triathlete140-6-blog

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The average adult human processes 70,000 thoughts per day. Our minds are going a million miles per hour. Sometimes it’s so nice to just slow it all down and enjoy the present moment. Live in the present moment. Take in the fresh air, the beautiful sights, clear your mind and smile. It’s the simple things in life that are the best things in life. 🤗

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Really excited over some good progress with biceps and triceps! I try and mix in arms and upper body strength and weight training. I think it’s effective to mix this in with lots of cardio and triathlon training. Having a strong upper body has a lot of benefits especially when it comes to the swim!

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10 mile group run in the snow = a lot of fun!!🤗 I usually train by myself and after all the years of running and training, today was the first time I ran with a group. It was awesome! The miles went by so fast and with the snow falling, it made it that much better!! I highly recommend running with a group. And I met some real fast guys so this will be good for me to keep it up!

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I found this amazing Athletic club here in San Antonio where I’m here for business. Lifetime Athletics let me use their whole facility tonight for free! These guys rock and they sure know how to run a top class facility!

People often tell me that it must be tough for me to keep up with the workouts with all the traveling I do. Not so much! When there’s a will, there’s a way! I just pack some workout clothes and my swim goggles and when I get to where I’m going, I google where the nearby fitness clubs are. This way when I am done with work for the day, I can get in a workout and try out something different. And if there is nothing around me, I always can go for a nice run on a country road. 🤗

Fitness is a way of life. And just because you might have to travel doesn’t mean you can’t workout. Get creative and make it happen. The business trips don’t seem like business trips when you can weave in your workout routine and try new and exciting places! Tonight I managed to squeeze in a 5K and practice on my swim stroke. Not bad!

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I think it’s 80% mental and 20% physical (give or take). Meaning, what is going on in your head- how you feel, having a positive attitude, believing in yourself, and using the power of your mind to push your body to do unbelievable things.

Before and during a workout, I tap into this mindset- that I can do anything. I believe it, and then I make it happen. When you say to yourself, “I can do this,” “I got this,” “I am a warrior,” “I am strong,” your subconscious will listen to these words, absorb them, and make them a reality.

So what you say and believe, will come true. Before your next workout, try this. And keep training yourself to do this before and throughout every workout. Believe in yourself. You will be amazed at how believing and using such positive words and phrases, such as the above, will take your body to new levels!

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When you have a strong “why” you can get through anything. I know why I do the things that I do. I enjoy Ironman triathlons and pushing myself but when the going gets tough, it’s the “why” that gets me through it.

I actually have a few of them, not just one “why.” So here they are: 1. Because I can. I can swim, bike, run, and lift weights and I am so fortunate to be able to do these things. Three years ago I was hit by a car while training. I got lucky, seriously lucky, and I feel like I got a second chance. Why waste that?

2. To make my dad proud. I loved my dad a lot and he taught me so much. I think of him all the time and I think he would be proud to see the things that I am doing and what I am capable of. I will never forget him and I will make him proud.

3. Because I don’t want to be average, I want to be great. I want to leave my mark on this world and know that I gave it my all at everything I did. No regrets.

4. I love pushing myself and seeing how far I can go. I don’t want to settle. I want to keep growing, learning, developing, and pushing myself.

5. Because the things I do can sometimes rub off in positive ways and give people hope or inspiration that they too can push themselves and get after it. It makes people think, “wow, if he can do that, I can do this 5k!”

So there you have it. When I am grinding out the miles running, or on a long distance cycle, I remind myself of the “why’s.” They are so important as much of this sport is mental and if we don’t have the “why” down, it would be easy to throw in the towel.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post!

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I really enjoy doing some Yoga poses every morning. It’s a great way to start the day. A little stretching, some deep breathing, and lots of positive thoughts! And since I started doing this five months ago, I have had several personal records with swimming, biking, and running!! 🤗

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First one in the pool today! This training week was tough with ups and downs but it all made me stronger!! I was focusing on the high-elbow catch/pull during Tuesday’s masters swim session.  I thought I had it down but not so much.  

A couple of pros informed me that I was dropping my elbow throughout a good portion of the pull.  I was kind of bummed out hearing this because I felt convinced that I was doing it right.  But no worries, the very next day I met up with my swim coach and we took some video.  As clear as day, the guys were right- I was dropping my elbow! 

So we worked on some drills and I went back to the pool the very next day.         I slowed down my stroke and I practiced the drills with every single stroke I took.  I got it! I kept my elbow high throughout the catch and throughout the underwater stroke. But to be sure of this, I asked the same guy who said I was dropping my elbow to watch me again.  I did a 50 and as soon as I was done, I looked over at him and he said the words, “much better!”  Oh, that so made my day! Progress baby- it is a beautiful thing!!

The real silver lining with this story- without struggle, without challenge, there will never be growth.  You have to fall down sometimes, learn from your mistakes, and then use that to get stronger, faster, and better! The key is to fail forward fast.  You fail, you fail quickly, you learn from it, and then you move forward!

I hope you enjoyed, thanks for taking the time to read this! 

Your friend,

Patrick Allen