As many of you know, The Ironman World Championships were held this past weekend. Kathy qualified in 2004 and 2006 and I was fortunate enough to go and spectate both years. This year I watched the Ironman Live broadcast and couldn’t help but think all day long about the sacrifices that most of these people make to get to the big dance. Now before you think this is another one of my rants about “what it takes” it isn’t. It is a rant that if you are going to talk about excelling at this sport, then you better be prepared to do the hard work.

Some of you met Kelly Lear-Kaul (LK) at our Ironman Kona party. Kelly raced Kona this year and won her age group by 25 minutes (she went 10:11 and ran a 3:19 marathon). For those of you who don’t know, by day she is a Forensic Pathologist. LK roomed with us at Kona last year, when she took 2nd in her age group. Kathy did a lot of biking with her last year and we all swim in the same lane at masters. I don’t profess to know her very well as she keeps to herself. I do know this, she is the first one in pool every morning, and gets in 1000-1500 yards before class starts. She is consistent in getting in her workouts. If her plan calls for 4000 yards then she gets in her 4000 yards. She doesn’t deviate from the plan. If her coach (Kel is coached by Mark Allen Online) tells her to bike 100 miles, she bikes 100 miles. I’ve never heard her say, my coached wanted me to bike on Tuesday but I wanted to run with friends so I ran. No excuses… she just executes the plan that is given to her.

I know that she has a quiet focus externally but internally she has a burning desire to be the best. The difference between her and most athletes is that I never hear her talk about being the best or beating anyone………she just goes out and does it.

Kelly and her husband Corey.

So as you enter the off season, ask yourself what type of athlete you want to be in 2008. Establish some goals that challenge you to reach beyond what you feel is humanly possible. I believe we are all capable of doing more than we think we are without sacrificing the other things in our life that are important. In the end, you measure success not by what comes out of your mouth, but by your actions. What sacrifices will you make in your training to reach your goals?