What I did in my 'off year'.......

2016 means an off year for Full Distance Ironman, but wait…isn’t this supposed to be a race report for IM Arizona??!!?? Steve (most awesome husband and supporter) and I have a deal that I do full distance every other year so this is where my story starts.

An off year means I find additional things to keep myself busy, in shape and most importantly have FUN.  

So…first I did a January Kettlebell swing challenge…this was so much fun.  I completed the entire challenge and won a wonderful month to FuelHouse Gym in Seattle. Of course I continued to bike and run....

I was interested in learning and exploring more behind the scenes of triathlon so I applied to get my USA Triathlon coaching certificate.  I was accepted and in February I attended the training in San Diego.  Studied and passed the exam to become a certified Triathlon coach - non practicing at this time. :)  

Next on my agenda was my Strength Matters Kettlebell Certification.  This was my monster goal of the off year. I have not done much strength training in the past so I was super excited but really nervous about passing the requirements. I found a tribe for my kettlebell training with Fuelhouse gym in Seattle.  It was an amazing experience to be able to lift weight I could have never imagined.  The support was incredible. I highly recommend Strength Matters Kettlebell Certification or going to a KB gym who has SM or Strong First instructors. They have been trained at the highest level.

 

An off year from full Ironman does not mean no racing, I signed up to do IM 70.3 Coeur d’Alene and in between my KB cert training, I was training with a friend/training partner and doing her long rides/runs.

 

Unfortunately, on May 1^st I had my very first injury in my triathlon career – a stress ‘reaction’.  Which is basically a stress fracture.  It came after a very successful half marathon, well I guess it wasn’t that successful since I couldn’t walk 3 hours after I got home. 

Thankfully, I could continue to do my KB training, biking and a little swimming.  The only thing I couldn’t do was run, but I could walk.  Krista and I did a 10 mile ‘fast’ walk.

I had a pity party for myself for CDA half iron knowing I couldn’t run…but what the heck I could walk the half marathon. June 23, 2016 I ROCKED the 70.3 race course.

It was amazing!  I had a 45 min swim - which I owe all to my KB training.  Followed by one of my fastest bike splits - with hills! I had a 3:15 bike split with 3000 ft of climbing.  Then had a 3:01 half marathon - walking!  Yes, I walk with purpose!

Well flying high off of a fantastic race and carpooling for 4+ hours with your training buddy who is training for Arizona crazy thoughts start forming.  You both are excited about the possibilities...sharing those long rides and runs - at least once I could start running again.
On July 2, IM Arizona still had foundation slots available....so ........ 

 

But first on my agenda was to pass my KB cert and it was coming up fast.  I continued to train for it and still ride my bike.  The cert weekend was July 22-24th.....lots of learning, laughs, tears....and kick ass time!  

Swing test completed!

I can't thank Molly, James and all the team of Strength Matters for making the certification such a fantastic journey.  I miss my training buddies....and kettlebells.   

Next up.....IM Arizona journey....