The last two weeks have been so fun training.  Right now it's just about getting good solid workouts in to get my body used to the swim/bike/run routine again.  Yesterday I did a great workout on the treadmill at the gym that included some 3 minute hard efforts.  The last 2 of them I began to feel that "BURN" zone where a lot of faith and relaxation of the mind will get you through to the end.  Sincy my injury I have incorporated VERY long warm-ups and VERY extensive stretching after, but  if that is what it will take to keep me healthy, I will do it !!

Friday I was lucky enough to swim with a good friend and fierce triathlete Karen Burks!  I did more than 3,500yards in the the pool - a little jump up from my usual these days!  It was great to workout with her again even though I had "RUBBER ARMS" at the end.  Saturday I did a bike ride in my house after Asha's soccer game (she is my 9 year old).  My back got wacky so I hopped off early for total of over an hour  - a humbling return to the bike, but it's a start.   Sunday I ran 4 around TOWN LAKE with my husband Jude and my daughter Shanti (she is my 14 year old).  Shanti got a huge bloody blister, but she ran 4 miles for the first time ever!  Way to go girl!!

Since my last blog seven months ago I have continued on the path to health.  Yoga twice a week for the last 10 months and physical therapy exercises have begun to produce great results in my back flexibility and strength.   Thank you so much for all the support and good wishes people have given me since my injury was discovered!!  That has helped me in times when it seemed like nothing was working.  Since my injury involves a compressed disc I will continue to be cautious when I feel pain in that area, but I am starting to  take the steps needed to get back into racing shape.  I had a wonderful, short "brick" workout yesterday that consisted of 35 minutes on the bike and a little more than 10 minutes run right after.  It was so much FUN!  I would love to hear from anyone who wants to say "you can do it!"   I need all the positive words I can get!