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!!!