California Dreaming

It's mid February and I am fully engaged in my off-off season. Meaning I am working out little to none and having ten extra pounds of weight to show for it. This week we are spending a great week out West in Southern California. First a few days in Los Angeles and now at our little hide-away in Palm Springs. With the warmer weather also comes the chance for some specacular little workouts. On Sunday I ran along the Strand in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, a slow but still inspired six miles, two of them right along the surf. Today I managed an hour and 3000 yards at the Palm Springs Swim Center.

The No Goal New Year?

Ok, it is now more than half a month into the New Year. Still I have absolutely no triathlon related performance goal for 2009. Should I be worried? Panicked? OMG, I haven't even signed up for a single race! Why do I feel so relaxed though?
Here is what I have done in the last few weeks:
I have gained about 8 pounds over the holidays
I have enjoyed spending more time with my family (still am)
I have gone to lots of kids playdates and birthday parties instead of running in the freezing cold
I have begun to see the inside of my gym a bit more, having some fun while at it
I have started to look at potential races for 09 that are closeby and fun for the whole family
I have decided that 2009 will be a year where triathlon ranks far beyond family and work
I have promised myself to have more fun while at it
I have not looked at my bike in six weeks
I am fine with all of it.

Happy New Year!

2008 - It was a very good year

The Christmas Holidays are behind us, New Year's has come and gone, maybe a good time to reflect one last time about last year. Sure, it's rough out there, economy, stock market, 401k (or what's left of it) plenty of reasons to be a bit worried or upset. Personally, 2008 was a very good year. We moved into a great new apartment in Brooklyn, we are all healthy, Kiera is enjoying her young life and her new pre-school.

And, as far as my triathlon life, this was probably my best season ever. I tried to ramp up my training volume without going crazy or neglecting family and work. The race season started with a solid Olympic distance performance in early June at Keuka Lake NY, then a hot, humid but good New York City Triathlon. From then on it was all about my goal of preparing for my first Ironman. The Nutmegman Half Ironman in late September was a grueling race, but also led me to my first Top 3 age group finish at a sanctioned race (yes it was a rather small race). And then my first Ironman in Arizona in November.

Since then, I really relaxed, worked out as little as possible and the last few days of the year we enjoyed the Holidays and a few days of skiing at Brian Head in southern Utah. Now, it is 2009, the successes of last year no more than a memory and personal history. Still, I am happy with what I have accomplishe. It was a very good year!