Hello everyone from freezing Sylvania, Ohio.  I am happy to say we are mentioned in both the March issues of Runner’s World (page 17) and Triathlete (page 20).  I have already had a great response from both articles about our program and that is what I utilize the media for to simply get a message out.

Not much else to report right now so I am going to get back to studying for my upcoming national counseling exam.

Have a great weekend.

TC

Ever get a call from someone struggling with an addiction and you do “your thing” to help them and in the process get a ton of help yourself?  That is what happened to me yesterday and I am thankful for it as it reminded me a lot of what I am talking about humility, gratitude and overall thankfulness to be sober and healthy to the best of my ability.  After the call I got out and ran and again today ran in 3 degree weather and was reminded of what makes me “tick”.  Thank you my Buffalo, New York friend.  Do not drink today and ponder what we talked about yesterday ok?  Life is not always easy but if you do not drink it is easier to deal with. (Hawaii 2006 pic below love the peacefulness illustrated here)I am back at it and love what this lifestyle brings for me on may levels.  I feel out of shape now and have been told I look “better” than I did at Ultraman and that is hard for me to accept.  Strange how I liked when I “looked bad” as I felt great physically and mentally and like a drug I want that back.  So to me when someone says I am “too thin” that is a compliment to me and I like it.  Pic below is about 15 miles into the 52.4 mile run at Ultraman and I want to look like this again soon.  Fun time is over and now it is time to get to work.

On a business note, I had a great meeting today on getting the Racing for Recovery Eric Floyd Lifestyle Center going.  This will be a 6 month stay and will be a structured format that involves a holistic approach to sobriety.  We are only going to accept 4 people at a time so if you know of someone in need please contact me at toddcrandell@racingforrecovery.com.  I will be actively involved on a daily basis at the center.

My daughter Skylar’s basketball team lost their first game of the season yesterday.  Coach Melissa had a great game plan it just did not fall into place.  As I said before, I do not really care about winning or losing but that the effort is made and fun is had.

You all take it easy out there.  If you have not shared your story on our site please do so.  Also if you have lost a loved one due to addiction, please post them on out site in the “Memory Of” section.  The pic below is of me at the Beijing airport on way to Ironman China last April.  Also here is one at our hotel.  I put these up as a reminder of how good the life I have is and that I do not take it for granted. 

TC

Hello all,

It has been strange, helpful, frustrating, and encouraging to just take a “break” from many things and simply stop.  After Ultraman I knew I needed to rest but as happens so many times in the past after an Ironman race within 1-2 weeks I am itching to get back at it and Ultraman was no exception.  I rested for 13 days and then started biking and running again and lately have just been spent.  When this happens physically the mind and the spirit follow and things get completely out of whack and that happened to me.  You would think I would learn by now but I could say the same mind set applied back in the day with the drinking and drugging.  How many times did I do the same thing over and over and expect something different to happen?  HUNDREDS.  I think this time I have finally realized how this game works (at least I think I have).  My next race is New Orleans Ironman 70.3 on April 5 and I will start training again FEb 1.  I do think I am going to run tomorrow as I looked at a few pics from Ultraman and thought to myself “what happened” and “where is that guy”.  Amazing how quickly all that work that I put in and many supported goes away.

I decided not to run the Phoenix Marathon as other priorities (my family) came first.  I have realized I have at times neglected some major family obligations in pursuing this dream of making Racing for Recovery what it and it has cost me in some areas.  Not going was a great decision for me.

I have been applying for counseling jobs in local schools while still working on the business of Racing for Recovery.  I attended a couple of our meetings as a “client” not “the guy” who runs them and that was really refreshing.  I am going to try and pull that off tonight I doubt it will work.

Been nice to be at my kids basketball games and help out around here more as a family guy.  Skylar’s team (coached by Melissa for 4 years in a row) is undefeated but that does not mean much to me as long as the kids have fun.  Melissa has them doing certain plays that we think are being copied by other coaches lol.

Enjoy your day.

TC

Hello everyone,

We are pleased to announce our new Racing for Recovery meeting in New Jersey.  Special thanks to Eddie Freas for getting this off the ground.  Recall Eddie has turned his life around since being involved in this worthy program and just completed his first Ironman in Western Australia.

If you have questions about this new meeting, please email Eddie at jefreas@hotmail.com

Congrats on your clean life and thanks for helping us out to help others.

TC