Race Report from Malibu

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~E.E. Cummings
The trip to Malibu, California was so much fun! I traveled with Brooke Davison and Laura and Greg Bennett. We left Boulder on Thursday and put four bike boxes in one car along with our luggage. Great to have an Escalade that can haul all of that and still have enough room for us to sit. Travels went great and were super easy. Then on to the Amazing Race. I had rented a car and the “Big Time” athletes were waiting for a Limo, well not really, a big blue van. Greg and I made a bet to see who would get to the hotel first. Twenty minutes later we both ended up on the 405 in LA at the exact same time. I did win the bet, just a little side note. The race was Saturday morning and was an Olympic Distance race. We woke to cloudy skies and 3-5 foot swells in the ocean. The race started and I was a bit off all morning. I forgot my chip and didn’t get my proper warm-up in. Don’t ask me what the hell I was doing for I don’t know. The cannon went off and the race started. I swam like I didn’t know what I was doing. Came out of the water in 12th after a brief panic moment about 400 into the swim and got on the bike. Rode my way to 6th and stayed there the rest of the day to finish in 6th-they paid top 5. Love being the bubble boy. I did this race a year ago in 1:59 and this year 1:54. I am getting faster, so that is good. Not really happy about my performance but it is what it is. This pro thing is a learning process. The trip overall was one of the most fun trips I have had. I have never laughed so much at the company that was there all weekend. Among the rest of the crew we had a flat, a 1st place and a 2nd place finish. So all in all, a great weekend, and memories that will always be remembered forever, Thanks you all for the many many laughs. This is my last few days here in Boulder. The friends and training partners have been some of the best and I am so thankful for all of you who have given me a part of you to carry forever. I am forever grateful for you. Michael, Amanda, Greg, Laura, Brooke, Belinda, Justin, Brandy, Mathis, Julie, Mary, Simon, Kelly, Dave, Chrissie, Armando, Jo, Erin, Rinny, and Glen.

Day in the Life of EB

Well here you go, I’m going to give you a little inside into my day and then talk about my race this past weekend.  Today I woke up at 6:30 to ride and meet up with a couple of other studs, and I mean studs. An Olympian, Best Short course athlete on planet, and a top ten Kona stud! Felt like a little kid going to tryouts.  I got up, showered, had a bar and was on my way.  I totally needed a coffee before the ride so I got there a bit early.  We rolled out right on time.  We rode 90k, about 56 miles for those who don’t do things in kilometers.  In the ride we did 7x10 big gear hills and then 5 minute easy. The ride is called peak to peak and climbs to 9000 ft.  It’s high and hurt a ton.  The ride took about 3 hrs so I came home very tired! That ride is like doing a leg workout in the gym for a long, long time. Got home, ate a bit but clearly not enough! I then sat around working on my new web page, which will be up soon.  After that, it was time to fix the bike and then out the door again at 1:40 to meet up for another 1:30 ride. This time, we were doing a 25-30 min time trail up the mountain.  This was tough, as the legs were shattered a bit already.  A very good day on the bike.  Nothing like riding with the best and getting pummeled.  Rode home and met Michael Lovato only to get right in the car to go to the pool.  I just wanted to get in an easy cruise swim.  I did exactly that, really all I could do, 2k easy.  I was starting to "see things" as I was swimming and realized that I had only had 3 bars, two egg sandwiches, and some Gatorade.  What I am saying is that I was totally cooked!  Next, to the grocery, thank God, for all I wanted was something to eat so I had some pizza! Got home, an hour later, Mrs. Lovato cooked up some buffalo steak, pasta, and salad. Not such a good idea to cram all of your calories in at night!  I look to be in bed by umm 9 at the latest, for it will all start bright and early again tomorrow.  As for the race this past weekend, I did an Olympic distance and really needed to get in a race being that my last one was about a month and half ago.  This race was in Windsor, Colorado, which is about 1 hr north of Boulder. The weather was cold, overcast, and misty.  There was a stud Ironman guy racing, Chris “Big Sexy” McDonald, who won IM Wisconsin last year and will be racing there again in two weeks.  In the swim, I just wanted to get on his feet.  I got gapped a bit but then came back and got on them.  As for the bike, he is an uber biker.  So, all I wanted to do was keep him in sight, and hope I could run him down. He biked a 57 and I was 57:50 so he came out of T2 with a lead.  It’s a bit hard to run at altitude, so I eventually caught him at the 21/2-mile mark then went on to run a 33:20.  I believe things are coming together and I am really enjoying my training here. Not many places in the world where you get the opportunity to train, learn, and see how the best in the world do it. How fortunate I am, and lucky the Lovatos have opened their home for me to stay and train.  Well, till next time, you know the drill -Dream Big. 

Two Big Events in my Life!

Well, it’s been a whirlwind of a month. I drove home from Boulder to do two big things in life. I bought a house, and was there to see my brother get married to the love of his life. I’ll start with the house. I was planning to move, and was jet set on getting out of town. But, Knoxville is home! It was when I gave myself permission to leave that I realized that this is my community. It’s where my family, my friends, my sponsors, and coaches are, and now it’s where I have a place of my own. I love my place off of Hardin Valley. It’s quiet and has great places to run and ride from. I may not be there much over the next few months, between traveling to Colorado, California, Hawaii, Georgia, Texas and another place TBD. I will miss being home, but as the old saying goes there really is no place like home! Then, I got to be apart of my brother’s marriage to Whitney. The rehearsal dinner was at Ye Ole Steakhouse. Great venue, especially with all of our family and friends! I didn’t think I would have to give a toast but last minute Whit’s brother gave one so well, I just had to give one from the heart. It was about how my bro is one of the hardest working and caring people I have ever met. He works his ass off! As a senior in high school, he made 30K mowing yards, and I mean he was really good at what he did. A one mans show Mike’s Lawn Care. He cares so much about what he does. He does everything exceptionally well and will love my new sister-in-law WELL! I wish I could do what he does but, I have none of the talents that Mike carries. I couldn’t be a more proud brother. I hope one day to have something so special that it is written all over me like it is on his face. So that’s a little taste of what’s be happening in my life. I’m out in Boulder again staying with Amanda and Michael Lovato. If today is any indication of what lies ahead, I can’t wait to get in and race. Cheers Mike and Whit! May you both always DREAM BIG! Till next time, never stop following your heart, no matter how difficult at times it may be. As Dr. Tyler said to me before I left, “Eric, never forget that the best relationship is just like one of the hardest Triathlons you have done.” I look forward to that day! Dream Big!