Friday, May 18, 2012

It's GO! Time!

T-Minus 0 Day's! GO! Time!
To the Start of






            This has been one heck of journey! I have so many people to thank for helping me get ready for this event over the past 9 months! I have to start with the Team GO! sponsor's for 2012. They are the best! Thanks to Smither's Customs, if you have a Carbon Fiber bike that has a crack or if you are looking for a new bike paint job, go visit www.smitherscustoms.com or friend them on Facebook. Steve converted my cracked SL3 into a racing machine again. The paint job is sick and it is a head turner eveywhere I ride it! On the trip down, we had several people standing around the back of the car just staring at the bike. It is really a piece of artwork! I love riding that bike and cannot wait to complete my 1st Ironman Race on that sweet baby!

          I have worked with SPIN! pizza for going on 5 years now! That is right, we are starting our 5th SPIN! Pizza Ride season on June 2nd and I cannot wait to roll with everyone all Summer long. You can see the ride schedule by joining The SPIN! Rides Facebook Page . All the information that you need to know is located on this page or you can click on www.spinpizza.com and view the cycling page on the website. Thank you to SPIN! for all they do for cycling in the communties that they serve. It is an honor to work with you every year! Team GO! Racing will have a blast ride guiding the 2012 rides!

        I want to thank Bikesource of KC for the support this year. I am lucky to have had them on my side during my training and even more fortunate to have been sent to BG FIT school back in November. The knowledge I have gained for proper FIT and how to set a bike up to maximize the rider and bikes potential is priceless. Craig and Travis were great getting my bike ready for this race and have always been there for me while racing on Ethos in 2011 and now as a Sponsor for the Team GO! Racing team. Please visit them if you are ever in KC, Colorado, Ohio, or North Carolina! Thanks to Specialized Bikes, who provides us with a Grassroots Team program that is incredible. It is an honor to ride the brand and represent them on the road, mountain bike, and cyclocross!

        Next is Power Team Coaching! Michael Ruder is a friend first and has been my mentor for the swim training. If you need to fine too any portion of your training or you are looking for a Multi-sport, cycling or just need some Personal training, you will not be disappointed with what Michael can do for you. It was and has been an honor to work with him and when all goes as planned tomorrow I will be the first Ironman that he has coached! A big GO! and thank you to Michael, he will be a ride leader during the SPIN! rides in 2012. Say hi! to him, he is a wealth of knowledge.

The 3 Crazies!!
       Tomorrow the above will be representing my family. My sisters' Brother in laws, from Left Brian Sharp, Scott Sharp, and me! This all started one year ago, it has been a great journey. I cannot be happier knowing that we will all 3 be on the course at the same time tomorrow. Most likely within minutes of each other all day long. This is not a race against each other! This is our way to "Endure to Survive!" That has been our Moto this last year. We have all 3 been through many different challenges in order to get to this day. But, we have made it and you can be dang sure that we are going to do everything within ourselves to make it to the finish line and become an Ironman!

    I last want to thank my family! My enduring wife who has seen the up's and down's of the training and time away from her and the kiddo's. I am blessed to have her strong will and guidance during all of our endeavors. I am most looking forward to finishing this race and then really looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. They deserve it so much for all they have sacrificed for me over the past 9 months preparing for this event. My parent's have also been with us the entire step of the way. I always say that I could write a book about all the incredible things they have and do for our family. Maybe someday I will? Just so our kids will know and understand what great people they have been in so many peoples lives. I love them very much and will look forward to seeing them on course and at the finish line!
   
   I wanted to end with a few photo's of the last days events and a short video for you all! Thanks to everyone who has liked my runs on facebook to cheer me on, who have posted such kind words and inspiration during all of my training. I look forward to sharing this experience and I hope that in some way it has inspired you to get out and GO!!!


See you all at the Finish Line!


Philippians 4:14 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Texas Bound!! GO!



ONLY 4 Days!


                    We are packing our bags and will be leaving for Texas soon! Thank you to all who have been following the training and progress for this event. I will post pictures from the race venue and give some final thoughts on this event. Many have asked me how do you follow the race? Just click on Ironman Texas . Once you are on the website, click on Results and then click on Athlete Tracker. Type in my Bib #1704. This will allow you to track my progress on Saturday May 19th. The race begins at 7 a.m. There is also an Ironman Live web cam that is available at the Transition areas. If you know where I am on the course, you might get a glimpse of me coming out of the water or off the bike. I am not sure if it is a live camera at the finish line? I will still check on that information and provide a link in a later post if I find it?


                    I will post once we arrive in Texas, until then, here is a video to keep you occupied. Many people will be racing this weekend for a rare and difficult qualifying spot for the World Championship. This Ironman thing means something different to everyone who toes the line. But make no mistake about it, it is all about getting to that Finishline! See you in Texas!



GO!







                  

Monday, May 14, 2012