Perspective

Many of you are still asking what my recent foot injury is going to do to my Olympic Goal. I am happy to say that me breaking my foot is actually a blessing in disguise. I have been swimming faster and stronger each week. Today in fact, in my 3000 meter practice I was feeling like a powerhouse (possibly the pent up energy I had to release) or perhaps it was eating a bowl of cereal at 3:30 AM (I usually do not eat before my workouts). I have been doing more kicking now that my foot is healing. Today was the first day that as I was swimming I felt the strange sensation that there is something (a foreign object) in my foot. I'm putting a little more time in on the bike and of course, still remaining diligent in my strength training. The result is that I am really stronger than I've been in years. I know that I'm going to set some serious personal records in competition this year and I am sooooo excited about that. Sometimes we have to take one step back to make a huge leap forward--that is how I see my injury.

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

I have been putting together my action plan for my 2006 season. My biggest competition goal is to qualify for and compete at the World Championships in Switzerland in early September. The season is going to be shorter than last year, since both nationals and worlds are 1 month earlier than last year. I will be posting my season calendar here soon--remember that I'd love to have you all attend any of my races. My first triathlon will be Memphis in May on May 21st. I was planning to just train with my triathlon club friends and now I am actually rethinking that. I just found out that Kathleen Johnston will be coaching the Team in Training group again this year. Last year since I was training for the Country Music marathon at the same time as the triathlon I spent most of my time training with the marathon team. I didn't take full advantage of the phenomenal coaching that Kathleen has to offer. This year may be the prime opportunity for me to be coached and mentored by an incredible athlete who is a definite role model and inspiration to me. In addition, I feel like I deserve to give back and serve, so doing the charity fundraising for Team in Training will be an important blessing in the lives of those less fortunate than I.

I have my daily training schedule written out which is a 6-7 day routine including 2-a-days, 3 days of strength training, and daily core work. I am happy to say I'm back on track with my nutritional journal--I am committed to conquering my bad habit of eating cereal right before going to bed and that is partially a result of staying up too late and being ravenously hungry at bed time. I am really grateful for Dr. Smith, my chiropractor, who is totally committed to seeing me realize my goals. He is assisting me not only by making sure my body is aligned and balanced but also he is assisting me with my workout schedule and nutrition plan. I am looking forward to getting rid of the 5-10 pounds that accumulated after breaking my foot--it will come off very quickly once I start running and putting those long rides in on the Natchez Trace, thru Leipers Fork and in Percy Warner Park. I have chosen to BE the Elite Champion Athlete in 2006.

As always thank you for your support and love. It means the world to me!