You had a long season and are just winding up for the winter months to come. Looking back on last year, you had a couple minor injuries and perhaps few set backs, but you managed to get in those last few competitions of the season.

I must apologize ahead of time for the small font and the length. This was a difficult task to summarize such an amazing experience into something manageable for you to read before the turn of the New Year.

Coach Barbara writes: Whilst another triathlon season here in New Zealand is over, for many others in the northern hemisphere, it's just beginning. Although it may have been a great season and most of you would have noticed some improvements here and there, for some of you it was your first experience of having a less than satisfactory race because of your preparation.

A funny thing happens in an athlete's career when you have kids. You go from caring more about your athletic goals to those of your kids. As your children grow, their sports, school and social activities start to consume your life. While you want to go to all their games, practices, meetings, and events, you also feel your athletic goals slipping away.

We all miss workouts.  Work and family commitments, illness, injury (or avoiding injury) and weather all may cause us to miss a workout.  If you follow the Active Recovery plan, you do not schedule days off, but take them when you need.  As adult athletes, it is all part of our juggling act. So, what should you do about that missed workout?  Here are some simple guidelines:

The Competitive Rules are intended to provide for the orderly and consistent administration of events sanctioned by USA Triathlon and are not designed to establish standards of care for the safety of participants or other persons.

Coach Wendy writes: We've all done it at least once! Many have experienced it. Some still have the scars to prove it. Yes, even the pro's find it a challenge. Finding the best gear to fit ones unique body bits is often a trialing experience!

The second annual World's Toughest Half-ironman triathlon took place Saturday, April 17 in Sierra foothill town of Auburn, CA. There were over 300 participants, led by the outstanding performances of Tim and Nicole DeBoom of Lyons, CO. Tim, the 2x Hawaii Ironman World Champion, completed the course in 4 hours, 28 minutes.