The ups and the downs...

This week I am being tested on my ability to be patient. I had a freak thing happen to my thoracic spine on Wednesday and since then have been rather immobile. It was one of those twisted the wrong way and it just went out sort of things... Now I just have to wait. That is the boring part. But this is what it makes me realize:

1) I love what I do. I wake up thinking that maybe today I can run again, maybe hop on my beautiful bike. Can you think that about your job? If not, get a new job :)

2) I have awesome people around me. Zane of course... How does he know so much about everything! I am seeing Dr. Noah J. Moos for Chiropractic/voodoo magic like care. I also have my favorite Kevin Trybalski (RMT) on call... Tanner is putting up with my absolute grumpiness. I really am not that much fun when I can't move.

3) I have time to contemplate random thoughts like whether there is a difference between those that like crunchy peanut butter and those that like smooth, how humour differs, what makes some people tick and others to run for their life, how 80's music makes me laugh...

4) I am learning about yet another possible injury. I suppose being an elite athlete also means that you get to learn about all the things that also can go wrong. I never really had this problem before so will have all sorts of advice on it in a few weeks.

I will keep y'all posted. Meanwhile I am going to get absorbed into my new book 'What the Dog Saw' by Malcolm Gladwell. Should be interesting. I just finished 'Room' by Emma Donaghue which will be hard to follow - very very good book.

Later....

Blueberry pancakes and easy mornings

I am listening to CBC, just finished blueberry pancakes and had my morning coffee. It is an easy morning of just sitting back and relaxing. Soon I will have to start my training day but not now and not yet...

I had a great weekend of training which continuously surprised me. Zane has been working to build my volume in my run lately and getting my body to handle distance better. I, like any athlete, have had to progress from 8miles, 10-14miles and now 16 mile long runs. The first time I did 16 miles, my longest run ever, I really just got myself in the door by the end. It wasn't pretty. I really wondered how marathoners do it let alone people training for ironmans. Now though I am pushing those last few miles into a faster pace and thinking that my legs are good. It is an amazing feeling. I also did my first brick this weekend. It was after the Saturday (ATC) morning ride where Paul (stellar rider/person) dragged me through the dam loop. I will admit I was hurting. I was even riding my hot new Specialized bike and thinking that it was ready for me to just fly up those hills but I kept looking back to check if my brakes were rubbing (they weren't)... I finished the ride, got in the door and said my mantra 'just keep going just keep going, don't think, just do'. As soon as I started to run it was like I checked in my old body, got a new one and just ran. It was a totally bizarre and awesome feeling. Not bad for my first brick.

So yes this weekend was good. Very good. It has put a hop in my step. But not yet... I am still chillin. Have one more hour until this training week begins. Going to enjoy it!

Because I have seemingly been horrible at keeping up my blog I will get right down to the important happenings in my life...

I had a wonderful Christmas season with my mom, Ted and brother in London Ontario. Can't say I loved the cold but I did love the warmth of being "home", a constantly full fridge, swimming with my mom and coming home after a morning training session to a huge hug from my brother. No price on that.

I now have the best sponsors anyone could ask for. Specialized is now my official bike sponsor which is so super cool I am not sure if I can even express how awesome this is. I have been in and out of Bicycle Sport Shop getting all fitted up by Skot who has been truly great. I think they are even starting to recognize me. Rogue is also an 'official sponsor' and they continue to support me in every other way - running, product, emotional support.... that is just to start. Powerbar is going to supply me with carbohydrates, sugar, protein and lots of it.... I have to say I really like their new gummy things but have to remind myself that it is not candy and not meant to be eaten as such. Darn it. Good thing I train so much.

I am now 33 (as of today). Really wish this meant I felt wiser. I don't feel any older. I continue to be amazed at my life (Bob - that is for you), the people that I have in it and the path that I have chosen. I rarely settle for anything comfortable (actually will run the other way if I sense it), always am looking for adventure but mostly want to be a better person and better athlete. As far as being a better athlete - I absolutely am learning and making leaps and bounds. That is pretty cool.

I have moved again to a lovely place called Pflugerville which is just outside of Austin. I am staying with Daniel and Fernanda, two amazingly wonderful people with huge hearts. It is certainly different from my awesome digs with Mark in downtown Austin but it is good for me and the riding out there is great!

I am running very well. It is wonderful to be building a base and learning to just run. I am not worrying about injury or standards and believe it or not, am running most often without looking at my pace, heart rate or times. Very very liberating.

Finally and importantly, I am happy. I am really excited about this year. I am still living out my dream and loving it. I have overcome so much and these challenges have made my everyday reality so much more rewarding. Although I often wake up sore and thinking that it is way too early - I wake up knowing that I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

Not bad... thanks friends out there for being patient with me. Back on the blogging bandwagon. Stay posted.