Lastest event NASSER Duathlon

On 21JUN there was an event organized by the Bahrain ITU and the NASSER sports group. A 2.5k run, 10k bike, and 1.25 k run. Folks if you have never experienced the Bahrain summer with humidity, you are not living. This event kicked off at 10pm and had about 125 participants. Everyone had a good sweat on well before the start of the run, the warmup was brutal alone! None of my usual event mates showed up, however I was really surprised and excited when Tariq showed up out of the blue! That always gives me a boost seeing my training partners out there. Tariq's brother AbdulMoshen came along later but did not do the event, he made for a great motivator though. My friends and training partners from FIT Bahrain were there in full force. Ruth was getting everyone pumped up and ready to compete. Not my best run times but the air was so heavy it was hard to breath. Regardless I had a great time and enjoyed it.

BYOT@TRILIFE.......yowzaa

So the TriLife family has started a trainer session on Wednesday nights. A trainer was given to me some time ago and I never really thought about using it. However this was the time. Who can pass up a humid Bahrain night with the TriLife family? NOT THIS GUY! We have done three sessions and we are having an absolute blast. This coming wed is going to blow your socks off! New format and some more suffering!

The comeback kid....Anthony Manabat

A few months ago one of the Missing Links took a nasty spill on his road bike. This happens from time to time and you just hope it isnt to serious. In this case it was not good. Anthony Manabat was on one of our regular saturday morning TriLife group rides when tragedy struck. As Anthny tells it he took his eyes off the road for a second and KADOOSH! right into the burm and down he went. The group was quick to respond and Anthony was taken to the local hospital for treatment.

A few surgeries and pins later Anthony is back on the bike and lacingup his running shoes once again!

Anthony says that the time off was a dent in his training but makes him appriciate the trilife thatmuch more. He was able to achieve his level once and looks forward doing so again!

Antony is a member of several fitness groups to include Bahrain Traiathlon Club, Filipino International Triathletes, and the Missing Links. With fortitude and some great team support Anthony plans on beating his previous IronMan score by more then 30 mins! No Fear...No Strings

Thursday Evning Ramadan Run w/ the TriLife Family

Again the good folks at TriLife are brining back the thursday evening run. Usually I run alone and never really think about it. This fine thursday I decided to give it a go. As usual I was a bit early and the shop was abuzz with activity. This thursday was a CompressSport test zone day and you could check out a few of the test zone items. For me it was the wrist bands as I find them very convient on the run and they wipe away the sweat in the eyes well. Gareth sported the calf sleeves. Abdulmoshen and Tariq had there normal socks and head gear from CompressSport. Off we went!!!! Well it is no secret that I am a slow runner, well I call myself a patient runner. It was a nice 5km run. The boys passed me on the return route at about the 2.2k mark and I was left to myself for most of the run. It was quite nice though as you are in the date farms with little to no traffic. There is plenty of shade and a cool breeze to keep the 100+ sun at bay. Although not my fastest time I did enjoy it. Until next time folks....no fear and no strings. #GoTriLife

TriLife Family Turbo Training!!!

During the first week of Ramadan the folks at TriLife like to push the envelope! Gareth came up with a great idea to start a turbo trainer session once a week. Now I have had a turbo trainer for about and year and used it once. Folks these things are torture devices.

Getting set up for the PAIN!





















Gareth had a nice set plan for 60 minutes of pedaling. The tent was set up, a fan with cold water misting, and some killer jams! To kick off the inaugural trainer session five cyclist showed up. Tariq, Abdulmoshen, Brandon, Gareth, and myself.

Final prep for the big night!!!
























Now this was no easy task. There were several types of trainers out there from rollers to powered to simple ones. It is important to know that no matter which one you have, we all suffer the same. It was glorious. Many laughs and lots of sweat were shared during this epic event. I am looking to many more with the crew....the TriLife family.

Heat and Nutrition!

With the summer heat upon us and everyone training hard do this winter tri season, nutrition during the excessive heat is paramount. Today my ride started strong but was cut short because I didn't listen to my instincts and drop a GU (salted caramel) soon enough. Anyways a great ride withe the #GoTriLife crew in prep for the first #OceanicTri. 

Friday monrning fun!

This morning Brandon and myself had a great ride. It was a long stressful work at week and we both trained hard this week. Ramadan is coming up and we expect that this Saturdays group ride will be an EPIC sufferfest. Anyways here are a few shots from the short ride!

Other big news is Ab's is in Subic Bay getting ready to kick off the 5150 triathlon! We know that young man will finish at the front of the pack and perhaps even take the podium! Good luck Sock Hero!

Bahrain Olympic Day Fun!!!!

Well over the Memorial day weekend the Missing Links had some fun in the sun, literally enough to cause heat stroke.  None the less we braved the elements and made the best of it. A big "well done" to Matt Ahland for sticking in there! So there was a 25-27 km road race then a 5.3 km run. the bike race started at 1530 and was 100+ degrees, the hottest part of the day. then after a good baking the run started at around 1700, still hot! As usual it was all fun and games before the events!

All quiet before the show!











The paddock area was nice and cool. The floor was so clean you could......not eat off it but fine to rest on!

The bikes taking it easy before the ruckus.










After the race, which Matt and I ducked out early on for numerous reasons, Brandon and Gareth (placed 13th overall) took a nice long break. They were of course waiting on Matt and myself to finish the 5.3km race.

  


Yeah its a tough life at the BIC on Race Day!














The big issue I had with the Olympic day run was the fact they ran out of water on a 100+ degree day. It was tough and lead to some serious cramps for me. So my run was less then great and I was very angry.

A lot of people just walked it in....







After the run we got together and celebrated with cheers and smiles!!!!

Great job everyone! Until next time........ Keep moving forward, no fears, no strings......

Big News!!!

Ok everyone so thisis the big news. I have had about two dozen people tell me how I inspire them. Well I want to take that positive energy and pay it forward. I am working on setting up a Charity event using my IronMan taining and event. My concept is simple. For every mile I complete in the IronMan on Dec 10 2016 the sponsor will donate. The IronMan is 70.3 miles. I am working on the charities the money will go to and how best to set it up. Please note 100% of the donations go to the charities as I will pay for all my costs. Gareth Sayers is helping work on a video as my promotion. If anyone has experience with this type of thing please send me a message. Stay tuned for the offical roll out!!!! 

Biathle in Bahrain!

The Missing Links ended the season with a quick but very tough Biathle. Yeah I never heard of one either. It is a 1 mile run 200meter swim and then another 1 mile run. Brandon and myself was joined by FIT Bahrain and then a special suprises guests! Jeremy, Curtis, and Matt showed up!

We all watched as the kids race kicked off. Yikes those youngsters were fast. Then the older kids and 40+ had there sepaerate races. The 19-39 race was last in the series and by then we all had a good fear of the whole thing built up. Never the less we lined up and took off!

Before I knew it the first mile was down and i had set my personal record for the 1 km and 1 mile.

The the swim was ok with a 6 min 200 meter effort. I am consistant with a 3 min/100m time.













That is where the energy ran out. The second mile was terrible but I pulled through. Matt and I crossed the finish line together!

It was a good day! So many friends showed up and we had laughs and smiles for hours. 

This does it for the winter season here in Bahrain. The next event might be a 10k race in Dubai but the big one is the IronMan 70.3 right here in Bahrain!!!!

Big News Coming!!!

There is some big news coming out of the Missing Links camp......stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!

Oceanic Triathlon in Fujarah UAE

Well folks it was a great time to remember! Brandon and myself had a quick but fun trip. There was donkeys, camels and gale force winds!

Packed up and ready to go knock out a triathlon.

Mr. Eric Caes was kind enough to lend me his fabulous bike case for this event. WOW it was easy to use and kept everything absolutely secure and safe. Thanks Eric it was much appreciated. During the Spinneys my read hanger was bent on the way home.












Brandon and I left for the airport at about noon and got checked in quickly with no extra baggage fees! Unfortunate they confiscated Brandon's bike multi tool. They let me through with mine, who knows. Anyways we grabbed a quick bite then settled in to wait for our late flight.

We were about 1.5 hours late and that really cut into the travel time and traffic situation in Dubai. None the less we are endurance athletes we stuck it out. Picked up the van and some sketchy directions from a local cleaning guy. Off we went. If the UAE had a "Harlen County" we found it. With no data or formal directions we drove in the general direction that we remembered from the last map we saw. Almost got taken out by a random Donkey walking down the interstate. Yeah, it really happened. We finally showed up to the hotel at about 10:30pm. After checking in and putting the bikes together under car park lighting we made it to the room and ordered a little food at about midnight. Both of us had some serious sinus issue and didnt sleep well. The 4 hours seemed to go buy very quickly. Again we like the endurance so we got up and started to prepare. What is a swim cap?

HopaSports put on a good show and was there late to make sure we got our grab bag and settled in. Good folks right there.














It was a perfect weather when we went outside. Calm and the temp was great. We got set up in the transition area and walked around and talked to others. Everyone was super nice and even ran into some FIT UAE folks.

After glad handing and meeting everyone we had one last check of the station and time for a selfie!

After that they had us meet up and went through the race brief. Very detailed and very good. Again it was a well put together event. Smiles all over! The water looked ike a plane of glass, perfect....to perfect as it turns out!

We lined up and made ready the infamous swim cap.

The course we were on was only a 375 meter swim, it seemed like 450. Brandon swam closer to 500 as he went off course a bit.

After the swim the skies were dark and the wind was getting crazy.

We didnt pay any mind and got the bike kit on and got to the business of triathlon! right out of the transition and the bike mounting area there was a hill, and that was hard on the old heart rate.



From the bike through the run the wind was so bad they shortened the long course and the wind had blown away most of the stuff in the transition area.  Hats, glasses, clothes..you name it and it was scattered to the wind. All that mattered was you kept going. Had to get to that finish line!!!

34 mins! I was hoping for a faster time but my sinus infection kept me humbled. Brandon nailed the ride and run!

Very Happy!

Brandon nailed it!





Of course after we had to have a walk about, to check the wind damage.

Once we found our socks and compression gear it was time for some breakfast and stardom!!

After the breakfast we broke down the bikes and loaded up the van. What a great time! On the way home we drove through the desserts and spent a little time at The Cycle Hub and then the Dubai Mall. Until next time.....Keep moving forward! No Strings and No Fear!