Last month (Oct) was HUGE for things that did NOT have to do with me or racing. I've been running around the U.S supporting those I care about most! I'm still getting used to a transition from full time "military man" to a full time Athlete/Coach. I've been feeling a little awkward but also very fortunate. After 10 years of having to show up and "work" for a set amount of time, making my own schedule has been quite luxurious. Most of you would think I'd probably sleep in, grow a beard or put on 15 pounds BUT that's not the case. Granted I did relax certain eating habits (off season stuff)...I've been busier than ever. Mon-Fri I wake up at 4:20am so I can be on time for U.S Masters Coaching in St. Pete Beach or Strength and Conditioning in Tampa, Fl. The weekends allow for a few extra hours of sleep but my nights are never short of "occupied". If I'm not on the computer analyzing training plans, I'm writing e-mails, texts or conducting Skype meetings. Despite a busier schedule, I always know I am making a huge impact on people I care about. Also...I'm a Reservist now so some Military work will still be in my future. I was finally was able to watch my girlfriend Karen complete her first marathon in Chicago. This was a wonderful trip and a HUGE event! Not only was I able to spend time in an amazing city that I've never visited for pleasure...I trained in some fun locations. Across the street from Karen's parents is a 1/4 mile track and 3 minutes away from that is the lakeshore running path! I wasn't super pumped about all of the heavily chlorinated indoor pools but shoot...it's only because I'm spoiled with year-round outdoor swimming in Fl. After the Marathon oringand travel it was time to head to Austin, TX. This is another city I've always wanted to spend time learning about and expl. This trip involved a special event, Nicholas and Heather's wedding. Being a groomsman was truly an honor and training with Nicholas is always a highlight. Austin has some amazing smoothie bars and a fantastic down-town running trails too. I've never seen so many active people in one location. Training NotesOff season or running season? There is most defiantly a balance but the goal should still be MORE REST! As much as we all want to start blasting out running miles when we have 3 or 4 months between our next "A" race, it's important to take some stress from your life in many aspects. If you always wake-early and train - bring in extra sleep or miss a few non-key sessions if you're not feeling it. Cut down some volume, keep some intensity and REALLY start having fun again. Personally, I like to try and still find some goals to work towards. I may sign up for a half marathon and a few 10k races for a possible opportunity to PR. I also like to spend most of my time on the road bike instead of the tri-bike, working in some intensity here and there....but lot's of cafe rides. At the end of the day I still collaborate everything with my coach (Tim Crowley) since I know he has the big picture in mind. Having a Coach in the off-season benefits me because if left to my own devices I'd probably push too hard and risk a possible burn out mid-season. It's good to have someone in your corner who really pays attention to your limiting factors, reminding you although it's fun to blast out tons of volume running...it may not pay off during a 70.3 or longer. At the end of the day, I need to work hard so I can make some money within this sport and that means top 10 finishes! I Love My Job!This past weekend I was able to pull off a win in my first half marathon. This was possible for a number of reasons. The time wasn't blistering fast but the course was challenging. I've wanted to run a sub 1:20 half marathon for some time now but just wasn't able to find time to dedicate myself to a running race. Since I love supporting local race directors and they take such amazing care of our athletes, Jon and I decided we would work together at the Honeymoon Island Half Marathon and try to set a new PR (for me). Given the course has about 4 miles of trails/sand and 4 bridges to cross...probably not the smartest idea. Despite being slightly off pace after the first 2 mies of sand, we brought the min's/mile back down and where definitely on pace for 1:20 despite the bridges. All PR hopes ended as we snow-shoe'd through the sugar sand for a second time on our way back in. None the less I know we could have been below 1:20 on a flat course so I'm so thrilled. I could't have done it without a phenomenal pacer and business partner, Jon Noland. This was a great confidence booster and knowing what I can do in an open race sheds light onto what I can do off the bike next year for 70.3. To add another layer of sweetness, TRIBAL Multi-Sport athletes took a huge number of AG wins, both male/female overall etc...I couldn't be more proud of our athletes! Not to be outdone...another handful of our athletes had a blast competing in the FINAL REV3 event in Venice, Fl. Since REV3 and Challenge are merging next year, it was nice to be able to observe it's final event as REV3. Here are some great pictures from the event. Despite some wind, cold and rain, we had athletes take 2nd overall in the 70.3, 10th in the Olympic and a few won their age groups. Either way, I love catching up with all of the friends I've met over the years...this event brought out some great people who live for a challenge like this. OH and we also had some athletes set PRs at a half marathon in Savannah, Ga, a marathon in Fl and 40K time trial in Texas. What's next? Who knows! I'll probably go hard at the Turkey Trot 10K and TRI Key West but that should wrap up the season. My next blog will have all my season highlights, training hours...mileage etc. It's fun to look back at a great year--my first as a pro athlete. Thanks again to USMES for accepting me on the Elite-team again next year and I look forward to representing all of our sponsors again next year!
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Wow! When athletes I work with execute a balanced race and are ON FIRE with their progress, nothing compares. After this past weekend of racing, I can honestly say I've never been more proud. It's still sinking in, totally larger than life and each deep breathe is another reminder that Damnit....I'm good at this stuff. I think since I'm so passionate about this way of life and all it entails, guiding others is truly gratifying beyond anything I've ever experienced. I love racing with my athletes! At this point I've got the Tri-life pretty locked down. I recently left the Active Duty component of the USAF and will now be a Reservist. This will allow me to really focus on training, coaching...and recovering (lot's of couch time). It's only been a few months since it's all been coming together with selling my house and all. It happened very fast, it's hard to believe I"m here right now...banging out another blog about a stellar race. To think Augusta 70.3 was my first EVER 70.3 back in 2011 and now I'm back as a Pro! The build up and taper for this race seemed to be pretty spot-on. We drove up a day earlier than normal to allow for an additional preparing (doing nothing)! Of course when I say "nothing" I mean some light swim, bike, run sessions followed by healthy eating and lots of TV watching with our feet up. The goal was to eliminate any amount of stress that would detract from the task at hand--putting together a strong, balanced race. I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with a great friend Brett, who really added value to this trip with his distorted humor and positive attitude. Brett worked his magic so we could stay at the host hotel...meaning the expo, pro meeting and general triathlon vibes were 2 steps away. Swim start and transition were within view of our 11th floor room; sublime. The awesome room, vibrant energy and minimal amounts of stress made our pre-race build very enjoyable. To cap it all off, Augusta finally got themselves a Whole Foods! We ate there every meal. It just makes sense, right? They really have everything! Eating at restaurants can be very tricky since you're usually forced into a certain quantity and type of food. With a Whole Foods near by, I was able to keep my diet 98% consistent to what I normally make for myself at home. Pre-Race & Swim - I woke up a few times during the night...which was actually nice. I remember waking up at 1am, checking my watch and letting out the biggest sigh of relief. A few more hours of sleep is always nice on race morning. My internal alarm went off around 4:20am. Breakfast consisted of some Ancient Grains hot cereal, banana, cinnamon and almond butter and almond milk. I like to have around 3 hours of digestion to prevent any unexpected pre-race food burps...or poops. After washing it all down with a small amount of coffee I was ready! I got to transition super early and took the shuttle back to the hotel, leaving me with an hour and 30 minutes to kick up the feet, sip some water and listen to some music. With 30 to go, I walked 8 minutes to the start line, saw some fellow competitors already suited up. I was really glad to see Brett and Lori before the race (athletes I work with), they seemed totally ready for the event which made me even more confident. I remembered they still had to wait another hour before they could start their race..... Once I was suited up in my XTERRA Ventedda, I walked down to the dock. Since I have a tendency to drift to the right during hard swim efforts, I started to the left. After the first 500 meters of "puke pace" I settled in and passed a few pro men, knowing I would speed up even more as I kept going. I'm like a diesel engine! I'm still working on that really hard start speed. It's tough and tense to give such an extreme effort with hopes of settling into a solid tempo. The goal is to gradually taper off into a high tempo pace but when I have to go out at 150% sometimes I slow too much and lose contact with the studs. A down river swim helped me stay a little more up front than usual. The sun was freaking blinding so it was tough to see a direct line but it worked out well enough. I came out of the water with enough time to see the bigger pack exiting transition. I was only a few minutes down. By the way, running with a wetsuit is totally hard....I may just take it off at swim exit for the longer transitions to open up the hips. Bike: The goal was to conserve a bit, hopefully allowing a 2hr 15 min bike leg. The Rudy Wing 57, Scott Plasma Premium and American Classic Wheels worked very out very well. I went out steady and reeled in a group of 4. After realizing they weren't really going at a fast enough, I took advantage of a small gap that opened and decided to push onward and catch another few riders. I couldn't have planned it any better...came off the bike in 2:15 and some change! Unfortunately there were still a lot of hard efforts in there since the tempo was up and down...so the legs weren't as fresh as I'd hoped. I took in 2 bottles of OSMO (3 scoops each). One bottle had a Honey Stinger gel in it as well. I like to take in some solid food after 60 minutes or so too. Run: Mile 1-3 were steady and I did my best to keep it under control....but it looks like we all went out a little too hard and faded. I was really suffering at mile 7 and it wasn't getting an any better. WHERE IS THE COKE?? I resorted to coke which keeps me going in times of need (sorta). Thankfully I didn't slow down to turtle pace but I certainly didn't run like I'd been training. I still finished 4hrs 11min, ONLY 1 minute off my 4hr 10min prediction. I came in 9th, didn't get chicked (for once) and finally feel like my career as a Pro Triathlete has some merit. Every small victory helps keep me going, even if I'm still years away from my true abilities. I'll be pretty much tapering down toward the end of the season, hoping the hard work this year will help me build some top end swim speed and further my run endurance. I'll keep you guys posted as I trudge through the training, recovering and coaching....Thanks for all of the support! I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate you taking the time to keep tabs on me. When it comes to triathlons and California, all of my friends know I'm a sucker! As a matter of fact, it pains me to make my last 70.3 of the year Augusta instead of Rancho Cordova...another trip out west just isn't smart (6 races this year). Sure, it's part of the epic adventure but I can't consider putting myself out there, enduring more pain as I struggle to sew together a solid performance with back to back 70.3's. Maybe next year, after more miles and experience have absorbed into my bones; I'll be ready. That being said, I cannot wait to finally pour out my thoughts concerning this race and experience as Karen and I headed out Californi-way. Pre-Race: Per usual, the morning we left was busy and hectic. Luckily, the dogs we already set up at the dog camp, hopefully enjoying their mini-vacation. Even though the dogs were off the radar, our bags were packed and we had a solid mode of transpiration to the airport, it's always hectic. For some reason I always feel like I'm running behind and stress levels are elevated until shortly after hitting airport security. Luckily, TSA pre-check makes life much easier (and they were gentle)!! The flight took us to San Jose airport, where we then chartered a magnificent Chevy Equinox that had ZERO turning radius. After stopping for a phenomenal meal at the Santa Cruz Cafe Gratitude, it was time to head to what could arguably be the BEST home-stay ever! Thanks to Tri-California and their ultimate care and consideration, we were able stay 30 seconds from the race site. James and his Wife Lilly opened their guest room to us. We took in the fresh ocean view and great company, knowing good things were to come. The 20th Year Triathlon at Pacific Grove: I've heard some great stories about this race. After reading Macca's book, I remembered there is a legacy behind this race and I couldn't wait to toe the line! The race line-up was full of former winners, WTS series competitors and dudes like me...rookie pro's looking for some experience. I had no idea of the pay out...or that there was one, but luckily they paid 10 deep....because I came in 10th. I'll lead you through the progression..... Swim: A noon start time is not normally in my wheelhouse. It's tough to figure out how to properly start the day but it's really nice to watch the AG race. Coming from the east coast makes it harder to actually sleep in...but I I managed as usual. Luckily the kelp was almost nonexistent and there was a flat, chilly 2 loop course for us. My race started with goggles full of water, followed by the standard...phrase of "shit I hope I'm not last". LUCKILY, I wasn't and there were 3 of us to bring up the rear. All in all, another intense swim.....complete! For what it's worth, I know I learned a lot from this one....most notably; SWIM STRAIGHT! (yes, I'm still working on that) Karen said we took more of an arc than a straight line...like the McDonalds arc. Draft Legal Bike Racing: I've only competed in 6 or 7 draft legal races thus far, only making it into a bike pack a few times. This race did not disappoint, we did some work! The Scott Foil and American Classic wheels felt great....I love doing some hard work on a road bike. The top swimmers and those with other various national titles were definitely in a race of their own. Draft legal triathlons break the race up into multiple races....we were definitely working our butts off trying to catch up as much as we could. Luckily, myself and one other strong cyclist were able to catch 4 or 5 fellas and we soon formed the last group of stragglers...knowing we would all have to seriously run hard and fast in the near future (or at least try to). It's a cool dynamic. Here is the strategy: Temporarily work together for a common goal knowing we'll be against each other shortly after. Oh...by the way, I'd like to say thank to Scott Giles for calling out the splits as we made our 4 laps. Sadly, the gaps were getting bigger. Running: It's no secret, I've been really blowing the run over the past year. It's been tough but hell, how else do you learn? I started strong, felt awesome but on the 3rd lap I really started losing ground. The legs and lungs just couldn't do anything more with what I had given them. None the less, the new kits looked great and I appreciated running into some awesome friends along the course. I had no idea I knew so many people in Pacific Grove. This lifestyle has proven to be a fantastic way to meet amazing people. What Else Did We Do?If you've got a few more minutes, allow me to unveil an epic trip which started immediately after the awards presentation! I'll keep it brief but I recommend everyone visit some of these places. First off, let me highlight the initiating factor of this journey. My friends Brad and Hila held a wedding ceremony in beautiful Murphys California and we were lucky enough to be invited. After the race, we drove 4 hours, right outside Sacramento. We arrived to a great "get away" town in the middle of no-where. Ton's of great people and great energy gathered together for the rehearsal dinner (to which we arrive late). After a short "hello' we needed some sleep...off to the hotel. I woke up in the morning and knocked out this fun little ride. Being from Florida...I totally take advantage of the opportunity to climb a mountain pass if presented. After catching up with some good friends at the wedding ceremony which was held at a beautiful vineyard, we tried to plan out the assault on the next day. The plan was, drive an hour up to Lake Alpine...a beautiful serene lake at 7000ft. This plan was awesome until I woke up in the morning and decided we should drive 3 hours to lake Tahoe and enjoy the altitude, sights and beautiful drive. We ran 12 miles along the lake, I jumped into the clearest water EVER....we grabbed some lunch and food for our picnic dinner and headed back to the hotel. I decided I would ride Ebbetts Pass on the way back and Karen played leap frog with the car, making sure I was safe. It was some of the toughest riding I've done in a long time with 24% grade switch backs....totally awesome descents too. This all lead us to a terrific picnic dinner at Lake Alpine! A year ago, I made this same trip...but a lot can happen in a year. Since my last visit to Michigan to participate in 70.3 Steelhead I somehow found an amazing woman who loves me, decided to utilize my USAT elite card, sold my house, decided to separate from Air Force active duty and have begun to lay the groundwork for my future. The only devastating news this past year was finding out my aunt is going to be battling cancer. You could imagine my astonishment when she opted to wake up at 3am to drive in and watch me race! We're a family of fighters! I can't express the amount of emotion I felt during this race knowing my whole family would be waiting for me at the finish line (first time ever)!! The trip, flight, doggy day care (we have 2 dogs) and everything else went super smooth. We arrived 3 days early so we could enjoy my Mom's lake house and relax/mingle. Something about being home brings some calm. Maybe it's because it's sort of a vacation. The training load is less, the stress levels back off and when I'm home....Mom takes care of everything, right? I remember last year when I raced this course in the age group field, I saw the "P" on some mighty fast fellas while finishing their last lap. I knew then that I wanted to race with a "P" on my calf. Well, for some reason, this is the first race that offered me that opportunity. Mission accomplished baby! Since every hotel within 200 miles seemed to be booked last year, I jumped at the opportunity to stay with a friend from Team RWB, Caroline Gaynor. Her Dad owns a beautiful home about 30 min south...Perfect! The 3 hour drive across the state wasn't too awesome, but at least I wasn't alone. My sherpa (best girlfriend ever) was on board, navigating the healthy food stops and putting up with my random comments that generally lead no-where and had zero relevance to anything considered a complete thought. I tend to ramble... We arrived to the race venue, I jumped in the pristine waters of Lake Michigan (65 degrees), quickly dried off and headed to the pro meeting. Being in a room full of such deep talent can be interesting. No one really wants to talk, make eye contact or ask any dumb questions. Luckily I was able to share a few kind words with Justin Metzger, a truly talented yet humble up and comer. After a delicious meal and what seemed like 5 minutes of sleep, we were up...ready to drive to the race site and execute the morning ritual....and hopefully take advantage of the labeled "pro men/women" port-o-potties. Race Prep: For a 70.3 I'll grub on some quinoa, almond butter, banana, berries and cinnamon. This takes place right when I wake up. I'll also sip on some coffee to aid the waking-up process...and it'll usually enable a "smooth move". My trusty sherpa was monumental during this portion of the morning. She carried gear, hung out by herself and coordinated meeting my family at the site. Once the bike was racked and what not, it was time to walk a mile down the beach. I forgot how long a mile walk takes in soft sand....definitely a hip workout. Finally, we arrived at swim start where I had to lend Brittany Pierce some body glide since...she usually forgets something (or brings 2 rear wheels to Age Group Worlds in London). After my favorite wetsuit pre-swim stretch, it was time to line up. This is the last moment of calm. All the waiting around. All the previous days add up to a few slowly ticking seconds...and the star spangled banner. 2 minutes turns to 30 seconds very quickly but that last 10 seconds drip from the clock like cold raw honey. So you can pretty much guess what happens after that right? I swim, bike and then jog (that's how I felt at least). Here's a quick mental recap of how it unfolded.
Swim: "Dang, where did all those guys go"? NEXT: "I've only been swimming 3 minutes. Oh, well...try and swim straight, try and swim straight. (while sighting)....Crap....I'm off course! Get back on course, get back on course..."(this continues for appx 30 min) The current was a bear this year, pulling me to shore and in the opposite direction I wanted to go. I came out further back as usual but was still pumped that there were 6 guys spread out behind me. For future reference, if I have to run a long distance in the sand and through transition, I'm taking off my wetsuit right when I get out of the water! Bike: This year I was told to hold back a bit to see if we could execute a stronger run. I was happy that an avg of 256 watts gave me a 2:11 bike split...but it still did some damage. I have to give kudos to my Scott Plasma and American Classic wheels though (deep front/rear disc). Last year I was on the Felt DA and Zipp 808's with about 18 watts higher average. Myself and the guy who hung out off my wheel the whole time managed to pass 3 other guys in the last 10 miles, so the consistency paid off. All in all, the course is great for me since it strongly resembles the rollers we have here in Clermont, Florida. I fueled with 2 bottles of OSMO, 2 stinger gels and a stinger waffle...next time I'll add a little more calories. Run/Jog: So off the bat, I was pretty stiff but I expected after 2 miles I would be able to spread my wings and fly (sorta). Obviously that didn't happen though and many #cramp sensations had taken control of my hamstrings. I started hitting nutrition pretty early on since I felt a little low on energy coming off the bike. After accepting this run would be a matter of survival, I settled in and knew I just needed to get up the sharp, abrupt hills that were on the course. I sorta hit a wall early on but knew finishing would be enough to please my family and couldn't wait to see them in the finish chute. 5 guys passed me on the run, the most ever during any race! BUTTTT on to the next race....I'm pumped to nail a solid run here soon! I highly recommend this race. I loved the experience and I loved being with my family! Overall, this season has delivered loads of experience, often leaving me with some odd questions. I know for certain, at times I don't feel elite, but it's a decision I've made....plain and simple. I want to race against the best, in the same field, against the same conditions. With a lot of athletes and even with me, patience is often the missing link. I just finished "Iron War" on audio book today on my bike ride and it truly inspired me to really hear the history of this sport. It painted a beautiful picture around my life and the life of those I coach. We're a society of people who suffer together and thrive because normal life isn't good enough. Anyway, thanks for reading....please support my sponsors and more than anything DO MORE! Sometimes you get a flat during a key workout, often requiring double effort to get back in the zone. Other times your body fights back or is forced to fight off a virus. That's where I am today. It's been a rough weekend and last night was certainly the worst. Since my amazing birthday, I have been dealing with some nausea and fatigue....and some stomach issues. I had to cut a few workouts short and have generally felt like 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. Sunday morning I pushed through and finished my 1hr 30 min run (death march) but still bounced back after a nap. Yesterday's swim workout was the catalyst to my demise. So here I am fighting off a fever and massive tightness all around. What does this mean? No racing this weekend! I'll be pulling out of Challenge New Albany :( which I'm super bummed about but it wouldn't make sense to cram in a race knowing I'm not 100%....especially when I have another 70.3 only 2 weeks later. I have no choice but to listen to my body! But hey....I get to lay in bed and watch Le Tour!!! The 3rd Time Is a Charm. Rob's Glory!I'm very proud of Tribal Multi-Sport athlete Rob Pulsifer, who fought is way to a Boston marathon qualifying race time. Seriously, we tried 2 separate races prior to Grandma's Marathon. Attempt #1.....A draw bridge at mile 16 and 5 minutes of standing around led to massive leg cramps and a slow finish. Attempt #2.....as everyone lined up to start, they cancelled the race due to weather! Attempt #3....read below....
The “Why” I’m the goal guy and feel that life is best lived by having huge goals. Growing up outside of Boston and living for several years in Connecticut I have been devastated by the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary and the Boston Marathon in 2013. As a father of 2 girls, 3 & 6, it has been difficult to deal with these tragedies as many of the victims were kids not able to live their lives. Running has been my outlet. After the bombings in Boston I made a commitment to qualify for the race, 3 hrs 10 minutes or better for my age bracket. I had run a half dozen or so marathons, my best race at that time was 4:05:17 and I was in pretty good shape. So shave an hour off, that’s all right? Easy right?… Wrong. Well, I’ve been after it for a year and a half and have had 4 failed attempts but I needed all of those failures to learn the lessons. So welcome to Duluth... Weather Leaving Minneapolis around 11:00 AM, the weather was sunny and 85F... and rising, not ideal race conditions. By the time I got to Duluth, it was 48 degrees, perfect for the race! Crazy how you can go from summer to winter in 3 hours, that was a gift from the Big Guy. Mindset The night prior to the race I texted a friend and told him I was attempting to qualify for Boston again. In short he said that I had already failed as my mind was not in the right place. In the words of Yoda, “there is do and do not, there is no try” and I think that is what my friend was saying. Immediately after reading his response I made a conscious decision to qualify. Sounds strange but I knew the night before that I would get it done. I went into Black Mamba mode... dangerous, fast, and aggressive. Accommodations Having signed up for Grandma’s late, the only place left to stay was the freshman dorm at University of Wisconsin Superior. Cold, drafty, group bathrooms, no TV... perfect. This wasn’t a vacation as I was there to do a job and the room reinforced that message. The Race I met up with the 3:05 Cliff Pacer and planned on hanging with him the whole race. In the first 5k he was well ahead of pace and I decided to back down to 7:03/mile. The entire race was run on Lake Superior but I never saw the water. I remember of thinking about perfect mechanics of the first 8 miles (Eyes fixed 30 feet out, 90 cadence, heart rate in the upper 150’s, etc.) Fast forward to mile 21, my “wall” in previous races where a hamstring or quad would lock up but not this day. At any sign of stress in a muscle group, I would consciously tell my body that failure was not an option and that it wasn’t going to shut down. It worked! 22, 23, and 24 went down. I caught the pacer at mile 25 who said we were well ahead of a 3:05 and I could back it down... not going to happen. Mile 25 was 6:53, Mile 26 was 6:33 and the final stretch was at 5:39 pace. Mission completed! Punched my ticket to Boston with a3:03:54. I learned so many lessons along the way but I think the last one was one of the most important. Train your mind and your body will follow. Whatever your goals are, remember to Believe! First off, what the heck have I been up to?? Well let me tell you, it's been a whole lot of intensity! Some big changes are coming in the near future...but you'll have to wait for that announcement. BUT WAIT allow me stop any of my crude friends and their corrupt minds....no there will not be a sex change involved, you jerks. Anyway, a few quick highlights before I get into the race recap and a review of the next few months. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK! Not sure if that is good or bad....since I'm getting older and all- but none the less, my girlfriend has assured me it will be one to remember! It'll be hard to top last year though since It was the first time I had EVER been genuinely surprised. Over the past few weeks since my last blog, I've been pouring a ton of energy into Tribal Multi-Sport and the development of the amazing athletes I have the honor of coaching. Amongst all that, I've been working on continuing my education too (I prefer to break a mental sweat too). But seriously, I've definitely chosen a path less traveled...which makes me want to challenge all of you to do the same, no matter how big or small that scale is. Working with compassionate and dedicated people who love Triathlon or even general wellness, is a dream come true! In the beginning the relationship is more business minded but over the course of a few months, we're life-long friends! So there's my little touch of emotion....I love my athletes! My travels to California are ALWAYS beautiful and refreshing (especially to wine country)....I was very fortunate to share this experience with some great friends. Tribal Multi-Sport athletes Brittany Pierce (with her Sherpa Paul Higgins) charged into the pro field AND my good friend at XTERRA Wetsuits, Jay Webber came up to support all the XTERRA athletes. This guy LOVES the sport and has given me tons to work towards when it comes to positive energy. The dude is seriously on fire for our sport and whoever will give him a hug....or a feel how "springy" his hair is. I think he also stores his gels in there during long rides. OH WAIT....if you're ever out in the Berkeley California, CHECK OUT Cafe Gratitude. The menu, flavor and support crew of earth loving servers will change your life....and blow your pallet out of the water! What's that? RAW kelp pad thai! Wait...The best tacos I've ever had with cashew cheese? Yea, I was pretty hungry after waking up at 4 am....for a cross country flight. So as we roll into the race recap....look forward to some more insight as I will be competing in Challenge New Albany in OH and IM 70.3 Steelhead in MI....very soon! Race Recap ....In Reverse Order (mind=blown)So wine country is pretty amazing; very easy on the eyes. After I finished I was sorta bummed I didn't have much time to even appreciate it. When you're busy spewing liquids from your body and trying to forcefully put more down at the same time....the scenery can often be overlooked. None-the-less, the finishing chute couldn't have come any sooner. My legs were hurting, my body had been telling me to quit since mile 10...but with 3 miles and change left, it's time for my body to chill out! We're gonna finish strong. A good take away on the RUN was even paced splits...(not very exciting I know). I didn't really "blow up" at any point, just kept it consistent. I took in tons of fuel each mile, either water, coke (after mile 6) or some Honey Stinger Gels. A nice steady dose of calories kept the diesel engine going. I passed a few guys, got passed myself (by chicks.....too)....but always remembered, it's not over until it's over. Some of the studs who blew by me off the bat were reeled back in...but a few more got away and really ran well. I've managed to pick races this year....with mega stacked fields. My rookie-ness in the sport shows when it comes to that. I get irritated being dropped over and over again but then quickly remember these guys are well seasoned. I think they have seriously bottled "awesome" and given a mega-dose to the likes of Tim Don and Jesse Thomas. So anyway, a tough run (but is it ever easy?). I'm still very pleased with how it turned out. As far as the bike goes, I made a slight miscalculation of the angle of my aero bars. I usually tape all of my dimensions so I can't screw it up on the re-build...but I think the tape moved. Half way through, my back was about to pack up and leave....It wasn't until I hit a hefty bump where I realized they were loose enough to pull back up a bit. After that little fix, life was better but the rolling hills were deceptive. like most races, I had some power numbers to focus on, but sometimes when you're riding with a few others...those numbers start to fade. Since biking has always been my strong suit, I've been trying to taper back a bit to see if my run can improve...I suppose there's a long way ahead! All that aside the bike course was great! After riding the Wildflower bike course, this was a walk in the park...Chalk Hill was over and done with before I could expel the snot from my nose! (yea it was a bit chilly out--and snotty). One of these days, I'll swim with the guys who lead the race and actually have a foot forward-instead of always playing catch up. HOWEVER, playing catch up is fun at times...because some of those bad-ass swimmers come back on the bike and then I don't feel so bad. The swim was full of dolphin dives (shallow water) and course corrections (per usual)....the river was 71 degrees, just tipping the "uncomfortable" point while wearing a full sleeve. I'd hoped to swim a 26min...but I suppose a 27 will do for now. Each course throws some different challenges my way and I'm still trying hard to hold onto some feet! I really liked the river start though...the fog was gently hanging above the glassy water. Pro transition was about 5 steps from swim exit so it was a mad dash to toss the wetsuit. I've been throwing a ton of body glide on the outside of the ankle portion, allowing the suit to come off as quick as a champagne cork.
For pre-race meal and what not...it's never anything different than what I have every day. Keep it simple! I eat tons of veggies, some quinoa, some healthy fats....maybe some fruit. A plant based lifestyle has really made meal time pretty simple...which I really look forward too. My goal is to even show my home-stay's how easy it is to be more plant based. Finally, A HUGE thanks to my home-stay...who's name will remain anonymous due to his previous dealings with the Russian Mafia. Totally kidding, but a seriously large THANK YOU to Jesse, his wife and very sweet kids. Without a doubt, the most comfortable bed I've slept in along with the darkest room=paradise! It was an honor to race with you and share your first 70.3! I'll be back for Rancho Cordova....and I'm gonna stop by! Thanks SCOTT BIKES for a solid rig and American Classic for the speedy Disc wheel. OSMO nutrition was also on site, keeping everyone's stomach PH in check for maximum nutrient absorption. Hopefully I'll have my Rudy Wing57 for the next race too....so look forward to that! My journey, though it may be tiring and jam packed full of erroneous mind games, certainly brings a sweet sigh of relief (sometimes). As the dust settles and the medal is draped around your neck, all that can be said is…Hell yea! What’s next? The morning routine, multiple bowel movements, gear bag shuffle and myriad of logistics that tag along with any race are now second nature (16 total races this season). I travel with a carry-on full of necessities and my bike/race gear-nothing more. Awhile back I’d imagined what this lifestyle might feel like; traveling, racing, recovering etc. Now, here I sit with my loose fitting board shorts, compression socks, Team shirt and hat- Headed home from yet another race…. getting mentally ready for the next race in California, 70.3 Vineman. Another big Pro race. First off, I’m the type of person who focuses on efficiency. The airlines drive me nuts and so does TSA! More notably, people who travel often leave me perplexed while they mill about the airport. Where else is it acceptable to drink at 6:30 am? Only at an airport terminal! Also, we’re so quick to emphasize problem like it’s the only problem occurring at that moment. We will inconvenience hundreds on an aircraft (that’s already running late) with arguments of seat selection or overhead luggage space. What I’ve learned most during this journey is we’re habitual time wasters. I’m guilty of this pretty often. In no way am I saying we’re lazy because our culture is typically always doing something. Too often and in excess. My opinion is, we spend too much time in focusing on “the end”. But what about a mind-set where our decisions leave us an opportunity to take a few deep breathes and appreciate a nice view…or even a smile (and actually mean it). This gray area is tunnel vision. A place where we pile up our “tasks” that we allow too define us. To help re-focus on what matters, before every race, I’ll get as far away as I can from the loudness. Away from the announcer badgering athletes in transition and the endless conversations about how the course was "easier last year"- I get away from all of that. In those few moments before race start, I’ll seriously just breathe and imagine myself falling, light as a feather. This may last 20 seconds, or it may last 5 minutes…who knows. It all depends on where the bathroom is right? I mean come on, race morning means NEVER trust a fart and always know where the crappers are! You’d also be keen to note this…I’ve found many hidden, secluded bathrooms that aren’t overcrowded and “full”.... Wait….you mean you like to stare down a hole full of liquid butt lava? Ok, then stay with the masses! But really, branch out and find your zen moment before a race and know that you can handle anything the course throws your way. This skill has really helped my race focus. To wrap up this mess of thoughts, let’s remember we love this sport and lifestyle and couldn’t imagine living any other way. I mean seriously, FOCUS on that! Besides working, commuting, eating, sleeping and dealing with this complex society…we’re training 10+ hours a week. We’re a badass culture and trust me, no one will really understand until they’ve lived it. We’re a select few of successful people who grind out a living, raise our kids right and try to live a healthy lifestyle. This blog post is most definitely inspired by my latest race at REV3 Williamsburg. REV3 Williamsburg..The Pro Race that Wasn'tSince USMES already got us tickets and airfare, we were committed to this race. So when REV3 unexpectedly pulled the plug on the pro race, we had no choice but to follow through in the age group ranks. I can’t complain too much since the significantly aided my 5th place finish…so no big deal, right? The most amazing part of this race was to be welcomed into someone’s home with open arms, open fridge and a set of car keys! (Oh yea, freedom to explore). Yes, Nicholas Sterghos and I were most definitely spoiled by our home stay. My most humble “ THANK YOU” to Alan and Laura (pictured above) for their deep hospitality. They’re the whole package when it comes to family values and are no strangers to hard work. Seeing them interact, support each other and manage two young children was inspiring. It’s just me, Karen and 2 dogs….we’ve got it easy! Anyway, if you’ve ever hosted a pro athlete, you have no idea how much we appreciate your drive to support this wonderful way of life. For this race, I felt a little awkward racing the Olympic since there was a Half going on but I could go faster so, hell yea. Once finished I thought differently…”Ah yes, I’m already done”. It was a sigh of relief and a warm energy of accomplishment certainly prevailed. No matter the race, finish time or placement…crossing that line just does it for me. So my general thoughts on the race are…”freaking awesome” “jitterbug” “Jay-z” “get off my wheel you dick” “wow, we’re running in the woods” “I’ll never race with a damn Garmin watch again” “Can I run away from this mud butt”? “Please don’t let these fools catch me on the run” “Hey look, my there’s a lot of blood on my shoe”. Specifics on the race: Swim: The cannon booms, heart rate soars…and it’s time to find some feet. After I found the feet I wanted, I momentarily lost focus and then it was just me…per the usual. Hearing “4 minutes” down as you exit the water is never awesome. I think my legs have ears though, they knew it was time to work. My heels started hitting my butt, I sense because my legs were planning to kick my ass. HA! Bike: I Accidentally hit a button on my watch indicating “transition 2”….at the start of the bike (Doh). No power data for me! Oh well, I got this! With foggy glasses and a drive to catch Mr. Sterghos…I took off. For nutrition, I mixed 3 scoops of OSMO and an added Honey Stinger Gel in a bottle. This protocol works best for me during an Olympic race. I charged ahead, leading about 4 guys who were in the “legal” draft zone…By the way! I forgot how easy it is for our amateur field is to draft. From my perspective they were pretty close, but who knows…I saw a ref bike trailing us so I was confident they were at least careful. In the Pro field you don’t even want to be within what seems like a mile…they love handing out the penalties and have different rules. Either way, I was happy to have the 3rd fastest bike split. I knew I worked my butt off to try and gain ground. I didn’t end up catching Nicholas Sterghos but I did see him running out of transition as I pulled in. Time well spent. My hopes were that my competition had to work really hard to hold on (turns out they did). It’s not over til it’s over! No one was gonna run me down! Run: I knew to take the 1st 3 or 4 minutes at ¾ speed since my body needs that time to re-arrange how it’s activating muscles. Nutritionally I felt fine and after some caffeine, I felt even better. I sipped a gel flask every 2 miles and use the aid stations to splash cold water while using the out and back section to judge how much ground I was gaining…(or losing). Turns out the studs who hung on me wheel dug a little too deep, BOOM…run run run! Finished feeling strong and was overjoyed to know USMES had 2 on the Podium. 5th place was a good day for me. It was also great to know Kathy Rakel took 2nd overall female. The past few races haven’t been very stellar as far as results go but I know I’m getting more durable and developing some great mental strength. Nutritionally, I’m completely plant powered and have never felt better. The protein hype has been proven to be more of a nervous retreat to a “brainwashed” mentality and I know my body is totally nourished by what I eat….Plants, Nuts, Seeds, Fruit, Legumes. As with everything the devil is in the details. So the caveat would be to always stay whole foods plant based! Duh!! That's right! The picture above contains the very serious, very accomplished and very proud Air Force Triathlon Team. It's fair to say that our team won the "smile" award at the dinner social. I didn't know I ordered my dinner with a side of "scowling eyes" from other teams. First off, I'd say our team is super accomplished when it comes to work related accolades. I know a few members of our team performed open heart surgery while preparing a turkey sandwich at the same time....and landing a C-17. Honestly, this was another unforgettable event and a stout reminder of why I love this sport. AHA, so why do I relate triathlon to art? A very curious reference indeed; however, open your mind and you may understand. First off, I found a lot of inspiration for this blog post after I watched some surfing documentaries. Those guys carry themselves in a way that inspires me. They are challenged by mother nature, respect her raw power and are friendly with their competition until the point of competition. I suppose this "idea" coincides with most competitive sports but I'd like to think I'm on a spiritual (not religious) journey riddled with tough days of competition. Draft legal racing is especially tactical, requiring some very intense bouts of energy. Either way, that's just how I try and stay balanced. It's hard to believe blood thirsty men and women charged into this water, with what was set to be a remarkable day, full of passion for the TEAM. For once this year, triathlon wasn't just for ME. My teammates needed me to run harder, stay focused and drop elbows on the competition. This year was especially different because I was no longer a "newbie". Myself and my bearded room-mate Brad Williams just completed our 3rd tour at the Armed Forces National Championship....sadly he won't be back (separating). That's right...my room is up for grabs and yes I prefer to sleep in the nude, except for my studded mask of course! Anyway, this location brings me a more balanced outlook on who I really am, almost like a "hippie" finds his balance while living in nature or eating bark? (they do that right?) After the very scenic..amazing...inspiring drive to Pt Mugu, it was time to settle in. This was the latest I'd ever gotten in so there wasn't any time to really ride or run...just wanted to EAT (Trader Joes!)! The plane ride was long but pleasant, especially the older lady who had lost control of her butt and cut many farts during the 4 hour flight. As I sat there marinating in fart fumes, I tried to somehow imagine she ate organic food and I was getting good energy by breathing in the pungent aroma. Once on base, it was time to get my head in the game. It was time to deal with some light nervousness and again...share a room with Brad "the beard" Williams. This meant I will probably be woken up in the middle of the night by moaning, followed by horrific screaming and yes...more terrible farts. But hey, he's super fast and always lubes my chain before races, gotta love a guy like that right? Team gear issue was awesome (thanks Brooks and Team Coach/Coordinators)! The Ice breaker dinner was required event you don't want to miss. The Marines grunted, the Navy sank, the Army drooled and we gave long introductions, successfully irritating the hungry mob. After dinner we all departed for our beds, looking forward to the next day of NOTHING. No events planned (except team dinner). A Full day to kick up your feet. Oh wait, I can't forget the part where I drove around for 5 hours trying to get a new tubular tire glued since I flatted on my ride earlier in the day.....lame! At least I got to eat lunch while watching some surfers. How Did the Race Go?Race Prep: I ate a lot of salad the night before. They were all loaded with quinoa, some nuts and roasted veggies. I opted out of the team dinner at Olive Garden. I was pretty tired and honestly wanted to get down my mental prep. Like I said in the title, there is an art component I've been trying to connect with. Our race didn't start until 10:30 the next day so Brad and I tried to sleep in until at least 7:15...so naturally I was up by 4:30am. I ate a banana, almond butter, quinoa, blueberries, cinnamon and coconut milk. It was almost like cereal...but way better. Between breakfast and the race I indulged in a Honey Stinger Waffle and sipped on OSMO!!
Time To Swim: The water temp was a face freezing 57 degrees. Somehow I end up falling in love with this swim though, maybe it's because of the cold. There isn't any wetsuit overheating or tension (Thanks XTERRA)...I can unleash the crack'n! There was a strong current from left to right on our way out so naturally I was continually off course. I felt like an idiot! Every-time I would spot, I couldn't correct enough to hold a straight line. I'd bet all that cost me 30 seconds! Regardless of the long course and current, I felt amazing under max effort. Finally, a breakthrough experience!! I think I may have been 5th out of the water so I'm certainly pleased. The course is 2 X 750m loops where you have to run around a buoy on land in between 1st and 2nd lap. I'm glad I watched the WTS Men's race before my race, it gave me clarity! Bike: Unfortunately my swim still wasn't quite fast enough to make it into the lead pack. They were still a couple minutes ahead ...BUT it's not over until it's over. My bearded room-mate was able to bridge up despite coming out minutes behind me...super strong cyclist! For me however, I got caught up in a very lazy group which kept getting slower the lazier we all got. This was the most unorganized I'd seen a bike pack during this race. We all sighed and knew it would be a runners race (unless you have crusty white beard like Brad Williams and can bridge to the front). Run: Since we all did minimal work on the bike, a solid run was certainly within reach. For some reason they decided to alter the course this year. Based on the various GPS files it ended up to be 6.356784334 miles....no big deal! Either way, I had a great run this year, holding pace with some past "top 5" winners and typically fast runners. Took a Stinger gel at 5k to keep the energy going but couldn't out-kick a Pro Army fella at the end. Either way, I'm 100% happy with my performance...still a long way to go at 13th place, 5th on the AF team. So after all is said an done, where am I mentally? I needed this event to be concrete, I needed to walk away knowing I at least felt confident I'm getting faster (even if it's 1%). I've never been a D1 swimmer or runner and I certainly can't stack up to those fellas quite yet....but I ONE DAY they're going to have to wipe my sweat from their face when I blow by them. Until then, this sport is as much art as it is utter pain. I heard this quote somewhere and It keeps me pretty level headed and always pushes me further. "Not all pain is significant" A final thank you to Scott Bicycles for a very very light and rigid Foil 10, OSMO for keeping my bottles full of anti-cramp fluids/nutrients, Honey Stinger for keeping me buzzing along, American Classic for safe carbon wheels (even at 60mph), Rudy Project for protecting my pretty brown eyes and wavy hair and XTERRA Wetsuits for making a seriously flexible wetsuit that kept my "man parts" very warm despite the frigid temperatures. Oh and let's not forget the US Military Endurance Sports! Without their partnership with Boeing and Snapple....I wouldn't be able to do ANY of this! Congrats to my USMES Team Mate Sam Morrison for taking the Female overall win and helping the Women take 1st overall For the Air Force Team! Air Force Men took second by 5 points but we're still way better looking....Also, great way to end your AFTC journey Brad Williams....Stellar top 5 performance! This picture certainly sums up my attitude @ Wildflower Triathlon! #pumped After we arrived at our humble abode, only 15 min from the camp site @ lake Nacimiento...I couldn't believe the view, the fresh air and the cool breeze. It was like I was re-born. It wasn't hard to get into the moment because last weekends race, St. Anthony's Triathlon, didn't go so hot. To be specific, I finished the bike at my girlfriends condo rather than T2. Luckily, we live at mile 23 of the bike course and I could walk down to see this finish. I'd like to take a quick second to have a chit-chat about that DNF. At one point, only months ago, I thought "I will never allow my self to quit". Ohhh, how blind I was! Since this year is my first year on the "elite" start list, I drastically underestimated the laundry list of mental stressors that tag along. In short, since this was a home-town race, I got caught up in all the daily activities, sale of my home, home-stay of 2 athletes and social meetings. Typically, I'm way more mellow...off my feet, in a cave hiding. I've never vocally said I didn't want to race until that morning. After that statement, I should have known not to start...but I love this sport and I wanted to have a good local race, so I chose to give it my best...which was over in about 2 minutes of the swim when my $400 Garmin ejected from my arm, lol. ACTUALLY, I didn't care about that..but once I got on the bike, I hit the slow motion button. It was time to pull the plug. I've gotten tons of great energy and learned more than I ever have. LISTEN to your body and it's OKAY to have a less than stellar day. That race certainly made me hungrier for Wildflower. Almost how bad we all want a Cinnabon but know they lead to instant gratification or fat-ification WILDFLOWER TRIATHLON A.K.A Hardest Race EVER!As you can see from the pictures above, I was thirsty, I was with my team and great friends (Jay from XTERRA Wetsuit's) and that finisher medal proves I actually finished! Boom! (27th Male Pro..definitely not last) I managed to actually pull off a solid swim, hanging onto some feet for a long time, setting a new 1.2 mile swim PR! However, all that cool swim stuff was quickly forgotten on the 15% boat ramp run which THEN followed by a 2 mile run to my bike LOCATED at the top of yet....another boat ramp! At the end of the day, the tune was continually accented by more hills. For a living in Florida I think I definitely did my best to prepare for such a feat! Check out the run and bike profiles....pretty Gnarly! Anyway, I wont bore you with the specific data points but I'll tell you what you need to know. This race is challenging but the trip is worth its weight in gold! Camping, great views, relaxation, smore's, topless aid stations....etc ALSO, your shoes will be destroyed! Without the support of the US Military Endurance Sports team, I wouldn't be here. Without the amazing people who surround me, the pain cave would be mighty lonely. I certainly wouldn't be here had I not chosen to join the U.S Air Force and I'd probably be dead had I not found something as awesome as Triathlon. I have 6 races in CA this year but this one will be near and dear to my heart. The race organization treated athletes with the utmost respect and I've never seen volunteers so knowledgable and involved! It's easy to see why this is a "bucket list" event. Please let me know if you want to go next year...I'll cook for you and wash your bike for a free place to stay. Finally, a big thank you to Scott Larson and Tri-Lounge for taking such amazing pictures that will definitely make my sponsors happy:) A final Congratulations to my accomplice in Doughnut Adventures...Nicholas Sterghos! He took 4th overall on the Olympic course. He's the ITU specialist of the bunch...he'll run down a cheetah one day, I'll bet $100 on that!
Now that I have your attention, please understand that I'm totally aware there are infinite ways to live. Some find total joy in cave diving or underwater basket weaving. However to me, "Tri-life" is totally up there in the top 10, enabling serious ass- kicking skills, developing both mind and body. I'd be willing to debate with any multi-millionaire as to why a competing in Escape From Ft. Desoto would upgrade their status of existence. Even if they already have 10 Ferraris, they could still benefit from some healthy competition. I've seen people lose 100+Lbs, repair relationships, relieve stress, conquer fears and finally value their lives like they never have before. It's about the freaking JOURNEY! Over the past few weeks I've met some incredible folks, all of them proudly throwing a roundhouse at negativity, enhancing their lives through activity. Recently I've attempted some serious meditation on my "current existence" and realized I'm definitely where I want to be. To be clear, my meditation is usually full of spastic thoughts from handling race-day anxiety to streamlining airline overhead luggage procedures (it's a serious pain right?). It's pretty random. BUT either way, I allow myself to simply enjoy the moment. I also find value being inspired by others on a daily basis. I freaking love giving energy to those who need it and literally beat back the "standard" outlook on life. More often then not we totally get sucked into what the world wants or what society wants. When are we not in a hurry, not on a strict timeline or under pressure? That mindset/lifestyle totally overshadows our true purpose, putting a black cloud over the amazing amount of freedom we truly have. We can be free from all the garbage popular culture gets caught in. Does anyone really care that Ke$ha has a "$" for an "s"? Seriously, start making your own decisions and stop being a zombie. Essentially, think of the movie Office Space. Liberating yourself from the mold of what everyone wants you to be is the only life worth living. Re-invent yourself! Even if that means taking 5 deep "meditative" breaths right when you rise or inventing your own line of embroidered sweater vests...DO SOMETHING you're passionate about and finally....SHARE IT with someone else! Seriously, call your friends and remind them of all the goodies you just read! So this brings me to the Team RWB Camp that I was honored to be part of. The weather was super windy, the water was choppy but it didn't stop anyone from walking away with anything short of a remarkable experience. Seriously, I saw combat veterans with PTSD, lower leg amputations and mega-open water anxiety conquer their world. BOOM, Triathlon literally turned the tables on stress, fear, doubt and isolation. I hope you don't allow anything to hold you back from seriously taking a dive into the best version of "you" because life can slip away pretty quickly. This Starts my 4th YearWhew, it's literally been 4 years! I can honestly say that this sport changed my life. Leading me to triumph I could have never imagined. I've always been fortunate to have a supportive family, driven attitude and great friends...but life still needed another "spark". I found triathlon through my Boss Traveler Hill. He was the first "Ironman" I had ever met. It was because of his invitation on a weekend bike ride that I'm here today. After feeling the sense of community, immediate gratification of improving fitness on a daily basis and feeling like I could finally be REALLY good at something, I was ALL IN BABY. Since then I've traveled across the nation and the world, hunting down the next experience that will impact my life, building both body and mind. Being an Active Duty military member (go Air Force) has also been a vital part of my success. There is a huge network of support out there, especially through the US Military Endurance Sports program. Presently, I'm squeezing every second out of every day. I'm serving our country, coaching 10 athletes who keep me sharp and trying to set myself up to be one of the top 10 triathletes in the world (long-term goal). I can't think of another way to live want to say "Thank You" to everyone who supports me. I'm so freaking jazzed to know tons of amazing people. The final lesson I've learned is this: If you put positive energy into the universe it will most certainly feed your life with positive experiences. Thanks again for all of the FB "high fives" and shout outs! So how did the race go? This was my 4th time competing in Escape from Ft. Desoto, it was literally my first triathlon EVER. The second year I did it I actually won! These past few years I've lost by a few seconds. This year, a 17 year old ITU athlete beat me by 6 seconds. Seriously.....hats off to these young athletes. They are most definitely going to grow this sport to a new level, keeping us older guys working hard. To be so fast, so young...I could only wish I had such opportunity. None the less, I'll alway make sure I race this event every single year. In short, my swim, bike and run effort was certainly all I had for the day and I'll ALWAYS say there is no greater feeling than finishing a race. I don't care if it's a 5k, Sprint tri or an double anvil....you've freaking accomplished something great, relish in it. |
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