2014

How NOT to Lose Self Doubt as an Athlete by Jen Rulon

How NOT to Lose Self Doubt as an Athlete by Jen Rulon
[box type="note" align="alignleft" ] Note from Coach Moose : I was fortunate to connect with Coach Jen Rulon a couple of months ago. Immediately I was amazed at her on and offline persona. She is someone who lives her passion each and every day and clearly her life mission is to bring the best out of everyone she touches. I had to ask her to share some of her story, her experiences, and especially a big part of her 'why'. If you enjoy her post as much as I did, be sure to leave a comment or two. Enjoy making today and every day EPIC.[/box]

Jen Rulon - Overhead Squatting OHS #badassOctober 13, 2014 – Less than 3 weeks from Ironman Florida.  I am heading into my taper week, keeping the intensity stable but bring the volume down.  I have a bit more time on my hands; finally get stuff done around the house.

October 15, 2014 – I am sick as a dog. Head out for my easy 50 min trail run with my pup. I had a 24-hour flu bug and will spare you the details.

October 19, 2014 – Heading out for my 2:00 run. Reach down to grab my headphones; BAM. I felt this painful tweak in my back and I couldn't move. I couldn't sit. I couldn't walk. I most definitely couldn't run.

My journey to my 7 th Ironman was over. I was done. Finish.

What? Let’s back up a bit. You are less than 2 weeks away for Ironman FL.

This is what you have done:

  1. Biked 5:30 with a 20 minute run after the bike.

  2. Ran 3:00 with negative splits.

  3. Swam a few 3000 + swims

  4. Lifted for 1-2 x’s week.

  5. Ironman – CDA in June 2014, not less than 17 weeks ago.


November 1989 - I saw Ironman Kona on NBC and I told my Mom that I plan on doing that race by the time I was 30-years-old. While I am a 6 x Ironman athlete and I did an Ironman before my 30 th birthday, I realized I haven’t done Ironman World Championship in Kona. I received that validation in 2012, when I was there with my husband, Chris, who qualified.

Come on Rulon… you are stronger than that! Really? A painful tweak in your back is going to stop your dream? Let’s think again.  One of my favorite books is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

As I laid in bed that Sunday, I started thinking about WHO I had in my universe to conspire in helping me achieve my goal to toe the starting line at Ironman Florida and get closer to achieving my Ironman Kona dream.

Coach Jen - Ironman Athlete

I contacted my massage therapist and got in Monday morning. Right after that, I went to my “Voodoo” doctor, who is a chiropractor/acupuncture/etc. (I mean that comment in the most positive way.) He did his magic and I walked out a lot straighter than I walked in. I still needed to stay positive and be smart.

October 21, 2014 – Jumped on the recumbent bike at the gym for 45 minutes and stretched.

October 23, 2014 – I ran for 20 minutes and stretched.

During my run, I thought about how athletes can stay positive after an injury, especially 2 weeks out from major event. And this is what I came up with…

The Top 5 Reasons to NOT lose your Self-Doubt as an athlete



  1. Trust in your training plan. You signed up for an event, 3 months ago to possibly 1 year ago. You have done the work. You have done the long training workouts, especially if you are doing an Ironman. You PR’d your squat, Power Clean or Snatch about 2 weeks ago. You are FINE! As I always hear from my coach, “The hay is in the barn.”

  2. Listen to your body. Obviously, your body is telling you something . You have done everything that you were schedule to do. The human body is an AMAZING machine. It knows exactly what you need at the exact time. Actually, this may be a blessing in disguise.

  3. Ask yourself, “Who is in MY UNIVERSE ?” I guarantee that you have family, friends, your coach, and your husband/wife/partner that has supported you in this journey. Start utilizing their help. Leave your EGO at the door and ask for guidance. It’s OK!

  4. Listen to your heart . You have worked hard at what you are trying to accomplish, whether it is your first 5k, tenth Ironman or CrossFit Regionals! Another quote from “The Alchemist,” “ Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”

  5. Trust in YOURSELF. How long have you lived in your body and mind? How many competitions have you done? First one? 100 th one? You know what to do. Wait, it’s my first major event? Trust in yourself. Trust in your heart and your mind. Trust in your coach. Let people see the confidence you exude on the race course, just like you do off the race course.


I am 9 days away from Ironman-Florida. How am I feeling? Actually, I feel FANTASTIC. I trust in my training plan and my coach. I am listening to my body and making choices by how I feel that day. I have a SHLOAD of people in my Universe that is backing me up. I have listened to my heart. I actually think my heart is smiling right now. My heart is happy that I am resting like I should before I put myself through 11 hours of racing. Most of all, I trust myself. I have been in this body and mind for 43 years and I have finally learned to trust in myself.

No more self-doubt. It is time to find that treasure…

[box type="info" align="alignleft" ]One last note from Coach Moose... I love Jen's post and her tenacity with her no quit attitude... made me recall this TED talk from Brendan Brazier on Finding your Athletic Edge. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Jqpjap8rewo

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Jen Rulon is awesomeAuthor Bio:


Jen Rulon is the owner/coach at JenRulon.com. She is a 6x Ironman athlete, and God willing; she has finished Ironman Florida on November 1 st . She received her Masters in Exercise Physiology. Along with training for her Ironman Kona goal, she is running her business as a USA Triathlon Coach, a Pose Method Running Coach, and a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Endurance Athletes. She also is a professor at Texas A&M-San Antonio and teaches “Functional Anatomy.” #kona2015 #happy

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