on October 30th. I hesitated for a while before making a decision. I hesitated because my race season started early in February doing a Half Ironman in Costa Rica, another half in Vegas, full Ironman in May, several Olympic and Sprint distances and finally Miami in October. I knew by the time October came I would be burnt out on racing. I ended up signing up and was actually feeling pretty good about the race in the weeks leading up to it. I let him book our travel (one less thing for me to have to worry about). I must say it was nice not having to think about some of the small details. We left for the airport Friday morning to catch a 10:30 flight. He said we arrived in Miami at 8:30pm. I thought that seemed like a long time. Come to find out he booked a flight with 2 stops before getting to Miami. Lesson number one……next time I will book the flights. He did however take some healthy food for our day ...

My first (and only) 8k swim I have always thought that I’ve been a good long distance swimmer with decent stroke mechanics. My swim stroke was videotaped in the pool showing my technique both above and below the water and although there were some minor issues, I thought my mechanics were pretty good. I typically finish middle or top of the pack in most triathlons and in the pool my times have been pretty much the same over the past few years. I am definitely not the fastest when swimming 25’s and 50 sprints in the pool with other swimmers, I don’t sprint well and I don’t like to do it. In fact, people who have worse form than me, most times, beat me at the shorter distances like 25’s and 50’s. This would frustrate most people but I understand my body and understand what I can and can’t do. I don’t sprint well period! I could however swim forever without becoming fatigued because I swim efficient. When I come out of the water in a triathlon I feel as if I had a good warm u...

running to the finish Sunday I did the Las Vegas Tri.  I had several clients and friends racing so it was bound to be a fun day.  I was doing the sprint race.  I love doing sprints because they are fast and short!  You are done before most people are getting out of bed.  After doing Ironman events a sprint is a walk in the park......well maybe a sprint in the park.  I went into this race very relaxed and just wanted to have fun.  I got right into the front on the swim.  I was prepared to push myself in the swim which I rarely do.  I didn't see anyone ahead of me heading out to the buoy so I felt pretty good.  At the buoy we started catching some of the men that started 5 minutes ahead of us.  Turning at the buoy I only saw a few red caps (red was the female color).  I still felt great and thought I would keep this pace.  At the beginning of the swim I saw Marie who I swim masters with.  She is one of the fastest sw...

Recently I had the privilege to volunteer to help physically challenged athletes at the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas; it was truly an amazing experience. My good friend Mike who is the founder of Getting2Tri, an organization that helps challenged athletes participate in events through clinics, training, support, and education, headed up the volunteers for the PC athletes.    You can read all about them at www.getting2tri.org . Each of the volunteers was assigned to an athlete that they were responsible for helping throughout the day. Nancy and I were assigned a single leg below the knee amputee named Karen, she told us what she would need throughout the day and we were there to help her in any way we could. Karen actually qualified for this race in the age group category NOT the physically challenged; she is an amazing athlete and person! She was so calm race morning with only a few concerns, I had to laugh at my race morning jitters which seem silly in comparison ...

It has been a long time since my last post so be prepared for some random thoughts that have been on my mind!  I am happy to report my training is going good.  I am preparing for the Miami 70.3 at the end of October.  After that a little break then the Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon in January (which I hope to PR at). Then 2012 will start off strong just like 2011 with the Rage Half Ironman in Las Vegas followed by Ironman Texas once again.  My hope for all that training is to stay injury free.  The goal of most triathletes is to be able to continue their training without any injuries.  I have been really lucky through the years and not had any major set backs.  Not to say I don't have little bothersome problems here and there but nothing that has kept me from training completely.  The great thing about being a triathlete is that you have 3 sports.  If you are unable to run for a short time then it is likely you can bike or swim.  So y...