East Jordan Tri and Mark Mellon

It's been far too long since I've posted a blog, but I'd been busy with all kinds of stuff since school got out (training, basketball camp, master's class, etc.). I will sit down and write a longer blog soon, but will probably wait until our baby arrives which should be any day now with Rachel's due date being the 9th of July.

I had a rough one at Eagleman. Those conditions (90 and humid) are tough to race in when you live in N. Michigan and train in temps that rarely if ever are above 80. I hate having that as an excuse, but it's there and a big reason why I failed to meet my goals for that race. Life goes on though and I've won races the past two weekends by a good margin. I knew my fitness was high after a great spring of training, but when a race like Eagleman happens the best thing you can do is race again to get your mojo back. It worked and I'm looking forward to another nice training block before I hit some races later in the summer.

This past Saturday was the Mark Mellon triathlon and 5k that my family puts on. We did it last year for the first time and we knew we had some improvements to make and I think we did that for this year's event. We received a ton of compliments and people really enjoyed the event. A lot of work goes into these events, even with only a little over 200 participants. We had a ton of help from all kinds of locals and we are very thankful for that. Our timing and race site set up was done by Runner's Edge Race Timing and they did a fantastic job once again. We had no major hiccups to speak of and they played a big role in that. So many races today don't do enough to make the experience awesome for the athletes and spectators. We tried hard to do both and I think the people who were there on Saturday really enjoyed the atmosphere. It didn't hurt we had almost perfect weather! My brother Mike won the sprint tri and then I won the Olympic race so that was a lot of fun...for the 2nd straight year! My two sisters, Mom, and little brother raced too. Chrissy who is 16 did her first tri and did very well for her first race. She loved it too! Jenny, Daniel, and my Mom did the 5k. It's so cool having your whole family involved in an event like this. Literally my entire family helped in some fashion on Saturday. We're so blessed to say the least.

Priority number one is now Rachel and this baby (not that they won't always be #1) so we'll be doing everything we can to make this birth a good experience. I know Rachel will do great...as will our baby. Rachel is tougher and more positive than most any girl I've met and that baby has a stubborn Dad, especially when it comes to pain and endurance...from what everyone tells us that pretty much sums up the birthing process!

Next time I write I'll have lots of pictures of our new arrival:)

Thanks for stopping by.

Starkermann Duathlon

Little brother Daniel did the Jr. Starkermann. Quite the accomplishment for a 6 yr. old

Rachel, baby, and I

End of the bike

Coming into T1

This blog seems to be harder and harder to keep up, but I'm going try my best to get back on board. I should have more time this summer to get at least one out per week.

I raced the Starkermann Duathlon last weekend and was fortunate to come up with another win. I had some more competition than my first race of the year and even had to run a guy down on the 2nd 5k run. All signs pointed towards my training working very well. I am for sure as fit as I've ever been on the bike and run front. Swim wise things have been a bit different b/c I've done a lot of swimming solo, but the sets I've done in the last couple of months have been very specific to triathlon and the distances I focus on. I think this will pay off, especially as I start to freshen up these last couple of weeks before Eagleman. This past weekend I capped off this build with a 16 mile progressive run with the last 5 miles under 6:20 pace. Nothing special really, but after the week of training I laid down it was a solid workout. I also rode 4.5 hours with lots of time very close to half ironman effort and then a short run off the bike at close to HIM goal pace. There is still a bit of work to do, but it's time to start freshening up. This has been a different build than I've ever done for a 70.3, but it seems to be working great and I'm coming into better shape each week. I am really looking forward to June 12th and absolutely laying it all out there. It's been a while since I've gone completely to the well and I'm excited to have an opportunity to do so. I cannot wait to go toe to toe with some of the best triathletes in the country. Eagleman is always one of the most competitive 70.3s on the circuit b/c it's one of only a few races left where you can qualify for Kona without doing a full ironman.

Newspaper clip from race.

Steelcase Duathlon

Starting run #2
Coming into t1

Little brother and I before the start

Rachel, baby, and I

Well, Spring is finally here. I am coming off my best training week of the year so far, but still some work to be done before Eagleman. I am getting close, but still need a few more solid sessions/races. I had a solid weekend of an 8 mile tempo run yesterday and then today was a solid 5 hours on the bike followed by a short t run. It was tough, especially after the sessions I did during the week. I think I am going to be hitting peak form just in time for Eagleman.

School is coming to a quick close. Soon enough our baby will be here and I'll have more time to train...well really, more time to recover (if the baby sleeps well? hopefully?). I probably put in 20 hours this week and won't hit much more than that this summer. Not having to go to work in the summer allows me much more flexibility with my training and my ability to recover goes through the roof! Really hoping to make a nice jump in fitness as the summer goes on, but first Eagleman.

Rachel is feeling good and we're getting really close to having our baby's room all done. It's been a little more work than I think we anticipated, but it's all good.

Next up, another solid week of training and then Starkermann Duathlon this coming weekend. Looking forward to laying down another good effort to help me get to a new level.

Thanks for reading.

TGIS 5k

Not a bad start to the running/multi-sport season. I needed to see where I was at with my running and so I jumped in a local 5k. Not a ton of great competition, but a few guys in the low 17s or so. The race funds all went towards the Gaylord running program so you can't go wrong there. Anything to help keep kids running is worth it's while. Ran a 16:42. I think that's actually a PR, but I don't run too many 5ks. I ran about the same at a duathlon last year. I was pleased with my effort and was pretty close to doing what I thought I would. The weather was cruddy...40 and rain with some wind so not really your ideal running conditions. It'd be nice to really get that down closer to 16 flat by the time summer rolls around, but we'll see. It's more important to keep things improving in all 3 disciplines. Next stop...Starkermann Duathlon in a few weeks. My Dad and little brother Daniel (6) ran too. Both ran well and Daniel just loves it. He very well could be the best athlete out of all of us. That's about it for now...gotta go train. Rachel is feeling good. About 12 weeks until our baby arrives. We can't wait to meet him or her.

VA Duathlon

Just a quick shout out to Melissa Mckendry on a very nice performance to get the multi-sport season started. Melissa has been working hard all winter and that work is paying off. She was 2nd overall female today at the Virginia Duathlon, which is a very competitive race down in southeast Virgina. Way to go Melissa!

Anna Maria Island

Rachel and I just got back from Anna Maria Island yesterday, where we spent 6 days with our family there. I'll have some pictures to share soon, but those don't even come close to doing this place justice. My family has gone there for a few years now and it's just a great place to relax and enjoy one another's company. There isn't a whole lot of touristy things to do, but it's better that way in my opinion. Everyday minus the day we arrived was sunny and in the 80s. Most mornings we'd wake up, lounge around for a bit and then the majority of us were off for a run, walk, or swim or in my case usually all 3. Nothing too long or intense, but just getting out and enjoying moving in nice weather. Then it was back to our house a block off the ocean that we rented for the week. It was time for breakfast and then beach time! The beach there is nice, white sand...similar to Clearwater where they used to hold the 70.3 world championships. In all the years we've been going down there I can only think of one where the weather really stunk. This year it was great and the water was nice too...refreshing, but warm enough to stay in it for a while and play in the waves or toss the football around. Usually we'd last a couple of hours and then we'd go make some lunch and chill by the pool at our house most of the afternoon and who knows...maybe have a cocktail or two. Dinner was next after getting cleaned up and man we had some good meals. We grilled out a few nights having ribs, salmon, and burgers. Another night we had spaghetti. All favorites of mine. Most dinners followed with some sort of dessert and then we went to watch the sunset. I wish we could say we had lots of crazy nights, but to be honest we were all pretty tired by night's end and we hit the sack quite early. I hate to say it, but I prefer that these days...same thing goes for when we're home in Michigan. The early to bed, early to rise crew is almost always the more successful crew. If someone tells you otherwise they are fooling themselves. So that's that. I'll share some pictures once we get them downloaded. It's time to really buckle now and get serious for Eagleman and the rest of the races coming up this summer. I feel I've set myself up for a good couple of months. I've trained hard this winter, but my mind and body are still fresh and ready to do the big work that lies ahead. Started today with a solid swim session this morning and then a track workout tonight. Run and ride planned for tommorrow. And the weather is finally getting better. 60s this weekend they say! Let's goooo as my Hampton kids used to say.

Spartacus and training update

Going to start off this blog by sharing a video of the great Spartacus. Anyone who pays attention to cycling know who I'm talking about. This is an inspiring effort that makes you want to ride your bike hard. If it weren't for a tough 16 mile run this morning, I'd head out on the bike for a bit just because this video makes me want to. We have made it to spring break. All teachers know that once you get back from this break, the end of the year goes by quick. We are headed to Anna Marie Island on Wednesday for a few days with my family. We've been there a few times now and it's an awesome place. Beautiful beach and the water is perfect for swimming. I'll be taking it easy while we're there, but I'll still be getting out for some beach runs and open water swims. My new Zoot wetsuit is supposed to be arriving tommorrow so just in time! Training has been going well. My last blog I talked about being sick and it took me a few days to get back into things, but this week I felt completely back to myself and my numbers were back on track. This is always the way it goes, but every time I get sick (usually only once or twice a year...teacher syndrome) I worry about losing fitness. If you were to get sick a lot this could be the case, but when you have a great base of training laid down the extra rest often times ends up being a good thing. Case in point, this past week was my biggest week of the year yet and I crushed it. yesterday and today capped off a tough week and I did a 2:45 trainer session with lots of quality followed by a short t run. Today I ran 16 at an average of about 6:45 pace...started off a little slower than that and finished strong. Nothing too crazy, but at the end of the week I had plus a hilly course it's a good sign for this time of year. I will finally start racing here next month...only a 5k run race, but still. May will then be the official start to the multi-sport season. I can't wait! Here's to some warm weather in a few days! And hopefully when we get back here...i just want to ride outside, that's all I ask:)