With the likes of Twitter and Facebook I often feel like my blogs repeat the 'already stated' but with the limitations of these updates and tweets, I feel like there is so often so very much more to say.  Even more so for a verbose blabla'er such as myself.  So here's the story.

Yes, I am going to St. George for the 4th (my 1st) squad camp of the year.  The first of the actual camps was in Las Cruces in January when, as some of you may recall, I was entertaining life in a wheelchair due to a large number of major bones on my entire left side being broken.  Those were the good old days.  Right.  The second squad camp was in Tuscon during Feb/March.  Let's see.  Around that time I was just getting rid of my crutches, starting to swim again, and moving from recumbant bike to upright.  The seeds of progress were really starting to be planted, but still I was very far away from anything 'squad camp-like.' The third was also in Las Cruces in April/May and a time when, personally, I was just finding my stride again.  Swimming alot.  Out on the open road.  And starting to run again, albeit cautiously, so that it allowed for the tendonosis from the surgery and lack of mobility to work its way out. And it is still working its way out, but it's closer than ever.  Patience.

And now we are on the verge of the 4th camp in St. George, which I will very much be attending - 6.5 months post accident.  Initially,  doctors told me it may take two years (where that time frame came from I'll never know) before I would be back to the level of training I had been at before, and that 'even then' I may not every make it back to where I was.  And I will be the first to admit that they may have been right this "one" time.  

I will not be back to where I was before.  I have no interest in being at that 'before' level.  I have only one interest.  Going beyond.  So, I'll give this one to the doctors.  They were correct this time.  (And let it be known I am not talking about my incredible surgeons....I am talking to the doctors in general that didn't believe at first.)  The ones that slowly stopped saying anything at all once they realized that the terms "can't" or "probably won't" or "might not" were not phrases that I had any intention of bringing into the equation.  Did/does this work?  I'll let you be the judge of that.

I am going to the camp to learn from Paulo and my squad mates.  I am going to  "carry water and chop wood."  I am going to get my head back in the game, but not the way it was before.  A very different approach, and a full immersion into it, awaits, and soon. For me it feels a little like I will be put into some sort of arena...but without any armor.  Swimming with very fast (lots of ITU) swimmers will be one thing.  The fact that I am still having to take it easy with the run, my strength, is another.  Yet another will be the fact that all the other athletes on the squad are in full mid-season mode and most will be at the top of their game while I have been busy re-building from scratch.  But if you look at this, if you REALLY look at it....it's perfect.  The ultimate learning experience.  Pride has been stripped down.  I am the epitome of a 'blank slate.'  And I think I am heading into the opportunity of a lifetime.  Seriously, bring it.

Yet, beyond this, I have realized lately that there is a huge thank you that has not gone out yet to some very important people on my blog yet.  A thank you to my sponsors.  Let me tell you a little bit about my sponsors this year: ZOOT Sports and FELT Bicycles (title sponsors) in particular, and about the people behind these companies and what they actually stand for.  

I could go on about how great their products are, but that would only make for the same kind of 'high fiving/thumbs up' comments that you get from any and all sponsored athletes.  So hear me out, I have something different to say.  

Let it be known that my contracts were not confirmed with ZOOT or FELT at the time of the accident.  So, they were not in any way legally bound to continuing to work with me.  So, I would like you all to know how they dealt with this situation. 

ZOOT in particular, came through with our original 'talks' of contracts.  They faxed me a contract to sign while I was still in the hospital.  They then proceeded to send me flowers with a card attached that said "we know you will be at the top of the women's pro field again."  Wow.  They also sent me running shoes (several pairs) to 'remind me' that I will run...and run fast again.  Double wow.  This is the kind of company that ZOOT sports is.

FELT Bicycles also did not have a contract set up with me formally in November at the time of my accident.  So, how did they proceed?  I'll tell you how.  They donated a bike to the Spinathon (which I was travelling to attend at the time of my accident).  As soon as I was ready to get on a bike, they sent me up a road bike for the trainer so I could be more comfortable.  Once I was ready for the aero position, they sent me up a B12 so that I could get rolling, which is a stellar ride.  The B2 is soon on its way (as it wasn't yet in North America in my size at the time) which I will be racing on for when I am ready for my comeback.  Not only do I love my teeny little FELT 48 cm. ride, but I equally love how FELT Bicycles has also stood beside me, ESPECIALLY when they didn't have to.  Epic. 

Nathan Hydration, Rudy Project, Louis Garneau, DeFeet, Cobb Cycling, Tri-It Multisport, Timex, Kurt Kinetic, Northwave Shoes, and Zipp Wheels (newest addition)....my seriously honorable mention goes out to all these companies as well.  Who have stood by me, regardless of how bleak things may have seemed initially.  

Things have definitely changed, and continue to change.  Thank you for all being a part of this recovery process.  I am honored to be endorsing every single one of you.

Onwards and Upwards.