 When people ask me how I fuel for races, my answer is pretty darn simple. I hit up a McGriddle every morning, some Popeyes for lunch and I ALWAYS wash it down with Mt. Dew. I mean, Mt Dew is green, right? It must have some spinach or something in it. - So anyone who knows me well enough, would probably at least smile at that huge lie. I'm not going to go nuts on a food "rant" but I think we should all look into our food. I'd like to simply offer you a few questions. Do you buy foods based on the label on the front of the package or the nutritional info back? What I'm getting as is, industry rides the "trendy" wave of food. Phrases like "Gluten Free", "Natural", "Vegan", "Non-GMO", "Cage Free" and "Grass Fed" are pretty abused these days. They are all there to make you feel better, leading you to make the impulse (seemingly healthy) decisions. The truth is, what you eat plays such a vital role on your future, it's worth your time to research what you're eating AND many times you are intentionally mis-directed. This ONE fact ALONE should make you think twice. IF you purchase "cage free" eggs, make sure the brand actually practices a true "cage free" atmosphere. Sure, you might imagine all the chickens in pasture, laying eggs, chatting about the crazy party last night. The reality is, by definition "cage free" ONLY means chickens have to have "access" to an outdoor area...which means they basically install a door which leads outside to a pen. Chickens are still in a factory setting, beaks cut, freaking out because they are literally living in filth and 1% cage free. So, that's all I'm going to really throw out there right now. If you care, maybe you'll do some of your own research...otherwise, no big deal, continue doing what you do. Just know, it will all make a difference and you can vote for what you believe in with every dollar you spend. VEGAS Baby!
 I was fortunate enough to be invited by FRS Healthy Performance and the US Military Cycling Team to Las Vegas. For the brief time I was there I was able to get a good flavor of the place everyone goes to get hammered beyond belief just so they can say "WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS" (even though Facebook pretty much tracks everything you do). Since I don't drink much or ever gamble, this trip was pretty uneventful. That being said, I still had an AWESOME time staying at the Aria, where everything is operated by touch screen. My blinds, music, temperature, alarm clock and tv were all controlled with a tablet! A phone next to the toilet??? I've always wanted to chat with dear friends while I unleash the crackin. None the less, I was amazed with this city. It's like a giant Disney. Working with the FRS team was really great! I learned a ton about the product and was really able to help give back to a company that fuels our cycling team. 
Besides working the FRS booth at the GNC Franchisee convention, I was able to get a very hot ride in with some new friends. A fellow team member secured a GREAT Trek Madone 6 with Durace...a sweet demo rig to say the least. Terra and her boyfriend Jason took me to the Red Rocks Canyon for a long ride. Let's just say it was damn hot (110 or so) and pretty hilly. Now for the record, all of you decievers who talk about the dry heat (with a snarl) being more tolerable...you're a fibber. I've been deployed a few times so I already knew this but literally, open your oven when it's on 350 and let the first wave of heat blast you in the face. That's what it's like when it's windy while you're in the dessert. At a certain level, wet or dry heat is just plain old miserable. To summarize, Vegas was great...I was hung over, I ate too much...and I'll never take a "Red eye" flight again. Ocala Stage Race....My new best friend
RESULTS I'll keep this brief: Overall I ended up catching up with 20 or so friends and made about 20 more. Since this was my second bike race and I really enjoy the scene and fitness gains, I couldn't have had a better time. - Road Race Day 1 (50 miles)- Ended up solo in a break away, 2 fellas bridged up. We rode down the Cat 3/4 pack ahead of us, which ended up really slowing us down and screwing up our finish...but of well at least the pack never caught us. Finished second to a very strong "fixie" specialist. - Time Trail Day 1- It was the first time on the old time trial bike in a month or so...I could tell she wasn't happy with me (the bike). Since I pretty much thrashed my legs a few hours earlier that day, I wasn't able to go sub 10 minute on a 5 mile course, but oh well...I still took second. At this point I had a solid #2 finish in the GC rankings. - Road Race Day 2 (60 miles)- With the extra 500 ft of elevation and a sudden "pause" mid race (due to a bad crash), this race was pretty rough. No break away today, the legs were wrecked since we had to chase down some fellas. Finished top 10. Either way I took 2nd in the GC so WOO HOO. The absolute BEST part was racing with some awesome friends. John Hensz won the Master CAT 4 and blasted the Time Trial, Nicholas Sterghos showed his strength and came in right behind me (his first cycling race) and many other team members and friends raced their faces off. Not to mention, I found the ONLY healthy place to eat in the boondocks (thanks Yelp). Beef from a local farm, fresh veggies and brick oven pizzas...everyone was pumped but the celebration ended early when we found out they wouldn't be open on day 2 (sunday).
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