Monday, November 3, 2014

2014 RACE SEASON

I can not be any happier how this Season went!

First, I found the woman of my dreams. Better than my dreams to be honest. I mean, she throws the baseball with me, and plays football, rock climbs, wakes up at 4am just to go to my races, tells me to get out the door and do my workout when I feel bad that I just got home from work. I could go on and on about how lucky I am but I will not. Thanks Jen!

It was another injury free year again. I averaged 1 day off a month for 10 straight months. Raced 12 races. Raced in Chicago and California this year and raced against the best in the world there too. We are talking about Olympic Medalists. Had 8 top fve finishes, 7 being top 3.

My training schedule was working out 2-3 times a day pretty much every day before work, during lunch time, and after work. So, yes, I have an amazing job that allows me to go into work sweaty or smelling like Chlorine.

I also found me a coach that fits my needs. I was with him for 8 weeks at the end of the season, and will be with him during off season and all of next year. I'm pumped about that!

Thanks to my training friends. They also helped motivate me. The group of six are in pics below. Thanks to my Dad and mom for being great support too. And of course, God and I's relationship grew stronger and that's all I can ask for every year-For me to strengthen my relationship with God.

Lastly, My sponsors- Thank you for a great year. FiltersFast, TribikeTransport, Hammer Nutrition, and Skora.

2015 is going to be the best year yet!! I can just feel it..
Kure Beach, NC

Kure Beach Pier





Training Camp #3 with the guys

We put in the work to make races easier


Chicago presented me the toughest conditions to swim in

My Dad and I had a blast in Chicago

Chicago


Too cool of a pic to not share

Oceanside CA


My Angel!


Great trail in CA





Filters Fast

TriBike Transport

Saturday, November 1, 2014

OCEANSIDE CA TRIATHLON

Race recap here. Season Recap on the next one.

First, again, thank you FiltersFast and TriBike Transport for helping me make this season possible. 

Jen and I headed out to Cali on Thursday. We had a fun flight. A great Friday and Saturday. 

There. That was the pre fun stuff in a nut shell (pics are better so you will find them at the bottom)

Race Day:

I Had a couple of goals going in. I wanted to break 2.05 hours and maybe flirt with 2 hrs depending on how my bike went. I also wanted top 20 overall, possibly top 10 and maybe, just maybe top 5. 

Swim - I felt really good. The problem was, normally I know how many people are in front of me (3-5 normally), but this time- I felt there was a lot. On the way out, I got in a pack of 3. On the way back, just me. I finished the 1500m swim in 19.29min (12th). I knew that was possible with my swim workouts but Im pumped that it came together in a race. 

Bike- unfortunately , my Achilles heel all year, hurt me again. I do know my race wheels are compared to my competition. I have heard if you have a disc wheel it helps you tremendously. But, that would be an excuse and I hate excuses.  :)
I dropped to 17th on the bike. I did ride with one guy the first 20 miles and then he eventually dropped off the bike. The first 16 miles of the course were great. An out and back 2x on a highway. Very fast. Then there were a ton of turns that led you to a road parallel with the beach. I felt good on the bike, but had a feeling It was not good enough since I could not gain any ground on anyone ahead of me. I ended up averaging 23mph for the 25mph bike course. The leaders avg. 25mph or 5min faster than me. That just won't cut it.

Run - I felt Great! The problem was, I felt so good- I was scared to "attack" early on in fear of feeling fatigue later, so I started at 6.20 per mile pace. Finally after the 4th mile I realized It was a good running day, so I ran the last 2 miles at 5.55 and 5.50 pace. I ran 38.39 (6.14 avg. for the 10k) and that was good enough for the 10th fastest run of the day and kept me in 17th overall position.

So in the end: A good swim, ok Bike, good run. I will take it.  2:04.55 was my time.





Pre Race Ride

Our First night on the west coast

So use to Sunrises, so seeing the Sun Set was just fascinating!

Where we ate dinner in San Diego

Dinner

Oceaniside CA

Swam with Sea Lions

Oceanside was beautiful

She got me with a game face :(



I gave her a little smile

Hey God!

Never Ending pile of Skip Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watching surfers in the early morning




Filters Fast

TriBike Transport