***UPDATED on 7/11/2010*** As an athlete, I have finished over 100 triathlons including 26 Ironman-distance triathlons with their 2.4-mile swims, a 112-mile bikes, and marathon 26.2-mile runs. Not only is Ironman triathlon an event that I love to do, it is also something that inspires and informs the rest of my life.
Recently, I have begun to expand my interests beyond triathlon to other adventure sports and endurance events – for example, in May 2008, I spent a week training with the Special Operations Force Academy in Virginia Beach and in July I spent a week backpacking in the Swiss Alps. Both experiences taught me an enormous amount about myself – both emotionally and physically.
This year I plan to focus again on Ironman-distance triathlons starting with Ironman Couer d'Alene in June then followed by Vineman and then Ironman Arizona in November. In the future, I am looking forward to finding new and different challenges that I can experience, write about and share with others.
| Date | Event | Priority | Goal | Results |
| May 9 | Kinetic Sprint Triathlon |
C | Podium | 1:18, 5th OA |
| May 21-23 | American Triple-T Triathlon |
B | Podium | 10:16, 12th |
| Jun 27 | Ironman Couer d'Alene |
A | Top 5 Amateur; Kona | 10:02, 17th AG |
| Jul 31 | Vineman Full Triathlon (140.6) |
A | <9:00 | |
| Nov 21 | Ironman Arizona Triathlon (140.6) |
A | <9:00, Kona |
My two "A" races for the year will be Ironman Coeur d'Alene in Idaho followed by Vineman in California. I may try to squeeze in the new Rev3 Cedar Point (Ironman-distance), but since it's only 5 weeks after Vineman, I need to take that into consideration. All of my early races are designed to get me ready for a personal best (PR) time at Ironman CDA.
As author Joseph Conrad once said, "People say that we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive.”
At the end of the day, qualifying for Kona or breaking the Vineman course record, really don't matter a bit; what matters is that I strive for the seemingly impossible and experience the journey along the way.
This year I had originally planned to do the Death Race which is limited to only 100 participants…most of whom will not finish the race, but I've decided to put this race on hold with the intent to participate in the near future. In order to compete in the event, I had to create a video describing why I wanted to do the event and how I would train for it:
Whether you're training to win a triathlon, training to finish or just need inspiration from my life journey as a cancer survivor, Navy officer and sub-nine hour Ironman triathlete, my book will inspire you to chase your dreams and live life richly and boldly.