In 2005, I had the privilege to meet the most dominant triathlete in U.S. history, Scott Molina.  I was still in the Marines and was preparing for my first Ironman.  I was at a camp/ironman seminar and I was intrigued by his methods of training and coaching, so intrigued that 10 months later I asked him to guide me in my pursuit of achieving my potential in triathlon.  My method of selecting a coach looked like this:

#1- I had met him and enjoyed his personality.

#2-  He could kick my ass or at one time could have kicked my ass.

#3- He had mentored and coached athletes similar to me.

Scott easily fit these parameters, and for three years I confidently hung, on his every word and guidance.  I learned so many details around the sport and learned to push new limits of training and racing.   I made gains all around even as I increased my training when I left the Marines and entered the pro ranks.  I had seen many guys go backwards, and I was happy to qualify for Kona my first year as a pro.  However, I continued to have a sub-par run (relative to perceived potential) and a general plateau at the Ironman distance.   It is great to never have gone over 9:35 for an Ironman, but frustrating to only improve by 1% over three years of hard work.  I am certain the frustration was mutual. Some friends have asked me why I moved on, so I wanted to share and explain that it was time to find a way off the plateau. To be associated with an amazing talent, innovator,  and mentor like Scott was invaluable.

So, my parameters changed as I moved forward:

#1- I had met him and enjoyed his personality.

#2- He understood the sport (hopefully through participation)

#3- He could talk circles around me on the physiology side and could explain how to achieve my goals through very detailed training.

In departing Scott’s guidance, he left me with two areas where I need work (my swim and nailing the details around my troublesome hammy).    The parting shots were most helpful and know that I am taking them forward.  It would be silly for me to go into detail as to how my amazing new training approach is guaranteed to take me to a new level.  With accuracy, I can let my friends and supporters know, the detailed training with Dr. Phil Skiba, M.D. (www.physfarm.com) has begun, and it will be months before we know if it is really working.

The view has been great from the high plateau, but it is time to see what it looks like from a higher peak.

Rock On!

later,

billy

Lara and I went out to the O.C. this past weekend for two occasions.  The first was for Lara to do the Huntington Beach/ Surf City Marathon.  She worked all winter at her running (along with wedding planning, puppy training, and her job-which is real work!).  Her performance showed a bit of fatigue from doing life things and her ability to persevere.  It was a good day for her, 3:49, and she will enjoy a little bit of a break now.

The second reason was for pre-wedding festivities, west coast style.  Her parents had an open house, NOT an engagement party, and we got to hang out with many of her family and friends out in SoCal.  This was a very quick four hours of socializing that came the night before the race.  It was a good distraction and made the trip to SoCal more purposeful.

Onto the subject line:

I also ran on Sunday, but only ran the half marathon.  It is barely February, and I raced a half marathon, and it went dam well! On Saturday, along with standing around at an open house, I also turned an easy 30 minute run into a 53 minute running tour of Irvine.  Yes, once again, I got lost during a run (not a race, at least).  I won’t say it made me significantly tired, but I would not call a hilly 50+ min run ideal the day before a fast half marathon.

A year ago,  I was nursing a badly tweaked hamstring and continuing to try to push through a problem that was not getting resolved.  Now a year removed, and with little solid training, yet, I pushed through 5:32 pace (5:31 and 5:29 in the final miles!).  This morning, my legs are not too tired or sore, and I am, of course, more excited to put my head down and really get into the training for 2009.  Seventy-two minutes is not a fantastic half marathon time, but once again, it is February 1st.

later,

billy

 Last week Joel Myers, Final Kick’s semi-official blogger, allowed me to share a little more with the Final Kick family.  I will attach a link.  He does a fantastic job of really doing a great entertaining interview.  He has interviewed several really fun and quality people associated with FK to include the President of the club and Renee High, an olympic trials marathon runner.  His work is a great blend of letting people know more about members of the club and pure fun sarcasm. I have a sneaking suspicion he may be branching out to get some interviews from some more worldly known studs to complement his prying into the Final Kick crowd.

http://www.finalkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=38&Itemid=68

(www.finalkick.com  —–> Articles—-> Interviews)

I am currently hanging in Annapolis with the Naval Academy triathlon team and having a blast.  I have the privilege of working with a very hard working and extremely talented group of triathletes here at the Academy.  We are only twelve weeks out from the Collegiate Nationals and training is becoming VERY important.  Between now and April the weather in Annapolis can be bitter, like right now when it is about 30 degrees and borderline rain/snow.  This calls for lots of indoor riding and internal motivation.   I could literally brag about how internally driven these future leaders are, but I will wait until April 19th when I can feel comfortable giving the whole story of their greatness.

Greetings my few and friendly following, I am being harassed to write more.  I used to write and edit an entire magazine, I should be able to at least maintain a small blog.  So the site has been properly updated and I am happy with 90% of the content.  Steve and I still need to work out some of the kinks with layout and get the photos of his car off my site and pictures of me and my friends on it.

SO, onto important stuff…

It is January and I began my first week with Dr. Phil Skiba of PhysFarm.  He is going to be my coach and adviser for this year.  I recently ended a very productive three year coaching relationship with Scott Molina.  If I can keep up with the blog perhaps I will address the change at some point.  Therefore, the important aspect of beginning the work is that the first week is light in volume, but I am doing some tests.  Last night, a mere 45 minutes on the trainer with a three minute max effort.  No need to share details, but I was drained for my 20 min cool-down.   I timed the effort to go with a Mudvayne song and the quote the subject line describes my winter/holiday period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvvt3htif4&feature=related

(this song was for the effort, not an easy listening tune at all)

Over the last month and a half since Ironman Arizona, I have had a really awesome time playing.  I have done some really good quality training, mainly easy but solid maintenance.  It has been a lot of play, though.  This is how I set myself up for a long year.  Over the last six weeks, this is how I unraveled and just partied like a rock star at times:

-Thanksgiving- 20 people at our house, amazing food from everyone, and complete with going around the table with everyone stating what they were thankful for, a wonderful evening.

-Holiday Parties- Lara and I are lucky to have a lot of friends and were invited to so many great gatherings.  It was great to see them and have some drinks with people we normally only see in workout or work clothes.

-White Elephant Party-  This is getting to be a treat for me, as I help out my buddies, Brad and Pete with their “I look good in a speedo” Party.  I have a Santa suit and after drinking with my buddy Jack, I MC the rest of the party.  It makes passing out 80 presents quite entertaining for everyone.  I am still not sure how I have pulled this out the last two years.  I do my best to walk the edge of offending and getting a good laugh.

-Hannukah- I am a Christian and Lara is Jewish, so celebrating with the local self-described “Jew Crew” is both fun and educational for me, learning more about the Jewish faith.

-Home for the Holidays-  Lara and I went back to Virginia Beach to see my friends. The high points: ran with some of the guys I coached a couple years ago (dam they can crush a long run!), did dinner with my best friend and stellar cook, and enjoyed having nearly all of my Virginia Beach friends at my parent’s open house.

-New Year’s Beer Miling and Party-  I finally podiumed at the Boulder Beer mile. It was a well-attended event, as it is a highlight on the Boulder tri crew’s social calendar.  I am still off my sea level time, but I was pleased to be running 70-80 second quarters.  Too bad it takes me over 20 seconds to drink a beer.  I am currently on triathletemag.com for my participation and semi-stellar performance.

-BOGART-  Lara and I brought a puppy into our home.  So now, when not training, coaching, or prepping for the wedding, I am hanging with our golden doodle, Bogart.  Every house should have a dog, preferably one that does not pee in the house, but we are working on that.

Well, it’s back to work, not really work, more working out and getting ready for a big 2009 of solid Ironman performances and helping midshipmen tear up the college scene.   Play was super-fun, wine, beer, fun without working out is fantastic.  I am no dull boy.

later,

billy

For those that actually jump onto this site, I apologize again,  for not doing a better job of doing updates.  I have a lot to update so let me get to that.  Things have been great since my last post, so perhaps I can get back to making this a productive site for myself and my friends, family, and supporters.

#1-  Lara and I got engaged.  Although this is not a huge step for us, this is the end of the beginning of a life long relationship that goes beyond explanation.  I am stoked to not have my friends harassing me anymore, but was most happy to hear “yes” from Lara when I proposed at the 10 mile mark of lefthand canyon.   We will marry next summer in the Boulder area.

#2- Lara is once again a STUD.  She completed Ironman Wisconsin in a solid 11:17.  She went :58, 6:11, and 4:03.  She was so strong and I was happy (eventually very tired) to be running/biking around the course to watch and support her endeavor.  She works 40 hours a week and trains 15 or so a week.   In typical stud fashion, she is already considering a winter marathon.  I’m in love!

#3- I am now coaching the Naval Academy Triathlon Team.  After lots of discussion with the team captains of the USNAT Tri Team, I worked out a deal to do some good work with them through this next academic year and likely into the future.  They are an EXTREMELY talented group of athletes, and all they need is a little more direction.   I am honored to be working with them and will partner with my good friends Scott Jones and Doug Maracco to make this a successful endeavor for us as coaches and most importantly represent the great USNA at Nationals.

#4-  I am back!   After about 6 solid weeks of down time and some solid work with Mark Plaatjes here in Boulder, Colorado, I am really on my way to a recovery from some serious hamstring issues.  The PT work with Mark is indescibable in this short post, but he has literally changed my leg.  There is still work to do, but based on some good training benchmarks, I am going to be racing again at my expectations very soon.

#5-  Race/Travel Schedule-  I am going to busy until Thanksgiving and I can’t wait!  This upcoming weekend is Harvestmoon Half Ironman (near Denver), then I am off to coach for a week at USNA.  I will be at Naylor’s Beach triathlon to coach the team at the regional college race.  From there, I get to go hang with some friends in Virginia Beach and off to Longhorn 70.3 to Rock On! in a Keith Jordan/Endorfun race.    My October will be spent in Boulder (no Kona, not even going to watch) and then potentially Soma Half and a trip to Arizona for November to prep for Ironman Arizona.  The field looks to be filling in, and I am pretty stoked to be prepping for a solid race and be back on the Ironman scene where I belong.

That is a lot, but it is an update and lots of good things are happening.  See you around, as I finally leave the bubble to coach, train, and most importantly RACE!!!!!!!!!

Rock On!

later,

billy

It has been too long since I posted and it really has felt like a long time.  I did got to Boise this past weekend to race and things did not go well.  No need to explain that kind of stuff here, as it is not the time or place for discussion of such issues. 

I did want to post that I am going to work on the site again to get it “completed.”  I am also reconstructing my schedule for the year.  Those close might have expected me back in Virginia and at a couple other venues to which I had to make cancellations.  I hope that I will soon be back on track with everything.

On really postive notes, I got to see a pseudo teammate from Navy this past weekend running dam well at Boise. I also got to hang out with a long time friend in the ironman community who happens to live in the Boise area.  It was really good to see Matt Limbert, a brother of teammate Tim, just flying on the run course.  I have seen him several times over the past couple years at triathlons.  I don’t think he was struggling in the past, BUT Sunday he was FLYIN’ and it was just really cool to see the difference and the progress.  Secondly, I stayed with a good dude I met at the “camp that changed my life,” CPC Camp March 2005.  Jeff Miller lives just outside of Boise and he let me stay in his guest room and kept me fed and showed me around town.  Both of these tasks are not easy as those of you have seen me eat and known me to get lost.  I also got to meet his soon to be enlarged family and hang with young, soon to be step-son,  Trevor, who gave me the most rewarding experience of the long weekend. 

 Finally,  several weeks ago I was in Richmond and had another eye-opening experience with Tanner (sp?) a son of another Final Kick club guy.  He told me, “Billy, you are a pro!  And it’s tough!”  Well said, young lad!

Rock On!

later…

I finished reading Dark Marathon a couple weeks ago.  It’s a tragic story, but very therapeutic for me.  It’s about Mary Wazeter, an amazing young distance runner, she co-authors with Gregg Lewis.   She struggles with both eating disorders and depression in a relatively normal childhood.  I found it on the shelf when I was home in December.  It was right next to Once a Runner, and I was thus drawn to read it and find out a bit more about my sister’s struggles.

Each year passes and I learn more about the disease of depression. 

Miss you, sis. 

Yes, after several years of poking fun of those who have a website or a blog, I have been told it’s time to market myself properly.  I had some standards and felt compelled to find something simple, yet sharp, to show off “me.”  As one might have seen over the last weeks and still in the upcoming weeks, this is not my standard.  We are still working to make this look sharp, but it’s out there and I am open to critiques, especially from my friends who have that professional “eye.”  I am working with Steve Speirs, aka the British Bulldog, a consistently strong Virginia Beach runner, who drives a sporty Cooper (currently seen in the gallery).   Both of us are doing this thing on the side, so it may still be a couple weeks until both of us want to put our name to it, so please be patient.

At this point, I feel I barely rate the title professional triathlete, let alone a website, but this is how one has to build themselves.  So while I continue to train and become a stronger triathlete, I will bring my sponsors and friends to the forefront, as the journey is just as important as the eventual outcome.  I would not have gotten to this point and will not continue to progress without them.

In the past, I have posted most of my thoughts on training and racing with my friends on the forum at FinalKick.com.  I still plan on keeping up to date with them, but will use this to talk about some of my big races and the larger experiences I have as a professional triathlete.   Thanks for reading, check back soon.

Rock On!

later,

billy