Call Me Crazy if You Wish

*Sigh* yes it's true. I speak of my dads comment in the post below. I did indeed have my four wisdom teeth removed yesterday morning and I did indeed go on a 30 mile bike ride about 5 hours later with the gauze pads still in my mouth. Truthfully though I felt much better for having gotten out and done the ride rather then sitting around making excuses for taking the day off. Honestly after I slept for about an hour and the effects of the anesthesia wore off I felt fine. I didn't even take the hydrocodine prescribed to me, just a little bit of ibprofen.

I did go biking yesterday however having my wisdom teeth taken out has somewhat disrupted the 10 day training block I'm in the middle of. Going into thursday I'd been averaging about 3.5 hrs a day with tuesday clocking in at 5.5 hrs. A lot of biking for sure but it has been good. Today I did another 2 hr ride then tried to swim a little but after 25 minutes I noticed I had a little bit of blood in my mouth and called it quits. As hard as I tried to keep my mouth closed somehow water was still getting in and swishing around. I did 40 minutes of strength training and the gauze pads I'd put back in were slightly soaked with blood so I decided to nix the run. I may go do a little running and drills now but I reallly want to avoid dry sockets as I've been told they are very painful.

This last weekend I did have fun doing the Jogg'r egg nogg'r. A local 5k that brought out some pretty good competition. When I say competition I mean REALLY FAST competition. The winner ran 5 minute miles flat and I was nowhere near close to that. I was pretty satisfied with my time of 18:13 (5:52 pace) especially considering the cold wet conditions and the fact that my legs were still really, really sore and stiff and tight from playing soccer thursday. I mean soccer really beat me up bad.

Honestly I realize that I can't really compare myself to pure runners. I know and have become ok with the fact that for where I am right now there are 15 and even 14 year old boys who can run faster then me. (Though I don't think they could average 25 mph on a bike THEN run that fast) However my ego definitely took a hit when halfway through the jogg'r egg nogg'r I was passed by two 11 year old boys. I wouldn't have believed it if they hadn't chugged past me before my very eyes. I swear they were barely higher then my waist and it was a horrible feeling to know I was already going all out and could not hang with them. They beat me by 9 seconds and anyone who says that 9 seconds is very close let me tell you- 9 seconds is a HUGE gape. There was no way I was going to catch them. I did manage to outkick the 40 something year old man who tried to pass me in the last mile. I guess I'll have to resign myself to beating men 3 times my age. Oh well.

I hope to have a few more days of good training then a break the day after christmas. Yes my coach is an absolute mercenary she has my biking 3 hours on Christmas day!! Ahh well. It has been enjoyable this week to live the life of a pro triathlete. Essentially I have been eating, sleeping, and training. I really think I could do this for a living!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Over! Done! Finished!

Well finals ARE NOW DONE WITH!! I'm so stoked. I got A's in all my classes and now can get down to some serious training with no guilt whatsoever. It's gonna be a sweet Christmas Vaction.

Offseason? What offseason?

I can't wait until finals are over this week. Then bike emphasis month will began. I shall bike like a maniac and do my best to train like a spartan. I'm doing a 5k this weekend out at white rock lake as well. Should be fun.

On another note I've decided to start charging people when I write running or training programs for them. Not a lot mind you. I know I'm not anywhere near an expert when it comes to knowledge regarding training and racing. But I have done my fair share of reading and I've been racing for 5 years now. I think the knowledge I do have and am ever expanding, coupled with my experience now further enhanced with trips to National and World Championship events warrants a certain degree of cost. I hope to be able to help out first time runners/triathletes or others that are fairly new to the sport.

I won't go into great detail but I really do have a passion for helping others that desire to become more physically fit. I take pride in the fact that I have played a small role in influencing many friends to become more active and healthy in their daily lives. I take great joy in knowing that I can be a positive influence to others looking up to me as a role model for good health and fitness. Then I love the oppurtunity to take them out when they start getting pesky idea's about their level of fitness and how it might, just possibly, be able to combat mine and absolutely CRUSHING THEIR SOULS!!! Just kidding. I do love to keep people humble though. If you know what I mean. :) No worries. There are plenty of people out there that can drop me like a bad habit when it comes time to measure up.

Happy training all.

The Danger's of Cycling

I realize cycling is a dangerous sport. I have come to terms with the fact that one day I will be struck by a car. One day I will be in a crash. It happens. The saying is that "there are two types of cyclists, those who have been hit by a car, and those who will be." It's always a matter of inches. I can't count the numerous times I WOULD have been struck if I had been 2 inches to the left at precisely the wrong moment. Thankfully I have never been hit, though I have friends who have. And let me tell you, I'm really not looking forward to the day.

However this weekend I had an experience that I hadn't put to much prior thought into before. I got bit by a dog. Now don't get me wrong, the little rascal's chase me ALL the time. However, this was the first time I've ever had one of the animals sink it's teeth into my flesh.

Ian, Michael and I were out doing a 3 hr ride and were about 25 miles from my house. If you know the Dallas area at all then we were out by Kaufman. A really poor area out in the boondocks. We were literally about 5 minutes from turning around when the mutt left his front yard to pursue me. Actually there were a couple of them but this one guy is the only one that matters to me.

This wasn't even the first time we'd been chased on this ride and I wasn't overly concerned. I slowed down as he ran next to me because Ian was behind me and there was already another dog ahead a little ways. It ran along barking and I yelled at it to "GET BACK!!" and "NO!!!" Then out of nowhere he launched himself at me and attached his rather sharp teeth to my ankle. As I tried to get it off I was amazed at the strength in it's jaws and after a couple seconds I shook him off. I unclipped the foot that had been bit and tried to swing it at the dog's head as it was still running next to me. Let me tell you, thats not easy to do while sitting on a bicycle and I didn't even come close to making contact. (So says Ian)

Well the owners finally ran out and yelled at the dog to get back. I stopped and hopped off my bike, walking around to test out my ankle. The actual bite didn't really hurt. There was a fairly deep gash in my ankle but what really bothered me was it felt like my ankle had been twisted. I hobble around a little trying to regain my composure and testing the the amount of pain walking took.

The family gathered around obviously upset over what had happened. They assured me that the dog had all it's shots. What they TOLD me didn't matter to much and I was current on mine so it didn't really matter. The wife went to get some stuff to bandage me up and I did my best to assure them I wasn't going to sue them. These people were obviously poor. They lived in a trailer home off the side of the road with 3 kids and what seemed like about a dozen dogs. I wasn't mad at them, it's one of those things that just happens. I got bandaged up while they continued to apologize. The distress on their faces was evident and they obviously were not convinced that I wasn't planning on getting back at them somehow. I did get a name and number (who knows if its accurate.) just in case. And obviously I know where they live. Then I remounted my bike and we headed back home.

It hurt while watching the Ironman yesterday and I was limping around the house. But today I played ultimate frisbee with it wrapped up and even though it's still a little swollen I think I'll be alright. I'm sure though there's are still a mom and dad out in the kaufman boonies worried to death that they'll be recieving a phone call this week about what they owe for the accident. Thats not my intention at all but hey, I'll let em suffer a little.

Workout Weekend

Most people might think of thanksgiving as a time to to kick back with the family, stuff themselves full of goodies, and start off the holiday weight gaining season with a bang. I don't. Well ok I do love spending time with my family, and come to think of it I also like stuffing myself full of unhealthy foods. BUT I also see the thanksgiving weekend as a glorious time to spend at my grandparents ranch down in the hill country of Texas.

This year was fantastic. It started off with the Austin turkey trot which was extremely cold, windy and awesome. I was still very tight from playing soccer on sunday but I went in with the mindset of just having fun and running a solid race. For this reason I started off a little slower then I normaly would and it resulted in a much more pleasurable experience with a still very good time for me. My first mile was like 6:20 and I ran steady until 2 miles to go where I closed with 2 5:55 miles. I didn't notice I was picking up the pace a bunch but I was trying to hang with this guy just in front of me and that probably helped. The Austin turkey trot is ridiculously hilly and there is one hill especially inside the last half mile that is absolutely killer. Well I knew it was coming and so I relaxed up it and stayed right behind this dude who I'd been following the last 2 or 3 miles. Then when we made the right hand turn towards the finish I kicked it in and beat him by a few seconds. I was definitely exhausted by the end but part of this was due to the cold air I wasn't used to and after a minute or two I was fine.

Friday saw me doing a 35 mile bike ride with my friend Ian. This ride included the steepest hill I have EVER gone up in my life. Afterwards we mapped it online and it's like a 17% grade! Crazy! It's less then a quarter mile long but I couldn't make it up the first time. Yes, it's true, I did the walk of shame. then I went back down and tried it again this time making it to the top. After the bike I got off and bricked to a 40 minute run that included lactic repeats of 5x40 seconds FAST on the 1 min with 3 minutes rest between sets. (I think I hate that workout more then any other)

Saturday was the ill-fated day that saw us attempting to ride in the 40 degree, pouring rain, gusting wind weather. But after wrapping ourselves in plastic and going out 10 miles we were done and turned around to come home. The trek home was miserable. Uphill, into the wind, soaking wet and freezing it was pretty much everything a cyclist wouldn't ask for. But we did something.

Sunday was a 70 minute run in which I did almost 9 miles up and down big rolling hills along ranch rd 12. I like the cooler weather but I wouldn't mind it a little warmer.

Now it's back in the pool 5 times a week. I'm looking forward to school being over so I can start biking more and hopefully will get to do a training camp with the team after christmas. Happy holidays to you!!

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. This has to be one of my favourite holidays. (Actually I enjoy pretty much any holiday that gets me time off school.) Nonetheless Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart as it is the one time of the year I feel absolutely no guilt about stuffing myself as full as I can possibly be.

I have my routine all laid out. The whole family always goes down to Austin because that is where my moms side of the family lives. On Thanksgiving morning I wake up early to drag whatever family members I have managed guilt into doing the Austin turkey trot downtown. There we line up with some 20,000 other runners to take part in the annual 5-mile run. After that we head back out to my grandparents ranch, tired, sweaty and satisfied. I then do my best to abstain from food the rest of the morning until it is time for the actual meal. Then unabated I go at the glorious feast laid out before me with a fervour normally reserved only for opening Christmas presents or perhaps chasing down a breakaway on my bike.

After this first round I go back for seconds, and sometimes thirds. (There's always room for ONE more roll right?) Dessert is somewhat an afterthought but eventually after everything has settled there may be some room at the time for a slice of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. The afternoon is reserved for sitting, napping, and watching the cowboys. Oh the glory. I can't wait.


On another note I did compete in a swim meet this last weekend. It was tough but fun. I swam the 1500m, 400m, 200m and 100m freestyle as well as the 100 IM. I can definitely still improve but it was good to get some time standards. I'm looking forward to doing some good training down in the Austin hills this week. AFTER I've recovered from my gluttonous Thanksgiving feast.

R.I.P. Dorothy

Dorothy died Wednesday morning, Please continue to pray for her husband and three orphaned children.

Pray for Dorothy

This was copied directly from a slowtwitch forum. Just this last weekend at IM Florida.


"Dorothy Barnett Griffin, who many of you know from LifeTime Masters Swimming (the Plano, TX group), is in the hospital in Panama City. Dorothy and Mike Griffin were doing their first full Ironman triathlon Saturday in Panama City Florida. Apparently Dorothy had some issues late in the swim (unsure what precipitated the difficulties) and was pulled from the water. She was not breathing so they immediately began CPR, and there was water in her lungs. When they got her to shore they used the defibrillator and got her to the hospital. They pulled Mike from the route at about mile 56 as he had a fast swim and was unaware of any problems. Yesterday they drilled a hole in her head to release the pressure on her brain, which was swelling, and put some type of stint in it. She was placed on a ventilator and is in intensive care. Dorothy and Mike's parents and their kids and some of Dorothy's siblings are in Florida with her."


Since this first post on November, 5th Dorothy has had another hole drilled in her head and been almost taken off life support because they couldn't find sign of any brain activity. They checked again and were able to see that there was still some activity there and some blood was getting to her brain. I haven't heard much lately but her condition was not improving as of Wednesday.

What makes this even more tragic is that she was widowed about 3 years ago. She has either 3 or 4 kids (I haven't been able to gather anything conclusive from the previous posts.) all from her previous marriage. The kids are older, ranging fromm 11-16 or so and were on the beach waiting for the mom to come out of the water. She was the second to last swimmer and had been taking breaks, holding onto kayaks, laughing and apparently in a good mood. It was the latter part of the swim when she all of a sudden disappeared. They quickly got her out and brought her to shore while doing CPR on the jet ski. Can you imagine those kids standing on the beach looking for their mom to cheer her on in her first attempt at an ironman, no sign of her when all of a sudden here appears a jet ski with their mom laying motionless on it while a medical team gives her CPR? Awful. Every report I've heard said the first aid staff did a superb job trying to revive her, and they had her in an ambulance within a very short time.

So now these kids, who have already lost their dad can do nothing but hope and pray that their mom will survive. It breaks my heart. It really does. Here she was competing in and endurance event, an Ironman, something I hope to accomplish one day. It's a sport I love, it gets people to live a more active and fulfilling lifestyle. She's from my very same metroplex. I could drive up to plano in about 45 minutes or so. I've talked with some athlete in the area who know and have even trained with her. It hits pretty darn close to home.

I don't know her latest condition but please pray that she is able to make a full recovery.

The Irony of Sport

Why? If I didn't know better I would assume that I was going crazy. If I didn't know FOR A FACT that I was not the only one, I would think I'd lost my mind.

It hit me. Just last night. As I sat in my bathtub, clad in naught but a threadbare speedo, fighting off the chills that coursed through my body every time I shifted my position. Yes, I was in an ice bath. After a very solid weekend of training I had decided to give my legs a "treat" and jump in an ice bath Sunday night. My battered muscles may have appreciated the generous offer but the rest of me wasn't so sure. It was as I sat there contemplating the amount of training I'd been doing which had left me for the most part exhausted, that I realized the absurdity of my situation. Here I was, a perfectly sound, normal, healthy young man, rising at ridiculous hours every morning to go beat his body into shape. Not just shape mind you, but GOOD shape. No, I can't just stop at being "in shape" I have to be better, stronger, faster. No performance is good enough. There is always room for improvement.

And then I realized something else. Not only was I taking pride in the amount of pain I could inflict on myself. But I was paying someone else to TELL me how to inflict more pain on myself!! Crazy!!

And yet, I am not alone. Sadly there are more poor souls out there just like me. There are in fact thousands of us possessed by this strange force that compels us to push ourselves to the limit. Day in, and day out. Some of them they call pro's, some age-groupers, some mom, dad, uncle, boss, friend. It doesn't really matter what we're called. But we're out there, and our numbers are growing every day. Scary, isn't it?

Life as It Is

Wow. The weather is absolutely GORGEOUS outside. Mornings in the 50's? I haven't seen that for like 10 months. Going to 6 am swim practice now requires me to completely bundle up before braving the frigid tempatures that welcome me when I open the door. Today it was also sunny as well, the kind of day that makes you just glad to be alive. After swimming and weight training I was running around 8:15 am in just my shorts and a sleeveless shirt. I was down right COLD for the first 10 minutes or so. In fact I don't think my hands ever completely warmed up. They just got to that sort of numb state where you don't notice them until you stop running and realize their not bending properly anymore. It was beautiful.

My last post contained details concerning the mudrun this year, well those details have changed. The date is no longer October 27th but instead November 10th. I repeat- THE MUDRUN IS ON NOVEMBER 10TH! For some reason, (They say due to homeland security issues) it is no longer being held at the joint reserve base but at some trail in Fort Worth. They promise that the course will be very similar. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as I have a secret ambition to win the thing this year, as long as I can get in the first wave.

I'm looking now at half the school semester being over. It's a good feeling. Tomorrow I take my last midterm so I will get a bit of a break after that. I'm continueing to train. (Of course) My main focus has shifted to swimming, especially after a dismal time at the Toyota US Open. I am too embarressed to even admit it. Nonetheless my spirit is not quenched and I'm determined to swim on. Five mornings a week you can catch me at the Landry Center, grinding up and down the lane as the coaches scream at me to go faster. Ok no one's screaming but grinding is an appropriate term to describe the sound my shoulder makes whenever we incorporate pull into the workout. The DAM coaches seem to have a special affinity to pull as somehow they always manage to sneak at least one pull set into the workout.

Here's to looking forward to an AWESOME rest day tomorrow!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Well sports fans it's that time of year again. Yesssiirrreee. Time again for the annual Marine Mudrun out at Carswell Joint Reserve Station in Fort Worth, Texas. On October 27th some of the crazies, wackiest, and must diehard of all athletes will gather from around the metroplex to test their might against the boot-camp style course of mud and obstacles.

A 10k doesn't sound too bad to most runner/tri enthusiast but let me tell you- a 10k while wearing long pants and boots that are laden with muddy water right from the get go is tough. This will by my third year running it and it once again looks like the east side of town will be bringing a sizeable representation out west. I estimate anywhere from 5 to a dozen or more people could be caravaning out with me come mudrun morning.

Many have loved the initial idea but we'll see who actually gets online and puts down their credit card number for the entry fee. Its only 25 bucks and you will feel 100% better after doing it. Garauntee. Go to http://www.mudrundfw.com/ for more info.

What to do

So I'm faced with a dilemma. I have a race this weekend. I want to do well and look good but it's definitely not as important a race as worlds or nationals. I have a clothing decision to make.

One choice is small, tight, spandex, red and blue, emblazoned with TEAM USA across the front, and much more revealing concerning ALL parts of my anatomy.

The other choice is bigger, looser, still spandex, black and red, emblazoned across the front with my name, the ITU logo, USA, and ICON ONE, my last name is tattooed across the butt. It has a back zipper, and is much more professional and most definitely less revealing.

The problem irks me. My mind cannot rest as it tussles with the matter at hand. Should I hold true to the ideals of old schoolism, stand for what I believe, and proudly bear the chaffing wounds to prove it? Or should I conform to the wave of professionalism in our sport? Embracing all that is modest, comfortable, and cool.

What to do, what to do...

Attack of the mad triathlete

Ouch. Crit racing hurts.

Thats pretty much my conclusion from this last weekend of mixing with the single sport cyclist enthuisiast this last weekend in Denton, Texas.

For the uninformed Wikipedia provides a very accurate definition of crit racing:

A criterium, or crit, is a type of bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city centre streets. ...Events often have prizes (called primes, usually cash) for winning specific intermediate laps (for instance, every 10th lap).
Success in criteriums requires a mix of good technical skills — in particular, the ability to corner rapidly and sharply — and riding safely with a large group on a short circuit and exceptional fitness to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners.

Yup. Thats pretty much what it consists of. I did a total of 3 races. 1 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday. Saturday was a junior open event including 15 miles of racing around a 1.1 mile loop. The pace was pedestrian most of the time as 2 guys had broken away and their teamates were blocking for them. Coming into the final turn everyone was strung out and I was in 7th position or so. I decided to go for it and blasted after of the curve at around 28 mph, I heard someone shout "GO Austin, GO!" as I flew by. Down the final stretch I was sitting again pushing around 32 mph, maybe a little higher. Ausin was gaining but not by enough. I crossed the line about half a bike length ahead of him for 3rd place.

On Sunday there was a junior open and a cat 4/5 race that I did. Junior open was first and this one was a rectangular course with 4 left hand turns and 2 long straights. Only 1k or 0.6 miles long. Corner #3 had some kind of chewed up road and some manholes that were a little dangerous. I placed 2nd in the junior race and got lapped in the 4/5.

About 50 people started the 4/5 race but everyone except about 15 guys got lapped. I was doing ok about 8 laps into it when going into corner #3 a guy crashed just in front and to the right of me, he came sliding at me and almost took my front wheel off. I barely missed him but the leaders, seeing their oppurtunity, punched it up the hill. I was chasing as hard as I could for about 3 or 4 laps but they stayed 10 seconds or so up on me. Finally I slowed up to get with a group of 4 guys coming up behind me. We worked pretty well together, I won a prime that they offered to us (a vest) and we finally got pulled with about 6 laps to go. Oh well. I was so wiped from both races I didn't really care. Plus I'd won myself a vest!

This weekend I'm looking forward to doing the Cinco Ranch Tri down around Houston area. Should be fun.

Jeff, Me, Ian. Waiting to start.

Cornering.

My computer is slow and these pictures are taking forever to load so I'm gonna call it quits. Ciao.

Anniversary

On this very day, just six years ago, terrorists, seeking to destroy our country and everything that we stand for hijacked four planes and crashed them into three iconic buildings of the American skyline. Just a few days after thanksgiving this year, my dad will leave to go help as we continue to search for the evil men that did this.

We have captured many of them. We have foiled many other terrorist plots. We have captured one of the most evil and dangerous dictators of this age. And yet, there is still more to do. There are still insurgents to kill, schools and hospitals to build, people to protect, a goverment to establish. There are still those who want us dead. We are the infidels. We will always be.

And so we must fight. As long as there is freedom in this world we must fight. As long as there are people that desire to abolish this freedom that we hold dear, we must fight. We must send the best that we have. Those that have volunteered to sacrifice their lives so that we can stay here at home and complain about McDonalds not giving us enough cheese on our burger.

My youth pastor's husband is a Marine. He leaves for Iraq in less then a month. He doesn't have to. He's served his time. He's earned his purple heart. But he goes to be with the young men he helped train. He won't see his men go while he stays at home. He will take his place at the front, with his men, where he belongs.

One of my closest friends leaves this week for Marine bootcamp. He doesn't know all that he is getting into it. But he's done everything he can to prepare. He's ready to serve.

My dad goes too. Twenty-four years as an Air Force Officer. We'll spend thanksgiving with him and then he will leave for training and we may not see him again until next July. He will be leading a multi-billion dollar project to rebuild the schools and hospitals in Iraq.

"Freedom isn't free." How poignant. How true.

During the Revolutionary War, Nathan Hale was a spy for the Continental army. He was a Quaker as well, Quakers are traditionally pacifists and do not believe in warfare as a proper means to resolve any conflict. At twenty-one years of age Nathan Hale was hung by the British Army for espionage. On September, 22nd 1776, as the noose was placed around his neck, his final words revealed the core of his existence. "I only regret that I have but one life to lost for my country."

When you see what terrorist want to do to this country, when you read about the men and women laying their lives on the line every day, when you watch your friends, your father, prepare to go to war; it gives you a new perspective on those famous words. It makes it all a little bit more real.

No, Freedom Isn't Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil?

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea?

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?

No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,

When everything was still

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That taps had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

CDR Kelly Strong, USCG (Ret).

Swingin' the Night Away

Well I think I have just about recovered from the effects of jet lag. I've just been doing so easy riding and running this week including a 3 hr ride with my Matrix buddy that had us covering only 43 miles. Yeah, I think our average was 14.3 mph.

I haven't felt great during my easy workouts but I've been trying to rest a bunch and I should be ready to go come Monday. I will probably be joining the DAM swim team this fall. (Thats Dallas Aquatic Masters for the uninformed) Hopefully swimming on a real team will help kick me in the rear and get me in the pool.

About to head out for swim swing dancing tonight. The only problem is that it usually involves a somewhat late night. Oh well. I usually try to head out by 11 or so and I have tomorrow to sleep in a little.

Good luck to all the Ironman Wisconsin participants tomorrow.

American update

It's good to be home again. Sleeping in a bed that is regularly sized and NOT jammed up against the bed that my teammate is sleeping in. Listening to people speak real honest to goodness English. Eating authentic TacoBell with authentic American grease and cheese.Typing on a keyboard where the y and z are in their normal positions. You know, all those little things we take for granted.

Seriously though we did arrive home safely last night and it is nice to be back. I'm not enjoying so much having to jump right back into school but it went a lot better then I expected today. Especially for having none of the textbooks and not having studied for my biology and lab at all I was able to pass the quizzes and little worksheets we had to do. The fact that it was over the metric system definitely helped.

I'm still a little jet-lagged and my body aches in weird places but other then that I'm ready to go. Or not go as the case may be. About to go put my bike together then go to youth group. It was fun. Made some timeless memories and hopefully some friends for years to come. Now I'm looking forward to some good training to get my swim time down, figure out what happened to me on the bike, and continue to get that run time down. ciao.

Leaving Germany...

So we're here. In Hamburg. The airport to be more specific. Wakeup was way to early this morning at about 5 am. Especially considering we didn't go to bed until around 1 in the morning. Actually thats when I finally put the covers over my head and tried to go to sleep. Travis was still up packing his stuff.

Our last day in Germany was good yesterday. We did have a minor emergency when it was discovered that Travis had no pedal wrench to take his pedals off with. I have the look keo's so I have a special allen key that I use but Travis needed a wrench and the Team USA mechanics had already left. So we just hung out in the hotel lobby until someone with a Team USA jacket came in and begged and pleaded with them to borrow a wrench. They were kind and gracious enough to lend us one and a major problem was avoided.

For the last hour or so in the airport we have been walking up and down between gates scanning every face we see trying to refind the proffessional triathlete we had found. We were sitting at a little cafe place inside security eating breakfast when this really tall guy I had kinda observed dstood up and left the cafe. As he rounded the corner Travis grabbed me whispered "that was Matt Reed!" I took a quick glance and realized that was right. Yes indeed, Matt Reed, Professional triathlete, American, 14 at World this year, the very same guy who almost mowed us down on lap 5 of the bike. Whoa. We've searched pretty much everywhere but he seems to have vanished. Maybe he's avoiding us. We even checked the bathroom but he wasn't there. Oh well. We'll keep our fingers crossed that maybe, just maybe, he's heading back to the states on OUR flight. But I doubt it.

After a long day of traveling I'm looking forward to getting home around 9 tonight. It's actually kind of sad leaving and I'm NOT looking forward to all the schoolwork I have to do when I get home. Ah well. Such is life.

Germany Update #3

Well yesterday was the race. I'm sure most of you have already checked results and stuff so I won't go into great detail. Let me suffice to say that Travis had an awesome race and mine was somewhere between so-so and very poor. I'm not quite sure of the reason but my bike was way slow. Good run split for me though so that is something to be encouraged about. Travis was ninth overall and 4th American so he did really good.

In between racing we got to watch the women's pro race on Saturday which was sooo cool. We didn't get as good a spot as for the Mens U23 race because the stands were already full but we got to see plenty of the action. USA was really well represented with Laura Bennet coming so close to a silver medal. Emma Snowsill chaced her down from a minute back to pass her in the last kilometer for silver. Still bronze is really good. Especially at a world championship. Vanessa Fernandey won and she and Snowsill both ran so fast.

After our race we went over to watch the pro men. INSANE. It was so awesome. This time we got a spot right on the barricade about 150m from the finish line so we got to see them every bike lap and every run loop. It was nuts. I've never seen so many people come to watch a triathlon. Ever. The entire course was lined with people 3, 4, 5 rows deep. We cheered and screamed as loud as we could. Especially being surrounded by Germans we had to. As the athletes whizzed by on their bikes we were nearly run over my Matt Reed (USA) because we were leaning so far out.

USA did pretty good and Andy Potts was the top American in 11th spot. He had a great race and ran a 30:54 10k, but what can youd do when Gomez and Under both ran sub 30? Coming around the last turn it was Gomez in front with Unger on his heels and we were screaming at gomez because we didn't want the German to win. But no use Unger sprinted by right in front of us and the crowd was going absolutely nuts. It was still pretty sweet and we had a great time.

Then we went back to the hotel to drop our bikes off and then over to where the big post-race party and awards ceremony was. The party was definitely intense. Let's just say that on our voucher we had one meal ticket and about 6 drink tickets. And I think many people used more then that. The Aussie's were especially crazy and the New Zealanders got up and did some tribal dance without their shirts on. I would say there were probably a good 3-4 thousand people there.

A bunch of us juniors just chilled at a table and it was kinda funny to look over and realize that Andy Potts was standing about 10 ft away from you with some of his buddies. They look so different when their not in Spandex with their name across their front and backside. A bunch of people had brought stuff to trade like team shirts, and jackets, and stuff like that. If I go I'm definitely going to bring extra USA stuff so I can trade with like Japan, and Australia and people like that.

Today we just chilled and went to the mall and walked around looking at shops. Back at the hotel I think were going to pack and maybe hit the sauna and pool. We may go back out tonight to eat dinner or something depending on when our flight leaves tomorrow. I need to check that.

We should land in DFW tomorrow along with our bikes if all goes well. Its been a fun trip and you can go check results at triathlon.org. Check some of those tricast videos. If you see some young looking guys holding video cameras and leaning way out over the barricade cheering as loud as the can for whatever American is going by... It's probably us.

Germany update #2

Hello to everyone. To update you on what has been going on let me first let you know that Germany continues to be AWESOME. This keyboard continues to be annoying because the y and the z are switched and I invariably hit the z when ever I go to type the y. Every time.

Well yesterday was the best day yet. It was Friday, August 31st and contrary to the day before we woke up at the crack of dawn to get a jumpstart on the day. ok so really it was like 9:30. Nonetheless we hadn't been able to go to sleep until like 1:30 in the morning because of our late wakeup time the day before. actually it was funny because Travis and I were in the hotel workout room at like 11:30 when they kicked us out because it was closing. Bummer.

Anyways we woke up early so we could meet up with Evan (Fellow Sprint World Championships competitor on team USA) to go watch the Junior elite boys race the Junior ITU World Championshps at 11 am. Evan had pretty much scoped out the subway system and theres one about a half mile from the hotel that dumps y0u out right at the race sight. The junior men we SWEET. So fast. It was insane. We got some pretty decent seats right on the front rail where we could watch them as they went by every lap of the bike and run. Transition was right across from us and we were on the finishing stretch about 60m from the line.

Travis had his video camera going and we cheered loud for the USA. Our guys did alright and Gregory Billington finished 11th overall. The Junior World Champion from last year finished 2nd after he came out of the swim 5 SECONDS behind the leaders but couldn't transition fast enough to make the front pack of 5. This same guy from Great Britain is called Brownlee and he was off the bike about 1 minutes behind that lead back. He split a 14:56 5k to finish 2nd!! Crazy. Willy Pickhardt and Gregory Billington were in the 3rd pack and Willie pulled almost the whole bike. All-in-all our guys all finished in the top half.

Then back to the hotel where we did a 30 min run and an hour bike. It's still raining a bunch and so the workouts were a bit soggy. I think the main priority on race day is just going to be to keep from crashing. After working out I showered and stretched, my legs have been like really tight so I've been trying to stretch a TON. Then Me, Travis, and Ethan met up again to go watch the U23 men race. Awesome.

The USA didn't do to well but we had a blast. Standing in the pouring rain we got a spot even closer to the finish line this time and were right on the rail. We got to see them go by a total of 13 times. Another guy from Team USA showed up and while Travis kept the video rolling we screamed our lungs out. I could barely talk that night. Surrounded by hundreds of German fans we had to be loud to be heard. I think the four USA guys racing could hear us could hear us. :)

It is interesting to see how many people come just to watch these races. They are estimating about 500,000 spectators for the whole weekend of events. Insane. The Germans difinatily love their triathlons.

After the U23 race we wandered through the streets with some Aussie's who were also looking for the pasta party. Once we found it we ate and I got to talk with a kid from Hamburg who is racing us Tomorrow. He speaks good English and said he was a foreign exchange student in virginia last year.

Back on the subway to try to find our way back to the hotel we made it back around 9 or so. Then Travis and I just chilled in our rooms and watched some race walking. Didn't know that was a sport huh?

Today we had breakfast in the hotel and met a girl from Southlake and her dad. About 2 we're gonna go watch the pro women race and then do an open water swim in the lake at 5. Then back to the hotel to get our bikes and we'll go back to the race site to check them in. Trying just to rest today, take it easy, and get ready for tomorrow.

Tomorrow my wave starts at 11:20 am, which should be 4:20 am CST. If you WANT to watch there will be live timing and video on Triathlon.org. You can probably know how I did before even I do. The Pro men race at 3 tomorrow and if the U23 race was crazy, the pro race will be NUTSS. It's gonna be awesome. Talk to you guys later

Germany update 1

Alright guys heres the first post from deustchland (I think thats how you spell it). Pardon me if there are some erorrs cause this german keyboard is slightly different then in the U.S.

Things are going well. The airplane rides were somewhat long but nothing to eventful happened and we arrived safely along with all of our luggage and bikes thankfully. After the shuttle over we ended up waiting around for about 3 hours cause we REALLY wanted a room that was nonsmoking. Chilled at a little cafe for a while, found the supermarket and a sweet spinning thing in a park. When we finally got a room we put our bikes together and headed out to ride to the accreditation site (or packet pickup.) bad idea.

It`s less then 2 miles as the crow flies to get there but we kept getting lost and it took us more then an hour and a half. Got our stuff with some pretty cool goodies and then headed back. Again not as easy as it looks. Another hour and a half saw me and Travis tour more of downtown Hamburg, lose each other for about 20 minutes, and finally end up back at the hotel. Yes I had a map but when everything is in German and streets change name like EVERY block it makes things rather difficult.

After that we went to the little mini-market to buy some bread, meat, cheese, and you know... other stuff. Then dinner before going to chill in the sauna and pool for a while. By 9 we had finally made it long enough to be able to hit the sack and I was asleep approximatelz 3 minutes after my head hit the pool

16 hours and 35 minutes later we woke up. Yes indeed, I rolled over to look at my watch and gasped when I saw it read 1:40!!!! We had a team meeting at 2 pm so we quickly got up, threw some pants on, then went downstairs to that. They covered a bunch of stuff then we got on the team bus to go over to the race site for a swim.

Now the water temperature here is about 17 degrees celcius. I´m not exactly sure what that equates to farhenheit but its COLD, believe me. Travis didn´t even have a wetsuit but he had called his mom and she said he could go buy one so he went over to do that. I swam for not very long then went to find Travis. We both went back to the bus and headed back to the hotel.

Dashing up to our rooms we changed into our parade shirts and ran back down to get on before the bus left for the opening ceremonies. Thanks to our fast transitions, we made it. A quick team picture at the site and we had plenty of time to get some dinner with a fellow triathlete we met doing the sprint race. Then some waiting around for the ceremony to begin where we got to meet with a bunch of other sprint athletes and take some pictures with teams from other countries.

The actual ceremony was somewhat dull and it started to rain while we were standing there. We cheered loud when they announced the U.S.A, listened to German folk songs, and watched the fireworks show, which was pretty cool.

I'm back at the hotel, Travis is going to run on the treadmill and swim in our little hotel pool and I'm about to follow him here shortly. So far it's been a lot of fun getting to meet and talk to people. Tomorrow we're going to go down to watch the Junior and U23 races and then come back for a little swim/bike workout. Hopefully we can wake up at a decent time ;). We've been taking lots of pictures and especially videos on Travis' camera so there will be plenty to see when we get back. G'night!

The Great Week

Wow, the last week or two have been absolutely jam packed. August 12th saw me and the family in Longmont, Colorado for the Junior ITU National Championship. I didn't have a great race. It's alright though, I had been sick two weeks before and hey- your in Colorado- how bad can it be? The race was fun though, getting to line up with about 60 of the fastest juniors in the country. Their were even a few guys from Canada and New Zealand. Because the Elites were racing that weekend as well I had some interesting run-ins with the pro athletes as well.

Like the time my coach and two other teammates from IconOne multisport that were there, walked into the hotel elevator to head down for dinner. I walked in, look up, and realized that I was standing in the elevator with Hunter Kemper! #1 in the world in 2005, 2 time Olympian, ON THE COVER OF THE WHEATIES BOX HUNTER KEMPER!!! Way cool. My friend/teammate kept poking at me and nodding in Kemper's direction as we rode down, I looked back and nodded at him that- "yes I knew who that was." He asked us if we were racing the next day and we replied in the affirmative, then we wished each other luck and went our separate ways.

I also discovered the my coach is good friends with Barb Lindquist, and that she was actually staying in the room right next to me. Its kinda weird to be eating the same breakfast foods as one of the greatest female triathletes in history.

After the race mess was over the family and I headed up to rocky mountain national park to do some camping. I got to do some sweet mountain climbs on the bike. Biking in Colorado is WAYYYY cooler and harder then biking in Texas. No wonder everyone goes there to train. Then we headed down to the Air Force Academy to spend a couple nights were we enjoyed rock climbing at Garden of the gods and I got to work on my mountain biking skill. The Academy was fun too getting to listen to my dad tell all the stories from when he was there. After a late start and a long drive we finally got home to Dallas at 3 am Friday morning. Oh well.

Saturday saw our house overrun with grandparents as they came for my Eagle Court of Honor. That night was definitely way cool as after so many years of watching others stand up there, take the Eagle oath, have that neckerchief placed on their neck, and the medal pinned over their hear, I finally got my turn to be honored with two of my best scout buddies. It was an awesome experience.

Now its back to training and preparing for worlds. I can't seem to kick my sinus infection as today finds me once again hacking up green goo and struggling to shake whatever stuff is clogging my ear, out. But it won't come. So be it. Nonetheless I'm looking forward to a good trip to Germany and some fun times there.

Opportunities

Wow a lot has happened since my last post. The most significant of which is the news that I will be representing the USA at the Sprint World Championships in Hamburg, Germany! It's a nondrafting sprint distance race held as part of the age group world championships. They just shortened the distance for the younger guys to race. It's different then the Junior ITU World Championships which is draft legal and will probably be MUCH more competitive. I'm pretty psyched nonetheless. Me and a buddy from San Antonio are going to be traveling together and will get to spend about a week there. The race is on September 2nd and we will get to watch all the other pro's, junior, age groupers, and the like race the whole weekend. It will be tight.

I'm leaving this Friday for Colorado to race the USAT Junior ITU Nationals. Should be interesting. I was waylaid with a sinus infection of some sorts last weekend and spent three days doing absolutely NOTHING. I've been on antibiotics and am getting better but my 5k I did this morning left much to be desired. Oh well. Just trying to get enough sleep and stay as healthy as possible. Looking forward to a good few weeks of training before Germany.

Back in the game

Well since the last update I've been able to get back into the swing of triathlon things. The week of July 4th saw me down in San Antonio, Tx for a skills camp. It was great. Only 10 athletes, 6 Mexicans, 4 Americans. (Or as the Mexicans DID insist "gringos") We got a bunch of testing done. VO2 max on bike and run, bike power testing, hydrastatic weighing, videotaping, and a lot of technique adjustment.



I now officially have a coach. Shelly, the lady that headed the whole camp is getting together a junior team that I've opted to join. It's gonna be a blast. So far it's a lot of drills. Swim, bike, run, all drills. But if that's what I need then ok. That and pilates. Oh my gosh pilates sucks. The first class I did last Thursday had my abs and core shaking uncontrollably, it's actually strangely relaxing though. I am kinda looking forward to doing more classes.



I've finally been able to do some races. Last week everyone in the camp did a small race in San Antonio. I was 4th overall, getting beat by two guys from camp and another guy by less then 5 sec. It was a pool swim so you couldn't tell where you were in relation to your competition. That and my legs were tight and sore from all the testing and training the week before. Today was the Junior ITU with the Ironhead Dallas triathlon. Good race. There were only 3 guys in my age group and 8 junior/youth/male/females overall but it was fun. I was 3rd out of the swim but caught the lead girl within 3 miles. (she had swam a freakin 8:somethin for 750m!) after that there wasn't much drafting for me. Just put the head down and go. Everyone else got together and were pacelining but I still put about 5 min on them. Avg speed for the 20k was 24 mph. Run was steady and nothing to boast about but I wasn't in danger of losing so I didn't worry about going all out. Got a medal and a nice running shirt. Hey it's all about the swag right?



Next week will see me doing some crit racing out in Lufkin then a weekend off, a 5k on August 5th and Nationals the week after that. I'm looking forward to some good training and some good times at Nationals.

Camp Pics:

Too Long

Good lord its been too long. Over 2 months since I did my last triathlon at the Playtri Olympic. And it's the end of FREAKIN JUNE ! Over 2 months since I've had to struggle against the iron grip of my horrendously strong neoprene friend. 2 months since my saddle came loose on the bike leaving me slipping and sliding around, just trying to hold on. 2 months since I've fought that feeling of utter fatigue as you draw close to the finish line, not sure if you're going to have enough energy to hold on or even increase your speed. Then right as you cross the line you give up and succumb to the blissful agony, weave towards the water bottles, and try to find a spot not crammed with people just, in case, you do throw up.

In that time I've purchased new race wheels, not Zipp's by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely light, aero, and you can pump em up to 160 psi. I've got a new bike, again not complete top of the line but then again I'm not Daddy Warbucks am I? It's nice though. The Cervelo P2SL, it's a beauty. Light and fast. I love it. New racing flats, new helmet, new bike gear, heck even a new RED speedo. And still I haven't raced. Sigh. 2 whole months

Randomness

Catcall count- 3 honks, 2 yells. All during a very short and enjoyable 80 min run yesterday. True I didn't have a shirt but jeez... I didn't know I was that hot. Its obviously summer here in Texas. The teenage girls are out in droves honking and yelling at the runners and bikers as go about their regular training. Where were they 6 months ago when I was doing long runs in 30 degree temps with freezing run coming down in droves? Of course I did have a shirt on then.

After an enjoyable weekend my cousins just left this morning. We spent the entire 2 1/2 days playing games together, just as we always do when my dads side of the family gets together. My oldest cousin leaves for West Point in 7 days. It's fulfilling like a 4 year dream for him. Good luck oh cousin of mine, class of 2011!

I had no idea

village burning


















1 year old girls bullet wound.

How can it be that me, a totally hip, in the loop, up on current events kind of person had no idea that there was genocide taking place in this world, today? And that it has been going on for a couple years. Where is all the new coverage on this? Every day I glance at the paper I see something about Iraq, the horrible job the president is doing, the growing obesity problem, the upcoming presidential race, blah blah-blah blah blah. Same old same old. Maybe I'm just so out of it that I have failed to notice. Maybe.


Darfur, Sudan. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has declared the situation in Darfur a genocide since 2004. Over 300,000 people have been killed, 1,600 villages burned, and 2,500,000 people have been driven from their homes. Yes I got that number of zero's right. Google Earth has teamed with the USHMM to raise money and awareness for it. Google Earth is free, I highly advise everyone to download it, scroll over to Africa, you'll see the orange highlighted country of Sudan. Unbelievable to realize some of the things that still go on in our world today.

Hy-Vee

Ok so I will post a blog about my canoe trip to Canada when I have the time but for now let me mention the fact that today the top pro athletes from around the world will gather together to vie for the largest prize purse in triathlon history. At approximately 1:30 this afternoon the gun will go off and competitors at the Hy-Vee BG ITU World Cup will compete for $700,000 in purse and prizes. SEVEN HUNDRED FREAKIN THOUSAND!!!! Thats a lot of freaking dough. Age groupers are currently racing right now and the Juniors and Youth Elite raced last night. Holy crap some of those kids my age are fast. Take in mind that they are actually doing like a 14.1 mile bike as opposed to what should really be a 20k.



As far as the pro's go people like Hunter Kemper, Andy Potts, Brad Kahlfeldt, Javier Gomez, Tim Don, Emma Snowsill, Debbie Tanner, Andrea Hewitt, and Michelle Dillon to name a few will all be there. The pro women start at like 1:00 pm or so and the pro men at 4:00 pm CST. You can check out live coverage on tricast. It's goin down for sure.

My Greatest Accomplishment

In my life I like to rank the things I am most proud of in terms of their level of difficulty. The more difficult something is to do, will, in general place it higher on my list. Well last night I attained the crowning achievement (to date) of my short but ever so fulfilling life. Ever since that blessed/cursed day on December 10th, 2005 when I completed the White Rock Marathon, (my first and ONLY marathon to date) I have always said that running THAT marathon was the hardest thing I had ever done in my entire life. Because of this it has also been the thing I am most proud of. The perseverance and pain it took to put in the long hours of training and to keep going those last 3 miles when ever step sent a jolt of pain up my left leg are exactly what made it worthwhile. See nothing that is worth anything comes without a price. And yes you can quote me on that.

In hindsight it was a dumb idea to do that marathon. I know it now. I was only 16 and didn't decide to do until what? Less then two months out I think? But hindsight is 20/20 and the self confidence that race gave me is irreplaceable. It's not the confidence of having others admire my achievement. I don't crave the recognition of others. Its meaningless to me. No one who has ever done a marathon can truly appreciate the significance of that achievement. There is a saying that goes- "Trying to explain a marathon to someone who has never done one is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind." How poignant, how true. Sure people can be impressed but they don't REALLY KNOW. And that's alright with me. Because its not what others think that matters, it's what I know, in my heart. I know that I had to dig deeper in that race then ever before. Never before have I had to so totally commit to something. Never has perseverance been so real. Never have I been challenged on so many levels. Until now.

Now I consider the marathon my second greatest achievement. The hardest thing I have ever done in my life was achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. And last night, at 8:44 P.M, in a small room in the reference section of Richardson Public Library, I achieved that goal. It took me over 7 years. It wasn't easy, I thought of quitting so many times. The amount of work it took was and is staggering to look at. But just like a marathon you can't look at it all at once. It's to big. And so instead you break it into small bits and pieces. "Just get to this next aid station," "just finish this last merit badge." Baby steps. That's what it takes. Oh sure, I struggled, stumbled, hurt. But somehow I knew, that after completing a marathon, a FREAKIN MARATHON! I couldn't give up. If I could do a marathon, then I could get eagle. I just had to remember that, and keep pressing forward.

Eagle Scout is something no one can take away. Just like a marathon. It's done. Finished. Over. But the self confidence, the pride that it gives me will stay forever. This badge-

can never be taken away. And I will wear it proudly, try to do it justification, for the rest of my life.

"There will be days I know I can't run a marathon, there will be a lifetime knowing that I have." - Anonymous

The race that wasn't meant to be

Yes indeed, my hopes at qualifying for the sprint world championships in my 16-19 age group were dashed yesterday when they canceled the Capitol of Texas Triathlon.

It had rained pretty much all weekend but it still looked like they might be able to pull the race off. The biggest issue was town lake. Because of all the rain the sewage and drainage pipes had become overloaded and were dumping more then usual into this offspring of the Colorado River. Monday morning, with the rain coming down in droves and the lake unsafe to swim in they changed the race to a duathlon.

While all this was happening I was actually still in bed. I was racing the sprint, which didn't start until 9:00 am and saw no reason to get up any time before 6:00. After waking up, getting showered and shaved, and eating my 300-400 calories my dad and I headed for the race. Rain still coming down we pulled into the parking garage. Much to my dismay there were very few cars there and people were putting bikes with numbers onto their racks. Thats when I got that sick feeling when no one has actualy TOLD you, but you know that its over. That feeling of dissapointment when you have prepared yourself for something, for months and months worked to get ready, and then in the blink of an eye, its gone. There is no "something" you were preparing for. Its off.

I got out, looked around and asked a guy putting his bike in his car the dreadful question I already knew the answer to- "Did they cancel the race? All of them?" He replied in the affirmative and told us that all, even the Sprint and "My First Tri" which weren't scheduled to start for another 2 hours had been called off. With nothing left to do but go get my bike, thats exactly what I did.

My heart sick with dissapointment I splashed through the puddles that inhabited the transition area, once a place of eager anticipation and nervous energy. Now nothing more then a field with bikes scattered around and meek triathletes quitely going about their business. A member of the event staff informed me upon inquiry that not only was the lake too contaminated but the bike course was flooded in spots as well. By now I knew there was nothing they could do to salvage anything resembling a race as barricades were being torn down and half the athletes were already on their way home.

Trudging back to the car I saw the Team In Training athletes running the 5k course. Tri-suit and all they bounced along with smiles on their faces as the rain continued to drizzle down. They too had trained for months, not for themselves but rather for a cause greater then self. A little rain couldn't quinch their spirits. They could see the big picture.

The drive back to Dallas was long and lonely. The rain just wouldn't seem to let up. It gave me some time to reflect. The turmoil of emotions was difficult to decypher. Anger, sadness, resignation, determination, depression. All of those were present. I realized I probably wouldn't get another shot at the World Championships this year. And sure enough, when I got home I saw that the new race they had set as the qualifier was the Metroplex Sprint Triathlon, on June 10th. A great race that I've done before but also right in the middle of my 10 day canoe trip to the boundary water of Canada. Sigh.

Standing in the garage looking at my bike I decided I might as well go out and ride. Just because everything I had trained for was now gone didn't mean I couldn't have fun. Plus it was my way of "sticking it to the man." I was tapered, rested, lets go ahead and get a workout in. So I did. 27 miles. In the rain. I felt great. Theres always next year.

Crits

Wow, crit racing sucks. 30 minutes of hell-on-wheels, balls-to-the-wall racing. Starting with a group of 16 juniors I couldn't get clipped in fast enough and got dropped right from the get go. So I spent the entire race playing catch up, slowly reeling in riders who had gone off to fast and were now fading badly. Got together with a couple guys and we were able to paceline and keep a steady tempo going. One guy really hacked me off cause he would take about 3 second pulls before pulling off and signaling me back to the front. Then stick behind me and try to sprint by to make a break. I was able to keep a steady pace pretty much the whole time as all my triathlon training has left me ill suited for sprinting. At the end it was 5 of us sprinting for the line and I ended up 4th in that group. My calves were pulsing and I could feel them about to cramp. Best I can figure I finished in the middle between the super fast guys way up in the front and the slower guys behind me. It was a good 30min workout and now its time to rest, ice, elevate, and get ready for Capitol of Texas.

Race Weekend

Well here it is again. That dreaded time all triathletes both anticipate and fear- Race Weekend. You set a goal and train for it. Day in, day out. At times it seems so far away that it couldn't possibly matter what you do at the present. Then at other times it seems so close, and you are motivated to get out and get the job done. Then one day you wake up and realize that it really is time. In just a few days everything you have done in preperation will be tested out on the course. Against the athletes and the elements. Are you ready?

Yup, thats whats going through my head right now. And frankly, I'm scared. I set a goal many months ago to claim one of the 2 spots offered to the 16-19 age group for the Sprint World Championships. USAT will take 20 athletes in that age group, 2 from each region. The qualifying race for the SouthMidWest region is the Capitol of Texas Sprint. This Monday. Memorial day. I always believed I could do it but lately I'm not so sure. Not sure if I've done the right training. Not sure if my conflicts with school and work and laziness have sapped to much of my fitness. Not sure if my allergies and subsequent asthma problems are going to inhibit my race day performance. Not sure if I'll have what it takes to measure up against the competition. But those are all just excuses, and I don't like excuses.

I've tried to become much more laid back about my training and racing lately. Get out there and have fun. I'm not a pro. Just an aspiring age grouper. I don't and can't eat, sleep, train like the pro's so why try to race like them? Get out there, don't stress, have fun, wear a speedo, whatever. So this weekend instead of fretting about Monday I'm gonna go race a 30min crit on Saturday. Don't take myself too seriously, thats what I've been trying to learn. I am pumped cause I just got my new Cervelo P2 SL last week. Its freakin fast compared to my old schwinn. I've go some sweet HED wheels that will help as well. tubulars you can pump up to 155 psi make a HUGE difference. Theres about 10 guys that could claim any of those 2 spots and many of them have beaten me before. I may qualify, I many not. But I will race my guts out, I will have fun, and I'll take whatever comes.

The Beginning

Well, here it is. The first ever post of me, speedo guy. This signals my commencement into the society of bloggers. I shall make a proper post concerning some aspect of training and/or racing when time permits.