Austin, Texas

I love Austin. I have been here almost one week and while I knew it would be good for me, I didn't know just how good. I came here to press a reset button - to open myself to a new experience and learn to use the motor that Ken has built within me. To do this Zane Castro (brilliant Triathlon coach and friend) set me up with Steve Sisson, Rogue elite running team and University of Texas Women's long distance running team coach. What surprised me most about him was not so much his immediate ability to analyse and improve the technical aspects of my run but his insight into me as an athlete. He saw me race in Austin last year and Zane told him about me but it was him who put together what he sees in me, how I approach training, triathlon and specifically my run. The result is yet to be seen but when you start something that you 100% believe in and just have this feeling - it has got to be good. I think that I have work to do of course but it is more a shift in my thinking, my confidence and strategy.

I am quickly creating Austin as my second home to Ottawa. It is raining here and "uncharacteristically cold" but it is still not as cold as Ottawa! I keep laughing at how soft one can become when you are spoiled with incredible weather and facilities. In the change room some women were gripping about the fact that their nose was running in this horrible weather (+5) It was that cold! In the pool again I laughed when the men in my lane were complaining that the lifeguard chair was blocking one of the 8 synchronized clocks. I will give it to them that they are getting old... but for what they have lost in eye sight they have maintained in speed!

Just to continue with all those who spend energy blogging about food (of which I am one!) - the grocery stores here are amazing - who would not want to buy the whole produce department of Whole Foods! Then there are the samples - a must stop after a hard workout :) And Costco sells organic meats here... I digress.

I'm hungry - eating Spicy tomato lentil soup in this oh so cold weather :)