How It Started

It all started with a simple goal: Complete an Ironman distance race within the first year of of my first triathlon. I had always heard about Ironman: 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run and thought, That is crazy. I would never want to do that." But it was time for a challage. I hadn't had one in a long time. So with six weeks to go I signed up for the 2006 Cinco Ranch Sprint in Houston, TX. Now all I needed to do was learn to swim, get a bike, and pray on the run.

After my first triathlon was out of the way, the end goal needed to be decided.

Florida to flat, Canada to hilly. What about Arizona? That is not too far, but it is hot. Well, Houston is kind of hot. OK, Arizona it is. I signed up the day after it opened but now needed a game plan of how to not kill myself in the process.

I decided that the stair-step approch would be the best: Two Sprints, Two Internationals, Two Halfs. And what a jump they were! I completed both sprints in 2006 with Cinco Ranch and Try Andy's Tri. Then in March of 2007 I went for the Lone Star quarter (had my first flat in a race) for not feeling good at all and the flat. Everything went great and I had a blast. Needing one more International distance, I signed up for IronHead in Dallas, but in the mean time I needed a practice race. I completed the Twin Cities Tri in Pineville,  Louisiana (where I got second in age group) and Tejas Tri in Houston. IronHead came quick and I was ready, but it was hot (100 degrees and 100% humidity). Just better training for Arizona! With two distances down, all I needed now was to complete two 70.3 races, Prairieman and Longhorn. I was feeling a little tired at the end of the season but ready for the longer distance, and the races were great and I really enjoyed the 70.3 distance. So there it is. Tha's how it all started, with just over 20 weeks left till the final challage on this ride.