Year in Review - 2012

2012 was another year of excess.  Along the way I had ample opportunities to submit.  I questioned several times if I had finally bitten off more that I could chew.  My wife and I had our 3^rd son in April, I took on some more responsibility at work and I was training for an Ironman with a Kona qualifying race as the goal.  The only way to get it all to work was to be ridiculously organized, strive for flawless communication with my wife and optimize my training time with high quality, focused work.

Quitting would have been much easier but I pushed on and surprisingly had one of my best seasons yet!

·         Run CF ½ Marathon – PR 1:19 (PR by 6 minutes) 1^st AG, 3^rd OA

·         Island Lake Olympic Tri – 2:05, 1^st AG, 3^rd OA

·         Grand Rapids ½ Ironman – 4:28, 1^st AG, 3^rd OA

·         Muncie 70.3 (ish)  3^rd AG, 5^th fastest bike split OA

·         Ironman Wisconsin – 9:43, 5^th AG, Kona Qualifier

I didn’t race a ton in 2012 but that was a compromise I made because all of the other challenges I was facing this year.  By focusing on a handful of races I was able to absolutely nail every single one of my goals.  I got some run speed back into my legs early in the year which primed me for some OLY and ½ iron distance racing.  I continued to push hard throughout the year on my bike fitness and with a new bike and optimized position, I can confidently say my biking is no longer a weakness.  And finally, I pulled it all together and held tough at Ironman Wisconsin as I ran my way into 5^th  place in my 5^th Ironman.  In doing so I qualified to race in the Ironman World Championship again next year which was ultimately my end goal for the 2012 season!

Busted, hiding from our kids!

2012 wouldn’t be complete without thanking all of those who supported me.  My wife for her patience and understanding.  She accepts my goals as her own, all the while, being a business professional and a super mom!  My team of sponsors for the 2012 season: 1^st Endurance continues to develop and deliver “best in class” nutritional products that have allowed me to exceed my own expectations.  Desoto Sports for outfitting me in the most comfortable, high quality training and racing apparel I've ever worn!  Profile Designs is a company with deep history in the tri business and their products, with the help of the guys at Fraser Bicycle helped dial in my super low, super aero position.  My success would not have been possible without their support!

Salude!

Again, thank you all for reading and cheering me on!  2013 is going to be a riot!  Much more racing and a lot less pressure!  I’m hoping you’ll all stick around to join me in the adventure.

Happy Holiday

Train Safe

See you in 2013!

I'll leave you with some of my favorite random pic from the season

Daniel-san, shovel the dirt

Team Perez

35 going on 15!

Mike Reilly gave me a woody