Tucson Arizona Race Day

2011 is underway! Just finished my first race of the season with a time of 1:37:04, placing 11th in my age group and 31st overall. The run course was an out and back one direction and then another out and back the opposite way. I ended up leading the run for the first 2 ½ miles. No one wanted to push the run, and now that the national championship has two 5K’s instead of a 5K and a 10K, it definitely favors the cyclists. I had no intention of letting the pace stay slow and ended up running 5:08, 5:10 for the first two miles to keep it honest. In the last mile we climbed a serious hill, and I eased off letting some others push the pace up the hill hoping to rest a bit before starting the bike. The bike course was hilly with several hair pin turns. I have yet to see my splits or average mph but know my second loop was faster than my first. It seemed as though I could have continued at what I was riding, but everyone else I was racing were flying. An analogy would be for the cycling I had been training for a 5K and we raced an 800m. When I finished up the bike with no wrecks or flat tires, I was extremely excited. I took off running, but the legs felt pretty heavy after trying to keep up with the sprinters on the bike. All in all, I felt it was a good race and start to the season, but as a competitor I am definitely hungry for another race and know where I need to put in some time before the KS Half Ironman. It feels good to be done; I am so blessed to have two amazing parents who drove me down here to compete, awesome sponsors who had me as the only one in the TYR Carbon kit and looking sharp along with the pink Oakleys and Brooks rocking the T6 racers, keeping me as one of the top runners. Finally, I must close with a shout out to my Savior; each race ran for him is a success and a blessing. I will continue to think of myself as the donkey on which Jesus rode, for at times it may seem as though I am in first, but truly it is Jesus who is using me as an instrument to grow his kingdom. Thanks to everyone.

Tucson Arizona Day 2

After an average night of sleep at best, I managed to wake up to a very windy and hot day. I pray that tomorrow is the opposite. I took the bike out for a quick ride to make sure everything was clicking and ready to ride. Today was an exciting day of gifts, starting with the goody bag with some decent gear, then followed by receiving my new race uniform courtesy of Kompetitive Edge. I can’t wait to race in the state of the art TYR Carbon uniform. Had several friends ask where I would be eating before such an important race. With the help of my dad, I settled on Black Angus, and it was delicious. The final question I was asked today was; am I ready to race? I never know a good answer for this; I am not nervous as I know that the preparation is there. I simply pray to glorify God and let his will be done. Last year I felt ready to rock and had 2 flat tires. So to answer the question I would say that I am well trained, well rested, and strong in my faith. With that, I plan to have fun and race to the best of my ability. I’M PSYCHED!

Tucson Arizona Day 1

After a very long drive, I made it into Tucson. It has been almost 23 years since I last set foot in Tucson; my parents love to remind me of what happened last time I was here. At nearly 2 years old I managed to fall onto a cactus and while my parents cleaned all the stickers off of me they did not realize that I had a lot more under my shirt. This time I hope to have better luck. Once I arrived I was so ready to get out of the car, lace up the shoes and take in the city, the weather, and the fresh air. Despite a little car sickness in Starkville, CO, I had a relatively laid back trip of resting and catching up with my parents. We took a short break on the way down at the Hard Rock Hotel in Albuquerque. Tomorrow is bike check in and I plan to check out the course while spending some time resting in the hotel. The weather right now is very warm, but luckily it appears I will be racing Saturday morning in high 60’s and low 70’s. Time to rest.

Races

USA Duathlon Nationals (5K Run, 35K Bike, 5K Run)
Tucson Arizona, April 30th 2011

Kansas Half Ironman (1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, 13.1 Mile Run)
Lawrence Kansas, June 12th 2011

Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon (1500m Swim, 48K Bike, 10K Run)
Loveland Colorado, June 25th 2011 (My Birthday!)

Boulder Peak Triathlon (1500m Swim, 42K Bike, 10K Run)
Boulder Colorado, July 10th 2011

With the 2011 season about to start Kompetitive Edge is helping me to stand out. It appears there may be some PINK flying down the road this summer!

Hurt

Rolling my ankle today had an impact that I was not expecting. I have talked a lot about working hard, having a good attitude, and never giving up. However, what happens when everything you have planned falls apart? I had a great run planned this morning, but at the end of it, I was happy to just make it home.

Later in the day I noticed one of my athletes who seemed really down due to his injury. He looked sick because he felt that he had no control over his situation and wanted to be training so badly. Not five minutes later, a young lady came up to me with pain where her stress fracture had been. I could see the pain in both of their eyes. I gave the usual “Keep your head up, and take it one day at a time” speech.

I was asked by the young man if I ever get down? This really made me think about the face that I put on at work and with the majority of my friends. A quote I try to live by is “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” I do think it is important as a coach and as a leader that I hide some of the pain I do go through, but I also think some people need to see that I too am human.

I currently have my ankle in a bucket of ice, I am searching for where I may be coaching next year, and I have been having a difficult time as I have lost several of my friends who I once thought were my best friends. I am averaging no more than an hour of sleep at a time right now. If I have ever been down and out, this is the time. I have had two great friends working overtime recently who are trying to support me, and I am hiding my pain fairly well.

So, how do I get through the pain? What do I do when I am injured? Similar to a theme I hope you have been picking up on is that I go to God. Going back to the quote above, it is so important to ask God for his help. He is my strength, and although you may not like what you hear, it may take true courage to act upon it. I asked the young man today if he felt a door had been slammed in his face. He answered, “Yes”. I then asked him, "Have you looked for that open window?" I, too, have doors slammed in my face. I feel as though I am standing in a dorm hallway with about 20 doors all being slammed shut, but with God's help, I am looking for that open window.

So, if you are in pain, go to God. If you are injured, go to God. The answer may not come quickly, and the healing may not either, but keep going to God, and he will deliver you to your destiny.

A Perfect Run

I started off with the intent to run an easy 7 mile run today. After starting my watch I would not check it again until I arrived back at my apartment. My 7 mile route took me to the lake north or Baldwin on really muddy roads. As the miles flew by I realized I was smiling. 28degrees, no wind, and mud, I couldn't ask for a more perfect run. When the run was over I glanced down at my watch and did some math to see I had averaged 6:12 per mile for 7 miles and wasn't tired, just dirty.

Training is going GREAT! I got in right at 20 hours of training this week. Just two weeks ago I easily won a 5k in trainers, running 16:08. The best news is that Kompetitive Edge is finishing up the logistics of my contract and will be mailing it out soon so I can officially get my sponsors taken care of for 2011!