Katie's Korner - Fish Talk

As she prepare for her departure for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Katie, the Triple Crankset's resident IronGal in training, drops by the blog one last time. But before she gets on the plane, we've got some final words of advice from someone who's been there done that. Speaking of departures, our own T-o-03 soon departs for London and the start of the Tour de France.

Leaving on a Jet Plane
Hi. I'm nervous. Excited. Excited. Nervous.

I feel ready though. Strong. Body feels good. Weather looks like it will be great. I think I have packed and repacked 6 times and it is only Tuesday! I have made more lists than ever (and those of you who know me, know that I am already obsessive!).

This is actually another thanks to all of you that have been following along this journey...sending words of encouragement. I just read the comments on the blog from some of you and that meant more to me than anything! That is what I am going to think of to get me through. So thanks. I only hope that, whatever endeavors or goals you set for yourselves, that you have the support team that I have had. You know that I will be on your team as you have been on mine.

I hope to come back with many stories, both good and bad. I will savor each moment but I can't promise that I won't be longing for the finish line at some points...hehe.

But here I am now, saying thanks and goodbye...until after the race. My flight leaves Friday morning at 5am. I will be in tri mode until about 11pm Sunday night...and then I will collapse. I will make contact again with all of you ASAP after that. Thanks again for everything.
Here we go!!!
Katie

Straight From The Fish's Mouth
Last summer I had the opportunity to meet Andrea "Fish" Fisher at the Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon, which is part of the Ironman 70.3 series, in Benton Harbor, MI.

Fish was a blur to me most of the day as she won the women's overall, clocking in at 4:31:10. So it wasn't until the transition area, after the race, where I finally caught up with her and her bike (we are a cycling blog afterall; see inset and click to enlarge).

I asked her a few questions about her bike, especially the unique paint scheme, which also adorns her website, and congratulated her on her great day (even though she was hoping for under a 4:30:00; if you go to the "race reports" section of her site you'll know where she lost that minute and ten seconds). By the way, I'm still receiving grief from my buddies for having shown that image to their significant others, as the expectation level for what might be wrapped by decorative paper went up a few notches (although she is now sponsored by Trek, you can get a Fish-like color scheme through their customizable Project One series). I feel more "hurt" on the way.

Andrea, from the bio on her website, is a former Lady Longhorn swimmer with 12 top 5 Ironman finishes including a 2nd place at Ironman Florida and 13th at Ironman Hawaii (her first stab at Kona where she was the top rookie finisher). She is the two time winner of the Blackwater Eagleman Half Ironman and a multiple winner of her hometown race, the Capital of Texas Triathlon. Being one of the fastest swimmers in the sport she has posted five Ironman course swim records as well as many half Ironman and Olympic distance race records. Included in her 2006 wins were the Steelhead 70.3 and the Texas State Triathlon.

Given that palmares, you'd think that Fish would be totally unapproachable (an unfortunate circumstance that befalls a lot of world-class athletes). Andrea, however, is one of those rare people who is considered one of the elites of her sport, yet is down-to-earth enough to relate to the beginner (a trait on which she prides herself). Along with her husband, Jamie Cleveland (a world-class triathlete himself), they head up the coaching service, Texas Iron Multisport Training.

So when I asked her for some advice and words of encouragement for our self-described "Average Joe" IronGal, Katie, she was more than willing to oblige and take time from her hectic racing/travel schedule.

Sorry for the delay as I’ve been traveling quite a bit. Words of encouragement….uhm….well as someone’s first IM here are a few thoughts I think are appropriate:

• You only get 1 first time IM so enjoy the day, no matter what it throws at you.
• If IM were easy, then anyone could do it. You aren’t just anyone.
• Pain is temporary, regret is forever.
• When it hurts, realize that it’s suppose to hurt and again if it were easy anyone could do it.
• IM is about problem solving, and that’s what you have to do all day long: problem solve your way to the finish.

So those are some silly thoughts...I know they might sound cliché but they have helped me in past. Hope it works out and good luck.
Cheers,
Fish