Chile Pepper Ride

    It has been a while since I have done an event, but doing the Chile Pepper Ride was a great way to get back into the swing of things.  Today I finished the 38 mile ride with my buddy Russ.  We started off on time at 9:30.  It felt hot when we left the La Vina Winery and I was a little worried that the heat would make it a hard ride but that was not the case at all.  It was a perfect day for a ride down the scenic highway 28.  The event was well organized and had plenty of aid stations.  The aid station at the halfway point was the best.  One of the volunteers asked if he could hold my bike while I stopped which was really nice.  At the rest stop plenty of fuel was available such as energy bars, fig newtons, and peanut butter sandwiches, which really hit the spot.  After a brief stop me and my buddy Russ were off again.  One of the best parts of the event was riding through the canopy of the pecan trees, it really made the ride worth it.  I finished the race riding at an average speed of 18.5 mph which I was well pleased with. 
    Like I said this event was really well organized and I will do it again.  If I had to complain about anything I would have to say that more outhouses are needed at the beginning of the race.  To many riders were standing in line waiting to go to the restroom.  Also the race packet was really cheap, but on the other hand it did not cost much to join the event.  I just wish a t-shirt would have come with the package rather than having to buy it separate.  Over all I highly recommend this event and hope to do it again next year.  If God is willing I would like to do the century or metric century.

The weight loss journey continues!

    At the end of each triathlon season each athlete has to make a decision about how to handle the off season, to rest, or not to rest.  I have been training for triathlons since 2008 non-stop with out a break; with the exception of recovery days and injuries.  At the end of the 2011 season I was mentally and physically exhausted.  I think every athlete will experience a year plagued with injures and 2011 was the year for me.  One of the worst injuries happened during the Red Raider triathlon in Lubbock, Texas when I tripped over a sand bag that was holding carpet down due to the wind.  I landed on my bad knee and being the stubborn person that I am I continued the race.  As I did the run portion of the race I could feel my knee throbbing.  This injury would haunt me for the rest of the season but I continued to push.  I completed the Boulder 70.3 Ironman with my injured knee and would go on to complete two more sprint triathlons to finish the season.  At this point I was really ready for a break but just didn't quite know how to handle it.  During the month of October I ran about 4 days a week anywhere from 3-5 miles to try and stay in shape.  Being mentally exhausted around mid November, I completely stopped working out and did absolutely nothing until after Christmas.
    If there is one thing that I am good at it would certainly be at gaining weight.  During December I really enjoyed Christmas and ate . . . more and more.  I do love desserts and would indulge in 2 sometimes 3 different desserts at parties that I attended.  Any athlete knows that sugar is not exactly the best food to be consuming.  From the month of November to December I gained a total of 30 pounds.  My wife noticed that I began to snore again. I began to feel unhealthy and unhappy with my body. 

This is what 1 month of eating badly can do! 30 lbs gain

    Two weeks ago I started working out again and I'm already feeling better.  The question that I keep asking myself is, should an athlete take a break at the end of the season or not.  My mind does feel refreshed but on the other hand I am mad at myself because I have lost so much ground.  At this point I would not even be competitive with some of my triathlete Clydesdale buddies, such at Rob Lovett and Jason McClure.  They would leave me in the dust!  Well . . . no use in crying over spilled milk, its time to work my way back into the hunt. 
    I have always believed that the reason I do triathlons is to compete for the glory of God!  Even though I enjoy competition, how I place is not what matters.  It is the will of the Father!  It is my hope that I can help inspire others.  If you put your faith in God anything is possible.  Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you". So I am inviting anyone who reads this blog and who needs to lose weight to join me!  Ask with faith and in the name of Jesus to help you lose your excessive weight and live a healthy life.  Join me in the new journey of weight loss for the Glory of God!  I will keep you posted on my progress.