16 days and counting.....

I want to start this update off with something that always moves me, if you ever hear me say, "I can, and I will!" this is what I am referring too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxqe77-Am3w

For those of you that know me, know that my family means everything to me. If it had not been for Mindy, my life would not be anywhere close to the place I am today. She opened the possibility to let me become the me I am now, in this moment and alive. She gave me two wonderful kids who lighten my days everyday. My son Troy is a little over 3, and my daughter Melia who is 14 months old.

Though all my endeavors, one wish is that I hope to inspire my children to never stop trying to be healthy and to not have any reservations about living life to the fullest, and enjoy all the life has to offer! It melts my heart to hear my son say, "Daddy I Love You!" and I can see that saying in my daughters eyes. Short story long, I go back to that song or video when I feel weak and recharge my batteries to achieve greatness for me and my family.

So as this Friday the 13Th ends, I am going to try to remember some of the training that I have done for this Ironman. My training partner Lindsey helped me out with the numbers.

Bike miles- 1200

Run miles- 550

Swim miles -55

Miles smiling and Laughing- every mile I could

Damn what a summer! It still really amazes me that we train so hard and do all the miles so that we can do the event as fast as we can, kinda funny if you think about it. Through all these miles I have learned several things about myself. The biggest one being I am too hard on myself way too much and I take on other peoples responsibility as well. I am still working on that. I have learned that I deserve and willingly accept an abundance and prosperity flowing through my life. That was a hard one to come too. If I ask for help from my friends and family they will do anything to help me out. This I am very blessed to have. It doesn't make you a weak person to ask for help. Service to others without any expectations, is the best way to make someone happy. A positive attitude will change your day, week, and life.

Today was the last day that me and Lindsey trained together. With both of us having two kids Fridays were the days where we did our long workouts. Today we swam a easy mile at Barton Springs and biked around 20 miles, and ran 2 miles easy (which was extremely hard for Lindsey). So here goes 4 stories that I want to remember and share:

1) Me and Lindsey were trying to ride for 100 miles on the bike. We rode from South Austin Life Time to Andice (Parmer Lane) and we parked our car by Mopac and Parmer. We are almost to Andice and my tire blows and was not repairable. So lucky a good Samaritan helped give us a ride to our car. George was his name, he had a truck so I rode with the bikes in the back and Lindsey rode in front. Lets just say George wasn't all there and proceeded to slam on the brakes at all the lights, and run a few of the red ones. Me liking horror movies started thinking I might be driven off to no mans land and left for good, BUT he did drive us to the car. And lets just say Lindsey had some really good stories to tell about George. You should ask her about it sometime if you need a laugh.

2) Riding with Lindsey in Buda area, we found a great route to ride that had little to no traffic and yes it had some hills in it. As we were going up hill Lindsey was riding to my left. I glanced over to check on her and as I did I watched her veer over and hit my back wheel. As she did this she made a slight outburst of "OH $!%%" and down she went into the ditch. I was really worried that she was hurt. Lucky we were not going fast at all, as I stopped to check on her, I see her feet and hands in the air and she wasn't moving. I thought the worst, BUT she was gasping for air because she was laughing so hard. Needless to say she was fine but the laugh we have from it was priceless.

3) The first time me, Lindsey and Craig went riding. This was the first time my swim coach went riding on his new road bike, with clip in pedals. He did great and didn't even fall but he was so freaking hilarious that I nearly fell off my bike from laughing so hard. I really did have to stop and catch my breath.

4) Troy, "Daddy are you going to go to work, race or are you training this morning". This asked by my son one early morning. I told him I was training he said be safe and have fun.

Oh yeah here is a hint, put sunscreen on. All the parts that your shirt doesn't cover :)

So as I gear up for Ironman, I have become a ball of emotions. I know this because I cried today at the end of Happy Feet as I was watching it with my son today, really??? So here is the big question. Am I physically ready. I think so, during the weekend of the Longhorn 70.3: Friday long ride with a short run, Saturday played a co-ed soccer game, Sunday raced then played a co-ed indoor soccer game, Monday taught all 4 of my classes starting at 5:30 am. The one thing that slowed me down a little was a small blister..........

So am I crazy, yes. I want to use my body in every way I can. I have already signed up for Florida Ironman 2010 on Nov 6th and I haven't even completed my first Ironman yet. BUT I am very happy for all those first time triathletes that I have helped make this year from the very first to 1/2 Ironman: Ashley, Chelsea, Christa, Laura, Tim, Chris, Jill, Blake, Carrie, Gregg, Craig, Rae, Katy just to name a few and several others who names I don't know or remember. I am proud of you!!!!

In Ironman Cozumel my race number is 1526 if you want to track me:

http://ironmancozumel.com/

2009, 19 days till Ironman Cozumel!!!

So here it is 19 days until I compete in the inaugural 2009 Cozumel Ironman. I have decided to blog this experience and of course have waited till the lat minute to do so but better late than never. This first blog will be an overview of my 2009 year so far. So here we go, [WARNING-I DON'T SPELL WELL OR HAVE THE BEST GRAMMAR, IF YOUR OK WITH THAT READ ON]
Oh and this ones long so get comfortable............................................

I started of the year completing the Austin Distance challenge for the 3rd time. In case you don't know what that is, it's a series of races that starts from a 10k to the Austin Marathon. I was lucky enough to run with some great friends during those races, and at the marathon, the final race my son ran the last few meters of it with me.

For me finishing the marathon is more than just a race. I have completed the Austin Marathon 6 years in a row, and I plan to make it 7. Also this means the start of triathlon season. This year I decided to once again do the Lonestar 1/2 Ironman to kick-off my season. This year I have joined the Jack and Adam's racing team, which has been a dream of mine ever since I started triathlon racing a few years back. So the year started with a personal record in the 1/2 Ironman distance at this race.

I had decided to also do the Texas Tri Series for the third year in a row. This series is a series of races that lead to the Longhorn 1/2 Ironman in October. I have fallen in love with this series since you don't even have to do all the races you can volunteer at them and get credit for doing the race, a great concept. For all you guys know if it were no for the volunteers we could now have kick butt races. Thanks to all who volunteered this year!

http://www.texastriseries.com/

The series starts of with The Rookie, where I placed third in my age group. This was a big accomplishment for me since i had been trying to place in my age group there for three years. I am just so lucky to be in one of the most competitive age groups out there 30-34, YEAH!

Not only do I do triathlons but I teach group fitness classes at South Austin Life Time. Where i have the most amazing bosses there. The people I work with are second to none, and don't even get me started on the members. Hands down they are the best ever! This year I am luck to have been asked to become a Lululemon Ambassador. So this year they asked me and a couple of other ambassadors to do a summer fitness jam, and we rocked it out at the stores parking lot. If you ever get a chance to go by tell them I said "Hi'. They are located on 6Th and Lamar, and are the funnest group of people I know. Thanks for the rocking event guys! Me and Lindsey decided to do the Couples Tri together, we missed the podium by two spots finishing 5th in our age groups. I felt really bad since this was the first time Lindsey did not get an award at the races she had done. Me and Lindsey had teamed up this year since she is going to do her first Ironman in Arizona a week before mine, and I know she will do well, I mean look at her training partner :). As we were doing one of our many long rides on Friday my best friend and arch nemesis Matt, texted me to let me know about the August issue of Austin Fit magazine. I had been voted to be in the magazine since this issue highlights the top ten fittest people in Austin. I have been voted one of the top ten fittest people in Austin for 3 YEARS IN A ROW!!! This year they gave me the cover! Thanks for everyone who voted for me.

As Jack's Generic came around there was no podium for me, just wait till next year! I still had a good race. The Austin Tri came and I was ready to set another personal best. I am lucky to have in my corner an awesome Life Coach (April). Me and her put together a great mental plan for this race, and I had the funnest race ever and I once again finished with my son. Also I was able to raise money for the Livestrong Foundation. I felt very honored to be apart of a great cause while doing what I love to do. Thanks Colleen!

So here we are the the Longhorn Tri. I was very excited to race this event since this would give me a great idea of where I was fitness wise for my Ironman. The swim was great, the bike was the worst I had. I encountered 3 yes 3 flats before mile 5. I only had two spares and they both blew. LUCKILY the sag wagon came and he had a spare tube and I pretty much ducked tape my rim and tire because my tire had a huge gash in the side of it. I finished the bike in my worst time ever, but i still finished. I loved the race course this year as we finished in the expo center. During the race I ran with a lot of my friends in the race, Beau, Chelsea, Carrie, Lilly, Dave, Blake, and many others. That made my race. SO i finished 3rd overall in the Texas Tri Series, not bad.

As with the tri series, I also competed in the local bike time trials. My best time was and average of 28 mph and a time of 17:18. This got me 3rd in my age group. Yeah I liked that! Did some small tri's with my friends like, Tri it in Spanish (2nd in age group), The entire splash and dash series averaged 25th out of 150 (swimming is not my strong suit), Dilloman (3rd overall), Plugerville Tri (3rd in age group).Yes this year has been amazing, with my family and my racing career. And its not done yet........

I would like to thank several people. Mindy Garza, my wonderful wife who last Christmas gave me the gift of watching our children so I could put in the many hours to train for the Ironman and for making me the man that I am today. My training partner Lindsey, who always makes me laugh in our training (even though she tried to take me out several times will riding). You will do awesome in Arizona. Craig my swim coach, for making me a decent swimmer now. Brendan Hansen helping me out with swimming a little and for getting me to be a sponsored athlete. I am now sponsored by Pure Sport, the best workout and recovery drink ever!!!

http://www.puresport.com/

Kerri, who now sponsors me as well. Jack and Adams Bike Shop who have the best racing team ever, and who has always been there for me with any questions, gear, and just to chat when I needed it. I LOVE YOU GUYS! Kim and Al, thank you guys so much, because of your help I have already signed up for my second Ironman in Florida next November. My racing friends and family, you know who you are and I am very fortunate to know all of you guys.

The Life Time members who have been to any classes that I taught, I get inspired by you. Everyone works very hard to be the best, I will draw upon that energy on my Sunday to be my best. This Sunday my friends will be throwing a send off fundraising party to help with the expenses that I have for the Ironman, simply put thanks you guys!

To end this first blog, I want to wish my best friend Matt a safe passage overseas. We were going to do the race together but I will have to wait till next year for our Ironman together, you will still be with me Matt, because I am taking your wheels :) As each days closes I come closer to achieving one of my dreams, to be an Ironman. 10 years ago when I weighed close to 290 I never though I would be strong enough to even attempt this, now I can. I am strong, I am courageous, I am a dad and husband, I am the worlds greatest and I am getting ready. I am a ball of emotions and nearly lost it today in class, but I am happy to feel this way. as I finish my workout today of an 18 mile run, 2.4 km swim and teach a cycle class, I cant wait till tomorrow.