The Plan

It's a new year and I've got a new plan, well not so new really, just more in tune with the Ironman training lifestyle I think. The newish part is that I'm going to make a solid effort to keep up my 3x weekly yoga and strength/core training regime. I want this year to be about doing as well as I can, so I need to avoid injury and health issues as much as possible. I'm on my own for racing this year. Jeff is on a sabbatical of sorts from Ironman this year, with only 2 races on his schedule - one being Lake Stevens 70.3, the other the BMO Marathon in Vancouver.

I feel ready to giv'er. I have all the necessary and unnecessary crap to get through training and races. Big races (70.3 and IMCozumel) have already been paid for and accommodation is booked. I have a good nutrition plan from last year. My swimming and biking are right where they were when I left off....now I just have to man up on the running end, tweak the nutrition and build on my improvements last year in the bike and swim.

This November I want to get in the water in Cozumel and feel as calm and ready as I did at IMC 2009, but I want to add something this year - the mental drive to push past what I think I can do. Game on.

Dreaming of hot Mexican weather during hot yoga class.

I've recently taken up hot yoga, yoga in general actually, to supplement my sporadic attempt at P90X. I took the plunge into yoga after my dog ate my P90X dvd, plus I was curious to see just how the P90 version of yoga stood up to the real thing. Turns out the P90 psychos make you do some of the most difficult yoga poses out there so it's been nice to learn some easier poses and how to do them properly. The whole hot part will be good for acclimatizing for next year's IM in Cozumel.

This fall has been hard. I've been sick a lot. Been really busy with work and really had little motivation or desire to delve into anything too triathlon related. I want to be excited to get back on a training program in January, not sick to my stomach thinking about it.

So, back to the yoga. It's been really good. I feel stronger and more flexible and like I can continue this trend into next season and be injury free - well at least injuries related to lack of strength as has been my problem with my hips, knees and core.

Sugoi recently renewed all their brand champions so I'm looking forward to a full year of supporting them and getting awesome deals on their gear.

The only solid plans for 2010 are: Lake Stevens 70.3 in August and IM Cozumel in November. Aside from that Coach Callaghan tells me I'll be doing some half marathons, some 10kms, some cycling road races and likely the good ole 4km Canada Day swim at Sasamat. Although I'm looking ahead to 2010, 2009 is not completely finished. Jeff and I are headed off on a much anticipated vacation the end of which will be capped off with the good ole Vegas marathon/half marathon. Jeff's doing the full of course as he wants to capitalize on the fitness he's kept up since IMC. I on the other hand haven't been running much at all and will be doing the half marathon and just hoping not to get my worst time on record. I think our dog has better run fitness than me right now!! :)

I'm hoping to come back from vacation recharged and ready to do this all over again next year. I'm also hoping my recon during IM Cozumel will be the final convincing factor for some of the fence sitters in our group. Will be fun no matter what, but will be much more fun if more people are able to join us next year.

Adios muchachos, hasta que el proximo tiempo.