Last 10 active topics

This was perhaps my best overall year of racing triathlons and it was likely for two reasons: 1) I trained like I raced. Everything I planned to do in a race I did in training. I felt very prepared for each race and executed my race plan to perfection in all but one race… Ironman. And truth be told, it wasn’t the big kind of error I’ve made in the past, but may have still ...

Leading up to the Steelhead, my first (and most likely last) 70.3, I found great inspiration from the other event reports within this forum (thank you). I wasn't feeling particularly confident because I had a 2 week trip to China leading up to the race and couldn't bike. Still, I felt swim and bike ready, and figured I'd just try to plow through the run. Whether by self-fulfilling prophecy or just a bad decision (you'll ...

Recently I had the pleasure to compete in my very first triathlon in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Even though it was just a sprint race it was still a lot of work. There was a lot of wind during the swim forcing everyone to swim into the waves which I was not anticipating at all, I wasn't really accustomed to that sort of swimming in competition quite yet. As you all know Wisconsin is said to ...

My Second Ironman Race – November 29, 2009 Cozumel, Mexico

The days leading up to an Ironman can be stressful. Adding international travel and foreign language to the mix adds to the anxiety. I was more nervous about this race than my first Ironman. However, once my bike was back in my possession after our several flights and layovers, I felt some weight lifted off my shoulders. We arrived in Cozumel on Thursday to wind ...

Ironman Florida – November 7th, 2009 Panama City Beach, FL, USA

Race Totals: 9:35:13
Swim: 1:04:05
Bike: 4:45:10 (23.6 mph avg)
Run: 3:33:44 (8:09 per mile avg)
16th M30-34
Complete race results posted here.

Panama City Beach set the stage for what I wanted to be a standout performance. Everything to have a fun fast race was in place. A rough ocean swim, mostly flat bike course, followed by a run course that was full ...

My mantra for the week was: "Just relax." I was trying my best to avoid stress, if something happened, I would take it in stride. The boys got a little amped up at times, but I just smiled and stayed in my zone. Calm, cool, and collective.

The day before the race was a day for tying up loose ends. We were responsible for one, and only one, thing all day: turn in our bikes ...

Early Morning

The morning started out very smoothly and was a good indication of how the day would proceed. Damon and I woke up at 3:30 am and started our pre-race routines. We left the house about an hour later with Damon’s mom, sister, sister’s boyfriend, and cousin all packed into a small SUV. It was very similar to the year prior when Damon raced, but this time I would be racing, too!

Once we ...

Ironman Wisconsin 2009
9.13.2009

After last year's disappointing performance at Ironman USA (Lake Placid, NY), where I walked the final 11 miles of the marathon, I had plenty of motivation to draw from this year and I am happy to report that this year I had an amazing day out there. First, I'd like to once again thank all of my friends and family, whom without their love and support I would never be able ...

My epic journey towards the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin 2009 started about 2 days after Ironman Lake Placid ended. Yes, it was a fast 7 weeks with a mini-build and a second taper. Since I did not run the marathon at LP I thought my recovery would be pretty fast and I felt pretty good going into the long training days leading up to IMMOO '09. My only concern was the second century ride, ...

Ironman Louisville – August 30th, 2009 Louisville, KY USA

Race Totals: 9:59:03
Swim: 1:08:58
Bike: 5:03:41 (22.13 mph avg)
Run: 3:37:57 (8:21 per mile avg)
13th 30-34 AG 42nd AG'er 72nd O’All
Complete race results posted here.

The heat and humidity that everyone had planned for this race just did not happen. We struck the lottery and instead of the 95+ degrees we expected, the race started off in the low 60’s and ended in ...