Ok everyone I am adding a comment section here so if you are so inclined, please feel free to post your thoughts on this “blog” (God I hate that word lol) for others to see. I am doing this so you all might get to know each other through Racing for Recovery.

Please keep your remarks positive.

TC

You know what I have found over the years that one thing is for certain, I have a choice to do the right thing for myself and my happiness. I can’t “fix” someone else but rather focus on how I can improve myself. I am only responsible for my sanity and well-being and not that of other people.

Life and the happiness we desire is just like sobriety we have choice to achieve both. I have not had a drink or any drugs for over 15 years but I can’t always say I have been happy and I fully recognize that is my fault. Having said that, I think it is time that I change that because I deserve (just like all of us) to be happy.

This entry may not make sense to you all and I apologize if you don’t “get it” I am just putting down my thoughts and feelings as it is good for me to do. I am tired and did not get good sleep which is something I need daily to be at my best.

I have to get out and run, then hang with my beautiful kids (as that really is all I am supposed to be is a good dad) before I leave for a race meeting in Monroe, Michigan.

Hey I know I mentioned getting the song “Heart of the Matter” by Don Henley in my last entry, well here is another one for you, “Answer” by Sarah Mclachlan.

The last thing I want to say is THANK YOU to all of the people who have provided me endless support with their prayers, guidance, trust and understanding. I know who you are and so do you.

Get out there and get it today.

TC

Hello everyone I just returned from our first Racing for Recovery Redfish Triathlon in Idaho. Holy cow was this an amazing place and event. 265 people from 17 states attended the triathlon and the venue was beautiful. I have been blessed with being able to travel the world and I have seen some amazing places but Redfish Lake ranks right up there at the top. While I was running (I did not race the event) I saw a deer 15 feet from me that just stood there and watched me run by. He had this look on his face that said “who is this nut case running on my property”.

I want to thank the participants, sponsors, volunteers, Jeff at Redfish Lake Lodge, Bart and Jen Davis, Kenny and Ann Marie from 3D Racing and Amy Kramer for all of their support. Without you all this event would not happen.

Thursday I have a meeting in Monroe, MI to finalize the 5th Annual Racing for Recovery Triathlon on June 7, 2009. We are going to add a kids triathlon the day before on June 8, 2009 and hope to do a kids race at our other triathlons next year as well.

Also do yourself a nice favor and listen to the song “heart of the matter” by Don Henley. The words are simply amazing and beneficial in many ways. I ran today while listened to that song several times and it has helped me with some stuff I need to work on.

Have a great week and remember “with sobriety anything is possible”

TC

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. I watched my daughter Skylar complete her first triathlon yesterday and was simply proud of her and to be a dad. I also had my son with me as I did a triathlon today in Detroit (thanks Kenny and 3 d racing for the allowing us to do your great event) and again as I came out of the water and saw 2 of my great kids cheering me on I thought to myself “this is what life is all about”

I went to get my dad the Tim Russert book and of course they were sold out. Such a huge loss for society but thank God this guy left the world a better place. We find inspiration in many people and things and Tim has inspired me to be a better person.

I received a phone call on Friday from a father who attends our support group meetings and who also has problems with his son using drugs. I am not going into detail on his story but I am going to share that he simply stated “Todd I have to ask you are you using again because the word on the street is that you are” I am going to state this again once and for all, MY SOBRIETY DATE IS APRIL 15, 1993 AND I HAVE NOT SMOKED, DRANK OR INJECTED ANY TYPE OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL SINCE THAT DAY. To those ( and I know who you are) that not only want to copy Racing for Recovery or make comments like this after I have personally done all I can to help you and your families want to continue doing this all I can say is I feel sorry for you. If that is what you think sobriety is man do you have it wrong. I know when my sobriety date is and so does God and that is all I really have to answer to.

We have our Racing for Recovery Triathlon set for next weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho. Thanks to Bart Davis for all he has done to make this happen and of course Kenny and 3 D Racing for all they do for us. Check this photo out of Kenny with Skylar and Konor. Our triathlon held in Monroe, Michigan will be on June 7, 2009 and we will have a kids race there as well. Also to note we have our 5k Nov 1 in MN all set and thanks to Craig for all he has done to make this event happen.

Last but not least thanks and congrats to Aaron Dalley who runs our lifestyle house for completing his second triathlon in as many weeks. I asked if he was going to the sprint distance and he said “I have already done that so I will do the olympic distance” I love it.

So you can see all is well in the land of my personal, professional and Racing for Recovery life.

TC

Hello everyone,

The 4rth Annual Racing for Recovery was awesome yesterday. Over 300 racers from 17 states participated including 6 members of Racing for Recovery (Kevin, , Eddie and Mike who finished the Half Ironman and Aaaron and Daryl who finished the sprint) Also congrats to Melissa who completed the Half Ironman as well. It was an absolute brutal day regarding weather as the temperature was in the 90″s and the wind was horrible. Thank God my job was only to hand out medals. Special note Eddie and Kevin both who viewed our program on ESPN and were having substance abuse issues moved to Ohio to live in our Llfestyle Center and have remained sober ever since. It was humbling to see them finish along with their families who made the trip in.

I want to thank Kenny and everyone at 3D Racing for once again donating their services regarding race management, Anita and Joe for the food donations and all of the volunteers for making this race happen. Without all of you this event would not have taken place. Also thanks to the participants who punished themselves out there. Great job to everyone.

Special thanks to a couple sponsors Dr. Agee of Sylvania Family Physicians and her husband Scott Porterfield from Provider Solutions.

Next up in our first triathlon in Sun Valley idaho on June 22. I will be out there to witness the impact this program has on people.

Here are a couple photos for ya.

TC

Hello from Boise, Idaho where I just did my 33 (I think) half ironman in a time of 5 hours 30 minutes. In the big picture the time does not mean a thing the reason why I state it is because I want to thank my coaches Krista and Scott because I have not done that well in over 8 years and they are the reasons why. Here is another reason why I am putting that info here for you all listening to other people and actually doing what they say can help. Does this sound familiar with addiction and sobriety. If you listen to what people have to offer who are sober and actually apply that information to your life, by God things will get better.

I was interviewed by Maxim Magazine (no I am not on the cover in a bathing suit) last week and it will be in the July issue. Just another media venue for us to share the Racing for Recovery program. Yes I love the media and use them often and have no problem in doing so.

Last thing I am going to put here is a couple pictures of my bike and say thanks to my sponsor Griffen. I appreciate your support.

Have to go eat guys Salmon here. Our Racing for Recovery triathlon is next weekend and I look forward to watching our people race.

TC