Big thanks go to Snapple Triathlon Team for all the support, Louis Garneau for the super light and comfy race kit, Mizuno for the speedy shoes (which will hopefully be speedier at the next race!),Rudy Project for the now completely aero helmet and awesome shades, Xterra for helping me finally have a swim I don’t want to cry about, and PowerBar for keeping me fueled. Most importantly, thank you to Bob and Russ for opening your home for us, CJ the always reliable dog sitter, and super husband-sherpa-advisor who always has my back.

After months of hard work, I’d finally made it. 

To the front of the professional male triathlon pack?

Well, no.

But I’ve made a big step in my triathlon career.  I’ve moved up the ranks. To an awesome place called:

"No man’s land".

On Sunday April 14, I raced Ironman South Africa and though there was no rain, that didn’t stop me from singing Toto’s seminal masterpiece to anyone here in the States who would listen. The entire African experience—from racing an Ironman at the end of the world, to holding a baby lion in my bare hands—was probably the most memorable of my entire life

Ahh, the comfort of routine.  I’ve started off my triathlon season with the XTERRA Western Championships twice before, both in 2011 and 2012.   I always looked at the race as a low-stress way to kick off the early season and kind of get back into the swing of racing.

But this year was very different.