This training year (2012-2013) has already been quite the roller coaster of practices. I have had a lot of ups, downs, loops, and barrel-rolls already. The goal is to roll with the lows, enjoy the turns, and be thankful for the highs.

I am not a fan of taking too much rest during the training season. I am all for rest days during the week, they are a necessity for me, but taking a whole week off is a little much in my opinion. Nevertheless I had a week off for winter break. It was good, it gave me a chance to visit family, enjoy Christmas, see some friends, and rest my aching body. However when I came back it was a different story, and is why I don't like taking time off.

I may not be built like other athletes, a week off training for me is like getting a concussion and forgetting everything you trained for, not to mention I swear my body chooses to forget how to lift. Add to that my body is stiff from my previous injuries, and I have a recipe for a couple bad weeks of practice.

First couple weeks back from training were incredibly hard. I tried to remind myself that it can take a while for me to come back, and that I should allow myself sometime before I consider myself 100%. But I am far too competitive with others, and with myself, to really allow myself mentally to do that. Luckily my body reminds me that my mind is not always in the driver seat, and that my body can physically say otherwise.

But don't count your mind out too much. It is mental toughness that wins the gold. With a little motivation boost a couple weeks ago I came to practice feeling great, my knees had far less pain, and I started having some great practices.

"That was some of the best throwing I have ever seen from you."

At the end of my throwing session my coach said just that, and if that doesn't perk me up to go lift I don't know what will. Since then, I have continued my successful training without looking back to those first couple weeks where everything looked and felt awful.

More motivation has come from looking at old video of me training last year. My lifts were terrible, my technique was poor, and I can visibly see instability and pain in my knees. This is the same year that I trained and made the Olympic Team and this is the same year that ALL my personal best come from in my lifts.

This is a video of me power snatching 60k last year. It is so encouraging that I don't look this bad this year!

It's incredible how far I have come this year. Every once in a while I think you have to look back to see how far you have come. For me I a feel blessed and I am thankful for what God has allowed from me this year. I really look forward to training and competing this year. My success will reflect what God has given me and he deserves the most from me every practice to prove his greatness.

Glory to God, Stay Healthy, Throw Far. #TrainBIG #Moscow2013

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