This is why I Train and Race:

To be fit
To improve my swim performance
To improve my bike performance
To be able to eat what I want to
To be able to drink what I want to
To keep my heart healthy
To train and spend time with my wife
To keep my abdominals ripped
To keep my pectorials in shape
To keep my blood pressure low
To keep my motivation for doing stuff
To be outdoors more
To be a great husband
To be social
To think clearer
To meet friends
To push myself
To push others to do well
To push myself to do well
To travel
To prove to myself that it is worth it
To prove to my family they can be proud
To sweat
To feel that rush as I cross the finish line
To go fast
To keep my muscles strong
To keep my mind active
To help those less fortunate
To keep my motivation for moving
To insipre others
To help me have a goal every few weeks, days, months
To push my mind
To improve my outlook on life
To improve othrs outlook on life
To party hard afterwards
To keep my wife healthy
To keep my stamina up
To wake up and see the sunrise durning a workout or race
To go to bed knowing I did my best
To expierence those spritual moments while racing
To be beat my PR from the last race

Congratulations Ironman Madison Finishers!

Sunday the 13th of September was Ironman Madison and I happen to be spending the night here. I was unable to see the race first hand but I kept updating my iPhone using the Ironman webcast. What a beautiful day for the race. Sunny, very little wind, and not too hot.


On Monday morning I had the privilege to give 7 Ironman Finishers a ride home from Madison to Milwaukee. How inspiring! There were several 1st timers and at least one veteran. I am always impressed at the drive and determination of these individuals. It motivates me to get out there and push myself to complete this race some day. I have a good feeling I might.
I intend to sign up for a handful of triathlons next season. My wife and I plan on making several of those 1/2 Ironman Distance events. We have yet to decide on an "official" schedule but when we do I'll be sure to post it here.

Training:
I ran 4.5 miles yesterday in Madison. This is only 17% of the distance that the Ironman athletes completed. It was a good run. Temperature was in the high 70's and very little wind. The run path I took was near and on the American Family insurance headquarters property. I am pretty impressed at the fact that their campus has several miles of paved trails and they pride themselves on their "sustainable" property management. They have left a majority of it in a "natural" state. Lots of grasses and local plants, flowers, and trees. I do enjoy this run and try to take advantage of it when I can.

Speaking of Running... I am going to race in the Team Ortho Monster Dash 1/2 Marathon on October 31st. I am looking forward to it and I intend to give it my best go. I'll keep you posted on the training.

Take care,
Alex

Hello.

I am currently in Salinas, CA. My Mother had a partial knee replacement. I am here to help her through her first week of recovery/rehabilitation. She is doing great, the weather is great, and the family is great. I intend to use this blog in tandem with my site as a way to keep track of my training and race experiences with triathlon.

I have recently become introduced to triathlon. It started in January when i joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. If you have ever been at a Marathon, Triathlon, or any other similar event you may have seen the purple jersey's out there. That would be Team in Training(TNT). I have so much to say about TNT that i will save it for another post.

Last summer after doing a handful of running races, a couple of half marathons and full marathons and fun runs, I found that I enjoy running and and find it a great way to stay fit. After weeks of run training I found myself running that I could only handle so much in a week. My knees and back were always a little sore after 10-15 miles. The day in and day of running was physically and mentally challenging. I needed to find a way to break it up. I find that I always get a good runners high after a great workout and like many others I am always looking to push myself in a new way...

Here is where I found Triathlons attractive. Swim, Bike, Run. A great way to break up the monotony of running all the time and get to be outside even more.

My wife, Bonnie and I have done 3 Triathlons this summer and we intend to many next season.. including a 1/2 Ironman Distance. That is 1.2 miles Swim, 56 Miles Bike, and 13.1 Miles run. It is a lofty goal... but we can do it.