You would not believe that one of my resolutions for 2009 was to find more time to post... Going 9 days in the new year and I am just getting around to post for the first time. I think that I am failing with this resolution... what do you think? The good news is that I can only get better from here and I hope to be able to write something at least more than what I already do...But looking back at 2008 I am very pleased to see how far we have come... where do I start?
The birth of Junior Clot Buster is/was the MOST INCREDIBLE event of my life besides marrying Mrs. Clot Buster. Both of these rank 1 and 2 in my book for sure but only one of them took place in 2008, the other I've been enjoying for the better part of 10 years!!!
Also becoming a citizen of this country was very big deal for me. I am very proud of being lucky enough to have this provilige. For so long it was just a dream and now it is here and I AM A GRINGO!
Of course spreading the word about Blood Clots and Blood Clotting Disorders continued to be the main focus for the Clot Buster and NATT's STOP THE CLOT campaign...
*** Successful fundraiser during the Clot Buster's First Ever Marathon at the Flying Pig in Cincinnati.
*** STOP THE CLOT wristbands available for everyone to purchase and wear.
*** STOP THE CLOT Technical Shirts designed and manufactured so that those of you out there willing to spread the word can also have the Clot Buster's flagship polka-dots to wear in whatever you are doing... I wear mine everywhere possible. In grocery stores is where people stop me the most... go figure.
*** Finally, came up with something useful for this blog... THE CLOT BUSTER ATHLETE OF THE MONTH series was started in June and it is rolling along very well. It is truly and honor for me to get to meet people through this medium and share the stories they are willing to share with me about their clotting incident but more importanly about their RETURN to whatever sporting activity they enjoyed doing. This reminds me, if you know of anyone that should be featured in the Athlete of the Month Series, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!
*** Second Annual GREATER CLEVELAND TRIATHLON fundraiser raffle another success. Dear Friends in Cleveland and anyone who stopped by our booth... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
*** Participated in 3 triathlons over the summer placing top three in my age group in every single one of them... The power of the polka-dots is helping me out!Here are some of my training and racing totals for the year... I am crazy enough to keep a log every single day so everything that I do gets recorded and totalled... check it out:
Swim = 56,453 meters (2007 = 113,618 meters)
Bike = 1426.7 Miles (2007 = 2519.9 Miles)
Run = 960.7 Mikes (2007 = 537 Miles)
I guess that having a little one slowed me down some compared to 2007. If you ask me, I take Junior and the joy it provides without a question.
So, here it is The Clot Buster's year end review. 2009 should be GREAT FUN and I am very much looking forward to it. You know that I will be attempting my second marathon aiming to make it to Boston but for the rest of the plans I will have to keep you in the dark...Thanks for Reading,
The Clot Buster
To all The Clot Buster Family wishes the VERY BEST in this Holiday Season!
Enjoy those Danish Butter Cookies but make sure you earn them!
Would you provide more detail for me about your story and all of the racing you do?
How did you feel after the clot? How long did it take for your to shake off the shock of having clots discovered?
For the Clot Buster clan we stopped the clock at a very respectable 48:43 with Junior crossing the finish line ahead of us. I really tried to beat him but I just could not get around him...
It was an incredible experience to race together the entire way and cross the finish line together. We don't get to do it very often since racing together is not always an option. But this time it was and for our 10th time doing this race for sure was special.
As you can see the polka-dots were once again out if full force spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders... I am not sure if this time around I was getting strange looks because of the polka-dots or because I was passing people while pushing the stroller... I did not have time to ask.
However, this marathon will be special because I am aiming very seriously to run under 3 hours and 10 minutes in order to qualify for Boston... it is going to be a HUGE TALL ORDER for me but one I think that I can do... I just need to shave 19 minutes from my previous marathon time... what do you think? Can I do it? Honestly, I believe that the power of the polka-dots will carry me there and I will be able to reach this goal that is within my grasp I think... stay tuned to see how things progress.
Of course, like this year, I am still doing my beloved triathlons. Greater Cleveland Triathlon if they take me back... Not as many as I used to do but enough to continue flying the polka-dot colors for everyone to see. I would love to have the chance to train and race a Half-Iron Distance race some place around here but I think that for 2009 I will have to just hold on to Olympic Distace races which is perfectly fine by me.
Have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY everyone!
It is fascinating to be a parent and see the little one change every day right in front our eyes. Couple of weeks ago he was less mobile than today. Very soon here will be flipping over from his back to the front and we anticipate that thereafter crawling will be just a matter of time... all considered we are very fortunate to have him. We could not be happier. 
This post is very special to me because I get the opportunity to honor a friend of mine and her family, who have been instrumental in the Clot Buster's success in the activities that have taken place at the Greater Cleveland Triathlon.
I hope to have the same amount of energy she has with everything that she has going on with her boys, work, training, and just enjoying life. 
She is truly a breath of fresh air as she gets things done. She is definitely a champion not only in sport but also in being an example on the fact that life does continue after a clotting episode and you can look back on the episode and tell about it as you participate actively in spreading the word. Please read more about Deirdre's experience 
I am honored to have the great fortune to post about Deirdre and share her enthusiasm for life with all of you out there.
Thanks for reading,
FELICITATIONES!!! Congratulations to both of them! 
Last weekend she participated in her first Half-Marathon here in Columbus, Ohio. I am so proud of her as she had a kick "rear end" race. She looked great everytime we got to see her at different points of the race. Now she is telling me that she has the "running bug", I am not sure what that means but maybe just maybe she may consider doing a marathon... that I don't know but what I do know is that I will be cheering her on the entire way. 
I have to confess that following a race with your son in a jogging stroller is no easy task. Trying to coordinate feeding times with race course locations with diaper changes with race pace predictions was a challenge that I was not exactly ready for. I have a new appreciation for what Mrs. Clot Buster does when she is out there cheering for me at the races.
Outside of cheering for Mrs. Clot Buster and changing Junior's diapers I've been thinking about my race schedule next year and how I will get things arranged... but really I've been sharpenning my dart throwing techniques...
Thanks for reading,
I very much enjoyed the coverage of the race on-line. The former pro-triathelets did a good job broadcasting the race, which I magine cannot be easy... somehow they find something to talk about for the better part of nine hours which in my opinion is very impressive. Granted, I did not sit around and watch all of the coverage but everytime I tuned in they were going at it talking about something. 
Can anyone beat Chrissie Wellington cannot be stopped. Did you hear about her race? Not even a flat could keep her from catching up to the leaders, pass them all, and then go on to break the marathon record time...! Are you serious? Talk about potential. 
I am very impressed. If I can be smiling like her after surviving an Ironman I probably would be just waking up from a dream...
Hard to believe but 5 years ago Mrs. Clot Buster and I were in Kona volunteering at the 25th Anniversary of the race. I even made the TV coverage when Lori Bowden is getting of the bike and she passes right in front me as I was volunteering catching bikes... of course you really have to slow down the tape to see me but I was there... it was an incredible experience to be there and see it all go on right in front of you. I hope that someday we get to go back... hopefully to race (you never know what could happen in the lottery... keep your fingers crossed)
It was a treat to be able to follow the race on-line and see it all unfold. I am looking forward to the TV special later on in December. Now, I wish I could go out an race... winter triathlon anyone?
Thanks for reading,
Just like many of you out there, McCord found me on the web while searching information about blood clots and blood clotting disorders after suffering from a clotting episode himself. Thankfully McCord was able to get the appropriate care and treatment during his clotting episode and consistently he has been able to return to "almost" his top form... I say almost because law school and being newly married is keeping busy in all fronts!
A few weeks ago McCord wrote me an email with some updates about what he is up to and I wanted to share those with you so that you can see that this kid can ride despite of having to deal with the awareness of possible clotts...
Defintely GREAT to hear how it is possible to get back and do all of the things that you love to do. Reading updates like this inspire me even more to get out there and spread the word that much more.
So, what should I focus on next year. I have the option to train for another marathon, this time however, with the focus on qualifying for Boston. OR, I could focus on a half-iron distance race sometime in the summer and call it good. OR, do a handful of races around here and just get the polka-dots out there just like I've done until now. 
I have to confess that doing another marathon with a few tri's in the summer is a formula that worked great this year. I very much liked the turnout I had of donations for the marathon fundraiser. Can I do that again next year? I guess there is only one way to find out...
