What better way to pass the time productively in an airport than with a Starbucks iced coffee by the window (yes it's warm here in Phoenix to all you Canadian readers!!) and a little blog? 

I arrived in Las Cruces to find that I was lacking in a checked bag and a bicycle.  As the next day wasn't yet the official start of camp (only an informal swim with those of us who had arrived) I borrowed a 'bather' (as my Australian roomate, Tegan, called it) and a cap/goggles from Trevor Wurtele.  Bags arrived later that day, and so the crisis was averted.  Or so it seemed.

The first few days of camp were awesome.  I was so stoked to be there to begin with as I had watched it all unfold from a wheelchair the year before.  And second of all I was very pleased with my fitness as I now had something a little more tangible to gauge it on.  It was now clear that I was very near being ready to race.  Things were very much on track.  And then the unexpected happened.

After an interval session on the bike a couple of us were riding home.  Thinking about dinner and some rest, that 'bump' in the middle of the road came out of nowhere.  At 40(+) kph I hit it hard and fell equally as hard on my left side.  Some road rash on my arm and hip, and a very tender hip flexor followed suit.  I had to then take the next two days off to recover.

Some spray on bandaid had me back doing our daily 6k sessions with the group in the pool 2 days later.  Paulo also delivered a trainer for me to do my rides on as I continued to recover (but a few days after that I was back riding with the group). 

The problem was: No Running.  My hip was far too sore as it had taken the brunt of the impact from the fall.  I canot begin to explain how difficult this was for me to deal with mentally and emotionally.  In fact, it was some of the toughest days I experienced since the car accident over a year ago. For someone who had spent over a year on the sidelines already, I felt like this situation was asking too much of me.   In fact it nearly threw me over the edge...several times.  I had JUST started to get my stride back after clawing my way back to it for an entire year...and then this.  Life seemed pretty damn unfair.

Wondering if I was cursed or if I was somehow on the wrong path...or something...I did my best to just get through it.  Feeling strongly that I was there to learn something the more I stayed on, the more I learned.  This is what I learned:

1.) I learned that as tough and "up and down" as the The Triathlon Squad lifestyle can be (and is) the lessons are in fact in the adversity itself.  Although I had been in an "adverse" situation for the last year I guess I think I forgot how tough the life of a professional triathlete could be.  This was here to remind me.  Accident or no accident.  I needed to remember what my job really entailed.  Time to wake up!

2.) I also learned/remembered the benefit of training with other professional athletes can not be understated.  You are pushed in every session.  Paulo watching your every move (while you think he's more interested in his i-phone...don't be fooled) just adds to that intensity.  And the morale of the group is what keeps you going on the moments where you just don't know where you're going to find it yourself.

3.) I learned that I had already climbed a mountain.  Fought the fight of my life.  And survived. I won that fight. This was just a bump.  Big deal.

4.) I learned that I am ready to race (very very soon at least) and that is something that most thought I would never do again...especially at the professional level.  With my hip aready making very big strides as I write this I will be back to running soon and I will have exactly the push I need with the squad to get all of my run fitness back - and more.  

5.) I also learned that this season for me is about continuing to build my fitness.  It's not about coming back in peak fitness.  It's about being at a solid fitness level for my first race (I promise I will give you the name of that race VERY soon!!) and building throughout the season.  One step at a time.

6.) And I ALSO learned how important it is to be patient and deliberate in my approach to my goals - in sport and in life.  

Now, time for a little reprieve and then onwards and upwards in San Diego on the 18th of February.  And the project continues.