It has been awhile since I have posted a proper update on my blog- since late September to be exact! A lot has happened in the past four months, so I will try to keep it brief and use photos to distract you from the less exciting paragraphs of text.
My apartment may have been a goner, but the silver lining was that I got to spend the next three months with the amazing Hoops Family, who soon became family to me. With the help of Rich, Traci, Lexie, Payton, McCall and Remi, I emotionally recovered, got some new clothes, and went on with my life. The love and support that the Hoops showed me during this time is something I will be eternally thankful for.
In the midst of this transition, I wasn't really sure what my next move would be. There was no exact date on when the remodeling of my apartment would be finished, and as much as I would have loved to stay with the Hoops forever, I knew that I would need to make some decisions for the upcoming year.
After communication for several weeks, I received an email in early November from Darren Smith, an Australian triathlon coach, welcoming me to his international squad of athletes. I still remember the incredible mixture of emotions I felt when I found out, mainly pure excitement. I knew this was going to be the start of the next chapter of my life.
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| Came home to find this from the Hoops in my room. One of the many gestures that made me feel so loved! |
Traveling home for Thanksgiving was next up on the schedule. Seeing family is always a treat, and I embraced our time together. My parents and sisters have been my biggest supporters from the start of my career, through the highs and lows, and everything in between. Celebrating the news with them was very special and I could see just how excited they all are for me and the journey ahead.
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| With all my sisters on Thanksgiving day. |
Before heading back to Colorado for my final two weeks, I made a stop in Arizona for a few days to meet Darren for the first time. Both Lindsey Jerdonek and I were invited to spend a few days shadowing world-class sprinters, vaulters, hurdlers and jumpers training at Athletes Performance in Phoenix, AZ. We met Dan Pfaff, an incredibly wise and experienced coach, who has worked with nine Olympic medalists and five world record-holders during his 39-year career. These three days with the athletes, coaches, and Darren were a peak into the sphere of high level sport, and the attention to detail and focus it takes to be absolute world class.
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| Dan Pfaff in the center with some amazing athletes surrounding! |
The two weeks following flew by- I packed up all of my belongings into my car, trained, met up with friends for one last coffee or lunch date, shipped boxes, and celebrated Chris' birthday and graduation.
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| Birthday boy. Coke and cake- combination of champions. |
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| Proud of my graduate! |
I also came down with the flu (Yes Mom, I should have gotten a flu shot) during my final day in Colorado, which made an already emotional goodbye even more painful. The Hoops organized a farewell breakfast the morning of my departure, and despite waking up with a 104 fever, I refused to miss it. Chris's mom, Cindy, and sister, Brittany were in town as well, so it was a great gathering with lots of people I love. As I sweat out my fever, tears filled my eyes while hugging everyone goodbye- I was an absolute mess! The photo below is prior to the emotional breakdown.
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| Traci, Rich, me, Payton and Remi after farewell breakfast. |
If there is anywhere I would want to have the flu, it would be at home. My fever was often so high that I could barely walk, and I missed out on some holiday fun. My sisters took good care of me, bringing me new blankets to sweat through and water to chug down. By the time the holiday was over, I was starting to come around, just in time for my departure on New Years Eve to California.
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| Christmas Eve, before Santa even came! |
And here I am now in Chula Vista, Calif., less than two weeks away from heading off to New Zealand. Camp here has flown by and I am learning so much from Darren, Rick (our physio master), Nico (our Swiss physiology intern), and all my D squad teammates. I am seeing improvement every week, and continuing to tick away at the job. Consistency is key, and I know that I am doing the best job I can at getting better every day.
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| Run session towards the beginning of camp. Photo credit: Kevin Koresky |
