 Tis the Season to be Thankful. It is this time of year that I start reflecting on the past year and how it has gone. What I like, dislike and how can I change what I am doing to improve. This year was my first year of Triathlons. I entertained the idea last year but never really gave it much thought. Until one day I met a young lady sales rep at my office and the world changed suddenly. You see, she was a Traithlete - had done Kona 2 times. She was excited and energetic and she really sparked a fire. Until that time I was just a marathoner, a runner. I love running, but it sure gets boring after awhile. Once the spark was lit, it lit a fire that has driven me this whole year. Thank you Judy McSweeney. I bought my bike in April for my birthday. Although not a "Triathlon Bike", it was a brand new road bike - my Felt s90 is still my bike of choice for training. My biggest fear starting this Tri thing was the swim. I am stilll not where I want to be regarding the swim but I am improving. My gym is working on purchasing a FastLane for the pool which I hope will give me the oppurtunity to swim more. If I can get the swim down I feel I can really start placing higher in my age division. I don't freak out as much on open water swims as I use to either. Next year I have to really push the swimming and get in some coaching as well. The bike portion is my favorite event. I absolutely love the feel of the bike under me. Pushing harder than the person ahead of me. Always trying to pick off the next rider. Next year I will be racing with my new Quintana Roo and still training on my Felt. I will need to get in longer rides next year and start pushing toward getting in some 100 mile rides as well. I need to look at finding a riding partner to keep the competition level up. Plus, it is always good and safer to go on rides with at least one other person. Let's get to the running - this year has been great. Salt Lake City Marathon, Rim Rock Run, Multiple shorter races. Plus learning how to do brick workouts. All awesome runs. Next year I have the Arizona Rock and Roll in January, plus the BolderBoulder, possibly the Pikes Peak Ascent and/or Marathon. Multiple 5 and 10K races. running is still a passion to me. Swimming and Biking has done nothing but strengthen and speed up my runs. I look forward to a new year of challenges. I really want to do an Ironman race but I want to work my way up to it. That's why I am doing the Timberman 70.3. I feel that I am not worthy of doing a full Ironman yet and I want to really enjoy my training and racing. I hope to be ready for 2008 and the Florida Ironman. I am looking closely at the new OneOOne race in Texas that is being held in November of next year. The length puts it in between the 70.3 and the Full Ironman. I will have to see how I feel after Timberman before I make that leap. 2007 is the year of my breakout Triathlons. I want to finally start placing higher in my age division and really work at getting my swim times down. I am looking for races wherever I can find them. Life is good, Let the New Year come. I am ready for it. Bring it on!!!!!! |
