Back at structured training for the first time in a while... the thought that "I get paid for this" came up a few times as I feel a bit awkward but that will soon pass. And... at the end of my first week of structured training I'll do my first triathlon since 2010 so I'm really looking forward to that as I love racing and putting it all together. Will also be fun with so many TriCentric athletes racing with me. No goals for the race at all and my only real "goal" for training is to get back in shape with a regular routine... then we'll aim and fire on a few big race goals which I'm sure will include being very competitive at 70.3, long mountain bike races and events and finally reaching my Ironman potential... but for now... week 1 will do :-)

Was nice to get back in the pool today for the first time in a very long time... always hard to knock the first session out but kept it to drills and an easy form focused pyramid in 25 meter increments... it's a nice start. Next swim is on Friday at TriCentric Team Training Camp in Solvang... gonna be a blast!!!

I've tried to take to heart and action the motto of the TriCentric Team... "Forward Progress". With that in mind I spent the last month leading a trail run series with a great combo of hiking and jogging... new trail every week. I've also been in the gym with continued rehab work and on the bike in short sessions... sometimes it's difficult to practice what you preach and become the solution... but we're progressing forward ;-)

I'm really looking forward to 2012... new goals with my personal and athletic life... and the company has some big plans as well. Also looking forward to putting in some consistent miles on the bike over the next few weeks and putting these nagging issues behind me. I hope to see all the people who make me happy much more in 2012 and meet as many new people as I can... no better way to do that than doing the things that keep you happy. 

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and Happy Christmas and holiday season!

After 4 weeks with sciatic flare up due to an old injury... I'm back (pun intended). Nothing really caused the flare up but it really put me out of commission with total rest... so now it's time for some active rehab which is going well so far. What a year for this stuff... my body does not like sitting at the desk it seems. Change is due! planning fun stuff ;-)

What is a Coach? Easy question… harder answer ;-). A coach is many, many things! Here’s the short list:

·A coach knows that they don’t know everything
·A coach thinks about the short term, long term and as many variables as they can
·A coach cares… about their athlete, their sport and their profession
·A coach is invested with their heart, talent and resources
·A coach is flawed… and works through to a solution… they’re not perfect
·A coach is an ambassador… for their brand, athletes, sport/profession, peers and supporters
·A coach knows when to be objective and when to subjective
·A coach is flexible and firm at the same time
·A coach is knowledgeable and resourceful… not all knowing
·A coach is present and tangible
·A coach is honest with you and easy to be honest with
·A coach “coaches” the  athlete, personality, strength, weakness, goals, knowledge and performance
·A coach teaches you to believe in yourself and trust your abilities
·A coach says yes and no and provides context for each
·A coach is both patient and passionate
·A coach is knowledgeable about the equipment in their sport and can advise appropriately
·A coach speaks with you, not at you
·A coach plans, plans again and then plans some more
·A coach is coached… always a student
·A coach is a team player

Today is my Omi's Birthday... Happy Birthday Omi!!! I'm the endurance athlete in the family but at 93, she is truly the endurance star... wishing you much love and many hugs ;-)

After 16 weeks with no running I'm back at it. On an easy 10 minute run, I tore my soleus (lower calf)... I've tried to run since on a few occasions, each attempted after weeks of "R.I.C.E" but after 4 minutes... it was obviously not ready so I shut the run down immediately and walked home for more ice. So... this week after no running for 8 solid weeks (and no pain at all for 4 weeks) I began to run again. 2 runs at ten minutes, 1 run at 12 minutes and 1 run at 15 minutes... all at a very easy pace with attention to my form. Have to say... even running this slow, it's just nice to be outside and doing it again. I have a long way to go to get where I want to be... very long! But the process has started with success... at last!

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!! to everyone who competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships at Lake Las Vegas on 9/11/2011. The race coverage was amazing and there were some inspirational performances by many of the athletes.