Time to get back to training!!!!

I have enjoyed three weeks of chilling time and I am happy to report I am back to a training schedule. Now different coaches have different philosophies on how much time to take off. Some athlete's just take a week and get back to training. I usually get 3 - 4 weeks to do other fun things with the family and to give the mind and body a break from the structured routine of training. When I first got into Ironman I would take a week and get right back to a schedule, but found it became a very long winter and sometimes I felt I really missed out on a well needed break. Also there are a lot of sacrifices that have to be made throughout the year to compete at your best level. In my break I like to spend as much time as possible doing fun things with friends and family and really finding the balance in my life again.

After Ironman Florida I was feeling particularly run down due to racing sick and instead of pushing onwards to go race a very difficult 70.3 in Phuket, Thailand. Coach Paulo thought it best to take a break. This was a good idea!!!

Me being me I quickly found other things to fill my time. Out came the mountain bike....which I love!!!!! The woods are so calm and the rides are always fun and challenging. Mountain biking for me is LIFE at it's best. I love to ride fast and hear my heart beat, finding new trails and exploring old ones. I like to work on the climbs or try some jumps I am afraid of. I like when the trails diverge and I have to pick one that I don't know where it might take me. I face my fears on difficult sections. I go back to them again and again trying to conquer them.
So as you can tell I got some good rides in!
I too got a little swimming, easy and in our indoor pool which means short swims followed by long hot tubs and steams. The pool I train in has no luxuries!
Lastly I really discovered Yoga. A friend of mine suggested I try it and that I may love it. I have and I spent three weeks going to yoga everyday....!!!! Pure bliss. There is nothing like walking into a Hot Vinyasa Flow class when it is cold and rainy outside!!!! I really needed to get some flexibility back too and all the stretching felt great!



I too got to enjoy time with my family going into NYC and spending time at the beach,hiking,sleeping in and just having no where to rush too!



The time off always goes so quickly but I am always thrilled to get back to my training schedule.
I am planning my year and setting new goials. Lots of exciting things in the works!!!!
I will be updating soon.
First I will need to give out some big thanks to my sponsors and then secondly I need to put together my traditional good bye to 2010 photo collage....then plans for 2011!!!!!