Season (& blog) over!

So.. my first full season is over and I'm just about to wrap up recovery week 2 and get back into squad and HM training over winter. This will be my final blog installment as I've chosen to reflect on the next chapter of my life away from what is the world wide web. I look forward to reading back over this in years to come, to remember how far I've come, to stay humble and to continue to learn from each day, race and season as my journey as an age-grouper continues. 

Thank you to all of you who made my 2011/12 season what it was. To Katee P and Gillmergirl especially, your inspiration and guidance I am eternally grateful for. To everyone else, thank you for believing. You know who you are xx

Remember - "It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you do not stop".

BELIEVE.

Steph xx

Note to self!

Life!

Gatorade Race 6 - Portarlington

The lead up
In the last two weeks I've been training with a new squad and have felt really inspired and on track both with my training and my outlook to triathlon. My new coach has been great and we've set some exciting goals moving into winter and more importantly, for 2013 (but more on that later!). It's amazing what a little belief and re-focus can do. I'm also lucky enough to have some amazing & inspiring people in my life, for which I am eternally grateful for.

Race Day
As I have never raced a 750/26/8, I decided not to set an overall goal time (even though I secretly hoped for a sub-2hr) and wanted to focus more on enjoying each leg for what it was and having fun. 
The great news is that I did that and more! I beat all expectations and had a fantastic hit out on a beautiful course. Portarlington is definitely the course of the series and combined with having a few days out of Melbourne, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend!

Results 
Official time - 1:57:42
Splits - 17:57  2:34  53:32  1:33  42:05

What I (re)learned
- Everything is relative. Triathlon has been fantastic for re-teaching me the lessons I haven't quite mastered yet. I've been working hard on not comparing myself to others and although I'm not 100% yet, I'm certainly getting better!
- A little belief goes a long way. Once the hard work is done, the rest is in your head. The key is to be in the moment.. as after all, that's all we have.
- I need to buy the most fluorescent towel around. Twice now I've lost my place coming into T2. You'd think I would have learned after Race 5!

Portarlington may be my last race of the season and what a perfect way to end it! I am feeling the fittest I have ever felt. Life is wonderful.

Running & I.

If it's good enough for Lance, it's good enough for me.

 

“Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.”

- Mahatma Gandi

 

Staying inspired is the key xx

New squad, new training regime, new outlook.

I've achieved lots of my goals this season. But I still have a lot of work to do. I've had a good hard look at myself, my training, my attitude... and have found inspiration outside my comfort zone (who would have thought?).

I'm grateful for everything (even if I don't blog as consistently as I should), but it's time to be a little selfish. I need to make the right decisions for myself and find a training program and squad that can support my goals. I need to structure my training efficiently and stick to a build that I know is taking me to where I want to be. And I may have found just that. Only time will tell, but if my first run session this morning is anything to go by, things are looking good. I'm excited for my first swim session in the morning. Step outside your comfort zone. It's where the magic happens xx

Attitude.

 

What thoughts do you need to change?

Believe.