Kelly Liljeblad

Silverman 70.3 this weekend with Operation Rebound!

Quick update.

Vegas baby! Tomorrow I am happy to announce that New Balance is sending me to Vegas to race the Silverman Triathlon with Team Operation Rebound.

www.operationrebound.org

Operation Rebound provides unparalleled sports opportunities and support to our troops and veterans of any branch of service and first responders who have served honorably and have suffered permanent physical injuries.

This is an amazing group of hard core individuals and I am really looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them.  How can a double leg amputee guy ride a bike for 56 miles? How can a guy with one arm swim open water for 1.2 miles? One answer, a big big heart. It is truly an inspiration and I am happy to represent New Balance and run the final leg of the relay. I’ll post pics and notes from the weekend.

On a training note, things couldn’t be better. I am enjoying being back in Vermont and getting some sea level air. My speed has been progressing slowly, but my strength and endurance have been developing quite rapidly.  I am really excited for 2010 and my return to distance running. It’s been great training 2 hours a day instead of 4-8! I actually have a social life and that to me keeps me in balance.  I will be starting my 2010 season off at my favorite race venue. Houston!  Always a special place for me with lots of great race memories. I’ll race the half, they aim for Grandmas marathon in June.

Lastly, I want to congratulate all of my athletes. On Track has had some incredible race performances in 2009, and I am very optimistic about 2010. We will have a strong contingency at the Boston Marathon this April. Keep at it guys and girls. I’m proud of you.

Now, get your ass out the door and train!

Fun in the sun!! Life is sooo rough……. :)

Here are some pics from our amazing week in Kona.

The sun feels so good! Here we are taking a break from the surf.

Kim and Scotty chilling

Meg loving the pacificKim relaxing after a year of Ironman Training. Mom reading her slut novels!

me ripping it up in Kona…….

In my dreams!!!!!!!!!!

And lastly, my kiddos after a long hike w/ friends Dabbs and Tricia. I miss them soooo much!!

Adventures in Kona

We are having a great time vacationing in Kona, while Kim does absolutely nothing to prepare for the race. Stay tuned for some video from the Big Island. On day one my niece and I decided to have a synchronized swimming competition. I am pretty sure I won.

The final

Good times!

Fall is here

I forgot how pretty it is here in Vermont during the fall months. This is the best time of the year to be a runner. One of the things I missed most while I was in Colorado is running in the forest during a New England fall. The smell of fall in the air, crisp cool air, the smell of a forest, and the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet. It’s my favorite time of the year and I am happy to be back feeling good and running every day.

Dr Radnay did a great job with my ankle surgery and Brian cracked the whip with my physical therapy sessions. So far so good and I am hoping to make a return to racing in January at the Houston Half Marathon National Championships.  It’s a great race with a lot of excitement and I am really looking forward to participating in a few months.

Along with Fall comes Kona! We head to Kona this Saturday for a 10 day trip. Kim has been in Tucson preparing for the kona heat and her training is going very well with training partner Sam McGlone. I’m just jealous because they are having way too much fun without lil ol me! grrrr….. They train great together and I made them promise to put on a good show for me out there.

I’ve been loving Vermont. It has been a great move for me. Work is great and I am  having a blast with my athletes.

Now get your ass out the door and train!

Here are some pics from my last run with my favorite training partners. (sorry Kim , you’ve been replaced) We ran at Niquette State park.