Updated: End of Triathlon Season 2012...It's Party Time!

*"How bad do you want this?"

It seems like just last week that I was telling my swimming friends goodbye.  Well it is now time to bid my triathlon family adieu for the winter and get back to swimming.  I had a fan-flippin-tastic year in triathlon. There is a certain amount of satisfaction in the numbers, awards, and winning, but the true lasting moments are those spent with family and friends, and in those very rare moments in life when you get to see how far you can push yourself, a chance to see what you are made of.  My absolute favorite portions of the actual competition are the special moments in which you get to ask yourself how bad you want it.

*Would you push yourself this far?

I was lucky to win a lot of the races, but that luck doesn't compare to how lucky I was to spend so many special moments with some very special people.  The triathlon season was overwhelming successful, but whether I finished 1st or 5th, I was always the luckiest person at the race because I have so many people who love and care for me enough to want me to be part of their life and their adventures, and who take the time to surf this website and then tell me they enjoyed it.  I am thankful that some people might find benefit in this website.

The list is long, but I have taken the time to give credit to some of those special people I shared adventures with.  I appreciate all the fun we had together, without them, triathlon season 2012 wouldn't be nearly as memorable.  Pay no attention to the order, the list is kind of long ;)

My family!  Their constant support and understanding is always appreciated.  I know they are behind me, and even if I don't win, I am still #1 in their hearts.  My parents are always there taking pictures and giving me their cheers, I can pick out their cheers in a crowd of hundreds.   My parents and my sisters are always understanding when I become a real "man-diva" when I get nervous before a big race. My family thinks I am the coolest guy in school and that means a lot to me.

*It was great to spend time with my sister and Scott at the Peak Tri.  My sister does an amazing job running it.  Scott and I have a date with destiny in 2013.

*Uriah is a priceless source of entertainment and laughter. His attendance at the races always leads to a good time.  The boat trip my family and Jodi after winning the Seeley Lake Triathlon was amazing.  

*27 years old with huge muscles (he he) and still a total momma's boy.

*Cinna-bun demand rose 87%  after Uriah got through with the season.

*So cute, heart-melting cute.

*I want him to grow up and want to be just like his "Uncle Doug.

Jonmark and Leanne!  It was an absolute pleasure to get to know JM and Leanne this year.  We shared a ton of great times together.  Leanne's cheers and pictures are always appreciated.  She took care of us boys with great "garbage salad" and stories of her rip sessions on JM's her new mountain bike. JM and Leanne were a constant at the races and it was always great to know they would be there.  JM has become a very good friend to me since I said, "Hey, I like your lime green kit." back in the spring.  I am lucky to be their friend.

*I had a great training camp with JM.  We rode for miles into the radiating heat and wind...and loved it.

*JM, Francis, and Me!

*JM with his arm charm Yeeeeaa boiiiii!  :)

Kevin, Anne, Rob, and Trina!  I am a lucky guy, fact.  I am lucky to have a home away from home with Kevin and Anne who never turn me down when I say, "Is my bedroom open for a reservation?"  I spend a ridiculous amount of time at Kevin and Anne's mansion.  I also eat their ice cream, yet they always let me stay.  I have shared more races with Kevin than any other person and I thankful to have him.  He is like a  brother to me.  It's always nice to have Anne join us, we appreciate her.

Rob and Trina always treat me like a family member.  Trina makes the best pasta salad and always has it on order when I come to stay.  Rob is always good for some laughs and a good chat about Nascar.  I really enjoy my time with Kevin and his family, they are nice people.  Ellensburg 2011 and 2012 are very special races to me because I shared them with Rob, Trina, Anne, and Kevin.

*JM, Brodacious, and Kevin at 5:30am

Now you may think that my outfits were the most import thing of the whole summer.  Well, they weren't.  I was part of something much larger, and much more special.  One of the best days of MY whole life for so many reasons, and it wasn't even my wedding. :)

*Such a perfect day

*Speechless...

*Kev's dad, Rob, was nice enough to introduce me to Real American Muscle wrapped in grabber blue

Bill and Debbie!  It was great times when I stayed at Bill and Debbie's.  I am always treated like family (as I should be because I am...) at their house with a triathlon suite and plenty of salsa.  I always know I can count on Bill and Debbie and they have been there for me over the past couple of years when I needed them. They take great care of me and love me dearly.

*"Come to Kent and represent the family name."

*Bill is on the City Council so it was a dream come true to come and win his city's triathlon.  Represent!  

Rory, Deanna, and the Muller family!  I am really lucky that my favorite races are put on by Rory and Deanna of Budu Racing LLC.  Their races are great in terms of courses, quality, timing, and racer support.  They deserve a big thank you for their races, without them, where would I be?...Probably still in my parent's basement.  ha ha.  The first thing I do at the race is find the Muller Family and give them all a big hug.  They are such nice people and have always treated me exceptionally well.  It is always a pleasure to spend the day with Rory, Deanna, Shila, and Jenna.  Shila always treats me like a friend, and Jenna is my favorite Budu cheerleader. I can always count on the Budu crew for a great day, cheers, and some special memories.

*Brodacious, Jenna, Rory, Shila, and JM

*Ask Jenna who her favorite racer is...

*...She painted his name on her hands for Bonney Lake.  A big thank you to her for the cheers :)  

*Deanna is always a treat to see, big smiles!

*My buddy, Rory, his laughter and cutting-whit are much appreciated.  He's a good guy.

Ed and Patti!  I am so lucky to be Ed and Pat's adopted grandson.  I appreciate every second I spend with these two, they are great folks.  Ed is always standing by with his stopwatch taking splits for us, and Patti is quite the athlete and inspiration.  She is a record breaking machine.  It was my pleasure to spend some very special moments with Ed and Patti.  We always get a big laugh when I say (with a Russian dialect) "Me no like quitter." 

*Such nice people, always smiling.

*Patti broke records and I went through a buzz cut phase :)

*Patti made me a quilt because all of her grand kids get a quilt.

Ayla, Taylor and Brown!  It was great to race with some new friends this year.  These three friends are all lifeguards so they get an added bonus of having me annoy them while I swim laps.  We have all become pretty good friends this year, and we all share a love for triathlon and that ridiculous show, "Whale Wars."  Ayla had a great first year of triathlon and let me be a part of it and have a hand in guiding her preparations.  She rocked it and I am thankful to have played a small part in her successes.  Her and her family are great.  Taylor and Brown did well in their races and allowed me to ride with them a couple times.  It was really fun to share the races with them.

*Ayla after her first triathlon, she had a great first season.

*Brodacious, JM, Kevin, and Brown...sweet outfit boys!

*Taylor and Ayla

*I had so much fun with these two!

Ayling Family!  I didn't meet them until September, but we shared some great moments. Stuart has a big mouth that runs as fast as my legs do (or should I say "his legs do" because according to him, he's "a better runner").  Ziiiing.  I always felt welcomed and appreciated (unless I was within a minute of Stuart) by the Ayling Family.  I was very fortunate to spend the day of Bonney Lake as the 4th Ayling brother, have Renee as my photographer, and be treated to a great post race dinner at "The house that Stuart built."

*Stuart is saying, "I have a question. Will you come over to our house and eat all our food, drink our refreshments, and leave without paying a dime?"  I respond with, "I will, only because we are friends." 

*Army of Aylings

*4th Ayling brother

Jess attend one race with me this year.  It is always a great time when Jess comes over for some good laughs.  Her photographs, cheers, and laughter are always appreciated. 

*Jess and I at Moses Lake 

*Taylor, Jess, and Brodacious having some post tri chips and salsa.

Evan and his family stayed with me a couple times for some running and swimming races.  It is always nice to have my "brother from another mother," and the "mother of my brother from another mother" to spend time with.  Evan and his parents are special people to me.  They always support me and have opened my eyes to the beauty of restaurants and fine dining.  It is always a great time when we are together, they love me like family.

*Evan's dad, Eric, holding a true double-shot coffee.

*Brodacious, Evan, and Aubrey

Drew Magill!  I have said it plenty, Drew is one of my idols.  He has given me some good beat downs over the years and I have slowly been closing the gap on him.  If I can ever get to his level, it will be a dream come true.  Drew is one of the nicest racers on the circuit and it is always a pleasure to race head to head with Mr. Magill.

*Drew and Brian Houcke

*One of the greatest moments of the whole year was at Ellensburg.  I was so close to Drew the whole race and was running him down late in the run.  I tried to contain my excitement "That's Drew right there, keep pressing him."  He's my idol.

I had other quality memories with many other friends who are just as important.

*David and Richard Ling

*Getting a bike racing lesson from Tarje :)

*My friend, Will, magically appeared when I really needed a friend.  It was fun to share a couple races with him and his wife.

*Epic day

*Kurt and Matt 

*Yeeeaaahh Buddddy!

*I am a hugger...guilty

It wouldn't be fair to not mention my results so I (for the sake of humility will keep it short).  I won more than my fair share of races, set a couple records, and of the 13 triathlons I competed in, I finished on the winner's podium 11 times.  I also "finished the unfinished" at a few races and darn near beat my idol.  Not too shabby for a wimp like me.  Some of the very special moments and my accomplishments

*Yes, I matched my kit to my bike

*Doesn't get much better than this

*Winning in front of my parents was pretty special

*Finishing the unfinished in Seeley Lake, I have overcome that challenge.

Thank you so much to everyone who shared in the season with me.  The amount of joy and pleasure I have derived from your friendship and love is beyond words.  I am grateful to be a part of something this fun, this special, and this adventurous. This is what dreams are made of.

Thanks for reading, sharing, and believing.