teacher's pet

Well.... it is official..... I will be working with Jesse himself. Gulp.

When I originally wrote to Jesse I never imagined he would personally take me on as an athlete. The guy coaches Cait Snow...... I am not in her league (in case you didn't know that ;-) I was actually getting psyched to possibly work with Cait Snow. I just never imagined that working with Jesse himself was a possibility.

We talked on Wednesday, exchanged some more information and then this email came yesterday: I think you have a lot of potential, and seem to have the right ingredients to bring that out with proper guidance.

I know full well that this guy is not hurting for athletes, or dying at the chance to bring a has been like myself back to life..... to be given the chance to work with the top dog here....... brought tears to my eyes.

I am not over yet.

I have always felt that I had potential. That I was not tapping it from myself correctly.

Now believe me I wish I was like my husband. Began the sport at age 35, and was the last man out of the water. Five years later he won that race five years in a row. At age 52 he goes 9:55 in an Ironman. He's qualified for Hawaii every time he's tried. He's medaled at worlds.

And never been coached.

But he always believed in himself.

When I begin to feel like maybe 35 is the sign that I am getting old...... I look at him (yes, do the math we are a few years apart. Call Larry King.) I don't think Curt truly understands what it is like to struggle. Not that he's never struggled in this sport, but actually........ I will say it...... he hasn't.

His worst races were a few Ironman races that he didn't hit his potential. But he';s never puked on a course. He's DNF'd once because it was too damn cold. Even when competing injured he's still on the podium. He's one of those people who doesn't understand why people need coaches. Right now I am working full time (as a nurse out of the home, as a coach at home), homeschooling my son (he begins in a new school in 2 weeks), helping with my mother in law. Geez on paper that doesn't look so busy.

Be the parent of a special needs child navigating the special education system in a medication nation (not my kid though) which means red tape + bureaucracy + too many captains on the ship and that equals a load of stress and frustration that I can't even describe.

If you have ever been someone who has ruled the podium, and then fell off of it...... you know what I mean. It is like you keep hitting the same wall from different angles.

My breakthrough in 07 was my 10:58 Ironman. 2008 became a disaster for reasons we don't need to revisit..... but one thing I know is that I am not over yet.

These few seasons of missed performances has taught me so so so much. The lessons were worth the failings. As I make my climb back up believe you me...... I will never take a good performance for granted again.

I have always believed in myself...... which is why I am still here after all of this. I know in my heart I have the ability to achieve my goals..... and now I have the chance to make that happen.

Fresh eyes. Someone who thinks I have potential. A coach that's so highly respected I have received 59 emails, most from people I do not even know, commending my decision and requesting I keep you up to date on how this all goes. You want to know what it's like to work with Jesse..... I will let you know. Believe me this is not an oppertunity I am going to blow.

From what I have experienced of Jesse and his company so far: professionalism, optimism, realism, and an eye for potential. (of course I will say that).

This is an opportunity I will be working hard to earn. I know he doesn't need me as an athlete. I know there are athletes much more talented than I who he could turn into Ironman champions. I know that I am just a small fish somewhere. I feel very grateful to be given this opportunity.

I have so much to learn.

We officially begin in 2 weeks. Which means I have 2 weeks to get things ready. I can go easy in all workouts from now until then. I have to ensure my Ergomo is functioning and downloading, my Computrainer is running squeaky clean, that the HRM components of everything is working correctly, oh...... and I have to get my bike back from New Orleans.

Yes, it is still not home yet. (I am riding little blue), but please let's not go there.