It’s New Year’s Day and I
finished my last hard work out before the Disney World Marathon weekend which
is just days away. I am kind of sad the
hard efforts are over as tapering is hard for me, but with the aggressive and
demanding last month of training, training I have NEVER experienced before, I
am actually welcoming the taper and associated recovery and rest.
We are always excited to race
at Disney as we have made this an annual family vestige. Both grandmas, May, Elli and I will all
return to our childhoods for a week as we enjoy the magic that only Disney can
supply. Having the grandma’s along is
always fun, but it also provides May and I the chance to sneak away and have
some alone time as well. That is if we
can actually stay awake long enough to enjoy Downtown Disney.
While signed up for the Dopey
Challenge, if I had a chance for a “do over” I would have signed up for the
only the Marathon. Always up for a challenge, it’s only been recently that I
desired a do over. Since that is not
going to happen, I am hoping there is some serious magic in those big old ears
that are so becoming to Mickey Mouse.
Back in August, coming off a
very disappointing triathlon season with numerous illnesses and over aggressive
goals and aspirations, I set my sights on making 2015 the year that it all
comes together! With IRONMAN Louisville
on October 11 my main goal, I decided to sign up with QT2 Systems to help me
reach my goals.
While getting my USA
Triathlon Level 1 Coaching certification this summer in Charleston, I was
blessed to have a large majority of the class taught by Jesse Kropelnicki,
Founder and Managing Director with QT2 Systems.
I learned more from Jesse in one day that I had learned in four years
prior and knew immediately that if I wanted 2015 to be the “BEST” racing season
in my career, I needed to learn from the BEST.
I have not been disappointed.
Since mid-August my fitness
has gone from what I thought was really good to being in the best shape of my
life! With an awesome coach in Pat
Wheeler, I am going into Disney ready to let it all rip a week from Sunday! The best part is while I am in the best shape
of my life, Pat reassures me we have only scratched the surface and by far, the
BEST is yet to come! That is not only
encouraging but exciting. Every race since joining QT2 has resulted in a PR and
I am enjoying the process.
This year I am racing at 49 and
have always run the Disney Marathon well.
While I have no expectations on the marathon (OK that is really a bold
face lie) as my sights are squarely set on IRONMAN Louisville, I can’t help but
let the gremlins sneak in a push my inner self to do the absolute best I can
for the Marathon. It’s a pride thing,
but if not a challenge, why do it?
I plan to run the 5K, 10K and
Half at a recovery pace and actually enjoy the events in a different manner
than I have in the past. While that is
easy, it will still take a toll on my legs and my body and thus the wish for
the do over.
With The Core Diet as my
fueling plan and some recovery tactics in place, I am looking forward to leaving
my mark on Disney with the best effort I can give. During training I have learned to run a LOT
on very tired legs and have built up a lot of physical durability but maybe
more importantly I have developed a higher tolerance to discomfort and built
some mental toughness.
I am excited this year to not
only have Pat Wheeler and the QT2 Systems team helping me with my training, I
am excited, honored and humbled to be racing for the QT2 Team as a member of
the Advanced Team. While not the fastest or strongest, I am passionate and
looking forward to representing the team with energy, enthusiasm and
professionalism.
So the recovery begins and
the anticipation for the Marathon builds.
While I am hoping for there is a little “Magic” in those ears, I am more
confident in my training and abilities and looking towards leaving it all on
the race course come race day. Who knows
what the time will be when I cross the finish line, but I do know I can rest
well knowing I gave it my all and represented the team to the best of my
abilities.
HERE’S TO BEING FIT FOR LIFE! Chris is a Certified Personal Trainer, USA
Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Group Exercise Instructor, exercise and endurance
enthusiast. He competes yearly in
numerous triathlons, running races, marathons, ultra-marathons, and other
endurance events. He is a member of the
QT2 Systems Advanced Race Team and is coached by QT2 Systems. @QT2 Systems, www.facebook.com/QT2Systems, www.QT2Systems.com.
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