Sorry it's been so long since I've updated you on my season, life has been crazy. I've raced 2 major races since I last emailed you. The races were Twenty twelve talent ID search, at College nationals. At twenty Twelve I was not prepared for the 53 degree water or the start which was nothing I was used to as it was my first ITU style race. Swim went fine, though it should have been better seeing as I was in better shape than how I did, the shock of the cold water screwed with my breathing and the water in my goggles affected my sitting, I guess every race is a learning experience. I will be better prepared next time having now swum in that freezing water. Next came the bike where I've developed as my strong suit to pair with my run and compensate for my swim times. Well not always can you be ready for a mechanical problem. My front derailleur hanger slipped down on my first shift for the set of hills on the start of the lap. The slip caused me to be unable to get into my big ring and really do damage to the other riders and make a move towards the front pack. I still rode decent, but not nearly to my potential having no real power. My run really suffered because of the stress I put on my legs to ride and spin faster than I was able to. I finished around the middle of the pack and was happy to get a first ITU race out of the way. Next time...oh I can't wait till next time!

 

The following weekend was Duathlon Nationals. With a challenging course and a sweltering heat many of the racers defeated themselves before the gun went off. Having raced in 100 degree heat before I knew what to expect and how to prepare. The first run went very well, I settled in with a guy in the age group up from me and we ran together the whole way. I could have run faster but knew that if I went too hard too early I would blow up before the finish like many of the other athletes did. I came into transition in around a 33:30 and quickly got on the bike and started Rollin. The 3 lap course was clogged with racers that had an earlier start time abut I wove my way around them and found my way to the front of the groups. I brought back several guys in my wave and just kept hammering. On the 2nd lap I ran low on water and by the third I was out completely. Not wanting to risk dehydrating and DNF-ing I brought back my pace to slightly above tempo and just held off those who I had passed. The heat on the start of the second run was in full swing and there was no shade to hide from it. I just gutted it out and tried to keep my mouth wet at the aide stations and pace high for a strong finish. I came across the line thrilled to be done and be able to get out of the sun and into a tent to ice myself and cool down. Once cool, I collected my finishers’ pint glass and got some food and a beer. Found out where I placed (3rd AG, 13th OA) and celebrated with friends. 

Thanks everybody

friday the 13th!!!

so i'm not superstitious but i crashed on friday the 13th. totally my fault, actually kinda funny that i crashed going slower than 10 mph...oh well. what is funny is the patch of skin that is missing from my hip and butt. also an updat on my training, wet to do 12x5min hill repeats with a 30 min warm up and cool down...well the hills that were 5 min hills when i moved here are now 3 or 4 min hills..., so i guess i'll have to find new hills...i still dont have my car, nobody can figure out whats wrong with it, and i am annoyed. valentines day was fun but didnt spend it with a single person, it's the first time since in about 6 years that i've spent it as a single person. and it wasnt bad, well it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. not a whole lot else to report. i will update you next time i update...

BRRRRRRRRR!

woke up this morning, let the dogs out and promptly lost all sensation in my fingers and toes. got my car towed to the auto shop that will fix it cause it broke down last thursday, and the VW dealer wouldnt fix it cause of liability... so i've been sitting around the house a lot, but getting my training in. speaking of that, i got my new training schedule from my coach and i'm pumped! not ony cause i love the workouts, but cause i'll actually be able to do them. the weather is going to be in the 60's for the next ten days, a big change from the "22, feels like 8" that we have right now. with my car broken down i havent really been able to socialize which is a bummer but i'm still loving it here in athens. my roomate robbie is a great guy and fun to hang out with and we've gotten some really good sushi and pizza. also i'm getting better at video games haha. i also need a training partner for running and swimming, and i need memberships at the indoor track and pool...hopefully i'll be able to afford it along with paying for my car...ugh

oh well cheers everybody, and thanks again to all of my sponsors

in athens

well i've moved, i'm in and i love it! went for a run today and got drenched by a crazy downpour rainstorm, it was actually pretty sweet, both of my bikes cant really be ridden right now so i was't able to ride like i planned but what ever, i'm supposed to ride tomorrow ith a buddy, lookin forward to that. i got all my shopping done and i can't wait to get my bed in so i'll have a bit more room, but i also need a dresser and a few other things...

on a side note, wallace is happy too :D

and i am in love with Pandora Radio

also i worn my Skins on the trip down, running today i wouldnt have even thought that i sat for almost 14 hours straight, zero tightness, i really think everybody should invest in them.

WTF!? where has the week of the longest week ever gone!?

so the week has flown by, tomorrow is thursday!? i swam tonight, 1500m felt GREAT to get back in the pool!

and hooray, another snow storm!

I've thought about it a bit, and i still haven't made up my mind about posting my workouts on here. The training and the schedule is special and tailored to me so it wouldnt help anybody else, but they are special to me too so i dunno if i wanna share...yep i'm gonna be greedy...

stay tuned

this will be the longest week ever

So I havent been training due to everything being closed and just a general frustration with the weather. From getting frost bite last year, my feet are crazy sensitive to the cold, even sitting in the office which is a little cold my feet start to show signs of damage from the cold, which is lame. The pool opens back up this week, and i'm going to set my bike back up and get back to work on that...i really have no excuses, i just haven't been training, i know it's still early and that it shouldnt affect me too much, but hearing about other people training and such is driving me nuts. Oh well my fault, no worries tho, i didnt start training till this time last year and was only healthy through may then i was injured for about a month. if i can stay loose and not get injured all the way through worlds i think i'll be set. Don't tell me! i already know, i won't rest on my laurels... i'm supposed to be kicked out today but i guess i havent been...i'm trying just to lay low till the 25 or whenever i can get south...my new bike should be in soon, and i ordered a new handle bar for my bike, i just need new shifters and a new crank...

I bought a bed! it's pretty exciting, kinda a major purchase and i feel all growed up! haha 

next topic is my lack of great luck, i have good luck but i guess i really shouldnt be complaining . anyways on to the complaint: i made some really good friends just as i'm moving south. seems like that always happens to me. my whole life all through highschool and college i've always been the outcast kinda, usually cause i'm stubborn as hell and have a funny sort of humor. but it always seems that i make new friends really quickly when i'm not at home, like this summer, i made a friend at every stop we made but i couldnt really keep them or become close friends with them because i was leaving in a few days, sure i didnt lose them as friends and we still talk, and i'm sure i'd have a couch to crash on if i were ever in town. but this makes me wonder wether or not it's just the length of time sombody knows me that makes them not like me, or if it's just the attitudes around here at home...who know's only time will tell...

thats enough out of me today! roasted chicken and mashed potatoes for dinnah! woot

oh the holidays

it's the holidays...what can i say, i cant wait till i move...

not a whole lot to inform you guys about...