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December 31, 2007
That Time of Year Again
So we are back in PA and it is cold. Actually, it isn't too bad. But certainly a far cry from sunny SC! I'm telling you - those people have it good down there in the south! That is until around May when the heat and humidity become so oppresive that breathing takes much effort. I'm not sure if we'll ever move from Pittsburgh but at least for now, it's very nice knowing if the winter becomes too much to bear I have southern living family to take me in!
We had a wonderful vacation visiting my parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle and sister and brother in law. Oh, and I won mini golf so it really doesn't get much better than that. During the (very) long drive home on Saturday I was thinking to myself what a great off season I've had. Pretty much every single weekend since my last race in early November I've enjoyed visiting family, or old college friends, holiday parties, weddings, high school reunions, time with O that we usually don't have. It's really what the off season should be all about. Growing up as a runner I didn't really know an off season. The runner's year starts in the fall with cross country which runs directly into indoor track which runs directly into outdoor track which runs directly into big miles in preparation for the following cross country season. There was always another race right around the corner. But triathlon is different. You end the season and then wait another 4 or 5 months to start again. I'm still not quite used to the idea but it's growing on me. :)
But as of today, the off season is over for me. I have been training sure, in November not much at all and then in December just a little bit more. But today started my first 20 week cycle leading up to my first A race. Not that my training this week or even next week or the week after looks that much different. I still won't have any speed work (probably not until March) and I'm not all of a sudden going to start having 5 hour long rides. But the 20 week countdown has started and the volume will slowly start to rise and then the intensity and then before you know it, that first big, important race will be here.
And I couldn't be more excited.
I haven't sat down yet to really write out my goals for each race. I've thought about it a million times over and over. But soon I will deliberately sit down and write out what I want for each specific race. And I will post those goals here. And I will put them right in front of my face of where I'm sitting right now typing. I think I'm to the point where my goals are not just thoughts anymore, or hopes or wishes, but to that point where I can write them down and believe I can make them happen.
And so it is that time of year again. To think about the past year and to look ahead to the new one. To set some goals and have faith in your ability to achieve them. To leave the habits that hold you back, behind and to step forward into a new you. I for one, have made it a goal to get out of my own way!
Of course it wouldn't be a December 31 blog entry without the year's highs and lows. If you've been reading my blog for a bit you might remember that I do it each year. You can read old highs and lows here, here and here.
This little exercise started with my father several years back. He would make everyone in the family list their highs and lows and I think it's safe to say we all hated it. But somewhere along the way I started to like it. Because it's really nice too look back on a year and realize how many highs and how many lows you really do have. And how those highs and lows shaped your year and your life as a whole. And then how all the time in between the highs and lows is REALLY what living is. :) So what are my highs and lows of 2007?
Well the low is easy. And I bet you could guess. Getting hit by a truck on June 1st wasn't my best day ever. :) And although a lot of good came from overcoming a challenging situation like that, I would say the lowest part of my year was riding in the helicopter and being really and truly scared. At that point I didn't even know what I should be scared of. I didn't even feel pain then. But I also realized at that point that something bad had happened and even though there were people ALL around me (I swear there was like 15 flight crew medical people in there but there was probably just me and like 2 other people), I remember feeling really, really alone.
And my high? Well, there were a lot of them. I enjoyed many successful races and several wonderful trips, biggest of all, the trip to Germany for ITU worlds. An experience of a lifetime to say the least. But I would have to say that one of my biggest highs of the year was crossing the line in Michigan at the Steelhead 1/2 IM. I'm not sure why it was such a wonderful experience. Sure it was a good race and sure I performed better than I thought I would on that day. That race came at a time when it was a relief to have a good race again! And it was my first 1/2 IM. But this race was one of those rare experiences where I felt like on that day, I could not have gotten 1 more ounce out of myself. And that's a really satisfying feeling. I can remember running down that last stretch toward the finish line and just truly, truly being overwhelmed with emotion and joy.
And so it goes! I hope everyone has a wonderful start to 2008. Here's to stepping out in faith that you will achieve all you want and more and enjoy the ride along the way!
Posted by beth at December 31, 2007 4:49 PM
Comments
I just got your comment while I was reading your blog!
Happy New Year Beth and O!!! I can't wait to see you both demolish goal after goal after goal :)
Posted by: Audrey at December 31, 2007 5:48 PM
Hi Beth,
Loved your idea of writing down the highs and lows. Sometimes, they can really go unnoticed unless they are written down. Actually did Steelhead too. It was the first 1/2 IM for me and was one of my highest moments. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!!
Posted by: kerri at January 1, 2008 7:15 AM
Hi Beth,
Loved your idea of writing down the highs and lows. Sometimes, they can really go unnoticed unless they are written down. Actually did Steelhead too. It was the first 1/2 IM for me and was one of my highest moments. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!!
Posted by: kerri at January 1, 2008 7:16 AM