**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

Crunch Time - and running a'naturale

Did a nice 12 mile run on Saturday.  No support, no nutrition, no water....just me and a garmin (and shoes and clothes.....but see a little further down in the blog here.....going to address this).

The run was okay.  I averaged around 11 minute miles which is okay.  I'm not going for speed, I'm going for distance.  I'm going for endurance.  I'm going for completion.

On Sunday, I decided that 100 miles was not what I wanted to do.  In fact, I wanted to get shit done around the house.  I had started out wanting to get in 100 miles.  I really did.  I wanted it, but I guess my legs and my mind were not on the same page.  I was a tad sore from the run but after around 60 miles, I quit.  I did.....no excuse....just quit.  Said "Eff it.....I'm out".

This coming up weekend was supposed to be the 'wind down' (I'm not going to call it taper) and I have a 14 mile run schedule and a 75 mile/5 mile brick.  Thinking of getting that 100 in in lieu of the 75 miler and then do a "jog it out 30 minute run".  Mentally, that 100 is where I want to get to in order to break thru the wall on the bike during IMTX.

Other than that....great weekend.  Got a lot of stuff plated (flowers, vines, veggies and fruit).  I also got a lot of things cleaned and cleared out of the back yard.  We can actaullly entertain back there now.  HA!  In fact, we did yesterday.  We met our new neighbors and invited them over for dogs, brats, chips, beer, and dessert.....we got to hang with them.  They're about our age (and the woman's name is Annie.....hahah), they have a 5yo boy, they're into Texas music, sports, and we share lots of mutual interests.  Hopefully they don't turn out to be weirdos down the line.



Ok.....so.....the whole shoes/clothes reference.

I was looking up races that I could possibly do either this coming up weekend or the following weekend.  Looking for a Half-Mary....where I can run in a supported environment, push my body a little and get a medal for participation (hey....I'm easy). 

So....I came across a 5k that's about an hour drive away....the 16th Annual SkinnyDipper Sun Run. 

Yup...it's a clothing optional 5k at a nudist resort.  How flippin' fun would that be?  Seriously.  A naked run.  Running all primal and whatnot.   And how cool would that race shirt be to sport around  (as runners we all check out other race shirts....some we recognize as we've done the race or seen it before.....but not this one.....nope....I've never seen one of these and would LOVE to sport that bad-boy).

I told the wifey about it and she actually said "if you wanna go....I'm not".  If I was not in the middle of training and needed all my availble weekends I would so do this on the 27th.  But.....there's one in October too.  Stay tuned!  :)