Naples OLY / IMFL Update

Where to start again ? OK positive note, had a great race at the Naples Elite Event International. Placed 2nd overall and they stuck me with 1st maters. This is because the only do first overall and then run 5 deep into age groups. Does not really make sense but whatever, you would think they would just do top 3 and 3 deep in AG. Guess they gotta be different. Swim was good and went by without a hitch, I was 4th outta the water and besides the long S curve to T1 it was good. Seemed a bit long and a few Garmin 910's had it long but still had a solid time. Bike was ROUGH in spots, had a few cobble stone areas through housing complexes and a shit tone of corners with a few U-turns. Still had a great run and came into T2 feeling great. Not sure where I was cause of their timing and they had a 10K and OLY duathlon running at same time. Run was 2 loops around the lake and was great seeing Nadine and friends out that was already done with their races. More ran the 10K then anything so lots going on the entire run. Nat and Laura made it out and surprised me on first lap of the run. I didnt think they was coming but it was great to see them. It was a good race and final one before Florida. Almost ran another the following week but called it off, just wanting to rest. Figure I was coming into 3 huge weeks before taper and time to pull back on the racing.

Now on to IMFL it is not far off and been working on my mental game a lot. Been a few setbacks but feel I am almost where I wanna be. Had to get a new wetsuit, mine ripped the other week after a OWS. Went with the Roka Maverick Elite and love it!! Best I have ever had on. Took it out OWS a few days ago and it was even better. Back in it this Sat. before one of two last long rides. So getting things together and making lists of stuff to take along. Got new tires, UCAN and bike shoes ( they also fell apart from car crash 8 months ago). The LBS has ordered me a complete bolt set for my bars and will have them replaced when I get final tune-up before race. Reality is setting in, I think because I have been wanting to do this race for so long. Been 5 years now, 2008 got cancelled cause I had to leave the state with the Guard. And after that I spent 2 1/2 years deployed in the desert. I am using this as a introduction to big races. Gonna run my race and let it go by not worrying about too much else.

Race Week

Time has been flying by and just seen IMFL is 47 days away !! Pumped up cant wait ! Training has been going great, made a show swap and things got better. Although cramming in too many long runs because I was out at my unit, has left me with a sore right calf. So it kinda hit at the right time if there ever is sore an issue. Cause really did some building in training last few weekend and now can take it easy going into my last race before FL. Think its gonna be a swim and bike week and would like to get just another 80-90 miler in, least main goal for the week. X2PERFORMANCE is really changing my recovery and training. Thought my last 90 miler was gonna leave me sore but not a chance and was abler to get out and train as normal the next day. Was not so much the miles but really worked cause the wind was flat terrible. Looking like Wed this week is my window to fit another in, weather is a bit sketchy today and Tuesday. I am getting my leg worked oh Thurs. for a bit of ART and staying off it till Sunday. Another OLY this weekend and kinda on the fence about it. I was not gonna do it then decided to and now not sure again. I will go for sure and give it a shot but a side of me would rather have a long run too. Same race also has a 10K and Nadine is doing it cause she does not like the lake that the swim is in. Too much chatter about alligators in it for her, but hell we are in SWFL gators are in every lake and now finding some in the Gulf. Pulled out wetsuit and finally spent 1.3 miles in it yesterday. Had to use it at the pool cause the Gulf is sitting around 85-87* and not gonna heat stroke out in the water. Pool was warm but not too bad, gonna stay in it once a week till gulf cools down. It has been 6 months since I been in it and it was a shocker to me. Pre-race update coming in a few days

Ft Desoto International Tri RR

Maybe just maybe the most uneventful race I have had ever ! In all it was what I would say an "easy day" It was one of them days when everything pretty much went smooth. I know they dont happen often and I sure aint upset about it working out that way.
Morning bike set up and all was good, I somehow got the first rack heading out of T1 and it was pretty nice. I was not feeling great, just like the girls I was there racing with. One had to drop out with stomach issues, Nadine was not feeling good either. Headed to water I was getting sick but only dry heaves pretty bad.
Swim was only a .5 mile so intent was to kick back, hang on some feet and go for a ride. Did not work out like that. As always I jumped up front and when gun went off there was a group of us headed to 1st turn. Once there it was me and another guy rounding it, so I jumped on for the ride. Soon like 40sec I was like this guy aint going!! So I pulled to the inside and within and few strokes passed him for the lead in the swim. I was so relaxed, nothing hard just cruise control, I thought about going hard but didnt feel I needed too. We had a U-turn and soon hit the sprint swimmers heading to shore. I was 1st out of the water with a 10:12 swim and headed onto the .25 run to T1.  Things went like clockwork in T1 and it was over in 47sec. Bike was 2 laps for 20 mile total with 3 U-turns in it. Come to find out they was great U-turns and could charge right through them. Once again like the swim cruise control and never felt as if I was pushing things much at all. At about mile 15 I got passed, I figured it was coming but just when. So it never really bothered me at all. Finished the bike in 52:26 and was really happy I had a 56 min figured before the race. Coming into T2 feet was out of shoes and ready to go till I got slowed by a sprint rider strolling to dismount line. Around him and into T2 and back out in 40 sec. Once again smooth ! Run was again 2 laps and was about 60%  on a hard packed path, with a small amount on beach and rest on bike path. It was a great run, lots to see and path was nice along beach. Within the 1st mile I passed one of the guys who passed me on bike and was not sure where I was falling into position. He said the guy in blue is 42 so he was in my AG. OK OH WELL thanks and I was off. Second lap I ran past Laura but never seen Nadine except twice on bike. I was all ready for a 48min run with all this IRONMAN training and very little speed work. I finished with a 45:26 and I am happy with that, no PR for the run but better then I thought. When awards rolled around I finished 5th overall and 1st masters with a 1:51:13. Then met Kent who is also on the X2PERFORMANCE Triathlon Team and talked with him about IMFL. It was good to meet him, if I dont race with him in Sept. I will see him late Oct. in PCB.
So it was one of them days that things just clicked and finished with good results. The entire day just seemed to go along and I was fine.  Ran the entire race on my new fuel mix, 30min before race mixed 1 scoop UCAN and 1 scoop BCAA and followed that with X2PERFORMANCE, on bike I had 1 scoop UCAN around mile 15, thats it nothing else ( not even breakfast) I am loving the X2PERFORMANCE and UCAN mix, it has been working wonders and look forward to using it more and taking it to IMFL !

Upcoming Ft Desoto

Really not sure where to start for this race. I feel a bit behind the 8 ball for it and usually dont going into a OLY. Things have been rough for a couple weeks. Plyometrics been kicking my ass and leaving legs shot. Although I am liking it more and finding it easier. Just hard to get out and have a good Neg. split run day when hammies and calf are screaming at you from the rip. So I am going into it with no goals, just have ideas I want to work with in T1 & T2. YEA Im changing a few things I have done for years, trying to get out quicker. That is why I have the next 3 races lined up for, just practice in transition. 3 races in 6 weeks then calling it quits till IMFL. Not really playing much with the tapper for any of them, gonna keep training. Just so happens this week fell into a easier week for me, after 2 big building weeks.
Great news on the fuel UCAN, I love it and now am a huge fan of it. I was really not sure about it. So first day training with it, my test was during a 80 mile ride and 4.5 run brick. So I followed how they said and it was amazing. 4 scoops the entire time, with a 350 cal total overall. Where I normally would have had about 1600 of normal fuel. Its not so much the calories that I care about, its the sugar and any crash that is related to it. UCAN I had none, did not get hungry, no stomach issues and felt great the entire time. 1 scoop every 90min thats it. So ordered a couple more jugs and gonna keep working with it. Got Nadine on to it and she also really likes it and finds it works well with her. It works well with the X2PERFORMANCE ( every 2 hr). Really allows me more time to think about getting more water in me. This FL heat has been ripping and water this time of the year is something I have to always stay on top of.
So my test for this weekend is 1.5 scoop of UCAN + X2PERFORMANCE 30min before race and thats it. That should be all I need to get through the race. RR coming up next

Catching Up

Training is coming back around!! Always feel like crap when I leave for a few days. Although I try to eat well it is so hard and combined with no workouts, leaves me feeling like a slug. Had a powerful brick the other day. First one using multi bottles of X2PERFORMANCE and it was great with no issues. Just read a great article from Ben Greenfield about fueling with lots of info. In it he mentioned a product called Generation UCAN, after reading about it and going to their website I ordered some today. Once I get it and work with it some I will give my feedback for those who have not used. this is where you can fond more about the Super Starch  http://www.generationucan.com/    they have videos and info on the product.
Looking about 2 weeks till FT Desoto OYL triathlon. Not to sure how things will work out but gonna give it a shot. Have not been doing much speed work running but each time I swim and ride I always include some. Had a OWS before I left and it was outstanding. Need more work on my long distance speed ! Right now up to 1.75 mi swim it is good but after that I can feel the pace slightly drop a bit. Nothing bad and really wont hurt me much, just would like to keep the 1:20ish avg for the entire swim. My biggest issue for the next race is shoes. Got new Zoot Ultra TT 5.0 and ran in them today but thinking might be Newtons for the race. Downfall would be some of the run is in the sand so not sure yet. Can always go to the K Swiss Kwicky Blades for it also.

Just a reminder anyone who wants to try X2PERFORMANCE head over to x2performance.com and enter SHAUN as a coupon and get 10$$ off a case of 28.
It is amazing and I do not train or race without anymore. Recovery is great, energy is superb and it will keep you strong. Used it for the first time on a Plyometric workout yesterday and flat blistered the workout and that was after 1.7mi of speed drill in the pool. Give it a look and hold on it will supercharge training

1 Year Today

I was beating around what to write about for a few days and nothing sounded right. Was gonna have another throw back Thursday, like I had last week but something just hit me. Today it has been one year that I had to make the toughest call of my entire life. I had to put down my best friend Ticket. She was by far the best dog I have ever had and would give anything to have her back. That dog understood everything about me and never left me no matter what. I have never had or will ever have a dog like her again and I was so lucky to get her. I never meant to get her, it just happened one day while working with some horses. This pup covered in mud came up and the girl that had her coulndt keep because she was growing to fast. So I put that Black and Tan Coonhound in my truck and away we went. She had never been in a house and was given up from her litter because she was gun shy and wouldnt hunt. Long story short, she was fine one minute and then next had some spine issues. Surgery was an option but they was not sure if she would ever walk again and for her not to go out and run that big nose across the ground would have been like killing her. So i laied with her as the vet put her down and did m best to ease things up for her. I was not gonna be in there but as much as she laid with me when I was hurting there was just no way I could not be there for her. Now she sits on the piano at my moms where she should be. Although a pain in the butt sometimes here is a few of her better pictures.

Throwback Thursday - Chasing the 140.6

Been thinking about this year and whats coming up and it made me think back to my first year in triathlon. I waited almost 2 years before I could race, I needed a bike and didnt have the money for one. So December 2007 I got it and that same month I was at my first sprint. Before I started I knew what I wanted to race, it was the 140.6 I was after. Well 10 months and 3 ( one each distance ) races I had to get into the only one I could. It was the 2008 Great Floridian in Clearmont FL. I had to pick this because we was already starting workups for deployment and I knew that 2009 was gonna be shot and I would not be around much. I got into the military division figured why not and it was a little cheaper. I thought I knew what to expect and in all I was pretty close ! No expectations that was my day, only to finish what I waited almost 3 years for but really only been traing for 4 months ( Didnt start till after May at HIM FL). Anyway it was such a great day, met this guy from GA on the run and we talked most of it till mile 15, then he stopped to see his wife and I never seen him again. That day I went through every emotion I have at least 5x, happy, sad, depressed and overwhelmed at times. I relived my entire life starting back as far as I cold remember. This good and bad I have done over a lifetime and when I seen the 20 mile marker on the run I almost fell apart. Not from anything but purly knowing I was gonna finish and at that moment I was chasing the setting sun. My goal changed to finish before sunset, didnt make it but I was damn close. In the end I finished 1st in the division, forget overall I could look it up in scrapbook but that dont matter. What did I learn ? That the 140.6 distance is by far my favorite and really do not wanna race anything else. From that night on, through pre-drployment and 2 years in the desert I could not wait to get at it again. Now well nothing has changed, only that now I have a great wife who enjoys them and I believe is her favorite race too. Never would I have expected all this in 2008 but I love my life and enjoy every day chasing the 140.6 dream again.

Another Week Down

Been a OK week all around but wanting more. Training has been good although last 2 days I been out of town. Had made plans to run over in West Palm but as normal they got shut down with a early morning formation. Not sure still why I was but I did get some stuff done I needed to. Glad to see that storm got torn apart over Cuba and hope to get in a few hour ride tomorrow followed up with a long run Sunday. Getting ready to go out now for some speed work and Nadine just asked if we was going to pool tonight? Damn I aint been in town 1hr yet and get hit with a pool trip. Don think she knows im running. Feeling sluggish after 2 days of paperwork shuffling, defiantly gonna need a kick in the pants with some X2PERFORMANCE before this run. Been thinking a lot of some OWS but I usually do not do many unless I am kinda dragged into it. I just do not get into them much these days unless its race day. Hoping for a good weekend, least with a few hours of no rain for some bike time.  

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Training Coming Back Together

Been hectic around here since being back from AAC. I have had a few decent workouts and things seem to be coming around best they can. Back in school full time and leaving again this week but just for a couple days this time. Finally back in the water for swims, been 3 weeks and I have been feeling it. X2PERFORMANCE is helping with the workouts and recovery. Did a 65 and 5 brick Sunday and been waiting for DOMS to kick in but nothing!! It has been months since I been on the bike that long not to mention running after Nutrition was way off, water mostly and I was feeling it. Should have stopped at park after my run north but got caught chasing a roadie down and forgot about the water stop. That mistake didnt allow me to get water for 2 hours and with temps in 80's with damn near 100% humidity it was a lose lose situation. Came off bike after a hella fast ride (then what I expected) only to find myself dry heaving by mile 2 and then throwing up soon after. Regrouped with walk and water and finished the run. Not as long as I wanted but longer then it could have been. I really been liking using X2PERFORMANCE everyday and it keep proving to me its legit !! Looking forward to more training and see where it takes me. This weekend looks BAD that tropical storm is gonna keep things windy and wet it looks like. So working on swim and run this week and will get back on bike once it passes. Maybe I should have gotten that trainer cycle when I was going to!! Well have to deal with it for now. Looking for a race, I got the itch and it needs to be scratched. Missed this weekend in Naples just cause I had gotten back from 2 weeks of school a day before the race. No worries I got a few soon Im looking at.

12 Days of Army Air Assault School done!!

AaaHhhh WOW that was a long 12 day, really seemed like I was gone for a few months. I really dont know where to start, I have been wanting to go to that school since I was 14. Now that I have completed it is just awesome! I wish I could start at the very first day and just write abou the entire class but it would be a short book. Days 1-4 was by far the worst I have had i a long long time. I was mentally and physically beat. We did pushups till couldnt get off the ground, flutter kicks for I'm not sure how long and Mt climbers for what seemed like hours. That was all before the sun came up and we had a 2 mile run followed with the confidence course. Before noon on day 1 we had lost 35 people out of the 250 that started. By the end we graduated 196. Some was medical drop, others for failing tests and some just quit. The course is nicknamed the 10 toughest days in the Army and for me I agree. Not sure if it beats some days I had in the USMC but Army YES !!

 Neither of these pics are of me but I found them off the FLANG web page. In all I am glad I got to go and even more I made it through and got my wings. At the end we got to rappel out of a UH60 from about 90 feet and it was so cool. The last day was a 12 mile road march in full gear with 40lb ruck sack, my feet could have done without that cause IMFL training is back in full swing. But I will be good in a few days soon as things quit hurting.

Out For a Few Days

Today is my last day around for about 12 days. Heading to Camp Blanding up in Stark, Fl. Will be going to the Army Air Assault School. Mentally I am set, I know it is gonna be a rough 12 days and ready for it. I do not wanna make any stupid small mistake that gets me dropped. First day I hear is brutal, last class started with 240 and by noon on day one (5hr into it) they had dropped 70 people already. My ribs are still not 100% although much better then when I messed them up training with the AAC class, last time I was at Blanding.
Did have a good workout today, ran a 2 hr 30min @ 45 mile brick before leaving. Things are really clicking for me and hate to leave but duty calls. The way I see it is I have 12 days of strength training so its all good. Need to get a new box of X2PERFORMANCE while I am gone !! When I get back on July 2 college starts back up and it full on for IMFL. Really looking forward to it I think with the X2 this is gonna be the PR I been shooting for at FL. Any news come up I just installed the app on my phone for this so I will try it. Blanding barley has cell service so not sure how things will be. Till then

Good news today

So I been waiting to hear from X2Performance about racing with them this year. Although I did not make Louisville with them, they had me fill out another App for either IMFL or IMAZ. I did FL and I got an email back from them saying they picked me to race with them. For me this is HUGE 1 I have never had a chance this big 2 I really like their product and love training and racing with it. I have had nothing but excellent results with it. So far I have used it in 2 races and in long training. Great lasting energy throughout the entire workout. I was out swapping out rubber on my bike when the news came in and almost didnt wanna finish my bike. But seeings I got a run and ride planned tomorrow I had to finish it up. I will be taking the X2Performance out tomorrow, Nadine has also started using and she like it a lot too. I do wanna run with it and almost did Sunday when we did a 12 miler but got up late and had to get out the door. So did not have it but will squeeze in a long run before heading to Camp Blanding this wee for Air Assault   School. I cannot take any supplements with me or I would be packing this with me.  Need a great supplement to shove training and racing into overdrivehttp://www.x2performance.com/  will do it, give it a look and maybe they still have free samples for you to try

Specialized Sitero Saddle

Been waiting on this saddle to hit the LBS and it finally made it in. Only to be snagged up by Josh that works there doing fits. So I called him and he took it off his Shiv and let me ride it this week on mine. Everything I had read and watched this saddle is the shit ! After 2 rides, 3.5 hrs and 75 miles I concur with everything about it. That is just my opinion and  it can be different for everyone. I have been on another Specialized saddle the Romin Pro and thought it was good, also been on an ISM Road but it was a nogo!! The sit zone on this Sitero is great and I think can fit many style rides. I can get up on nose and all the way back of the sit zone. Which is the area on the saddle that has the dots on it. Another outstanding feature is the bolt on bottle carrier, that can also be swapped out for a racking hook like the ISM.

 It is for both men and women and next to ride it is my wife, soon as I take it back to LBS. I have already put on on hold at LBS and will pick it up Saturday after another 2 rides on it. No issues I have found with comfort or blood flow. It was designed to keep the rider down on the aero bars. With that the saddle it not bad riding up on the bull horns, I found just slide back a bit and do what ya gotta do then drop back down. Very little shifting during rides and trying to find that zone when you can sit the longest, no sores ( no butt chum either just for testing) all around I think this is a bad ass saddle and if you spend much time on your triathlon bike might wanna give it a shot. I dont even need a saddle, heck mine is not even 6 months old but I am getting this. They have 2 types the Pro and Expert, difference is carbon rails but carbon is not out yet.

Rain not going anywhere

National Running day and I took off, guess I didnt plan my schedule all to well. Ha! No really I dont pay too much attention to that kinda stuff, only 2 holidays a year I really stop everything for. That is Veterans  day and the Marine Corps B-day, Nov 10th and 11th. Anyways rain has had things shut down around here for a few days, least the bike. Runs have been going well and swims too. Today I took MTB out for a hr and cam back to plyometrics and some strength, we have a swim planned later too. Nadine it itching to get out on her new bike and I really wanna get out on mine. I just am not into riding in the rain unless I have to, either on a race or get caught in a SFL storm that pops up while Im out. Just put in another order ofX2Performance and should be here by time the rain clears and training ramps back up. I really need a race to kick training into high gear, its kinda idle right now and need to look forward to something, November is just to far off.  Just got the word 2 days ago I have to leave July 11 & 12 and go over to West Palm Beach for some stuff with the State. Glad its not the weekend so still can make long ride or brick day that weekend. I need to get off my butt and get Kane out a B-day card, its on the 10th and I have no clue what I and gonna do. He wants a new motorcycle so just might send him some money and get off easy. Still thinking getting Nadine into the Great Floridian Triathlon, Adam is in and now need to get her mind set. I am still kicking around the idea of the 70.3 but sure dont wanna mess up IMFL. Air Assault school starts in 2 weeks, more to come on that

Gonna be heading out for the weekend and already to get back Monday and back to training.  Nadine is heading to get her fit tomorrow, the bike is close but still needs tweaked a bit. Mine is headed in also for just minor stuff. Need to run a PT test with the Army for the upcoming Air Assault Course on June 21. Ribs are doing no better but running has been easier. The swim is what has been bothering me, not so much hurting just feels odd. Bike is great, although not a whole lot this week due to the weather down here. We so need to get a trainier for this time of the year. Florida just has too much rain to plan long rides.

 Cannot wait to get Nadine on her bike more and start jamming out some speed work for her. She is so happy with her bike and I was glad to get it for her. She so deserves it and it has been a long time coming. Wish we could have gotten it for her sooner but better she has it now with no race planned. Although I am looking at the Great Floridian for her. We can work the training plan together, me for IMFL and 2 weeks before is the GFT. Just need to get her set on training for it, right now she is in a slump with no race coming up or on the calendar. After I tried and like the X2Performance, she is next to give it a roll. I think she will be nothing but happy with the results. Till Monday, Im out

Elite Events Naples Triathlon

On May 25th we headed South to Naples for another Elite Events race. They have been in town for a year or so and finally getting pretty good turnouts to their events. They are also getting longer races and I cannot wait for that to happen. So the day started as normal, except the twist today was the race is a reverse !! NEVER have I done one or thought I would but decided to make it a speed work day and have a good time. They was running the tri and du at the same time. Run went pretty good and about my avg. even if the run was after the bike, 20:06 was run time and it was hard to tell where I was except I did see one guy in front of me in my AG. Bike was 10 miles and my split was a 27:14 for a 22.04 avg. Not shabby seeings it had speed bumps on part of the course and 3 U- turns in it also. I think the hardest part of the day was the swim ! Legs seemed to just hang in the water and with the up coming sun I missed a buoy. OK I should have seen it but followed a guy in front of me as we rounded buoy and never paid attention Either way my fault and should have worn tinted goggles and paid attention. Finished the race in a 55:55 and when I looked at results I was 3rd OA. The shocker for the day was during awards I was called for 1st place masters ! HEY my first ever masters win, but I just did get into the AG for it this year and only the 3rd race of the season. Had stuck with my new race day nutrition, X2Performance - Power bar - Xendurance; these 3 things been rocking training and last few races I have done.  I just started my training program for IMFL and I needed to get Nadine onboard. So seeings I told her she would not do another IM without a new bike we went and got her a new one the other day. I am gone this weekend and when I get back its gonna be game on. My bike is headed to shop this weekend when Nadine goes to get her fit done. Oscar is gonna tighten things up move my bars and a quick tuneup for training. So I am done with the sprints for the year I think, Making OLY's now speed work and hope to get a few 1/2 or even a full before IMFL. 

Back to training , Upcoming race

Had to bounce out of town for a few days, to go train with the Army. It was a Indoc for Air Assault school coming up next month. WOW what an eye opener, its gonna ba a tough school both physical and mentally. Been wanting to go to this school since I before I even joined the Marine Corps. Now 40 it is gonna be so much tougher on me and I am maybe the oldest person in the class. Well Im gonna give it my best shot and not give into their games. It has a very high quit/ kick out rate. Last course started with 230 and day 1 they kicked out 70 before noon.

Got a free trial of X2Performance a new sponsor of Ironman and have been giving it some test runs.

So far things have been great! Been using it as it says and things seem to be going great with it. I need to get more and use it on more workouts but so far it has been outstanding. Soon as I start training for IMFL I think this is gonna be part of my arsenal and if things work out for IM Louisville it will be going there with me also. X2Performance combined with Extreme Endurance has done wonders with my training and really feel a PR coming in the 104.6  distance this year. Them 2 combined with Power Bar fueling for me has been a game changer with how I been feeling. Need to roll out a few more base mile weeks and after AAC on July 2, training is getting ramped up for upcoming IM's

May 11 Cape Sprint

Yesterday was the Cape Coral Sprint Triathlon and Nadine and I decided to go run the thing. Not a bad setup by the county and pulled in bout 158 people to run it. Although we knew it would be smaller, we also knew that there was gonna be some fast ass people attending it and we was not wrong on that. Weather was good in the low 70's and water was mid 70's. Swim went by well, started up front and never left the crowd the entire time, hit the beach around 5min for the 400 meters. Bike was 2 laps in a T pattern, made a huge rookie mistake and missed a turn. Had my head down jamming along and just missed it but caught it soon as I did. Back on track and onto 2nd lap there was a crash in front of me. 2 guys and a girl got caught up somehow and knocked one guy out with broken brake levers on bike. Run started out good in my new shoes I won at the Fit 2 Run grand opening and they was feeling good. Picked off a few and at mile 2.75 got passed not realizing he was in my AG. Finished in a 56:59 , 10th OA and 2nd AG. Tried out the 2X Performance today, hard to tell about it would have liked a longer course but still gonna work with it. Nothing bad about it just sprints always seem to hurt me more then 70.3 or higher do. Next race is in Naples on May 25th its a reverse sprint. 

Wedding Day

On March 16th the best thing happened to me. I married my best friend and love of my life. I could not ask for more, Nadine is everything I have wanted my entire life and we are just better together. I love her, train with her and she is my everything and my 3x IM finisher. Who although it was our honeymoon in Ocala for the HITS 140.6, when I could not race and against her will, she went out and rocked it out. With another 3rd place AG finish

May Things Calm Down

Its been crazy for a while now and time has passed way to fast. Hard to think its already May and the year is almost half over. The Ocala 140.6 with HITS Triathlon did not work out the way I had planned. Matter a fact, I never even got to start the race. Had a flat tire issue, which on any given day is easy to take care of but not this day. Between old tubes and rim tape, could not keep any air in front tire but did not know this till I got home. Had brand new tires and it even stumped the bike support guys, who only got a short look at it because they was too busy filling tire. I mean WTF you come to a race and dont bring a pump ?? April hit and I was in a slump and have been in and out of it. So for my 40th B-day I thought I would run 40 miles for it. Day started good, although I wanted to stop within 5 miles. Fueling and water was good but things really started getting to me. Knee and ankle on right side was killing me. Walked and talked to Nadine at 27 she was riding and said just see what you can do. I made it to 30 miles and shut things down. The roads canter was causing me to run back n forth all over the road and could never find a happy point. So seeing I have not ran over or had to run more then 4 hours in years. When I hit 30 @ 4:35:00 I decided to live to fight another day. Since then things have been slow coming, that run took more out of me then I thought. One thing I do know is an Ultra is within my reach if I wanted to train for it. I went into this run with 1 16 mile day, which was a 2x day I did that.
Did not have to go to annual training with the FLNG so I jumped into the Cape Coral Yacht Club sprint triathlon on May 11 just for the hell of it. Also I am in for the Lake Avalon reverse triathlon in Naples on May 25. Someday soon I am gonna turn towards IMFL and set the training plan up. Been doing more strength training and speed work in all three sport. Need to kick the slump and get head back on straight and set my sights further down the road. For now looking at Air Assault school in late June into July then it on to IMFL. I WILL be ready for it both mentally and physically. Have a break in school, BA in Exercise Science is going well and need to get back in ASAP. Also this year Triathlon Coaching Cert. and NASM Cert.  renewed are 2 other plans.

HITS 140.6 01/12/2013

Day started like any other race, running around and running late no matter how early I get there. Got T1 set and headed to beach. Spent a lot of time talking and getting pictures. Had the race meeting and before I even had goggles on the horn went off. Swim went well and was out of the water at 58min.. little quick but guess my swims been paying off. Hit T1 at the hour mark and ripped through it in 2 min.. Headed out on the bike course I know all to well. Kinda boring but the headwind all the way out made you work. Tailwind on the way back made it kinda nice. Came into T2 after 5:18:?? and only was in there for another 2 min. Run went back from mile 2 on and spent the next 4 hours trying to figure out whats wrong. Run was a out n back 2X, so you got to see everyone a few time. Best I could figure I was 8th going into the run and they even yelled to me I was. So started picking people off till I was 5th and bad went to worse. Stomach didnt wanna hold anything down and was making me walk but ran as long as I could between them. Crossed the line in 10:29:00 a new PR that I was not expecting. Run was the worst at 4:06:??, in all a really good day. Took the whole week off and finally got into the pool this morning. Training start light in the morning and goes back full Monday. HITS 140.6 Ocala is March 23rd. Just need t maintain and do a little work.