I've been a triathlete for 2+ years, but have been running since my teens.  I competed in track and field in college and then enjoyed road racing when I could fit it in between pregnancies.  After my third son, I trained seriously at the marathon distance for several years.  I had success, but found myself constantly battling overuse injuries.  I joined a masters group to learn how to swim as cross training.  There were several triathletes in the group who encouraged me to try a super sprint.  I started hyperventilating on the swim and had to hold on to a kayak to regain my composure, but I finished!  I needed redemption and hopped into two sprint races during the following months.  Looking to capitalize on my endurance running background, I skipped over the middle distance events and signed up for Ironman Texas in 2018.  I finished in a 10:13 and was elated.  Looking for a Kona spot, I signed up for Ironman Arizona later in the same year.  I finished, but struggled through a cold swim and shivering on the first half of the bike.  And as I headed into my season break, I recognized that I was feeling burnt out and the aches and pains of running were returning. 

After deciding on a less daunting schedule of Half Ironman races for 2019, I somewhat reluctantly signed up for Purple Patch Fitness.  I was self-coached at that point and recognized that I had been training as a runner with some swimming and biking on the side.  I wanted to learn how to be a triathlete.  But I also like to feel in control of my training and understand the how's and why's of the season plan and each session.  I didn't know if I was ready to hand over the reins to someone else (or pay for something that I thought I could manage on my own!).  The Purple Patch Squad has ended up being an ideal fit for me at a price that is reasonable.  It has given me back the time I used to spend on planning and has minimized the second guessing.  Because education and self-empowerment are emphasized, I am still continuing to learn and grow in the sport.  And finally, I am seeing better results with less training time.

With my transition to PPF, I went back to the basics in the pool and completely changed the way I move in the water.  I can say I enjoy swimming now!  I spent less time on the bike, but really increased the amount of quality work I was performing.  And although my running mileage decreased significantly, I felt stronger, faster, and my legs were healthy again.  My 2019 season started with a 4:45 finish at Ironman 70.3 Galveston and a surprise spot to the 70.3 World Championships in Nice, France.  With that outcome, I headed into the next training block with confidence, really trusting the process and enjoying myself.  I finished as the third overall female at Lubbock, again in a 4:45, but in much hotter weather conditions.

Some highlights from Lubbock: Being warned about West Texas vermin in the pre-race meeting.  Racing close to home and seeing lots of familiar faces on the course.  A calm swim that was easily sighted, even by me!  A bike course that gave me a few opportunities to use my climbing skills.  Exercising good judgement about pace in 85 degree heat and full sun that allowed me to run relatively even splits.  Running into the Texas Tech Stadium for the finish and hearing my family and friends cheering in the stands.  And of course, feeling healthy and recovered a week later.  I'm ready to add another layer of fitness in these coming 9 weeks and see what I can do in France!