As the year comes to an end, I find it a great opportunity to slow down and relive the many fun and intense moments I’ve had racing triathlons and other events. I thank God for giving me the freedom and ability to experience the many emotions, rewards, and interactions that come with racing. Although the year is over, the many new memories and friendships transition with me into the new season I hope God has also blessed you with many good memories to reflect on, and that some of your own great moments of 1995 will surface as you read this account.

This report is like a walk through my year of learning, training, and racing. More importantly than just statistics, are the results obtained from these three activities. While learning, training, and racing throughout the year, I’ve gained new appreciation’s, I’ve molded new outlooks, and I’ve achieved new records.

APPRECIATIONS

I appreciate how fortunate I am to be able to run, to travel to races, and to meet new people. It used to seem like torture charging up hilly trails or pushing the pedals into a never-ending headwind. But now I thank God that I have the chance to push myself. This appreciation comes from seeing how suddenly it can be taken away. In June I met Jim McLauren, top triathlete turned quadriplegic after being hit by a van during a triathlon. I cheered on John Mclaen, paralyzed from the waist down in a bike accident, as he became the first wheelchair triathlete to finish the Ironman. And I saw how quickly my own ability could be lost when I suffered knee injuries and a broken arm during the season. When I train and it hurts, I try to appreciate the experience knowing that many others would trade places with me without hesitation.

This appreciation also leads to a new outlook about Triathlon training and racing: it is meaningless if it does not, in some way, serve God. I'm thankful for the opportunity to race and travel. I remind myself that it is not most important because, unlike God's grace, it can be entirely lost or become unsatisfying. Therefore, I've started including God in my races. During a long stretch, glued to the aerobars, and hammering big gears, I'll say "thanks". In the final run miles, blind with determination to beat my competitor, I'll relax a moment and look at the "big picture". And, after crossing the finish line, despite the outcome, say a prayer and give credit to Him.

NEW RECORDS

I am extremely happy to have reached my goals for this season which meant many new personal records. First, I broke 37 minutes for the 10K and broke 3 hours for the marathon. Secondly, I finally completed 112 miles on the bike which means, at the least, I know I can complete each leg of the Ironman. My most important goal for the year was to finish in the top 10 at an Ironman Qualifier. This would be a milestone for next year when I would have to place in the top 2 to qualify. I met this goal at the Mike and Rob’s Most Excellent Triathlon qualifier with a finish of 9^th place.

Moved to Sunnyvale

This year I moved in with some great roommates in Sunnyvale. They provided a motivating and supportive environment.

Facts and Stories

following is a listing of this season’s races, events, and training facts. Also included is my schedule and goals for 1996.  Make sure to see the "Thank You" list on the last page!

The 1995 season started off with good bike training and fast running. By April, I had already finished two 112mi rides and four 10k races, on my way to breaking 37 minutes. However, on a long ride, 3 weeks before Wildflower, I injured my knees. Oddly, it was the same time last year that I injured a knee skiing forcing me to miss Wildflower. Miraculously, I had a great race at Wildflower despite not being able to ride over 10mi the week before!

The summer months brought some great races with improving results. A lot of friendly competition made races like Mission Viejo, San Jose, and Half Vineman very exciting and memorable. My Ironman Qualifier finishes had moved up from 40^th to 14^th.

August and September brought the end of the season and some incredible finishes and celebrating. My first big win came at the SBCT Southwest Regional Long Course Championships. I actually broke down and celebrated with a couple brewskis. After winning my age group again at the Pacific Grove Triathlon and feeling I was at the peak of my training, I went into the Portfest Triathlon ready to pull out all the stops. Instead, I ended up crashing, breaking my elbow, and ending the season early.

Breaking my arm just added another unexpected turn of events to an already surprising adventure of a season. I felt more than content to call it quits and wait for the arm to heal.

Triathlon season turned to marathon season and the surprises continued. My arm healed and I quickly ramped up my running mileage. I finished the year off with a marathon finish better than I expected.

I feel that this year moved me into position for the possibility of qualifying in 1996. When I look back, I remember the exciting finishes and the thanks I gave to God. However, I don’t forget the injuries and the crashes. In some ways, I’m sure these experiences will make next year safer.

AT THE RACES

*The Points System was developed by Clint Gaver. Points represent total strain on the body and are helpful when determining weekly training loads and tapering periods. Points are determined by type, intensity, and duration of workout (5 pts is about 1 hour of training)

The hardest workouts I remember from 1995 are:

1) Running Kennedy Trail with Clint and Ken. The hill just wouldn’t end! Only Clint knew how long it was which left Ken and I charging disappointedly towards each false summit. We kept passing mountain bikers, some riding, some pushing. After 4.5 miles and totally fried legs we finally crested this painful hill high above Los Gatos

2) The 113 mile Mt. Hamilton/Livermore ride with Clint, Shawn, and Doug. Again, I had no idea how far it was to the summit. Clint and I raced for the King of the Hill honor which, like usual, went to him. At Livermore we refueled on everything that looked good on the grocery store shelves. The final torture was the Calaveras hills.

*Qualifiers

I owe thanks to the following people for my successful season:

My Mom for her nutritional expertise. She knew what the sport-food companies are now realizing; that fat is a necessary part of the diet.

My Dad for the very enjoyable rounds of golf that gave me a necessary escape from the one-track training focus. I suppose the humbling effect of golf is beneficial, too; bragging is short-lived on the golf course.

Janet for her continuous encouragement and belief in me. Janet made a Good Luck origami crane for every race I did. Even after moving to a different company, the cranes continued to mysteriously show up!

My sister, Tracy, for cheering me on during races or over the phone if she couldn’t be there.

My roommate, Eric, who showed up unexpectantly on the Pacific Grove race course and gave me extra encouragement to successfully catch the leader.

My roommate, Don, for the cycling tips and rides together

My training/adventure buddy, Pat, for his crazy ideas and unwillingness to give up

My friend and racing nemesis, Clint, pushing me to new heights and dragging me through endless bike journeys

My "Wildflower Five" training friends, Clint, JD, Shawn, Doug for the many intense and hilarious Ironman training workouts.

My friend, and nonstop running machine, Dick, for the countless hours spent running the Guadalupe Levy, sometimes talking, sometimes running too hard to talk.

My good friends, and better part of the "Triple T Training Team", Todd and Trudi, who were always up for ANYTHING and the challenge to see how many workouts we could squeeze into one day.

Jeff Newkirk, owner of the Runner’s Factory in Los Gatos, for the fast wetsuit, fast shoes, and maintaining the Runner’s Factory Team picture board.

To all my friends near and far who constantly encouraged me, inquired about my progress, and kept telling me "you can do it" I hope all of you can be there in Hawaii, Oct 1996, to see me when I am "doing it"

You can be sure that, while I’m swimming, biking, and running, I often take time to think about each of you because you mean so much! I hope I can return some of the great support that you have given me.

Hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,