Tomorrow, March 1, 2010 is the start of the third month of the year. For me, tomorrow represents the start of my training season and my 11th year as a multisport athete. The past year has been challenging - a nagging hamstring / piriformis injury followed by a cranky L5 facet joint has left me with numerous attempts of short rest followed by too aggressive training sessions and subsequently a chronic aching back. During the past 3 months rest and other therapeutic interventions have proven successful in resolving this issue. Swimming and biking I can now do without discomfort and I anticipate that I will be back to consistent pain free running (of at least 2 miles) in the next few weeks.

This has been a humbling experience for me. In 2000 I started biking and running - that year I also initiated  my PhD work did my first duathlon and ran Columbus marathon. The following year I continued my running and duathlon events and took on the task of teaching myself how to swim. In June, 2002 I completed my first triathlon followed by - Yes, you guessed it, my first Ironman distance event in September. Since that time I have completed numerous triathlon and other multisport events. My drive, tennacity and passion for the sport of triathlons allowed me to maintain my goal of always being in shape to do a 1/2 Ironman distance at any time, which I did, until a year ago.

Looking back to 2008 - It was a great year. Ironman Arizona in April quickly folowed by an Olympic distance race in June.  About 8 weeks after that I traveled to Seattle for a sprint distance triathlon. Two days later I completed a century ride in Oregon. For some reason I thought it would be neat to wrap up my year where I started and returned to Tempe, AZ in October and completed a 1/2 Ironman. I wrapped up 2008 with a  a brief (very brief) “recovery” and started training in January, 2009. By February my body said “Enough!” Something needed to change.

It has now been over a year - slowly but surely, I have come to the realization that in order to be able to continue to do these multisport activities, I must do things different. I am fortunate to have the help of a great coach and therapist to keep me on track with strength training and periodization.

So, to all my Brand Champion fans and friends - I wish you a safe training season! I know 2010 will bring us all back “out there” in our red, black and white apparel!

Thanks, Sugoi!

Theresa