I would normally just email this to Eric but I decided to post this because I think others may feel the same.  First, I have been working with Eric for 7 years. We had a few good years before an old ankle injury almost ended my running career.  I was operated on and then I let Eric work his magic.  I live near Eric so I work with him on a weekly basis.  I have been doing all the stuff that you see on this web page as well as what is coming out on his DVD's.  8 months after my operation I qualified for the 1/2 Ironman World Championships and had my best race yet at the North Face trail 1/2 marathon in SF with 3rd place overall women.

This week I took a few days to get out of the snow and train in St. George for the Ironman in May.  After a very hard 1st day, Eric could tell it was going to be more of a mental challenge rather then physical.  He told me not to confuse being difficult with failing.  If you have worked with Eric, nothing he gives me is easy but I don't always feel like I'm failing.   On the last day the light bulb went off.  I feel like I am failing when a workout doesn't go the way "I think" it should.  For example, if I can't go as fast as" I think" I should, eventhough I have done what Eric has told me,  then I feel like I'm failing.  I am always working on my weaknesses but sometimes I preceive it as failing.  Just because it may be a weakeness its not a failure.  Eric has also told me that you shouldn't look at a weakness as  a "weakness"  rather as an opportunity to improve!

As I move forward in my training I will remember Eric's advise and with a lot of patience and hard work I will continue to see my weaknesses as an opportunity to get better and not as a failure.  You cannot fail as long as you keep trying.