Love the Hurt: 2012 in Review

If I had to pick one word to describe 2012 it would be FUN. It's been awhile since I've had a year that felt that way. It's a combination of family, training, friends and even work - overall it's just been a blast and I can't wait to carry that over into 2013. Although in this blog I can often times sound very serious about triathlon - if you know me in person, I'm really not that way. This blog is just an outlet to discuss my training, racing and some personal life experiences. Sometimes I can come across as intense or too serious on paper but just keep in mind that although I do put a lot of time/energy into triathlon - it isn't my life - it's just a part of it and I intend on keeping it that way.

This doesn't mean I don't want to go fast. That's really the only reason why I race triathlons. I don't do them to be an average triathlete that trains occasionally and their goal is to travel and finish races. There is nothing wrong with that - but it's not in my DNA. I love to compete and triathlon is my outlet and I'm having waaay too much fun doing it. In wrapping up 2012 in my 2nd year as a triathlete, although I went through hell trying to figure out long course and cramping I did come away with a lot of positives from the year - here's some highlights:

Podiumed 7 out of 10 races (top 3)
PR'd Sprint, Olympic and 70.3
Had my 1st Overall Amatuer win (short course)
Swam 254 miles (little embarrassed by this number as I still swam slow this year)
PR'd 1.2M swim in 70.3- 34:17 (see above note...)
PR'd 1500M swim in 24:56
PR'd 40k Bike in 59:28
PR'd 13.1 run in 70.3 - 1:23
Ran a 1:14 1/2 marathon
Ran a 33:27 10k
Ran a 16:15 5k

This isn't a bragging sheet as it's more of me trying to instill confidence in myself that I had a good year haha. I still have a lot of weak links in my training and racing but I feel like I've done a good job working on those in the off season and definitely feel more prepared going into 2013. I'm a lot faster swimmer and cyclist than I was last year at this time. My running is like the black sheep of the three. It gets neglected A LOT. I only averaged 19 miles a week last year and it was intended that way. I put way more time into swimming and cycling just to get it anywhere near my running talents. Now that I like where my swimming and cycling is heading - I'm going to capitalize now on some more running and really use it as a weapon at the end of races this year.

Even though I became a faster triathlete in 2012 I think the biggest thing I learned is patience. I expected to jump into triathlon and just dominate 70.3's. I was so naive and so disrespectful to those that put in the work and did their time. I haven't gotten there yet, but when I do - I'll be on that 70.3 podium.

Check out my race schedule for 2013. If you're in the 30-34 age group and you're fast - Let's race!!!
You can't miss a Wattie. Beers after as always.

Some pics from 2012 racing: