With tomorrow being the last scheduled race on my calender, the 2009 season is all but over. The YMCA Turkey Trot has been the perfect way to round off my season for the past four years. With crazy costumes, fast runners, and the best after party the Turkey Trot should be on every one's calender come November.
As for the rest of the 2009 season it has held some of the most memorable races and biggest hurdles to overcome. Mid-December I felt an agonizing pain in my heel and thought nothing of it. As I continued to run the pain became so unbearable I was forced to go to the doctor to get it checked out. Sure enough, before the season even started I was told not to run for the next 4-5 months. When I heard the verdict I partically wanted to hide in a closet and never come out. Everyone that knows me will tell you if I don't run it's bad news. Running is my life and alwasy will be, but Achilles tendinitis can develop into one of the most painful injuries if it is not properly taken care of. After knowing the situation I meet with the one guy who has always guided me in this sport; Pete Cerny. He told me to do what I can, let my tendon heal and get back to the sport as soon as you can. Don't change your race schedule, don't change your race strategy, and never change your mindset about the sport. Be tough and you will get through this with a positive outcome. Sitting there barely able to walk at the time, I figured he had one too many brews before the chat. Saying "How the hell can anything positive come of this? I cant FU**ing run for 5 months!" Sure enough...I was proven wrong.
As the racing season began I had only been running for about two months, and my swimming was struggling as usual. Coming into Keuka I had no idea what intensity I was able to race at, I just wanted to give it my all and whatever happened happened. As the season progressed I began amping up both the training intensity and volume. Training with some of the best triathletes in WNY allowed for me to build confidence and tweek some strategies about racing. After all said in done, the 2009 season came out to be my finest season to date. With two overall victories a stellar time at Muskoka 70.3 and winning my age group in every race, but two I am taking away nothing but positive thoughts about 2010. With the next few weeks designated to rest and recovery, I will then be focusing all of my energy on Ironman Lake Placid. 2.4 mile swim 112 bike and a 26.2 awaits for me in July and I am excited to see what new obstacles will approach me come January.
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