July 21, 2008 - Training in the Mountains - What a weekend! I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday climbing the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia. I feel better than I did before I raced at Birmingham!
June 16, 2008 - Tour Standings - After finishing three of the four US regional stops, I stand second in the point standings and first American in the US Xterra Tour. I am excited about the season so far and look forward to some training time for a few weeks while I gear up for the climbing to come at Xterra Mountain Championships in Utah.
July 13, 2008 - Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon - Defending my 2007 win at the Waterfront Tri was a challenge. I finished second to Michael Lovato, Ironman pro, in raining race day conditions which slowed down over all times on the bike. However, I did finish with no incidents and left nothing on the course. I ended the day happy with my results.
July 7, 2008 - Xterra Lock 4 Blast - On a beautiful summer day, I competed for my eigth time at Lock 4 winning now seven in a row. Holly and I had to look back when we returned home from the race to believe the numbers were true, but I have been competing in Xterra for eight years now. Lock 4 has always been my home course and I was thrilled to race there again this past weekend.
June 17, 2008 - Xterra Richmond Results - An 8:30 start with overcast skies and much cooler temperatures was a nice change to the previous two races. Richmond's swim is referred to as a run by those who have done the race before. And, this year didn't disappoint anyone looking for the race to live up to previous descriptions. I spent much of the swim crawling my way through boulders scattered along the James River. Without much open water, I came out of the water just in front of Dan and Conrad. The rest of the day was a personal battle with fatique that had set in from last weekend's race. However, I posted a fifth place finish which was my best finish at Richmond. I scored enough points to move into second in the overall American Tour points series and secured the spot as the top ranking American competitor in the tour.
June 12, 2008 - Xterra Birmingham Results - Another hot day on the Xterra American Tour. This race proved no need for a warm up as the water was a blazing 80+ degrees. Warming up just happened the minute you stepped out of your car. Unlike any of my competitors, my morning included a dirty diaper change for my son just 20 minutes before race start. It proved to be good luck however. I finished Xterra Birmingham 3rd posting the fastest swim time and coming off the bike in first place. Conrad Stoltz and Shonny Vanlandingham brought home first place overall finishes for male and female pro categories respectively - congrats!
May 21, 2008 - Xterra Temecula Results - On a hot 102 degree day, I finished Xterra Temecula 7th posting the fastest swim time. I felt amazingly fast in my Blue Seventy speed suit. Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid brought home first place overall finishes for male and female pro categories respectively - congrats! I am excited for the tour to stop in Birmingham and Richmond where I am more suited and feel at home.
May 16, 2008 - Xterra Temecula - I'm in Temecula suffering through record breaking heat with the rest of the field. My pre-rides have gone great proving that my fitness is tuned up for the season starter. Butterflies in my stomach don't even begin to express how excited, nervous, and honored I am to compete with the best off-road triathletes known to the sport of Xterra!
May 15, 2008 - As the season starts, I want to stop and take time to publicly thank each of my sponsors. From Dr. Fred Tuttle who believed in me when I was just a promising amatuer to all my 2008 sponsors, I could not compete at this level without their support. For all you do to support me and my passion for triathlons, THANK YOU! I am proud to represent your products and companies.
If you are in the market for training and/or racing gear, check out my sponsors page. I am proud to partner with each of them as I believe in the mission and products they sell. They have all played a huge role in my success. Let them help you find your success!
May 4, 2008 - Well, no new course records at Dirt, Sweat, and Gears. Rain the night before left the trail in a crazy, sticky mess. However, Dustin and I are once again the duo team champs beating all other teams and bringing home the best finish of the day. This event is quickly becoming the Woodstock of mountain biking races. Great racing, great events, great music, and amazing experience. If you try this race next year - camp at the race site the night before and after the race. Highlight of the weekend - Gary Fisher himself attended and road a lap with us!
April 30, 2008 - Finally my legs are coming around after the hard weekend. I attempeted to do a hard workout on the bike yesterday and NO WAY was that happening. Just a little too much fatigue from the weekend. Today however, my legs feel great after spinning on the bike yesterday and running on the treadmill. I got in an early powercranks ride this morning legs feel very strong again. I am looking forward to smashing some course records this weekend in the Dirt Sweat and Gears 12 hr mountain bike race. I am racing with Semi Pro Partner Dustin Greer and we are defending our title from last year.
April 29, 2008 - I'm home and unpacked from Xterra Fort Yargo Triathlon and Fort Yargo SERC series mountain bike race. It was a great weekend. The triathlon clinic on Friday was fun and very informative. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and a huge thank you to all who attended. The race was well run super fast and fun. Fort Yargo has amazingly maintained trails. The mountain bike race on Sunday was cold and wet, but just as enjoyable as the Xterra. The best news of the weekend, my heal is back to 100%. I couldn't have felt better all weekend! 1st overall in the Xterra by just over 7 minutes and second in the SERC race, just didn't have the legs after the triathlon, another 40 min trail run and 1 hr bike. Sunday was a strength day. I am very pleased with my 2nd place!
April 26, 2008 - The Xterra season has begun! I tested the waters at Xterra Fort Yargo. If you weren't there, you missed a great race. David Berger at Gone Riding put on another flawless race even with the loss of most of his equipment due to a mechanical issue on the way to the race. I'm not sure I've ever seen trails maintained so meticulously. If you are in the area of Winder, Georgia be sure to check them out. The race course was fast and I felt better than expected when I crossed the finish line. I've had a stress fracture in my heel that has been holding back my run training, but am confident I'm fully healed and ready to start the season at 100%. (Thanks to everyone who attended the Xterra clinic held the day before the race. We had great participation and great discussions!)
March 24, 2008 - Hopefully, the only set back of the season was diagnosed today. I have a stress fracture in my heel likely caused by a tough workout in new shoes, a brand I've not worn in the past. Needless to say, those shoes are in the trash. The prognosis is a quick 4 week rest and bone stimulator to heal the crack. Then, I'm off to full speed again.
March 7, 2008 - Off to Florida for my first training camp ever. No kids, no family, no work, just racing and training for a week and a half. I feel this will give me the strength I need to get up for some serious racing come April and May. More info to come!!! This is also my 30th birthday gift from my lovely wife, thanks honey. :)
March 2, 2008 - Finished the "Snake Gap Time Trial" Mountain bike series, man that is one of the roughest courses I have ever done. Hit my goal time right on, 3 hrs 10 min. Finished further back from the NORBA Pro's but I am very happy with my results, and yes, very muddy!!!
February 18, 2008 - Did a test run at the "Mercedes Half Marathon" felt very strong and had my first PR of the year, 1:18:46, totally stoked. All of the long grueling runs are really paying off.
January 14, 2008 - I finally updated my website. It has only taking a couple years now to figure this technology out. A crash on the mountain bike leading to serious road rash on my forearm and hip led to a little down time. I'm surprised what I can do in a couple free hours!
