It's hard for me to wrap my head around the triathlon-related events of the last year. The journey took me in directions I could never have predicted with surprises I could not have imagined (thanks, Endurance Films!!!). Given the challenges with which I began the year, I feel so fortunate, so grateful, to have had any race season at all, let alone one that finished as successfully as this one did. I started 2011 with a fractured fibula on the left leg, contributing to drop foot in the right leg, which in turn brought about tendonitis. Drop foot meant a numb shin and foot, weakness, and a loss of dorsiflexion. It was like walking with a flipper instead of a foot. This year taught me much about respecting pain as information to be dealt with (and not ignored) as well as patience, faith, and gratitude. It reaffirmed how important the sport of triathlon is to me. This was the first full year that I handed over entirely to Coach Jim. The previous year I split off before my fall marathon training and I made some costly mistakes. I'm grateful for Coach Jim's wisdom, experience, and ability to manage me through some trying times and I am finishing this year healthier and stronger than ever before. I could not have asked for a more satisfying adventure and I would not change a single thing. I still can't believe that this is ME on this adventure, I feel I have to capture it to prove to myself that it is real, and I want others to experience the excitement of sport through triathlon. So for whatever it is worth, these are highlights of my crazy triathlon year in pictures. January
- Waterproof cast at least allowed for a swim focus.
February
March
April
May- Return to racing - Smith Mountain Lake Sprint Tri [1st Masters]
- Meet Mike Morris, setting of chain of events that results in adding Nationals to my schedule
June
July- Focus on training, a family trip to the beach
- Beach means first (short) ocean swim and my highest bike mileage week thanks to housemate John (166 miles)
August
September
October- Added Giant Acorn Sprint onto schedule for "fun" but instead go a test of fortitude with temps in the 40s!!
- Giant Acorn Sprint (1:19:10) - 10/2/11 [11/304, 3rd Master's]
- Marathon training going great, including a long run in San Diego. Legs feeling strong, psyche gaining confidence!
November
December- Time off of running and racing to reflect, recover and get fired up for 2012!
- Good-bye 40-44, hello new age group....45-49!!
- 1st overall Female Master's in Virginia Triathlon Series
- Ranked 187th in 40-44 USAT - All American Honorable Mention (up from 226 last year) - plenty of women faster than me to serve as inspiration.
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