Pumped Up Kicks

Last weekend I purchased the INOV8 Terrafly Trail Shoes from the Cleveland Running Company (http://clevelandrunning.com/) and I could not have made a better purchase. These shoes have a 6mm drop in the heel making it an essential shoe to make you land on your forefoot during your foot strike. It is definitely not like the new Altra zero drop shoe but the 6mm drop is perfect for me right now. I tried both the Altras and the INOV8s and it was a very hard decision in choosing which shoe to choose. After about 4 switches, including trying the different shoes and each foot, I had to go with the INOV8s simply because it fit my foot perfect, the lightness and I just plain on felt FAST in them! Today was the second time I've ran in them and Dad and I got 8 miles in on the trails in the North Chagrin. The new kicks felt great throughout the whole run and I'm looking forward to the runs in the future with them attached to my feet.

Pretty Cool

to be on the cover of Ohio Sports and Fitness magazine for this month. I definitely need to step up my training after this...I'm honestly not wearing any makeup or trying to look mean either!

January 31st?

Today's temperature was a high of 59 degrees, and it is one day before February. Using the great weather to our advantage, Dad and I rode a good tempo ride this afternoon, finishing up with 35 miles and close to 1500 feet of climbing. I'll take it! The training has been great lately as well. Lots of trail running and lots of time in the pool. Dad and I just signed up for the Dickson Endurance Triathlon in Nashville, TN for the first weekend of May. The distance is a 1 mile swim, 38 mile bike, and 9.1 mile run. So very similar to a Half Ironman. I'm looking forward to it and there is a lot of training ahead of me to be in 100% race form for it. Tomorrow is a run day after school, then sleeping before work.
I am now working for Lake Health at Tri-point Medical Center in Concord as a Nurse's Assistant. I'm working full time, consisting of three 12 hour night shifts. Some people call me crazy to work all night from 7pm to 7am, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad. The thing that I'm happy about is I am still able to train and race....every other weekend that is. But still, at least I can still what I love to do. Other than that, Medic School is going well. I passed my first quarter and now into Cardiology. My clinical time for this quarter will consist of my usual ER and Respiratory time, and new department locations such as the OR (where I will be performing endotracheal intubations, central IVs, and more), and squad time at Fire Depts. So with everything going on right now, I'm keeping busy. Stay healthy everyone!

Double Racing

Saturday was the Stark Velo Cross race at Kent State in Stark. The A race was of course stacked as always and the course was definitely a roadie course. Not a lot of twists and turns or technical sections. Just pure power sections including a long uphill that zapped all the energy left in your already beaten legs. The start was super fast. I had a pretty good position and tried to keep my heart rate low. After crashing around a corner and dropping my chain, I was soon in a position where I did not want to be. I did not panic, I just wanted to keep a constant speed and not blow myself up. I ended up finishing 12th in the race and found out at the finish line that John Proppe battled it out with the big guns and ended up winning overall. Big congrats goes out to him. Everyone from the team did well too and we had a great showing.

Sunday we raced at Westbranch State Park and it was a great day. My girlfriend Courtney goes to Ohio University which is around 3 hours away from the park, and she surprised me in showing up before my race and came to watch. Little did I know, everyone from my family knew about it and kept it a secret until she showed up. It was awesome! The race went well in the Sport division. I raced the Sport 20-29 and after a pretty big crash on my second lap, I finished 2nd. Dad finished in the top 5 in his division and we both had to take advil after the race because of the aches in pains in our bodies after the race due to the massive amounts of rocks and roots we hit during every pedal stroke. It was a great weekend for racing and this coming weekend, we are heading to Dayton for Crankfest Cyclocross Weekend. Should be a good weekend for racing as well!

Late

Laziness

Been a very long time since I lasted posted and I apologize for that. Since Fire Academy, I've had more time to train and race. Cross season has started and I have been training a lot. Also, last weekend was the last triathlon of the season at the Portage Lakes Triathlon hosted by HFP Racing. Woke up that morning at 4:00 and stepped one foot outside and felt the 45 degree temperature, and immediately ran back into the house. Starting temperature was about the same as 4:00. But, once the swim took off, I warmed up very quick.

I probably had one of the best swims I have ever had and existed the water 3rd. T1 was super slow for me but I tried to make it up on the bike. Fortunately I caught the two ahead of me on the bike and was then leading. I tried to keep my mind focused and tried to push it pretty good. T2 was a lot better than my first and then it was onto my run. Again, I wanted to keep a good pace, not wanting to fall into anaerobic threshold and to keep my mind focused. I ended up finishing first overall with the second place racer hot on my tail, only 6 seconds behind. I was extremely satisfied with my performance and my training leading up to the race. Dad finished great as well. He finished 6th overall and 2nd in his AG. As the race went on, the temperature became warmer and made it more comfortable.

I am currently in Paramedic School now and wow is it a wake up call. I am reading, studying and doing homework every night of the week. It is currently week 4 of the 50 week program and it is already kicking my butt. I have to try to stay motivated and focused so that I do not fall behind and make it any harder than what it really is. So life now consists of that, training and racing. This weekend is a double race weekend with Stark Velo's Kent State CX race and Westbranch Mountain Bike Race on Sunday. I'm very excited to finally be racing a full schedule again and I will post the results and the write up this weekend. Stay safe everyone!

Fire Academy Class of 2011

Well, I finished my Fire Academy yesterday and what a hard day it was. This weekend was the last weekend and included our final written exam on Friday and our final practical exams, including a live burn on Sunday. I was really nervous for the test on Friday. I'm always so nervous for written tests, and I'm always told to stay confident in myself and just stay calm. I ended up passing the written test which I was very happy about. Then Sunday was our final practical day. It included SCBA races, raising, lowering, and storing a 30 foot extension ladder by ourselves, forcible entry, and hoisting tools by certain knots that we were taught throughout the class. Once all of the practicals were over, we took a tiny break from the already 85 degree heat and then it was time to do our live burn. It included an attack line, to control the fire inside one of the rooms, and a search line team who had to search the building to find a victim. When the search team found a victim, they would inform the attack team and they would all exit the building, having the search team go first with the victim and the attack team close behind, keeping the front of their bodies facing the fire in case of something bad happening. Once everyone was finished with the burn, we all headed back to the station to clean all the hose, equipment and tools. It was a great day despite the high temperatures but the class walked out of the station that day Firefighters. July 29th is our graduation day and July 31st is my Firefighter Agility Test. Still a lot to do but it's finally all working out.

Have a good day.

Three More Weeks

Three more weeks until I graduate from Fire Academy. I have busted the books for almost 6 months and it is finally paying off. This weekend's class will be a Lubrizol Wickliffe Plant and we will be going over Sprinklers and Lubrizol's water supply systems and protection systems. Next weekend will just be pretty much a make up week along with a little EMS training and then the weekend after that are my Final Written and Practical exams. My graduation date will be on July 29th. THEN.....the next month after I graduate from Fire Academy, I start my Paramedic School. During Medic School, I'll be applying for almost every Fire Dept around and keeping my fingers crossed, be hired on one. That way if I am able to work for a dept, I could study with some of the already Paramedics, and turn to them for help when I will be needing it.

Well....

I have to say I've grown to be very lazy about updating my blog. I haven't really been on blogger for a while and when I saw the date I last posted on here, I told myself that I'm a slacker. Anyways....Fire Academy is almost over. We have one more month to go then its on to Paramedic School in August. I just recently been accepted into Lakeland Community College's Medic Program and I'm very excited for it.

Today was Clay's Park Triathlon. I have not been training a whole lot lately because of the hours I work everyday and Fire Academy classes on the weekends, so I wasn't sure how I would feel today during the race. The swim didn't feel that great. I tried to not blow myself up and tried to get into a groove. I felt pretty good in the water, its just I could tell I haven't been training a whole lot. The bike went decent. I was about 4th overall in the 39- group into the turn around point at 6 miles. Before the turn around point, is a long gradual uphill along with previous short steep rollers. I tried to blast up them in my big ring and once I got to the turn around point on top of the hill, both calves locked up and started cramping. I looked down and every pedal stroke, I could see the indentations and muscle twists forming. Thankfully, it was mostly downhill on the way back and I battled out the cramps for the rest of the race. My transition from the bike to the run was very smooth. I ran out of T2 in 3rd overall and started my run. Once I started running, the cramps came back and I started asphyxiating because my lack of adequate breathing. I lost one spot and crossed the finish line in 4th overall in the 39- group. The final results showed I finished in 5th overall in the whole race and 1st in my age group.

I am actually pleased with my performance with the lack of training I have been doing. Dad looked great today as well. He was 3rd out of the water in the 40+ group and had one of his best bikes on this course. He finished with a very good result of 9th overall and 1st in his A.G.

I just wanted to congratulate all my teammates from the Bike Authority/Fleet Feet team and the team's Aaron Emig for pulling off the overall win.

Long time

since I've posted my last post. Well not too much going on since February. My Fire Academy classes are going very good. We have learned about Search and Rescue, Forcible Entry, Fire hoses and streams, Fire Behavior and so much more. This weekend we will be learning and doing practical work with ventilating roof tops. I received my State EMT card as well, so I'm completely set with my EMT certifications until I start my Paramedic Program in the Fall.

Switching from Firefighting to Cycling, Dad received his new Felt last week. So instead of his main bike being the Cannondale Super Six, the Felt will take his place. Since my Dad is so great, he handed the Super Six frame down to me. Last friday we built up our fresh frames at Bike Authority and they are now ready for the season. Today Dad, Rudy, Robert, Scott Gartman, Craig Hannibal, and I did a fantastic 42 miles from Bike Authority. LOTS of hills and some great townline sprints made it all the more fun. This was my first ride on my newly built bike and I absolutely love it. It is a completely different ride than my Cad9. I can't wait to race this season. THANK YOU DAD!

Later

Fire Academy

Yesterday was the first night of my 6 month long Fire Academy at Concord Fire Department. During these classes, I will be introduced to perform Search and Rescue, Forceable Entry, Live Burns, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Procedures, Operating Fire Apparatus, such as Ladder Trucks, Pumper Engines and Squads, plus many more.

I'm super excited to be in this class because once I graduate in July, I will be considered a certified Firefighter/EMT, and I can then start my career. Since I am now in my 240 class or also called the Fire Academy, my racing until July will be very minimal. The only days I would be able to race are basically Saturdays, and occasionally the Tuesday night races at Westlake. I will still be training everyday though because I would like to at least, race Westlakes, RATL, any Saturday Tri's, and of course races after I graduate the Academy. I mentioned calling this class 240 class also. This is because this class requires everyone to have at least 240 hours of firefighting and EMS training before the time they graduate in the sixth month period. So, since I won't be writing too much on my racing, I will still blog about the things I will be doing during my time and training in the academy. Thanks for reading.

I'm in

I passed my National Registry Exam for Emergency Medical Technicians last Wednesday! Now, all I have to do wait for ten to fifteen days until I receive my National Certification card, then I will be good to apply at Emergency Rooms and possibly Fire Depts. Next month, I am starting my Fire Academy at Auburn Career Center and once that is over, I will be a Firefighter/EMT and then it is off to Paramedic School. But, that won't be anytime soon. I want to get some experience in the EMT field and experience actual runs before I go into a year long class, that will make me totally devote my time to. Also, thanks to everyone who is on Blogger and Facebook who commented on my Facebook post. Have a good one!

Later days.

Ready to go.

Well I am all signed up to take the National Registry EMT exam. Next Wednesday is the day where it all happens. I'll be, and I have been studying like mad the past couple days so that I am well prepared for it. Also, my 240 class might be starting up again next month. It was cancelled in December of last year because there was a lack of participants and lack of payment. But, hopefully it will all work out this time. Keepin' my fingers crossed. With all of that, I am also set for my classes at Lakeland for this semester. Thankfully I am only taking 3 of my fire classes this semester, but from the description on the classes, that will be plenty. I'm going to be pretty busy now jamming wonderful knowledge in my noggin. Have a good day!

Frustration

The past couple of days, I have been waiting on my authorization to test for the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians. I have completed all of my hours of training and my class to be eligible to sign up for my certification exam. Unfortunately, every time I log onto the National Registry's website, it says that I am not eligible to take the test and I need my EMT class instructor to accept me to take the test. I called my instructor the other day and he said that I was all set up to take the test.... So basically my EMT instructor has me ready to test but the National Registry doesn't... I'm trying to figure out this frustrating dilemma and hopefully this all works out soon because I need to take this National Registry Test soon.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!

One more.

Today I took my final for EMT class and passed with a very good percentage. My instructor said that this final is just as or slightly harder than the National Registry Exam; which is the test I have to take in order to become a certified EMT. I graduated today with a class that started out with 22 people. Since the start of the class, only 10 people graduated. The other 12 people either had grades that did not meet the criteria or they did not pass the final. So I am very happy to be one of those 10 individuals. Now the only thing I need to focus on is my National Registry Exam and I want to take that as soon as possible because that way, I still have all my training still fresh in my mind. So while everyone is enjoying their Winter Breaks from school, I'm still going to be hitting my books and notes so that hopefully next month, I could be a certified EMT.

WOW!

Wow I'm such a slacker. Well first off, Cyclocross went very well this season. I became very lazy about my blog and didn't write anything about the remaining cross races I had. But now that cross is over, it is time to start training for an early season half-ironman. Dad, Doug and I are planning on racing the Rev3 in Knoxville in May. Doug is planning on racing the Olympic and Dad and I are planning on racing the half. We have already started the intense swimming and the trail runs. The weather isn't cooperating very well lately to get out on the bike, so the trainer will be another one of my good friends for a while. I was suppose to take my Firefighter I and II class this winter as well, which would have meant I would not have been able to train as much and my early season half-ironman wouldn't have happened. But unfortunately, the whole program was cancelled due to lack of people and lack of payment for the class. I'm pretty upset about it because that sets me back another half a year to a year behind schedule. But, I have no control over it and now that means I will have the time to train hard for this Tri season. I will be posting more now I promise....No more slacking.

L8er

Solon Cross

This weekend was Solon Cross Race hosted by CRC. Kevin Kimmich did a great job setting this course up. It consisted of many tight corners and a crazy maze to get everyone caught up in. The start was hectic. We all had to run from the start line about 50 yards out to our bikes, grab them and take off for the maze. I was lucky and ended up around 2nd after the start, so I wasn't caught up in all the carnage leading into the maze. I felt good throughout the whole race. My legs started to feel a little tired in the middle with about 5 or 6 laps to go, but I felt like I got a second wind and ended up finishing 8th overall. It was a great race because the whole time, Brent Evans, Eric Lesko, and I were battling it out. It came down to the last corner before a set of barriers and I took the corner too fast and unfortunately washed out. I had no bad feelings about it at all though. I was just happy with the way I felt and the great race we had. Next weekend is Snakebite's Cross race in Elyria. Should be fun and another great weekend.

Later

UCI3 weekend

Last weekend was UCI3 Cincinnati Cross weekend. Friday's race was very hard. The course was very hilly, bumpy and very dusty. I did not really feel myself that day and finished around 29th overall. I really did not have a feel at all for the course. I could not get myself into a good rhythm. But every course is not going to suit you. Saturday's race was at Sunset Park and it is one of my favorite cross courses. There was a lot of tight corners, wide open sections for passing and two sandpit areas. I was feeling very good during the race until I washed out around a corner and the guy behind me ran into my bike. His front wheel ended up pushing my rear derailleur out of whack and caused my chain to jam in between my rear cog and my back wheel. It also forced my chain to wrap around my crank arm a couple times. So at this point, a few racers were passing me and my bike was unable to move forward. In one last attempt, I simply pushed my bike backwards causing my chain to slack and I was able to fix the problem. I still felt strong throughout the race and finished well, despite my mechanical. Sunday's race was at Harbin Park, and this course is another course I love. I had a great start in this race and felt the best during this race than the previous two. I picked myself up to almost top 1o with three or four laps to go and I was telling myself to keep it up. Next thing I know, I am flying down a hill and shooting up an uphill when suddenly I hit a big root and seconds later, I get a flat. I ran the rest of the way to get to the pits and take the front pit wheel. Later that lap, my Dad flatted as well and unfortunately, it was a front flat. But what was really horrible is I had the spare front wheel from my flat, and my Dad was in 3rd place in the Masters 45+ race and he had to withdraw because there was no spare front wheel. I had no idea what was going on during the race. I finished way back because of all the running I had to do and all the racers passing me. Despite the bad luck all weekend, I had a great time with everyone. It was a fun weekend and TLE had a great showing in each race. I believe we left a great mark on the competition with the great results everyone pulled off.

Later.

Weekend ahead

UCI Cincinnati this weekend! I'm really looking forward to all the racing and seeing a couple friends from Pa, who I will be racing against. It should be fun and hopefully I will have good legs for all three days...Knock on wood. Updates will be posted.

Applefest 3.2

Yesterday was the Applefest 5k in Franklin, Pa. Actually the race should be called the Applefest 3.2 mile run becuase it mapped a little bit longer than a 5k. The day before the race, we all drove up to Doug's cabin for the night. When we arrived at the cabin, we cruised down to downtown Franklin to walk around the Applefest and to get some grub. We ate at a very good Italian restaurant, which had a mile long line to get in.

The next day was the 5k. We arrived at the race venue around 8:00 and the race was supposed to take off at 10:00. It was freezing. Winter hats, gloves, tights, long sleeve shirts, etc. was being worn by a lot of people. While we were waiting for the race to start, our warm-up consisted of a couple intense games of ping pong in the Franklin YMCA, which was where packet pick up was located at. After a couple games of ping pong we started our real warm ups. While we were warming up on the course, I said this is going to be fast. I was going for a mid to low 17 minute time.

When the race started, it was a dead sprint off the line. The typical funny guys of every running race of course took off like a bat outa' hell but quickly blew up about a football field length into the race. I kept up my fast pace throughout the race. I was very happy with my first mile time and second mile time. After the second mile I was in about 6th place and running with two other racers. We had a very fast pace going and we were not slowing up a bit. When the finish line was in sight, one of the two runners already took off and the other runner and I were starting to kick up the pace to a sprint. We were back and forth the whole way to the finish. I was in front of him, he pushed in front of me; we were back and forth about 4 or 5 times. At the end, I lost the sprint and finished 7th overall and 1st in my age group with a time of 18:06. I was happy with the way I felt and the sprint finish at the end. The course was all downhill going out to the turnaround point, and the rest of the way to the finish was mostly uphill. From what I heard from other racers, the finish line was pushed further than last year's finish. So I would say the distance of the race was 3.2 miles. It was very fun and a very competitive race. I felt like I was going to throw up after the sprint finish, but it was worth it. Dad and Doug finished great. Dad finished 19th and Doug 15th; 10 seconds apart. They both won their age groups and the friendly rivalry battle continues between them. The whole morning before the race, Doug and Dad ripped on each other alot. It was great and I'm sure that is was made them extra fast during the race.

Another great time with Doug and this is the last time to visit him and stay at the cabin this year. Too bad the fun had to end so soon, but it was great while it lasted. I'm looking forward to this weekend coming up in Cincinnati. UCI Cinci Cross weekend, and it is going to be another great weekend.