2012 Diva Dash 5K Run

The 2012 Diva Dash 5K run was for Tori Svenson. Tori is a beautiful 7 year old little girl who is bravely battling brain cancer. All of the funds raised will go to help her family pay for the mounting medical bills and other personal things. There was a total of 621 participants which should bode her a substantial check.

This was my first 5K of 2012. I had only ran 2 times this year, and they were the week of the race. I wasn't expecting much out of my performance due to the lack of training, but was hoping to finish better than my last race on the same venue. If I could finish around 25:30 I would be happy.

The race went off without a hitch and I started off on the 2nd row. I got a great start and sprinted off with the leaders and then fell into my race pace. The course is 2.25 laps around the Cascade Hills Church campus road.

I finished with a time of 25:41 and felt really good during and after the run. Age groups were in 10 year increments and I placed 10th out of 42. Would have placed 3rd if it was 5 year increments.

Here are the Results

2012 Southern Spring Fling Inline Speed Skating Races

Since September 5, 2009 I have greatly waited for this day with anxious anticipation. This will be my first inline speed skating race since separating my right A/C joint (shoulder). It just happens that this race is at the very same skating rink where the accident happened so long ago. Even though I have been going to Smyrna the past few Sunday's to practice at the rink, I haven't raced there, which is a totally different feeling than just practicing. The nerves, the speed, the NEW guys to race against. And of course, the FEAR of IT happening again.

After having a great evening visiting with my kids in Auburn, I headed up to Powder Springs, Ga. to spend the night with my good friend Jerry. Since I arrived late, Jerry was already asleep, so I snuck in and passed out.

The alarm on my phone seemed to go off as soon as I hit the pillow. 4:15 comes early no matter what time you actually go to bed. The races start at 6am sharp, so I had to get up, shower and get to the rink around 5am claim my spot and get ready to skate.

I am scheduled to race the Elite Veteran division and the Novice Master Men division. Elite divisions start at 6am sharp, and the Novice divisions will start immediately following the Elite awards ceremony. It really makes for a very LONG day. We have 240 participants registered to race and we have to get them all in by 6pm. So as soon as one race is over, the next race is called to the start line.

For the first time since going to Nationals in 2008, my age group has heats. There are 14 Veteran Men in 3 heats, WOW. And one of them includes Jim Larson which is the reigning World Record holder!!! Oh well, who isn't up for a challenge.

Well he wasn't in my heat, so he wasn't the one that I needed to worry about. Most of these guys I didn't know, so I had no idea how good they were. Well I quickly found out and placed 4th in both my 500 meter and 1000 meter heats. Which didn't qualify me for the finals (top 3 go). I wasn't too disappointed though being my first race in 2-1/2 years. My starts were terrible, so at least I know where I need to concentrate my training for next time.

So now I have wait around until the Novice races start, approximately 3 hours!!! I know alot of these same guys are going to be racing in the Novice division too, so the thought of leave did cross my mind a little. I quickly tried to distract myself from the thought and walked around to find some of these guys to go talk to. Kind of break the ice so to speak. Skaters are all a good bunch of folks and are very nice, at least off the floor that is. LOL

After a seemingly endlees waiting period, my warm-up is called. So it time to get the head straight and warm-up those muscles. My legs are feeling ok up to this point. I hit the floor and get several warm-up laps in and then go check-in at the starting line. I find out that Master Men has heats too.

I'm in the first heat, but this time I come in 3rd. So the confidence is building some! My start was actually pretty respectable and I am happy with it. The final comes around pretty quick (even though it was an hour later). I get aneven better start this time and place 3rd in the 500 meter final!!! YAY I am exstactic! LOL I seems that as the day goes, my starts and skating in general are getting better and better. Now I am axiously anticipating the 1000 meter races.

When I go to check-in for the 1st 1000 meter heat, the girl tells us that some guys have bailed out of the race and there is going to be only 2 heats with 7 guys in each. WOW, I don't think that I have ever had that many GROWN men on the start line since I started racing! I am in the 2nd heat this time. I start thinking about strategy and decide that I need to put all of my effort towards the start and get out as fast as I can.

So we are now called to the line. The gun goes off and we race down the line to the first corner (cone). I am in 3rd position and am happy with that. As we come around to start the 2nd lap, the 2 guys in front of me go a little wide and I make the pass for 1st. Some how I was able to hold the off and finish the heat in 1st. I think you could have seen the smile on my face all the way back in Columbus! Top 3 qualify for the finals.

So the 1000 meter finals finally make it around about 5:45pm. Remember we have to be out of the building by 6pm. Master Men is always the last race of the day, unfortunately! So we come to the line and the gun goes off. I start the race in 3rd position again. I some how am able to hold off a late charge by one of the guys and finish in 3rd being unable to catch the 2 guys in front.

By now my legs are totally shot and hurting, but my overall feeling is grand. I had a great day with no incidences or injuries. AND my performance improved with almost every lap during the day. It was also good to see alot of my skating buddies that I haven't seen in several years.

I finished 3rd place overall for the Nocive Master Men. I am now looking forward to the next race and to see what I can do there. Possibly the Tampa Classic April 6-7. More to come then...

FAMOUS - well at least for this report

SPECIAL REPORT: The Ultimate Endurance Test
Posted: Feb 02, 2012 2:31 PM EST
Updated: Feb 09, 2012 2:29 PM EST

By Sara Belsole - WLTZ News

COLUMBUS, GA - They swim. They bike. They run.

And they put all three of them together for the ultimate endurance test: the triathlon.

"Pain, exhaustion, fatigue, where's the next aid station," triathlete Brent Staley says.

Despite the tremendous physical challenge, triathlons seem to be the new drug of choice for fitness addicts here in Columbus.

"It's the fastest growing part of my business. Two years ago it was women's cycling and now it is triathletes," Ride on Bikes owner Jason McKenzie says.

"I had heard of triathlons before I started and never really thought about doing it, but once I got into it I don't know what it is, it just grabs you," triathlete Scott Burkhalter says.

Many triathletes say once you're hooked, it's time to alter your lifestyle in order to train--which some say can almost be like a second job.

"I wake up before the sun, I was in the gym this morning running on the treadmill," Staley says.

"I bike probably about 3-4 times a week, and swim at least twice a week and run twice a week," Burkhalter says.

Not to mention a totally new diet plan.

"I eat about 4,000 calories a day, lots of fruits, I try to get a lot of protein in to kind of rebuild especially after I work out," Staley says.

If you're looking to get involved in triathlons, Ride on Bikes right here on Broadway is where you need to come. It's the only full-service triathlon store in Columbus.

"We have over 300 bikes in stock, so when you walk in, we narrow it down for you. I try to get it down to three bikes for you to choose from," McKenzie says.

Ride on Bikes also has all the shoes, clothing, and other accessories any triathlete could ask for.

"I found out the hard way, it's not cheap by any means," Staley says.

But the triathletes say it's totally worth it.

They also say the increase in triathletes in the area has created a feeling of comradery.

"We travel together, we train together, we diet together, it's kind of like, I hate to say it, a cult, it's something everyone wants to do together," McKenzie says.

And those triathletes are passing the tradition on to their families.

"The most exciting moment I ever had in my triathlon career was last year when my 11-year-old daughter called me up and said she wanted to do one," Burkhalter says.

To celebrate the explosion of triathletes in Columbus, the city is hosting four this year.

And they won't only give those tri addicts another opportunity to compete, but it will also help boost the economy.

"It's becoming a part of our community and people are going to start traveling which is brining money to Columbus. The way triathletes work is they will travel anywhere to race so the more people we get to Columbus for the motels and businesses, the better it is," McKenzie says.


If you want to join the triathlon craze, log onto www.active.com for more information on races, gear, and events here in Columbus.

GSC #4 West Point, Ga.

West point is almost like a local race. It is only about 40 miles north of Columbus. This was good in that I was able to actually go up there 3 times and ride the course before the race. It is a very typical course, about 10 miles with it's share of up and down hills and fast flats.

I had a flat front tire the week before the race, so I decided to buy 2 new tires instead of just trying to fix the flat. I got the Kenda Blue Groove for the front and the Kenda Nevegal for the back. Both are a lot more aggressive than the tires I had on the bike.

The new tires turned out to be a very good thing as it rained hard the day before the race. The course was very slick in the corners and on the bridges. The start of the race a 250 yard flat sprint, then a 90 degree right hand turn up a 100 foot steep hill that was very muddy. So my plan was to hopefully get the hole shot and be the first to the hill. I didn't want to get stuck behind anyone and take a chance that they screw up on the hill. I would hate to have to walk the bike up it.


As the gun goes off, I sprint out to the lead. I was challenged by a new guy riding for the Cycle Youth team. Luckily I was able to hold him off right before we hit the hill. I motored right up the hill and sprinted back down and into the woods. They were not too far behind me tough. I also wanted to get to and over the first bridge in the lead.

As I get to the bridge I see a lot of people watching it. I am sure they wanted to see a crash. As I carefully cross the bridge and sprint up the hill and around the corner, I hear what sounds like a crash. I have no idea what happened and I never look back. I am hoping that whatever happened slowed them down.

As I am racing through the woods, I am able to eventually catch a glimpse back when I do a few switchbacks. I have a good lead on them! Maybe I can hold them off. I am in the hilly part of the course, which is good for me. I know that Curtis is back there and will giving it everything he has to catch me. I really don't like being in the lead as I have nothing to judge myself to. All he has to do is keep me in his sites and try to catch me.

Shortly after I reach the top of the hill section, I hear someone coming up behind me. I am about halfway through the course by then, but I know it probably is Curtis. Shortly there after he passes me. We are on a long slight down hill section so I try my best to keep up with him. I am able to do it for a while, but my legs are almost short so I have to back it off a little. Curtis is very strong and I will kill myself if I try to push it too hard.

Shortly, another guy passes me. I don't pay any attention to his race number and just let him go. He is on a single speed bike so I was thinking that he was in that category. Well I was totally wrong! It was Bob Saxon and he is now in 2nd place. Dang it!!! And I just let him go without a challenge. Oh well. I will not let that happen again. Learned the hard way.

So anyway, the race a good one but still pretty slick. I did manage to finish without any problems. But I did do a lot of sliding around in some corners. I ended up finishing 3rd. Still in 2nd place for the overall series.


Here are the RESULTS

SERC MTB Race #5 - Monte Sano St. Park Huntsville, Al.

Well this one will be a short story after a long haul!!! I drove all of the way over to Huntsville, Al. (5 hours) on Saturday with the intention of racing the SERC race on Sunday morning. I get to the park early Saturday morning for a pre-ride of the trail. After about 3 miles into the course I scrape against a rock and break my deraileur hanger!!! Shoot, dang it!!!

I have to walk it out the 3 miles. When I get back to the start line I start asking around for help. No one has a hanger that will match, but someone tells me to go to the local bike shop and see if they have one.

So off I go and find the bike shop. After about an hour of them looking around, nothing! They even call all of the other shops and they have nothing either. The closest shop that has one is in Birmingham, 2 hours away. Oh well.

So I just decide that it wasn't meant to be. I have to go break down my camp site, pack up the car and head back home. Another 5 hour drive. For some reason I feel as though this race wasn't meant to be and therefore I am not mad. Hmmmmmmm... And the part only cost $30.

GSC #3 Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga.

This was the 3rd race of the GSC series and I am now standing in first place in my age group and cat, by only one point mind you. So I have to everything in my power to keep this lead, all be it might be hard to do. My bike is broke again and there wasn't a quick fix this time. So I am having to borrow a bike and luckily Al Pickens is letting me use his spare.

It is a full suspension bike but it weighs in around 30 pounds. It fits me fine and I able to pre-ride the course on it the Saturday before the race. I have no issues with the bike during the ride so I feel as though I am good to go.

For the pre-ride I met up with Al, John and Mike. We started on the trail not too long after the Xterra race awards was over with. The course was clear but the weather wasn't so much. The forecast had threatened rain and we knew it was on its way. About halfway through the ride the skies opened up and the bottom fell out. And it fell out hard, with lightening too! There was nothing that we could do but keep on riding. No where to hide. The rain didn't last too long and we actually finished in the dry.

Later on that night, after we all got cleaned up, we met in Athens for the Twilight Crit race. We first went to eat at the local Carabbas. The crit was exciting as always and we really enjoyed it. Until the rains returned, that is. Luckily I anticipated the rain and brought my umbrella with me. As did many other folks. It didn't slow down the racers though. They kept on going, and they were probably faster in the rain than I am on the dry pavement.

Fun was had by all, but i now had to go back to the park and attempt to sleep in the storm. The forecast had predicted severe thunderstorms which had me little concerned. But by the time I got back to the camp site, it had all but quit. I quickly changed clothes and went to bed. There were actually a couple other campers there too.

The morning comes bright and early on race day as Dave and Terri Berger crank it up around 7am for pre-registration. At least they are playing some good music over the loud speakers. I lay around for a while, then slowly decide to go ahead and get up. My race doesn't start til 9:30, so I am in no rush.

So the time has finally come a we are all staged at the starting line. I am hoping to get a great start and to be able to hold off the other guys. Not thinking about the "other" bike that I am riding. When the gun sounds, I can't seem to get the bike rolling. It just doesn't want to go. I am in about 4th place off of the line, but I am struggling. This is not a good sign, especially from the start of the race.

The course is 10.5 miles and I am having a hard time keeping pace. I have no idea why it is so difficult. About halfway through I crash twice in the back 40 and am really starting to get pissed off by now. The first half of the course seems to be a lot of up hill trail, but the second half seems to be a lot down hill trail, except for the very end where there is the bill hill climb.

I am now thinking that I can maybe catch up to the leaders some since I am on the easier section of the trail. I have no idea how far ahead they are of me, so at the next road crossing I ask the volunteer. He says that they are only about a minute ahead, so I really start to push it hard. I almost crash a few times on slippery roots, but I don't.

I never am able to catch the leaders and I end up finishing in 4th place. I am very disappointed in my performance. I seemed to be in a struggle the entire race. I never fell into a groove. But that's the way it goes sometimes. 4th place isn't bad, but it puts me back into 2nd place in the series by one point.


Click the link for race RESULTS

GSC #2 Flat Rock Park Columbus, Ga.

Since this is my home track I was somewhat wondering if I would actually have an advantage for the race. Being that I practice here at least 2 times a week, I feel that I should. The time trial on Saturday surely showed that I have the potential to make it happen (except for the crash at the end).

So the hour has finally arrived and I am feeling strong and confident. My race doesn't start til 11:30, so I am patiently waiting. As I am riding around warming up the legs, I notice groups of riders starting to line up near the start line. Hmmmmm I wondered. Are the races ready to start? By the time I got over there the first group was off and riding! WOW, I almost wasn't paying enough attention and almost missed my start! Doh!!! So we were the next group up by the time I got over and ready to go.

The whistle blew and we were off. I had told the guys that I didn't want to be leading the race right from the start, but wouldn't you know it, I am. But not for long as Robert Wommack got a little impatient and passed a few hundred yards into the race. So it is Robert, me, and Curtis and all of the rest heading off into the first section of woods. It is still a tight pack as we turn on the new berm and head towards the trench.

When we reach the top of trench hill we are hitting it pretty hard and fast. Robert is a little out of control on the dip and crashes right in front of me. Luckily he veers off of the trail and into the woods, so we just keep on going right past him. He is uninjured and continues racing, but is in the back of the pack.

So I am now leading again. I have to keep telling myself not to push it too hard and don't worry if you get passed. I am thinking ahead to what is coming up next on the trail. The chicane and then the rock garden. Neither of which are my favorites, but I have to do them non-the-less! I just hope that I don't crash.

As we come to the top of the hill I glance back
and see that there is now a 4 man breakaway from the group and Mike Nichols is in it with us. So we enter into the rock garden with much anticipation. As I make the first right hand switchback I get stopped on a rock with my front tire and fall over. Curtis passes me before I can get up. As I am getting back on my bike Mike pulls up and stops to let me in. I couldn't believe it. What a great guy and teammate!

As we come around the bottom of the rock garden
I am planning what to do for the climb up the rocks. I decide that I will get off of the bike and run it up the hill. So now I am back in 2nd place and I have lost some ground. I tell myself not to worry as we still have a lot of ground to cover. I eventually catch back up to Curtis as we are about to cross the road at the end of the lake. I stay right on his tail all the way through until we reach the exit of the first back woods section.

As we are approaching the exit we catch up to a slower rider from the group that started ahead of us. Now I am planning my strategy to pass Curtis. As we exit the woods I gun it and pass both guys before they knew what hit them and shoot back into the woods in the 2nd section. I know Curtis is going to be right there so I try to keep a fast pace going.

We are about halfway through the 2nd wooded section when we catch up to another slower rider from the group ahead of us. I ride is tail for a short bit and ask him to let me pass when he gets a chance. He does and I pass but Curtis doesn't get the chance to pass him too! YAY, I think. Now I can really put the pedal to the metal and try to pull away from him. I do this and never look back.

As I am exiting the woods and finishing the low area below the dam I catch up to David Jones. I tell him to look out for Curtis as he is coming up behind me. I don't know how much of lead I have, but hopefully he will get stuck behind David and have to slow down again to pass. David tells me that this is exactly what happened after the race is over.

So I am now flying through the top 2 sections on my way to the finish line. As I round some of the switchbacks I get a glimpse back and see Curtis is a pretty good way behind me now. I just have to finish the race uneventful and I will have the win! I feel that I am blistering the pace just like I did in the time trial. I come out of the last section and no one is behind me.

I cross the finish line in 1st place about 30 seconds ahead of Curtis! YAY My time was 50:29 which equates to 12.23 mph. This win also puts me in 1st place overall in the GSC points series (by only 1 point though). Mike Nichols came in 3rd place.


See complete results HERE