5th Day and Counting...Volleyball To Come

Today was my 5th day in a row surfing, and today I went to Rincon. Not very big waves, but definitely, I was able to catch a lot. However, it was really cloudy and misty, and it just wasn't the best weather for it, and my toe still hurt a lot from the previous day's wipe out at C Street. I am not sure that I will have time to surf tomorrow unfortunately, but I will make time to run in the morning. I am training for the Catalina Marathon, so I have to keep putting in the mileage.

Tonight, we are having Club Volleyball Practice. I am the Head Coach and Director of the Montecito Volleyball Club. We have roughly 4 practices before our first tournament. We have a great team, very competitive. I am going to focus on ball control tonight, and being strong on the attack, regardless of the set. I am also going to work on defense and converting the ball for a sideout. I hope that we get put in a tough division to start off in for this year, but we'll see.

One note on surfing today. I went out by myself, and this is the first time back out since yesterday. I was a bit discouraged yesterday because the waves were so strong and I think I was in over my head. Today, getting in was a bit discouraging as well- not because the waves were big, just because it was my first time back in the water- and my toe was super sore. But, enough complaining. I just had to get back in again, and I am glad that I did. It was nice to stand up on 3 waves, but a bit hard to paddle out against the surf in that low tide and rocky bottom. I might get the urge to go out tomorrow- can't wait for the day when I am out for more than 4 hours. That would be great!

Tomorrow is New Years Eve...time to enjoy the rest of the year and get ready for the new o

Surfing New Thing

So, I got a new surfboard for Christmas. I went out on Day 1 by myself. Only 3 other people out on in the waves- nothing too big. I had fun getting out there and just getting wet. I didn't quite stand up, but it was fun. That was 4 days ago. 3 days ago, I went out to Mondos- a great beginner spot. I had a blast there. Lots of waves to try to catch, and fairly medium tide. So, and, I went with Sherrie and I actually stood up twice. 2 days ago, we went to Leadbetter- which were 7-8 foot waves. Pretty big for my 3rd day out. I actually stood up once, caught a gnarly wave, and then got pummeled coming back in to shore. That was the hardest part of that day- just paddling out- even though the current wasn't too strong. This morning, we went out to C-street in Ventura. I knew just from the looks of it the waves were super strong, the current was so strong as well. I swam out, caught one wave, got washed up all the way into the rocks. And, needless to say, I didn't hurt myself too badly. I got a toenail ripped off, a gash on the other foot and a bruise on my shin. Not too bad I guess. But, on the 4th day, I don't have too much to report. I was only out for 40 mins, and had to get out. Too big for me. No pride hurt..I will try again- but, keep the waves at 3-4'.

New Year for 2010

It has been a wonderful year, 2009, looking back. Athletically, I finished some amazingly difficult races and placed at most of them:

Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
Worlds Toughest Half Ironman, Auburn CA
Ironman France
Pier to Peak Half Marathon, Santa Barbara CA
Endurance Challenge Half Marathon, Sausalito CA

I was busy training several athletes for their races- most notably, Anthony Barton qualified for Kona as a 40-year old, practically twice this year, but got the "earned" spot at IM AZ2. Marisa Lopez completed a grueling Marathon in Big Bear, CA. Amy Mayfield completed the Nike Womens Half Marathon AND the Pier to Peak Half Marathon this year. John Muse also completed a 4:07 Marathon in the 50-year AG and is going again in March for the sub 4 mark at the ING Marathon.

Being my own "boss" has also helped me to focus on what I have always known I was good at- and that is coaching Volleyball. I started Montecito Volleyball Club this year up here in the North County Region (SCVA). I have 1 team- a 16-1s team, and our first tournament is January 9, 2010. I was also the Head Volleyball Coach for the Girls Team at CATE School in Carpinteria, and we made playoffs for the first time in several years. That was a great accomplishment and I made many friends and was able to train many talented athletes there at that school.

Looking forward to 2010, I am going to enjoy my sister Taylor's last season as an Oregon Duck- she is a Senior guard for their basketball team and is going to set the record for all-time 3-point leaders. I am going to do the Catalina Marathon in March on my 31st birthday, and then do some smaller sprint and Olympic distance triathlons over the summer. I really want to focus on making the volleyball team and programs out here successful.

Hope that you take some time to reflect on your year and write down some of the things you are most proud of. I am blessed in that I am able to work with so many people each day that want to better their health. That is exciting for me.

Here's to a wonderful 2010!