War on ALS - Blazeman Benefit date set!!

Very proud to announce the the War on ALS - Blazeman Benefit set for 13 May 2011 in Tracy, MN.  We have a special guest, Country Music Recording Artist Julie Roberts.  She will be performing at the benefit.  More information to follow in the upcoming weeks.  Stay tuned!

Bahamas!

I am quite ready to get out of the subzero temperatures and soak in the sun and walk on the beaches of the Bahamas!  Will be on the beach in less then a week.  Can not wait!  Pics are sure to follow!

MARS Sponsorship!

I was just notified that MARS (yes, the Snickers/M&Ms, etc) is going to sponsor me.  I will be racing in the Nation's Capital triathlon on 12 Sept 2010.  I am looking forward to it!

http://www.thenationstriathlon.com/

Thank you Mars!

47 days out from IM Vineman!

What a weekend!  Hiking in the Rocky Mountains.  Biking in Boulder.  Raced in the Bolder Boulder 10k (one of the largest 10k races in the US).
I have an upcoming sprint triathlon on Friday and then heading to South Dakota to be inducted into the Dakota State University Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend.
Looking forward to seeing my old teammates, coach, and friends.

Additionally, my oldest son's birthday is tomorrow.  I can not believe that he will be 17 years old.  Wow!!!  Time certainly fly's! 

I must admit though...he keeps me young and active...can't let him beat his ol' dad! (yet!)

Ironman Vineman 70.3 training begins next week!

73 days out from Ironman Vineman 70.3 in California.  I have slowly been recovering from jet lag (32 hours on planes and in airports) and from the dehydration of Ironman South Africa.
Last weekend I slept 13 hrs, 14 hrs, and 12hrs.
I have lost a bit of weight due to all of the sleeping, but that is ok with me.  I am now at a wopping 156lbs.  WhaHooo!!
I have done a couple short runs and one short ride this week.  Just good to get out and stretch the body out again.
I have been doing hot yoga classes (90 min each), which I love doing.  Helps me stretch out the entire body and lose a few of those extra pounds that I had gained on my trip back to the states.

I witnessed a horrific car crash this morning on my way into work.  They actually pulled out the passenger and were conducting CPR on him as I finally passed by.  You realize how fragile life is and in a blink of an eye how everything in your world can change.

I know I am fortunate and blessed to be healthy, employed, and have family and friends who care and support me.

Mission for the day - give one person a genuine, detailed compliment and just watch their reaction.  I bet you will be rewarded from that reaction.

Ironman!

Good morning!  We made it.  Whew!!  When newcomers (not that I am an ol' pro at this by any means) as me what should they do to prepare and handle the long day of an Ironman, I simply, "respect the distance, respect the race.  It is an Ironman.  If it were easy, everyone would do it."

Those words came to my mind for just about 23 miles yesterday.  :)  I had a personal best swim with 1.5 meter waves.  I had a fairly good bike split.  Then the Ironman decided to test me a bit. 

I can honestly say that I will never for Ironman South Africa.
The day was beautiful out with 12mph winds.  The swim was quite intimidating and at times, potentially life threatening.  Approx. 100 people were either pulled out of the swim or just didn't enter.  It was that bad.  I was in motion on one stroke and was completely rolled over due the heighth of the wave.  As I stated last night to a few people, it scared the baJesus out of me. 

I finished that and figured the worst was over.  The bike was windy and hard, but good.  I enjoyed coming over the hills and seeing the coast.  Quite spectacular views for a race.

I got off the bike and started running.  I felt great.  Ran the first 2 miles in 13:55 and felt awesome.  I then felt a bubble developing (I apologize for the lack of PC - felt like gas brewing).  I got to mile three and figured I stop and hit the porta-potty and then be on my way.  Well, that is where the wheels on the bus (that usually go round and round) fell off.  I had sprung a leak out my bumm. 

I had no muscle control with it as I ran.  If I walked, then I could contain it.  If I ran, it ran too!  HA!  It was a race between my bumm and the Ironman.  Which would run faster.  Well, my bumm won.  So, as to counter it, I did the ol' fashion Ironman shuffle.  It was the only way to keep it in, if you catch my drift.

After I finished, I sat in the medical tent for quite a spell.  They put 4 1/2 IVs in me until I was 'ok' to go.
Let's just say the hot bath I sat in once I returned to my room was not as comforting as I was hoping for.

Nonetheless, it was a successful Ironman.  I finished.  That is all we ever want first and foremost.  No DNFs (Did not finish) on the record and will always fight for that to never happen.

Thank you all for cheering me on.  I truly appreciate your support!  I am off to breakfast and then see what they have for finisher gear to buy up before I get ready to head back to the states.

All checked in - Race number 1296

The bike is all checked in.  Run and bike bags dropped off.  Now to dinner and then back in bed to watch some movies and relax.