Coach’s Corner:
This is me, the one people forgot about. She is constantly on my mind. That girl that people thought was fit and strong and healthy. Little did we all know, she wasn’t. At least, not for today’s standards of me and who I want to continue to be.
This picture was taken in 2004, Ironman Wisconsin.
As I was looking at it, realizing I was 30 years old and thought I was in the best shape of my life because I was about to trek 140.6 miles. I trained, ate, slept three sports Sunday to Sunday for 3 months.
I had a great day. The swim was beautiful. The bike was hilly and grueling. The run built character. I finished in a little over 16 hours. Not record time by any means, but I became an Ironman on that day.
The things that I learned after that day…
- I was not in the best shape of my life.
- My nutrition sucked.
- My strength did not come within. I relied on too many people to get me to the start and the finish. I cried a lot on that course.
- I did not have to accomplish an Ironman to prove myself to anyone.
- I never want to do that again.
If I would have known what I know now, I would have fueled so much differently. I’m almost 44 years old, 25lbs lighter, stronger and faster and more knowledgeable than ever. As a dear friend of mine gave me this analogy, we have used our bodies like a lab rat.
There is no secret. If I would have known real food is all you need, “carbo loading” is crap, supplements can hurt as much as people think they help, you don’t need as much Gu as you think you do, you do need salt, sugar is the devil, and your mind controls your body. What I could have done on that day in Wisconsin I will never know. I will never do that distance again but I will continue to train my ass off daily to be better than I was yesterday. Paleo has kept my scale from venturing up and down, my performance at a peak, and my mind clear. I have learned I eat to perform and would not change a thing. It’s all about “real food” and a warm chocolate chip cookie every now and then.
Your Challenge:
Get out and move. Go outdoors, not in a building. Take a hike in Kisatchie or a walk around the block, just enjoy some fresh air.
Go 72 hours with Real Food. No processed, no bread, no sugar, no alcohol, no soda. I also encourage you to sit around the table with your loved ones, no electronics, no TV, no outside party involved.
Stay STRONG to yourself and Move!
