Got back out and rode 36 miles today after taking days off after Ironman China. It was extremely windy out but felt great to ride with my friend Scott Horns (coach) and Eddie Freas from our recovery house. It was truly humbling to know that Eddie who struggled with a cocaine addiction, saw the ESPN clip in New Jersey and moved here in January and has not only remained sober but it training for the Racing for Recovery Half Ironman and Ironman Western Australia. Our program is NOT only about exercise and triahtlon but it is a part of our holistic approach to sobriety and this is a prime example of success.

It is good to be back home this week and next Wed I am off to St. Croix to do the half ironman. It is beautfiul down there but that course is a tough one and doing it 2 weeks after Ironman China is going to be a challenge but that is what I am all about whether it is a triathlon or completing my Master of Counseling Degree, I always want to pursue and achieve the next goal I set for myself and Racing for Recovery.

We have our first Racing for Recovery softball practice tomorrow. We are sponsoring the whole team and everyone can play free of charge. It will yet one more activity for people to be involved with and show our slogan “With Sobriety Anything is Possible” it truly achievable.

Thanks to Murhphy who had me on his radio show 106.5 The Zone here in Toledo last Thursday. It will be posted on the media section soon.

Thanks to Monroe County Adolescent Center for having me along with Kevin, Eddie and Orlando from Racing for Recovery speak to their youth about all things sobriety and Racing for Recovery. Yes this was a pro bono speaking gig.

Sobriety and Racing for Recovery are great things and I am thankful for what this program has done for others.

Enjoy your day.

TC

Hello everyone I just finished my 14th Ironman here in China in a time of 13.16. The day was brutal as the heat and wind were unreal. God these things are so hard but crossing that line and doing this all for Racing for Recovery and showing our slogan “with sobriety anything is possible” make it all worth it.

During the run I had roughly 15 little Chinese kids running with me. Kind felt like Rocky lol. The people here have obviusly not seen a person that looks like I do. They all are facinated with my tattoos. I would go through an aid station and the cameras would come out I kind of felt like a circus freak lol. The people here are amazing. Thank you to everyone back home who wishd me well. You guys were with me the whole way and believe me I thought of you all often as that is what gets me through this crazy things. Congrats to my friends Clay and Krista who did this event with me. We have all had a blast and I am thankful they joined me on this journey.

Ok I am beat and ready to pack up the bike as we leave on Tuesday morning. Next up is St. Croix half Ironman in 2 weeks and this will be Melissa’s first crack at this distance. Get ready hon going to be a tough one but I have all the faith in you.

I miss home.

T

Hello from China and the Ironman. Just got in last night about 2 am and man I am out of whack. 17 hours of just flying time to get here and plus layovers and driving has left me a bit “out of it” but I am not complaining one bit as I love this life. This place we are staying at (Sheraton) is awesome and huge. Pools, ocean, beach, sun, good food and exercise is all around. Met a friend of mine from Ironman Brazil (2002) at breakfast. I was telling a friend of mine on the way over here about this guy Herman who as we were about to start Ironman Brazil said to me “Todd there is no place I would rather be than rigth here right now” I love that quote and have told that story many times, welll at breakfast today there was old Herman. He is 60 years old and done 21 Ironmans. I hope to be in that kind of shape when I am 60.

Congrats to Orlando, Kevin, Susan and my wife Melissa for their half and full Toledo Marathon races yesterday. I guess the weather was awful but they all stuck it out and finished. Good job guys and thanks for racing under the Racing for Recovery name.

Ok it is 8 p.m. here and I am going to try and get some sleep. Just a quick note to my kids Skylar, Madison, Konnor and Mason, I miss you guys and love you all very much. To all racing for recovery members “with sobriety anything is possible”

TC