Angela Lilly – Including Triathlon with Life

It’s time I share some reflection pieces about #MSCWelland and #MSCGravenhurst race experiences as I head into #MSCKTown and more. Life has been busy juggling our family day, school year completion, kids’ activities ending, volunteering, family holidays, my career in the classroom (June is an absolute blur) and then triathlon training on top. Reflections as life gets busier:

  1. Have your seasonal plan but be flexible. Be open to training inside when you want to go out. Be open to a change of training focus for the day; move one day to another and vice versa. Be open to planning your training within your 24-hour day and not as an entire separate part. I am lucky that my husband and kids are so supportive of me biking to & from work instead of driving or running to my son’s baseball games instead of driving with them; it takes a bit more time but then I can be 100% in the moment when we are all home at dinner time.
  2. Keep a paper calendar. We are all so electronically connected but you can’t see the entire overview. I also use colour-coding for training sessions (I know, the teacher in me) which helps see the picture easily for heavy/light sport-specific training improvements weekly and monthly. I also like going back to previous years when in doubt.
  3. Work on your weakness! Do I need to say more? We all know this but really, make action of it. Talk to other athletes about their great training and offer up yours. When it really comes down to the training, you need to be tough. Improving your weakness will take time and probably patience. You won’t like it; I didn’t!  However, now I have developed into a triathlete and not a “strong swimmer that just didn’t know what to do after her career was completed” at 23 years of age. Gravenhurst is a great example where the hills were steep, and I drew upon my training sessions, mental memory, and “hunting” anyone in front of me to run a PB. I can now draw upon that experience to dig deep in the next race and know I can do it and not “blow up”.
  4. There are no limits. I started my triathlon career in my 20’s which seems late in today’s athletes. Maybe it’s because age has never set limits for me that I continue to see any athlete on the course as a competitor that will help me achieve my goals and I too, might do the same for them.
  5. Superstitions are acceptable! I do have many tasks and routines I do every race week. I have “lucky” pre-race morning gear that dates back decades. I can’t believe it still lives another season. I have “lucky” routines 30 minutes before I head out to race with my family. I have “lucky” transition set up. It all makes a difference in your day. Make the time and teach those who support you that it’s the final step to race preparation. They will probably understand better if you do.

Let’s get the race on for #MSCKTown! Sweet dreams for calm water, no rain and some clouds for the run. It’s a beautiful course that has great fans for the entire downtown. I can’t wait to be there in a week!