Where Does the Time Go?

Wow--it has been forever since I've written on here. With my Facebook team page and website, I feel a little over-teched these days and have enjoyed good 'ol fashioned phone calls/meetings with my athletes. Let's catch up a bit, though, shall we?
What a summer! What a season! I wax sentimental this time of year, reflecting on athlete accomplishments. It is by far MUCH more fun to watch my athletes progress than to race myself...and I think a combo of both is just perfect.
So, where to start. Let me list a few highlights:
First Triathlon Finishers: 2
First Marathon Finishers: 4
70.3 Finishers: 6
First Ironman finishers: 3 (two of these were actually ironwomen :))
Open Water: 2-English Channel finisher, 3+ mi swim finisher (no wetsuits, kids!)
Boston Marathon Qualifiers: 2
Biggest Weight Loss: 23lbs
Biggest PR (personal record) improvement: 1 hour, in an Olympic Distance Triathlon
National Tri Qualifier: 1
It has been an absolutely incredible season to be a part of, and I am honored to be a part of my athletes' lives. Next season is already exciting, as a lot of my athletes have HUGE goals for next season. I have several Ironman entrants, half marathons over the winter, a crazy ultradistance team heading for an adventure race in Sweden, US Open, Nationals, and a few vying for Professional and Age Group Elite status.
As for me, I'm enjoying the athletic adventures of a retired pro, and I've taken up rock climbing, mountain biking, and am gearing up for snowboard and snowshoe season. Backing away from intense training has also allowed me to nurture relationships and show appreciation for those who helped me along the way. In short, I feel very blessed. Next year, I hope to resume a few triathlon adventures, including Chelan Man in WA and my first Xterra, a mountain bike based triathlon.
Professionally, I hope to work more with power-based training next season. I'll also be attending the Art and Science of Triathlon Symposium, a conference held every 2 years, and tap into some of the incredible brain share. I also have several exciting events planned--more to come on those.
So enough babbling from my end. May all of you have a wonderful holiday season. Enjoy some much-deserved time off for most of you, and take time to thank those who helped you achieve your goals.