We just returned from a short family vacation to the South West corner of Colorado. If you have never been to the Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde State Park, Durango or Ouray make it a point to get there. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. You can always plan a training weekend down in this part of the world and incorporate the scenery with some cycling or running.

During our trip, Kathy received word that one of her athletes was recently diagnosed with Cancer of the Thyroid. A few weeks back, another one of her athletes had a double mastectomy. Earlier in the year, we had another athlete have a relapse and went through more chemotherapy. With my mother schedule for Thyroid surgery at the end of the month, the word Cancer is showing up a bit too often in our lives. Kathy and I have communicated with everyone and are impressed with the manner in which they handle the news and the outlook each of them has on life. I know that some of you have family members who are struggling with illness as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you as well.

It is during these times that each of us should be grateful for our health and the opportunity we have to pursue our athletic dreams. We are confident all three women will be back involved in multisport racing in the next year. Through medical technology advances, Cancer no longer means what it used to. Cancer is just another stumbling block in our lives that test our resolve. I’m confident that competing in triathlons has far lasting implications on who we are deep in side our soul. We are used to over coming set backs and know that through positive thinking, commitment and perseverance we can beat any obstacle placed before us.

While we were gone, my son purchased a placard for his room which reads….DO NOT GO WHERE THE PATH MAY LEAD, GO INSTEAD WHERE THERE IS NO PATH AND LEAVE A TRAIL……… Great words to live by each and every day of our lives.