I have not been in training induced pain, in a long time. We all know how I make recovery a priority, and being that I'm a Mompreneur who works from home, that task is made rather easy. I conference call in compression socks most days of the week.
(The rule about wearing them in public still stands- if you do, please know that this is VERY wrong, it must STOP now!)

Yet today, after a week of some intense "get back into mode' training - I stepped out of bed, and proceeded down the steps on my tip toes. I had forgotten how track work can linger in the calves- OUCH! So obviously the season is in full swing, and I'm happy to report that the swim and runs of this week have hurt a bit, as they should!

I haven't posted in a while. I guess I needed to step back and prioritize before I filled your world with more useless info. The recent weeks have been buzzing with tri related activity- and I am VERY VERY excited.

I have stated many times how I believe that tri is much like life itself. The planning, the process of trials and achievements, the START - the journey - the FINISH that only brings you enough joy or heartache to get you to the next START. A long run can be a very spiritual few hours, a burning swim sprint just another witness to just how far you can dig.

I have learned that what we take for granted in this sport can be ripped from you in a second, without warning and without fairness. A kick in the swim can ruin a race; a tragedy on the bike can ruin a life. The levels of pain on those first 2km in training can easily lead the whimps right back home. It takes a strong amount of dedication, passion, reason and mental toughness to get out the door everyday; like in life, if we allow the uncomfortable to slow us down, it will proceed to stop us.

Last year, in the days following the deaths of 3 local, beautiful triathletes, a lot of questions came up. I believe most of us had a few very sincere conversations with ourselves and our families: "Do I go on?" "Is it worth it?" With everyone around us saying "NO!", somehow, some weeks later, we persevered. We've all been in this situation I am sure, you only need to watch the Kona broadcast to cast fear -this sport has a dark, dangerous side, and those on the sidelines of encouragement can be quick to ask us why we ever take the risk.

This year, in my personal life, I am facing those same challenges. I have a reason in my heart for doing what I do, yet the majority around me were quick to step down without support or encouragement. I changed the pace of my daily motions (that was comfortable to them), and as a result, I lost most along the way. They don’t get it, they don’t know enough about the details; rather than learning- they ducked out.
But that's OK. And I'm really OK. And big things are happening that very few could foresee.
In most long distance events, being steady wins the race.

So I go back to a blog I posted last year, about doing something good for others:
http://julie-gorham.blogspot.com/2010_09_12_archive.html

Well, it's happening! It's finally happening!! There are final details being worked out; logos to organize, race suits to order, websites to launch, and final media details to be confirmed.... My racing will be for a greater cause. My training will be to shed some light, and together, we will raise awareness for something very worthy, and something greater than this Yellow Brick blog!

Our sport is like life- you can use your race to simply race faster next time, or you can boldly wear your medal to the office and perhaps inspire others to tri.

To the many wonderful people involved and encouraging this new, awesome project- I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your support is golden!

Train safe- spring has sprung!
P.S.- Anyone raising funds for a race charity, contact me if you need fundraising help. There is a better way to raise much more$$!!! 63reasons@gmail.com