Returned home yesterday from St. Petes Florida where I had an amazing time with Madison along with old and new friends.  I was reminded once again of the true meaning of living a sober life.

I want to thank Tony A for arranging my trip and all the work he put into the showing of ADDICT and my participation in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon.  Tony knew me back in the day and I have not seen him for 16 years but we basically picked up where we left off which was just 2 friends laughing a lot. Also his brother Keith was there and I do not think I have laughed that much in my life and to their friend Brad aka WAR great to see you as well.

I also want to say how great it was to see my old friend Griffen and his wife Tonya.  Also Tony D who again I have not seen in years and lastly a new Toni who brought her son Ryan to the showing of ADDICT.  Toni had contacted me years ago about Ryan who was struggling with an addiction in Seattle and felt helpless about him and his situation.  It was great to see them both happy and realizing “With Sobriety Anything is Possible.  Thanks to Rob and his family for coming and all the hard work he is putting into our “project” and I am telling you all now this is going to hit on a big level.

Here is a photo of all of us in the “green” room before the showing of ADDICT.  I must say this room at the Fort Harrison Hotel was awesome.

Overall the time spent in Fla with Madison and friends was great and I hope to be back down there again soon.

We are getting ready for the 5th Annual Racing for Recovery Triathlon June 7 with the kids race on June 6.  I look forward to another amazing event that shares our mission and helps people in the process.

In closing we are in need of funding.  If you have benefitted from this worthy program in some capacity, please support us.  I know the times are hard but we need to support this program to do the work we do.

On the media page, check out the new radio interview on Ron and Ian WDAE 1120 AM from Tampa.

Enjoy your week.

Todd

Hello everyone,

The 5th Annual Racing for Recovery Triathlon is on June 7 with the kids race on June 6.  We are asking for volunteers and any sponsors to please contact us ASAP at racing4recovery@aol.com or 419 824 8462.  We can’t put this worthy event on without your help and it means the world to those who are competing.

Todd

I hope you all had a blessed Easter.  I enjoyed being home and spending a great day with the family.  It is awesome to see the joy on our kids faces as they received their Easter Bunny gifts and finding eggs.  It is a reminder of what is important in life.

I also had the pleasure of seeing my friend Stevin Groth out running yesterday.  This guy has lost over 80 lbs and is a true inspiration.  He said to me it was only a 5k he was running and I reminded him that it is not the distance that counts but the fact that he was out there “doing”

I also want to say thank you to Shelby Nacho aka Darwin on many levels.  He is crewing for me at Ultraman Canada and is also covering our hotel expense while we are there.  I am very thankful for his kind support.  He has completed both Ultraman Canada and Hawaii and is doing the Western States 100 mile run.  More importantly it his personality and way of living that is inspiring to me.  I see how Karma plays here as I am donating a speaking gig to the community while there and it comes back by Darwins support.  If you would like to help us out please consider donating to http://www.firstgiving.com/toddcrandellultraman?ref=facebook&type=app

Racing for Recovery will once again have our softball team this summer.  We had a blast last year and look forward to do it again this year.

Our half ironman and sprint triathlon are coming on June 7 with the kids race on June 6.  This is the 5th year for this event.

Ok enough for now.

TC

Just returned from New Orleans Ironman 70.3.  I did a 5:28 race and had an interesting “moment” before the swim start.  For some strange reason, I had a “panic” attack as we were getting ready to enter the water.  I kept telling myself “relax you have done this many time” but that was not working.  I took it off, got myself together and then put it back on as our wave was getting ready to go.  I continued to go over in my head everything will be ok just do your thing but that was not working and I finally decided to take the wetsuit off and just swim with my race uniform.  Thankfully a volunteer Suzanne was there and I pleaded with her to take my wetsuit and somehow get it back to me (keep in mind there were 3000 racers) and I got in the water and started the swim.  I remember getting “cold” and checking my watch wondering how far I was into it and noticed the time of 22 mins.  Hmm just like Ironman Australia when I began to tremble as my body was freezing.  I made it out of the water in 40 mins which was about 7 mins slower than usual but was happy to be done with it.  The point here is to relate it back to substance abuse.  You do not quit just because things get rough at times, you somehow manage to hold on and get through your task not matter what it is.  As many of you know I use the term “Ironman” as a metaphor for any goal we are pursuing.  Yes, Suzanne called me after the race and is sending me my wetsuit back in the mail.  Thank you my friend that is very kind of  you.

Eddie was there and it is great to see him doing so well.  He did a 6.28 and our new friend Robert did a 6:30 for his first half Ironman.  Robert allowed us to stay with his family and I want to thank not only him but the rest of his family for their unbelievable hospitality.  This sport is expensive and their support was a big help in that department.  See how this game works, people help me and I take that assistant and help others.  

I was reminded several times during the event by people that Racing for Recovery is a great thing and to keep up the good work.  Thanks for all of your kind words.  To my new buddy Rick thanks for the hockey laughs mate and I will see you in Germany eh?

Thanks to Andrew from The Times Newspaper for covering our program.  It was great to see you at the finish.

It was awesome to get home to the family yesterday and just have one of those Crandell circus days that included getting sports stuff, crafts and dinner.  I miss them dearly when I am gone and thank God they are supporting me when I know it is hard at times.  Melissa has signed up for Ironman Augusta 70.3 so we both will be doing that one in September.

Today I am on my way to Los Angeles for a meeting with VH-1.  I am only going to be gone until Thursday night.  Perseverance is key to life and I am practicing that with this project.

If you are reading this and having a problem with booze and chemical, know there is a better way.  I watched some of Intervention last night and my heart ached for the addict and her family and I just thought to myself “God please allow the Racing for Recovery mission and lifestyle reach as many people as possible”.  I am not saying we are the answer but I am saying we have helped thousands and I am thankful for that and simply want to do more.

Have a great week.

TC