Opening Day

There is nothing like opening day........and since most of you reading this know me, you know I don't follow many (ok no/0/zip) pro sports (except cycling which many if you don't consider a true sport;) so I'm obviously talking about the first race of the season. It shakes the cobwebs out and gets the endorphins flowing. It's a chance to check out the competition and see who made the most of the off season.
My opening day race was the Richmond Tri Club sprint, a local favorite. This year it was a new venue. For my fellow triathletes following this it was a 400m pool swim open water style. Pretty cool idea, waves of 10, buoys to navigate and no walls to touch or in my case attempt to flip turn from.

The really cool thing was the first wave, swimmers and the athletes they were pulling in rafts from United Athletics Richmond. United Athletics pairs athletes who may require some physical assistance with other athletes. Now that will get you motivated. Check em our at Unitedathleticsrva.com and see what they are all about. Words can't describe the joy in the faces of the teams involved. It really makes you realize nothing is impossible. Coincidentally it goes with my 2013 theme and the reason behind the IRONMAN Foundation-Newton Running Ambassador Triathlon Team; turning a sometimes selfish sport into a SELFLESS sport.
My race went well, I mean I always enjoy racing. Getting to share a course with the UA teams however makes it even more enjoyable. Okay, so I did have to leave the race as soon as I was done and go to work, but even work was good after getting to race.

On a side note I spent my Sunday morning volunteering at a mountain bike race my local team (Richmond Velo Sports) put on. I forgot how laid back mountain bikers can be, some of them don't even shave their legs. Still, don't let that stop you from getting out and supporting your local race scene.

exTRIordinary

So here it is, my foray into the blogging world. With good intentions. Back in February while home sick one day I saw post on Facebook about the IRONMAN Foundation-Newton Running Ambassador Triathlon Team accepting applications for the 2013 season. I was already familiar with the Foundation and have been a Newton runner for the last few years. In short those on the team would be racing with a purpose, ok a bigger purpose. We all race for a variety of reasons: fitness, fun, personal achievements you get the picture. The team would add more to your typical race experience. Team members would be spreading the word of the IRONMAN Foundation while raising funds for a variety of great charitable organizations at the North American IRONMAN events. Needless to say I quickly filled out my application. The weeks went by and towards the end of March all who applied (400+) would soon find out who the lucky ones would be. Things for me had been busy at work, but I will be honest I couldn’t stop thinking about this opportunity. The waiting finally paid off April 2nd. I made the team along with 42 other very talented triathletes. We come from a wide range of backgrounds from all over North America. Along with this great group of people we also have some awesome sponsors: Newton Running, Flo Wheels, Sugio, Timex, Fuel Belt, Tri Bike Transport, Shimano, Training Peaks, Headsweats, Multisport.com, Gu Energy, Retul, Justin’s, 2XU, and TYR.
So over the next several months this blogwill serve as a way to follow me (and my new teammates) on our various IRONMAN journeys. I invite you to join us, laugh with us, sweat with us, and help us as we try to do something exTRIordinary.