This past weekend marked my first participation in my pursuit of professional status in Triathlons. I apologize for being a little MIA, but it was a long weekend, lots of driving, focusing on last minute preparations, keeping my mind focused, and getting ready to compete. 

But here is the recap of the event, and though with my unfortunate result, I feel even more motivated to push myself and accomplish what I have set out to do. 

There were about 1500 people competing in this years Ironman Calgary 70.3 and it included professionals like that of Andy Potts and Ben Hoffman. It was a stacked field and only 4 waves with myself being in the 4th wave. Out to the swim, my goal was to get stronger as the swim progressed and make up time on the bike. The swim start was something very unique, something that one can only experience on race day. I got out and started easy, and coming out near the front of the wave I began to kick people, and people were kicking me, swimming over one another, it was a mad house and though I got out a bit slower than I anticipated, I finished the swim strong and got into transition one in good position to make up time. As I got on the bike I transitioned fairly quickly and got out on the flat at a good pace and began to cover ground as I planned. Passed some people, and kept a good pace. Then near the middle of the course, a climb that seemed never ending had me in the higher gears on my bike, and being an old bike were not very finely tuned nor advanced to deal with the climb like other bikes, and as such as hard as I pushed and though feeling strong, my bike just wouldn't get the speed I needed it to. A lost a ton of time up the climb and though trying my hardest to make it up on the last part of the course, with about 6 miles left, the race officials stopped me and pulled me out saying that I couldn't make the time cut. So, after all the grind and effort, I ended with a DNF. The biggest consolation i have was that I did not quit, and I felt extremely strong enough so to finish the race and finish strong on the run. However, this race just wasn't the day. 

I learned a ton about the whole thing. and now with some experience and more ideas on how to prepare, I feel even more confident and motivated to do another, and another until I achieve the status of professional! 

The challenge has turned into something more for me, while preparing for this and setting my training into a direction I have found more purpose in my routine and have made even greater strides in my personal performance. 

I train myself to be the strongest version of myself. I train others to realize their potential and obtain the optimal strength for their lives. 

How do you train for your goals? What would you like to do to train for your goals? Comment or share your thoughts on twitter, instagram or facebook. Tag me (use my links to my social media) in your post and I will respond, so we can develop your training to achieve our goals!