Good morning all – I am writing this on the flight home from Kona. Being there the last few days, riding the course & running on the course, it gave me an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings without the stress and craziness of IM World Championships. It also allowed me to look at the year ahead and how to structure the season that lies ahead. Knowing that the last time I rode my bike on these roads I was having a great IM, running past the spots on the course where I stopped or felt awful, reminded me that it is just one day – I was able to feel good about passing those spots, I had left nothing out there I would question even today. And although that day means a lot to all of us, it is about how we got there, what sacrifices we made, and how we remained honest & true to ourselves that we left nothing on the race course. What are you doing today to feel better about ‘that’ day – whether in Kona or any triathlon goals you have?

Many of you are currently in a pre-season phase which seems off from your usual triathlon routine. I hope you all can understand that these are important steps in your journey to a successful 2012 triathlon season. Your focus is hopefully on the strength & core sessions during the week vs. the swimming, biking and running. We want to use this time to get stronger, set up the body to prevent injury, and improve our muscular movements of cycling, running and swimming. We all know there is plenty of time ahead for some serious training volume, but for now, enjoy a different routine, structure, surrounding (the gym!) and stress level. The endurance hours you put in now, will NOT translate to the season that lies ahead, it will only limit your potential improvement in strength – the goal is to do the current routine as best you can, not partial endurance and partial strength. That is what we are doing today to reach our triathlon goals of 2012. Once we get through this phase, you will not only be stronger & better prepared for the rigors of the triathlon season, you will also be fresher in spirit and physically. Limited hours now keep you hungry for the hard weeks that lie ahead.

I also have had a chance to work through a lot of IM AZ race reports this past week. One thing stood out to me: those athletes that challenged themselves beyond what they are familiar with, the ones that ran into uncertainty, those that focused on avoiding leaving any potential on the course, they had great days. IM is no longer a calculated training day – it is a race. It is about fighting hard for the result you want, and nobody can get in the way of that. The days of “it’s just a long training day” are over, since NONE of you would be pleased with that result. It is just one day, but then make it count – feel good about it, leave nothing on that course. Your day is out there – how badly do you want it?