Wedding Shower!

It's starting to get real less than 3 weeks left until Wedding Day. The day after the Fresh 15K Rhonda Heard and First Baptist Church of Carthage put on our Wedding Shower. I've known Mrs. Heard since high school when I ran cross country with her son Thomas. 

                                                           

 Calley and I both had a great time with everyone's company.

                                  

We were really blessed to receive so many nice things that were un-triathlon related. I'm not sure what do with it all but Calley has a plan in place, I know it!  Calley and I both really enjoyed reading everyone's cards. 

                                 

                                  

                                 

Then we gave our thank you speeches to everyone. 

And of course there was pie....

Fresh 15K

Last weekend was the local Fresh 15k by Brookshires in Tyler, Tx. The race organizers went over the top on this one and the most well run running event I've ever done. We even got paper towells and toilet paper in our goody bag, who doesn't need that?   I was excited to race some fast guys that were coming into town and that it was local and right down the road. 

Most importantly I got to race with my family Calley and Rylan.            

Rylan tearing it up towards the finish.

My parents even made it out and my  Dad came out after working all night

My Mom has always been super supportive.

Dennis Kutach one of the lead out guys from the Fresh cycling team and also the guy who will be performing our marriage coming up. 

Fresh 15k Start

For a first year event this race got off to a good start and brought in a fast field including Olympic Trials qualifier Enoch Nadler from Dallas who ran away with the race and Nike Pro Dawn Charlier Grunnagle for the women. This field was also stacked with some pro triathletes including Clay Emge, Robbie Wade, and Mark Saroni.  Robbie and Mark also represent the Cobb Mobb. There were over 2700 participants in this race, Fresh did a great job promoting. There were many first timers out there including Summer Baxter who finished her first 5k.

The temperature was just right about 60 degrees but the humidity was about 100% and the hills...the key hills were some rollers on Grande, Rice Rd. and back into Hollytree including "Heart Break Hill" at mile 8. There also plenty of hills the last mile too just before coming back to Fresh.

There was no easing into this, the first mile or two my heart rate was through the roof within a couple of minutes. Initially I worked on staying with Clay but he quickly pulled away within 2 miles and worked his way up to 4th. We started out bringing up the 9th and 10th positions. By mile 3 a couple of people in front of me were starting to fall off pace and Mark Saroni wasn't too far behind me. Around mile 4-5 I caught a Kenyan on Old Grande Rd and by mile 5 I looked back and saw that Mark was starting to gain on me and I told myself I needed to put the hammer down. Mile 8 was the slowest mile for me in 5:51 it included going up what is known as "heart break hill" with Mark inching closer I was determined to not to have any heart breaks here. I knew Mark was getting closer and I was running fast as I possibly could to keep him away.

Sprinting for the finish in 52:59, my garmin said 9.5 miles and heard others having the same thing . 

The top ten class minus 1. 

Harold Wilson is legend. He began running at the young age of 54 and now he olds the Boston Marathon age group record. 

Training partner Mike Venable presenting Harold with his award. 

I had a great time at this race and paid for it too! I've felt like I got hit by a Mack truck a couple of days after the event.  I don't race again for over a month at New Orleans 70.3 but the big Wedding Date is quickly approaching on March 23rd and I couldn't be more excited to marry Calley Borocz, she's put a lot of work into it and she is so artsy too.

Thanks Again Everyone!

Hydrate, Recover, Refuel with chocolate milk the #1 sports drink out there.

Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - USAT South Midwest Regional Championship

I kick started this racing season at the Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - USAT South Midwest Regional Championship in Shreveport, LA hosted by SportsSpectrum this weekend. I stayed with my little brother Larkin, who I now have start referring to as my younger brother has he has finally put on a few more pounds than me. 

                                   

My "little" brother Larkin and I at his apartment

I was eager to see where I was at this weekend as the training with my Coach Michelle LeBlanc has been going very well. I followed the race plan almost to a T. This race featured 3 mile run, 16 mile bike, and  2 mile run on Clyde Fant Parkway. 

We got off to a quick start for the first 3 mile run. A high school kid from Waco Christian Perez and Pro Triathlete from Oklahoma City Dan Tigert jumped out to a quick start. I got right behind Dan. Christian immediately put a big gap on us. I stayed right behind Dan and we were going sub 4:55 pace starting out. Surprisingly, this felt a lot better than it did back in the day when I used to could run this pace for 5k alone. Dan put a surge and caught up to Christian and I followed him. There were a couple other surges Dan put in and I was able to counter them. We both tucked in behind Christian and we were letting the young guy do the work.  We had split the first mile in 5:12.  Just before the turn around for the 3 mile run I pulled away then surged right after the turn. I didn't get a response from either of them so I just kept running. I had split the 2 mile at 10:35. With a mile to go to the finish Dan had caught back up to and pulled in behind me. I slowed down since he caught up to me and started saving myself for the bike, I figured I might need it. We came in together at 15:58. 

The Start of the USAT  South Midwest Regional Championship - Frost Yer Fanny  Du

Quickly became a 3 man race. 

Dan Tigert and I coming into from the first run. 

Coming into T1 I had trouble buckling my helmet with gloves on and Dan was getting away. In hot pursuit I was slowly catching back up to Dan it turns out he can ride, but unfortunately a flat around mile 2 cost him the race. I slowed up for him since it was just me and him at this point to see if was going to be able to fix it. I saw him toss it in the back up of the Sportspectrum truck and I started pressing down again. The course was two loops on Clyde Fant Parkway which had 3 turnarounds. I took it super easy around these since the roads were slick and midway on the bike my calves were cramping resulting in me having to ease up towards the end. My bike split (23.4 mph, 41:01) wasn't the result I was going for but I'll take it for today

Mounting on the Cobb 55 JOF Saddle. 

Heading out on the bike chasing Dan at this point. 

Coming back into T2 went a lot better than T1. The second run was on a little flat running path along side Clyde Fant Parkway a mile out and back. My legs were a little wobbly starting out with a 5:41 mile split, coming back though I found some momentum and split the second mile in 5:24. 

Coming into the finish. 

Cresting over the top of the hill at the end.

My Dad and I cat the finish line. 

My Mom and I at the finish line. 

First of all praise God for a great finish this weekend and allowing me to do what I do. My parents Johnny and Glynis and my wonderful Fiancee Calley Borocz (just over a month away and I can say Beautiful Wife). My Coach Michelle LeBlanc from OutRival Racing who has been training me all winter long and has been finding some new speed and watts in these legs. Also, Extremus, Shama Cycles, and the Cobb Mobb team for standing behind me this year. Thank you so much!

1st OA USAT South Midwest Regional Duathlon Championships - Frost Yer Fanny.

 Thanks again for reading and I'll be racing at the Fresh 15k March 1st. I'm really excited because it's just down the road.

Cheers,

William

2014 Racing Schedule

With the first race right around the corner I thought I better get around to sharing my racing schedule. I can't believe it's that time already. Life has flown by lately. A lot of you already have know but I've already moved back to Tyler, Texas and I'm getting married to my beautiful fiancee, Calley in March. It's been very busy as we have still been getting organized here and keeping up with all the training.  I have been blessed with a recent new opportunity that I am absolutely thrilled and passionate about and will be able to continue to learn more about that I will be starting here soon. 

I am working with a great team of people behind me this year. I consulted with Michelle Leblanc from OutRival racing last year in late November. I was just inquiring if she could help me during the spring once race season came, but she was very proactive and talked me into signing up with her earlier than intended and I haven't regretted it. Probably one of the best decisions I've made. It's the first time ever I have been coached by a woman, not such a bad thing either. She has assembled small pro squad including Liz Baugher, Sarah Hankla, Todd Teren, and Scott Wilkinson and a few others. I've made clear that my goal is to be included with them.   I've already seen remarkable improvements during the off-season with my swim technique has improved tremendously and my swim times are starting to correlate with that, now if I can just transfer that to open water. Also my bike and runs have shown lower heart rate and higher power/decrease pace. 

Shama Cycles, a partner with OutRival Racing helped me adjust my bike fit a few weeks ago. Since then I have found better power numbers and increased cadence. I can stay down in aero position for the whole time I'm riding now.  I'm still jealous I missed Cupcake Friday. 

Once racing season was over last year I talked to Andrew Ha, from Sigma Swimming in Fort Worth. He has been awesome at helping me improve my swim technique. We were meeting about 3 times a month, but since I'm in Tyler that will be limited but I will be looking to reconnect with him here soon once things settle down.

I've been teamed up with Extremus since 2012 a global full-service sports marketing & management company serving an array of star athletes and lifestyle brands who embrace the motto, “There are no limits.” I am thrilled to be in association with some of these exceptional athletes including Kenyan runner Jonathan Kibet and Kim Schwabenbauer the 9th American at the Ironman World Championships last year. 

Finally I was hand picked to represent the Cobb Mobb Elite Team powered by Cobb Cycling which happens to be based in Tyler, Texas. I was living in Fort Worth at the time I applied, Jeremy Brown, the Director who I had never met at the time was giving no hints away who had made it until the last minute. The Mobb includes an array of a couple of pro and elite-amateur triathletes. Most of us are from the Deep South in Texas and Louisiana. I am sure you are going to hear a lot about this. 
If you made it down this far then you are doing good. I try to keep my write-ups as short as possible. With this much support it's hard not too. Outside of these fantastic opporuntities I also have the support of family my parents, Rylan, and soon be Wife in March, Calley. I am really blessed and thank God for these people who are helping me make the most of this sport and the talent and work ethic he has given me. 

I am super excited about my first race of the year right around the corner and I'll so be coming into the new 30 year old age division at most of these. The first race is next weekend the Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon in Shreveport, LA, which is also the "USAT South MidWest Regional Du Championships". It's my second duathlon ever, I don't know if you can even count my first one (Texas Motor Speedway Du 2010) since I ended with a DNF due to a flat tire. I can tell you duathlons are super hard - you run all out, then you bike all out, then you try to run all out with whatever you have left. This should be fun, I'm hoping for sunny and 75 weather ;) 

Here is the rest of my schedule for the year. Thanks for reading this far and I hope to see you out there. . 

2014 Season Schedule

Feb 9: Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon - Shreveport, LA
March 1: Fresh 15K - Tyler, TX
April 13: New Orleans 70.3 - New Orleans, LA
April 27: Wiki Man - Wills Point, TX
May 26: Cap Tex - Austin, TX
June 8: Kansas 70.3 - Lawrence, KS
June 29: Buffalo Springs 70.3 - Lubbock, TX
July 13: Shadow Creek Ranch - Pearl Land, TX
July 20: Kansas 5150 - Lawrence, KS
Sept 14: TriFecta - Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
Sept 20: Augusta 70.3 - Augusta, GA
Oct 26: Austin 70.3 - Austin, TX
Nov 2: Oilman Half Ironman - Lake Conroe, TX

Cobb Mobb 2014 Elite Team

This maybe long over due as many of you know already especially my buddies in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and East Texas. I was recently selected on the Cobb Mobb Elite Team for 2014.  

The Cobb Mobb is a nation wide triathlon team which also includes a team of Pro's and a grassroots team backed by the power of Cobb Cycling located in a little town called Tyler, Texas. 

When I first heard of the opportunity I eagerly applied and couldn't wait for the announcement to hurry up and be released, based on the names above I knew it was going to be super competitive to get in on the elite team. I was excited when Jeremy had contacted to let me know I had made it.

 I first met John Cobb, I believe it was at the pre-tri clinic for the Rose City triathlon in August 2008.

 John Cobb is known world wide for his research and design particularly in saddle design and aerodynamics and has been in the cycling and triathlon industry since the 1970's. The Cobb Cycling company however started just in 2008 and they are huge supporter in the local community. To learn more about John Cobb go here.

I just got the new Cobb JOF saddle, it's technical name is the 55 almost just like this one shown, below, except mine is solid black throughout. I had switched over recently from an ISM saddle. I like this Cobb saddle because the front is more narrow which allows my legs to have less restrictions and still relieves other areas. It also seems less bulky and better comfort.

I am glad to know my better side is backed up by the Mobb as I'm looking forward to representing the Cobb Mobb team this year.

Thanks again for reading!!

The Shama Fit

This 2014 I am blessed to be working with great team of people that includes Shama Cycles out of Houston. Of course you know I don't live anywhere near Houston. I don't go to H-Town often but when I do it's well worth a stop at Shama Cycles.

I had the opportunity to work with Philip Shama. Shama is a huge supporter in the cycling and triathlon community and is a partner with OutRival Racing. Shama has also worked with pro cyclist and triathletes, so I was comfortable with him helping with my fit. I am disappointed I came on Saturday instead of Friday. Friday at Shama's is "Cup Cake Friday".

I made some radical changes to my bike fit at the start of the 2012 season. There isn't exactly a text book fit for every rider. It's been a struggle coming back to racing the bike portion like the old day's the last couple of years but we are getting there and better, my power to weight ratio says so.

The problems  due because I was set way behind the bottom bracket and had extreme flexion in my ankles, I was set up well on the front end though but they went the wrong direction with me. Over the course of the last two years I have made some small changes to my bike fit that were positive steps in the right direction.

These next two pictures I am set up in Shama's fitting room. Please disregard the mis-matched kit. I am wearing my first ever bicycle jersey though, repping the San Diego Bicycle Club.

Bike Fit from mid 2013

Shama Fit 2014

Good part about Shama is that he listens to and even checks on you after the fit and wants you to update him.  The changes that were made with Shama included a small cleat adjustment, longer stem, added some spacers back in, raised saddle height very slightly, and switched out my old ISM saddle for the Cobb JOF. There will be some more changes that I will eventually need to make as well over time, maybe a lot of time ;)

Since the Shama Fit and after few riding miles I am riding comfortably with a higher cadence and I can hold aero position. I never knew I had shoulder discomfort but there significantly less if any tension in my left shoulder. I am also loving the Cobb JOF (Just Off Front) saddle, it has the right amount of thickness and doesn't restrict my legs and other areas, but I'll do another blog on that soon. With the increase in stem length, you think I would have less control over the front wheel. It turns out I must have been really squirly to begin with because I can't really tell a difference.

I'll probably say this over and over again this year but I am really blessed to have a great team of people behind me this year. I really appreciate all the help!

Thanks for reading and if you are in Houston be sure to check out Shama's Cycling, especially on Friday for cupcakes.

Out Rival Racing Training Weekend and 1 Year Anniversary

What an exciting weekend I had! It was the ORR Elite group training weekend and Calley & I celebrated our 1 year anniversary.

I drove down to Houston after work Friday evening for the first big training weekend of the year. I was starving by the time I got to Houston after unsuccessfully finding a Subway with gluten free options. I'll know next time to be better prepared for traveling on the road. I stayed at the Hubert Inn. They have excellent hospitality! Jarrett (also on ORR) and Erin hosted me to a great home stay. Erin also has a lot of family in Carthage and they frequently visit, so we knew a lot of the same people. 

Jarrett and I rose early Saturday morning and headed to The Woodlands to meet the team and swim with the Magnolia Masters led by Tim Floyd. It was fun times. There were only about 5-6 of us a to a lane. We were filmed and photographed all weekend...all these photographs are courtesy of Corey Oliver.

The swim was a beating and it was only about 3500 yards.

We quickly got dressed and headed out for a 48 mile group ride that was to steadily build to tempo for the last hour. The ride quickly got fast having a few pro cyclists in the group. I stayed back or so for a little while because my effort and heart rate was starting too high and too quick. A great athlete always follows their coach's instructions. 

My favorite part of the ride was walking into this gas station that took you back in time. There was a lower level into a "bar setting" that had a jukebox, pool table with an old budlight lamp over it. I thought I had walked into a movie setting for "Pure Country". The jukebox even had it flipped open showing George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" album.

Out Rival Racing Group Ride. 

  

It wasn't long after leaving the old gas station/bar the ride quickly heated up...and so did the wind. 

Todd Teren leading the way here, he is making his debut rookie pro season this year.

Todd and I riding together.

After our ride we quickly got ready for short ride around the parking lot since the track was locked up. Our running form was filmed then we followed up and did some drills in the grass. 

What I do with my running form I make up for it with my swimming.

Coach Michelle showing us how to do heel lifts.

After our group workouts it was refuel time at the local Chili's. Then I went to Shama Cycles and Shama worked on my bike fit and I switched my old ISM Adamo TT saddle for the Cobb JOF. I'll do a separate blog for the Shama Fit and the Cobb saddle soon enough. I want to offer an honest opinion after I get some more riding miles in but so far so good. 

I am thankful for all the support team I have this year.

I left Shama Cycles and headed to Tyler to see Calley and it was our time to celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary. Honestly, I do not even know how I was so blessed to have found her. She tells me I must have did something wrong, so I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing wrong. 

We headed to the Lago Del Pino for dinner Sunday. We had a great dinner there but found it difficult to eat gluten free there but we managed to do it. I had a nice steak filet along with a loaded baked potato and veggies. 

We followed Lago del Pino that up with the Pizookie at BJ's with some strong coffee's. Don't worry (it's gluten free too).  I had a big training weekend and any amount of coffee at that point wouldn't keep me up for too long. It's important to earn your calories. 

My Wife to be in 2.5 months...who's counting?