Moving Past Winter Training Blues and into Spring Fever

Napa Valley Marathon 2012

The holidays are long-gone and my early Spring marathon (Napa Valley, CA) is done; recovery almost complete. Napa went well, putting up 3:36:41 - a PR (personal best) by a minute - and negative split the last 1/2 by 3 minutes. Not a bad showing, but my perfectionist-self was aiming for 3:30 or better. I am not unhappy with it, and think had it not been so hot that day (compared to CO training), I could have easily sailed in at my goal. It wasn't an "A" race for me, but it's always good to set some sort of goal. I'm content with this.
Although we didn't have much of a winter here in Colorado, the longer days are a welcome relief for after-work training. The long months of solid marathon training have managed to get my weight down to a solid 127lbs. Not what I was looking for, but I have a feeling that will drop another 5 pounds or so by the time I race my first big triathlon June 10th (Denver). 
Coming off my marathon recovery, I've run into a couple of 'snags', but am managing to work through them. The first was the shifter break on my bike. A triathlete without a bike for a week is like an alcoholic with no liquor - you can get by drinking light beer, but it's not the same... At least, that's how I imagine it would be since I felt like I was going through cycling withdrawals. Thank goodness for my friends who have connections. I am back up on my girl as of this past Sunday with a new set of SRAM RED, and it has been amazingly smooth riding.
The second snag has been finances. Holy COW, this sport is expensive. I think it's an amazing feat in itself that I have not COMPLETELY bankrupted myself by doing this at a pretty competitive level for the past 3 years. Yes, I've only PARTIALLY bankrupted myself. I don't have any good fix for this one except to keep working 2 jobs - which puts a strain on the training... lovely catch-22.
I am very thankful for The Colorado Running Company, as they have helped alleviate some of the financial hurt with a few shoes, nutrition breaks, and coaching advice. Applications to additional sponsorship opportunities have so far yielded nothing, but I hope to apply next year - maybe with a picture next go-round - and put these curves to SOME good use!
As for the swim... it's coming along. Still getting back into swim-shape, but am feeling good about it. We'll see how 5:30am feels tomorrow morning...