While everybody is excited about Kona...

I am currently building base... This means nice long hours in the saddle, on the feet, and.... in the pool! Yes, I said it... In the pool!  The foot injury knocked my off of my feet for 3 weeks.  I got bored, as do most athletes during a period of rest, and decided to learn how to swim.  I joined a local swim clinic with a former Navy guy.  He whipped me up real good.  I went into the swim clinic not being able to breathe on both sides, getting beat by the high schoolers, and practically drowning.  Practically everyday now I am in the pool building the skill set.  Next year I want to compete in two 70.3 events.  Currently I am thinking of doing Chattanooga and Beach2Battleship but I am always open for opinions! Please leave me some ideas for 70.3 events and Olympic distance races!

So with the announcement out... this does not mean I will stop competing in duathlons.  I love the run-bike-run sufferfest that is duathloning.  One of my main goals for next year is to win the National Championship in sprint AND long distance.  It all depends on how those races line up with my schedule.  Either way, Grandover Parkway is going to be a definite race because of the talent it brings early in the season.

How am I feeling regarding the foot injury?  Well, I ended up getting a local steroid injection to reduce inflammation.  The MRI revealed that nothing was torn (thank god) which meant no surgery necessary.  The understanding doctor, Dr. Stover, at Park Ridge Health recommended rest or the injection.  Dr. Stover pushed more towards the injection because he understood what taking another 6 weeks off meant to my athletic career.  He prepped me for the injection by saying it was extremely painful. 
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So until next time...

Mountain Athlete is out! Stay hungry and stay strong.