Happy New Year!

Last post I was Spring Cleaning in August, now it's New Year's in September. No I haven't slipped into some parallel universe or hit my head. As I get ready to head back to work, September always feels like a "new year".

First of all, a shout out to all my friends (and I hope I remember everyone!) who participated in Ironman Canada on Sunday. Some of you had a fantastic day while others may have left feeling disappointed. Regardless of how your day ended, remember that it takes incredible physical and mental strength, determination and dedication to make it to the start line and for that you deserve congratulations. I am so proud of you all!

Karen Birkenhead (PR - Sub 11 hours)
Jay Inouye (20th Ironman)
Robert Beattie
Calla Barras
Harry Woo
Darcie Young (first timer)
Jeff Vanderende (first timer)
Dean Chittock (first timer)
Mark Shorter
Shannon Back
James Greenwood (first timer)
Caroline Greenwood (first timer)

Ironman week. The days leading up to the event, the "Big Day" and the days after make up one of my favourite weeks of the year. I've gone to Penticton every year for the past five years and whether I'm there to cheer, encourage, support or participate, I always leave feeling like I've either accomplished something or I've helped my friends achieve their goals. Even as a "spectahlete" (thanks Jill, for that term, I LOVE it!) I feel the energy build up before race day and the sudden let-down after. For me it is the natural time to regroup, assess the past year and decide what the next 12 months will hold for me.

I don't remove myself from society or go into a meditative state to accomplish this, but I do make an effort to reflect during the week. Here is the short list:

1. I say this cautiously but I think I am noticing some improvement in my feet. Cautious because anything such as a slight decrease in activity, my new orthotics or knowing that I have a new "fixable" diagnosis can cause this. Or, It may actually be the prolotherapy doing its thing. Fingers crossed that it is the latter and that things will keep getting better. I have to maintain a careful balance of doing enough to a) keep some fitness level and b) know what I am able to do, and not doing so much that I hamper healing and increase pain (which then stops me from doing anything). It is like walking a tightrope, but if I don't step off the platform, I won't go anywhere at all.
   
2. I am over my swimming "drought" and as long as I don't hammer on the walls flip-turning in the pool, it is feeling pretty good.
3. I am ready to take on my nutrition. I have always had a hard time dealing with things separately; I am much more an "all or nothing" person, but this approach is neither healthy nor helpful. So it is not just about nutrition, it is also about managing the many aspects of healthy living even when they don't all happen at once.
   
4. I went through my workout & training logs from 2006 - 2008. I put in a lot of hours training for Ironman and the Bay Challenge. This was an "off" year for me and I'm ready to pick it up again. Keeping point #1 in forefront though.
   
5. I've decided on a goal for 2010. I am still fine-tuning a few points, so I won't be sharing the destination until everything has been ironed out. Here's a hint though: Swimming and Sweden.

I hope to have the details of #5 figured out shortly; it will be posted here as soon as I do!