Holidays Are Over--- The 2010 Season is Here!

I always enjoy the holiday season, as I get to visit with family and relax a bit with my triathlon training. Although Christmas time I have to be a little more dedicated with my training than Thanksgiving, but the training is still pretty flexible and I can change my training around for family and friend activities. However, once that date changes over to the New Year, the priorities seem to change and training moves up the ladder to become a priority this time of year leading into the race season.
Over the holidays, I also had the opportunity to speak with around 300 students at Medford High School in Minnesota about setting goals and attaining those goals. I also spoke with a swim team in Webster Groves, Missouri about working hard, nutrition and my Olympic experience. The weather was much colder than usual in Missouri, so I spend much more time running on the treadmill. I trained at the Lifetime Fitness gym in West County (St. Louis). I was star struck when I walked in with Albert Pujols and later he was on the elliptical right behind me! On New Year’s, my family and extended family played a traditional game of Bingo and I played five games of monopoly in four days. I have to say that I am 5-0 in Monopoly right now, so the luck is rolling…is it all luck?? The game was a Christmas gift from my sister and I have to say I have not played in close to 15 years, but it brought back some nostalgic memories. By the way, there is a new “speed version” out that makes the game go much quicker!!
On January 5th, I headed back to Colorado to get back in the groove of altitude and training. I am planning on only being in Colorado for the next four weeks before I head to a training camp in Oro Valley, Arizona. I am going to be training with Barrie Shepley and some of his athletes and looking forward to a change in scenery and getting out of the potentially cold weather here in Colorado. Before I head to Arizona, I am going to be in San Diego Jan. 28th-30th for a wetsuit photo shoot with TYR, speaking at the Competitor Magazine Expo and attending the Endurance Sports Awards.
I am looking forward to the new season and all that is to come! I am changing around some of my training this year and adding a bit more power and strength training to the program. I truly believe in continuing to figure out what works best for you and accepting a change to improve your performance. I will have some reality TV entertainment while I am recovering in the evenings with a new series of the Bachelor and American Idol starting next week!
Stay warm and all the best for a healthy, successful and blessed 2010!