Training Camp

It's been two weeks now since my last post and a ton of stuff has happened since. For starters, I scrounged up enough pennies to attend Ironguides triathlon training camp in El Paso, TX last week and it was definitely worth the 20 plus hours it took me to get there and back! I was very glad to have the opportunity to meet and train with my coach Marc Becker.

I was very nervous upon arrival at camp Friday morning because I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I met most of the campers before Marc's arrival and they were all very welcoming and in shape! Marc then arrived, we met, and off we went for our first seminar and training session. The swim was tough, the bike/run afterwards was another kick in the rear and the cycle continued for the next few days.

There were many a time when I thought that I would not make it through the training sessions, but one thing that kept me going was knowing that everyone else there was going through the exact same thing I was and they were sticking to their guns, so I pressed on. Marc was very persistent with pointing out what I needed to focus on and correct, but he was equally commited to offering me praise when I took his words and applied them to the training. I really enjoyed having my coach there to push me and mentor me through the whole experience.

So what have I learned? Way too much to include in just one post...it would probably take up a whole novel. I think the one thing that stuck most was that when I left the camp I felt more inspired to be a better person. What I mean by this is Marc didn't just preach triathlon to me, he was more concerned with my heart and state of mind. When we would talk one on one, he made it very clear that he wants me to succeed, but that I can't just look at my performances and see success, I would have to begin to recognize it in every aspect of my life and use that momentum to further my triahtlon successes. Marc may not have even realized this while we were there, but all I could think about on the drive home is how strong I felt. My heart felt so much stronger after each training session and my mind seemed to clear through all the pain that I endured over a four day period.

My fitness has skyrocketed, my body feels strong, and my mind clear. This is exactly what I was looking for when I embarked on that epic drive to beautiful El Paso, TX.

Other than that, life continues and training does as well.....