Is there one word that describes the joy you receive from your sport?
Renewed - because it has changed the way I live my life

How did you become interested in your sport?
A friend and fellow cyclist introduced me to the sport in 1992 while living in Arkansas. He invited my wife and I to visit his parents in Shreveport, LA and join him in a local race. As our wives stood on the beach all I could think about was not drowning (wasn't much of a swimmer back then). The lasting impressions of my 1stt triathlon include, someone yelling, "watch out for the alligators" as I entered the water, being 492/500 out of the water, and catching 242 souls on the bike. It took me 13 years to recover and now I'm back! In 2003 I told a friend at work that I would train with him for the bike portion his 1st Ironman. That didn't work out so well as the bad back gene of my family reared its ugly head and put me out of commission for a good portion of that summer. It didn't help that I was fat and out of shape either. I got a second chance to keep my promise after my friend Ed signed up for IM Florida 2005. Although my intention was to only bike with him things kind of evolved. He and another friend gave me some swimming tips in early 2005 and 4 months later I could actually swim more than 1 lap. The year progressed and 6 races later I completed my 1st Half IM in Bear, Delaware. What was next? Ironman!!

Ironman was always in my subconscious from seeing it on TV but I never imagined I would someday signup for a race. After buying a last minute plane ticket to Ironman Florida 2005 to cheer on my training partner I am hooked for life. I was at the finish line until midnight and still can't explain to people the energy and feeling of exhilaration that seeps into you even if you are not racing. Can't wait for that same feeling as I cross the finish line in Lake Placid this summer. (Though not at Midnight).

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
Traveling and spending time with my family, watching my children play in their sporting events, Snow skiing, Golfing, Reading, Cooking, Mountain biking, Playing Poker

What's your favorite meal to eat before and after a big race?
The night before a race Pasta with Broccoli, Pizza
Morning of Race - Frusion Yogurt, Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal, Banana, Red Bull
After Race - Everything an arms length away. Fajitas, Chinese, Hamburgers, anything Sweet and Salty

Do you have a favorite song, favorite music group, or is there music you like to train to, or is there a certain song that plays in your head when you race or ride?
Group - Tom Petty and Heartbreakers but will listen to almost anything that has a good rhythm. Song - My Sharona by The Knack, weird but it is a good pacing song for my run and hill climbing. My 14 year-old daughter has been a big help mixing in the new stuff for me on our shared IPod.

Do you have a personal motto?
Family : Grow where you are planted
Life : Everyday is a Holiday, Every Meal is a Feast, and Every Paycheck is a Fortune
Racing: Pain is Fear Leaving the Body

The most memorable and meaningful race you've been in and why?
My 1st ½ Ironman in September 2005 in Bear Delaware. Similar to all the races I entered in 2005 it was really the next step in my progression of longer distance events. Having pushed the button on my computer back in July for my slot in Ironman USA at Lake Placid, I thought it would be a good idea to see how I would do at half the distance. Not fully trained and still a relative newbie to the swim and run portions of the race, I ran my "lucky" mile the day before the race and hit the water early the next morning with the rest of the athletes. It was the longest multi-sport endurance event I had ever attempted. Swim went great, ride was better than great, run, got through it. This race taught me that I could get better. Doing the longer races like this, not as an elite athlete, is challenging, humbling, and inspiring. The challenge is between yourself and nobody else. Humbling, (as I started my run out of the park the 1st place finisher passed me in a full sprint in the opposite direction towards the finish line), my thought was, that's just not fair. Inspiring, I may not catch that guy who passed me but I will be out of the park at least an hour before he enters it this year. Every race is a learning experience, I learned I am a lot tougher mentally than I thought I could be and that sometimes even if you are not fully prepared, take some risks to push yourself past your personal comfort zone. You come out the other side feeling pretty good about yourself, even if every muscle in your body might tell you otherwise.