After the Kemah race, I have started to get a little concerned about my swimming. I feel that I am a good enough swimmer, and I have improved a lot since my last frustrations, but now I am concerned that my speed can get me into danger. Don’t get me wrong, I am Michael Phelps or anything but I am able to put together a 100 yard split in less than 2 minutes and for me that is fast. Believe it or not, that would get me out of the water faster than most in my age group, but that is if and only if I don’t run into a problem literally. My focus from now until Florida is sighting at least every third breath so make sure that I am staying on line and avoiding slower swimmers. It is harder than you think because every time you lift your head your feet fall and you sink. It will take practice, but hopefully I will get it before the ½ Ironman.
Thursday was also upsetting for me because I had one of the best runs of my life. I was going to head home and get in a 35 mile bike ride when Rachel called and told me that the battery was down on the Cherokee. Fortunately our nanny was able to get to Rachel before I did, so all I had to do was pick her up and head out to give it a jump. The battery was not only dead, but it was so dead that it would drain all the energy out of the alternator that it would not keep the engine running without keeping the RPMs high. I was able to limp it over to the auto parts and got a new battery, but I had to sacrifice my bike ride to do so.
Friday started to get a lot better. I was able to get in a good swim that included some sighting practice, before I met with the owner of Prosper Apparel. He is the great guy that was able to get my race suit ready for the Kemah Triathlon. He was telling me about his group on Facebook called Tri Houston. I was able to go check it out later and I love it. It is a great place where people can post their photos of their triathlon season, pick up training partners or join others on a planned rides and workouts, and where you can get tips from fellow triathletes all for free as long as you hit the like button.
Saturday morning my wife and I traveled to New Iberia, LA to attend her cousins wedding at Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Before I got dressed for the weeding,
I was able to get in what was the longest run without stopping I have ever ran, a 12.57 mile run. I had gone 20 miles before, but not all at the same time without stopping to cool off at a local tri store before finishing. 
This was a milestone and the best part of the run was the scenery. 
I really think I would have had faster min/mile times, but I kept getting distracted by the amazing Southern Louisiana scenery. I could not help snap pictures on my iPhone. 
The wedding was such a beautiful setting and a chance for all of Rachel’s family to get together for the first time since I can remember. I wish Jonathan and Ellie the best, and I pray for a happy and long marriage. I can’t wait to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. The reception was pretty fun and Shawn really enjoyed the live band. He was watching in awe until one of the lead singers picked him up and started singing with him in her arms. He was star struck for sure. Because of the run, I knew that I was in need of a good night’s sleep before my long bike ride on Sunday, so Shawn and I went back to the hotel early to get some shuteye.
I woke up the next morning and geared up for a 55 mile bike ride. I was a little concerned in the middle of the week that I did not know the area very well, so I reached out to the local triathlon community in New Iberia. Paul emailed me back and said that he and his friend Suzanne would be more than happy to ride with me on Sunday morning. I was running a little behind to meet them and ended up leaving my credit card at the hotel, so I did not have any way of getting any water or anything for my ride. I was a little upset about that because all I had was my Advocare Rehydrate in one of my bottles, and I knew that it was going to be humid. A generous man overheard that I did not have any money on me and came up and gave me a 10 dollar bill. He told me to get some water since I would need it. I was so appreciative and shocked when I asked his name. He responded, "My name is Mr. Mercy". I am pretty sure that he was an angel from heaven. Mr. Mercy, I pray that you will be blessed beyond measure for your generosity. Thanks again, that water saved my life!
We took off for our ride, and I was amazed by the scenery again, but this time I did not break out the iPhone, but had my GoPro camera on my helmet. So I was able to get some great footage including an interview with Suzanne who will be attempting her first triathlon, the New Orleans Ironman 70.3 next week and then eventually the Ironman Florida in November. I wish her the best of luck and will be following her all the way. I also found out Paul was preparing for the Tour du Rouge. I pretty much thought he was as crazy as his beard when he told me that, but I am pretty sure that he feels that way about me and my quest for Ironman. Either way, I wish him all the best on his 7 day run from Houston to New Orleans.
Paul and Suzanne were such great hosts to a traveling triathlete, and although my 55 mile bike ride actually was closer to 65 miles and the wind and humidity was unbelievable, I had the greatest time with my new friends. Look for video footage coming soon of the ride and interview.
By the time I got back to the hotel, I was pretty exhausted and was starting to doubt that I would ever be ready for the even the ½ Ironman in Florida. When I walked into the lobby I only had about 15 minutes to take a shower, pack up, and check out of the hotel. I knew I was not going to make it, so I decided to call down and see if, by some miracle, the on-duty manager would let us get a later check out time. I was blessed to talk to Becky whom had seen me leave early that morning and showed some Southern hospitality by extending the courtesy of checking out later than normal. I was also able to get to know her as we were walking out and confirmed why she was such a great person. She gave us a wave and a smile as we left that kept our day bright all the way home. FYI, if you are in the New Iberia, LA and looking for a place to stay, look no further than the La Quinta Inn and Suites off of US 90. Tell Becky I said, “Hi”!
I did not realize when I started this journey that I was going to meet so many great people along the way. It really excites me that I will meet so many more. I am sure each of them will give me a lot of reasons to talk about them…
