The Journey Begins...

Triathlete. For me, it’s a title that demands respect. For the athlete who embarks on the journey to become one… it can define you as a person. It’s not for outward glory, but for inner purpose. Its challenge is a life clarifying experience that will remain with you always. I expect, if I can accomplish it, I will walk around feeling a bit different than before. It’s a lonely sport most of the time. Only a month of training into it and I know this. Hours of time spent in the pool, on the bike, out on the road, and in the weight room. It requires hard work, sacrifice, and major determination. There is the inevitable time away from family, friends, and comforts enjoyed. There are the odd alterations in my schedule (I often run at 5:00am in the dark). Though I have not yet accomplished it… I can already feel it tugging at me ever so slightly. The faint feeling of butterflies in my stomach is already there. The excitement builds on the journey daily. With each swim, bike, and run I feel more purpose building inside. I know this will change me forever. I welcome that. Purpose is what keeps us living our lives with meaning. Without it, we’re walking around just killing time like the living dead. I’m not going out like that.

I became an endurance enthusiast back in the summer of 1999 when a client of mine convinced me to try road cycling. I was a bodybuilder; a 215-pound muscle-head that was looking for something different. I was also and still am a personal trainer, working in the trenches of the health and fitness community on a daily basis assisting others in their quest to improve their bodies and their fitness. Though I was strong… I was not fit. I had muscle… but no endurance. During my first ride, I hopped off the bike after only eight-miles… rolled into a roadside ditch… and threw-up. I was hooked. I gave up the 3-hour workouts in favor of light 30-minute circuits and began cycling five days per week. After several years of cycling and turning my 215lb muscle-head physique into a 180lb. cyclist, I was ready for the next step. I still loved cycling… but needed to progress further. I needed new challenges in my life. I had always respected triathletes. To me, it was the purest form of athletic expression. The ultimate physical challenge. I wondered if I could add the title of triathlete to my life-resume. I was soon turning 39 and could see the big 4-0 around the corner. Now was the time to suck it up and embark on something special. It was one thing to say I was a cyclist… it was another to say I finished an IRONMAN. I entered a ½ IRONMAN in the spring of 2008… then I will begin training for a full IRONMAN to celebrate my fortieth year alive. At the time of this posting I am married to my beautiful wife Nancy. I have 3 kids, 14, 12, and 8 years-old... and a baby girl on the way. I work 60-hours a week managing a health club... while trying to fix up a 1930's house in a small community in western North Carolina. I have a busy life... just like you. Don't use schedule or time as an excuse. I train at odd hours... on lunch breaks, and even at night. There is no lack of time... only lack of time management. You can do it.

As a 15-year veteran personal trainer it would be just like me to not only want to share this experience with others… but to bring as many along with me as possible. This blog and accompanying website will serve as my online journal of my personal journey toward becoming an IRONMAN. I’ll give you not only the day-today details of my training… but will hopefully be able to relay real-world, easy to understand training principles that will guide you toward your first triathlon. Whether it is a local sprint race or a full IRONMAN. Use my success and failures to guide you on your journey to adding Triathlete to your life resume. Let’s start training!