Monday, February 8, 2010

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.

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