My deployment to Kuwait has been a unique roller coaster with its many ups and downs. Lucky for me, this experience has been nothing that I have had to face alone, thanks to friends, family, and others like Vasa. Although I am an Army Officer first, focusing on accomplishing my unit’s mission, I am an …

No one can do it alone — I am a testament to that now that I have just finished up a successful triathlon season that was met with many new opportunities, adventures, and challenges. 2010 was my first year being a pro athlete, something that I always knew I wanted to do. However, when I …

It’s funny how things work out and even stranger where we end up.  Let’s take a moment to travel back to one morning in 6th grade while I was waiting for school to start.  I was watching a television program called Channel One, a news program tailored to young adults in middle and high school. …

I am sure that throughout my triathlon career, I will have many races that would be considered the most important race of my life. So far, the first one of these races, that would basically determine the next two years of my life in the Army and in this great sport, had me racing against …

Less than three weeks leading up to the big race in Tuscaloosa, AL, and with an unexpected flat tire in my last race that did not allow me to finish, I felt like I needed another race to boost my spirit and reassure myself that progress has continued in the pool and on the road. …

DNF — I never thought that would see that by my name, and frankly in no way did I want to see it by my name.  In all my years as an athlete, whether competing at swim meets in grade school, or at cross country and track meets during my high school and college years, …

From West Coast to East Coast, my triathlon adventures continue. Known for its colossal bridge of golden color, for its almost inescapable prison, and for the coldest summer  that Mark Twain ever endured, San Francisco became the location of my fifth ITU Pan American Cup race of the season. The Race took place on Treasure …

Back to Canada for the second time, and again for another hockey game.  Well not really, but I did see some kids playing some roller hockey while I was warming up for my race.  Last time I was in Canada, I competed in Vancouver for the 2008 Age-group Triathlon World Championships. This time, I traveled …

When racing for a team, it is always important to remember that although you are racing individually and for self improvement, you are also racing for others and a collective desire to win as a group.  This means that when faced with the mental and physical pain and fatigue that follows intense exertion to cross …

Run, Bike, and Run. That was the set-up of the 2010 Ixtapa ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup triathlon in Ixtapa, Mexico on May 22.  Wait, shouldn’t it be swim, bike, run, being that it is a triathlon?  Well, in fact due to hazardous water conditions — 10 to 12 ft waves and rip tides — …

I doubt that the Incas ever thought their home at Machu Picchu would ever become one of The New Seven Wonders of the World.  I also don’t think they imagined that a sport that involves swimming, biking, and running — not that they knew what a biking was — would be combined to create the …

One benefit of being a triathlete is being able to travel around the world.  Yeah, you might have to pay an arm and leg for an airplane ticket, especially with the airlines increasing their prices by the hour it seems.  And at times you find yourself with a language barrier, having to rely on your …

It’s funny, or even strange, how some things work out these days.   It might be as small as listening to Ke$ha on satellite radio’s Hits 1, and saying to my friend sitting right next to me: “Turn it to BMP, maybe we will get lucky and this Ke$ha song will be on but as …

It’s not much different from when Arnold Schwarzenegger staring in the movie, Terminator 2, said, “I’ll be back!” in that I AM BACK and ready to start the 2010 year off right.  Much has gone on since I last raced in Clearwater for the 70.3 Ironman World Championships and have spoken to you all.   Many changes have …

If you are on time, you’re late. I don’t know how many times I have heard that saying, especially since I have been in the Army for a few years.  Unfortunately, at one of the most important races of my season, I did not heed that warning.  I showed up on time at the Ironman …

Remember when your mother said, “Eat your vegetables,” and you would either feed them to the dog or hide them in your napkin? Luckily, that wasn’t me.  I learned at a young age to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and to like them.  Along with my healthy eating habits and my very active lifestyle …

When I found out that I would be going to Fort Hood, Texas (an hour north of Austin) for my first duty assignment as an Army Lieutenant, I was expecting heat.  A lot of heat. However, at the Toyota U.S Open Triathlon in Dallas, I discovered that Texas can get cold, too.  Not Antarctica cold …

Having just graduated from Basic Officer Leaders Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, I am now starting my Air Defense School at Ft. Bliss, Texas. I’ll be there, near El Paso, until February.  El Paso is an elevation increase from anywhere I have lived, and the surrounding area provides a good training environment for additional fitness …

For the past seven weeks, I have been at Officer Basic course (BOLC II) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Fortunately, I have been able to continue my triathlon training, despite my Army commitments and BOLC requirements. It has been an interesting experience — one that makes me appreciate my four years at West Point.  The military …

If I didn’t beat myself up enough racing the Amica Ironman in Providence, I had the opportunity to do a little more in beautiful Hanover and the surrounding areas of New Hampshire and Vermont. While I thought I was going to get some great training, meet awesome people, and learn more about the sport of …

What a great way to end my summer racing (before I start my Army career) — just this past weekend I had the opportunity to race in Providence, RI at the Amica Ironman 70.3. I finished 1st in the 18-24 Age Group, 5th Amateur Overall, and 17th Overall with a time of 4:12:00.  I also …

I am not done yet, with still one more race left in me for the summer — Amica Rhode Island 70.3. I thought I was done racing (I soon report to Officer Basic Course in Oklahoma), but I got a little bored training here in New York, and decided to do another race.  While in …

Ever since I was a six, I’ve wanted to be a pro.  First it was in soccer, then — after I fell in love with running — track and field.  However, triathlon is now making it a reality. This past weekend I competed in the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon.  I placed 2nd Overall in the Amateur …

Indiana — or “God’s Country,” as my good friend and former West Point Triathlon teammate Will Eggers puts it — has been the site of most of my summer training … and my first car purchase. Thanks to the Eggers family who, unfortunately, had to put up with me for three weeks.  But at least …

Second half in my life, and first one this year, Kansas 70.3 was more challenging than I expected — especially as, for the first time ever, I experienced what it means to hit the wall and not recover. Interesting race, with two transition areas, almost a mile or two apart (or at least it seemed …

My first draft legal races was awesome.  I enjoyed the two loop swim, four loop bike, and four loop run in Point Mugu, CA.  Though fun, it was challenging, especially with the ocean wind.  I want to thank the race director and volunteers who helped put on the race for the many military competitors.  I …

Three days after graduating from West Point, I had the opportunity to volunteer — helping the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) explain the need for continued health initiatives.  We met with New York State Senators and Assembly members in Albany, talking about how fitness and sports can improve the quality of life for people with …

Graduating from West Point, serving in the Army, and competing at the elite level have always been dreams of mine.  How lucky I am that I currently experience all three. A big thank you goes out to my current sponsors:  Sable WaterOptics, sbill swimming, Serotta, TGI Healthworks,Total Immersion.  If you’re interested in helping sponsor me for tri- and duathlon …