2010 - A Year to Remember

I am not sure how to capture this year in words as it has been such an incredible journey. It has been wonderful and painful, has brought joy and sadness but most importantly has challenged me to be a better person, better athlete and striving for more.

In January I sold all my furniture and left my work with the federal government to train full-time. Knowing that my run was my weakness I went to Austin Texas to work with Steve Sisson who is a phenomenal elite running coach. Once again I fell in love with Austin and the people who make this community so incredible. I was there for three short weeks but it was long enough for me to want to go back as soon as possible. In March I returned and was ready to work hard but this time I was limping around – there was something wrong in my hips but I had no idea what. I went to see Dr. Zelinski of Advanced Rehabilitation and he worked hard on improving my mobility. No matter how many treatments I had though, I was still suffering. He sent me to get an MRI and I stopped running entirely. The prognosis was not good – labral tears on both hips.

At the same time as getting these results I flew back to Victoria to say good-bye to my pake (grandfather) who was dying. Whilst with my family I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Vancouver to discuss the MRI. His prognosis was that despite having labral tears I should do everything I could to not have surgery – there was no guarantee that surgery would help me. And so I went back to Austin on a mission to change how I run. It was essential and the only way that I could get back to doing what I love.

I had to make some hard decisions to make changes in my training that I felt were necessary to take me to the next level. I needed a coach that could change my running form so I could run. I needed a coach that could help me use and apply the motor that I had developed over the past three years with Ken Brunet of the Peak Centre of Human Performance. Finally I needed to be in an environment with others that pushed me to be better everyday. Zane Castro, a friend of the past three years and a person who I had turned to numerous times to seek coaching advice was what I needed. With a lot of difficulty I left Ken to work with him. Zane had his work cut out for him!

Starting 5 minutes at a time I started to come back to running. Every moment was supervised with Zane demanding nothing but perfect form. These training sessions were some of the hardest I have done both physically and mentally. I also worked with Lauren Green at Advanced Rehabilitation to strengthen my coordinative strength, my core and my hip flexor mobility. Through this time there were incredible people who gave me the strength to keep going and that kept reminding me that this too was all part of the journey.

After 6 weeks Zane gave me the green light to race in the ITU Pan-American Cup San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island. I had just got my mileage up to 6 miles. The result – First Place! That race meant everything to me and set the tone for the rest of an incredible year. I raced everything from a super sprint (300m swim, 5mile bike, 1.5 mile run X2) to a half ironman. I learnt that despite training in heat I have not learnt how to race in the heat and had some tough races in 35C+ weather conditions. I learnt that I absolutely LOVE really hard races with lots of hills (Alcatraz). If there is one thing I can do it is grit my teeth and power my way through hills. Mostly I learnt that this job, being an elite athlete, is incredibly challenging, sometimes lonely and leaves no room for excuses. It is complete dedication to a lifestyle - eat, sleep, breathe, train - that rarely allows for compromise. It is also incredibly rewarding.

Just like every journey it is the people and the relationships you create that enrich the experience. Although triathlon can be a completely selfish endeavour, it is when you share it that it is truly worth something. The people that have supported me above and beyond: Mark Cathcart, one of those unsung heroes that has provided me with a roof over my head for numerous months, been a sound advisor all things triathlon and has generally supported me asking for nothing in return; Zane Castro and the Peak Centre for making me believe and getting me to where I am; Rogue Running (Ruth, Steve, Carolyn and the Elite team); Advanced Rehabilitation; The Cyclery (getting me what I need regardless of where I am!); Jack and Adams Triathlon Store (they fix my bike on a dime every time); Logan Katz LLP; Dr. Alan Edmunds (sport psychologist who challenges me every time); Kevin Trybalsiki (my massage therapist, counsellor and best hugger in Austin); Sugoi (amazing cloths and Canadian!); Solefit Orthodics; and, Dr. Taylor of Carleton Sports Medicine Clinic who won’t stop until she really knows what is going on. With these people I could keep going, dreaming and working my butt off. Finally, I can’t thank my family enough – you only get one and I have the best out there.

I am actually taking a vacation this year – first one in 3 years. No training, no work, just bliss. I am sure after 2 weeks I will be absolutely itching to get back to what I love and absolutely passionate about. This year was very good but next year is going to be incredible. That I know.