What are you proud of last year?

What are you most proud of yourself for last year? 

I started off 2023 with 23 magical morning mountain miles up to the top of Reddish Knob. Running the miles of the new year has been a tradition that keeps getting better and here’s why (and how it connects to the ways I'm most proud of myself).

Getting out for long athletic pursuits (that be, a 50 mi race, ironman, etc). is living life in a day. You learn (+ relearn, because in hindsight I realized I wrote on these exact experiences in The NonRecipe Book

💡 Brain follows body: Psychology, then physiology. Mood follow actions (Pg 159 - Bias Toward Action).
💡Gratitude: Starting a new year with noticing the beauty in what IS, with being PROUD of ourselves. It’s the reminder we are ALREADY enough. We don’t need to change. We are great right here, and right now. There is such richness in striving to grow into ourselves and it can be done while simultaneously being proud of ourselves in the moment (Pg 193 Striving, with Gratitude).
💡Leaning into the spectrum, and the extremes of life: pausing, returning to processing on paper, soaking into a warm back <> finding + testing my limits on the technical, steep trail and cold river dips. Befriending and knowing ourselves through both— helps us to be more present and appreciative in between (Pg 189 Effort and Rest). 
💡Finding magic, helps us make magic: not just in the extremes, but in the little moments. Starting the year with 23 miles challenged me - and demands me to notice the magic all around. When we find it, we fuel it, we make it ✨ (Pg 114 Find Magic ). 
💡Trust in the natural rhythms: Coming off the rest of a restorative holiday season, remembering there is time for rest and it's essential (Pg 201 With and In Nature).
💡Courage: Through action, a reminder that you can do hard things. Step by step (Pg 149 Building Our Courage Muscles). 
💡THIS is how we nourish our full self - in community, in nature, in connection with the land and nourishment (Pg 205 Nourishing Your Soul-Self). This is big living. 

In supporting my athletes reflection this week (anything I do with others, I practice myself too) I’ve been asking them the same question:

“What are you most proud of yourself for in 2022” and “what do you want to be most proud of yourself for in 2023”.

Rather than measuring ourselves by the weight, time, placement, or miles. This question goes deeper. It gets to the core of not just what we do, but WHO we are in the process of doing it. 

If you look back on what made you proud, it often reveals something —where you derive meaning— that’s where the real answers are. 

The moments where I was most proud myself, they weren’t the podiums, or the # of copies of books I sold. They were the individuals I interacted with when consulting, moments of relational connection, the breakthroughs in overcoming and working with myself in writing, in listening to my body in uniquely programming my training to match the emotional demands, it was following through on my commitment to myself. 

⚡️What action are you taking that will make your future self proud?

Nationals: Cleveland Adventures

I definitely haven't given this trip the attention it deserves, as a lot of incredible moments came out of Cleveland. From the food, to the road trip memories, how I grew as an athlete, and where it is taking me - here’s to taking a moment to give it the needed attention. Further, how it's opened doors for much more to follow.

Each shot depicts an aspect of the race and adventure. A mix of the science in sport that I geek over, race results (plain and simple), but also the pure stream of thoughts that flow.

 

Cleveland - Nationals - 8.10.18 - 8.12.18

racing

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The Swim

Let's fast forward past the moment when there was an E.coli outbreak and the swim almost didn’t happen, to the unbelievable morning sunrise and Lake Erie swim. For some reason when it comes to the swim, it's hard for me to get up and go, or really judge my pace. I'm used to the black line and going all out…and that's far from the case in open water. Usually, people get super intense, warm up and sprint. Usually, I like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. This means taking it easy and bringing it home. When it comes to triathlons, so much of it feels like fun rather than racing, so a major area of improvement learning how to switch gears (as opposed to admiring the sunrise, not wearing a wetsuit, making friends, and barely getting to the starting line in time). This was one hell of a wonderful swim (and that's probably not what I should walk away saying…so there was more left in the tank here). Considering this is my strength, I realized that I need to race this harder.

Time: 26:24/100yd

Pace: 1:23

Place: 5th in AG, 22 Gender, 123 Overall

The Bike

Now, a week before this race I bought and was fitted for a new bike (s/o to Rocktown for whipping this up quick and being one hell of a help still!). So this was the first time I really got to whip her out….and the feeling was nothing short of what I imagine flying feels like. For the first time, I wasn't the one getting passed by everyone. That was quite the feeling. Coming right off doing the Half, this felt like a piece of cake. Hit my targets, never went as fast, and nothing feels more liberating than riding your bike on the highway with 4 wide-open lanes of road to yourself. Win: first time averaging +20 mph and not getting by everyone!

Time: 1:10:17

Pace: 21.22 mph

Place: 8th AG, 75 Gender, 503 Overall

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The Run

This hurt. I thought I bonked. I truly thought I had hit my end here. I spotted a disappointing pace on the watch and that was the last time I looked at it the rest of the race. I was thirsty. Feeling the heat. Overcome with depletion. There were these 2 massive hills on the loops and I savage mode went into full swing. This is testament to how important it is to not match physiological sensations to performance because little did I know that I was holding my fastest pace to date.

Time: 42:57

Pace: 6:54/mi

Place: 7th AG, 58 Gender, 428 Overall

FOOD

Most of this trip revolved around the poppin' vegan scene (who would have guessed!?). Needless to say, I think my performance in food selections overshadowed my racing. The pictures/comments say it best.

Winners: 

FUN

All around, I walked away asking myself, how can I do this all the time? Experience this world through triathlons, my plate, meeting new friends, and exploring with great company. So effortlessly living out my lifestyle of swimming, biking, running, sustainable living, nutrition, health, science, entrepreneurship. It's all coming together so organically as I continue simply training, improving myself, sharing my ideas and skills, and getting after life with no reservations.

Overall: 5ht place in the US for the Female 20-24 category. Left with lots to improve on, zest for this life, valuable learnings, and a major itch for more.

Next stop: Switzerland. To be honest, not sure how this whole thing works but evidently a top 18 finish secures you a spot on Team USA for World’s. I’m just out here doing what I love and making it happen. 

 

 

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