Tour de Fort Worth the Stock Yards

I took another Tour de Fort Worth this afternoon on my own. With the Arts Fest taking place downtown it was hard to ride a bike through that area, so I rode off to the famous Fort Worth Stock Yards of course.

Everything was going fine on the way back as I was cruising on the Trinity Trails then I veered off the trail and trying to get back on I went down and banged my elbow up---with that said I'm not sure what Kemah next week will mean for me yet.

Give Into Me

Here is my first single recorded tonight! Thanks to Stephanie Lindsay and Kyle Jensen for making this video possible.



Thanks for watching this!

Mayor Price's Tour de Fort Worth II

This was the 4th week of the Mayor's Tour de Fort Worth and second one I have been able to attend. This one "not to miss" as my roommate Kyle was upset he got caught in traffic and later had a flat tire as he tried to catch up to the group.

This route started just off 7th. st. at the Fire and Police memorial.

It was hard to get close to the Mayor as one of the largest groups came out and including several news reporters and photographers.

The Mayor Price showing off her Fort Worth bike jersey.

It turns out I was even standing next to a reality talk show host, Janee Harrell before we rolled out.

We rode all the way towards the north end of the Trinity Trail to the Waterfall.

Some of the views can only be captured when you ride a bike.

One of the largest groups yet.

If your wandering how I'm so cool and get to bike ride with the Mayor then click on this link. http://fortworthtexas.gov/tourdefortworth/

My own Tour de Fort Worth "Down Pour"

I set out on a bicycle ride after church today in my black dress socks. I thought they made good cycling socks and matched my mis-matched kit I was wearing. I knew cycling through Ft. Worth had good scenic views so I grabbed my camera and off I went, I was going to have my own Tour de Fort Worth. I rode through Magnolia St. a place I'll go back to, but didn't get any photos there because I was just too busy checking things out but a lot of hole in the wall locally owned restaurants. It's also a place wear the hipsters hang out. I saw a few artsy guys with tight jeans and single-speeds.

Dress socks make for good cycling socks

After taking the bike lane down Magnolia and Main St. I found my way to the Ft. Worth Water Gardens. People were around taking pictures. I had to see what it was all about.

I walked all the way down there in bike shoes. It gets quite loud by the end. Not long later as I was leaving the Water Gardens. It just pours down! There were parts I where I could barely see, then it started lightening and I found shelter in a parking garage on 4th St.

Here is my view from the parking garage over-looking "The Vault Underground Lounge"

Once it started to clear-up sorta I tried to find my way back to the house. I stumbled upon this gigantic church. I never saw the name of it, but the church is huge with a large statue with Jesus letting everyone know he won the race. He is pointing #1.

Still trying to find the street I had taken to get to downtown back to the house, I came across this statue, which I've seen several times passing through. One day when I have a friend with me we'll climb up on the horse.

Somehow I completely ended up on the North side of town. Finally, I recognized the Trinity Trails. This is a view of downtown from the North side of the trails. Although not a picture perfect day, I was just glad to be able to find my way back, because I was getting a bit chilly out there.

Happy Easter!

Mayor Price's Tour de Fort Worth

This was the third week of the Tour de Fort Worth that Mayor Betsy Price is leading, but the first time I've gotten to participate in. This was the great opportunity to ride my bike where I normally wouldn't go. Today we started at the Riverside trailhead on East 4th St. and rode up to the Fort Worth Stockyards and by the oldest cemetery in Fort Worth that dates back to 1850. This ride brought some interesting riders out. For example, the bleach blonde tanned guy with a t-shirt and baggy shorts (my roommate), the hippie cyclist with a tie-dyed shirt and hairy legs, and the commuter who's biked across the United States and carries a large basket on the back, we called him Jack Daniel's because of his bike jersey he wore.

Here are a few shots I got.

Mayor Price spinning the legs

In the Fort Worth Stockyards

Group Shot at Pioneers Rest- Oldest Fort Worth Cemetery 1850

The Mayor and I pre-ride.

13 Tornadoes touched down in DFW and today is picture perfect gorgeous weather

The hippie cyclist

Jack Daniel's guy the commuter

Cool personalized helmet

If you guessed it, I'm just enjoying an easy week--but I'm looking forward to getting back after it.

Texas 70.3

This was my motivation I had over the weekend, thanks to my home stay with Doug Storey & his family. Do you know whose autographs these are?

However, things didn't quite go as planned. I made some mistakes in the race that I can take to use and grow. After the swim-- starting the bike I was pushing about as hard as I could and people were passing me left and well on my left. Once we reached the seawall I could hear my front brake rubbing the wheel. I jump off twice to fix it. After this my legs weren't good for much and around mile 48 of the bike my glutes got soooo tight, I was about to cry. I tried to push but I couldn't take it anymore and rode the last 8 miles cruisin' upright. I was hoping for a good run--as I jumped off bike, I felt like I duck as the only thing I had good was the waddle

Thank you everyone for the incredible support through a lot facebook and text messaging. Most importantly thanks to my Lord for allowing me use this as a learning experience, so I can hopefully move forward. Now that I've learned from my mistakes. I'm looking forward to getting recovered and moving on to the next one which is in Kemah end of this month.

Fort Worth Adventures

You can bet your britches, I've been hittin' it hard this month, it doesn't mean I've haven't paused briefly to enjoy the fellowship of a few friends. Most of you know I've moved to Fort Worth, which is one of my favorite cities in Texas (Austin & Tyler are there as well).

Here are a few pics I thought I would share.

Here is some of us getting wild and crazy group shot!

My & my roommate Kyle, thug life till I die.

A train passing through Trinity Park. This is were a lot of my training is done.

Swanging those big balls for Spring Family Fun Day!

My roommate Zach and only two left in the Milk Challenge. We both ended up DNFing. I bowed out before he did.

Redneck Country cookin'??? Cooking full chickens on a can of beer.

I'm looking forward to next week as it's my first try of triathlon of the season in Galveston.

Woodlands Half Marathon

The Woodlands Half Marathon/Marathon race directors, coordinators, and volunteers put on a spectacular first year event. Something everyone involved with should be proud of.

Running this year seemed to have been going very well for me this year. Although last week was nothing but idle, as I started a new job and a commute in rush hour traffic along with moving to Fort Worth with now a sweet spot right by the Trinity Trails. However, I made due, like I always have.

The Woodlands had a spot for the "elite" athletes to rest up, drink coffee, and hide out from the crowds before we began our warm-ups. We were treated like Rock Stars, thanks to the elite athlete coordinators Doug Storey and Michael Barney. Those guys did an amazing job. As I began my warmup, I was relieved how good my legs and body felt. However, I had left my Garmin in my office before I left for The Woodlands. I borrowed Barney's watch prior to warming up.

I stood on the start line with the others. There was a small handful of us from the DFW metroplex, such as Joe Beisner, James Jackson, Steve Pfiffner, Steve Henderson, Matt Peters, and Chris Strait who moved actually The Woodlands not long ago.

The gun went off, I reacted quick but in self-control, the pace felt rather pedestrian-like. It didn't take long for the top 2 guys take out front. I was sitting in third at the beginning of the race. Where was everybody else at? Within a few minutes a big pack of 5-6 guys catch up to me. I was going to run with this pack, I knew I could hang. My running was going well, I had nothing to worry about. Boom, it hit me a side cramp by mile 3. What is going on? I am tougher than this. Why am I letting something like a little freakin' side cramp get to me. I'm falling off the pack, dang. Sometimes side cramps can be the worse pain.

Start of the Woodlands Half and Marathon

Matt Peters from Denton comes up to me. A big help, actually. Matt was encouraging me to stay up. I was digging deep trying not to fall back. At mile 6.5 he lets me know, he's going to attempt to chase down Joe. The gap opens between me and him, a substantial distance. Right after he took off something clicked inside of me. If he's going, I'm going too. Off I went. Side cramp somehow miraculously went away, too bad legs are getting heavy now.

I was cutting all the tangents close. I didn't want to run longer than I had to. During mile 10, Grant Glauser, a new pro triathlete, comes on by and Chris Strait is closing in by mile 11. The wind had picked up by now, a cold front was starting to come through. It was struggle the last two miles. Relieved to see that I am making my final turn to the finish, finding an extra gear I was able to "sprint" in to finish sixth overall for 1:15.09, not anywhere close to my goal time, but a PR, none the less.

James Jackson (1st OA Master) post race.

James and I @ Addison Oktoberfest 5k 5 years ago!!!

It was the first time we raced together since then.

I think I need new shoes

My friend Tiffany came all the way out to watch and support me race. Here we are hanging out with the big cookie.

Thank you to everyone for your support, especially Willie Fowlkes, Doug Storey, Jon Walk, Michael Barney, Angie Henderson for making this great race possible. Tiffany for the support and taking all the pictures. Jesus Christ for keeping us all safe with the race and traveling. I hope I'm allowed to come back next year. A big shout to my friend Bryce Fluker from Longview, Tx for winning the Spring Back Du, the next day in Houston! Next, I'll be gearing up for Texas 70.3 in Galveston, April 1.

Thanks for reading!

Plano Pacers "Bead Bash" 15K

I didn't have to to flash anyone my bird chest this morning to get beads at the Plano Pacers monthly run, with a Mardi Gras theme to it. I was hoping for a warmer start since temps have been near 80 all week, but to a fail, it was hovering just over 40.

I had a workout on schedule instead of a race, but I wanted to be around the others so I did a 25 min w-up at the start. My Garmin had died so I had my cell phone in my hand with stop watch mode ready to go. I had the best view on the course, like a fine wine. At least for the first 25 minutes. I need to change my racing approach. I've been doing it all wrong. Then I had to put some effort into it, a 2x15 min tempo to be exact at an approximated xx:xx exact pace. I was doing this on all grass pretty much to save my legs from the concrete for quicker recovery, while everyone else was concrete. After the first effort I ran myself into the third and that's where I stayed. I had short "recovery" or slower pace between, then another 15 min bout. I put some more effort into this one I thought I miiiiiight could catch 1st & 2nd but it was kind of a long shot. It's its about a 800 meter loop around a small pond to the finish, the runners were in sight and I was closing fast. Maybe with another 1-1.5 mile I would have had them. I finished the 15k part in just under an hour then went off and did a super easy 30 min cool down.

This next week, I'm going into a very light training week as I'm racing the St. Lukes Woodlands Half-Marathon. My running has been going well, but I'm ready to have some fresh legs now. It's also going to be a very busy week as I start my new job with EZ Flex Sport Mats and I'm moving to the Fort Worth area, which I'm really excited about.

Cheers,

Ritzy

2012 Tentative Schedule

If you don't know already, I am super excited to kick off this season in a big way. Since I've finished school and now have taken recovery modalities to the extreme between sessions, plus I am doing the work, getting it done. My fitness seems to be well ahead of where it was last year and in the year's past.

I still have a lot going on as I have always wanted to live in Fort Worth for years now and I finally got my chance. This week I will be busy looking for a place to live as I start my new job soon. Fort Worth is a great atmosphere for training as the Trinity Trails runs right through downtown and carries you out to the country pretty quickly. Not to mention my coach Brent Poulsen from rEvolution Multisport lives there. I imagine I'll be hanging onto him for some of my hard sessions to take my skills to the next level.

While 2011 didn't quite go the way I wanted it to due to some stupid decisions. I am back at it focused more than I have been before and I am reunited with my Coach Brent Poulsen, who I should have listened to from the very start of things. Brent's a great coach and has always been there for me. He keeps me in check when I start to get an ego and reminds there's a million other guys faster than me but also provides encourage, support, and motivation.

Here is my tentative schedule for the 2012 schedule of races I am either eyeing or registered to do. I say tentative because anything can happen in triathlon racing. It's pretty much the same as it was last year except for a few additions and some deletions. Still the main focus is on the 70.3's with some short course events sprinkled in because I love to race and it keeps you on your toes.

2012 Tentative Schedule

3.3 Woodlands Half Marathon

4.1 Texas 70.3

4.29 Kemah Triathlon

6.24 Buffalo Springs 70.3

8.8 Bridgeland

8.19 Spring/Fall Classic

9.9 World Championships 70.3 Vegas (Only without a roll down)

9.23 Branson 70.3

9.30 The Houston Triathlon

10.21 Tri Tyler Half Ironman

11.4 Oilman Half Ironman

I'm looking forward to a great year and seeing old friends and making new ones. Thank you again for another year of your support!

Ritzy