My Top 10 of 2011

2011 was fun. No injuries. Lots of races. Several Linsey encounters.

Here’s my top 10 of 2011:

#10- EPIC training workouts.

Two rides stick out above the rest.

1) May 28th- 161 mile solo ride training for Ironman Coeur D’alene (Fountain Hills, to Bartlett Lake, to Mesa,  a Usery Loop and back)… almost 8,000 feet of climbing.

2) Superior to Globe …  70 miles out, 70 miles back. I did this ride twice in 2011. 140 miles. It hurts just thinking about it.  The three climbs at the end of this ride are no joke.

#9- Swimming with Linsey

A couple weeks before Ironman Coeur d’Alene, Linsey made a surprise visit to Phoenix Swim Club.  I got to swim with her two days in a row!

#8- Team clinics (Mt. Lemmon, Fountain Hills, Saguaro Lake, Roosevelt Lake)

Every month, DURAPULSE holds a team clinic.  Lots of fun.

In August the team visited Mt. Lemmon in Tucson.  I missed out on the big cookie on the top, but it was still a blast climbing up one of Arizona’s highest peaks.

I can't follow directions!

#7- Joining Masters and competing in my first swim meet

I’ve worked really hard on my swimming the last part of the year, finally joining a Masters team, and swimming 4-5 times a week. It’s paid off. My swim times are slowly getting faster.

I even competed in my first swim meet in December!

#6- My awesome teammates/triathlon community

I probably wouldn’t be in this sport if it wasn’t for all the support and friendships I’ve made in triathlon.  So, thanks to all for another great year.

Two Men and a Baby

Me, Jedi Master, and Dallas in Show Low

Me with Padme

DURAPULSE at SOMA Triathlon

Me and Pops (Mr. Dan Cadriel) in Coeur D'Alene

Me and my babes

#5- Winning Linsey’s cowboy hat

In February, Linsey put her IMCDA jersey and cowboy hat up for auction to support Janelle Morrison, a pro triathlete injured in a car accident.

I made a “Linsey Corbin Cowboy Hat Auction Fund.”  I couldn’t believe the support I got from all my friends. They all know I love her.. and I won it!  Huge thanks to all who helped Janelle out.

Isn’t it pretty?

#4- RAGNAR ULTRA

I was on the DURAPULSE mixed ultra team for Ragnar Del Sol. We each had three separate run segments totaling around 13 miles for each.  My two days of fun went like this:

First run @ 12 pm: 14.33 miles (FUN! RUNNING IS AWESOME)

Second run @ 9:50PM: 13.29 miles (the whining begins) … and I got lost!

Third run @ 6:10 AM: 12.55 miles (FML!)

Over 40 miles of pain… I think this was tougher than Ironman. It gave me a whole new level of respect for ultra runners.  For some reason, I’m doing it again in 2012!

Me and Jamie sportin' the cowboy hats

At least we won our division!

My team

#3- Escorting Linsey at Ironman Arizona

In case you haven’t heard, I escorted LC on my bike to her first ever sub 9 Ironman finish.  It was a dream come true.  Linsey even mentioned me in her blog!

Do you see me?

LC also introduced me to her mom and dad.

Elliot and the Fam

#2- Finishing IM Coeur d’Alene

Another Ironman finish I’m very, very proud of. 🙂

#1- Boston qualifying

I Boston qualified at PF Chang’s Marathon.  I’m going to Boston in April! Can’t wait.

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2011 was fun, but 2012 will be even more awesome… getting faster, more racing, more dream crushing… more LC stalking.

Wishing everyone a very happy, safe, healthy 2012.

Elliot