Northwest Swim Championships

This event means a lot to me, but not for the reasons you might think.  The week before this championship meet I was swimming personal bests, check that, crushing my personal bests in all my events.  I was confident and ready to get the best out of myself at this big meet.  

*Evan and I on day one

Much like life, sports have a way of shaking you up.  I got sick right before the meet...that's life, that's sports.  This trip was special to me not for the success, the best performance I could muster was a second place.  Quite frankly though, the awards don't ultimately matter.  The fact that the best award I won was red as opposed to blue doesn't matter. What matters is that I was able to spend two days with two people who are like brothers to me, in addition to spending time with dozens of other friends and competitors.

*Ev and Kev with me on day two

It's important to remember that there will always be more swim meets, there won't always be more chances to make memories with people you love and cherish.  To have Kevin and Evan with me for the two days more than made up for me being sick and under performing.  

*Jodi and her mom sent me a pic of their decorated chalkboard, it was a priceless gesture. :)

*This is serious place, the Olympic Trials were held here

It was so great to travel with Evan, we had a so many laughs that my stuffed up head hurt from all the laughter. Evan's mom was so generous in sending us off with plenty of treats and home cooking.  Little things mean the most, those little things like sharing time with Evan and his mom taking the time to take care of us, means the world to us. A big thank you Evan and his family.

*The darker pool, the dive tank, was the warmest so that's why more people are in it warming up and cooling down.

Before I say this, let me say I cleared this with Kevin:  Evan and I were competitors and Kevin was a spectator.  I am still working on him and convincing him to take part in the meets.  The funny joke is the fact that Kevin did everything but compete.  We got to talking and I said, "Kevin, you're here, you have your stuff, go get into the pool and see what it's like."  He swam his laps in the warmup pool with Evan and I.  Most people won't see the humor in this because it was a candid moment between us three, but we had a good laugh about it.

*All the countries at the 2012 Olympic Trials

*Long underground corridor...the swimmer's walk out.

Another special moment was during Evan's 1500m freestyle.  Kevin and I counted his laps so we had a long time to chat about sports and life.  Kevin is an insightful guy who is down to earth.  It's always nice to converse about things with him.  Again, probably another candid moment that most won't understand.  A big thank you to Kevin and Anne for putting us up in the swimmer's suite.

*Everyone's favorite is in Lane #5  :)

*The best I could do was a 2nd place in the 100 individual medley

*Evan won his age division in both the 800 and 1500 free--we both wore red caps so the pics get confusing

Evan did great in his events.  He won his age division in both the 800 and 1500 meter freestyle (and I counted every single lap).  I was able to beat him in the 400 freestyle but he quickly repaid the favor and out-touched me in the 100 backstroke.  He did great and had a very fun time. Together, him and I left with 11 awards of various colors, not a bad day at all.  We left with a memory full of fun times and belly full of treats, that's true success.

*Working the 400 individual medley, my toughest race, I finished 3rd.

*Happy to be part of the adventures, even if they weren't my fastest times.

*Epic picture taken by Evan on the way home

*Driving into the sunset

Thanks for reading, thanks for supporting, and thanks for sharing.

Whitworth Swim Meet

The Whitworth swim meet was a fantastic adventure.  My family and friends were all a special part of the adventure. It was great to have my parents there to watch and cheer me on, and have my friends there to share the competition and laughter with. I can always pick out my mom's cheers, she thinks I am the coolest cat in the whole world. Jodi couldn't make it to the meet, but she was checking in on me after each of my events and telling me she was thinking about me. These are special moments, of which I am so thankful for :)

*The swim crew!

*Skip to the end, the Mexican Fiesta...of champions!

The competition we shared was great, we all did fantastic in our events.  Ayla completed here first swim meet doing superbly.  Jess swam back to back to back events and handled it perfectly.  Brown swam some tough events including the 200 breast and powered the last leg of our relay.  My Montana friend, Donn, did a great job despite celebrating a little too much when he was left out of the 500 freestyle :)  Evan had a strong showing in all his events.  I did okay for myself, swimming personal bests in 4 of 5 events, not bad for a chump.

*It was great to have Jess and Evan stay with me.

*Not too bad. :)

Some of the best events were our relays, our team placed 3rd in one and 1st in another.  The relay that we won was really close and came down to a last second pass with Brown out touching 2nd place by half a hand.  It was fun to watch.

*Evan launches during the relay

*Ayla swimming in her first swim meet and relay, you go girl.

*Our team cheering on Brown during the final relay leg.

*Me telling Brown, "Dude, you did it!  You out-touched him!"

*This is the face of a winner!  Who said I only post flattering pics?

*Getting up early to cheer isn't easy either!

As I previously said, we all did great in our combined 20 plus events.

*Jess in action

*Brown hurting it in the 200 breast. Brutal.

*Evan checking his time after the 1000 free

*Brodacious all wound up for the backstroke...

*3...2...1...launch

*Evan and Jess sharing a moment

*Have you ever seen three cooler dudes?

*I am hamming it up and making Evan laugh

*Counting the laps for Evan during the 1000 free

*One of the most priceless moments of the day was when Jane asked me, "Young man, can you help me find my results?"  That moment melted my heart, candid and priceless.

The day was one of great memories and fun.  I am so lucky to have shared those memories with my family and swim friends.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Swim Meet Preview 1 and 2

There has been a lot of swimming adventures in the past few days!  I need to put it all in words and do that thing I do.  I hope I can do my friends and family proud :)  

*Swim Meet Preview 1

*Swim Meet Preview 2

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.