**Invalid Password???***

What tha shit??!?!?

I guess that's what happens when you don't log in for well over a year.  We all have our "go to" passwords that we use.  Mine rotate through 3-4 different ones with numbers and/or symbols.  To log in today I had to think back 1.5 years ago.  "BradLovesOneDirection14". What.....They were really popular in 2013....

So.....a lot has happened in the past year-ish.  2014 wasn't that big of a year.  The last half of the year, around the end of July was when it all changed for the better.  I got more serious in training and actually started more of a routine.  I was still spastic on the consistency and it wasn't beneficial, for my 2015 Ironman Goal.  In January, I buckled down a lot.  Eating, working out, focus, signing up for races.....I had to do something.  I've toned up and slimed down a lot in the past 4 months.  I've raced a sprint Tri and a 13.1 so far with a 10k next weekend.  These 2 races crushed my 2014 race total, since I did a total of 1 race last year.

I had planned on doing Redman Full with JFord but received a phone call  2 weeks ago from him.  He, unfortunately had to back out of the race, for a good reason (not because of was skurred).  I have made the decision to do it anyway.  I started IM training on Monday.  Full on, I-actually-have-a-plan-to-follow training.  With the help of my past experience, other people's experiences, a recommended book, luck, and motivation from everyone, I'll do A LOT better than my first IM.

I'll commit to you all to blog more.  Probably once to twice a week, usually on Mondays to do recaps, training totals, comiserate with others, brag, get humbled, laugh, cry, laugh while crying.....whatever.

While I haven't been on here, I have kept up with some of y'all via Blogs, IG, etc and even a chance meeting in person.  Some of you knew I was there.  Other times I was like the guy in aviator shades, a members only jacket, rolling around in a windowless van.   Straight Creepin' on ya.

So.....I hope to see you all around.  I'll be around.  Just training, doing the dad thing, keeping my head above water......the usual

Challenge......ACCEPTED

***Title said in my best Barney Stinson voice....be sure and pause an inordinate amount of time between words***

Challenges have been a part of history as much as anything else....

Christopher Columbus - challenged to be the first to discover new lands

Burr/Hamilton Duel - A fight to the death

JFord and Brads 2015 Redman Challenge...

All have been historical in nature and all will be talked about for years.

I am a little upset that I am the challengee....and not the challenger.  As an only child, I need to be the challenger.  But since I'm not, I'll need to make up for it with smack talk and subsequent excuses.

Lets back up a little bit.  I "met" James - Click here for his blog - and follow him -  on Beginnertriathlete.com a little over a year ago.  We mentored a group of true beginners together and both could commiserate, motivate, and lean on each other as we were both going through Ironman training at the same time.  As y'all know, I did IMTX in May and JFord did Redman in September.  The difference in IMTX and Redman is very slight.  They are both "140.6" distances and a side from that, there isn't much of a difference.  However....to hear me talk about it....Redman is A LOT easier for 2 main factors.  One...it's not an Ironman race and Two...it's not in Texas.  That right there makes it a ton easier.

So....when JFord crossed the finish line (and beat my time)....I sent him texts and FB posts congratulating him but he also received the "but it's not a real race" texts and posts as well.

Well....he's upped the ante and challenged me to Redman 2015.  Mano y Mano....same course, same date, same race, same start time......this will define who the better triathlete is.....and crown the best of all time. 

When I told my wife about this, she said "I thought you weren't doing another Ironman?"  To which I said "but I was challenged".  She just shook her head.  Pffft.....she don't get it....wimm-in....pssh.

Now....where are my shoes?  Are cobwebs normal on a bike?  These Reese's PB Cups look amazing....

Weekend Stuff

Happy Friday Y'all.....

This weekend is supposed to be a busy one, but due to the weather today, it may not be at all.

Tonight is J's volleyball practice and tomorrow she has a game in the mid-afternoon.  After her game, we're supposed to go to the Plano Balloon Festival.  It's an awesome event with a balloon launch, balloon glows, fire works, things for the kids, over-priced sno-cones and festival food, etc.  However....it's held in a park and it's all grass and one HUGE hill that everyone sits on.  Well....it's been raining since about 7:30pm last night.  It's projected to continue raining for most of the day and into early evening.  Rain + grass/hill + 10,000 people = MUD.  So....we may miss that.

I have a 8 mile run to get in at the crack of dawn.  I'm super pumped because the reason we have this rain is a "cold front" pushed down.  It's supposed to be in the low-60s.  Our lows have been in the upper-70's and humid....so this will almost feel chilly.

On Sunday, I'm going to do a 5 miler (recovery at 80%) to get the legs used to the mileage.

The run tomorrow will gauge if I'll be able to sniff a sub-2 in the Showdown Half (www.showdownhalf.com) or if it's just going to be part of the master plan of a marathon.

My boy....JFord....is going doing Redman Full (140.6) on Saturday.  Follow him on FaceBook (Daily Trainings) for live updates done by his wife.  His blog is http://memphishassumthin2say.blogspot.com

I should be receiving my EnduroPacks supply soon (www.enduropacks.com) and will post my initial thoughts on it as soon as I get it.  I cannot wait. 

I visited the Cooper Clinic on Wednesday for my annual physical.  They do a great job checking every crease and crevice (and I mean EVERY crease and crevice).  According to my doc I need to drop about 10-15lbs (duh) and do some additional strength exercises.  She's a former marathon runner....like Top AG'er and overall winner....so she's not just spouting off crap.  She said it's more for performance than it is actually for "health" (although being healthier is a side effect of that).


OK....calling all readers.  I need more followers.  Give me a shout-out, tell people to follow me, beg...do whatever.  I follow a ton of bloggers and some follow me back, but I want followers.  I am a people person.  I have people skills, dammit.......

I will be looking at/doing a give-away for followers in the near future.  I'm in the works now with some companies for discounts and products related to running and tri's.

Y'all come through for a brotha!

Hey There....remember me?

Well....this is awkward.  You know...we have our little fun, say we'll talk and hang out, never really do and then run into each other at the store.....

I feel like there's a lot that's happened, but I can't really think of much.  I'm into 13.1 training now and should be around the 9 mile mark for my long runs, but just completed 7 this past weekend.  I was shooting for a PR of Sub-2 for the race on 10/12 (the Showdown Half) http://www.showdownhalf.com/  but it's looking more like a good jump start to marathon training. 

I volunteered for a sprint tri over the weekend.  Saw some people I know, saw some familiar faces, and got to give back to the sport that's treated me well.

I also found out that I'm a finalist for a Brand Ambassador gig with EnduroPacks.  http://www.enduropacks.com/  I was interviewed over the phone last week and got an e-mail over the weekend that they want to send me a one month trial and have me review it, etc....and if they like my 'social interaction' on the web, I could possibly be a 3-month Ambassador.  Go check them out.  It's a new company.....focused on the recovery aspect of training....which is my nemesis.

Also....JFord is about to embark on an amazing 140.6 journey.  He's doing Redman in OKC this weekend.  You can follow him on FB and via his blog (http://memphishassumthin2say.blogspot.com/)

We have a lot going on these next few weekends.....lots of family things.  This is where we, as amateur athletes, shine.  We have to get our training in and balance the family time too....which if it comes down to it, I pick the family.  But.....I can get my azz outta bed at 4:30a and get it done before anyone even knows I was gone.

I'll be posting more....I'll be looking for new followers.

Spread the word on my blog....and get me some followers people!!!!!