Got some awesome news today! Soundasthma.com will be sponsoring me for the entire 2013 season. I'm really looking forward to working with them and helping raise asthma awareness. As an athlete with asthma and a father of a 2 year old with pre asthma symptoms this is huge for me. Learning more about the details. More to come!!!
I have 2 brothers (they are twins), both of whom I love greatly but today I wanted to tell you all about Kyle. Since this blog is focused on triathlons, Ironman training and never giving up I thought it only made sense to write about Kyle.
Kyle is 5 years younger than me so as you can imagine there was a gap there growing up. We always had a lot in common as kids and I enjoyed him hanging around. As I became older and got a car and all that good stuff I pretty much stopped spending much time with my brothers and I regret that to this day. Because of that I think as Kyle grew up we never really spent much time together either. Even though we loved each other we had our own friends and things to do. We both loved sports and enjoyed playing basketball in the CYO leagues. I even got to coach his high school team, which was an awesome experience.
After high school and some college Kyle decided the Army was something that would work for him. I deeply respected his decision to join especially given the post 9/11 times we lived in. Kyle excelled in the military, really anything he puts his heart in he excels in. I thought for sure he was going to be a career guy. But luckily for his family he decided to get out and come home after about 5+ years in. During that time he spent 18 months in Iraq. We don't talk about that time much, mainly I think because I'm almost afraid to ask. I've heard and seen enough video and pics to know that it wasnt a pleasant experience.
During his time in the military Kyle missed a lot of family time. I think that's probably the worst part of it for him. I felt like Iraq really changed him for a while. When he was home he seemed on edge. I can only imagine how war can really impact a man. I really don't see that in him much anymore. He is a big ol softy around my daughter to, I love that! I'm not sure if he really understands how proud of him I am, but I hope he does. We texted a LOT during his time in Washington. We kept each other motivated on our running programs and I really enjoyed that. I really think we kind of had a rebonding time around that. I really couldn't wait until he came home and we could do that stuff together.
He is home now and has been for a couple years. Our work schedules don't allow us to get to train much together but when we do I love it. We've also done some running races together and one Sprint triathlon. Sharing something you are so passionate about with your brother is a pretty awesome thing. Being the big brother I think I get just as much enjoyment in seeing him meet a goal than I do meeting my own. It meant so much to me that he figured out how to get a day off for my Ironman last year. I could always see and hear him in the crowd before anyone else. When your little brother who you are so extremely proud of is out there showing his pride in you it's something that chokes me up even writing this.
Kyle is geared up for his first Ironman at Ironman Louisville this year. We will be out there racing together hopefully and I hope I get a chance to see him on the course at some point. He is a freakishly fast swimmer so there is a chance I won't see him after we jump off the dock. I'm so excited for him knowing what that finish line feels like and living through the journey of your first Ironman is an experience in itself. He is going to do great, I know he will, it's going to be an awesome year.
Please give him a shout out and keep him in your thoughts as he prepares for this day. He's a true hero for his service and he'll be an Ironman this year!
Never Give Up especially on something you can't go a day without thinking about!! Dream Big!
Looks like my hip pain isn't just going to go away. This problem showed up last year and I ended up getting cortisone shots which I don't believe helped. But some time off and strength training seemed to be the answer. I had to end my 7 miler last night at 6.25 simply because I couldn't stand the pain any longer.
The pain is in my right hip on the back side of the leg at the top rear side of the bone. It really only hurts when I run and the day or so after. I have really tight hamstrings and I'm trying very hard to focus on stretching more. Part of me believes it a form issue, but I'm not convinced that's what it is. It could also me from mild probation, tight muscles, an injury, back issues or hip rotation issues. Either way it's painful and I need to get it fixed.
My plan of attack is time off from running with a focus on the bike, stretching and strength/PT type work. I'm going to give it 2 weeks and then start some easy runs and see how it feels. Luckily I'm still a ways off from any primary races but this could impact some trail races I had planned.
I've neglected my bike really since a month after Ironman Louisville so the extra bike work is welcomed, but I don't want to lose any running fitness but a couple weeks won't hurt.
Enough complaining for today since my lunch is about finished. Looking forward to the weekend and I hope you all have a great one!
If anyone has any tips or ideas about the hip thing please comment or email me!
Remember to never give up because anything you work hard enough for is possible! Just check out rundustin.com for a prime example.
