Farewell to the 17 Hour Training Group

First, thank you to everyone who followed me and supported me this last year during my 17 hour training day journey!  This past year has helped me grow as a person and an athlete.  The training I put together for my Ironman Canada experience has taught me many things, including I am a runner!  The first 50 mile run the team was getting ready for I was not going to do because I hadn't put in the same mileage as everyone else and I am slower than everyone else and I am really not a runner.... etc etc etc.  After going to California and running 40 miles by myself I knew I could tack 10 more miles on.  I found the Catalina 50 mile race and knew I could do it.  The Catalina race was a pinnacle moment for me that has changed how I see myself.   The last 4-5 miles of the Catalina run played in my mind many times during the Ironman run and gave me the confidence to run when I didn't think I could and made me believe.  Along with learning to believe in my ability to run,  I rediscovered my passion for triathlon.  There were many times during this training year that I was alone.  I found contentment in being alone and also built confidence but also came to see how much I love triathlon and the community I built.    As a coach a lot of time is spent supporting athletes and giving to the community you are in and this training showed me how important those attributes are to athletes.  I definitely became more appreciative of being around people who supported me who I could encourage or give support back to.

It is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye to the 17 hour training group.  Due to personal loss and developing my own sense of self,  I feel I will serve myself and other athletes better outside of the 17 hour and Practical Coaching group.  Extended distance training is something I strongly believe in, and am looking forward to training more athletes with these methods.   I also understand there are athletes that cannot accommodate this type of training in their lives and will continue to coach to their needs.

My new blog, and all of my 17 hour training day journal is located at Andrea's Blog.  Ironman Louisville is one of the races on my schedule for 2010.  I hope you all will continue to follow my adventures with extended distance training.   Most of all, I wish you all the best with your adventures.  I know you can do it!

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