Two Weeks...Two Races!

Capital Triathlon
The past two weeks I raced two races. Having never raced back to back weekends I had no idea how my body would handle it. My coach and I were careful with the training the week between and have been keeping it really light since for a real hard week in the future. Onto the races...the first race was an Olympic distance race here in Boise, Id. The inagural Quest for the Capital Triathlon. Being an inagural event I was skeptical of how it would pan out. I am friends with the race directors, so put my confidence in them for a great venue. The swim was held in Quinn's Pond and as us locals know in August the water temp here is warm, which means no wetsuit. I was excited to see just what and where my swim fitness was. At the gun I wanted to take out an honest pace in order to gain some valuable time on Adam Wirth. To the first turn I was sitting on the feet of an unfamilar face, at the turn I noticed we had a gap already on the rest of the field. Bingo! I did all I could to stay on those feet the remainder of the swim however she gapped me by about 20seconds. I led out of transiton and enjoyed the company of the lead motorcycle for the first few miles until Adam passed me, I tried for as long as possible to keep him in sight. By the time we got to the hills Adam put some distance on me, my goal was to just ride as hard as I could and keep the gap minimal. After the first three of us were led astray for about 10minutes we were brought back to the intended route. I was frustrated but case in point is to know the course!! Leaving transtion I was a minute down on Adam. I could see him up the road and ran like a madman catching him. I caught Adam and was in the lead by mile 1 thanks to my T6's . I crossed the line being the first winner of Quest for the Capital Triathlon!! A great event overall and enjoyed getting out there with everyone racing.


Stumptown Half-Iron Triathlon

Another inagural race. This race was set up a lot like the Rev3 race in Portland earlier in the year so I thought it would be good to see how I compare against the big dogs. The trip was quick but enjoyable plust the bonus of getting to see an old friend who I have not seen in some time. Race morning came without a hitch and being extremely rested I was more than excited to get out and throw down a fast race. At the swim start there was the normal meet and great and size up who was racing. The elite wave only had a couple people in it so the announcer asked some more of us if we would like to start in the elite wave...uh of course. I noticed Jeff Smith at the start and figured him to be one of the fastest swimmers, therefore I had the goal of staying on his feet. However, I soon realized I was not going to stay there long. For some reason I did not have the swimming arms I had only a week ago. Still not sure why I had a sub-par swim but will not dwell on it and work on the open water swimming. Onto the bike I got a split from super fan Chris Bagg..3min 50secs down....ouch. I said to myself "bike like there is no run!" I also remembered Rick Floyd saying "I can bike way better then what my races have shown and that I should bike fast so that I don't have to rely on a fast run". Well I made no hesitation in putting the hammer down and really lit it up afterburners. I was in sixth place and my goal was to be in first when we hopped off the bike. After the first lap of three I had only made up about 30seconds riding in fourth position. Lap 2 I got another split and could see 3rd place not to far up the road. I put my head down and hammered for 5minutes. I closed the gap and rode to the turn around with him, seeing second place at the turn around made me hungry and I put in a attack to bridge up to him. I made it in second place by the beginning of lap 3 and was 2minutes down on first place. I tried to make up as much time as possible, but on made up about 10secs by the time I started the run. Onto the run I started out running well and making up some time on first place. I knew third place was right behind me and I waited for him to catch me so we could run together and use eachother to catch up to first. We were running together really well and then I hit a bonk like no other. I started to fade and I think he (Chris Ramsey) could smell blood and he put in a surge I could not match. Bugger! I kept battling as much as I could but really faded the last couple miles. It was a well fought podium and finishing in third with the fastest bike split and second fastest run was encouraging that I am well on my way to making a jump to the next level.

Reflecting on the battle

Emmett's Most Excellent Triathlon

Nearly two weeks since my last race so I figured it better be time for a post race report. The day came in went in a blur. This is a local race so all the boys would be out to show their fitness. So I put my game face on and really wanted to give it a go. Ariving to the race site with close to 30mins till race time is one way to make sure you don't stand around loafing. By the time my bike was racked, gear checked, wetsuit on, I ran down to the start for my warm up and before I knew it the gun was going off! My goal was to swim in the front group so I was bound and determined at the start to stick to the feet of the good swimmers around me. We were all pretty bunched up to the turn leaving me optimistic that we would hold the same till the finish. Sure enough the front group of us exited the water all within striking distance. Out of transition and onto the bike. Taking in the scenery of the farms around Emmett. It was not long before my body began reminding me that this is an olympic distance race so really put the hammer down. It has been awhile since the last time I raced this distance and was quickly reminded of how hard one needs to go to stay with the front guys. Coming into t2 I was hoping I remembered my running legs because the cycling legs took a holiday. Quickly donning my T6's and steaming out of transition I starting turning the legs over in hope to contend for the run prime. After about 5k I realized I had only the one gear today and just tried to keep it there. Rick caught me and we ran together for a few k and he opened a gap of about 10secs which he held till the finish...bugger!

All in all a solid day of racing where much was learned! One thing I am realizing in this journey is that it takes time to get good...patience is the key to success.

Thanks for checking in I will leave off with a quote from one of the greats...“It takes a long time to get good” – Scott Molina

Journey up to Idaho City

Being a mountain man at heart there are times when I feel a calling to head up into the hills and breath the fresh mountain air. Yesterday was one of those days. So being how I had a long ride on the agenda, I decided to point the steed uphill to Idaho City

Antiques anyone?

Smoothest roads in Idaho

Your shadow is always with you!

A lovely pool of water along Moores Creek

Thanks for checking in and until next time......

Mom's In Town

This past weekend my mom came to Boise for a quick visit. Which worked out pretty good since my training was a bit lighter than normal. It is always nice to have people we love come and visit even if it is only a couple of days. On one of the days we went to the Old Idaho Penetary and tried to find out if it was truly haunted, all I can conclude was that it would be unbearably hot staying in a cell during summer. Not to mention you would have to really like your bunk mate because things would be real tight in such quarters! Later that same day we strolled down to the river and just enjoyed a lazy summer afternoon in the shade with the river running past.

Here we are hanging with "Honest ABE" who has a lot to do with Idaho by the way.
A great time mom thanks!

Pacific Crest

Pacific Crest is an amazingly beautiful race located in Sun River, Oregon. For a backdrop we have the Cascade Mountain Range, in particular we become like an ant on a hill when we are climbing up Mt. Bachelor on the bike. Second big race of the year for me and I was ready to wrestle with the demons that have haunted me since my last run in a race at Boise 70.3.

Race morning came and knowing that coach wanted me to turn the mind off and just race I tried my best to do such. This race had an elite wave which elite amatuers could join being how the prize purse was only 5 G's, therefore could not be a true professional wave. So I had the opportunity to race in my first "Elite" wave! Exciting!! Kevin Everett and Luke McKenzie decided they would stamp there status of being "Pro" in the swim and took off like missiles. I did my best to hang but was soon in no mans land off their feet, due time I will be there. Sighting on snow capped mountains how could one not be loving this swim? Out of the water and was eager to start the ride with my Blue Triad.

The bike course is amazing. Alpine lakes, rivers, snow covered peaks, smell of pine, and cool crisp mountain air. Climbing up towards the pass at Mt. Bachelor the snow is still piled 10 feet on the sides of the road. Creating the feeling of riding through a refrigerator. After two hours my body started warming up, I finally came around and began racing.


Back into T2 my legs began to come around and feel good, I hopped off the bike and thought to myself "man I am glad my running legs showed up today". Donning my T6's, I started the run in 6th place. I had one more spot to go before I got into the money, so I put my game face on and started to track down the contenders. Mile 2 and my first victim was caught and passed. The next 8 miles were lonely, there was no body to be seen, except the aid stations volunteers every mile or so who were great by the way, (water on the left, electrolytes on the right). At about mile 10 I saw some friends who said 4th place was only about a minute up the road. Shortly afterward I caught of glimpse of him, and by mile 11 he was caught and passed!! With two miles to go I put out my best effort and soaked in the high fives and cheers coming down the finishing chute.

4th place and I am happy to have ended the day on a high note. I ran like I can off the bike and believe the near future will show another step in the right direction towards obtaining my pro liscense.

Thanks to Tim, Mariah, and Abby for providing a place, and a fun filled trip. Boise was out in full force for the racing and cheering. Kevin ended up winning, and Trish Diem took 2nd overall for the women. Felt like a local race, even people I did not even know were cheering for me which was pretty cool, but kind of unusual since they knew my name and I had no idea who they were?

Thanks for checking in, Neil

Stepping Stone Boise 70.3 Race Report

Hoping my running legs come around!

The first big race of the year took place on June 11th. Boise 70.3 is a home race for me so anxious nerves and energy overwhelmed me the days leading into the race. First and foremost want to send a shout out to God for giving the ability to compete in endurance events, my family, friends, and coach Rebecca Preston with TeamTBB.

Doing my warm up I felt good on the bike and run. I was ready to see how the past 10 weeks training would pay off.


Swim- I felt ok, missed the first little pack in my wave so I was stuck swimming by myself the whole swim which next time I will really try to get on that first pack. The longer I got into the swim the better I felt, which may be do to the cold water. It was 52 degrees!!

Bike- Felt great the whole ride. Right from the get go my legs were ready to put on the gas! I had no idea how fast I was riding it is all off feel just like training no speed or watts. I built into the effort and really felt my strength kick in the second half.

Run- I started off just cruising, in my mind I tried to picture build set I do in training. Hit two miles at just under 6min pace which I felt pretty comfortable, really thought I could build into the run from there then I pulled up with a bit of a stich/cramp in my stomach. I had to walk/jog for a bit, finally coming good with the aid of some coke. I think it was a nutrition thing which I know that through racing more and getting use to how much fluids/calories to take in during the day we can get it figured out.

Overall I am happy with the race. Consistent with 5th best swim, 3rd best bike, and 4th best run, which I know I can run much faster! This is a stepping stone in the direction I want to go, but there is still a lot of work to go. With 2 and 1/2 months of training with Team TBB the results are huge, I am looking forward to putting in the work for the next year and then we can really see the benefits of the program!

Until next time, Cheers!!

Happy Mothers Day

Growing up my brothers and I would anticipate mothers day. Sounds funny I know but we would always go to the local nursery and buy my mom flowers. Not the kind you put on the table in a fancy vase, but flowers that my mom could plant in her garden. Tenderly placing each plant in a desired location to grow. Looking back now I see how much my mom appreciated that small act. Seeing my mom's delight in the small things, reminds me that she is the greatest mom one could ever ask for and although I did not go to the nursery for some perennials I know that my mom will be working in her garden, hopefully reminicing on the past. Here's to you mother, happy Mothers Day!!