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Friday, December 31, 2010

Junky Food

I don't understand why there is junk food in the world and why it is loved so much. For as far back as I can remember, junk food has been a part of my life since it started to gain ground in America in the late 60's - early 70's. I remember watching television with my sister and seeing junky cereal commercials with cartoon characters. All of it looked so fun that we wanted to try them. Our parents allowed for us to try what we wanted. Fortunately, they were stern and allowed only so much in the house. The notion was short lived because neither my sister or myself enjoyed the greasy feeling left on the roof of the mouth or the sweet milk left in the bowl once done. Like our parents, we grew to love granola and other healthy cereals along with fruit and tea.
We had our share of the McDonalds Happy Meals (pre toy) with puzzles on the boxes and Pup'n' Taco bits washed down by a Slushee. My parents never made this food part of our daily diets because it wasn't good for our growing bodies and not as cheap as cooking healthy meals at home.  As more and more junk foods were being created,  found other things to nibble on. I discovered a love for candy. When a teenager, I developed a strong sweet tooth that I still have. It is awful and needs to be pulled but since I like to have all of my teeth, it remains.
As I age, I have more and more of a dislike for junky foods and have a hard time being around the smell of fried foods. In fact, most food, especially fried chicken and potatoes, make me want to vomit. I do not allow for it in my house anymore.
 With the illness and obese rates increasing, I continue see even more junky foods on the shelves and on billboards. I would like to know how people still think this food is okay to eat and give to children regularly. Do people not care for themselves or their offspring anymore? I know that people are stressing out over nearly everything from being jobless, nearly homeless, low on funds and all of the rest but junk food only adds to the problem. I wonder how difficult it really is to pick up an apple or carrot to eat rather than a half gallon of ice cream? No one ever died of a heart attack from eating fruits and vegetables. Since present day food is much worse than when I was a child over thirty years ago so I can't imagine feeding children things I would not feed myself. When I see preteens triple the size of myself walking down the street, the first thing I wonder about are the parents. Do the parents not see that they are killing their children? Do they not realize their children, at such a rate will not live to be as old as their grandparents? I do not understand the madness. Parents need to be parents and take responsibility for their parental wrongdoings and work with their children rather than pacify them with bad things in life.
I remember many of the times when my parents were physically active with my sister and I and how much we were encouraged to stay out of the house and play rather than drool over food. I am very thankful my parents limited my junk food intake because other than candy, I don't care to be around it.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Next Best Bike Deal

If the Chiquilo doesn't work, the next best deal roaming the net is the Fuji Aloha 2.0. It too, is a triathlon bike with excellent reviews and priced right for an entry level bike. It retailed at $1389.00 and has been marked down to $1199.00. This bike can be found at Performance Bike. Do not forget to use the code 727 to save 10% in addition to the 4% from the link.

A review on this bike:
The Aloha is Fuji's lowest entry level Tri specific bike, it doesn't act like it. Very comfortable aero position, tried aero bars on my Roubaix and never felt like I could stay tucked for very long. Tracks well when your head is down for a break and seems to have Fuji's reliability and tolerances.



Favorite Sites

My favorite websites vary across the board but most pertain to saving money, gathering and sharing fitness and travel information and helping others.
While trying to save money I click on Shopathome for additional savings.:
REI.com because great deals can be found, especially at the outlet store. From time to time there will be a 20-30% off deal on one item. Since I like a good deal, I place multiple orders and have them shipped to the store for free.
Performance Bike also has a lot of great deals on bikes and cycling gear. Sometimes free shipping is offered, even on oversized items. Performance Bikes usually offers a 10% off coupon but at times will allow them to be stacked. Currently, coupon code 727 should get you 10% off and an additional 4% savings by clicking on the link above.
 Steep and Cheap offers flash sales on certain items for a minimum of 30 minutes. This site can be addictive so buy it is advised to buy only what is needed. If time permits, a quick price search should be done to make sure the deal is sweet enough to jump on.
Geartrade offers new and used deals on a host of items from clothing to kayaks. It is much like the worlds largest outdoor flea market. Items sold are from people wanting to get rid of things or items that have been returned without tags and cannot be sold as new. I have bought and sold items here and have been satisfied. One thing I noticed is that prices tend to drop by a few cents on a daily basis. I believe it is sponsored by Backcountry.com because their name is on a lot of seller listings.
Speedo USA is another good one for gear. Often coupons from 20-25% with free shipping over $70 are offered. Currently SPD181 is the code that offers 25% off as well as 7% rebate from the link.
Amazon is where I find deals on books and music especially since most items ship for free when $25 or more is spent.

For information on fitness, I visit:
Runnersworld to find out about all things running and triathlon related.
Slowtwitch for triathlon relate topics
Bikeforums  for ALL things bike related. This is one of the best cycling sites in the world.
IAMTRI for all things tri and race locations around the world
Raceplace events and race listings in California
Beginnertriathlete  known as BT is a site for triathletes of all levels who share information and tips.

Being a travel agent, I enjoy learning and reading about the worlds destinations and how I can help others with their travel plans. I like to visit:
Flyertalk  for ways to make and save money, maximize my travel earnings and gain travel tips from frequent travelers.
Tripadvisor to read travel reports
American Airlines for travel deals since I hold miles with this company.

Sweet tri bike for less than $800 deal ends December 31, 2010

If you are looking for a super deal on tri gear and an entry level triathlon bike, Quintana Roo has the Chicqilo for women and Tequilo for men. Both bikes have received outstanding reviews and are well worth the investment. They retail at $1599 but until Decemeber 31, are only $799 (with a 50% off bump) at Departmentofgoods.com with rebate of 4% if you click and join here SHIPPING IS FREE so do not miss out on this fantastic steal of the year.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Money saving deals

Oh my goodness, I can't believe Ghirardelli Chocolate is offering 20% off all orders of $75 of more until Decemeber 31, 2010. Click here  to sign up for a Shopathome.com account and receive an 8% rebate.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Tri-gear on the cheap

Doing triathlons can be and is intimidating to many so they either stick to swimming, cycling or running. It does not have to be this way. Triathlons, just as any other sport, are open for all to participant in no matter what your level of physical skill or budget. In the years that I have opened myself up to the world of sport I have noticed drastic changes in the equipment and mindset of those involved which can be the determining factor of how people see themselves doing things. Years ago everything was basic and all was well. Now, there is always the better, bigger and more expensive street that most people feel the need to travel down. In my world, I travel down my own street.

As a child, my father always reminded me of this saying "the car does not make the man, it is the man makes the car" which sticks with me to this day. I take his words with force when doing whatever it is that I wish to do, especially with fitness and triathlons. I like a good deal and would never go so far as to spend $7,500 on a TT bike, $1,000 on tubular wheels and $500 on carbon pedals unless I were a professional triathlete or wanted to make this my absolute lifestyle. Since I am not winning money or placing in any major race, I care to keep my triathlon expenses on the low end of the spending spectrum. Hey, if I keep at this and become a faster athlete I may, one day, win money and be able to afford to go high end but the challenge would be gone. Here are some ways to tri on the cheap according to each discipline:

Swim- This is the easiest of the three disciplines on how to save money. Since swimsuits do not last long, especially when training in chlorinated water they give quickly yet can be doubled up with another old suit as well as create a drag effect, which hardens a workout. I call that a 2 (or 3)in 1. Deals can be found year round from a variety of stores. After summer sales are always the best time to find deals. If one can fit into kids clothing, check for discounted suits. Buy as many as you can afford and always look for a coupon for additional savings. Currently I am wearing a girls swimsuit from Old Navy that cost me $2.47.

Bike- A well maintained and tuned up bike will get you through a race. Depending on the race distance, a hybrid bike will suffice but a road bike will make for a more efficient ride. Both bikes come at all levels and prices. Since money is a factor, an entry-level bike will work. Go to your local bike shop to get fitted and check for deals. It is possible a bike shop sell bikes on consignment or have new models from years past that need to go, fast. If size is known, a decent bike can be bought off eBay or Craigslist. If going this route, make sure to really check out the bike and/or take it to the bike shop for another examination.
Most entry-level road bikes come equipped with heavy and low-end components as well as a triple drivetrain with more gears (21-27) than ever needed. Depending on the course, no more than four gears will be used.
Once the bike is bought and in check, consider adding aerobars and clipless pedals. The two will give a more aero and efficient ride allowing for an easier transition and run. It is not necessary to change anything out but if done, such items can be purchased on the cheap.
My present sub $550 triathlon set up is:
K2 Mach 1.0 $384.00 (found on sale and used a coupon)
Profile Design CGT clip-on aerobars $69 (bought online at deep discount)
Shimano M324 pedals $40 (used coupon)
Cateye 8 computer $25 (regular price)
Helmet $23 (on clearance)

 Running- Due to the price of shoes, this discipline is what will cost the most depending on how much you run and change them out. While it is always advised to wear true running shoes that fit,  they do not have to be expensive. Go to to the local running shop and have your gait evaluated. Once you know what kind of runner you are, try to stick with shoes that support your feet. Finding a good running shoes is all about trial and error so for this is the reason one should never go out and buy the most expensive shoes on the shelves. Just because others swear by a specific shoes, it may not work for you. I think it is best to find shoes from a shoe store that offers an excellent return policy and/or once used shoes for sale. Once a proper shoe is found, I suggest buying several pair as they tend to be discontinued quicker than the blink of an eye. Coupons can be found for some stores online or mail by subscribing to their mailing list. I run in a pair of Asics that cost $45 from a running store.

As far as tri-clothing is concerned, it does not matter what one wears, just wear what is comfortable. I know there are a lot of companies that manufacture tri-specific clothing to make one swim more smoothly or compress muscles, tendons and all in between but there is no need to spend money on this stuff. I say "If clothing is to make you faster, than you are not trying hard enough." Some of the things that help us go further, like compression gear, is fine but to get the toes wet, it is best to stick to the basics.

Further along, as coupon codes and discounts surface, I will post them in effort to get one saving money to make being a triathlete an inexpensive sport.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Ironman Cozumel 2010 Race Report

For some time now, I have wanted to finish an ultra triathlon of 140.6 miles or longer. I thought to make Vineman my first last year but due to my body acting up and being ill for a long period, I withdrew my entry and settled for Vineman Half 70.3. As moderate as the course is, the race was not easy for me. I had an asthma attack, my chain popped off twice while changing gear, TWO flat tires and it was hotter than lava so I did not run. I learned a lot from this race and wanted to clear my mind from the bad and regroup so that I could keep my fitness as well as trying to get some things in control. Rather than trying to beat the clock, I started from scratch.
  In January, I decided to join Masters Swim and found the Long Beach Grunions. In order to keep my fitness on point, I swam as much as I could with some weeks up to 8 times. Getting rid of the asthma was the most important factor in my joining because I was tired of coughing and wheezing. With the help of more than two handfuls of coaches, I was able to make significant improvements with my breathing, strokes and technique. Since I cycle a lot, I only worry about THE LEGS playing dumb when they should not. The running is tricky because sometimes my right leg is on vacation while the left is working.
 In August I thought it was time to put my swim to action and see what else follows. Night after night I checked out all of the triathlons worldwide and read race reports to figure out which one would work for me. My first thought was Israman in Israel because I have never been there and my friend is going to be in Egypt for some months in the early year. I considered other races and Ironman Cozumel, Mexico and Ironman Port Elizabeth, South Africa seemed like highly recommended courses. I did not care that they were an Ironman branded event, I just wanted to go abroad for my first big triathlon. I decided to register for Cozumel and two weeks later bit the bullet and registered for South Africa. Call me crazy but with the added $50 insurance benefit, South Africa was a must. If I get injured and have a doctor note, I can withdraw with full reimbursement. Holla!
 Being that it was official, the pressure was on to get the swim together. I constantly reflected on all the advice and lessons given by the wonderful lifesaving people in my life. I had to figure out this, that and everything in between. The cycling was fine and knew that I could pull of 112 miles. I train on a tank of a commuter so I know that my legs would be fine. Running was difficult because after a few miles, the right leg flared up like a fire. It was awful but with no time to bow out, I put it behind me and pressed on.
 
I flew from LAX to DFW to COZ on a redeye using miles because I had close to 750,000 between two carrier/partner groups. The layover in Dallas was about 5.5 hours so I was able to sleep long enough to drool all over the public furniture before heading down to Mexico. The flight to Cozumel was crazy. There were a million bike boxes being loaded on to the plane and most passengers were heading down for the race and had to let everyone know by way of tattoo, shirt, hat, visor, shorts, jacket and the infamous Newton running shoes. I was low key with my beater sweats, Asic running shoes, a large box with my wheels and a large duffel bag with my entry level road bike,  real beater I thought the passengers on the flight was bad but it was just the beginning.
 Once in Cozumel I met up with Dailene, a local athlete from IAMTRI. She is a very nice woman who helped us all out more that one could imagine. I walked around the city hours then went to bed.
Being so excited, I think I slept for 5 hours. When I woke up, I started to put together my bike only to find the rear dropout and derailleur hanger had broke. No bueno! I was upset but cool about it because I thought it was not the end of the world and with Cozumel being a lovely island, the second best thing would be to cheer all of the athletes on if I could not make something work. I was tempted to buy an even lower end bike from Mega (Cozumel Wal-Mart) and ride it as I thought I had no choice. Two local girls (Dailene and Martha) helped me by trying to find a bike and taking mine to the on-site mechanic sponsored by the race. First we went to the dead end expo where we got bags, bibs and a jacket. People were buying IM crap like there was no tomorrow. It was sick! A young man by the name of Isaac said he would be able to put it together. After some time, he chiseled away at a hanger and screwed it in the bike and good to go it was. I could not believe it. I really could not believe this young man had the wherewithal to hook me up. I offered to buy him lunch, gave a big tip and three hugs. I was elated. I love Isaac! I love Mexicans! I had to replace the tube and tire then I was off and running.
Later in the evening I joined some athletes for an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner at a local restaurant that was off the beaten path. I grubbed my life away.
 Next morning, a fellow athlete Ute and I had breakfast and walked around and went for a practice swim. I did about a 500m swim and found it to be rather comfortable so I lowered my goal time from 1:40 to 1:30. We headed back to town and went for a bike ride. It was nice but hot. I did not wear enough sunscreen so I got stung a bit but I was feeling good about this race. In the evening there was a dinner and show for all participants. It was set to start at 6:00 but food wasn’t being served until 6:30. At that time, I quickly grabbed a plate and swallowed some rice, beans, salad, tortillas and “spaghetti.” I was finished by 6:40 then I left to catch the ferry to Playa del Carmen to see Incognito for FREE. Holla! The concert was the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival on the beach. Eldar and Al Di Meola performed before Incognito, which was nice because it was relaxing and FREE! When the funkiest man in acid jazz started to do his thing and the band followed, I did too. I was up dancing and singing as it I was being paid to do so. I enjoyed shaking it and this show. After the show, I shared a few words with the band members as we have meet several times in different locations before. A few times they have added me to their “guest list” so I was able to go to some shows and after parties for free. Holla! They are great people who create sounds like no other. Since the show ended at 1:15a and the next ferry back to Cozumel left at 7a, I decided to sleep on the beach. It was nice because it was peaceful, no one bothered me and I was not the only one doing this. It was great to get away from the stupid Ironmania that people played into.
 The day before the race was dead. We had to take our bikes to Transition 1 and drop them off with our bike and run bags. Ute and I ate breakfast and farted around town. I took at short nap and later dropped off my stuff. As I was riding through town, I took a wrong turn and was chased by a mad dog running about 20 mph after me. I looked back and saw he was about 20 feet away and ready to bite. I guess he got tired and turned back. I would like to think that dog was trying to get me pumped for the race.
When I dropped off my bike, it was quickly registered and I was marked. I took a shuttle back to town and had tacos with Ute. I walked back to the hotel and a man wished me luck on the race. I needed it and some sleep as well.
 Race day came EARLY. The owners of the hotel were flat out drunk and blasting music as if to be running a disco. I did not sleep much at all. I got my act together and walked to meet Ute so that we could take the shuttle to the start. In the shuttle I ate a tired peanut butter and honey sandwich, fruit bar and chased it with a shot of 5hr Energy. As nasty as it tasted, it was going to work.

Swim
The event started at 7a so we all had to jump in the water by 6:50. I jumped in, hung on to the fence and got stung on the butt by a jellyfish. I was wondering when the next one would come and how much it would affect my swim. The cannon blast went off at 7a and was load enough to wake up all in Belize. Off went everyone out for the wildest swim in all of Mexico. I tried to find my way amongst the chaos for a while but couldn’t.  People were swimming all over, on top of and right through me, which was annoying. I just kept my cool and remained calm until some turd kept on my toes for too many strokes then I went in for the hard kick. I was finding my space until we had to turn TWICE. I was nearly strangled by crazy arms trying to swim around the buoys. Again, I was finding my space until someone grabbed my feet. I was ticked off and wanted to rip off that persons goggles but I kept on going. Through the last turn, I separated from one group towards another and ended up as the wayward swimmer. Thankfully the water was clear so I found the finish and out I was in 1:26:??, crossing the pad at 1:27 (three minutes faster than expected) Holla! So many swimmers surrounded me that I thought I was in the middle of the pack until it was announced there were still 300 more swimmers left in the water. Oops, I was in the back of the pack. It was fine because I did better than expected.

Transition 1
I got out of the water, took off my swim cap and pulled out a piece of gum that I stored there to chew during transition. The water was so salty that I had to rid my mouth of the ocean funk that was swimming in there for so long. We were able to take a quick shower to rinse off the salt before grabbing out bags. Once I grabbed my gear, I was running towards the changing tent and some broad had the nerve to slowly walk as if she were the only one at this event. Luckily she slowed me down by a few steps otherwise I would have stopped to give her the Irontalk about moving to the right so that others can pass. I managed to take off my swimsuit and put on my hat, shoes, shorts and top. The female volunteers were so efficient and fast that they had me sprayed down with sunscreen before I could finish my change. They were the best.

Bike
 I find my bike #1587 and put on my helmet over the hat, grab my bike and ran to the mounting zone. Once on the bike, I rinsed my mouth again with water and like a man, I spit it out on the left side of me. I did not look back and hope that I did not hit anyone. The crowd was roaring like mad which was great because it got me fired up. I started to go and felt strong. There were two times that I had to fix my shorts because they were wet and not on right. I was getting into this ride and knew I was going to keep it steady. It was warm and a bit windy so I kept the fluids going down with Xood. The course was around the entire island and as I approached the town, people were out on the street cheering us on like mad. The kids were the best hollering “Si Se Puede” and “You ca- do yit.” I reciprocated with “No, si se puede” and “Thank you/Muchas gracias.” To all that waved the Mexican flag, I said “Viva Mexico!” The big party was downtown. The streets were full of supporters, energy all around and I was lovin’ it every bit of it. There were DJ’s blasting music, people dancing and people making human waves of celebration and all the rest. As I rode through, I held up my arm and yelled “WHOOOA!” to the supporters and it got them fired up. They roared loader and loader as I; the hurricane came through the streets of Cozumel. A fellow athlete said, “These people are really cheering you on.” With a big smile I told him that I think I was there for the people, not for myself. I heard “Venga Amiga” and “Vamos Morena!” It was hilarious and I nearly fell off my bike. I love Mexicans. My second lap was a bit rocky. Around mile 40 I think my stomach was still swimming and started to get a bit seasick. I had to slow down a great deal. I ate, took salt, sucked on an energy gel for 50 minutes and took straight Gatorade. I felt as though this lap took at 3 hours to finish. As I passed through town again, I brought back the hurricane and started to pedal a bit harder as I was feeling a bit better. The third lap was a long one because the wind picked up and was unforgiving to anyone on a bike. I pushed as much as I could and just accepted my 7h or better ride was not going to happen. The only thing I could think of was how my legs were good and pain free. I gave as much support to other athletes and pressed on. I stormed through town again and noticed there were fewer spectators but for those left, they really got load when I passed by. My finish time was 7:44h.

Transition 2
 It was a quick transition since I was not doing a costume change. I changed shoes, put lube on my feet and put on the knee braces and off I went. I shuffled a bit because I was afraid of falling then picked it up a bit. My knees and legs did not hurt which made me fell good about attempting to run a great deal of the 3 lap marathon. I heard so many roars of encouragement that I broke down and cried. It was overwhelming to me to hear my name called out by complete strangers in a foreign country. Over and over I heard” Venga Ingrid, vamos Amiga, venga morena, si se puede and let’s go girlfriend.” I now know what it feels like to win the lottery of life. I tried to keep up the shuffle but my body was putting up a fight. My stomach was acting up again so I had to sip Coke to settle it. As much as I kept hydrated along the bike course, I peed 5 times (morning style) and thought I would have no problems on the run. I was wrong. While trying to keep hydrated during the run, I had to stop to pee every mile or so. I stopped between 15 and 20 times to pee (morning style). It was annoying because my bladder was so out of control that there was nothing I could do but walk. Fortunately I was not the only person on the course and with so much support I had something better to think about.  Approaching my third lap I spotted Isaac, the young man who fixed my bike. I picked up my step and yelled out his name and thanked him over and over again. He gave back a big wave and a bright smile that I will never forget. Still, the crowds were out doing their thing and cracking me up. The music was pumping, bodies moving and with them, I stopped and danced a few times. Mexicans know how to shake it! There was one house blasting We are the Champions and the themes to Chariots of Fire and Rocky. There is only so much of that crap that I can take so no matter how badly I had to pee, I rushed by as fast as I could. One woman was bumping the Smooth Jazz, which was right up my alley. I stopped to shake it with her for a moment and thanked her for her music and support. During the last 5 miles, I thanked all who came out to support and volunteer for this race. I looked at my watch and saw that if I could stop peeing, a sub-16h finish would be a possibility for me. I quickly dropped the ideal of hydration and did not drink water for the last three miles. I shuffled towards the town. This had to work since the last porta-potty had already been removed leaving only the beach to pee at. Along the way, people were still cheering as was an elderly woman who sat in the middle of the street for hours making noise. She should be awarded Best Cheerleader of Cozumel. She kept telling me to go and with big arms up and a smile I thanked her for coming out. With about a quarter of a mile to go, I saw familiar faces and threw up my arms to give hugs and thanks to all. I was drunk from all of this attention. So drunk that I gave hugs and high fives to complete strangers. I did not care about finishing or my time. I wanted to be with these people. I gave in and shuffled across the line finishing at 15:51:39 with a 6:26 marathon time. As soon as I finished, one of the Red Cross volunteers talked to me to make sure I was okay. I told I was fine but needed to cry because I did have to pee for over two miles. He laughed and asked if I needed anything else. I told him I needed to find Isaac. He said he could not help me there. I grabbed my finishers medal, necklace and shirt, some pizza and Gatorade and walked around looking for Isaac. Unfortunately I could not find him. I hope meet with him again. Oddly enough, I felt well after the race ended and got on my bike to ride around and cheer others on.

Post Race
 I was still amped after the race that I slept for about 5 hours then started to walk around Cozumel again. Ute and I ate breakfast and walked around for a while like typical tourist. Later in the evening, we joined other finishers at the post race party for awards and dinner. There was a hotel giveaway to 5 people who had numbers under their chairs. I was with number 4 and won 3 nights for next years race at Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel- the premier hotel on the island. HOLLA! After the event festivities there was a “party” at one of those cheesy gringo-mexi bars that blast bad music with extra bass. It was fun to watch so many getting drunk and make fools of themselves but I could only take so much as I too old for that scene and was tired of the Ironmania in the air.

Two days after the race I left to the main land, as Cancun was the airport I was departing from. With having a few days to play tourist, I visited Tulum, Chitzen Itza and Cancun City and ate a lot of tacos.
I had the experience of a lifetime not because I finished my friend Ironman race but because I was with amazing people, triathletes and non-triathletes. I knew that Mexicans are great people but I did not expect all that they gave me. I love them and will return in the future to do this race again. Come April, I will do my second race in South Africa, which I have been told is a fantastic race as well.

Observations and Thoughts
- Ironman as a race is cheesier than Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I was tired of seeing so many race shirts, caps and bags all over the place.
-There was nothing that I did not like about Ironman Cozumel and suggest it to all who want to race a 140.6 for the first time or do one abroad. Overall, the course is the easiest and seems to have the fastest swim splits.
-To see so many race and travel with their high-end aerodynamic gear can be intimidating for some but I am not fazed by any of it. There was nothing aero about me, just dynamic! I took my beater bike and gear so that I would not care if something did not make it or was stolen. My outfit cost $12.50 and held up well.
-Dollar for dollar, to do this race was just as much as doing one stateside.
-I was nearly blinded by the beautiful athletes. Too many good looking fit me around men is never a bad thing. Holla!
- Ace of Base, Ricky Martin Roxette and Vanilla Ice are still topping the charts in the Yucatan.
-Mexicans are special people. I love them!

Sidenote- I am selling the hotel stay for next years race so if any of you know someone who is planning on doing this race, I am offering a great deal. Holla!


Someone started this funny thread about me. Don't hate the player, hate the game. http://www.trifuel.com/forum/24607/ironman-cozumel-pictures

The art of randomness...

Takes very little effort and can be exciting for some if not all. It can come in a variety of forms and appeal to many. It does not always have to involve others or anything of monetary value. It will always get one to think, speak, and in most cases, react.
I am a random individual who does not always live by the norms of society. Never have I subscribed to the idea of being like others because that would make me boring and leave me with very little to offer the world. I do what I want, when I want to and how I want. My day to day routine is rarely the same and my head is always spinning with all things random. I do not suffer from ADD or ADHD, I just don't like to be bored. My randomness comes from within which will be displayed in my blog.