Dirty Thirty Dare

The next 30 days are going to be my greatest challenge. Starting Sunday, I'll have the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and soon after flying home and unpacking, I'll have to repack in two weeks for the ITU World Championships in Chicago. Three days upon returning from that, I head out to Oklahoma for the Long Course National Championship. Uh, big cookie? I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but I love chocolate cookies (and pretzels) as much as I love testing, pushing, and challenging myself.

I like big cookies and pretzels!

What's my limit? How much faster and stronger can I get? How can I be better? I want to be the best me. How can I get there?

Well, first is a lot of sleep and rest from all the traveling and training. Second is putting in the work each training session. Third is believing in myself that I can not only accomplish the goal at hand but crush it.

Why dirty? Because it's going to get rough and tough. My motivation is going to waver. My body and mind will be pushed to its limits. I'm going to want to give up and take it easy, but instead, I'm going to have to dig deep. Real deep. Tears might be shed, sweat will be poured. It's going to get dirty.

But at the end of the day, when all the blood, sweat, and tears are all washed off and I am clean, there will be a new and improved me. Even if I don't fully complete the challenge and all its goals, I'll still benefit from the journey and all the hard work. :)

Where does the road go? Who knows, but the journey is nice!

Please join me these next 30 days with your own challenge(s). What's something you've always wanted to try or do? Is there a challenging bike route or hill you've always avoided? Do you want to run or go to yoga class 3 times a week? Is there a dance you want to learn? A book you want to read? Are there new recipes you want to try? Let me know what your dirty thirty day challenge is so we can hold each other accountable and help one another reach our goals.

Ironman 70.3 World Championship Goals

1. Soak in the experience and just do my best.

2. I would love to finally break 5 hours! (Might not be possible because of the mountain on the bike course)

3. Have the PR run I know my body's been waiting to do.

4. Crack top 25 in my age group (going to be a really tough one to do since everyone will be so strong).

ITU World Championships Goals

1. Redline as much as possible! Been holding back all summer because of the concussion.

2. If any headaches occur during the race, be smart enough to shut it down to protect the brain.

3. Enjoy being at a home ground Worlds and engage with as many Team USA athletes as possible. 

4. Bang out a PR swim, bike, and run for a sprint.

Long Course National Championship Goals

1. Have fun and enjoy my final race of the triathlon season.

2. I would love to massively PR at the 70.3 distance here on this flat course

3. Finish within the top ten athletes in my age group

Big cookie for a big appetite. :) what's your dirty thirty dare?

Turbo Turtle's first World Championship!