The Beginning

It's Sunday evening and tomorrow marks the first day of our twelve week training program, which is supposed to prepare us to get across the finish line at Vineman 70.3. I raced in a small local sprint this morning. This race was important to me as it was my first ever triathlon this time last year. Needless to say, a year of hard training and 35 less pounds makes for a faster me.

Last year I swam 300 meters, biked 18 miles and ran 2 miles in just over 1hr 30min, a year later a knocked that time down to just under 1hr 15min. Things are looking good. I improved my bike MPH average from 16.1 to 20.7 and my run Mile/min average from8:47 to 7:37. I may be a Kenyan afterall.

I am very grateful to a lot of people in my life, who have supported my transformation. Most importantly my wife, Allison and my beautiful daughters Emma, Molly and Julia. Also, my mom who is the best support person from a distance. She worries and gets nervous enough for a small army. My brother Ryan who is an inspiration to all of us for being as crazy as he is. One day he will channel some of his will power and determination to join us for one race. I have to thank Clint more than anyone else because he got me into this mess. I am a new person and life is better because of him. I feel good, I look good and the sport of triathlon has added something very special to my life. I could not have done it without him, but if he thinks I am going to let him beat me, he is crazy. I could not end this paragraph without thanking my dad. "I hate running", but I know how much my dad loved it and so every step I take I think of him and how much he would still love to be running today. Dad, I promise we will cross the finish line at Marine Corps together even if we have to speed walk the 26.2. I will run Marine Corps for a long time to come and will continue to do my long runs on the C&O Canal because it just does not get any better.

I will post my trials and tribulations of my twelve weeks of training and hope that you can enjoy following Clint and I to the finish line. Sonoma better make sure all the barrels are full because I am going to drink some serious wine when I am done.