Pieces of the Puzzle

Me/ oh my they're tight

Midge Good/the right shoes

Jim Vance/elbows high
'
Rich/get comfy on the bike

This past weekend, Trainingbible held a "Tri-Fit Workshop". Athletes had the opportunity to come and hear some great speakers, then get put through the paces, with a physical therapy assessment by myself or my fellow co-worker Sara, at Cosport, an underwater video swim analysis by TBC coach Jim Vance, a run gait/ footwear recommendation by Midge from the Naperville Running Co, and a Bike fit by Rich and Anthony from The Bike Shop, also were chances to hear Joe Friel speak and info on race day nutrition from Michael Folan of Infinit.

This was a huge success and the athletes left with a big list of information and tricks to help them with their training racing and ultimately reach their goals.

As I looked around on Saturday, it was so cool to see athletes take the initiative to learn more about all the aspects of what goes into training and racing. They are all pieces of the puzzle on the road to success. I see athletes put every ounce of energy into training...they won't miss a workout, won't cut it 1 minute short. Yes, they are a rock star at doing the training completing the workout and logging it in, yet they are a slacker when it comes to proper eating and sleeping, or they can't find time for the core/ stretching exercises to prevent injury or enhance their performance. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the athletes that are up on all the latest gear, have every gadget known in the triathlon world, with he fastest lightest equipment on the market yet, they fall short in their training, and have difficulty putting the effort into the workouts.

For true success all of the pieces of the puzzle are required. To finish an Ironman you better well be fit right on your bike and have a good nutrition plan in the works, or all the best training in the season won't carry you to the finish line. Neglecting the strength and flexibility won't even get you to the starting line if you wind up injured.

As a coach, I want nothing better than to see the athletes I work with achieve their goals. I spend hours writing schedules with workouts to help lead them to their goals, and I steer them in the right direction for all the pieces to fit together. As a physical therapist I want nothing more than my clients to get well, for their pain to go away and they can return to their life, but I can't be there to stretch them out at their desk or remind them to not cross their legs when sitting or slouch when driving.

Finally, the athletes at the clinic were asked to write out their goals for the season. Have you written your goals? Do you look at them or say them every day? That should be a priority. It makes the training so much more real and motivating. Did you know that Lindsey (yea, cool name) Corbin said her goals out loud every day before Kona? and she finished top American and 5th overall. That seems like a pretty powerful piece of the puzzle!