The New Hope..The New Opportunity..The promise of a New Year

January 1, 2011...

For many, today is a day of resolutions that will go in one year and out the other. This isn't my first year full of hope and dreams of an Ironman finish but this IS the year that it will be done.

As I ran my first workout of my Ironman year, I was full of hope and happiness. A fresh slate gives you perspective and a feeling of endless possibilities. It gives you the feeling that you CAN write down those impossible goals .. and achieve them. It is an amazing emotion.

I want this year to be like no other. I want to be focused...consistant...NOT PERFECT. No one's training is perfect, not even the professionals...but I have this feeling about this year that I haven't had in the past. Call it a hunger. Call it passion. Call it what you wish....Ill just chalk it up to hope and belief in my Ironman dream.

I start my year with a new coach. This might come as a shock to some because, if you know me well, you know I am a very loyal individual. Switching coaches came with much thought and a lot of heartache but I knew it had to be done. My former coach, Hector Torres, has become an incredible Elite coach and his clients are out there taking podiums and going to Kona. I felt a little overwhelmed by the people training with Hector and this was affecting my ability to train. Please don't misunderstand....every single person on the Central Florida Tri Club was kind and supportive of my efforts. These feelings of not belonging in the group came from me and I knew it was time to move to a different coach. Hector will forever be known as the coach that got me through my Half Ironmans and improved my biking time by more than 40 minutes. Hector took me from being afraid of being aggressive on the bike to loving the speed and the handling. I am so honored to have been a part of his program.

I start 2011 with Consuela "Sway" Lively and her "Tri with Sway" coaching program in hopes she will bring me to my first Ironman finish. She has an incredible resume including participating in the ITU World Championships, finishing in the top 6% of her Ironman races and completing an Ultraman (wanna really be overwhelmed...go look up what an Ultraman includes!!). She is a kind, sweet spirit with lots of experience to share. I am looking forward to 2011 and working with those involved with her group.

So here we are...its put up or shut up time. Ive talked a lot about Ironman 2011...now its time to put in the work.

Ill see you on the road....