Starting from scratch, but with experience

Welcome to my first blog :)

Well, where do I start...?
​If you do not know who I am, take quick look at my page "Who is Robo?” to get an understanding of my journey to where I am today and my passion for the sport.

14 months have passed since my first ironman in 2015 and like my heading states; it’s like starting from scratch, but with experience and the confidence.

​After finishing my first Ironman in 2015 in 10.38 I ended it feeling like I did not accomplish my goal. I went in with high expectations of a top result however, my body did not allow me to achieve this (I will cover this in another blog titled "Enjoy your first")

I had been told about the "Post ironman Blues" but I felt this would never affect me and it didn't... well not right away., I was straight back into training within a week, I was running better than I had ever done before but after being distracted from the sport I had lost my passion and found it hard to get back into the routine.

I struggled mentally to pull my training back and set easy training weeks. After doing 18-24 hour training weeks around 45-50 hour work weeks it was as if my mind/body was telling me "If you are not going to train for an ironman why Swim, Bike, Run at all"
For someone who is very motivated it was hard to get my head around this and living in the Manawatu was not helping.

Although the Manawatu is a great training ground we are isolated. A lot of my triathlete friends are based in the Waikato/Auckland region so, finally after being in discussions with work for 7 months about a relocation to support me with a lifestyle change, it was accepted in April that I would make the move and operate out of Hamilton.

So, here I am, more enthusiastic than ever​ to get back into my routine in my new surroundings I have committed to race at Ironman NZL in 2017 and I now have a new coach to push me to greater levels.

My coach: Professional kiwi ironman athlete Simon Cochrane will be coaching me through New Zealand's 2016 winter, building me up for my 2016/17 season. Simon is proof that hard work and dedication pays off, Click Here to read more about Simon.

I am sure together we will make an A+ team with his 20+ ironman race experiences and his commitment to not only coaching the three disciplines but also, nutrition and how important it is to fuel our bodies to support recovery and performance.​

Swim: I have joined Russell Smith's swim squad at Hamilton' Fastlane. Russell is a Swim Smooth coach. Swim Smooth is the world's leading authority in adult swim coaching!
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has garnered Swim Smooth's services to re-write their entire swim coaching program for swimmers and triathletes in 119 countries all around the world so, I am sure I am in good hands.
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I am now super excited with these changes to dedicate myself 110% and I will be sharing my journey with you along the way!

Until my next update, train hard and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

​Robo

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From left: Allan Pitman (Simon' coach), Simon Cochrane and Me at 2016 Ironman Port Mac pre race.

The below is originally from ironman's "How to fight the Post-Race Blues" Click Here

How to deal 
Winsberg, as a multiple IRONMAN finisher and Kona qualifier, knows the post-race blues intimately. She says she expects it and preps for it. How? Read on for her tips.

→ Take time to relish the race experience, and then move on to other non-race challenges. "That can be reconnecting with family and friends, work challenges or other hobbies you've let fall by the wayside."

→ Don't indulge too much. "Eating unhealthily and drinking too much alcohol will just make things worse. Give yourself a day or two to indulge and then return to a healthy diet and light movement to keep blood flowing to your muscles."

→ Accept it. "If you know that's something you're prone to, know that for those few days you're not going to be at your best. Take measures like getting extra sleep, or not putting yourself in situations that might make it worse." Know that it's a normal cycle and not be thrown off by it."

→ Sign up for another race. Yes, you heard that right. Winsberg notices the blues are a little different for her when she has another race on the calendar. "When I do have another one on the calendar I notice the physical fatigue a bit more because there's the pressure to recover. When I don't, that's when I have to be more careful to know what what work projects or social projects I'm going to focus on."