Cap Tex Tri

It was another OUL weekend and Moxie weekend, last weekend it was down in Austin. I love the city of Austin, for the obvious reason, so much good food. In all seriousness, I was down there for business.  I stayed with my favorite comedian and also a fast Jack & Adams Ironman athlete Kevin Russell, just right down the road from the race. The Cap Tex triathlon has been going on in Austin for nearly two decades I believe and the last three years I know there always seems to be some glitches, and it's unfortunate what happened to pro race this year, when a mis informed volunteer told the pros they were all swimming the wrong way. Andy Potts was confident that he was going the right and swam under the kayak while the rest of the pros turned around and then had to turn around again when they found out they were mis informed. Potts came out of the water 3 minutes ahead of everyone else and held on to a 13 second win. 

I race in the open/invitational division with some of the best amateur elite athletes in the region including Ben Hall an 18-19 year old national champion who would later to go on to win the race and Brad Pigage who dominates the Houston/Bay Area racing season. There was also Andrew Montes a former division 1 runner from A&M and Mark Saroni out of UT Tyler, plus many others. I started off the swim with my signature move of swimming way to the left, luckily I wasn't too far back when I got back in the pack and found some feet to draft off and stayed on his feet until the end. I came out of the water at 22:59, just a few seconds behind Keith Kotar and ran him down out of transition. It took me awhile to get going on the technical bike course but once I did I was feeling good, but by the last lap it was heating up real good. Off the bike, I started the run clipping sub 6 pace feeling relatively strong. Jenn and Bella were super supportive giving me updates on how far back I was on certain people. At mile 4 I caught a real bad stomach cramp which almost put to a walk, but I somehow with enough determination stuck it out and it went away and caught Austin's Frank Sarasody about 4.5 miles and all I could see up the road was Montes. At mile 5 I knew I was closing in on him but I wasn't quite confident I was going to be able to catch him by the finish. With a quarter mile to go I was coming up on him and I distinctly heard Jenn telling me to get on him, I surged past Montes with a finishing kick I didn't expect to have, which left me almost puking and bent over at the finish chute. I finished at 4th overall just shy of 3rd overall Mark Saroni. I think it came down due to taking too long to get my wetsuit off. 

I'd like to thank my Lord for helping me get through the race with a super strong effort, Jenn for being there and being extra supportive. I couldn't have done as well without her there. Not to mention my amazing sponsors Nathan Villa, Richard Miller, and Bicycles Plus for helping me get to the starting line with a bike. Also, Matt Embry,  ONURLEFT Sports, and blueseventy! 

Enjoy my small pics! 

With up and coming pro Alexander Ramsey! 

Trying to hold it together on the run. 

Me w/ Andy Potts

ONURLEFT Sports dinner @ Whole Foods 

Next up literally is tomorrow's Play Tri fest in Las Colinas. Which reminds me I gotta start getting my stuff ready! 

Out at Ironman Texas!

Treked out to watch the first Ironman in Texas! Oh, that is the first FULL Ironman in Texas, all 140.6 miles of it. These guys swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and then ran 26.2 miles to take it to the house. First of all I like to say congratulations to everyone who did this huge and extremely hard event. You have to have to be missing some part of the rationale in your brain to even sign up for such a thing. Think about it....It's May, it's in the Woodlands which means it's going to be hot and humid. Regardless congrats, especially to all my friends who competed and work so very hard over the winter to make it possible. There are too many of you to mention by name but each of  you know who you are. Thank you to Stephen Milford for letting us crash at his place all weekend and a huge thank you to the grill man from the Houston Triathlon Racing Club for the bbq and OnUrLeft Sports for having the best spot on course!

OUL Elite athlete Michael Barney enjoying his day shooting Ironman athletes by cooling them off. 

OUL Elite athlete Stephen Milford in a hoola skirt shaking the booty for everyone. 

Michael Barney, Stephen Milford and Jenn at the OUL extreme spot. 

Tim O' Donnell chasing down Luke Bell and Eneko Ellanos. 

Luke Bell (Left) and Eneko battling it out. 

Chris Lieto on the first loop before dropping out. 

None other than Chris Lieto first off the bike. 

OUL athletes at their best. 

Stephen and I on our ride. Jenn taking looks from behind. 

The ultimate sun protection team. This is not what it looks like. 

The weekend was fun hanging out doing some training and all at the same time. I am heading ot Austin for Memorial weekend to race in the Cap Tex triathlon and then that same weekned here in Dallas I'll race Play Tri fest. I owe Richard Miller and Nathan Villa a big thank youfor making this possible! Without these guys I would have to skip these to events. 

McKinney Tri

Where do I even start with this one? I am sitting here at the Starbucks near the Galleria Mall. I have been putting this blog post off but I absolutely know you are wanting to know my thoughts regarding what happened at the McKinney triathlon. Let me just say I appreciate guys like Aaron Palaian with OnUrLeft and his attention to detail.  Now don't get me wrong, me and the other ten guys should have known the course and things happen and thats how it is.

Pre race warmup routine. 

I was looking forward to having fun with this race as I was competing on my old road bike that Bicycles Plus fixed up for me. I even had my headlight on the blinking mode the whole time. "The Spanish Beauty" is needing some beauty work herself, she wasn't able to make it out this time.

I wasn't expecting to see my buddy and old competitor Tyler Johnson who has a few up on me in the short distance races. He started just before I did and I was after him, I tried real hard to get on his feet I only got right on his feet right at the end. I came into T1 a split second behind him in 4:25 for the 300 yard swim.

I knew the race would be between me and TJ. Our bike

s were close to each other, since I was on a road bike I knew this would cost me some time here as I waited for him to leave t1 first so I could "legally draft" off of him. Well, that didn't turn out so well, as he rode away. Just moments after that it became a downpour of a storm, with crazy winds, and hail. Let me just say that crap hurt, the hail. The bike was technical and there were several times I thought I was heading towards a ditch, but fortunately I saved just in time. Finally making my way around towards the major turn around, I notice TJ not that far ahead as I thought along with another guy and Aaron Patel was closing in on me. Well all of us that

 I know of in that group blew by this turn we were supposed to make, it was absolutely not visible. I understand if it was just me, because we all know I suck at navigating, but when a considerable amount of people go by it..... When I was turning around the officer says "you have to go that way." and I said, "no, I missed my turn so I'm gonna go back that way." I catch up to this one guy and he tells me that the leader missed the turn too, that is how he knew to turn there, so I was like well maybe he isn't too far ahead so I start hammering again. Perhaps  my slowest bike split ever of 18 mph an hour...ok if you included the extra mile and half I rode it would have been 20 mph. 

Jumped off the bike without diving into the pavement this time. 

On a mission now, got the look.  

Starting the run I couldn't  feel my feet. It took a good mile to get into it, I wasn't feeling good, then and was debating to drop out because I didn't think I could hold it, but after that I was running fairly strong and convinced my mind to stay with it. I ended up holding a 6:01 average, I didn't think it was too bad after not running for 3 weeks. I made up a lot of time but I was still down 3 minutes, when it was all said it done. I was 8th overall and 2nd in my age group.

Bringing it in ot the finish! 

I owe all my sponsors a huge thank you!!! The guys at Bicycles Plus for working hard on my bikes. (I hope to get a better result next time for you guys!! ) A big thank you to Jenn for coming and standing in the crazy wind, rain, and hail. Praise to the Lord for watching over us and keeping us safe from serious injury!

Next up is Cap Tex in Austin on Memorial day and maybe Play Tri Fest June 5th. Thanks for reading! 

Bicycles Plus

I just moved to the Dallas metroplex recently and Bicycles Plus  has been very supportive and nice enough to offer me a sponsorship with them. I owe Craig and the team at Bicycles Plus a HUGE THANK YOU!!! They are family owned and have been in business since 1994 with 3 locations in the metroplex including Dallas, Flower Mound, and Coppell. They offer the best bicycles and sponsor and hosts a variety of events. I plan on coming out sometime and learning some good routes once I have everything set up again. Come join a group ride, fuel up, and get your bicycle serviced at Bicycles Plus, or better yet just buy a new bike!!! The team has been extremely nice and I am looking forward to representing them. 

Ironman 70.3 Texas

What another epic weekend of racing. This time it was the Ironman 70.3 Texas on Galveston Island. I was looking forward to some hard racing and  getting my slot early for the WC's 70.3 in Vegas. I left early Friday morning with Lance. We made our first rest stop at Woody's somewhere in some little town. That was a mistake as I gained 10 pounds eyeing grandma's homecooking of pecan pies, peanut patties, home cooked bbq and other types of country cooking there. Jenn tells me I am a fat man in a skinny man's body. We made it to expo about noon and immediatley started running into everyone we knew. As a fierce competitor like myself the goal at these expos is to get in and get your junk and get out and get off your feet. Well we made a visit at the "recovery pump" and sat there for a little bit, they are very similar to the norma tech. After a few minutes in those my legs felt really good, then a quick visit to the K-Swiss tent. I had to make a switch to one of the KSwiss racing shoes as my Brooks have been killing my feet too much. I didn't want to through another 13 miles of pain and suffering I had last weekend. The KSwiss show is a million x's lighter, more breathable, and don't soak up a ton of water. This year for the trip we had a stay at a beach house with the Moxie Multi Sport crew out of Austin and a nice dinner with some friends at Mario's. 

Karmen Marcom-Koke Photography

Saturday morning Lance the shirtless guy in the middle and one of my very top supporters and very good friend was in the Lone Star sprint. He did a fantastic job finishing 5th in his age division. 

Karmen Marcom-Koke Photography

Lance and I post race. So proud of how far he has come. One of the toughest racers I know who can dig down deep when the going gets tough. 

Karmen Marcom- Koke Photography

While we waited on Lance's race, we worked on lacing up my new Kswiss shoes and my first ever fan came up to me checking them out. 

I did my standard race prep aftewards and was feeling ready to let it rip. I did some cycling along the seawall and it nearly knocked me over. I pulled up a red light with another cyclist that was competing and asked if her if she would swap her front wheel with me. Turns out she was a former Canadian pro. I can't remember her name but she was super nice. Then it was a long waiting game as our beach house was a good drive out and we couldn't check our bikes in until 2 pm. Jenn, Lance, and I set up shop at the extremely large HTFU tent. Mark and Max were very nice and let me park my bike there while we waited, to allow me to  keep me off my feet and out of the sun. Max is also one of the owners of RTS bikes (Ride to Success!), that are just now being introdued into the USA. 

What is your moxie? 

Chris Lieto, one of the Ironman champions and top American was hanging out and signing autographs and spreading the message about his charity "MORE than sport." Check out it  sometime. He is all around nice guy. 

 For dinner that night, instead of going out and socializing.Lance and I daringly went from one of the fittest places in Galveston to the Wal-Mart which revealed too much of the opposite. We hand-picked spaghetti, garlic bread, and plucked a turkey to provide dinner for our crew at the beach house! Thanks to Alisia for helping me cook...ok she pretty much cooked it all, I ate Julio's chips and salsa while we waited. 

The dinner table. I didn't think of taking a picture of the food until after I had eaten it all. 

Sunday morning brought another super early morning of racing. I was feeling good and ready to rock n roll. 

This my pre race routine of lubing my body up.

Karmen Marcom- Koke Photography

The swim was eventful at first to stay the least. One our roommates for the weekend and also a very funny comedian Kevin Russell was in the same group as I and he was doing some freak dancing while we waited on the deck. I was in the mood to join in but decided I didn't want to waste the energy doing so, but it had to be one of the funniest things I've seen pre race. Others looking around didn't know what to think. We got in the water and we're off. I am getting smashed in the face and almost got my goggles knocked off. I finally look up and realize I am swimming way left and everyone else is swimming straight, not the way I had visioned my start. Once I corrected myself I was good to go. Out of the water  in 32:35 with a few dolphin dives on the ramp I was able to block out a few people beating them up transition. 

Karmen Marcom-Koke Photography

Moments before the epic rookie crash! 

The 56 mile bike was a very simple route. Get out of Moody Gardens and bike down the seawall and turn around and come back. My legs were feeling good on the bike, I was holding a high cadence vs last weekend of grinding the gears too much. The winds were a stiff cross wind and some head wind going out. Going out I managed to avg 22.63 miles out and coming back was nice, but scary when I saw one of my training mates Cam not far behind me. Coming back I held over 26 mph and hitting over 30 mph on a few long sections. The last 10-15 mile of the bike I was fatiguing though and just trying not to slow down too much. Coming back off the seawall the roads are rough leading into Moody Gardens. I hit a bump really good and a bolt broke on my left extender, nearly knocking me off my bike then. I rode the bullhorns the rest of the way and as I was getting ready to dismount when something happened, maybe my shoe it the pavement really hard popping my bike up and I lose control as I think I had jumped off already I fall all over my bike and diving into the pavement. Bloody and all, I bounced back up and attempted to roll my bike into transition but it doesn't move so I carry it over my shoulder and park it in my spot. I finished the bike and crash with a 24.33 mph average. One of the volunteers came up to ask me if I was alright as I was putting on my racers and I said "I don't know yet" . Regardless of the situation I started the run. 

Karmen Marcom-Koke Photography

Yep, that is blood on my back. 

Heading out bloody and all I maintained composure ready to hammer 13.1 grueling miles.  The first 3-4 miles I control my effort by not starting out too fast, the pace felt super easy at the time. The first split taken I averaged a 6:09 pace, but then I could feel the pain in my feet starting to set in from my crash. I guess I tripped over my bike pretty good. Then I also had stomach problems where I was regurgitating the cytomax and powergels I had consumed. I tried to man up and run hard but the harder I ran the more upset my stomach got and the more pain in my feet. I was debating to drop out, but got someone to login on ironman live and tell me what position I was in. Chopped away at a few more places, to make top 5, then found out I was 6th in my age division, then found later a buddy (won't mention names ;) had miscounted his laps and that bumped me back up to 5th for the trophies. I finished the run less than steller in 1:36. My time was just under 4:30. 

We stayed for the awards. 

Chris Lieto, first overall male and US Pro Champion! 

Me and Lance after the awards cermony! 

I would like to thank everyone who made this an epic trip.  My awesome buddy Lance Vernon, Cam Mencio, Mark Mulch, Stephen Milford, Michael Barney,Bo and Dennis, Moxie Multisport out of Austin, Blake, Alisia, Jeanine, Nicole, and Kevin! Karmen for all the pictures and Mark G. and Max for letting us hang out at the tent all day and my coach Brent P. My sponsors for all their helpblueseventy, and ONURLEFT Sports, Matt Embry and Shirley Greene. Certainly not last, my Lord Jesus, for keeping us safe on the road and not letting me have any worse injuries than I already do. Also to everyone who sent me comments on facebook and emails. Next depending on a few things, I plan to race the McKinney triathlon the first weekend in May. 

Thanks everyone for reading this long post. Until next time, Cheers! 

The Kemah Triathlon

I'm not going to say too much about this one, except that it goes down as one my worst races in the books. I didn't have my arms or legs. I felt good in the water and thought I was swimming fast (for me). But turns out I was getting smashed by the amateur elite women, so props to them. I think I did too much zig zagging. The bike was ok. It was very flat, but very windy. There were times I was moving at 32 mph and other times barely breaking 20 mph. Once we hit the run, I completely lost my legs, had a huge side stitch, and a bloodied blister that was hurting really bad on every turn we took. Reflecting back, I was dissappointed at first, but after thinking about it I didn't have the best pre race week as I could have. I'm not the one who makes excuses for myself, I really forgot about these things and thought I would be fine as I took care of these obstacles immediately. I ended up spraining my ankle a little bit, and getting sick a few days before missing a few workouts. I apparently wasn't recovered and maybe dehydrated. On the bright side, I had a couple of bad races opening up last year and it all worked out fine later in the year. It's always good to get the kinks out before the really big ones.

Thank you to Lance who not only had to wait on me for a long time to get ready but drove the whole way and didn't get the ideal rest the day before, he never complained and he rocked out for one of his best races. Also to my buddy Stephen Milford and Brad Pigage letting us crash their place. And always to my Lord for keeping me humble and grateful for all other people and things I have in my life.

Finally, a  huge shout out to OnUrMark Productions, Aaron Palaian, and the volunteers for putting on a first class event.  I am looking forward to this weekend, as I try to regroup this week and do my best at Ironman 70.3 Texas.

Me and Lance after he rocked out to one of his best triathlon races. 

Some of us guys at Olive Garden. 

Longview Half Marathon

This past weekend I competed in the 1st Annual Longview Half Marathon; back to my grass roots where I did a lot of running . There was an excellent turn out however, going in I was nervous about racing.   I mean it's been awhile since I've raced without having to swim or bike before running and the fact was I was racing some "real" runners. We started on the track at Lobo Stadium.  I thought it was a slow start but I opened up with a 5:21 mile.   Benson Osoro,the Kenyan, takes off moments just after we exited the stadium, followed in persuit by Jacob Phillps and Drew Bean. I was just behind Phillips and Bean early in  the race.  Phillips makes a break around mile 3 on a descent. I saw Bean taking looks back and I thought he started to fatigue, so I  picked up the effort but made no success. I started losing site of Bean around mile 7. The course was on the shoulder of a highway with long rolling hills.  Near the end of the race we zig zagged through a hilly neigbhorbood.  Eventually, we made our way back around the stadium for the finish.  At mile 11, coming out of the neigbhoorhoods I was starting to get delerious, I took a gel and I ran the 13th mile in just over 6 minutes but hearing Jenn "cheer" me around the track I scrambled to sub 5 pace the last minute.  I earned 4th place overall, just one place shy of the money, in 1:15.38.  It was great seeing old and new friends out there. The Longview Running Club coordinated a spectacular event that drew out a great crowd for a first time event. 

Results: http://www.runontexas.com/results/2011/219agehalf.htm

On another note, out on an easy training ride the day after and "bambi"  dashes across the road and me of all people hits the deer. I would have finished the ride but my handlebars were off. Thanks to Jenn for picking me up and Lance for repairing my bars. In two weeks, weeks I start the first triathlon of the year at The Kemah Triathlon. 

2011 Tentative Race Schedule

I am excited to kick off my 4th triathlon season. Before I mention my race schedule I'd like to thank my sponsors and top supporters without them I wouldn't be where I am today. This year's sponsors and top supporters include, OnUrLeft Sports, blueseventy, and the Brooks Fanatics program. My parents Johnny and Glynis Ritter, who have traveled all around watching me race at a variety of events, since I was 12 years old.  Lance Vernon, he is always making sure my bike and things are 100% race ready. Matt Embry, has small business where he finds rare hard to find items that you need and he finds them for you. Shirley Greene, has gone out of her way to make sure I have had the necessities to get me through the big trips and Steve and Jane Shorrock for loaning me there boat dock, so I can jump off into the lake. Also to Andy Stewart, owner of Finish Line Sports and my Coach Brent Poulsen. Last but not least is Jesus Christ for giving me the God given talent and mental drive to put in the hard work. Without Him, I wouldn't be where I am today.  

Here is my 2011 "tentative" race schedule, to kick off this weekend. 

3.19 The Longview Half Marathon

4.3 The Kemah Triathlon

4.10 Ironman 70.3 Texas

5.1 The McKinney Triathlon

5.30 Cap Tex Tri

6.26 Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs

8.7 Bridgeland Triathlon

9.11 Ironman 70.3 World Championships (qualification pending)

9.17 Rose City Triathlon

9.26 The Houston Triathlon

1o.16  Try Andy's

11.6 Iron Star Half Ironman 

Thank you once again for your support!!!  

I'm now an ACSM CPT

This past weekend I finally took my ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam, which is one of the hardest, if not the hardest personal trainer exam to take. I had been "studying" all month for it. I thought I must have studied the wrong book because it was harder than I thought it was going to be, but regardless, I past with flying colors.

I am currently available to start training clients in the Cedar Creek Lake area Monday through Friday and Dallas area clients on Saturday/Sunday afternoon. If you are looking to gain strength, increase endurance, lose weight, or train sport specific then allow me to help you. You can send me an email to williamtritter@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to discuss further details. Thank you.

Where did the Off-Season Go?

Off-Season has come and gone and now it's back to the grind, however I have been still trying to extend the off-season even though I know it's over. I am excited to get back to it, but I also had one of the best off-seasons ever. I think I did more traveling during December than I did the whole racing season and let me not forget to mention all the holiday treats, that I am still trying to ween myself off of. I am up about 4 pounds since the World Championships.

I had an amazing 2010 Holiday Season during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's! Thanksgiving was spent at my granparent's house in Timpson, Texas (tiny dot in East Texas) where we almost had a vegetarian meal, which the only meat included some chicken in the dressing. Somebody forgot to cook the turkey.

I had an amazing Christmas! People kept bringing naughty desserts to work. Christmas was had at my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle John's house for a traditional Christmas dinner. It was good time spending time with the family. 

New Year's Eve was spent with my OnUrLeft friends. Jenn and I went down to Houston to celebrate New Year's, meeting up with the Stephen Milford and the charismatic Michael Barney for some delicious Mexican food at Pappasito's. Then it was to a house party for a little bit at David Kahn and Ben Prok0's crib. To conclude the end of the year we went for a New Year's midnight 5k run. Jenn and I watched, but she still switched out to her from her high heels to Newton running shoes.

Now that the holiday's are over, I am excited to be back on the grind and looking forward to a competitive racing season. I pretty much have my racing schedule set for 2011 with all On Ur Mark triathlons, a few Play Tri events, and a few major 70.3's. I appreciate all the support you have shown me during 2o10 and I am looking forward to an even better 2011 season.

Here are a few pictures from the Holidays!

Christmas Dinner @ Aunt Carolyn and Uncle John's

Me and my brother drinking the Wassal cider.

Winter trainer spin, getting back into it. 

OnUrLeft Crew @ NYE Resolution 5k

Family Portrait