The past few years have been rather challenging for me. I haven’t seen the results that I set out to achieve; it hasn’t been from a lack of trying, as I definitely have done the work. It has been more about not making the right choices at the right time.
Originally when I started training for triathlon, it was my hobby and I was very intuitive about what I needed in terms of training, racing and recovery. At that time it was easy for me to follow my gut instinct because it was my hobby and what I did for fun. As triathlon became more important to me by being my career, I started to look to others for advice and answers to questions I had. Getting advice from peers is a great thing to do in any field, but it is what I did with that advice that changed how I made decisions. Unfortunately, I started making decisions for myself not based on my instincts about how it would work best for me, but rather on how I thought the decision would look to others (who I respected and cared about).
So this year is all about listening to my intuitions! Who knows me better than me? (I will also consult with my coach, of course!)
I have had a string of injuries and have not listened to my body telling me that it hurt, and not that good kind of hurt either. I love the good hurt and pain of training; it is that bad pain of an injury that I need to be aware of. I must be smart enough to listen to what my body is telling me. Up until now I have been so driven by my love training and racing and my desire to get back to performing like I used to that I haven’t stopped to rest at the right times. I haven't allowed my body to heal enough to be able to get to where I know I can be -back on the podium at World Cup races.
After an autumn filled with more rehabilitation from an injury I sustained following a crash on my bike in Sept 2006, I took a lot of time to think and decide how I would approach this upcoming season. It is obviously a very important year as the 2008 Olympics are in Beijing this August. It is my goal to be on the Canadian Olympic triathlon team and have another opportunity to perform to the best of my ability on the world stage at the Olympics. There are two positions left on the women’s team, and these positions will be selected based on performances over the next 6 months. In a short amount of time I have to get back in really great shape and start racing like I know I can. The exact criteria to make the team are:
1) First Canadian finisher and a top 8 finish at World Championships, which are in Vancouver on June 8th. (You also need a top 8 in a World Cup leading up to this race.)
2) A discretionary spot which the high performance committee will decide according to who they think will be the best athlete to fill the position.
Making the team is a tall order, but it is a challenge I am excited and happy to take on. I would like to start the New Year by thanking my long time and continuing sponsors who have supported me throughout these difficult times. Many thanks to Nike, Orbea, and The Bike Barn; I couldn’t do it without your continued support. Thanks to my friends and family (you know who you are) for always being there. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome a new sponsor to my support team - Vancity Capital; they are already playing an important role in supporting me in my bid to make my second Olympic Team this year. Thank you Vancity Capital.
Here's to the best year ever!
