I pray God has blessed all of you with health and comfort.

God has blessed me with much happiness and sense of meaning over the years and in response, one of the tasks I have felt directed by Him to remain consistent in is my "Race Story" writing. However, it has been a long time since I've written about a race and I apologize. I also may have left some people off this distribution, or put you on by mistake so please let me know of corrections.

I got into triathlons in '91. Soon, I was overwhelmed by the demands it had on my life. It made me stressed and even moody with friends. God revealed to me that I was to center Him in my life as well as this new time-commitment. As the 2nd commandment says, we are not to make any idols to which receive our worship.. and triathlon had become an idol to take my focus away from Christ.

As I focused on Christ, instead of the business of triathlon, I saw my Triathlon Ministry unfolding. He opened up many doors for me to speak to other people and athletes about my faith. They seemed thankful of the bits of Christianity I spoke about, even during training workouts. My racing emphasis had turned completely from "results" to "opportunities to experience God's work in and around my life". My stories were just re-telling what I experienced on race day... how I would usually feel a comfort, instead of chaos, before the race; how I'd be able to overcome the temptations of being "super competitive" and self-centered when the race began; how I would look to the Lord for strength near the end; and how elated I would feel after the finish, no matter what the outcome, because I felt God's love and promise to always get me through anything.

In 1996 when I tried to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman, I told about His presence during that hot race in Keauhou. And how, during the last 2 miles of the race, I wanted desperately to look back at my competition. Before the race, however, I had promised God that I wouldn't. I was supposed to race "my own" race and God would do the rest. But the temptation was great to take the race into my own hands. I tried to look back... but I couldn't, my neck was so stiff! I tried again and then immediately was convicted by the thought that God was keeping me from looking. My faith was made stronger and I never looked back. Although the results said I didn't qualify, I finished happier than I ever had before because I knew God was with me. Later an error was found in the results. I had indeed qualified and was given the last slot!

During my many training rides and runs over the years, it has not been easy, as I have been plagued by discomfort, injuries, and even criticism. I have wanted to quit multiple times. It was one of those times that God made it clear to me that my purpose in triathlon was not for me to get better and the training to become easier; but for me to persevere. To not give up! And, by example, I was to encourage others to not give up... on their training goals, on their job, on their marriage, on their kids, on anything God calls them to persevere in. I knew if I quit biking because it was so darn painful, I would be saying that there is a limit to what we can all put up with. And with Christ, I knew there was no limit.

My last story was Hawaii Ironman 2000. It was a very hard 10 - 1/2 hours of my life. I had battled an Achilles injury for almost 2 yrs and, for the first time ever, I wanted to quit the race 2 miles into the run. But I didn't and God rewarded me with a great testimony to share with others. I felt God nudging me to retire from long distance racing for a year and so began teaching kids in my church with my extra time. 2001 was an amazing year! The kids, short-course racing, new closeness with Christ, and meeting the woman who would become my wife!

In 2002 is was time to train for Ironman again after taking that incredible year off. But my Achilles injury was just as bad! God brought a doctor into my life that began treating me for free to prove to me he could help. He did, and I was running fast again and set a personal record, 1:19, for the 1/2 marathon. Wildflower Long Course was my first 1/2 Ironman race in years and it went well with a 5th place finish. Things were looking good for the qualifying races that were lined up through the summer. I was glad I didn't give up on Ironman training even though I wanted to very much, for the injuries had taking the fun out of it. But I was striving for blessings, not fun.

Just after Wildflower, on May 10th, I broke my ankle in a biking accident. I've become one that doesn't take "No" for an answer easily, but I immediately knew this was bad and I would miss my next qualifying race. The ankle is the worst bone to break for a triathlete because of the lasting swelling. Through God I was able to remain positive. My fiancé, Robin, helped make me some new goals and signed me up for a 5k race in 8 weeks. With 9 screws and a metal plate in my leg, I began painful therapy and extensive crutch-running training. My arms got stronger and I completed the 5k race on 1 leg in a time of 55 minutes. But the real highlight was being able to walk in time for our wedding in August!

My Ironman bid changed to 2003. This would be my last year to fulfill a dream of mine: Break 10 hours in the Hawaii Ironman while in the top amateur age groups (25-34).

My wife and I have both prayed about it completely and received affirmation that it was God's will to send me to Hawaii in October 2003 with the purpose being to speak about Christ in my life and the incredible journey we went through to get there. But things have never been harder. Despite that many people think I love running and training and can't get enough of it, the truth is quite the opposite. For almost a year it has been like weeding a yard. Not fun! I wanted to quit every month. I'm newly married, there's a million things to do that ARE fun, and my vacation time has been spent on therapy and doctor's appointments rather than time with my wonderful wife! I want to quit this craziness and do it later maybe when things are easier.

My sleep has become a serious problem. Sleep deprivation has caused my broken ankle to have trouble healing, as well as other illnesses. The ankle trauma led to a serious calf problem that curtailed my biking also. And then I cut my other foot on a rock. As soon as I started running better and getting results, the metal in my leg started damaging my peroneal tendon. An emergency operation was called to remove all the metal and start the bone-healing process all over again. More races were cancelled. Chances for qualifying never looked more bleak. At the same time my employment tripled my work load, my volunteer job at church went into double-time instead of part-time, and the tasks at home were back-logging into huge piles. But I pressed on. The sleeping got better, and then worse. I started getting sick quite often (very strange if you know my health record). My long-time shoulder problems in swimming were persisting. And then, just as my biking started coming back, our cat was hit by a car and the next week was spent in 24hr care of our dear Brooke. And now I'm in the middle of a 10 day fight with the flu that has filled my lungs with mucus. I definitely want to quit.

Robin & I are heading to our first triathlon of the season, the California Half Ironman, this Saturday in Oceanside, Ca. This is a huge qualifier race and even is a qualifier for 2nd greatest Ironman in the world, Ironman Canada. My goal for the year is to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman and Robin is trying to qualify for Ironman Canada. I haven't run in 10 days, I feel like crap, and I dread how the breathing difficulty will make the swim. I have never gone into a race this unprepared so it is a little scary and also sad, as I respect this sport and the need to be prepared. But God is great and I will race my best on that day. And I will be praying for my wife, as she attempts her 2nd Half Ironman. She has also trained without quitting and will be rewarded for her perseverance.

I hope you are all encouraged and I appreciate your support and closeness in my life. If you are going through struggles as well, I would love the opportunity to pray for you so please drop me a line. Here is a verse that I need to remember constantly. Maybe it will help you, too. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Phil 4:6-7.

Love In Christ,