October 2015

The mosaics tiles of my Ironman journey 2015 got set into a distinguishable pattern. IMLOU-2015 was – easy.

As much as one can call swimming, biking and running through a combined distance of 2.4 miles swim, 112 miles bike and 26 miles run – easy: yes, it was – easy. It was the first time I felt, at once, – that strong, sure, free, happy, calm, mindful through all the 14  hours of my 3d Ironman event. It was the reflection of my first year of learning and growth, guided by knowledge of my coach Haley.

– Be purposeful, – that was Haley’s advice regarding some points at the race. I take it to the next level: all my Ironman Louisville race was purposeful. As in – filling in or matching the purpose set for the race in advance. A year ago, after IMCHOO and IMFL I wanted to take my next Ironman event to the next level of Quality.

So it was – my 2015 year with

• Destin 50 miler
• IMCHOO-70.3
• 12.5 miles swim around Key West
• with travels around the Globe
• with Lake Logan Half and Olympic distance triathlons in one weekend
• then IMLOU

it was a good year of purposeful development towards my goal of getting to be the better version of myself triathlon-wise – better swimmer, being better on bike. So it was a really good race. I finished the race still “with full tank”, ready to keep on going on, recovered fast and eager to get going for 2016 plans already carefully scaled for the next year starting with right now.

I had my share of beating myself up for not going faster on the run and not “giving it all out”. But made my peace with it after talking with more experienced triathlete friends giving me different perspectives. Summing it up I’d say – if my health is great,, if I am feeling very positive and eager to keep on having fun swimming, biking and running, and my professional and personal lives are right where I want them to be regardless Ironman – I’d say it was a good year of training and it was a good race!

Back to the race:

Read More »Purposeful. IMLOU-2015 Race Report

“It’s not pressure – this is an opportunity.”

Haley , via  Wave of Enthusiasm  article 

“You would not be given the desire if you didn’t also have the ability to make it come true”

Life Coaching School podcast

A year ago I was planning my 2016. Thinking: ” I have no idea how to make my desires for self-growth turn into reality”. I did not have time to learn all the details about how to tri better – it’s not my profession, I have my work and professional interests I needed my time for. I got to the point when in order to excel I need to find somebody to learn from. I needed help and guidance in my journey from somebody who sees more in me then even I can see.
I read all those articles

“why you need a coach” /

“why you don’t need a coach” /

“why you need to train with a group / triathlon club”.

I checked out prices vs. services all over – offline / local coaches and clubs…
– You will not like it, – said a friend about me getting coached. – cause you would have to quit overtraining and doing that much as you do.

I was a bit doubting my intention to find a coach: who would want to train an ultra-runner having a wish to do long distance swims while preparing for an Ironman?
I talked to many people. I talked to several coaches of different level in terms of the way my schedule would look like, or the way my training year would look like… As much as I liked some of the coaches I talked with, nothing “clicked”.
A friend mentioned Haley Chura.
I saw Haley couple of times at the Dynamo pool.  She looked like a teenager. Her eyes were the eyes of a fighter with centuries of experience. Her energy was beaming like a star. She is a star: a pro, a winner. I never could even grasp that level of professionalism in triathlon.
I taken a gasp of air and sent her my questions.

– I want to get better on bike
– I want to keep long distance events as part of 2015: Destin 50 miler in Feb 12 miler swim Key West June 4th, IMLOU

All the coaches except http://www.zentriathlon.com/ did not really embrace the idea of the 12 miles Swim Around Key West and long distance running combined with Ironman training.
Haley was – all enthusiasm.

Read More »Haley