Running Outside!!!

Wow! What a treat to be running outsite this afternoon. Finally, it was warm enough (according to The Clot Buster's standards) for me to gather my courage to get out there. I had to dodge the melting snow but I could not be happier to get away from the treadmill and smell the fresh air. The legs are slowly coming around and the speed is building. I am already looking forward to the start of the racing season.

But before I can get my polka-dots for racing I will be wearing them to talk to people at NATT's next Education Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I can asure you that you will not have any problems finding me at the conference. If you are interested please take the time to check the link below to see the agenda of the conference. It is packed with all sorts of good information...

http://www.nattinfo.org/NATT_Blood_Clot_Seminar_March_2007.pdf

Dear readers, I wanted to call for your attention because I need some help... I am in the midst of looking for potential sponsors that would be willing to support The Clot Buster during his 300 Miles of racing this summer. I have contacted a number of companies and I have a packet of information that I would provide for them that explains the details for my fundraiser. I just trust that some of you out there have some good ideas that I may be able to explore. So, if you have any suggestions I am all ears.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Found My Way...!

Wow, I have to apologize for being gone so long. It is been busy with all sorts of things going on in the last couple of weeks. Don't fear, I've been able to continue my training and we are moving along very well. My Lovely wife is keeping it real for me administrating my running workouts so this year I have a much better structure on that department. Her guidance should take me the place I need to be to close out my races with a strong run. I am very excited to have her so involved with my racing because I know good results will come out from her efforts.

But training is not the only thing going around here for the Clot Buster. I am currently working very hard to get some sponsors on board to help with my fundraising effort this summer. So far, I have AEP Ohio returning as a sponsor of the polka-dots and I am very pleased about that. I have a couple of more companies on my radar screen so stay tuned to see who else decides to help NATT in their mission to educate about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

Speaking of educating about blood clots and blood clotting disorders NATT is getting ready to launch another Education Seminar to take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 10th, 2007. Please take a look at the following link if you would like any more information. http://www.nattinfo.org/commandevents.htm.

The Clot Buster will be in ABQ on the weekened of March 10th., so look out for the polka-dots coming at you. I am very excited to have the chance to go and help out as much as possible.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

I am it for now but next it could be you for a tag...

So, here are my responses to the questions I received in a tag from "The Tri Journey's Marz_Racer." Here we go:

1) Describe a memory of your first triathlon.

In 2001 I participated in my first triathlon competing in a team with my wife. I participated in the swim and bike and she did the run. I will never forget what I felt when I emerged from from the water and raced my way to the transition area to get on my bike. That feeling of going from the swim to the bike is what attracted me to the sport for good. Luckily for me ever since I've had the same feeling while racing. I can best described as being a "focused bad ass" as I get my legs going from the swim to the bike. I enjoy that transition every time. There are a few seconds there when I first get out of the water when I am totally in a zone as in a trance from the swim and depending upon the length of the transition I come out of it and I get to look around and be aware of what is around me. Those few seconds are really precious to me and it is what I captured on my very first race.

2) Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon.
2006 Great Lake Escape... we had some terrible conditions that forced the organizers to cancel the swim and make it all a duathlon. I remember greatly having enough juice in my legs to put the hammer down on the last 2 miles of the second run to get away from these group of guys and come up with a nice showing for a race that had some rough conditions out there.

3) What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?

Looking around the transition area for the location of my spot. Running all over the place until I finally figure it out. I look like an idiot every time... Don't worry if you are at a race with the Clot Buster there is a good chance you will see me wondering the isles in a giving transition looking for my spot. I've tried everything that I can to remember where I am at... I think that next up I will need to put up some sort of flag or something.

4) What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?

Getting the chance to race as much as I do in an attempt to raise funds for NATT is a thrill enough. I think that meeting people after the events and getting the chance to get to know them is thrilling for me. Specially, when they get to know about NATT and what it stands for. Of course, I thought that it was really cool to get my third place award from Karen Smyers at Shawnee Mission Medical Center Triathlon in Shawnee Mission, KS. Talk about someone who has a story to tell... what a women. I hope that I can race like her when I am at that age. I don't even want to go into all of her struggles. I have great memories of that experience.

5) What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?

That I know a lot more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders than I ever thought. Also, that the mind is so powerful and that it can take you the gratest highs and the lowest of the lows if you let it get you there.

6) What is THE BIG GOAL that you're working towards?

The big goal is to raise as much money as I can for NATT. Racing a total of 300 Miles this summer should catch people's attention and get them motivated to donate anywhere from a nickel, dime, or a quarter for every mile that I race this summer. I would also like to see other people out there taking the time to Thank the volunteers that come out to race. I does not matter how good you are you have to make yourself take a moment and tell as many of those volunteers that you appreciate them being there.

Finally, I really would like to get my mind straight and string together a nice run during the half-iron distance races I am doing this year.

If you get to read this then you are it...wait I know someone I can tag... My friend Deirdre (I hope your foot is doing better) and the Spandex King (I hope that you are not freezing too badly up north).

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

STAY WARM!!!

It seems like around here there is no other topic other than how bloody cold it is...

I am beside myself about the freezing temperatures around these parts. I hope that we hit the bottom of the bucket and from here we start to climb our way up. I feel for all of you up North with even more cold and snow than down here.

So, indoor trainer, trademill, and lap pool here I come. Let's see what you can dish out for me!

Does anyone out there who reads these posts have had the chance to watch the "What it takes" DVD? What do you think? Is it worth buying? Will it help me to keep my mind distracted while on the trainer?

Thanks for reading and STAY WARM!!!

The Clot Buster