The sun has set on 2009.

MIA, yes I know it has been awhile and I would tell you why but my excuses are just that and I don’t want to sit here and complain. So, I will do a little recap of the last few weeks.
Augusta 70.3, what a learning experience. Don’t go into a race with and injury that has kept you from doing what you do best, RUN. Had an ok swim, bad bike, and even worse run. Went 4:04 to finish 15th. You learn, live, and hopefully move on. Took me a while but trying to accomplish that.

Went to Kona to watch Don Bosch race and what a day/week it was. Love the islands, and the World Championships make it an even better place to be. Watching Don was unbelievable, and his story makes it even better. Racing an Ironman in your first season is crazy! Let alone losing 125 pounds in less than 18 months making it even better. The "pros" race was sick, and seeing Don finish was a blast. This must be on your "bucket list" to do or support one who does. Then, stick around from 10-midnight to see the place start rocking.

Came back from Kona hoping to race Longhorn 70.3 but it wasn’t in the cards. I have been battling an Achilles injury since July. So, I finally decided to put a bookend to this season which has been filled with a few ups and a lot more downs. I have been going through rehab, eating too much, and trying to figure a few things out. Not an easy process so trying not to enjoy more of the process but instead, having all the answers.

Just got home from Clearwater, were I go to witness my good friend Julie Dibens win the world title. An amazing and gritty performance!! Got to catch up with Guy, Luke, Morgan, Heather G, Mary Miller, Rinny, RJ, and Amanda all of who were not racing so, we were partying and having some fun. The racers Laura B, Greg B, and Joe G all had great races. Congrats to all of you!

Picked up my first sponsor of the new year with Sidi Bike Shoes…looking forward to this relationship. Thanks Sara!

Well the sun has set on my first pro season, ½ of a season really. Looking forward to healing up and moving on. Happy Holidays to all of you.

Thanks for the support this season. I could not have done this without you, for each of you play an important roll in my life.

Dream Big Always!

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!

Breathe In Breathe Out!

Well another birthday has passed; this one was the big 3-0. Fun workout: 100x100! Thanks to Hillary Biscay for the inspiration. It was a day of reflecting, hoping, dreaming, and being in the moment of where I am in life at this moment in time. And as Tim McGraw says, "the next 30 years will be the best years of my life!" I sure hope so. Who knows what is in store for me, holding on to hope I will live from my heart, never abandoning it and be true to myself always. I am blessed with so many people who love me and support me and I never go a day, sometimes even hours, without thinking of those who love me and support my dream. Words will never be enough to thank you!

I have been in Boulder for almost 3 weeks, which has been an adjustment, but it always is. Thanks to Amanda and Michael Lovato who have made the transition a bit easier. Also very thankful to Laurie for letting me crash on the couch. Training here has been great! The trails, the mountains, and being around some of the best in the world makes you want it more as well.

I went home to Tennessee to race the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. I saw one of my best friends, which is always such a treat! Thanks L. for everything. Then went to race venue, which is a right down on the waterfront in Chattanooga, beautiful area. Many friends came to watch: my mom and bro, the Lawlers, Paul, Michelle, and Lisa, all of whom I am grateful to for coming. It's always great to have some “fans” come. The race was a tough one, trying to focus and do what it is I do, can be challenging when life happens, but nonetheless I am proud of the way I raced that day. I was flat in the water, can’t afford to shut it down heading into a race especially in the water, but live and learn. Then, on the bike my legs came around after about 20 or so minutes. I had some great trianing rides with Amanda heading into the race and they will pay off later for sure. I was super happy with the way I ran. I felt really strong and tried to run down Tony White, but he was the better athlete that day. I also was honored to race Zach Winchester and Jason Schott; they both make me a better athlete. All in all it was a good day. Not sure where the next race is or when. This year has been a bit different for me. More of a transition year and that was my first pro race and so I am really trying to make the jump. It’s a big one but I hope that my training and the foundation that is being laid will be well worth it.

I'll be here in Boulder until my brother’s wedding at the end of the month. Congrats Mike and Whit! And as always till next time never stop Dreaming Big, It’s What I Do!

Here, There, and Everywhere.

Well, enough is enough, time to get on writing about oh the last month. First was my trip to NY City, the Jersey Shore, and then on to the half-iron in Connecticut. I stayed in the city with one of my best friends, Kyle Westaway, who is one helluva host. I was there for 3 days. In NYC we went to see a few shows. Feuzuberta (butchered that) was incredible! The city is not my cup of tea but I have respect for those who live there. Little tough to train there, especially when they want to charge $50 to swim!! I also was able see a dear friend, Tiffany Moran. We went to school way back in the day and reconnected this past Xmas. She was a gracious host as well. We went to the Broadway play 9 to 5 and what great times. I then went to the Jersey Shore to train with Scotty, love that guy, we had some great training days, always brings back memories from the college days. Then came the reason I was there, to race my second half. Boy was I in for a treat. One of my dear friends and mentors Jon Lawler and his son Nathaniel were also on hand for the race, as were Kyle and Tiffany who took the train from the city. They had a great time on that train for the entertainment was at a high when we picked them up. As for the race it was my last amateur race, and I wanted to see how I could go at this distance. Plan was to get out and get on some feet in the swim. Well, I got out and no ones feet were there, so for the first time in my life I led a swim start to finish, feeling great about that. The bike I knew I had to keep in check and everyone was talking about how hard it was. Well it was the hardest ride of my life! I covered the course in 2:26. The leader, Matty Reed, was a mere 9 min in front, so to say the least the course was tough. I got off the bike and caught all the women and was running with some guy pros. My plan was to keep it cool for the first 6-7 miles and then let it rip. I had done 10 miles two weeks prior at 5:45 pace so I thought I was ready to go. Well, the run course had a 2 mile climb at 4 miles, another climb at 8.5 to 10, and the last was from 12 to 13. At the turn around which was 6 I knew I was in trouble. One of those days, could not get out of the gear I was in and I was in for a death march. The amateur who won, I was 2nd am and 12th overall, came by me at mile 9 and I had nothing - one of the worst feelings in my life. Really the toughest race or run I have ever done in my life. I did take away some great things from the race. I wanted to do better but hey you have days where you run 1:27 and hate life. So after that I came home to Knoxville, where I had some down time and spent one of the weekends on the lake with some of my oldest friends, Linlee, MJ and Jason and Ashley and Kirk. It was a blast and not often I get down days like that and they all made it a special day. Thanks guys. Pretty soon I think Ashley will be the next great triathlete, based on her swimming abilities with paddles!! Last weekend I drove to Buffalo Springs, Texas, to watch 70.3. Watched Bosch have fun in his first half-iron, and Sydney Cornell have a spectacular day and qualify for Kona. Fun weekend although, on Saturday I rode the course it was 100 degrees and the surface temp was probably 115. I felt Iike I was going to die, and probably came pretty close to it. Now, I am in my first week training here in Boulder. My gracious roommate Laurie Fritts has been kind enough to let me crash at her place. This week I have been keeping everything in check low intensity but keeping volume up. Beautiful place with a lot of different people to train with and now I just have to find the right group. Well, I guess that will do for now. I'm supposed to race first Pro race this coming Saturday in San Francisco, a continental cup race, should be exciting. More updates to come. Always Dream Big!!!

A little of this and a little of that.

It’s been a long time since I last wrote, well really since Australia so I will just go down and highlight some of my latest activities. I am in Knoxville and have been since OZ but that will be changing here in the next few weeks, as I am driving out to Boulder on June 12th to spend some time there training. Looking forward to it, for Colorado is one of my favorite states, especially in the summer. Love wearing warm clothes at night and it being super hot during the day. So we shall see what will come of all this. Not moving just going to train.
As for the highlights over the last little bit.
-Race Director for the Dogwood Mile run, great event and will get so much better next year. Different being on that side of things. I also put it on the same weekend as my first race, prob not ideal for I was up till 12 then got up at 4:30 to fly to Florida and race the following day, not the ideal race prep. But great event and had tons of fun and very very thankful for all the people that helped me pull the event off. Look for it to be bigger and better next year.
-Raced at St. Anthony’s, easily one of my favorite venues, but this time didn’t work out so well. Cancelled the swim, which I wanted to see how my work has paid off, started with a bike and I was 3rd one off which means I was solo for 18 miles till the train rolled me up and then I was drafting, yes as was everyone else I was with but I was busted and given a 2 min pen. Such is life, ran a 32:40 which was not bad, finished 3rd but with penalty dropped me down to 7th. I guess you live and learn and control only what you can.
-Have had great training help from Amy Midis, Don Bosch, and Patrick Gildea, these three have been a huge help.
-Went to my Dad’s 40th year anniversary with Dollywood and met Dolly for the 3rd or 4th time but that never gets old.
-Got to see an old friend Linlee, for the first time in like 2-3 years, always fun catching up with someone who you have known for 17 years, brings back memories of great times back at Farragut.
-Went to see Leno only to get called out for what my “job” of being a Triathlete is, he thinks it has to do with porn, far from it Jay.
-Went to Memphis in May with my mom and had fun with Eddie, Lotte, Travis, and Amanda. We all raced one but a couple of us including myself did two tris on back to back days. A first for me. Did a mountain bike tri on Sat which was fun, hard as hell but fun, felt like I was so out of shape. Totally different feeling and system that is being worked, then raced the Olympic Distance Tri on Sun. Came in 1st on Sat 4th overall on Sun and won some money for doing both. Hurt my shoulder somehow before the race Sun and then woke up to a back that was wrecked for 3-4 days heading into this past weekend. Somehow I think MIM is cursed, every time I go there something happens. May need to consider not going next year.
-Busy week, get to sit in on a dear friend’s meeting to really look at following a dream and making a decision to run for Mayor, really honored to be in this group with him and looking forward to it.
-Last, head to NY on Sat to spend some time with Kyle, Tiff, Paul, Winston, train with Scotty and see the Grangers up at my first 70.3 of the season in Conn. on June 7th. Promise I will be updating on a more regular basis. I actually enjoy writing but with my ADD I just have to find time to sit still.
As I was laying on the table getting a massage tonight., I was thinking how lucky and blessed I am. I have started coaching some people recently, which brings me so much joy to see others living there dreams and being apart of it all. There are so many people in my life who help me do what I do and have been placed here for many reasons and I am so thankful for each of the roles people play in my life. YOU all mean so much to me and I Love You and Thank You for all your support. DREAM Big!

p.s. I know it’s a little scattered but that is what is up inside my head.

Little by Little

Well, I have been meaning to write for the last few days and some how just never made the time to do so. This is my last week here, crazy how time flies. When I first arrived, I was wondering how I was going to make it. I was sick, tired, getting my ass handed to me everywhere I turned and was thinking maybe I’m just not cut our for this at this level. Well, time has a way of revealing the information we need as time goes on. I have learned so much while being here: Trusting my coach, knowing I can handle way more than my mind thinks I can, realizing I have been treating this more like a hobby than a job, that my eating habits are pretty bland (I hate veggies, well I have broadened my horizons this trip but still), going to bed every night before ten and most nights before 9 makes you feel so much better at 5 in the morning, (crazy how your body adapts -when first arrived did 24x200 and ave 33 thought my legs were going to fall off, now ave 31-32 and had room still in the tank), that the simple life is really pretty good with me, I can’t do it alone like I have the past 2 years or so, which leads me to needing to relocate to one of two places for the summer-Nashville or Boulder. Knoxville will always be home. I have some of the best friends in the world there. Since I have been gone, it is crazy to realize how much support is there. I am one blessed individual, THANK YOU! My family is there as well, so I will never really leave. I see myself spending training stints in different places over the next few years and I will be HOME often. I have come to realize that to be the best you must surround yourself with the best. I go to swim squad and look around and there are a couple top 10 at Ironman Hawaii, a couple World Champions and Olympians, and plenty of Ironman Champs. I have really enjoyed getting to know a few of my new mates and look forward to seeing them in the states and back over here next year. Also, I realize how lucky I am to have Hillary Biscay as a roomie. She is a model workhorse, she rarely if ever complains, she is always getting the job done-it’s no wonder the girl can do 9 Ironman Races a year, she truly is an Ironwoman. She has been of such great support and encouragement to me over the last 5 weeks. I have struggled at times, usually I get home sick and no I am not really home sick. I do miss my routine and I am a home body so I feel a little out of my element. But, this walkabout has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life that will hopefully catapult me to the places I need to go. As my mate Huck said earlier, little by little may all your dreams come true, one step at a time. I took a big step 5 weeks ago and followed my dream, and now little by little it will unveil itself to me. Never let anyone tell you, you don’t have what it takes. At the end of the day there is only one who can answer that question. As I sit here and the rain comes down, may it rain some days and shine others but never stop DREAMING BIG!

Noosa week 3

Well another week is down which means 12 swims, 5 runs and 2 bikes are in the books. I am starting to get adjusted and enjoying myself, well I mean not getting crazy or anything but getting in to a routine. This week is a week of some firsts. I had a massage on Sat. after our group ride. Toby is the man around here giving massages to all the athletes, a few get 2-3 a week so he is a pretty busy guy. Anyhow, during my massage, he told me I was super tight and he thought magnesium deprived. Less than 15 minutes after he left, my back started to spasm. I mean, I was on the ground in seconds. The kind where you can’t really catch your breath. I ended up swimming a bit that afternoon, very easy I might add. Then the next day things started to get shaken out after our ocean swim which leads me to my next first. Most of you know how much trouble I had the first year of triathlon and overcoming a lot of fears and anxiety. Well the ocean has been a bit of a fun time for me. If I am not swimming alone in the ocean, I feel pretty good about it. This week before swim, Belinda Granger, one of the best at Ironmans, decided to tell me how the beach was closed earlier in the day because SHARKS were in the area. As I looked around, the usual group of 20 or so was down to 5, funny how they all got the message. All went well and I’m here to tell you no sharks were seen but the anxiety was felt for sure. Then there was the cyclone that was rapidly approaching. Monday on my way home from the pool in the pouring rain, the winds were blowing fiercely. So a cyclone is what they call a hurricane here in the Pacific. This cat 5 was as big as Hurricane Katrina. Luckily, it did not make land fall but the effects of it hanging out at sea are still being felt here tonight, as it is still pouring down rain. The good and the bad of this storm, I will give you the bad first. I had to ride today 3 hours, windy the whole ride, and for half it was a torrential down pour. After my accident last fall, I am really apprehensive in the rain. So, it was a pretty tense day to say the least on the bike. Now the cool part was going down to the ocean to see what all was going on. They spend lots of money here 2-3 times a year to put sand over all the rocks. Now I can understand why, for there is no beach right now, just rocks after the storm had washed away the sand. But the coolest part was watching the surfers. This is a huge surf town and they live for times like this. One of the craziest scenes I have ever witnessed. First, they were everywhere. I guess they know the protocol for not killing one another as they hang ten. What I was witnessing was controlled chaos. Then on top of it, the waves were huge and crashing everywhere. You either have to have a few screws loose or just live for the moment. I was scared just watching. But I know what I want to do when my tri career is over, learn how to surf and move somewhere near water where life is lived waiting on the next big wave. Love the attitudes of the local surfers, they wake up and think I will go catch some waves before school or work, I love it. This week has been a tough week on the body, running on like 22 days of 2-3 workouts a day. The mind fails before the body but had a day yesterday where they both were in the tank, not a good day. But as my coach told me in an email, “nothing wrong with cracking as long as you pick things up and put it back together” and that’s what I did today. We all have days like that and we just have to live in the moment. Sometimes hard to do! Well time to hit the bed. But first, want to send my best to Dr. Krisle, my brother’s future father-in-law who had quadruple bypass surgery on Tuesday. Wish him a speedy recovery. And as always, Dream Big! PS Feel free to ask questions on the post a comment section. Sometimes I just don’t know what I should be writing, don’t want to bore with the mundane stuff. DB!

Week 2 in Noosa

Well as I sit here, it was two weeks ago today that I got on a plane for 34 hours and the journey began. As my best friend Andrew Huck said, this is your walkabout, and you will be changed forever. That has happened. The days all seem to run together and I wake most mornings wondering how will I do it today? Well here is a Wednesday for you: 5:30 was ocean swim, this was lots of fun if only I could have run, did a track workout last night and my calves were shredded. So the running back and forth into the ocean swimming out to buoys and back was a bit more taxing than I thought it was going to be, but none the less it was a great workout and hurt a ton. Then home for a bite to eat before we had squad swim at 9:30. I went into this workout smashed and thought I would be lucky to finish, but I finished and actually had a great swim. One thing I am learning is just when my mind wants to give out my body somehow can keep going. Not sure I understand, but seems we let our minds limit us, one thing I will be working on for the rest of my life. So after swim (I have to ride my bike round trip 10 miles every time I swim) I came home, went to café and had lunch as I tried to just relax and get in some air condition. I sweat all day and night for there is no ac and the weather has been brutally hot here of late. Then, I took a nap and got ready to head back to the pool for my last workout of the day, a 3k swim. Barely could get up and down the pool and finally loosened up as I kept trucking. Well that is my Wednesday, I have roughly 19 workouts throughout the week with the shortest one being a 45 min run twice a week. I don’t tell this to brag but to merely give you insight into my time here in Noosa. My confidence at many times has wavered and my ability to think clearly has done the same. I have questioned myself many times, this has not been easy for me. At times I have wanted to quit and just come home, but there is a voice inside that won’t let me quit for now I realize it takes so much more to get to the next level. I also have many people who believe in me, for then I ask myself, why can I not believe in myself? I am exposing myself in my blog in a way for the first time to share my journey for this is no holiday, and I would guess that there are dreams in each of us that are worth fighting for and hard as hell to work through and keep believing in even when it seems as though you just can go at it anymore. Well, as one of my favorite quotes says “When going through hell, keep going!” Lastly, as I sat and watched We Are Marshall the other night, I realized how hard it is build anything. They had to rise up from the ashes and when starting anything that is what we all have to do. The hard part is building the foundation and just getting started maybe the hardest part of all. But once you get started, you can and will rise up! As I always say don’t ever stop DREAMING and then get after it, RISE UP!

Written by Ironman Wisconsin Champion Hillary Biscay

Last Thursday Coachie sent me over a gift from the States: a brand shiny new . . . training partner! This was very nice of him considering that I was going to have to say goodbye to training partner, etc etc extraordinaire this Tuesday. Yes, Dougie is on his way home to the States now, and Eric Bell is now on swim and track duty.

Eric is a former standout collegiate runner and has won pretty much every short course age group title one can win, including his age group at the world championships last year. He would like to race as a pro and has qualified to do so, but Coach has said that runner boy must get his swimming skills up to scratch before racing the big boys. So he is here in Noosa for 12 swim sessions per week–and a few other workouts–as well as to see if he is cut out for the life of a pro. Thus far he is becoming acquainted with realities like the Friday and Saturday-night 9PM bedtime, and a kitchen stocked with only “bird food.”

So Eric has to suffer a bit of culture shock while I have the benefit of a new training partner (I should add that my other “other half” is also away this week, as Belinda is racing Ironman Malaysia this weekend.). I would feel sorry for him, but we have all been through this essential part of the process.

In Dougie and Belinda’s absence, after last night’s running intervals, I was reflecting on the value of my training partners. Possibly my least favorite type of training session is a track-type running session. Everyone knows how much I love to run; I know it is not pretty or fast, and thus this statement might be perceived as sarcastic, but it is not. I am probably an anomaly: a former swimmer who loves to run. My favorite running-related activity is running at a cruisey pace for many, many miles–five-hour runs, for example. My least favorite is the opposite: short, fast, running with lots of stop-and-go. I don’t even mind running hard on a treadmill for a couple hours at a time; but running even harder for a minute or two, when I have to break my rhythm in between, but yet hardly have time to catch my breath . . . This is one of my least favorite types of training. I am not good at it and it hurts–badly. Of course these are two big reasons that I need to be doing this type of workout!

So although I dread Tuesday night run intervals (especially following the morning’s smashfest brick session), I also look forward to the feeling of satisfaction I derive from putting myself through them every week. If they weren’t such a challenge for me, I couldn’t be so proud of myself afterwards.

Last night I got some payback from Runner Eric for some of our recent swimming excursions when he joined me for the Tuesday night intervals. I should add that we don’t have a track here, so run intervals also involve using a Garmin to measure off an accurate distance–thus giving me another reason to hate them. Luckily, Dougie, Mr. Thorough, gave Eric a lesson with the Garmin, including a walking simulation, before he left. Thus, in order to avoid my head exploding before the session even started, Eric handled course-measurement duties.

Then we ran the same “track” session, although I couldn’t even run the speedster’s pace for one step. It was the massive difference in our speeds, however, that got me to thinking about how much it helps to have someone there to keep these intense sessions at an honest effort. I had my best interval session of the past three months, and it didn’t matter that Eric was miles ahead. When I see someone there pushing himself as hard as he can through the same session, it is impossible to back off.

Tomorrow morning I will have to re-establish my dominance in the water .

Week one in Noosa!

Well the start of my new week has arrived. It was a long trip. It took me 34 hours from the time I left my door till the time I walked into my new living quarters for the next month. I am living with Hillary Biscay, Ironman Wisconsin Champion, and Doug Friman, who has raced ITU for the last ten years, competing for USA. We live in this two bed/two bath house, which is just a 7 min jog from the beach. The pool is about a 20 min bike ride to get there, and everything else we just walk out the door to do. Little strange for they drive on the wrong side, or I guess they think it’s the right side of the road. It’s a bit strange and if you're not careful you can easily get taken out by cars; funny how much you just take for granted walking across the street. Here in Noosa, this is a beach holiday spot for a lot of Australians, and a lot of surfers and backpackers seem to come here and do their thing as well. As for the training, well there are group swims and rides almost daily. A lot of long course athletes are training here, a few to name: Belinda Granger and her husband, Jeremy, Luke McKenzie, and then a few of the best short course athletes in the world: Greg and Laura Bennett, plus a host of foreign athletes, all wanting to come and train in paradise. Jet lag took its toll on me, haven’t been able to get a full night of sleep yet and on top of it was feeling a bit run down and got sick over the last 4 days which really drained me of my power. It will take a bit to get adjusted, but seem to be coming around. It's great to be around all these professionals and see the way they handle business; this sport is not for the weak and your mind plays so many tricks on you. It's really an amazing thing. I really look around and search in my life and there are so many people who are always there to help, I am so thankful, really. I nor anyone else in this sport can do it alone. There are those who pick me up, lend a hand, put a hand on me, talk with me, love me. To all of you, I will never be able to repay all for what you have given me. To all of you, I THANK YOU! What you give me is not taken for granted. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to come here and train, while many are laboring back home to help me put on this mile race I have dreamed about for so long. To all of you, Thank you! My 3 board members, guys I love you and this trip and my dream to be the best in the world would never be possible without you guys. You never really know what you got till you leave for a bit to see what it is you miss. My family, what a ride, mom, you’re the best healer ever and fan I love you. Well there will be more updates to come from Down Under. As they say Good day Mate. And this will never change, Dream Big!

Noosa!!!

Australia here I come! Well, there is a lot to do before Tuesday at 3:30, when I leave for a long 29 hour flight to get me to train with the best in the business of Triathlon. How did this all come about? I was supposed to train in Florida with my boy Scott, who got an invitation to train with Brett Sutton and team TBB, what an opportunity! So, my coach Brent Lorenzen and I had to come up with a plan. Do we go to Cali, Florida, or Australia? I never thought the last would be the place. He called Hilliary Biscay, Ironman Wisconsin winner, for she is there training with Belinda Granger, Luke McKenzie, Greg and Laura Bennett, and a host of others to see if there was room for me to come train, and within 24 hours there was a place to stay and the ticket was booked. This is going to be an amazing journey for the next 6 weeks! I will update as much as possible. My training will still be an intense focus on swimming and will start to add the running and biking into the mix. My first race looks to be the 2012 Talent ID race in Lubbock, Texas in April, with St. Anthony's to follow, but not before putting on the Dogwood mile in downtown Knoxville on April 24. Well, as I always say if you can't Dream Big what is the use in dreaming? This trip is proof, dreams come true, but you better get to living!!

The "off" season!

Dang the "off" season is tough. I know why the big time pros go down under to train. I am swimming with the Lady Vols and I had respect before and now I have that much more. I am swimming 7-8 sessions a week 35-40k and feel like I could die weekly. I run twice a week and bike twice. These past three days I have been broken. Sleeping about 15 hours a day, yeah I know what you are thinking, "must be nice"! Well not really would rather be training but he the cards have been dealt. I am also working on my new website which will be up and running shortly and just added a twitter account so I am trying to get with the program. My goal this year was to brand myself and figure a way out to make a bigger impact on LIFE. Taking any suggestions!!! Also look for the upcoming press about the road mile I will be putting on, April 24 the Dogwood Mile run will be run on Gay Street. This will be huge and I hope all will join me, to come out and run and enjoy a party!
Dream Big Baby!!