CHRISTIAN, HUSBAND, FATHER, ACCOUNTANT, AND TRIATHELTE'S JOURNEY TO FINISH THE RACE: 2015

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Kure Beach Race and May/April Update

9:40pm

Going into the Kure Beach tri, I have raced an 8k, 10k, Olympic Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, and 2x 10mile Time Trial at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This is all in a 45 day span. One would think that I would be tired, but right now- I feel extremely fit.

I changed my bike position recently which helped big time. I went from 23.28min for 10mi on the bike to 23.12. That excites me :)

Jen and I just walked around Kure Beach and love it here. We will be back soon with Madison and Grayson. Our 3.30hr Jeep Ride was awesome. Why? Because she never sleeps while I drive (Best Shotgun Rider) and we were singing and dancing the whole time. Very fun. Bed Time now.

Saturday 4:13pm

We woke up at 7am, walked to the only breakfast place in the one light town, then walked the pier where a fishing tournament was going on. It was great to watch on a beautiful morning with coffee in our hands.

After that, we hung out on the beach for a while to soak up the sun.

Then, a nice easy 3mile run for both Jen and I.

I am ready to race!

Sunday 9:00pm

Race went well. Jen and I rode our bikes from our place to the race site (2.5miles) at 5.45am which is pretty fun to do on a Sunday morning. I got transitions read and was ready to race.

I came out of the water first, then after transition #1 I was in the lead and then gave up the lead 5min into the run. Out of T2 I was 10secs behind the leader. I was overtaken by 3rd place right before the 1st lap of the bike course. Knowing this guy was a better biker than me, I really turned myself inside out to keep him in front of me instead of watching him go away and me losing 2nd place . I did just that, I held on to him and we then left T3 together. After 2min of running together, he attacked and gaped me, I knew I had a faster swim then him in the beginning so I was trying to lmit my damages going into the swim. After T4, He had 30seconds on me. When then had to run 400m on the beach, put on our cap and googles again and jump in the very rough waters of the ocean. After the 1st buoy, I knew i was catching him but not sure how much time i was gaining, but then I reaized i was catching him quick and made the pass with about 200m left. I than swam for my life to secure 2nd. An undertoe swallwed me up as i rode a massive wave in, when I finally got to my feet, I looked back to see if I can see him but I could see him, but I could not. 2nd it was! Come to find out, 1st place beat me by 49secs and all that was because of the bike.

I told Jen, If I finish top 3- I am going surfing. And that I did (tried). We also said on the way up as we drove past a field of purple flowers on the highway that we would stop and take pics, and that we did.

I hope I have learned from this race. For some, they can race really good but not train that good. For others, they can train really good and not race that good (me). This race, I finally raced. Someone passed me and i turned it up a gear to pass him.

On to the next race.

Shout out to Tribike Transport, Filters Fast (best way to get filters at a low cost), Bonk Breaker (what fuels me everyday and through races), Skechers (great light weight shoe and comfy)

Alot of fishermen out there

When you see this on the side of the road, how can you not stop!

Packed Jeep - USA!

Sweet Jetti

Ready to bike.

Transition

Monday, March 9, 2015

FEBRUARY TRAINING UPDATE

Another month down.

"I may be weak, but your spirit's strong in me. My flesh may fail, but my God, you never will"

For Lent, Jen and I are listening only to Christian music. Which means, taylor swift, Nick Jonas, and country are going to have to wait 40 days. While the kids questioned this at first, we all have been so uplifted lately with the music. Plus, I spend a lot of hours training and listening to music so I am definitely testing myself but it has been great!!!

February was fantastic. It finally "snowed" here. Jen and I went to ski, got engaged, and went to VA Beach to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday all in the same month.

Work is ,well ,work. I love my job.

Triathlete update - I am very blessed to have sponsors cover the cost of travel when it comes to races along with other expenses that have been great. That being said, It is my duty and obligation to represent them the best way I can. Win races! And of course spread the word about their products.

So, I have really used that as motivation. IF they back me, then I have to make them feel like it is a good investment. Those days where it is 30 degrees, windy, and rainy and I have to go run 10 miles I think of them. I think of how much I love this sport. How lucky I am to get to do this. How Great God is. So much positive stuff to think before I start, that when I start- I am amped!

You have to find motivation in whatever you do. What keeps you motivated?

My hours of training increased in February. Starting to get ready for my April and May races. South beach and Knoxville TN are what are on tap currently for travel. Some big races with great competition.

My training buddy was asked - What technology do you use on the bike - His answer "Nothing. I just dig deep" .

Sometimes in life, we just have to dig deep to get the job done.

Swimming and Cold weather destroy my finger tips :(

Peaks and Valleys = Interval Training

My Brother doing his thing!

One Great Dog!

Pretty big month for Jen and I

Night time reading

Skechers GoMeb!

Trying to be artistic

This coffeehouse knows us way too well. My buddy looks a little cold

Hitting the Slopes with Jen

Not sure what he is looking at.

Waiting for the Garmin to find location

Sunday, February 1, 2015

January 2015

Monthly Recap

This will be a month I will remember for a while when it comes to training. Volume was high but I have had some high volume days/weeks/months. What was different was the fact that I did a good amount of training outside in the frigid weather conditions. Its very easy to run on a treadmill or bike on a trainer when the weather outside is freezing, raining, and very windy.

I feel fit coming out of January. The mental aspect of doing 3 hr rides in 20degree temps at 7am in the winter is what really helped grow my confidence, strength, and toughness.

There has been some epic training days. Running a 10k Time Trial right after work, doing a 2,000 yd swim Time Trial during lunch. Going all out for 25miles in the pouring rain at 34 degrees temps on the bike. Running 7min miles for 8miles AFTER a 55mile bike. This stuff I am taking with me coming race time along with all the slow yards and miles. All of it adds up.

Another new tool for me is training with Power and Heart Rate. My coach is amazing and knows his stuff so that makes it easy. Its fun seeing 4 straight 1 hour runs at a Heart Rate of 144 average and an average pace of 7.42 per mile. I make it a game so running easy is not boring ;)

Nutrition for these workouts is simple. A Bonk Breaker before every swim, bike, and run. And an extra one during the long Bike Workouts.

I eat an abundance full of oatmeal, bananas, and anything Jen cooks which, luckily for me, is every night and it is delicious!

Charlotte is such a great city for training, but also for everything else. We have been enjoying the winter walks at parks with the kids and the puppy. Nice to not think about training or work.

Hot Tea and Coffee - pretty much the daily beverage intake with, of course, water. Then the weekend might consist of Apple Hard Cider :)

Also, Jen and I just finished up our first Duet Coaching at the YMCA for Families. Its called Family Fit Friday. We had 7 families signed up and for our next 6 week sessions we have 16!! We are very excited.

Tucker graduated from puppy class so we are one very proud parents.

The farm is prettier than ever and our paradise is right outside our front door.

Next month I assume will be about the same in training but might have some 40 degree rides which will be change.

It was a great month and cant wait for Februrary!