What's Next?

I've held off on writing my latest blog update until I knew for sure which race I would be doing next...as if you have all been waiting, on the very edge of your seats, in anticipation of finding out which Ironman I, Danielle Sullivan, will be competing in in the Fall of 2009! Come on Danielle...it's not that exciting! But I have waited nonetheless. Gripping stuff, I know...

So, here it is: I will be competing in...Ironman Cozumel November 29th! Picture give it away?! After speaking with Armando, the race director, it seems that I will indeed be racing on November 29th and I am psyched! Here's all the great news and why I am so psyched: Positive #1) The ribs, while not 100%, are MUCH better! As a result I have been able to train hard and was able to swim with my team at CW Post again for the first time this past Saturday. In the meantime, I have taken advantage of my "easy swim time" by meeting up with Joe Petrush of Bayshore Swimming (http://www.bayshoreswim.com/) to work on my stroke technique. While I have a long way to go, I am already seeing huge improvements! I've been swimming for 20+ years now and have NEVER concentrated on stroke technique! After doing a video analysis I realize just how much I can improve my stroke... I find that I have been getting slower and slower in open water, so I feel like it's is a perfect time to work on my stroke!

Positive #2) There will be a group from Long Island that will be racing in Cozumel...most importantly one of my best friend's Nancy Cattabiani and Bill Romas, accompanied by Nancy's whole family and friends Mary Francis and Tom Horan who will be cheering us on! Also Lorraine from my swim team will be racing as well as Humberto who swims with us as well. Positive #3) It's Cozumel! ...supposed to be beautiful, Positive #4) I've convinced George to come with me to Cozumel as it's Thanksgiving break! It will be EXCELLENT to have him on the sidelines cheering us on and just hanging in Cozumel. The pressure is on too...he's only seen one other Ironman and it was not a good day for me! I really want this to be a great one..., Positive #5) Love hot races, no wetsuit swims... :-)

So, I am back in the swing of things and training very hard. We are 2 months out now (my "no ice cream zone") and I know that the time will fly by! In the meantime, It's an easy day for me and I have been catching up on some of my friends blogs (check out the links on my blog)... I want to wish Jen Gatz luck in her upcoming marathon this weekend as well Good luck to Simon Butterworth and Haley Cooper in Kona! Also if you have been reading Jacquie Gordon's's blog I wish her a speedy recovery (seems like she's well on her way) as well as RockStar Tri (on his way as well). Also, I want say Congrats to all of those that I coached this past season. EVERYONE had a fantastic season and PR'd and/or accomplished a huge goal, like completing their first Ironman. It's been really fun coaching everyone and making great connections with a variety of athletes! Also, I want to thank everyone for their lovely e-mails and responses after my last blog! They were overwhelming and unbelievable, so Thanks... :-)