Time to get the year started!

It's race time!!! Finally!!! My body is ready, my mind is ready, and my heart is ready.

It has been a long winter for me. The weather not so brutal here in Ohio, but having spent the last two winters training with other people in warmer climates, the lonely inside winter has been tough. Its the mental stuff that gets me when I am cooped up in a basement all day, cracking the whip on myself physically and only me to motivated myself.  There were plenty of good days, but also a few bad ones. This is how life is in general. Every day can not be perfect. I started looking at my training different; one workout at a time, one interval at a time. The more I stay present the easier it is to make it through the tough ones.

I will say though, that I think this experience will make me stronger, happier, and appreciative as the 2012 season goes on. I have made some changes to my routine, including a new coach and style of training. I am much more focused on intensity, strength and measuring my progress and improvements on a regular basis. In the last three months, I have been able to see my physical improvements by having goals in each of my workouts and watching what was once impossible become not so impossible anymore. When I sit back and can see the progress it is a great feeling. Now I just need to get out there and see what I can do, and see where I build from there on out.

So this weekend, I will toe the line at Rev3 Costa Rica Olympic race. Although the short stuff isn't my preference, I really think it is important to be versed in every side of the sport. It will be good to push and test myself in a field of outstanding athletes. I love the way that Rev3 puts on a race and I'd be lying if I say the destination wasn't a draw. Being in the cold for winter makes this a perfect end to my cabin fever! I'll probably need lots of sun screen though, no sun on this whitey in a while.