Malarchuck

I thought that I would go ahead and follow Sheldon's post with a brief introduction and some early musings on how I got here and where I expect to go over the next twelve weeks. Possibly the best starting point is to share with you that the first day of the twelve week training plan for Vineman 70.3 (a half-ironman distance triathlon - 1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike & 13.1 Mile Run) is a "day-off". What this tells you is that no matter whether you completed your one year racing anniversary today or are heading into you fifth year of training and competing, no one shows up tomorrow for their "day-off" not having already put in some serious mileage.

This all started for me on Super Bowl Sunday in 2005 when I posted a very solid 31:00 minute flat 5K, breaking the magic 10:00 minute mile pace barrier by a single second. The pictures are ugly (I ran with a jacket tied around my waist), the time was pathetic, but the journey had begun. I completed my first triathlon later that year in Laguna Beach and managed to complete the 5K that day (after the swim and bike) in 27:33. Progress! More importantly, I had discovered a real passion for the sport of triathlon. At the time I shared my brother's distaste for running, today... I can't live without it. I love my long swims in the pool and can't wait for warmer weather (and warmer ocean temperatures) and even longer swims in the open water. I have truly become one with my bike and wish that I could take it with me on business trips as easily as I can my running shoes and speedo (yes speedo) and goggles. It is a lifestyle and it has been fully embraced. Some of the body hair barriers have not yet fallen and I will probably never swim Masters at 5:30AM, but short of that, it is a huge part of my life and I hopefully will be pushing for a qualifying spot in Kona at 70.

I too have to thank the people around me for the support that they provide. My wife Susan is my biggest fan and has been joined on the course by our dog, Hunter and recently our 16 month old daughter, Jordan. My Dad has watched me finish a number of triathlons and provides a huge amount of support and inspiration along with my Grandmother who has pulled up a lawn chair roadside on more than one occasion. My Mom, as you can tell from Sheldon's post is our rock. I have however unfortunately provided her with the dubious honor of joining me in the emergency room at the Nations Triathlon last year after crashing on the bike course and breaking my collarbone. I'm not sure that she will make it back to a triathlon anytime soon believing that I crashed because she was there. Susan will not ever miss another one believing that I crashed because she wasn't there. I'm hoping for no more crashes and seeing them all at the finish line.

This has gone on for long enough. More on goals and thoughts about the next twelve weeks later. I will also post other notes and links on inspiration along the way. For regular updates and more information on what is going on around me you can also follow me on Twitter.

Faster not older! Thanks!