I have been rather fast in the past. I have ran super silly long distances too. Before tri, I was simply a really dedicated runner- it’s what I do. It’s what I do rather well.

Well, life has it’s moments that will humble you right back down to being nada. Not that I have had a big head lately, the season has just started and I’m certainly not peaking, nor near race weight. The bike is clean and ready to hit the road, I still wondering if I’ll fall sideways my first ride out. I have completely dissected my swim stroke; in order to get faster I have slowed down so much I dropped back a lane. Nope, I’m not a super triathlete these days at all, so being a rather good runner was enough to keep me feeling like my inner Badass Self. Until yesterday.

Yesterday is a day I will never forget. Yesterday is not worth crying over, it’s spilled milk and it’s done. But O yesterday, what happened? What did I do? It’s all a blur and it makes no sense.

Yesterday, I couldn’t run 5 km. I was so slow I stopped running because I knew walking would be faster.

The shame. The disappointment. We were so good together and so close, running knew the secrets of my heart, and it knew all my hopes and dreams. Still, yesterday for the first time ever, running stood me up.

I don’t know what to do today. I’m lost. I’m not injured, not broken. I’m walking fine, everything is good in the legs. No asthma, that’s gone for good (yippee!) Monday was an off day, so it’s not like it was a recovery miscalculation.

I was supposed to swim today, that’s what the program says, but I feel I need to call up running, just to see if it’s possible again. I need to give that run a second chance. I lost sleep wondering if yesterday meant the end. It can’t be. I can’t stand that thought of it…. Then I thought perhaps running was pissed about the tri thing…. Maybe dedicating so much muscle mass to swimming & riding had intimidated my run- but that can’t be- I just registered for a marathon, surly I intend to run it.

Do I do a brick today then? Maybe swim then run a 10km from the pool. I’m not going to waste this opportunity on the treadmill, perhaps it’s best to go old-school and hit the muddy trails. That will ease the fear & tension, make it fun. Maybe hills, if I’m going to cry & vomit anyways...

Its 4am, perhaps I’m over thinking. Yet, Ryan lost his run until he wrote a book and ran 2:04 in Boston. So I’m blogging, putting the odds on my side! HAHAHA.

Run Strong, Train Safe Friends!

I have not been in training induced pain, in a long time. We all know how I make recovery a priority, and being that I'm a Mompreneur who works from home, that task is made rather easy. I conference call in compression socks most days of the week.
(The rule about wearing them in public still stands- if you do, please know that this is VERY wrong, it must STOP now!)

Yet today, after a week of some intense "get back into mode' training - I stepped out of bed, and proceeded down the steps on my tip toes. I had forgotten how track work can linger in the calves- OUCH! So obviously the season is in full swing, and I'm happy to report that the swim and runs of this week have hurt a bit, as they should!

I haven't posted in a while. I guess I needed to step back and prioritize before I filled your world with more useless info. The recent weeks have been buzzing with tri related activity- and I am VERY VERY excited.

I have stated many times how I believe that tri is much like life itself. The planning, the process of trials and achievements, the START - the journey - the FINISH that only brings you enough joy or heartache to get you to the next START. A long run can be a very spiritual few hours, a burning swim sprint just another witness to just how far you can dig.

I have learned that what we take for granted in this sport can be ripped from you in a second, without warning and without fairness. A kick in the swim can ruin a race; a tragedy on the bike can ruin a life. The levels of pain on those first 2km in training can easily lead the whimps right back home. It takes a strong amount of dedication, passion, reason and mental toughness to get out the door everyday; like in life, if we allow the uncomfortable to slow us down, it will proceed to stop us.

Last year, in the days following the deaths of 3 local, beautiful triathletes, a lot of questions came up. I believe most of us had a few very sincere conversations with ourselves and our families: "Do I go on?" "Is it worth it?" With everyone around us saying "NO!", somehow, some weeks later, we persevered. We've all been in this situation I am sure, you only need to watch the Kona broadcast to cast fear -this sport has a dark, dangerous side, and those on the sidelines of encouragement can be quick to ask us why we ever take the risk.

This year, in my personal life, I am facing those same challenges. I have a reason in my heart for doing what I do, yet the majority around me were quick to step down without support or encouragement. I changed the pace of my daily motions (that was comfortable to them), and as a result, I lost most along the way. They don’t get it, they don’t know enough about the details; rather than learning- they ducked out.
But that's OK. And I'm really OK. And big things are happening that very few could foresee.
In most long distance events, being steady wins the race.

So I go back to a blog I posted last year, about doing something good for others:
http://julie-gorham.blogspot.com/2010_09_12_archive.html

Well, it's happening! It's finally happening!! There are final details being worked out; logos to organize, race suits to order, websites to launch, and final media details to be confirmed.... My racing will be for a greater cause. My training will be to shed some light, and together, we will raise awareness for something very worthy, and something greater than this Yellow Brick blog!

Our sport is like life- you can use your race to simply race faster next time, or you can boldly wear your medal to the office and perhaps inspire others to tri.

To the many wonderful people involved and encouraging this new, awesome project- I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your support is golden!

Train safe- spring has sprung!
P.S.- Anyone raising funds for a race charity, contact me if you need fundraising help. There is a better way to raise much more$$!!! 63reasons@gmail.com

I have been getting some questions from the younger / fit crowd, wondering why optimizing their immune system would be important. So here is some quick info, meant to help all healthy, physically active people understand why their immune system is cruical to their everyday health & performance. Yes, I am posting this, because this is my blog, my business, and my mission in life is to make you all incredibly stronger, better, & more motivated to use the podium sport has given you, to help someone else change their life & tri- harder. When we are healthy & fit & kickin' butt, we do that last part much more efficiently!

For more info, pls visit my site @ http://www.immunotec.com/trijulieclick products. You will also find my contact info on that website.

Truth is, most of us can reflect and discover the same 'training' problems arise every year when we are stressed out: colds, sometimes turning into the flu, pains in the groin, in your back, knee pains that all go unexplained. Training is slowing, or stopped, and showing no real signs of progress. Motivation is going through the floor? WTH? An exaggeration?

Maybe: but some of you have certainly gone through the whole range several times a year.... So what's up? To always feel great as an athlete on the edge of your limit to performance is quite tricky. It means a balancing act where you can easily lose your balance. Overstep or misstep.... it's gone.

We have all been told to each lots of carbs, and protein on a 4-1 ratio. Counting calories is one thing, but the distribution of energy that happens in the metabolic processes is not regulated by the intake of calories but by a number of regulatory processes.

Sport is often pure stress merely due to the effort of training. The body demands an optimal biological stress response. Who performs to peak is mearly the athlete whose stress response is best optimized. An immune system and a nervous system as well as hormones at the peak of performance; that is perfect regulation. That means that each system itself works optimally and the cooperation between them, too. Meaning that the immune system is not only a protection system you might need when you are old, but a regulatory system that plays an important role in your life NOW. The immune system is activated within the first minute of stress, and releases all the cellular defenses needed for equal distribution of energy within the body. The healing process takes priority over the performance 'go fast now' process, that is why a slight cold can require so much energy, leaving you tired, moody, and weak, and suddenly injured.

Your immune system will determine much about your training, racing, and everyday living. Do not think it's just for old sick people. We all have one, and when we are pushing our bodies and trying to become stronger, better, faster, longer is when we MUST optimize it- so that it can work to optimize us! If you are training for a race, hitting the gym daily, or chasing the kids around the park- you need your immune system working for you.

You can read more here see blog 2010_12_05 in the archives on the right, and check out my website http://www.immunotec.com/trijulie.prod for the best, proven all natural immune optimizing proteins available.
Train safe & enjoy, as spring has sprung!!

Courage was soooo last year!

Last year, in my training, my every stroke and every stride, I inhaled and exhaled courage. Most days it was the courage just to be out riding on the open roads, other days it was the courage to face my physical limitations head on. In Timberville, well, you'll have to go back and read that post for yourself- because I refuse to cry again this morning in an attempt to explain.

This year they informed us our horoscopes changed, the winter weather completely changed, my numerologist (she is awesome, let me know if you need her info) told me my life number had also changed and I was entering a new era of Jules. Good news to me, all these changes, because I happen to be a person who is quite comfortable with switching things up. But I took the 'it's all new & improved' way too literally, and assumed it meant my heart had changed too. I posted pictures of NYC all over my training wall, printed my time in big & bold above my treadmill, and decided this was the year that I qualify for NYCM. YAHOO!
And all was going so well. Running and running, running and running. In a plane, on a train, instead of a car- opps! I ran too far!
Remember, a little Karnazes took over my legs? Well, he's still in there, and I've got the glutes to prove it! (Can't post a pic, sorry, it's NOT that kind of blog!)
But I ran through January & February like I was racing an ultra... until 3 good friends took note...

They were right, I'm too slow in triathlon to not want to keep tri-ing! It does society a huge favor when I race- other people beat me and it makes them feel good to pass the skinny, really fit bitch who looks as though she should be tearing it up. I just don't have the desire to go fast on the bike, and I don't know if I ever will. Long distance, for me anyways, is freedom. What would I do all summer if I were not out training for 6-7 hours? I'd lose that freedom! My friends are smart people- tri is a huge part of my life, and I'm not willing to let it go now!

I started thinking while I was out running. Deeply. I had intense moments of reflection and sharp pains in my heart (no, not really!) I love this crazy sport too much to walk away- and I'd be foolish to not tri this season, as I am 110% dedicated to Roth in 2012.
Good news to report: I am back in the pool; have my first 'race' coming up on March 19th. A 1500m swim competition, in a 25m pool- it takes a true triathlete to consider THAT a fun way to spend a few minutes, no?
I don't know where you are in your training; I do hope it's going very well. But I've got 2 months to catch up, and 6 this season to be more bad ass than I was last year- YAHOO!!! Oh, the laughs we will have! Watch out people- she's back, more happy, more smiley, just as silly yet much stronger than before! WHOOP WHOOP!!

See you all at the races; till then, train safe,

Farewell Till Then... a Love Letter.

I'm throwing it out there; let's see who leaves some love after. Yes, I am openly asking for your e-mails or comments, because I wake up lately almost with certainty that I am all alone. Mind you I kind of am- I live in the Middle of Nowhere, QC. It's winter time and the only thing my town is renowned for is the cycling in the summer, and hurricane type winds. Wait, we have a rather famous fancy hotel here too, but I believe they must keep guests A la Hotel California because I run past it often and I have yet to make a friend on its lush grounds. Today I shall look for hands in the windows...

I think I just ran off track. Now I have some scary movie I have never seen playing through my mind. Whomever it was that stated the common truths about athletes having some serious mental differences, I hereby agree!
We do. We are. Thank goodness for that. The world would be much more pathetic if no one ever tri-ed.
Let’s note that I do love the man very much for all he has done, for sport but more so for cancer- yet I have disagreed with Lance before in this blog. Since he still hasn't called to prove his point (ha ha) I do believe that I am right on this one: Endurance athletes are not running FROM something, we are running TOWARDS something.
It's the common cycle of my own life that makes me right and Lance wrong. Hence I ask for your feedback, perhaps I am not the only one? Go back through the periods of your training, please; perhaps you too will find that when you had a big goal, something huge to accomplish outside of triathlon, that's when the endurance athlete in you justified cheating your program, and simply went long.
LSD Long slow distance. When there are big goals ahead and I begin to take action towards reaching them, I morph into the ultramarathon runner I was really born to be. It's a new year, with new goals, with a lot of work ahead... call me Karnazes!


The new business is proving to be much 'bigger' than I ever could have imagined. It's also given me more time to train. Yet every week, I sit and review my tri training program, I clean my bike (she's on the trainer, but I'm a bit neurotic) and yet all I want to do is run. I'm just running. I run to the bank. To the office. To the store. I run for an excuse to get away from the computer, to leave the cell phone (which broke and I have yet to replace) at home. I download the latest Motion Traxx (total plug right there- check it out on iTunes FREE!) and I just go. The boys of IM Talk are back so I downloaded the newest on the pod as well. I've listened to it 3 times this week- while running. I'm no longer fast, but I'm not injured not sore not thinking that it's an icy barren jungle with wind gusts that would snap a kite... I'm just running free. (fully clothed, but free as in YAHOO!)
Just yesterday on a webinar I referred to myself as a triathlete and I felt like the biggest fraud. I am doing all my tri friends a disservice thinking I stand amongst them. In the season of my life story right now, (get a Kleenex….......) I am a runner.
GASP...................... EXHALE....................... DO I HAVE NO HEART?????
I said it. It used to give me so much pride. I adore my runner friends. Yet right now, as I'm watching the sun peek between the clouds and my legs are twitching just to hit the packed snow for 2hrs, admitting that totally saddens me.

Life really is bittersweet.

Goals can give you a finish line, allowing you to periodize your season so that the ultimate dream is attainable. The WHY's will get you to take action. We proceed in solitude, knowing our mission, hoping to find a few cheerleaders and mentors along the way. I have spent my adult life studying triathlon. The history, the good the bad and the ugly. I am obsessed with the sport, and I do believe it loves me very much. It's been kind and generous, and I know we will meet again. What I had last season was the ultimate friendship. It led me to greatness. It made me a better person. It gave me the courage I was desperately searching for. Yet seasons change.

On this journey, along these Yellow Bricks, it seems I have now lost my heart.... So I'm putting a leash on Toto and taking him out for a run; maybe, just maybe, when we finally get to the wizard, he will very surprisingly be a Kenyan after all...

Train safe.

Capturing our Horses in 2011

As I sit to write there is a song repeating itself over & over again. Not as dramatic as when Amazing Grace blessed my mind in Timberville, but Wild Horses by The Stones- has me writing on a whim, please bear with...

I can sit here, over my Xtra Sharp tea jolt and ponder a long time about it. I'm introspective like that- with a training regime that gives me lots of time to think about silliness. I woke up with a song and I know what it means: It's the triathletes of races past! They are telling me to get over it, to take action, to face the winter demons and get on the trainer!!
Just do it, woman! The hard-to-admit fact is that this last week I have not been much of a triathlete. I am having issues with the massive size of my quads right now, I have been home with Dylan on vacation for almost 3 weeks, which has completely drowned the Phelps inside of me; but now, with visions of running stallions and an ugly image of an old Mic Jagger, I am resetting and refueling... I love this sport and no matter how much I debate going back to the simple life of a runner - those wild, wild horses could not drag me away...

We have so many reasons to do the things we do. We all do, and I am very respectful of the reason's of others. It's part of my job, your WHY. I take other people WHY's with me every where I go, everyday. I think I have so many others WHY's that they are what is now stuck to my quads- the WHY don't my jeans go past my knees anymore question is being answered- by WHY's. With so many wonderful, heartfelt reasons to do what motivates us, I lost track of my own. I do know better, please forgive me, yet I got so caught up, I lost my own marbles...


So here is what we are going to do people. (Please play along with me...) We are ALL going to back up, get out the whiteboard, and set our goals for 2011. Then, only when the goals are clearly outlined and jumping off the page are we allowed to set our WHY. Yes, in my life of coaching & teaching, I tell people to do it backwards. Trust me on this one, you will NEVER achieve a goal if you don't know what it is BEFORE you know the reasons... because reasons are very susceptible to influence; goals are not. I am confusing you- because everything you have ever heard about goal setting just got put into your mental blender and became a green, lumpy mess? OK, here we go:

1- Have your goals. Write them out: what, in your heart, do you want to accomplish this season?
2- Write out the reasons for those goals. WHY? Why are these the objectives that matter to you. WHY will you shed blood, sweat & tears for that list? You need your reasons, because without knowing WHY each goal matters, you will lose your precious marbles too.
3- What is the minimum effort/ sacrifice/ work/ pace/ distance you will accept of yourself? Write that down. Wtf? I know, you have been taught to write what you WILL do to reach your goals, now I'm asking you to do the opposite. Here it is folks- most people can easily say "I'm going to go run 20km today." and then run 19km and still be content. BUT, if you make a decision with yourself that you will NOT run less than 20km, well you know what- you'll run it, because the mere thought of disappointing yourself is much worse that the attempt to satisfy yourself. Human beings will fight off pain much harder that they will fight for pleasure. THIS IS HUGE in goal reaching. If your business goal requires you to make $20,000 this month, don't write off a to-do list of how you will reach that. You will most probably crap out on yourself. Instead, be clear on what you will LEAST accept of yourself, i.e.- you will not sleep before you follow up with at least 5 customers daily. If you need to run a 3:56 km to reach your goal, than know now that you will not allow yourself to run slower than 3:50km. It's not being negative, it's being accountable in a way that moves you to action.
4- Everyday make a small list of the 'smaller' moves you must make to reach the bigger goals. My goal is the Rev3 Half Iron in June... well, that appears to give me plenty of time. So today, I set my Sunday goal to a minimum 90min run at not a second less than marathon pace, and at least 30minutes of yoga to start the week fresh & limber.

I urge you all to set up your 2011 the way you need it to go. Where do you need to be one year from now? Let's make things happen, let's take control of our wild horses and put them to work for us. Perhaps, in retrospect, they have been running wild long enough.
Happy Season, happy achieving, please train safe- the basement is a wild place sometimes!

My 17km Run To Give You This...

Every year on Christmas day, I give myself the gift of a long morning run. You might think this is a cheap gift, as it's something I do every weekend. (If you need an explanation- then shame on you as you obviously did not run this morning.)
In my 17km slow steady run I thought of my races in 2011, about how my new WiiFit is sure to improve my Hula Hooping skills, about how much apple pie I ate last night, about Dylan's wide eyes when he woke, and about all of you. What could I write? How could I choose my words wisely? I wanted to post something this Christmas, as I couldn't send each of you a card... but I had nothing worthy. And time wasted reading BS is time you can never get refunded.

So sometimes, in moments of question/ depression/ writers block/ hangover, we are best to use the words of others. I could stare into this computer screen with all the motivation in my heart, with all the high hopes of inspiring each one of you wonderful readers, and yet sometimes my words can be much like the NBC coverage of Kona- wasted potential.

So I decided to share my favorite poem. If you believe yourself not poetic, read it anyways pls... I've used Kipling's words many times in my life, and I believe they might prove useful for you too.

You are all uber-smart people, so I need not explain it's relevance. I hope it inspires you all to keep reaching your goals and to keep tri-ing. Cheers to your massive success in 2011!
Train safe,



If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!


–Rudyard Kipling