Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (post race)

Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (post race)

Post-Race Review: Ironman Arizona 2019 was an amazing weekend – NO – it was a magical weekend.  Kim’s experience super-ceded her expectations in many ways. Not only did she meet and get a book signed by Mike Reily but she also met him in the elevator (she was staying in the same hotel); had multiple conversations with him AND got a kiss on the head.  Ok, that might sound funny BUT after he called her up to the stage so the entire audience could yell to her “You WILL be an Ironman” he gave her a sweet good luck kiss on the head.   Kim talks about her experience being chosen as a featured athlete, experiencing the support from the athletes and spectators and how she was able to breathe it all in rather than have it intimidate her – something the “old Kim” would have had difficulties accomplishing. Kim talks candidly about her experience over the weekend; what it was like to get to mile 17 on the run and call it a day; and what her plans are now, moving forward. Listen to learn if she will return to Ironman in 2020. This week’s inspirational song is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahqx4SuBD84 Edited by: Kari Hankins

Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (episode 11)

Final pre-race episode. $&!) is gettin’ real. Kim has her bib number, her bike is packed and loaded.  Her gear bag is organized and packed.  All the final preparations are in order and now the training focus shifts from the physical emphasis to the mental. This week’s thorn, bud and rose are centered around managing nervous energy as Kim is going into the final week of training and single-digit countdown days.   What is Kim really looking forward to?  What is she excited to celebrate? Kim shares her gratitude for the village that has been supporting her along her journey.  Even in the midst of fatigue, challenge and sacrifice, Kim’s gracious nature remembers and honors all who have helped her get to this place  – healthy and injury-free. Something that has stuck with Kim since her challenging long run (where she took a wrong turn) is the phrase that will now get her through to her finish, “I’m finishing this fn race.” Isn’t it interesting that in the midst of challenging dark spots  powerful mission statements are born. Kim shares another meaningful quote from Brene Brown and discusses what it means to her and why it is relevant at this stage of the game. This will be our final pre-race podcast BUT we will be going live on FB while in Tempe.  Please join us on https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Ts-Ironman-training-101735307871071/ for a variety of FB Livestreams. This weeks song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEz0oBRgxbs Edited by: Kari Hankins

Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (episode 10)

Exciting news.  Ironman Arizona has contacted Kim to be one of their featured athletes.  In addition, the local Wichita news station is also doing a feature story on Kim and her journey.   Hmmmmm…….this is exciting and yet, how does Kim feel about this extra attention – nervous?  Inspired? Mental challenges during workout are real.  Kim discusses how she moves through them and how the workout challenges are a mirror reflection of life challenges. What is it that people REALLY want when they say they want more money, a bigger house, a new achievement?  The true desire behind all of these wants is joy and pride.  Where does the greatest amount of joy and pride come from – is it really in getting more money.  Jill discusses this in deeper detail. The next level of “REAL” just hit.  Kim received her race day number – 1650.  Numerologists out there – what is a 3 and how can Kim use this energy to her advantage on race day? Jill and Kim have a love fest as they recognize and honor one another.   Listen to hear what Kim’s thorn, bud and rose are this week.  There has been a shift from fear of what’s coming to celebration of training gone by. Kim has fallen in love with Brene Brown’s book – Gifts of Imperfection from which she reads and discusses a quote regarding self-compassion.  This week’s song is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUGJ02Uc8yA. Edited by Kari Hankins

Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (episode 9)

Determining the balance between pushing through and settling in (I said “settling in” not “settling”) can be tricky.  When do you push through the fatigue, discomfort and pain for benefit and when do you recognize that the body and mind will benefit more from rest and reset? Kim is discovering the fine line between listening to her body and  pushing with the ‘warrior mentality’.  Always yelling “go go go do more more more” has its place but Kim is learning that there are times when it’s best to shut down the warrior for the sake of reset. Kim’s alter egos LL (Lazy Lou) and EB (Electric Blue) are brought back into the picture in this episode.  At this time EB is winning the battle and is encouraging Kim to recognize the tremendous challenge she has taken on by training for the IM and reminds Kim to acknowledge the level of difficulty involved in preparing for this event.   Can you say “yes” to yourself while saying “no” to others?  Hmmmm……. Interesting concept. CONTEST: Listen closely for the opportunity to win a prize.  In this episode you are being challenged to create a title for …….. Post your title on Kim T’s Ironman Training FB page.  We will announce the winner on the page. Ready      SET       GO! As Kim is building her awareness she is embarking upon the concept of problem solving.  Problem solving is empowering and brings the person out of victim-hood (you know, that place of feeling powerless) and into problem-solver extraordinaire. After her meltdown during her 15 mile run, Kim was able to reflect on the problem solving techniques she employed to get herself moving again.  It was a valuable training experience, leaving in its wake, new confidence that she has the power within (sound like The Wizard of Oz?) to move through any future meltdowns.  This sets her up well for race day. This week’s song is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frmd-qqFv2Ibut coming in at a close second is a new song by the Goo Goo Dolls called https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78wGInBuKn0 Edited by Kari Hankins

Not In Kansas Anymore – Kim Taylor’s Road to IRONMAN Arizona (episode 8)

*NOTE*  Our deepest apologies for the audio challenges on this week’s interview.  Jill’s microphone has some reverberation which was only noticeable after the interview was recorded. While we worked hard to edit this glitch, you will still hear this reverb while Jill is talking.  Thank you for hanging in there with us. How much change do we REALLY have control of in our lives.  Doesn’t genetics play the largest role in our life path and outcome? Welcome the science of Epigenetics which states that only 10% of our life is determined by genetics which means 90% of our life is under our control.   “The message I want the listeners to get is to have hope that you can alter your course.  It’s up to you.  It’s in your control.  You are not destined to any pre-determined path.  I am proof that things can change and we are not bound by our genetics.” How do adult women, who are now in the throws of caring for aging parents, give themselves permission to live and expand their own lives?  Kim shares her insights on this topic as she is learning how to balance care for her parents with the building of her own expansive life, i.e. training for Iroman. Self-imposed ceiling and grasshoppers?  WHUTTTT?  What could these two possibly have in common? Hint:  it’s time to push the limits.    Who are Lazy Lou and Electric Blue?  Kim talks about her alter-egos and how she has shifted the dominant voice in her head to support positive patterns resulting in feeling happier more often, enjoying life A LOT more and experiencing achievement in many areas of her life. Three Techniques to Shift the Dominant Roles: Practice – repeat, repeat, repeat making the shift Patience – be kind and patient with yourslef – change takes time Persistance – keep going, don’t give up Kim shares with us her thorn, bud and rose for this week and also talks about why https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxpwiRHTF0 by Kenny Loggins is this week’s song. Editing by Kari Hankins