Over the past fourteen years I have had the honor of training and competing in fifteen Ironman races as well as several dozen half Ironman distance races or 70.3 races (an Ironman race travels 140.6 miles so half is 70.3) and another dozen or so Olympic distance races. During this time I have learned many life altering lessons that have helped me as a husband, father and friend.

So, take a look around. Even if you have no intention of getting off the couch there still might be something here that can inspire you, motivate you and hopefully help you across the finish line of this

As with all race reports I write, if you just want race report details scroll down to RACE DAY:

Joy and I left San Jose International just after 8pm. The
goal was to sleep a little arrive in London and withstand the long layover that
would put us in Nice at around 9pm. Luckily we had lounge access while at
Heathrow, which made the layover comfortable. We had upgraded to Premium
Economy, which I highly recommend when flying over 10 hours. However the flight
to Nice was a bit crowded and did not offer the amenities we had just been
accustomed to. However, it was a short flight and we were soon waiting in
baggage claim.

In 2008, which was the last time we had flown to Nice, so I
could compete in Ironman France, my bike did not arrive with our luggage and
after at

Yes... It's been nearly 3 years since my last post and for a good reason but finally, I'm back. As always should you only want race details scroll down to Race Day.

PRE RACE: Leaving our house I did double inventory of all the things I would need for a successful race in just a couple days. The trip is only 2 hours up the 101 Freeway into Santa Rosa. Assured I had everything I needed, I soon pulled into downtown, walked to the race expo and quickly registered. I was able to spend time with one of my athletes I coach, also was racing on Saturday. Though a couple weeks prior he wasn’t sure he would be healthy enough or ready due to some personal setbacks leading into the race, I assured him all the data revealed he’d have a good day.

Since my wife, Joy was taking

First thing Joy and I did after we parked our car was walk over to the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel to register. As usual, it is a very well organized process that respects the athletes for achieving the honor of racing the Ironman World Championship. Next up, lunch! So,

The race was held on July 10th. The day of our first daughter’s birth and it just happened to be her 30th birthday! Both of our girls were in town for her birthday as well as their grandmother (Joy’s mom, Kathy). During the lead up to the race we checked into our typical accommodations at the World Mark, just two miles away from Windsor High School, where the race concludes. The day before were the typical prerace workouts… swim at Johnston’s Beach at morning start time, a little tune up on the bike and a short run to

Since my last post back

"Thank you. Come again."

"Thanks much!"

"Thanks again."

"Thank you for..."

"Thank you for not..."

Whether it's acknowledging someone for waiting and holding the door open so you can easily enter or exit or it's because your grandmother slipped a $20 bill in your birthday card, we tend to respond with these simple words of gratitude: Thank you.

Most of the time we realize the reply is genuine but occasionally we'd have to admit it's nothing more than a rote response; said without thought. Why do we do that? I have a theory. Here it is...

We really don't understand the weight of gratitude. Don't believe me?

How many of us really appreciate the time, sacrifice and love given to us by our parents until we become parents?

A week ago I met with my surgeon who told me post op I would be on crutches for two months. Exactly nine weeks later I drove myself to Kaiser, fully expecting to crutch in and walk out. After 30 minutes of waiting and the 10 minutes it took to get x-rays done, I was sitting in an examination room with my legs dangling and swinging, imagining what it would feel like to carry the crutches rather than have them carrying me. I was told Dr. Le was running late, "He's in the

Inspiration is something most people would agree helps move the sedentary, challenge the status quo, and create the next new thing.

Lately, I've been needing to explain a lot of things... first "What happened?" then "How are you doing?"

Typically I'm fine. I have especially come to enjoy sleeping. During these past four weeks it's the time I get to walk, even run. However, last night was the first night I actually needed crutches for dream walking. It's these subtle and not so subtle things that tend to affect my mood and has me taking account of who I am, what's truly important and the changes I need to make.

Before I became a triathlete I was an observer. It began by watching the Ironman race on television and finding myself in awe of men and women who could swim, bike and run ridiculous distances and overcome self-inflicted, physical punishment with sheer mental toughness and emotional will... deep down I