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Hi Everyone!
Can you believe that it is already Fall? I feel like it was just April, yet here we are - coming into the end of the calendar year again.
The next few weeks are of particular importance for me as on October 8th I'll be lining up for the Ironman World Championships. This event is the pinnacle of our sport and is filled with so much intensity and excitement it brings me chills every time I think about the day.
From the beginning of August through the middle of September I based myself in Kansas to do my Kona preparations. Though it likely seems like an obscure and odd location to prepare for a World Championship event, it could not be a better place for me. The roads are well-kept. The terrain parallels what is seen on the World Championship course in Kona, and the weather is HOT, HUMID and WINDY.
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Though this made for some extremely trying and somewhat miserable training sessions some days, it was exactly the kind of training environment we wanted. Not to mention that there is an awesome contingent of elite age group athletes there that love to push me to my limits on the bike!
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For 5 weeks I did what I would consider to be my hardest, biggest and most trying training block of all time. There were moments when I thought I was broken, but every day I got up, got the work done and tried not too dwell for TOO long on the good/bad/ugly of one session or another.
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It was an amazing camp, and now rebounding from that work and seeing where I am at in these final few weeks, I can say with certainty that I cannot wait to get out and give everything I have on October 8th.
The next few weeks are going to be frenzied - filled with training, sponsor and media commitments and resting as much as possible. We'll be sure to check in post race with an update but if you'd like to follow along live on race day you can do so here.
Don't dream it, Be it!
- Sarah
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Sarah Piampiano was at a SoHo bar in 2009 when a longtime friend threw down a challenge that changed her life forever.
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Australian Triathlete Magazine
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After being second to last out of the water Sarah Piampiano worked her way into 7th place. This year she hopes to be even higher up with a sub-3 hour marathon.
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You've trained for weeks, maybe even months. You know exactly what to eat on the morning of your race or event, and how to stay fueled and hydrated along the course. From great shoes to a grooving playlist, you've got all the details covered to ensure that you finish strong and smiling.
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Every so often, you hear a story that makes you sit up and take notice. Something about a person’s determination and perseverance that fills you with that OMG feeling, and perhaps a good measure of motivation. That’s how we felt when we sat down with Sarah Piampiano.
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Part One of a Four Part series looking at Sarah's path to the Ironman World Championships.
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Triathlete Magazine Article
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Sarah Piampiano is featured as a notable athlete to watch at the 2015 Ironman World Championships with her dominating performances across the Ironman discipline this year.
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LRR TIP: Pre Race Management
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As I mentioned above, The Ironman World Championships is one of the most important races if not THE MOST important race in our sport. It is grueling. It brings people to their limits. It breaks many of us.
For months we prepare for this race and I can say with certainty that the majority of us walk to the start line in the best shape of our lives.
The feeling of arriving on the Big Island of Kona is hard to explain. It initially is warm and relaxing but that is quickly replaced with this palpable nervous energy of eager athletes. It is easy to get caught up in all of the pre-race hype, activities, nervousness and characteristic sizing up of how fit everyone looks. Many people completely wear themselves out in that week before the race and show up on race day depleted, dehydrated and tired.
Which makes pre-race management so important. For me - unless I HAVE to be somewhere for a sponsor, media or race commitment I try to stay out of the chaos as much as possible. Last year I went so far as to stay 45 minutes away (albeit that was a BIT too far!!). I often swim early in the morning just as the sun is coming up. I drive outside of where most people are riding and running to get my training done and I stay out of the heat, with my feet up and sipping on electrolyte as much as I can.
Kona is an experience - there is no doubt about it, and for many people being part of the pre-race everything is as special as the race. But being mindful about taking care of your body after all that hard work and suffering in the months leading in is equally as important and should not be forgotten!
For those racing - have a WONDERFUL day and remember to be grateful for this incredible opportunity!
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