An Offering to the Tri Gods and Goddesses

"Hello? Is this thing on?!"

Dearest 11 readers. Thank you for following my ~fascinating~ blog. I'm a woman with needs. I need to know my aimless blathering is not falling upon deaf ears. So thank you for cyber stalking me. I promise I'll return the favor. Regularly.

Okay, onto the topic de jour: Success. And how the f can I get some?

I've been thinking about things, specifically how to be successful at triathlon. I believed the idea that if you commit your all and work hard, good results will come. Last season, I was going to see what could happen if I dedicated 110% of my life and intentions toward triathlon training. Was it true? Do those who work the hardest = bring home the bacon?

I started training November 1st. In these parts, I was known as the chick that trained my ass off. From November to May, I maybe missed 2 workouts. 7 days a week, 2-a-days for at least 6 of those days, often all 3 disciplines. I averaged around 20-22 hours a week. I also worked a 50+ hr work week. Needless to say, I didn't date (which my next blog may bemoan).

If I wanted to reach my goals, I needed to be more dedicated. "Success comes to those who don't miss a beat. And to those who are consistent." My 2007 season, I would miss workouts because I was tired (but feel guilty as sh*t). Peers who performed better- it was because "they worked harder." But in the big scheme of things, 2007 was my best season yet. Dare I say my only successful season. I PR'ed at every distance and reached speeds I didn't think were possible. How the f did I do that?

I still believe in the dedicated concept and see it work for people frequently. Triathletes' whose athletic successes I'm in awe of work hard. And they bring home the bacon. It seems like they never miss a beat and their race results are consistently impressive.

However, my hard work and dedication happened to blow up in my face last season. I can't tell you the heartbreak of "going all in" and busting in Vegas (Idaho). It seems like I can't win: want to do better and obtain your goals? Train harder. Be more disciplined. So I did. But I came home with the booby prize: Overtraining Syndrome, the knarliest of all: Stage 3 OTS.

May, the wheels blew off the car. I couldn't get out of bed. In the past 6 months, I've gone from vibrant, athletic, inspired, excited, hopeful, active Liz to sickly, often in bed, did I tell you about my latest ailment, turd Liz.

People get sick all the time but it was User Error (or maybe the manual I was following...) to end up like this. I still do not have a functioning hypothalamic-pituitary system nor an immune system to speak of.

Like in training, I followed orders. I've slept, eaten, and exercised as instructed. And let me tell you, for an athlete to not train in 6 months, it's been a very difficult protocol to follow. The booze protocol not so much. Every girl needs to have SOME fun!

So why? My training plan is child's play to many other athletes. Why did I get here and how can I reach my goals?

So tell me all 11 of you wise-cyber readers... how can I make this thing happen?

Rest more? Train less? Care less? And if you tell me that... please explain to me how to care less about something you need to care about in order to put in all that effort? Me no comprende.

There is one concept I'm musing about: being happy no matter the results. For Type A me, this is hard and inconceivable. I set objectives and work toward them. Do a sub-5 half iron. Work work work until I get there. Still not sure how to work work work and be okay with a 7 hour half. But I'm trying here.

Be happy no matter the outcome. Indulge in gratitude. Praise my performances as Rock Star no matter the take home. It seems counter-intuitive as a dedicated athlete but after this past year, I'm open to anything. I'll rub two magical stones together, throw salt over my shoulder, and chant "Om" if it's the path to my success. When you've been brought to your knees, you'll do just about anything.