Kona Project Update: "Spring Fever"

Is it here, or isn't it?  I'm talking about Spring.  This past Sunday it snowed, and I did my 4 hr ride on the trainer in my basement.  Yesterday, Tuesday, it was 75 degrees outside.  It's the time of year where Mother-Nature can't decide what she wants.  However, there are undeniable signs that spring has sprung. 

1. 75 and sunny! 
2. Baseball is back!  The Buccos won their Home-Opener in walk-off fashion as Neil Walker hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Cubs.
3. And, racing season is here!!!

While my first race of the season is still six weeks away, May 18th in Columbia, MD, some of my friends have already had the races of their lives. 

Two weeks ago, Kim Schwabenbauer and Bruce Jenkins posted career days at the Asia-Pacific Championships in Melbourne, Australia.  Kim finished on the podium as the third female pro with a time of 9:10:06 and Bruce set an Ironman PR with a time of 9:46:29.  If that wasn't impressive enough, last week at Ironman Los Cabos, Beth Shutt finished as the 4th female pro with a time of 9:32:28.  Wow!!! Congratulations to each of them.  They are dedicated athletes that put in the time and energy, and they are seeing it pay off.

These inspiring performances, along with the warmer weather, has provided added motivation and energy for me.  My training has been going well, but there is plenty of work still to be done.  Working with Coach Chad, I continue to train smarter and harder than ever.  I've dealt with a few bumps along the way adjusting physically to the increased workload and intensity, but seem to be getting stronger in all three phases, as I prepare to compete with the best in my age group at Eagleman 70.3 on June 8th.