The season is over and it ended with a couple pretty bad races.  I very rarely race badly and it was very discouraging to come up really short in my last two endeavors.  I never really reported on Savageman because I had quickly put it behind me and then focus and time put me all into Kona.  Let me summarize my last two races (Savageman and Kona):

Swim- good start, moving well, then blew to bits, but recovered and got to transition. Then I never felt good on the bike, had trouble holding goal numbers (not my numbers- coach’s reasonable and well thought out numbers).  Finally, I staggered into T2 and pulled myself out of a hole and got moving on the run.

Transitioning to just discussing Kona, I had an enjoyable week, with so many good friends from my past and present racing and watching.  My parents the ever present support crew were enjoying their Kona vacation.  My earliest tri idol, Rick Crump, a director at my childhood running camp was racing.  Good friend from my earliest ironman training days and now Boulder resident Scott Jones was out killin’ it and took home the Armed Forces crown.   Paul Hert, a good all-around dude, from 2005 Kona training and long time friendship through Jones was racing his dream.  There were other notables like Virginia Beach ladies Sharon (coming back from being hit by a truck trailer at Placid) and Barb (super stud 60 year old) and friend Pam Buderus (fulfilling all of her Kona dreams) were out there gettin’ it done when the conditions were some of the worst.  I wonder if I could ever do what those ladies did, it’s a totally different race as Barb explained to me.

I have talked a lot about the break-down of the race with many friends, and I am not sure I will ever really know exactly what went wrong on the bike.  I do know that leaving Scott Molina last year, he told me to get my hammy healthy and figure out the swim or I won’t go where I want in the sport.  He was spot-on.  Obviously, I completely healed my hammy and am running better than I ever have in this sport. However, I failed to really focus properly on the swim.  This year, I showed I can run AND bike at the front of a major ironman, but without a proper swim, future goals will be difficult.  There were other issues on the day even on the swim, but I did fail myself in proper preparation for the swim.  My friends have reminded me there is more to take from a bad race than a good one, ironically something I have always told my friends and athletes the same.  Going into 2010, I know I can run, bike, and my super-gut has yet to fail me, but I must learn to swim faster and more importantly with better technique.

I didn’t want to close this season out on a completely sour note.  While out in the Energy Lab, I was suffering and amongst many other pros putting in some personal worst days.  However, I ran past some friends in the age group field, who had passed me on the bike (Glen, Jonser, and Greg Price) who were encouraging me to keep in the race.  Once up on the Queen K, I figured I had a weak chance of breaking 10 hours.  This Kona was my tenth ironman and I began a little mantra of “10 under 10,” how cool would that be?  Along the Queen K, I re-passed Jonser, his mere presence fires me up, and I considered pacing with at one point, but instead went on my own to get the “10 under 10.”  At Palani, I was under 7 minutes to the 10 hour mark, but long ago I learned from Ed Eyestone how to just let yourself go and fly downhill.  I have run about 4:45 for the last mile at Wildflower.  I decided to risk cramping and would fly down Palani and then hopefully Hulalai would provide a similar shoot for me to fly down.  Well, it worked, I skipped the last aid station on Palani and put everything I had into the final mile.  I am not sure where it came from because on the bike I thought I would have been walking that part.  It was great redemption to see 9:59:30 (or 9:44:30 at that point w/age group finish times up).  Although the race was overall not what I wanted, I got the finisher’s medal, t-shirt, and hat.  I also have a clean record of no DNFs and 10 ironmans under 10 hours.  I am a truly happy ironman athlete.

This finish photo pretty much summarizes my day, sucks, but someone has to do it even when it sucks.

Thanks to all my supporters, especially going into and on race site:  Colorado Multisport, Gu, 2XU, TYR (last minute help, thanks so much), and of course never would have stepped up this year without Dr. Phil (www.physfarm.com).

Expect some changes around the site in the next couple weeks as we ready for 2010.

I am not quite turning the corner on 2009, because with the upcoming honeymoon to Australia it is not really over. 2009 has been AWESOME!  Collegiate national champ coach, 4:01 for a half, getting married, 7th at Placid, 2:58 run off the bike, marrying the wonderful Lara, renewing my work with the mids this fall, seeing four of my best friends get married, did I mention getting married myself to the amazing Lara, and of course, how could I forget, the Bogart.  Hopefully we can close out 2009 with a great drinking season, some fast beer-miling, and some good work in the pool.
later,

billy

The end of the triathlon season for me is less than four weeks out, with one prep race, Savageman, this coming weekend.  For those that have not heard of Savageman, it’s pretty frickin’ sick.  Feel free to google Savageman bike or Westport Wall.  You will see videos of people attempting the steepest portion of the bike.  It should be interesting with Bjorn winning last year in 4:41 (2:36 on bike), 2:45 is a SOLID bike split.  I doubt I will see below 4:30 on this course, but look forward to the challenge of a good hard day in prep for Kona.  This race is relatively low key, but the race director and I have about a dozen mutual acquaintances and he is rolling out the red carpet for myself, as well as the few pros showing up, it’s a classy move in my opinion.  Feel free to check out things over the weekend as the RD is tweeting at

http://twitter.com/savagemantri

This weekend is gonna start out awesomely when I arrive in the DC/Maryland area and spend my first night in Annapolis since January.  I can’t wait for these weeks when I get to hangout on the yard to coach and train with the mids. The year for the mids has officially begun and they have already done some serious damage.   At Nations Triathlon (www.nationstriatlon.com for results) this past weekend, they placed three men in the top 12 and three women in the top 30, not bad considering there were around 2400 men and 1400 women.  Most importantly, they won in a weirdly scored competition against the other service academies.  Actually, I can’t tell how they scored it.  However, when your team puts three men and three women across the finish line before any other service academy, the Navy calls that domination.   The year is young, and there are eight newbies to add to the roster and get spun up and ready for Collegiate Nationals in April.  I won’t say Navy is going to repeat as champs, but they have the talent coming into this coming year to do pretty darn well.

I would be remiss to note, the wife is on the rampage.  Two weeks ago she conquered her fifth ironman at Louisville and went 11:24, consistency is her calling card.  She had a decent day, considering all the craziness that has gone with our year (our wedding, friends’ weddings, dealing with my racing and coaching travel), she put together a solid day.  However, the rampage is ongoing as she went to Harvest Moon Halfiron and did the aqua bike (23 min swim- me think the swim was short! and about a 2:42 bike).  Her rampage will continue in two weeks when she teams up with some other Boulder ladies and does 24 hours of triathlon.  Yes, Lara is a glutton for punishment, but I would not have married a woman who would do any less.

For those concerned about Bogart he is up to frickin’ 60 lbs!  He enjoyed the end of the summer swimming around Boulder’s outdoor 50m pool.  He has also made a new best friend, actual his cousin or foster brother- same breeder different litter, lives near JZ.  So now, I think Bogart truly enjoys visiting Auntie JZ, more than being at home, where he learns new tricks (JZ, is an excellent dog trainer) and  seeing his friend Bennette.

I will post more, after Savageman and before Kona.

Enjoy some recent photos.

later,

billy

 My two bestest friends: Meg, since 1st grade, and Shawn  the groom, since 2nd grade.  All married now, Meg, time to plan where we are taking ourselves and our other halves next year!

Seriously, I think she is going to leave me for Bogart.

At Shawn’s wedding, as a groomsman… I hate to brag, but look at my woman!

Lara doing her thing, a 4:04 marathon in Louisville, Steady Eddy!

 At Cracker Barrel, as their skinniest customer, I am pretty sure I am the only one that ever fit in one of these rockers.

The other night I was chatting (via computer) with the Mark Van Fish and he was asking me about my post Placid training.  He was pretty impressed that I was going into a second week of easy training.  Well, I can’t take all of the credit for this genius move (Dr. Phil is the smart one), but I can take credit for some seriously idiotic post ironman training and race adventures in the past.  I hate to call them stupid, because at the time they all seemed like good ideas.  However, I do think it was largely the reason I ended up so crippled in 2008.  So without further ado, here is what not to do post-ironman:

#1- Ironman Arizona ‘05-  In preparation for my fall Kona to Marine Corps Marathon trick, I ran a half marathon two weeks after in 73 minutes and then Powerman North Carolina a week after that.  Recovery Grade: D

#2- Ironman Worlds ‘05-  Two weeks later, I ran my very infamous Marine Corps Marathon where I was about 40 seconds from being the first Marine and setting a PR.  Recovery Grade: F

#3-  Ironman Canada ‘06-  I rushed back into training with a solid 20+ hour week.  Looking at my log, I slugged it through a couple long rides in my second week back.  Recovery Grade: C-

#4- Ironman Worlds ‘06-  This was a somewhat smarter recovery, but I did run about 13 miles of the Marine Corps Marathon course one week later watching my Marine buddies compete.  Two weeks later I did the Race for Breathe 5k in honor of the late Mike Mann in a not-so-slow 15:5.  Recovery Grade: B-

#5- Ironman CDA ‘07-  First week, as normal was pretty chill, but in the second week, back up to 25 hours of training to include the infamous Wiggins ride.  For those not in Boulder, this is 75 miles out and 75 miles back.  I sat in for most of the ride, but sitting-in doesn’t really mean much when 6 other pros (who at that point generally out biked me) were trading pulls.  Recovery Grade: D  (better make it an F, when we look ahead)

#6 -  Ironman Louisville ‘07-  At this point, the hamstring issues were definitely beginning as I had troubles in the marathon.    First week post ironman- good, second week- not so good, as I killed a 22 hour week which finished up with a 90+ min run at Switz Trail and (which sits above 8500 ft) and a 4k+ Jane swim.    Recovery Grade:  C-

#7- Ironman Worlds ‘07-  Possibly my biggest mistake was what I did and then what I did not do.  I did do Du Worlds (say that five times fast) seven days later.  It was the long course version and in the pro field we went out in about 4:40 for the first mile of the 15k run and I was 200m off the back already.  Thankfully I finished a respectable 22nd for middle of the pack.  However, my hamstring was definitely a problem at this point.  I did not take care of it, no massage, and no PT until February, and thus had my horrible 2008.  Recovery Grade:  Incomplete

#8- Ironman Arizona ‘08-   Well, this race was only six days before Thanksgiving and I did have a very painful drive home in my Explorer with JZ (yes, I spent 14 hours in a car with that woman).  I then proceded to get sick as did nearly everyone else that went to that race, so I spent a good portion of the next couple weeks in bed.  Recovery Grade:  A

#9-  Ironman Lake Placid ‘09-  Although it is too early to grade myself, I did do my sister’s 5k and one would not call it very smart to do a 17:12 5k 48 hours after finishing an Ironman, I figured it only appropriate for my little sis.  I have been very smart since then and have a fun weekend of volunteering at the Kid’s Tri on Saturday and cheering on Lara, JZ, BDC, Shane, TO and all sorts of other Boulder friends at the long course race on Sunday.  I should be able to keep training to a minimum.  I am going to give myself an early grade.  Recovery Grade: B

As the recovery grades increase, it should be pretty interesting to see how Kona turns out this year.  Remember it’s not what you do, it’s all about what you don’t do in recovery.

later,

billy

Last weekend was definitely my best ironman showing with an overall P.R. and P.R. run and a P.R. effort on the bike (wattage wise).  As much I don’t want to signal this as a pinnacle for me, it was a significant race in that last summer was so bad and I was not making any more progress.  Injuries, stagnation, and boredom had brought me to a new low in sport and I was unsure of what to do next.

Now that I am back on the upswing, it is important to know who kept me from getting stuck in the pit.

#1-  I still have a message on my phone from Doug Maracco after Boise 70.3 last year.  That dude has always been a great mentor.

#2-  Mark Plaatjes was a savior and likely changed my body completely.  This guy is the most amazing physical therapist (and one of the most amazing distance runners ever, even though you would never know from talking to this modest fellow).  I spent about 10 weeks at his office, once a week because that is all that is permitted, screaming and cursing as he broke down my hammy.  At this point, years of hamstring problems have disappeared!  Mark and Heather at In-Motion are forever my heroes in helping me thoroughly enjoying running painfree again.

#3- My parents travelled up to Lake Placid last week and were so dam helpful.  They got us a room that looked over the start line and my Mom did her best at photographing the fun, while my dad kept count and gave me the all important splits as I closed in on the money.

#4-  I know there is someone else…uh…someone close by…

(Lara and I dressed up for Holloween ‘08, Mama Phelps supporting Michael, complete with styled wig and authentic Chico clothing for Lara and USA Speedo outfit, 8 gold medals and an IPOD for myself)

Lara has been such a trooper with her own training and racing and working.  Somehow she she still has the patience to be a loving wife or give me a swift kick in the ass.    She really knows what to say at the right time.  There is no room to slack with her around but she will give me a moment to complain about my “oh so tough life,”  but only a very short moment.  Thanks Lara, and even thanks to Bogart.  Heck that dude just puts a smile on our faces.

Ok, I am done, with Placid.  It is almost time to turn the corner and focus on another race and  a championship season with the mids.

First of all, many thanks go out for the e-mails, texts, fb messages, voice mails and conversations pre-race and post-race. To summarize my race: Swim- eekS!, Bike- so smart, Run- endured and was just feeling strong, and finally thanks to Dr. Phil.

Lake Placid is in my experience (Arizona, Louisville, CDA, Canada, Kona, Placid) is the toughest course if you take out weather conditions. The hills are so well placed on both the bike and the run that you have to work them and you have to pace smartly to have a successful day, no matter your definition of success, finishing or winning.Patience is rewarded.

Several years ago, my then marathon coach, Ed Eyestone, whispered something in my ear before a national cross champs, “Patience then destruction…PATIENCE then DESTRUCTION.” Ironman requires this, and Placid demanded it from me on Sunday.

Ok, the swim was horrible, embarrassing even. No excuses- my swim fitness was not where it should be for my level and I have not been working on technique as much as I should have been. I did not expect a great swim, but figured it would be closer to 60 minutes, more like 61 or 62. I can not expect to move to the next level in this sport until I fix this. Bring on the harassment and jokes, because, swimming has got to become a priority for me to be in the real race.

I had a fast transition and the one benefit for screwing up the swim was coming out near Dennis Meeker and Curt Chesney, two fast mofos from Boulder who swam 55. Curt at the young age of 40 was 9th overall and the fastest age grouper. I was able to work with Dennis over the first 25 miles of the bike course, using that superb pacing draft you get at 10 meters. It makes a huge difference even on a hilly course. Dennis broke away from me on a steady ascent on the first loop and I let him go because I was staying with my power meter. Curt also blew by me on the set of nasty climbs past Whiteface (miles 45-50), but I still stuck with my power meter. Patience would be rewarded.

Onto the second loop of the bike, I started reeling in guys and had caught Dennis, he could not help much at that point, but good to have him in the my rearview mirror keeping me pushing. I was moving in to the top 20 and that is always a good place for me to make my run for the money. I also caught up with Curt and worked with him a couple miles on the same portion of road he had blasted me by on the first loop. He eventually dropped back as he was going through a bad patch.Now into the top 20, I consciously laid off the gas on the final set of hills (the cherries and bears as they are called by Placid racers). I knew I was in a good position and just wanted to have a solid run.Patience would be rewarded.

In the opening miles I was jogging and really felt like I was going pedestrian; however, I clicked over better than 6:30s through the first 8 miles to include a couple under 6 min pace. I don’t know if I will ever figure out how to go out easier. However, I am starting to get strong enough to hold closer to that pace for the entire marathon. I easily nailed back several guys heading out of town and thanks to spotters on the course was pretty sure I would move into the money positions on the second loop. Shortly into the second loop I passed fellow Virginia Beach stud, Mac Brown, he was done due to fitness and thankfully not injury.

The second time on the far point of the course, known as River Road is a terribly boring section with few spectators and similar scenery the entire road. There is no breeze so it is also relatively stifling and humid. Even on the second loop, with most of your closest 2000 friends, it is pretty quiet. I was very pleased to see more Virginia Beach studs, Staci Studer (who qualified for Kona on Sunday) and good friend Marco Pati (who completed his first IM in just over 11 hours). Congrats to those two, and thanks for being there and giving that little yell or slap on the hand to keep each other going.

As I moved along the second loop of the run, I felt myself becoming the huntee and less the hunter.Fellow Boulder pro and fleet of foot, Brad Seng, was taking time out of me, so between turnaround #3 and the final turnaround, I had no idea where he was.At this point, I knew I was in the money and possibly fighting for a ticket to Kona. The final turn around comes with only a mile to go, so I made a feeble attempt to look back over my shoulder after the final climb into town at mile 24. This was a mistake, because Brad is pretty short and it would be nearly impossible to see him in the masses on the course at this point. The other reason it was a mistake was because there are a couple hundred people on that corner and half of them were yelling at me not to look back. It was almost as bad as Navy Coach Al Cantello giving it to me. At the turn around, I began counting seconds, hoping for about a 30 second gap, and found I had well over a minute to Brad. I was relieved and elated and likely ran even faster down hill to the finish on the ice skating oval. Patience was finally giving me my reward.

The finish was great, but I was so beat-up that I had a hard time enjoying it. The course with its relentless hills had me begging to be back in the water to soak. It was great to have my parents there on course to cheer and spot and share in a successful ironman. I seriously had my doubts about my future in this sport after last year (injuries will do that to you).

It was also great to have so many supporters from the Final Kick crew there to keep me going all day. Too many people to mention, but you know who you were and I can’t thank you enough for supporting me and the other Kick folks and taking the time, even some who did not have family racing. What a great triathlon family.

Thanks to Fletch with Cervelo (for his last minute help), Jayme and 2XU, Ryan and the Colorado Multisport Crew, Brooke and the Gu folks (I should have used some of the new recovery drink on the spot post-race).

Dr. Phil is thanked last, but certainly not least. Phil had a plan from the beginning of the year and until Sunday was still untested and I was a bit unsure of how things would turn out. I won’t go into training details; however, the work was hard, and I was still nervous about whether it would work on race day. The result was success. Patience was rewarded.
 
Rock On!
 
later,
billy

So in the days before an ironman we often find ourselves watching too much day time TV, reading an old tri magazine for the third time, and arranging our nutrition a dozen times.  This time I have decided to add a little blog entry to pass time.  I pledged to Joel Myers (Final Kick interviewer/comedian and triathlete extordinaire) about five months ago that I could update this thing every other week.  I have failed, slightly, but knowing that I have an Ironman this week, people might check in to see how I am really doing:

#1-  I feel sluggish, big surprise.  The blessing of added glycogen, you feel just so weird.

#2-  I am hating doing intervals or pick-ups, which always has sucked the week of a marathon or ironman.  Moderate feels to hard, hard feels too easy.

#3- I am being a complete wise-ass, and even more so than normal.  This is likely a defense mechanism against showing my cards to my fitness and just wanting to pass time with a joke even if it is at my subjects expense.  Today it was Tim Snow, a great funny Bostonite, normally more sarcastic than myself.  Yesterday I walked up and Tim stated, “I thought I smelled something.”  Today I finally retorted, “I love coming to races you are entered because I know I will always do one place better.”  (keep in mind that has always happened with us)

#4-  I am having a difficult time sleeping. This is no joke, when I come to sea level I don’t need as much sleep and my body just won’t relax as well at night.

#5-  Honestly, the best thing about ironmans, seeing so many people from previous races and previous adventures.   This ironman is fantastic as there is a large crew from Virginia Beach taking to the water and roads of Lake Placid.  A great cycling training partner from back in when I was going long for the first couple years, Marco, is doing this for the first time.   I have shared many stories of todays and yesteryears cycling with him  (Marco was a wicked fast junior cyclists back when they had square wheels).

So I have come up with a bunch of crap and a little bit of sentimental fun for the blog.  I hope you have enjoyed.  For more enjoyment track all the rockstars on raceday at www.ironman.com.  Let’s hope the weather prevails and we get cold rain all day (here comes that race week sarcasm again).

later,

billy

ps, almost forgot, thanks to 2xu and colorado multisport, for the last minute help leading up to this race

 Our wedding was truly my most funnest weekend.  It did not go by in whirl.  I actually did not feel stressed that weekend (until it was over and then I was kinda relieved that it went so well).  I did not get too drunk, but had several nights of tossing back Fat Tires with my closest buddies.  The night before the wedding Shawn and I kept it going well past midnight and I still got up and did my 2×20 min LT set on the bike with Dr. D in tow.  Of course, Bogart stole the show at the wedding ceremony.  However, on Friday and Saturday our closest friends were the hit and did a fantastic job of toasting (and roasting) and keeping us all entertained.  I may be biased but our friends (and parents) are pretty dam witty and very well spoken.  It may have been the best collection of toasts across the board (no crying messes!).  Lara’s Dad even surprised us with some great banter.

I have not written much about the wedding because I feel like most people that check out this blog were there and pretty much know how it went down.  I have been to weddings and been bored and I have been to some and had great fun.   It has become apparent to me that some people (not myself) will lie and tell you they had a good time because it is polite (uh, this is a bullshit policy).  The only way to know for sure, is if they (a) bring your wedding up out of context of telling you they had a great time, or (b) they tell you multiple times on different occasions that they had a good time.

No matter, we had a dam good time and were so stoked to share it with so many friends and our small families.   For those who could not make it, our photographe, Steve Z, put up some photos on his blog.  My facebook page is also linked to about 40 shots from the wedding.

Check out his work and you can even link to a shoot we did with him in April in the snow.  Wedding photography seems like a silly profession, but Steve Z is a class act and as you can see his work is freakin’ art, and really cool shtuff.
http://www.stevezphotography.com/blog/lara-and-billy-wedding/

There is a link with the 503 good photos (apparently he took several thousand) that he took at the wedding, so e-mail me if you would like to see those.  There are some good shots of our friends and family hanging out on the farm in some cool settings.  All the photos can be purchased online through the online album.

I believe there are actually people who check up on this and this will be a pleasant surprise, an update to the blog.

#1- I am married!  Yup, it was on the schedule, and it actually happened.  Now presenting my wife…Lara Cooper Edwards.

(both of us not in workout clothes, a rare occurrence, wedding photos coming…)

#2-  I did not do BSLT 70.3-  I was pretty tired from post-wedding week and just did not have the kind of training that I normally have going into an ironman.  Dr. Phil is not a fan of the mega kind of training, but I was able to beg a rather huge weekend out of him.  So last weekend, I did a great swim, ride, run, and Sunday run.   I really missed racing, but I was shelled after the weekend and I think those that do ironman understand that sometimes it’s just good to do some training that makes you realize ironman is one day and done off a taper, easy, right?

#3- For those who have not checked back in awhile- Placid is less than 4 weeks away.  I am super stoked because my parents somehow got a room less than a quarter mile from the start (they got it 2 days ago) for all of us (no Lara, though).  Final Kickers are going to be in force out there and I am feeling pretty fit.  As always, no digital promises or hints of how things will go.  However, I am excited to go long again, there ain’t nothing like the finish line of an ironman and it’s been over 7 months, gotta get there!

#4- Memorial Scholarship Run-  It is the Tuesday (28 July) after Placid, so I am going to ride back to VA with my parents and am doing the 5k Tuesday after the ironman.  I may just walk it with my mom, but who knows?  This may be the last year the race runs in honor of Pam, so I am making an extra effort to be out there and represent her and her drive (so I might have to run!)  I hope many can come out and run with the many, many Tidewater Striders, have a beer or two and run your tail off for fun, because that’s the way she would chosen to be honored.   Details at www.tidewaterstriders.com.

#5- Navy Coaching-  The team captains have asked me back for next year and without hesitation, I obliged.  Details of racing and travel with the team are to made in the coming months, but we are all excited to be working again towards one goal…defending the National Championship.

#6- Bogart Update-  I know there are lots of Bogart fans out there, especially amongst my mids. He is great and still pretty dam cute.  I will try to attach a photo of him, as well.

(Wedding weekend was rough, even for Bogart.)

More to come, hopefully soon!?

Rock On!

later,

billy

I will post pictures and more details in the coming days, but I can’t be more prouder of the Midshipman of the triathlon team.   Collegiate triathlon is not a small sport anymore and it takes more than a fluke to win.   It takes hard work, discipline, and some talent to bring this many individuals together to perform on one day.  I would have said it takes some luck, but that is something we definitely lacked today.   You can’t let luck bail you out, you just gotta be good.

So, this is a time killer for me, as I am sitting around waiting for the Lonestar Half Ironman tomorrow.  Actually, I am doubling up this time, coach and athlete.  I am racing the half ironman that goes off an hour after the midshipman start their 1/4Man (nearly an Olympic distance race, with a short swim).  In two weeks we have Nationals, so this is a great prep race.  The mids can come down here and have a pretty laid back race scenario at a very, very well run race.  Keith Jordan with Endorfun Sports puts on races that are some of the best around.  He puts on two official 70.3 races, but there is not much difference in how each race is run, very classy.

As I posted some pretty silly pics of some really classy mids, I believe these guys get it.  These guys are just a club level team at a school full of Division I programs.  Most of the team is composed of former Div I athletes from basketball to swimming.  They are totally embracing the triathlon lifestyle.  Laid back, having fun, making jokes, but all the while getting ready to throw-down on race day.

Hopefully, I will have more pictures and great results to post soon.

Good to go?

(super hero triathlete, he flies tomorrow in Galveston)

(expo sunglasses are cool and cheap, hehe…hehe)