Two Short Weeks until Ironman Arizona

Ironman Arizona is just two short weeks away! This will be my second full Ironman and I am looking forward to a extra long weekend with Triathlete friends Pushing physical boundaries, enjoying central Arizona, and achieving personal goals.

My first goal as always is to finish. I feel I should finish in under 12 hrs with a strong swim and run. I am ready for the bike distance at a moderate pace however did not prepare for a high tempo bike race pace.

I can't wait to see each and everyone of my TNT friends at the finish line! =)

Nov 2014 Update My Iron Man Challenge

Encouragement, small successes, and the feeling of being valued by those you love should not be under estimated. These blessings help shape our confidence to achieve greater challenges and goals beyond our current realm of thought. Goals that not only help us but perhaps help others who in turn inspire others in a complete new direction.  

It has been several weeks since my last update and am happy to say I have remained healthy, injury free and on Nov 2 completed my first Half Iron Man 70.3 in Conroe TX. My finishing time was slow at 6hr 40m and still I feel blessed to have finished and had a lifelong friend come to Conroe to cheer me on. Since the event in Conroe I have experienced a 5K PR at 20:48, experienced my training run and bike pace exceeding every PR I have set to date, and scheduled my season for 2015. Training for me has exploded and I am excited to see how far and fast I can go! I don’t expect to be a world class athlete, however now consider I will far surpass every goal I started with.

2015 races scheduled thus far:

Jan 1^st Allen TX Half Marathon
Jan 4^th Life Time Fitness Indoor Sprint Tri
March 1^st Cowtown Full Marathon
May 17^th Chattanooga TN 70.3 half Iron Man
Oct 11^th Louisville KY Full Iron Man


Until next week! Consider letting those you care for know how you feel. Consider being a voice of encouragement, letting go of your fear. Perhaps your dream will be revealed and realized as you cheer another persevering and inspiring to live their destiny.   

Week 12 Update My Iron Man Challenge

We will face circumstances, actions, resolutions that we will never fully understand. We will have moments of weakness, reactions from anger, and days of discouragement. When we error make amends when possible and take the time to learn from the lesson. When others error towards us remember we too will stumble. My sincerest apologies, I wish you nothing but the best.

Week 12 finished and I am ready to move past the injuries and discouragement. After the injury I was out Monday and Tuesday of last week. Wednesday and Thursday I made it to the pool for minimal swimming drill sessions. Friday I managed an easy 45 minutes on bike and ran a slow 4 miles on Saturday. With most of the discomfort from the injury in check by Sunday I ran the 13 miles in Plano at a very slow jog finishing the half Marathon in 2 hr and 8 m. I am ready to start week 13 and direct my focus on all that is positive today and tomorrow and many more to come.    

Until next week! Be willing to swallow your pride and admit when you are wrong. We cannot change what is already done, we can acknowledge and learn from our faults for a better tomorrow.             

Week 11 Update My Iron Man Challenge

Our conviction for our dreams, goals, and commitments will be tested. Without conviction and true commitment dreams and goals are only objectives or future ambitions. We will experience the joy of accomplishing our ambitions only when we are willing to face the challenges.  

Week 11 finished and I feel as if I am on a life goal roller-coaster. The week started great with my body and spirit enjoying the training as it pushes me to increasing my limits in preparation for my upcoming events. Friday, excited about the more extreme section of my weekly workouts I started my weekly brick workout with a 25 mile bike ride in the rain to be followed by a 30 minute run (for those who are unfamiliar with a brick workout, it is when two different workouts are combined in combination one starting as soon as the other ends). Less than 5 minutes in feeling great and ready to push the workout, I started into the first turn on the wet roads and faced my bike instantly fly out from under my weight slamming me to the road with all of the force of the impact directed to my back and chest. I quickly jumped up and gathered my bike and equipment, instantly feeling pain in several ribs in my chest and back. X-rays show nothing broken just major bruising and pain enough to limit my training schedule yet again. I missed Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s workouts and hope to have the pain controlled enough to start back in the pool cautiously on Tuesday.      


Until next week! We can seldom control the test and challenges we will face as we live out our ambitions. It is within our control to push forward beyond the test or give up. I say always forward no matter how fast or slow! =)       

Week 10 Update My Iron Man Challenge

Some moments in life are designed for recovery. The emotional, physical, spiritual aspects of our lives each have need of periods of recovery. Many times during these periods of recovery we feel lose, uneasiness, worry for what we are losing as we recover. To have the strength to move beyond our current limits in each area we must accept recovering. Whatever we lose during this time, “if we are honest with ourselves”, we realize was moving out of our lives already.  

Week 10 is in the books and I am excited to be back on track in my training. This was a short workout week of 5 days with Monday being a holiday / event and Tuesday an off day. My stamina has fully returned allowing me a 50 mile bike ride on Saturday followed by a 12 mile run on Sunday. Total distances for the week; 96 miles on the bike, 17.5 miles running, and 1.67 miles swimming. Two weeks from now on  Sunday 9/21 I will be running in the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon for my long run. I invite you to come out and enjoy the run and or festival and spend some time catching up and hearing your story. I will be wearing a blue Nike Cap and Blue Brooks Glycerin running shoes. You might find me at the RE/MAX both after the race as I am also a local RE/MAX agent.

Until next week! Accept your times of recovery as strengthening and preparing to overcome the future obstacles necessary as you realize your true dreams. We will lose what we lose and what stays or comes back to stay was destined to be.   

Week 9 Update My Iron Man Challenge

Some times in life the correct answer is C’est La Vie “This is the Life”. We don’t always in every moment win the race, live happily ever after, ride off in the sunset loved and admired. Sometimes we experience life as it is; challenging, exciting, less than perfect. We can accept the imperfections in the frustrating moments of life and still experience joy and happiness moving towards our goals and dreams.

Wow! What a week for week 9 on my road to an Iron Man. I have lost 7 more pounds and am now down to 165. This last few pounds I believe are more caused by the diverticulitis and the 3 day clear liquid diet during the first part of the week. I made it to Austin for the Tri Rock Olympic distance tri over the weekend still taking antibiotics and hoping somehow the antibiotics, weight loss, and just recovering from a diverticulitis flare-up would not affect my performance. Well, I was not so lucky. The 1500 meter swim was slow and more strenuous than usual. I was more than half way through the swim and recognized I had completely tossed my swimming form out the window and was exerting far more energy than I should. We had a long 500 meter run from the river to the transition area to retrieve our bikes. I tossed on my biking gear and drank a little water mixed with electrolytes and proceeded out of the transition area to start the 26 mile bike leg. At this point I was a little more weary than usual and decided to start out at about 70% building up as I gained back my strength. Regretfully I never recovered from here. From this point forward my race performance went downhill fast. I eventually completed the bike leg with dizziness, dehydration, felling puny and nauseous with what I believe was the onset of heat exhaustion. So ended my race day rejected that I could not complete distances that I far surpass in training. On a positive note the antibiotics will be out of my system by Wednesday 9/3/14 and the symptoms from the diverticulitis gone. I am eating regularly again and know I will be back and ready for the next challenge. All ahead at full speed for the scheduled races and full Iron man Nov 2015.

Until next week! One moment in time is not our life. Each and every let down is not the end of our story. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward. Move forward seeking and relying on those who care by actions and words. 

Week 8 Update My Iron Man Challenge

In life we will always experience challenges and setbacks. It is not the setbacks that will determine our eventual outcome but the way in how we react and deal with the setback. In life our goals rarely work out exactly as we have planned yet they still work out when we are willing to modify our plan and acknowledge the challenge or setback.   

I have finished week 8 and had a small challenge. I missed my long bike ride and run on Saturday and Sunday because of significant pain on my left side. The pain was significant enough to cause me to go to the emergency room Sunday morning. I have been diagnosed with Diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be severe requiring surgery and can also be managed by diet and antibiotics. Apparently I will have this for my remaining life. The good news from this is that when i get the pain and swelling down before next Monday I can still run in the Austin Tri Rock Triathlon. My body is ready and the missed workouts will not affect me at the Olympic distance. Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 46 miles, Running 7 miles, swimming 2.5 miles. My longest distance on any one day for the week Biking 23 Miles, Running 4 miles, and swimming 1500 meters

Until next week! Your challenge is not the end of your dream. In many ways your challenge will help you to appreciate how important your dream is to you. When you are willing to acknowledge and face your challenge you will find your dreams coming true.  

Week 7 Update My Iron Man Challenge

It is up to each and every one of us to live and enjoy life. We must take responsibility ourselves to look for the joy, to experience the happiness, and to take the risk necessary to experience all life has to offer. Sometimes I believe we confuse taking responsibility for our life with placing our own wants, desires and needs above or below all others  

Week seven is over and my endurance is improving daily. I am excited because I booked my room for the Austin event taking place over Labor Day and will be staying at the Downtown Hyatt Regency with a river view. I am already planning activities for Saturday night and Sunday before my race on Monday. One of many events planned for now is the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk to see over a million bats take flight.  I am open to suggestions of any and all other possible fun activities in Austin (bret.wilson@remax.net). It is time again this Tuesday for the monthly Five55 series 500 meter swim followed by a 5k run at Lake Grapevine and always a great time and atmosphere. Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 94 miles, Running 24 miles, swimming 3 miles. My longest distance on any one day for the week Biking 49 Miles, Running 11 miles, and swimming 1300 meters

Until next week! We can be responsible for our own life experiences and still have true consideration for ourselves and others. We do not have to lose ourselves when we connect with others. We are challenged to love our family, friends and neighbors as we love ourselves not more than or less. Perhaps we will take a great step towards true love when we stop judging others and truly see them as equals.   

Week 6 Update My Iron Man Challenge

I wonder if sometimes our lack of confidence, faith or trust in a situation is occasionally viewed by others as arrogance, jealousy, or selfishness. I have found myself in uncomfortable engagements pulling back from fear, fear of the unknown, fear of the hurts from the past. Perhaps we should consider that others only see our action of pulling back and have no way to understand why.

Week six and I finally closed out the three problem home sales that has taken the majority of my time causing extra stress in my life. Business is still strong and I can once again spend more time acquiring business for the future. This past week was a recovery week with Monday and Tuesday off and less effort with shorter distances. I feel great, energized and ready to add miles next week. Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 56.4 miles, Running 14.2 miles, swimming 2 miles. My longest distance on any one day for the week Biking 35.5 Miles, Running 9 miles, and swimming 1000 meters

Until next week! Our actions regardless of our reasons will be viewed by others based on their own life experiences unless we communicate and share who we are. Take the time to build true confidence. Not by eliminating fear, past hurt and disappointments but by stepping through the feelings when they appear.  Always remember arrogance is not confidence in fact it is truly attempting to make up for lack of confidence in an unhealthy way.   

Week 5 Update My Iron Man Challenge

I wonder if there are times in all of our life’s that busyness, setbacks and daily stress guide us down a wrong path. Perhaps we will be blessed enough to get back on track quickly and seize the moment or perhaps we must have it only our way and overtime lose out on a true blessing. 

Week five and I am still extremely busy at work with some stress and getting to know new friends =). My training endurance is improving and I am excited about the upcoming Olympic distance Triathlon on Sept 1^st in Austin. The Austin event is just 4 weeks away and I am ready… I am planning on arriving in Austin a day or two early to hang out and enjoy the area. I am still losing weight, down to 171 and the workouts are only going to get lengthier and more difficult. I am feeling strong and loving life. Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 91.8 miles, Running 19.5 miles, swimming 2 miles. My longest distance on any one day for the week Biking 46 Miles, Running 11 miles, and swimming 1000 meters

Until next week! We are not created to love and cherish and take care of ourselves above all others. We have all been let down, we have all been disappointed yet we still need each other to gain knowledge, for a sense of belonging, to experience love, and so much more.  It is truly great to be around busy people who truly enjoy being around you! 

Week 3 Update My Iron Man Challenge

I have discovered in my life at least. My life strengths are often where I find my most difficult weakness and challenges.  I believe I have the ability to hold on to hope, stick to the end, and ride out the storm. I also believe I suffer my greatest setbacks because of these qualities in that I at times find myself holding on when I should not. Perhaps you can relate with one of your strengths that you have found to burden you. =)

Week three was rather light in workouts because of a scheduled race on Sunday. Regretfully the Sunday race was called off because of the flooding and rain during the week. With work being so crazy busy at this time the light workout week came at a great time. However on Tuesday this week I will enjoy a swim / run race at Lake Grapevine (500 Meter Swim then 5k Run). Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 40 miles, Running 15 miles, swimming 2 miles. My longest distance on any one day for the week Biking 20 Miles, Running 6 miles, and swimming 1000 meters

Until next week! When we try to do it all on our own even our strengths become weakness. You are never in this alone no matter how alone you may feel… =) 

Week 1 update Iron Man Challenge

Take the time to look for, enjoy and experience the good moments in life. There are always enough discouraging moments to monopolize your time if you allow it.  This past week has been a great week! The workouts have felt great, I purchased a new Tri Bike, felling healthy, and over all looking forward to the challenges ahead. My next minor events to prepare for the upcoming Olympic distance Tri Rock in Austin on 9/1 and two smaller events on 7/20 and 7/22. I have an amazing Tri Coach planning my workouts and for now the most difficult challenge has been resting on my scheduled recovery days. =) I do expect as the distance continue to increase I could find myself looking forward to the few rest days I experience. Overall training distances for the past week: Biking 68 miles, Running 14 miles, swimming 3300 yards.

I almost forgot, another positive side effect is I have lost 5 pounds and down to 175. Once I hit 170 I expect I will need to significantly increase my calorie intake to keep from becoming a skeleton.

Until Next time! We truly can be and do all we dream. We can’t predict or control the actions of others so perhaps our focus should be to be the best us we can be and hope we someday find someone a lot like us. =) 

My Personal Iron Man Challenge =)

We can accomplish far more than we can even dream when we only believe and move forward each day. I intend to prove that to myself and anyone else who might gain inspiration or a laugh =) from following me as I reach for my goal of maintaining my 3 year old and growing Real Estate business, connecting with that special lady and completing my first Iron Man Triathlon. “Not necessarily in that order”.  I will provide an update each week and focus most of my updates on the Iron Man.

As of today the furthest I have ran is 13.1 miles, biked 25 miles and swam 1000 meters with none of these distances being completed back to back. I have completed a sprint distance Triathlon consisting of a 500 meter swim, 17 mile bike, and 3.2 mile run. The Iron Man Triathlon in comparison will consist of a 2.4 Mile Swim followed by a 110 mile bike ride followed by a 26.2 mile run. This will be a challenge and I am confident with a lot of hard work, a little faith and continues movement forward I will be rewarded with success.

This is my current planed schedule. The event locations may change as we go along however the dates should stay close to the dates planned.    

7/20/14        Dirty Rock Off Road Triathlon        150 Yard Swim       7Mile MT Bike       2 Mile Run           Rowlett TX

7/22/14 Five55 Series        500 Meter Swim          5K Run                              Lake Grapevine TX

8/19/14 Five55 Series        500 Meter Swim          5K Run                              Lake Grapevine

9/1/14   Tri Rock Austin  1500 meter Swim      24.8 mile Bike           6.2mile Run                             Austin TX

9/17/14 Plano Balloon Half Marathon    13.1 mile run                                        Plano tx

9/20/14 Five55 Series    500 Meter Swim       5K Run                                  Lake Grapevine

10/18/14 Five55 Series  1500 Meter Swim     5K Run                                  Lake Grapevine

11/2/14 Oil Man TX  Half Iron Man Tri 70.3    1.2 Mile Swim  56 mile Bike   13.1 mile Run              Conroe TX

3/1/15  Cowtown Full Marathon                26.2 Mile Run                                    Fort Worth TX

6/28/15 Buffalo Springs Half Iron Man Tri  70.3 Tri   1.2 Mile Swim     56 mile Bike   13.1 mile Run             Lubbock TX

Nov 2015             Ironman Arizona    2.4 Mile Swim     110 Mile  Bike      26.2 Mile Run