Back for more!

Well, it's been a while. Last summer was a busy one, and updating this thing fell off the priority list. Big news, of course, was the wedding. Everything was fantastic, right down to the weather, even after some emergency surgery for Liz 2 weeks before the big day! We couldn't have asked for a better weekend with all of our friends and family.

Next piece of news is that we are back for more with TNT, this time as Team Captains for St. Anthony's. We've suckered some more friends to join in with us. It's going to be a great season! Of course we are fund raising again. That little link on the right will take you to my personal fund raising page. Anything you can do to support this great cause is appreciated. I'm paying my own way down to FLA this year, so every donation goes straight into the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's coffers to help fight blood cancers.

I'm looking mostly to improve my running in the off season as we gear up for a big summer. Prior to St A's we're signed up for our first ever half marathon in Virginia Beach over St Patrick's Day weekend. We'll see how that one goes! Liz and I are planning a big trip for a belated honeymoon sometime after she is out of school, so the rest of the race calendar is up in the air. The only one we are signed up for is Columbia, 3 weeks after St A's. I was hoping to attempt my first 1/2 Ironman, but our travel schedule may make that impossible. I think I can wait another year for that ...

Some race updates from last I typed:

Charlottesville Sprint: 1:31:08, 42/143 Male, 9/26 30-34 Age Group

I was looking forward to this race, but it wasn't all that enjoyable. The swim was super short and kind of weedy (and really muddy). Bike was actually great and scenic, but super hilly. I was not prepared for the run. It was a true trail run, single track up and down steep inclines, over roots and rocks. That was tough. There were more than a couple people carried out of the woods with injuries. I was pretty pleased with my time, but don't know if this was one I'd choose to repeat.

New Jersey State Sprint: 1:15:10, 92/429 Male, 12/44 AG

This one was really fun! We rolled up to the Jerse with a big group of racers and stayed with Teen's family. It was a beautiful day, and a nice flat course. My first tri swim without a wetsuit; it was a learning experience, the lesson being that even tight fitting tri tops produce a lot of drag in the water! I put up a 24:52 5K on the run which was less than 30 seconds off my PR from earlier that summer. That was definitely the highlight of my day. If we are around for it this summer it's on my must do list (maybe the Olympic this year, though)

North East Olympic: 2:44:08, 149/275 Male, 19/38 AG

The USAT Mid-Atlantic Championships this year, so there were a lot of fast people in the field it seemed. Water was really warm so no wetsuits. This time I left the race jersey in transition. It probably cost me 20 seconds or so struggling to get it on, but I'm sure I saved that much time in the water (and some energy fighting the drag). I had planned to take it easy in the water anyway, and my time kind of reflects that. Bike course was hilly and not easy. Run was just boring and brutal, a simple out and back with loooooonnngg hills on the shoulder of a 2 lane highway. Ugh. Plus it was pretty hot. I shaved some time off of my St. A's 10K, but felt even worse doing it. Probably not on the list for next year.

Annapolis Triathlon: 2:36:50, 345/853 Male, 51/120 AG

This was a fantastic race all around. The course was a little odd with two transition areas, but it was really well organized (well, except for the bag drop thing). Despite fears of jellyfish the swim went great, and the bike course was fun. A few challenging hills, and it was a bit crowded, but it was a good course. Run route was changed at the last minute and had us weaving in and out of the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium for the first couple of miles. The rest of the route was pretty flat except for one big hill out and back on a bridge over the river. I had a great run (for me!), and was thrilled with my final time. I'll definitely be back for this one.


Throw in a few running races and it was a busy summer. After the wedding I pretty much stopped real training and have just been running in frequently and swimming a couple times (the bike has been racked since Annapolis). All that changes next week, though!! Back to the big schedule starting 5:30 AM on Tuesday! I can't wait.