Meeting with Coach Carolyn after some yoga...

Well- I met my coach! Carolyn Gebbie. 6 times Ironwoman, tri-coach and trainer. She happened to run the marathon part of this year's IMC (IronManCanada) with one of the parents at my school. It will be neat to coach her son!

She's so positive and passionate about triathlon and sport!

I asked her: why Ironman?

I can't remember everything she replied word-for-word, but I can remember her starry excitement and fondness about the endeavour. It is clear that she has a lot of respect for Ironman. She said that its about mental toughness. The training happens throughout the year so that when you arrive at the start-line you will be physivcally prepared to handle the race- however, anything can happen during the day. Its a full day, and with weather, nutrition and other athletes around you, anything can happen. Its a rollercoaster of having complete faith, fear, discouragement, excitement, belief -- and the finisher will tough it out. She says that since finishing ironman she realized that she can do anything.

We talked about work... can I do it: balance my 3rd year of teaching with full-on training schedule? I'm very nervous. Her optimism and faith give me confidence - assuring me that I will enjoy working with her. However, the reality of our schedule at work haunts me. I think I'll have to just train for my marathon this next couple of weeks and then see what happens.

I watched the IRonman Canada 2006 Finisher DVD. Wow, is it ever powerful! It brought me right back to the race-day in Penticton where I was in an emotional frenzy of nervousness, excitement, admiration, empathy, awe.... where I was moved to tears at least 5 times. While the music on the DVD tickled my emotions to make just the right responses (Van Halen's "Right Now"), I had but only the soundtrack of cheering and quiet conversation at race day - and both times I felt the same emotions accompanied by an intense drive to take the challenge and prove that I can do it.

oh... i just want to believe....

TRAINING:
I got in 20minutes of Yoga. That was great. I'm a bit tired- I spent all of Saturday in the hot sun of Parksville at Volleybash. 11 games of 3-man beach volleyball. What a great time! I decided that I better take it easy today so that my run will be better quality. I'm pretty excited about the run!

That's all for now!

bonsoir....