Headed to Warmer Weather...

Headed to Warmer Weather…

January was a solid month of training in Colorado and I have to say that we lucked out with the weather conditions for the most part! I was able to complete almost all my scheduled runs outside, so that was a plus. I did spend a majority of cycling on the trainer, only because I am miserable on the bike unless the temps are close to 50!
I spent the last weekend in January in San Diego at the inaugural Tri-Expo and the annual ESA Awards show. In addition, I got to meet many reps with TYR and spend a day with them at a photo shoot at the beautiful La Jolla cove. The shoot started at 7:00AM with Andy Potts and me in the new Hurricane wetsuits. Little did I know that we were going to be standing at the edge of a rocky edge, with powerful waves crashing against us. I watched Andy fall over from the intensity of a wave, and I was hoping that he simply wasn’t paying attention---but, I soon found out standing on a slippery rock and cold, Pacific waves hurling at you kept us on our toes and a couple times were knocked off our toes!! This was the start of a great shoot and made for gorgeous pics (at least of the ones I saw!). The ESA awards show was a great experience to watch some amazing athletes and coaches accept their awards for their accomplishments for the year. One of the most touching awards, was an eight year old boy, Cody, a double amputee athlete overcoming many obstacles to become a successful swimmer and runner. His goal is to be on the Para-Olympic swim team…and I don’t doubt he will be there someday. His heart and drive was remarkable and put a huge smile on your face! Maybe I will see him training in the next couple of years with the Para Olympic Resident Team in Colorado Springs!!
When I returned back from San Diego, my parents and niece were in town for a few days to visit while Nate was skiing with friends and family in Utah. Nate’s 30th birthday is this June (during a big race weekend), so I figured I would surprise him with an early birthday present and spend four days skiing with his brothers and friends at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Since Nate returned back in town a few days ago, we have been busy packing and getting ready for the next adventure: training trip in Oro Valley, Arizona!
I am currently on the plane, headed to LA for a visit with DISC before I depart for Tucson. It has been almost a year since I had surgery (hard to believe!). I am scheduled for a follow-up EMG test (this will test how my nerve is responding) and in addition, completing an interview with doctors at DISC and speaking about my surgery, recovery and results! I am very excited to see how my foot drop is healing and to see the progress of my nerve re-growth!! On Feb. 9th, I will arrive in Arizona and begin a training camp with Barrie Shepley and a few other athletes. I will spend the remainder of February in the warmer weather away from the snow (it was snowing in Colorado when I left, so it makes me that much more excited to get to warmer weather!!). I am excited to step up my training quality and volume even more in preparation for my 2010 season. Race season will begin before I know it and I want to be fully prepared to perform my best.