It feels good to be back at it again. After a good post-cross season break I've started putting in structured "training" time (beyond doing what I feel like doing on a daily basis, i.e. skiing). This landed in my mailbox last week. What a way to motivate me to start off the new year:
I've made a few significant changes for 2011 and am trying a bunch of new things. Motivation has never been an issue for me. If anything, I get a wee bit too excited and tend to over do it if no one is there to control my enthusiasm. I sort of hit a plateau a few months back. Things felt static. Not boring, not bad, just stale. Do you know that feeling? That although you are happy in your current state, you can't help but think that there is more out there to explore?
Anyone who knows me knows that it doesn't take me long to make a decision. So, when I hit this point, a series of events have led me to a very happy place that'll hopefully have me flying fast in 2011.
The most significant change I made was changing coaches last fall. It was a really hard call to make as Eric Orton is one of the best coaches in the country, we have developed a great friendship over the years and he has made me a faster bike rider. However, after working together for 5 years, I wanted/needed a change. Not better, as he is one of the best. I just wanted different. So I started working with Kristen Dieffenbach (part of Hunter Allen's Peaks Coaching Group) and it's been fantastic. Man, does she have a huge, huge brain. It's been a great journey so far and I can't wait to see what 2011 brings.
After realizing that my painful back issues made no real improvement after months of chiro treatment, I decided to start getting regular "ART" active release technique sessions from Josie at One to One Wellness in Jackson. It's pretty cool stuff and it has made a significant difference in my entire body. I won't lie. A lot of it is pretty painful, bordering on excruciating but hey, after years and years of abuse my body needs some major love. The most important thing I have learned however is that I have some major muscle imbalances that need attention, that no amount of cracking and adjusting can fix. It became clear that in order to fix my issues I had to start attacking them from a strength and balance standpoint, not on the chiro table.
So, yes, now I have a "personal trainer." Which is funny to say/admit as I have never, ever needed someone to motivate me. What I need is someone to fix my body, to help improve my functional strength and most importantly, make me a more balanced rider from head to toe. That lead me to Steve Holmsen. Nate was really the one who pushed me to go work with Steve as they are both instructors together at the Village and Nate was constantly hearing all his theories on movement and body mechanics. Heck, the lead on Steve's business card is "corrective movement solutions." Nice.
The stuff he has me doing is really challenging for both the brain and body. Steve also happens to be Tony Horton's (you know, that P90x guy) ski instructor and is the creative director for Tony's new DVD series meaning he will be designing Tony's workouts that will be playing in ga-gillions of living rooms and basements across the nation in the near future. So I know I am in good hands. We'll be working together until I leave for Tucson in mid-February.
Until Tucson, I'm spending a lot of time skiing here-the Alta Nordic Track. Not a bad Teton view!
Doing regular ART and working with Steve has also introduced me to a resource I wish I had discovered years ago. One to One Wellness in Jackson is just a rad place, filled with great people and just oozes positive energy. Smitty and the entire crew there are great people to be around. That's been a lot of fun to be there and has helped keep the winter drudgery at bay.
What else? I've been doing the stuff I normally do this time of year: lots and lots of skate skiing, teleing at the Village when it's good and hitting the backcountry as much as possible. Trainer time for sure too, but just the right amount to get me ready for our trip to Maui in a few weeks and then Tucson. School also started up again this week so it's back to busy. The break was nice, but I am ready to be back into the rhythm of prepping for another great year!
Viewing Maddy's outside perch from my indoor perch.
