RED...But It Looks Black

Thanks to my agent my tri bike got a little make over this weekend...

The Black Bomber down to the bare minimum...

The new parts

Racing with power...

R2C Shifters

Big Rings do Big Things...

My agent Nick wrenching for me

Red...or should I say Black?

No race wheels quite yet, and I need to get my black pedals to throw on there, but it's definitely a much needed upgrade!

The rest of the weekend was awesome, a long run in on the lakefront, a couple of rides outdoors, and my NCAA bracket getting totally screwed up.  At least UWW took the National Title in Men's D3 Basketball.  Busy week ahead.

My Awesome Life

I don't know what it is, but I do some of my best thinking in the water...that doesn't just mean swimming (though today that's where the thinking took place) but it could be in the shower, at the beach, on a boat...water just usually happens to be involved.  As I was swimming today I couldn't help but think about what an awesome life I have.  I mean I do feel pretty darn lucky...and here is why...

• Family - Sure they think I'm nuts for doing what I do, but they are always there to support me and to ask how things are going.  They take time off of work to go watch me race (even when the locations aren't always the best...come on every race isn't in Hawaii) and they always help to motivate me, and always have.  The work ethic my parents instilled in all 3 of us (I'm including Cory and Katie here) is pretty darn stellar and I think I'd have a really hard time finding 3 siblings who are willing to work harder than the Lapinski Crew.
• Relationships - I've never known what it's like to have someone completely support you and to help you reach for those dreams.  Thanks Brittany you're awesome!!  And you don't even flinch when I tell you crazy ideas that I have...the fact that you've accepted this craziness is incredible!!  Not only do I have an awesome girlfriend, but my friends are amazing too.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, training for Ironman takes a team...and I'd challenge anyone else to try to compare their team to mine, definitely the best around.
• My Dogs - Roxy and Winther are always happy to see me, they listen most of the time, and always know how to keep me smiling...especially when Winther decideds to go spastic at 10:00 p.m. on some random week night.

This just scratches the surface, but I have an awesome life!

Time Keeps on Slipping, Slipping, Slipping...

I'm not sure where time is going, but it seems to be flying!  Here we are at the end of February already and I'm not sure how we got here this quickly, but I'm happy about it.  The days are getting longer, and the sun has been out quite a bit lately which just helps to brighten my mood (sorry no pun intended there...just kind of happened). 



I'm pumped that in 3.5 weeks I get to enjoy riding and running outside along the ocean, through hills, and I get to do it all in warm weather.  Not being here is part of the bonus, but not being out in Cali solo this year is definitely an improvement too!  I'm looking forward to a week away, and to be able to meet up with teammates and watch a race should be great too.

My trip should be interesting and will probably hurt quite a bit since I haven't really been training all that much so far this season.  So I think it will be a nice shock to my system to get some decent riding and running in.   

Pay Your Dues

So I haven't had a real rant in a while, at least I don't think so...so why not put a little one up.

Have you ever met "that guy" (or girl) who seems to know everything?  If you say that you haven't met that person maybe you are that person.  I admit that I have no knowledge about most things, and only slightly more knowledge on other topics.  The bottom line is that I believe people need to pay their dues.

Yep, I could probably go on all day, but not worth it.  Done ranting, back to "Paying My Dues"

Giving Up...

Since today is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins I figured that I should give something up.  Last year I gave up sweets for Lent and it was a challenge to start, but it was doable.  So this year I decided that I'm going to give up sweets again, not too difficult right?  I guess this means my long ride pit stops won't include a candy bar...probably just some Watermelon GU Chomps instead now.  In addition to giving up sweets I'm going to try to limit the number of meals I eat "out" to one per week.  I say try because things come up, so if I have the choice to make food at home, or to eat out I'm going to choose to eat at home.  It's going to take some preparation, but I know I'll feel better in the long run.

Last night I slept in my Zoot compression tights...those are magical!  My legs before bed were tired, and sore.  This morning, fresh and ready to roll.  It's amazing what some compression and rest can do.  I'm pumped to knock off some more training.  Hopefully by giving up sweets and eating at home I can drop a few pounds (no I'm not super concerned about it, and I don't have an eating disorder...maybe a bit pyscho, but that's it).