Long Time, No See

Ok, so its been a while since I posted anything.  I mean, a long time…

Anywho…  Here’s a low down to catch ya up:
December, we had a baby.
After the Augusta 70.3 decided to train for a full ironman.
Decided on Rev3 Cedar Point for my full.
Helped start up a kids tri club in Augusta. check out Dream Team Triathlon. It’s going great.
Lots of training completed.
Lots of races to be done this spring and summer.
Up to 4000 yd for lon swim, 80 mi on the bike, and 16-19 on the run. Good times!

All this and more. Sorry for slacking. Kinda busy lately. More to come…

And if you want great coaching, check out TriCoachGeorgia!

Thanks for the Augusta 70.3

I’ve failed miserably lately keeping up with this blog due to my hectic balance of family, training, and work.  I do, however, want to take time to thank a bunch of people.

First, Kristin Snyder.  Two years ago, you inspired me when I saw that you had done the half ironman right in my own “New” backyard.  A month after I got my butt off the couch and started training for a half marathon, I see your accomplishment and couldn’t believe it.

Second, Rick and Dick Hoyt. I know they probably won’t see this blog, but they are who inspired me to get my butt off the couch in the first place.

Brian Willis is next.  I don’t know how many times Brian posted comments or simply “liked” a workout of mine on my journey through all the training.  As little as it takes to just click, it meant a lot to me.

To old and New friends Maria, Angie, Mike Martin, Brian Irwin, Michael and Barbara and others for all the positive comments and vibes throughout my training.

David Nance, for the positive comments and fun stuff. It was inspiration helping you out on your 24 hour journey.

To those who have commented and told me that I’ve inspired or motivated them, you keep ME motivated.  It’s awesome to know people are watching and I can help by just doing something I love.

To the TriAugusta folks I’ve met and keep meeting!  They are an awesome group!  My U18 (under 18 mph) peeps are awesome.  I’m not excluded now that I averaged 19 on the course, am I?  Nancy, Julie, Ted, Jeff, Alex, Val, David, Steve, oh I can go on.  It was so cool finding a group of people with such welcoming arms and getting to meet folks that I will consider friends the rest of my life.

To Brian Patterson.  I’ll never forget that July weekend when you hung back with my slow ass on my first “attempt” on the half ironman bike course.  It was 100+ and you didn’t have to do that.  It made me want to prove to you that this wasn’t a waste of your time or effort.  It meant a lot to me that you looked out for me that day.

To my coach, Harvey Gayer!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!  This has been such an amazing experience!  You pushed me when I needed to pushed, kept quiet when I had it, and kept me inspired when I need inspiration.  I loved the fact that you would check in just at the right moments without me asking.  It was like you had a sixth sense.  You have done an amazing job getting me here and also improving my performance.  We even nailed a long term goal of mine in the meantime!  I will be forever grateful for this experience and hope to pay it forward with the kids’ Dream Team Tri club.

Finally, to my wife and kids.  I know my wife is sick of all my training and having to deal with the kids, pets, house, etc by herself way more than she should.  I love you all and do this all for you.  I started this journey to lose weight and improve my health so I can live a long life with you and be a positive role model for the kids.  I pray you all don’t have to experience with my father’s and grandfather’s heart attacks.

If there if there is anyone else I’ve missed, please don’t get offended.  I didn’t do it intentionally.  I simply wanted to get this out there before I forget (or start training again…)!

Who’s ready to train for a FULL Ironman?!

T

Jeff Galloway

I got a chance to meet Jeff Galloway at the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon. Pretty cool to thank the Guy who unknowingly helped you get back into shape! Thanks again Jeff!

The Fire within

While I can say without a doubt my pure motivation in working out is living a long life for my kids and wife, there is a specific inspiration that started this.

Everybody has a reason.  Everybody wants to do it or needs to do it. However, there is that one thing that makes you get off your butt and actually do it.

One day I was at a leadership training session. The session was on teamwork. The instructor showed a video called Together that will have forever changed my life.

The video is of Dick and Rick Hoyt also known as Team Hoyt. I could tell you all about it, but the video says it all. Watch the video and see for yourself what is inspirational…

So What’s Your Point?

So my friend, Dora, has summed up what I’m trying to accomplish here.  She said exactly what I’m trying to convey here, “How did you start? What method did you use? What worked, what didn’t? pictures??????? Struggles? temptations? Results of running? shoes? Clothing? What was it like to learn about all the different things you can buy to help you like the latest techie stuff….MORE!!! MORE!!!! MORE!!!!!”

Hello there.

Hey there. I’m Todd. So why am I starting this blog? Well, I thought I could share some insight of triathlons from the perspective of a newbie, rookie, novice, amateur or whatever you want to call somebody just getting into triathlons.

My goal is to share information that others just getting into triathlons can find useful.

So enough about why and now about me.  At 35 I was told that I had high cholesterol and was considered obese because I was 199 lbs but only 5′ 6″.   I decided to start running again, but developed an injury and quit trying.  Six months later, I decided the only way I get motivated to try again was to register for a somewhat pricey race and tell all my friends and family I was gonna do it.  I couldn’t turn back then.  So I signed up for the Walt Disney Half Marathon.

While training for the race, I saw my childhood friend’s Facebook post in which she was doing a half ironman right here in my hometown.  I thought, “man! A mortal I know is not just doing a triathlon, but a half ironman!”

Fastforward a few months of hard training and I did it! I finished the Walt Disney World Half Marathon!   And what did I do?  No, I didn’t go to Disney World.  I was already there.  I signed up for my first triathlon.  That triathlon would be 5 months later.  Another long term goal to keep me in check.

So that’s it for now.  I hope you enjoy…