Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Season Update

Season Update

Unfortunately the 2010 season has to come to a premature end due to an injury in my calf muscle. This injury has been going on and off since I initially injured my left foot back in June. It has been a difficult time both mentally and physically. I have been repeating the process of taking a couple of weeks off and then getting back into racing as soon as possible. The injury was the reason I had to miss out on the run at the London ITU race and unfortunately, the injury has returned. Looking back, I realize that taking a break and then getting back into consecutive races four weeks later is not ideal for recovery back form injury.

As it turns out, I have a tear in my soleous muscle. The good news is this tear is slight and in the belly of the muscle, so healing is much quicker verses a tear in the tendon. Healing however, is top priority and racing in the last two races of the Toyota Series are not possible. I am focusing 100% on with the bigger goals of becoming stronger and healthier next year and focusing towards the 2012 Games.

The injury makes very clear sense to me, which helps me to understand what has happened and what to do to prevent this injury in the future. Not surprisingly, the injury has occurred on the same leg I had surgery on last year. Prior to the surgery, I did not have function of my big toe and push off motion (the muscle I tore has the responsibility of toe-off). The recovery time for the nerve healing is two years, and currently I am still in the window for healing. This particular muscle was much weaker compared to other areas of my leg and the stress of 10-15 races the past couple of years (per year) was just a bit too much to take.

The positive news is that with proper recovery and slowly easing back into training, my leg will have a full recovery and will be much stronger next year. The next two years I will really be focusing on the Olympic trials and qualifying for London in 2012. This means a bit less travel than this year to really focus on training and hitting key races at peak fitness. I am extremely disappointed that I am not able to defend my 2009 Toyota Cup Series Title, but I have to be proud of the two wins I earned in the Series; Minneapolis in July and Chicago in August.

Part of being a professional athlete is overcoming obstacles and becoming a stronger athlete in the future. Every year I learn a about my body’s, weaknesses and areas to improve in the coming years. This year my husband and I learned a lot about training progression and building more of an aerobic base early season to ward off those possible injuries later on, especially with my leg since I am still recovering from a nerve injury. The body is very strong and will continue to fight and fight until it breaks, and once it breaks, you have to give the body the rest and recovery it needs to heal. Unfortunately, this is tough to do in the middle of race season, but we have learned!

I can’t thank my sponsors enough for all the support this year in 2010. Over the past year, I have raced almost a dozen races, including five wins, and three top ten finishes in the World Championships Series races. Next year the plan may not be to get to the starting line as frequently, but each time I do toe the line I will be ready for a quality performance.

All Matching!

All Matching!
Some of the new 2011 TYR cycling kits matched great with my Fuji and Zipp wheels!

Run Shots!

Run Shots!
New 2011 run gear. Poor TJ was quite sore after his 70.3 the weekend prior.

Downtown Sydney

Downtown Sydney
This is taken from the 20th floor of my hotel room. You can see just to the left where we swam in near the Opera House.

Check out the Scenery

Check out the Scenery
Out training in Idaho before heading to the airport! Beautiful lake in the background.

Ready For 2024!

Ready For 2024!
My niece has my suit and Speedo backpack...ready to train (but I think she mentioned she was going to Six Flags!)

Marin Triathlon

Marin Triathlon
Becky and I hanging out at the awards post race

Seoul WCS Finish Line

Seoul WCS Finish Line
I though I had finished the race, but I forgot to cross the timing matt completely until 10 sec later!!

Holding the Cup!

Holding the Cup!
Race to the Toyota Cup winners in Dallas, Texas. The cup was heavy...and brrr it was a cold weekend in Dallas!

Post-Race

Post-Race
Matt Reed was first for the men's race

Crossing the Tape

Crossing the Tape
Always a good feeling to break the tape!

On the Bike in Minnesota

On the Bike in Minnesota
Here I am on my Blue at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon this past Saturday

LTF Swim Start

LTF Swim Start
Here we are right at the horn (I am in the Blue). Thank Paul Phillips for all the great pics more at: http://www.competitiveimage.us/tri/Sarah-Haskins/index.html

Bike Shot

Bike Shot
Out on the bike course---quickly going through my bottles!!

Flying Dive

Flying Dive
Here I am headed back into the water after the first lap.

Crossing the Finish!

Crossing the Finish!
4th place

T2

T2
I am headed into the transition area--ready to run!

Washington DC WCS #3

Washington DC WCS #3
Here is a pic of my bike pack out on the course

Ready, Set....GO!

Ready, Set....GO!
My parents came to visit me in Colorado over Memorial Day weekend (Nate was out of town). They came along to a track workout and Sarah wanted to race me!!!

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes---they have LONG tongues...

Enjoying a Popsicle!

Enjoying a Popsicle!
Maybe most is not getting in her mouth...but that's not always the point, right? Sarah and my parents are enjoying a lunch at the training center.

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes
Here is a picture of Bobby McGee's new book.

Babies are Wiped Out

Babies are Wiped Out
Megan and I are holding the sleeping girls---

Sarah, Sarah and Anna

Sarah, Sarah and Anna
Sarah (2 yrs) is getting to know her new baby sister!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!
When Sarah goes to sleep she puts the tags from her blankets on her eyelashes (she always uses the yellow one). She also thinks everyone else wants the tag when they sleep too---including her newborn sister!

Mom, Baby and Sarah

Mom, Baby and Sarah
Megan and Anna are both doing well. This picutre was the day Megan and Anna got to come home from the hospital. Sarah giving Anna some snuggels!

Michael and Meghan's Wedding

Michael and Meghan's Wedding
Nate and I are getting ready to walk down the asile for my brother's wedding.

High Powered Fans

High Powered Fans
These fans are the horsepower of the tunnel...very powerful! They can simulate speeds of 80mph.

Holding the Flower Girl!

Holding the Flower Girl!
Feb. 14th wedding day....Nate and I are holding our niece, Sarah. She did a great job walking down the asile at 23 months!

Inside the Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel
On my Triad, in my new aero position!

Last Minute Travel

Last Minute Travel
Here we are with our U-Haul...we made it safe and sound!

Wren Hollow Elementary

Wren Hollow Elementary
A couple of weeks ago I went back to my Elementary school and spoke to the kids about Triathlon, goal setting and the Olympics! They gave a wonderful welcome with signs, posters, and cheers!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning
My Mom, Sarah and I are playing with Sarah while she is enjoying her new toy. This elephant is very strong...my Dad sat on it and it held (he is 230lbs!!)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Here is Jess snuggling with her babies (Gwen and Rowan). Gwen looks a lot like Jess and Rown look like his daddy, Lucas.

Snow!

Snow!
This view is off my parents deck (the last picture showed the many colors of fall...but winter can be beautiful too!)

Post Parade

Post Parade
Busch Stadium in the background....looks different without the crowds!

On the Run in Beijing

On the Run in Beijing
Racing in the Olympics---if you wonder what the black strap is in my suit, it is my timing chip. It was falling off of my ankle on the bike and I did not want it to get stuck in my chain ring, so I ripped it off and shoved it in my suit!

Another View of Winter

Another View of Winter
Same view as earlier blog post, but with snow!

Holiday Night Out to Dinner

Holiday Night Out to Dinner
Nate and I with Tommy, Sarah (brother-in-law and his finace) and a friend of Sarah's. Tommy and Sarah are getting married October 17th.

Wedding in Minnesota

Wedding in Minnesota
Nate, my cousin Matt Beasley, his wife Lindsay and I. The wedding was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Parade

Thanksgiving Parade
Here I am ready to ride in the yellow Mazda (sponsor for the parade). It was great to see all the families and kids out to watch...

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View off my parents deck

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View from my parents deck

Lake Shot

Lake Shot
View of the pond on my parents property