This is my mantra lately. Ive always believed it, but lately I've been contemplating it more. For those who write down their goals and put in the work necessary to achieve those goals, results come! The hard work involves sacrifices and suffering but the results are so sweet. Suddenly, when you reach your goals those sacrifices and tough training days all become worth it! I have seen this many times over with my athletes. The results we have seen this season are proof of that! Think about your season. If you did not reach your goals ask yourself honestly, "did I really put in the work to reach my goals?" If the answer is 'No", that's OK, but you cannot be disappointed in the result. Instead, reflect on what you need to do to achieve those results if that is what's important to you!
The end of the season has been just as exciting as the beginning. Iron Fit Endurance kept on riding that wave of great results, PR's and podium spots. Check it out:
IRONMAN Maine 70.3
Barbara McCoy: She went into the race with an injured foot. Before the event she swam, biked and water jogged. Race day came, and the goal was to finish the event and that's what she did. She swam, biked and walked the run because she was determined to finish the event. Next season will be exciting for Barbara as she will be injury-free!
Jackie Lott (above): She decided to really get serious this year and work on her weaknesses. She improved on those weaknesses due to the HARD WORK! She had a fantastic race as a result of that hard work and goal setting. This was her first half Ironman since being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis! Go Jackie!
Scott Janicola posted yet another incredible race with a PR run (this was his PR in a ½ Ironman and stand-alone 1/2!). Talk about impressive! This was another huge result on the way to Ironman Italy.
Michael Mancini ended his season with an incredible race and guess what? A PR race result and a PR run! Another example of hard work and dedication paying off!
Shayne Lewis (above): Rocked a PR race and killed his PR run! I was so excited about his run and guess what? He's capable of much faster! I can't wait to see what he does this summer! Shayne entered Mighty Hamptons 2 weeks after Maine and set a PR and finished 2nd in his Age Group!
That same day Jeffrey Reynolds finished off an incredible season with yet ANOTHER PR race. This time at TOBAY!
Kurt LaForest (above) also raced that day with a PR and he placed 3rd in his age group!
Ernest Martinez competed in Ironman Wisconsin! Ernest had a great day on a tough course! Ernest felt that the time he put in doing strength training this season really paid off. He'll be doing another tough course next year: Ironman Lake Placid!
Then came Ironman Lake Placid 70.3:
I am impressed with every athlete that competed that day. The air was in the 30 degrees! Brrr!!
Amanda Mancuso finished her first half Ironman in fantastic fashion! Amanda has come a LONG way this season and has big goals for 2018! I'm excited for her and excited to be a part of her journey!
Darlene Scilingo (in the middle of the pic above) also finished her first half Ironman finishing it off with an impressive run at the end. Darlene is another example of hard work which paid off. I am excited to be a part of Darlene's journey too...it's been fun to watch her grow as a triathlete.
Sal Scilingo (at the right) also finished his first half Ironman up there as well as Raphael Tovar (below pictured with Peter):
Congrats to Rafael and Sal who juggled their training with major travelling for their jobs. They did a great job juggling hectic lives. I adjusted their schedules as best I could so these guys could compete despite their crazy schedules.
Peter Morandi (above) headed up there as well and posted a PR race! He also has a busy schedule juggling it all with a smile on his face. Peter is such a generous person and he's been a pleasure to work with for the past 3 years!
The following weekend was Ironman Atlantic City 70.3:
Shelley Bache was on her way to a huge PR but had mechanical troubles on the bike. She solved the issue and finished a strong race anyway.
Jeffrey Reynolds posted YET another PR race at Atlantic City. What a season for him! He PR'd in nearly every event that he entered!
That same weekend Hilary raced the aquathon at Tobay. She'll be racing Miamiman in November!
John Burgess entered an aquabike in NJ to prep for Aquabike nationals in November!
Gordon Lewis (pictured at the beginning of the blog) went to Savageman. This is well known as THE toughest half Ironman out there is. In fact, one hill is so steep that many people get off their bike to climb it! If you stay on your bike you are awarded a brick. Unfortunately, Gordon had major troubles in the swim when his wetsuit tore and water came rushing in. He finished the swim about 25-30 minutes slower that he normally would and was totally spent when he exited the water. Of course he didn't quit. he doesn't know the meaning of the word... he finished the event AND was awarded that brick!
September ended with another weekend of incredible results at The Great South Bay Run:
Shayne Lewis finished 7th Overall and 1st in his age group with a PR run!
Jose Hernandez finished 1st in his age group with a PR run!
Nadine Pat finished 3rd female overall!
Nadine and Jose ran most of the race together!
Rafael finished with a PR run and his wife ran too!
Laura Giardino finished the 10K first in her age group!
Kurt competed in another Olympic distance triathlon to end his season. The result: a PR and 3rd in his age group!
Nadine and Jose also competed in the Knuckleman... this is an "unofficial triathlon" that raises money for a great cause. Well, just as expected they finished 1st and 1st, or 1st and 2nd? Either way they had a great day. Here they are with Shayne cheering them on:
Scott Janicola (above) headed to Ironman Italy. Before leaving for the race I told him what times I thought he was capable of. He said I was crazy! I knew those times were not unreachable for him... Well he went over there and he PR'd the event with a PR swim, a PR bike and a PR run (despite suffering with and enduring major quad cramping throughout most of the run)! He posted a finial time of 11:18!
I headed to Chattanooga (along with my dad) to watch my friend Erin Miller compete in Ironman Chattanooga. I had been coaching Erin and this was her first Ironman. She crushed the event with a sub-13-hour race! This exceeded my expectations for her! As she was running to the finish, less than a ¼ mile away we ran together holding hands for a few seconds...we were both in tears. I was so excited for her and couldn't believe she was about to break 13! Way to go Erin!
That wraps up September for Iron Fit Endurance! What a month and what a season!‚ Don't worry...we had more podiums and PR's for October too!
Happy Training and racing!
Dee