Blazing the Way....

3 days to Eagleman 1/2 IronMan... in my old back yard... sort of. Growing up in Easton/St. Michaels/ Oxford .. Cambridge was always "there," passing it by on the way to Ocean City, sometimes SAT's in Salisbury, and more than not for the World Championship Tennis Matches held in Salisbury, in the "ole" days it was Jimmy Connors, Natazie, Bjorn Bjorg, they all played there. Pretty cool.

Now,... today...you don't "pass by... " Cambridge. It "IS" the destination, the destination for the EagleMan 1/2 IronMan.

Prior to graduating high school, a man named Fletcher Hanks from Oxford MD, an avid athlete, decided to "blaze a trail" and he started, organized, promoted, and executed the FIRST official Triathlon in the United States outside of Kona Hawaii, and it was held in Oxford MD.

The swim was from Oxford to Bellevue across the Tred Avon, the bike was from Bellevue to Tilghman back to Oxford, and the run in and out of Oxford.

One of my best friends growing up at the age of 15, Carl Treat, completed this race. This race has moved from the little town of Oxford, to Cambridge, and it is now called the EAGLEMAN 1/2 IronMan.

Little did I know then how much the world of multi-sport would mean to me today. 3 days from now I will be racing against the best in the world, that include Terenzo Bozzone from New Zealand, Michelli Jones from California, Richie Cunningham from Texas, Desiree Ficker from Texas... ,

It is absolutely incredible that this race has over 30 Professional IRONMAN Triathletes and Champions participating.... incredible...

I tip my hat, and take a bow to Fletcher Hanks, I hope to see Carl Treat back on the course some day, as I have seen one of my other good friends, David Judd, who has "WON" EagleMan in the last two years...., and thank them both for helping Fletcher Hanks blaze the trail... Thanks Dave, Thanks Carl...

Blazing the way...

"Just Air It"

Well...oh well.. it has just been two weeks after Florida IM 70.3, and immediately following we had "Columbia" the meanest ride in the US for an Olympic... I believe any and all will agree..... no complaints, love this one...

After Columbia  I had to finally take a few days off rest/contemplation. Not by choice...

So here it is .. good stuff!! And I don't mean Snapple...

Back end of the leg of the Columbia run, high or actually I "low fived" a fellow ATC'er, Annapolis Triathlon Club member... and then I grabbed a chomp from my rear pocket and popped it in... well ... at the finish... my low fiver, friend, fellow ATC'er was there explaining the "ick" he had had respiratory, cold, etc. etc. etc. , ... I am thinking.. sh...T... now me..... and yes.... now me... 3 days later... whoooshhhh... .. yep got it, had it... now getting rid of the "ick".....

Point of thought ... as much as you might want to "High five" or
"Low five" a "BUD"
Just "Air it It" , no sickness, no worries, no hacking up ugodly stuff for 2 weeks.. now 3.......

So for TRIATHLETES and ALL athletes... word of the day.. month..year.. century, or millenium is ........ "JUST AIR IT..." ..... :)