The Importance of Support

I recently started thinking about the importance of support in a sport and how that affects the athletes' mentality and performance. Being a swimmer I had that support. Being on a team with whom you were forced to spend mornings, evenings and weekends with training and racing created a swim family, a group of people who knew your goals, your strengths and weaknesses and the insane mind behind being a swimmer. That family grew as I shifted to college. Calvin provided not only a phenomenal swim family, but a swim family that grew in faith and were there for each other when you felt lost in the world. Even if you didn't think you had support from others, you always knew you had your swim family. Those support groups provided everything I needed to feel supported and loved in my journey of being a swimmer.

I think it's important to have support through everything you do and there have been numerous times in my life where I didn't feel that from people who are close to me. Some of them laughed in my face when I told them my goals for this summer and making my debut into the half ironman world. Some told me I was idiotic and should focus on the "more achievable" things like a sprint, because apparently that's all they think I can do in life. I'm hurt when those who I care about say those things to my face. Do you not believe in me or support my goals? Have I done something in my athletic career to make you think I don't have what it takes to be a long distance, endurance athlete? It's because of these people that make me the one who pushes and tries to be the best I can be. I want to prove to them that I can do something I set my mind to even when they doubt everything I do. They also make it so I need a strong a support system.

For me, I excel when I have a strong support system. If I have that, I feel like I can accomplish anything. So, let's talk about that triathlon support system:

Julie Patterson - Pro Triathlete, and amazing older (but smaller) sister. Growing up Julie was my inspiration into the triathlon world. I wanted nothing more to be her coach and made "Coach" and "Athlete" t-shirts that we wore to every race. I took her to the middle school, which I was attending at the time, and practiced transitions with her. I snuck in with her to just about every transition area for pre-race set-up and I tracked her, because I wanted to be her. I didn't start my triathlon career into late high school but I'll give it to her for starting the sport. So now that we are both actively involved in the triathlon world, she continues to support me and cheer for me and gives me little pointers. After she got married, she gifted me her old Endorphin Fitness tri kit which had her maiden name, my current last name, on the front. I proudly wore that and rocked her aero helmet art installation in all my races as well. Julie tells me that she is proud of me and pushes me and runs next to me during run tests. Julie is my primary support in the world of triathlon, and I want her, and all of you, to know how much she truly means to me :)

Elizabeth

Swimmer, wife, mom to two cats, and my distance freestyle buddy in college. However, all those titles don't do her justice. Elizabeth is a truly amazing individual and although we are separated by many states, we still stay in contact. College was rough, especially for me, and so became each others accountability partners and we remain that two years after college. I call her in the car to all my far away races and we chat about training and everything that is going on in life. She was interested in some triathlons, so I shared my knowledge, and we just talk. I have a lot of friends that I just talk to, however, Elizabeth knows me sometimes better than I know myself and she's my go to person for long drives to races. It helps to clear my mind when talking to her before a race.

Dan Szajta - I would certainly hope that my coach would provide me support and Dan certainly does. Through his experience and knowledge of the sport he is able to provide extensive support for me through training and races.

Meghan 

I am so blessed to have Meghan in my life. It was through Dan that I met her and we have become friends/training partners/"team"members. She supports me and motivates me through long rides and runs. She's the one I go to when I have frustrations or challenges in my training because I know a lot of the times, she's feeling the same way. Meghan has her amazing goal of Ironman Lake Placid which I fully support and hope that I can help her along the way, as well!


Endorphin Fitness 
Although I am no longer coached by Endorphin, I still live for the community that comes out of this amazing place. I am a coach and love what I do and love the chance to continue to train with, hang out with and spend time with amazing athletes who have great goals.

Aaron- So when this kid left RVA to go to Boulder, I was not pleased, but he continues to be a strong support and friend in my life. I'm sure he probably doesn't want to hear half the stuff I have to say, but he has been so helpful in all of my tech/bike/shop needs (although he no longer works at a shop). We chat about injuries which we both have and the insanity of his thought process of injuries and running....and, of course, food! He thinks he has allergies, I know I have allergies, so we support each other in our messed up food situations.



Rachel- (and the Nelson family) Incredibly blessed to have met this amazing athletic and Godly woman. We are so similar and like minded that it was an easy friendship to start. Having both been swimmers at Christian Colleges with the mindset of pushing ourselves to be the best, she continues to show support even with my changed mindset of that. Although she lives in Charlottesville now, we communicate daily and see each other when we can. The Nelson's provide me my family away from home. Holidays and weekends I'm invited over for food, fellowship and friends. This family provides so much support and caring towards me, I thank them everyday.

*This of course is not the extensive list, but the top 7 list* 

So, support, it's important for all aspects of life, especially triathlon and committing yourself to the roller coaster of emotions that comes with it. I am so incredibly blessed to have these phenomenal people in my life, as well as others, and hope we can continue to grow, challenge and support each other in the future.

*****

Last week I got back in the saddle after 5 days off from my wisdom teeth extraction. I was relieved to see that everything sprung right back with me after taking some time off, and the rest was appreciated (even though it was not addressed that way). I had an IT band scare. That's what happens when I don't do PT for 5 days...I thought I'd screwed myself over again, but Lori promised me it was simply because I hadn't been putting in the work, so I'm back to being fully committed. I never want to feel that pain again so will continue to do what I can to keep it away. 

It was an uneventful week other than that, but hope to continue to put in great work this week.

Goals for this week: 

1) PT everyday (+1 if I run that day) 

2) Re-learn how to swim without a 6 beat kick (which is a swimmer thing)