"You're the wrong body type to compete in a triathlon." That is what my friend's dad told me one day after we finished watching the Ironman championships on television. At the time I was six foot four two hundred twenty five pounds and the only things I was competitive in was drinking beer; however, something about what he said inspired me to train for my first triathlon. What is the right body type for triathlon anyway?

With no idea how to complete a triathlon I started training with a buddy and muddled my way through swimming, biking and running. I had no swimming background, a barrowed bike and bad knees from playing basketball but I was having a blast. Two days before the race I wrecked my bike in the rain and broke my shoulder blade. Disappointed but not defeated I decided that for all my training I would give it a try and somehow get through the race. I found out that you can do breaststroke with a broken shoulder blade. It may not be fast or pretty but it will move you forward and at that point, forward movement was all I could ask for to finish the race. I entered the water (I call it water but for all practical purposes it was a mud puddle in the middle of Indiana) with about two hundred other participants at the start of the race. I was nervous and excited and also curious as to whether or not my shoulder would hold up to the five hundred yard swim around the perimeter of the pond. The gun went off to start the race and I was on my way. After about five minutes it was clear that I would be the last participant out of the water.

As I approached the last buoy and started my home stretch to the bike I started to realize that this race that I had been so nervous about was very doable. I exited the water, put my arm in a sling and rode the bike leg with one arm for the thirteen mile bike ride. I picked off a few people on the bike and despite a few jolts of pain along the way was very happy with how well the bike ride was going. Before I knew it I was nearing the transition area for the third leg of my race. I got off my bike and started the five kilometer run. My legs felt like lead and my arm was still in the sling but I kept moving putting one foot in front of the other until at last I crossed the finish line.

I completed my first triathlon in the summer of 1998 and have been hooked on the sport ever since. Triathlon is a sport that allows me to meet new people, travel to places I've never been before and test my body to find out what I can achieve. Since my first race in 1998 I have competed in many different triathlons all across the United States and hope to do many more before all is said and done. When I think back on how I got started it's strange to think that I owe it all to one man who said it couldn't be done.

I have been coaching/working with triathletes and endurance athletes for over 4 years. I currently work with athletes at all levels, and have experience coaching athletes who are competing at their first triathlon all the way to coaching athletes competing in an ironman triathlon. I also completed a two week course at the United Bike Institute, and I am now a Certified Bike Mechanic. I will also be attending the Fit Institute Slowtwitch (F.I.S.T.) bike fit certification course in 2010. These two courses together will allow for me to work on-on-onw with my athletes to make sure that their bike is woking properly, as well as ensure that our athletes have a proper fit on their bike for competition and training. I feel that I can help athletes see the "big picture" and help them understand the importance of periodization in order to obtain their athletic goals. I am a true believer that with the proper training and recovery plan, coupled with an appropriate nutrition plan is the key to success! In addition to coaching, I am also a USAT Certified Race Director and serve as the bike course director for the SUsan Bradley-Cox Tri Fro Sight Triathlon/Duathlon. I also help out with the local Team in Training Triathlon Team in Lexington. I really enjoy competing in this sport, but I have a true passion for helping others achieve their goals! Beth and I are also attending USAT Youth Certification Clinic in January of 2011 in Colorado Springs! We work forward to working with youth athletes in 2011 in addition to our age group athletes.

2011 Tentative Racing Schedule
Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon, April 3rd
Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - April 17th
Memphis in May Triathlon - May 22nd
Ironman 70.3 Steelhead - August 14th

USAT Level 1 Certified Triathlon Coach
USAT Youth and Junior Certified Coach
Newton Natural Running™ Certified Coach
Certified Team In Training Coach
USMS Swim Coach
Experience in coaching athletics of all levels
UBI Certified Bike Mechanic
Slowtwitch F.I.S.T Triathlon Bike Fit Certification

MS in Kinesiology and Health Promotion
University of Kentucky
Program: Health Promotion
May 2004

BS in Arts and Sciences
University of Kentucky
Program: Political Science
May 2000

2011
Ironman Florida - 10:33:53
Memphis in May Amateur Challenge - 3rd Place Overall
Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon- 2nd Place Overall
Memphis in May Triathlon - 1st Place AG

2010
Bowling Green Sprint Triathlon - 1st Place AG

2009
Ironman Augusta 70.3
6th pace age group and qualified for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships

USAT Age Group National Championships
5th place age group and qualified for Age Group World Championships in 2010

Lame Duck Triathlon
2nd place overall

2008
Heart and Sole Sprint Triathlon 2nd place Overall

Buffalo Trails Sprint Triathlon, 2nd Place Overall

2007
Ironman Wisconsin

2005
Ironman Florida

Memphis in May
Clydesdale Overall Winner

2004
Ironman Wisconsin

Country Music Marathon
First Solo Marathon

2003
Shelbyville Triathlon
Overall Winner

2002
Ironman Wisconsin

2000
Muncie Endurathon
First Half Ironman

1998
First Triathlon