Watch out: I'm on a roll! I just wanted to add a few more thoughts, to prove that I'm really back.

First off, I wanted to post a couple pictures from a fun weekend of training I had with my good friend, and Jack and Adam's teammate, Todd Gerlach. He made his way up to the soft mountain air, in order to have some fun, and to escape the relentless heat of a September in Austin, Texas.

While he was here, I was finishing up week three of my big build. I took him to all my regular stomping grounds, including Switerland Trail (a gorgeous trail at 8500ft, in the mountains above Boulder), a trip up Left Hand Canyon (LHC for short), and a couple trips to FAC, our local club (pool and gym, not hip-hop/ party).

Along the way I only managed to pull my camera out twice. Bummer, but at least I got two shots. First, Todd and I were racing some incoming weather, as we shot up to mile 12 of LHC. We were hoping to hit Ward at mile 17, but the report of snow turned us around early. In photo number two, note the ominous black clouds behind Todd: this was actually down the mountain from us, and was therefore BETTER weather than what awaited us up top.

What awaited us down in the flatlands was a lot of wind. And I mean A LOT. I don't think you can grasp this unless you live, or have visited, the front range of CO. The wind was a STEADY 35mph, with gust from 50-80 mph. Please note that 80 mph classifies a low-grade hurricane (when sustained at that speed, of course). Nonetheless, Todd and I "practiced" for Hawaii for the rest of the ride.

Picture number one is in honor of Todd sprinting past the city limits sign (evidently something they "do" in Austin now) in front of me. Now, granted, I was on the side of the road waiting for him when he sprinted by... small victories.

I'm back! I realize it's been three months since the last update, and most of you have likely stopped checking in on my blog, but hey, I'm back. I went through a slump... for writing, that is. I'm back now.

My first update is right smack in the middle of my Hawaii prep! I meant to log on once or twice per week (yeah right!) during my big five weeks of training to show you some of the scenery while I was out there. Now I've only got three+ weeks 'til the race, and I'll do what I can to bring everyone up to speed.

July 30: Vineman. I had a great time in Sonoma; I had a great homestay (Iron Mady!!); I wasn't too fast on a day where four guys broke four hours!; and I really enjoyed the area, the race, and the trip!

August 20 was Timberman. I love this race. For those of you who have not made it up to beautiful NH, get there soon! It's an awesome venue, an awesome race director, great party, and one heck of a pretty place. I finished the race in second, behind a blazing fast Bjorn Andersson.

August 27 was Ironman Canada. Let me just say that the trip to the Great White North was well worth the hassle (forgot my passport getting there!). Amanda had a decent race (albeit with another botched nutrition on race day); we loved visiting our good friends S and K Wood; we spent some fun time with GF, Paula Newby and Roch the week of the race; and we truly loved the whole experience. If you've not been to Penticton for the race: GO!

August 28th was day one of my 8-week Kona Build. I planned to train hard for four to five weeks, with a three to four week taper. I'm now at the end of that fifth week, and let me tell you: I've had some great training, and I'm really looking forward to the race next month!

This time I mean it: tune in SOON for more updates. (I'm publishing this now, before I slack off again...)