Long Time To Make Up!!!

Well, for one who says they are going to update like every week, well I have let myself down. I am sorry, I realize it has been a while and I have raced three times since the last posting. I will give a brief race report from all three to get everyone caught up. The first race was Malibu tri, a beautiful place to race on the PCH, and with some of the best athletes in the world. I was humbled, this was a last minute decision to race and it was in-between L.A. and Nationals. I started with the pros, the swim was again an ocean swim, which I actually am beginning to really enjoy, I had a decent all around day, was top amateur, but who cares when the best pros in the world are beating me by 14 minutes. I have a big jump to make to race with the big boys, but hey there is plenty of time to make things happen. I stayed in Irvine CA with Blake Goodfellow and his wife and kids, had a blast and also stayed with Lauren a friend from Knoxville who recently moved out to LA, I am thankful to both parties for hosting me for 2 weeks! Then off to Portland for US Nationals, this race was going to be tough, the course is very tough and the competition even tougher. I ended up 4th overall missing out on third by a mere 3 seconds. Had a good day all in all. Strong swim still need to work lots this winter, but we will get there. The bike was great had lots of people to keep in close contact and lots of hills to climb. On the run course it was very hilly, went out on the run with a guy I knew could run but had no idea it would be as tough as it was, I thought I dropped him until at the turn around, which was 5k into the race, he was right with me and I was like dang he is not going away, he eventually took the lead and it was all I could do to hang on, the run has just not quite been there since the bike wreck. I eventually held him off to come up on the 3rd place guy, I went around him fast thinking I would pass and he would not react but he did and not only did he but he sat on me and passed me with 20 meters to go and I had nothing to respond back and therefore the 3 second defeat for a podium spot. Great day and was faster than last years winner, but there were guys who had better days, such is life sometimes. Now on to this past weekend. We were in Dallas where the Us Open Championships were held. They flew 20 of the best athletes in the country in for this elite championship event. I had earlier in the week a track workout, where I had pulled my sacrum, and that caused me trouble all week. I was just hoping with my mom’s help I would be able to race. Flew in to meet Eddie and I just was like give it your best and see what happens. I knew that David Kahn and Adam Webber were there and word was whoever won would be the leading candidate for US athlete of the year with the other two as runner-ups. So race day was upon us the swim was typical for me with the exception of looking directly into the sun on the way back in and if you have ever been in water and looking into the sun coming up it is hard to see anything your vision is blurred and tough to swim in a straight line. Finally our pack made it and off to the bike where I was ready to roll after taking it easy for the first 5k of the bike to get warmed up I felt amazing on the bike and had one of the best splits of the day. On to the run where I felt the injury the most just, never felt comfortable and ran one of my worst splits of the year and ended up finishing in 3rd, not a bad day and finish for the amount of talent there. Trip was a blast and the cowboys game was just one of the many highlights to the fun-filled weekend. Well now decision time, either take time off or go to Arizona to compete in a half ironman, this being my first. I Have a few friends Amanda and Eddie who will be racing the Best of the US race that same day so it looks like I am leaning to doing the race to finish off an incredible year of racing before I bury my head in the water this winter. Well, hope this finds everyone enjoying the fall weather and Dreaming Big. Sorry to be so winded and that’s what I get for being a slacker!!!