It is snowing in Boulder again. It has been the coldest and snowiest winter that anyone can remember. I haven’t spent this much time on the indoor trainer since my last winter in Baltimore. It is certainly making me look forward to my trip to California to train in San Diego and Palm Springs next month. I spent New Year’s on the Big Island training with a group headed by Mitch Gold. We stayed in Waikoloa Village the first week, giving us the opportunity to do rides through Waimea and the Kohala Mountains. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was top notch. On Dec 31, we did a very low-key aquathon, a ¾ mile swim and a 4 mile run. It was so informal, there were no sign ups; when you exited the water someone handed you a popsicle stick with your place. When we moved into Kona, we did some southern rides, including rides to the City of Refuge and Ocean View. It was a nice change of scenery from the monotony of the Queen K highway.

My first race of the year will be the Palm Springs Half Marathon. In March I am traveling to Honduras for the Bay Islands Triathlon, an ITU points race. Yes, I am getting back into the world of the ITU in the hopes of amassing enough points to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials. It will be tough juggling the short course races with long course, but I am ready and motivated. I will confront the demons of 2005’s DNF at Ironman Arizona in April. Hopefully the dreadful weather will end soon so I can get outside for some long rides!

Good luck to everyone. Race hard, have fun.

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