The Count Down....

So we're just less then 3 weeks away from Ironman St. George, and I must say that the previous 3 weeks have been the longest weeks I have ever been through. I find myself wishing this race was tomorrow, I can guarantee that I wont be repeating this as I stand on the bank of Sand Hollow reseviour on May 5th. It'll sound more like, "what the H. E. Double Hockey Sticks am I doing here''.

But really I'm very excited for this race, with only 16 days left I feel that my preparation has been solid and I'm doing everything in my power, for a first time Ironman..."attempter" to be ready for this race. With about 2 weeks to go I'm beginning to start the taper mode, which includes a drop in training load and duration. A process that I have been waiting for with open arms. Tony DeBoom has a variety of clubs that he brings to the training table and each one has a purpose and most of them can hurt a bit.

Overall my mood has been great in preparing for the race. I've had my highs and lows but I'm very happy with my fitness and mental aspect of things. They say Ironman is 5% physical and 95% mental, a side of training I've desperately been working on. Mind is everything, and it can guide us to being good or great. We have the power to make the choice on Who or What we want to be. For this race its being the best I can be on this day and giving everything I have...so Cliche...I know!!!

But earlier in the year I sat down and mapped out splits of where I would like to finish for the swim, bike and run..and overall placing. After finishing this map list I found myself over obsessive of splits, time and how fast I need to be today, or who I need to beat. I was spending all my time and energy (wasted time and energy) on focusing on other athletes time's and their training method. "what's he doing this week?'', "how fast is he running, swimming?" I can beat him here but not here, or if I do this"...STOP!!!

The biggest lesson I have learned so far while training for this Ironman, is that the power lies in my hands. It comes down to me, this sport isn't anything near the "traditional" sports here in America. In the game of Basketball, Football and Baseball you have teammates to point the blame to. Since I live in Colorado I can use a perfect example of something that I hear daily; its the much debated topic of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning and why the Bronco's didn't make the Superbowl...yet again??? To everyone's suggestions and finger-pointing the answer is Tim Tebow. But what about the rest of the team?? A 53 man team, and they blame one man......off my soap box and back to my point.....Here in the sport of triathlon the only finger to blame is yourself. I know I've had my blame game card on Mother Nature a few times this year. But come May 5th there's no hiding out on the race course for me, no ball to pass to another player to "take the winning shot." The winning shot is in my hands, not my competitors or teammates...just me. So this concept has been a huge driving force for me this year. I know that come race-day nothing magical is gonna physically happen and make me faster.

So whatever that rant was about, the main point is to stay focused on your Potential and not Your Limitations....wow that was so much easier :)

Check back for more updates as I prepare for St. George.

An EC favorite, and kinda how I'm feeling

What I'm calling Base camp/home...for now!!

Cabin Fever...

Well hello world.....So its been some time since my last post and well and for good reason....as much as wish or want to write about how exciting my training has been, I'd be lying... and I'm not good at lying, even on a blog...this also why I don't play poker 1. its boring and 2. no poker face. Anyways, I have made some huge fitness improvements and have pushed my body past limits I never thought it would pass. My build for Ironman St. George has been good and I believe I've made the best of what I'm capable of doing with the circumstances that have been piled (snow) or blown (70mph winds) on us here in Colorado. Its been a rough winter here so far and our snowiest months are still to come. YAY!!!!! =/ Now I'm getting a good sense of why IMSG has yet to sell out. So here are a few photos of what training for IMSG had looked like these past few months. Until next time Ill be cooped up like a hermit plugging away.

This is where it all began!!

You know you've been on a trainer too much when 3hrs becomes second nature.

Took'em 2 weeks to finally shovel 1 lane.

The only thing I think of that snow is good for, Cryotherapy.  It was hard to avoid the Yellow Snow.

My trainer support during a business trip, thanks Guys!!!

The Candle Has Been Lit!!!!!!

I'm a believer, I'm an overachiever. If you got plans of makin it to the top, that's the only way I'm gonna see ya I'm on a mission to get mine, I won't stop until everybody knows.

Make the Change.

Its time to make a change, and it doesn't get any simpler then this.

2012: A Rebirth

So it has come to my attention from an outside source that it has been sometime that I have posted a blog (2 Months!!!!!!). So with out further ado to all my screaming fans including this special fan I hold near and dear to my heart ;), I will indulge a little into my plans for the 2012 season.

First off the past 2 months have been for the most part uneventful. Training has been steady but slowly picking up steam, motivation has been a yo-yo but controlled. Since 70.3 Vegas I have been dealing with some hip/IT band issues that have sidelined the run or kept my runs to a minimal. I have set the bar high for myself in the 2012 season especially on the run. Not coming from a swimming, biking or running background I feel that I have been playing catch-up with the other competitors that do walk in with multiple backgrounds. But its the run that I know I can make the most ground on of the three. So for the past few months I have been working closely with my boss/mentor John Weirath here at The Bicycle Studio. Having his knowledge and input has really helped move me forward in my running ability and with his PT background he has helped quite my hip/ITB issue. I hope to continue with John, knowing that he will be a vital-solution to my success next year and years to come.


Here's a look at my 2012 schedule. Some races I have already signed up for and a few I'm currently still collecting soda-cans in order to pay off the entry fee. I may add or take a few away. But in 5 months time I hope to be on the starting line of my first Ironman. Until next time.

 2012 Schedule*

·  May 5th: Ironman St. George

·  June 12th: Boise 70.3

·  June 17th: Boulder Sprint

·  July 12th: Boulder Peak

·  August 5th: Boulder 70.3

·  September 9th: 70.3 World Championships Las Vegas, NV

A better look into the Lenz.

Here's a quick look into the Lenz Sport mountain bikes that we carry here at The Bicycle Studio. Being a triathlete dressed in Lycra and compression socks, I have learned much much more about the rugged sport of Mountain biking and when I get the courage to drop the skinny's, its these bike's that I will be sure to have between my legs. With the Colorado weather turning for the worst (SNOW)  I may have to find that courage a little bit sooner. =)

 Lenz Sport was one of the first Mountain bike companies to offer a 29-inch full-suspension bike to the market. Hand made in the blue sky's of Fort Lupton, Colorado since 1996. These bikes have been hand made by the creator himself Devin Lenz.With the help of design and test riding from the famous Mike Curaik, these bikes were designed and tested for the trails of Colorado. Including the Bohemoth which was specifically designed to tackle the rugged turrain of Western Colorado mountain bike trails. Another interesting fact is that The Bicycle Studio here in Grand Junction, CO  is one of the leading dealer's for Lenz Sport bikes, which sits only about a mile down from the trails in which these bikes were born on at Tabeguache/Lunchloop trail head. The Lunchbox which is a 29er All-Mountain 6 inch travel bike got its name from the Lunchloop trail, something you might not have known.  Here's a quick look into the Leviathan, one of the top bikes Lenz Sport carry's.


The Lenz Leviathan: XC-Endurance Bike:

 29 inch Wheels:
--- A no brainer when compared to a 26'' bike. Why a 29er? Well.... it makes for a more comfortable ride, better rolling resistance and better traction.

Bottom Bracket: 13.5"
--- A higher bottom bracket keeps the ride smooth and bump free from rocks or boulders that could knock the pedals and crank arm.

Chain Stay: 17.75
--- The shorten chain stay makes the bike nimble and is better accustomed to help with manualing, what every Mountain biker should master.

Fork Slack: 69.5(120mm fork)/70.5(100mm fork)
--- This is the angle of the fork, the steeper the angle (72+) the more likely your face will meet the ground (endo).

25.5lbs compete bike:
---A light bike to make for one B.A. climbing machine!!!

4" of travel:
--- Helps with efficiency of climbing and we can all use a little help to get up the hill.

You may hear a few faint critics say that the frame looks cheap, silly, too rigid and bulky. But for those looking to dominate the next trail and aren't worried about how the frame would look sitting on your bike rack I suggest giving Lenz Sport a try.  A perfect setup for a light and fast bike whether its for short course or endurance ride. I challenge you to demo one of these bikes.