Next Triathlon.....April 15

Well good news everyone! Thanks to a few sponsors and generous folks we will be going to the UAE and competeing in the Oceanic Triathlon Series! There are two courses on that day, the super sprint and the short course. My goal is to complete the Short Course. As of this post Brandon Gibson and Anthony Manabat will be joining me as the Missing Links will be rolling down there in force! You can find more info in the links section of my blog.

The start of a new year!

The new year and race season has begun. Cody and Anthony both have talked me into doing the full 70.3 solo. While I am not a runner nor a swimmer we will see how this goes. Last week was the BRR super sprint triathlon. I thought the bike and the run went well, the swim on the other hand will not be discussed at this point in time.

All of us are looking forward to the BRR duathlon coming up in the next 3 weeks, 5k Run 20 Bike 3k Run. I'm looking at this event as redemption for my horrible swim at the super sprint.

We've heard rumblings of some of the 'Wall Hangers' coming out of retirement and also participating in the Bahrain Ironman 70.3. Only time will tell if they can truly put their wall hanger past behind them.

Next event....Duathlon

Well the Missing Links are signed up for the next event a Duathlon host buy the Bahrain Road Runners. this will be a 5km run then a 20km bike and another 3 km run. For me this will be the most challenging yet. Of course the bike will be the easy part as long as the first 5km goes smooth. You can find out more about the Bahrain Road Runners @ http://ems.bahrainroadrunners.com/
 

Tuesday is Arabian Nights ride....

On Tuesday nights TriLife sponsors a group ride. This is one of my absolute favorite rides as you are out under the stars enjoying the cool air and great conversation. The mix of riders is fantastic as it ranges from novice to seasoned riders. The group usually takes good care of itself and sometimes ends up in two groups but still maintained. You feel like a champion when it is your turn at the front and then humbled when you rotate off the front. With the addition of the HHSN personal track there is a 10KM sprint that will make you happy you put in the miles. Then the climb up to Al Areen is enough to get a good sweat before taking off on the straight away back to the shop. Show up early and talk shop or joke around with the guys! Great times had by all! #GoTriLife

 

First Triathlon complete!!!

Well folks it happened. I did my first triathlon. Brandon Gibson and myself broke through the wall. The FIT group and Anthony was out there and nailed it as well. The swim went very good for me, yes i was a bit suprised I did as well as I did. Anyways lots of stuff went as planned but leanred more then I ever thought. Overall the fitness for my times was great, I need to work on those transistions though. Here are a few pics from the event! #GoTriLife

Leading the pack....

I realized last night that I lead the pack longer then anyone else. Now I was not in front as in the fastest, no I dropped from the pack and was riding alone behind everyone about 100-150 meters behind. Your first thought is that is not good. However I would say that it isnt so bad. when you are solo you are doing the pushing and pulling which creates a great work out. It is how must TT guys train. So in the end it will make be a stronger better rider. Me, myself, and I!

Purpose and Reason

Over the past few weeks I have had several folks ask me about the activities I have been posting. First I think it is important to go to the foundation. In 2015 I resolved to complete a 96km bike race called Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge and with the support of my wife and friends I did exactly that!

2015 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Anthony Manabat, Brandon Gibson, Eric Caes, Cody Ewing

 For 2016 my goal is to complete an IronMan 70.3 here in Bahrain. I think you are starting to understand the title to this post now. Going back to the beginning of my healthy activity will mean going back to Nov 2014. As my position in WV was coming to an end I was working very hard to return to Bahrain. There was a very strict rule in place, I had to fall below a 40 BMI (Body Mass Index). So in Nov 2014 I started going to Planet Fitness and watching my food intake. Not good enough for my time constraints. Jan 1 2015 I weighed in at 320lbs. Well above the 40BMI marker. Narlie and I drove to the store and bought a Juicer then went to Sams Club and bought a lot of fruit and veg. That day I started juicing, mainly the Mean Green juice. When I say started I mean the diet. My diet has been deemed controversial by many of my friends but my doctor said I was better for it. I had 3 juices, 1 GNC meal replacement drink, 2 glasses of Metamucil and 1 cup of stir fried veggies.   I also began doing one hour on the elliptical in the morning before work and one hour at night after the kids went to bed. 30 days of this diet will yield a loss of about 2 lbs a day. Now this is not for the person who kinda wants to lose weight. This requires FORTITUDE. I lost 60lbs in 6 weeks. I am healthier for my family and fit for the job.

Mean Green Juice

So here we are March 2016 and I have been working my tail off. I have now also began running. This is a huge learning curve for me. With the support of some great friends and my wife, we did a 10K race and then followed up with a 8K the next week. There is still a lot to learn when it comes to running technique and nutrition. It is getting better though.


Upcoming is a Super Sprint Triathlon. I am signed up but not sure I will compete as my swim is still not comfortable. Tariq at TriLife has given me some really good pointers and I might just go give it my all regardless.

Bahrain Road Runners Nando 10K

The benefit of all this activity is my overall health for my family. There are several ways to verbalize how this all comes together but I will keep it short. Without the support of my wife I would not have been able to come a fraction of the way. She is now joining me in the run and might even compete in the IronMan 70.3 as a team relay! I am very excited for her. To those folks who are looking for motivation, it all starts within you. Keep moving forward.

Purpose vs Reason is up for debate. Either way the adventure has started......