What have I been up to lately?

So what have I been doing since I am definitely taking a year off from an Ironman? Well, not sitting around getting fat. That's for sure.

First, I've been hanging out with my hottie wife (see picture above from Turks and Caicos). Crazy thing how much you see your family when you are not training for an Ironman. We have also been doing a fair amount of wedding photography in Chattanooga.

Second, I've started rock-climbing more and even took some climbing photos.

Third, I'm working on an exciting new project with the same guy who CREATED THE BEST LAWN MOWING BUSINESS SOFTWARE out there.

Update

Florida Ironman 2009 didn't happen due to my step-dad dying and a number of other personal issues.

I don't know what I'll do next, but I definately have some big plans in the pipeline so stay-tuned.

In the meantime, I am helping out this awesome Chattanooga Wedding Photographer and Chattanooga Family Photographer. Usually, I call her my wife, the boss, or Brittany Moncrief.

So if your in the market for a Chattanooga Wedding Photographer - shoot her an email.

Cheers,

Jimmy

Training and Twittering

I'm obviously falling WAY behind in blogging. The summer's just keep getting busier and busier. Training has been going ok, I'm excited to be gearing up for my next race though - which will be the Atomic Man Half Ironman. A true test for how ready I will be come Ironman Time in November.

I have started twittering more, so if you want some more updates, please follow me here:

http://twitter.com/jimmymoncrief

My wife's photography business just launched a new site, check it out here

Chattanooga makes TreeHugger.com

There is an article on TreeHugger.com about Chattanooga's Community Kitchen donating bicycles to the homeless.

Link to article can be found here

Awesome

Just got back from an amazing trail run. So amazing I did it twice! I wasn't exactly looking to do 12 or 13 miles but I thought something happened to one of my friends. Turns out he wanted a real adventure and wanted to see where another trail went. Anyway, during the run we started talking about Lance Armstrong. I personally don't (didn't) get it. Why would you come back? There is no upside. If you win - your Lance - that is what you do. If you lose, your another athlete who couldn't give it up. I don't think I need to name names here.

I put "didn't" above. Because I hadn't seen this commercial yet:

The Key to Life is Running and Reading

This is old school, but I love Will Smith, and this is a great message.

Call for Pictures and Video

I'm currently working on a special project that I'm REALLY excited about. Right now it's TOP SECRET, but everyone will hear about it very soon!

As many of you would suspect by now, part of the project requires some crazy awesome pictures and video. SO, if you have some awesome picture of yourself, hainging off of a cliff, finishing an ironman, sweating through an ultra-marathon, or whatever, email me, leave a comment, whatever and I'll include it in this sweet new project I'm working on.

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Ironman Training

This weekend I FINALLY got a good semi-long day in.  Definitely, not a full Ironman training day, but definitely long enough to know that it is prime time for Ironman Training.  I was fortunate enough to be with my buddy Kevin.  We had a warm-up pace heading to the water, we pulled each other while we were doing intervals.  

My friend Kevin swam in college, so it is pointless to actually swim with him.  But we did get in the same amount of time, about 30 minutes.  I always joke that I actually swim as fast as him, I just don't swim in a straight line.  Note, when we race in a lap-pool I have to get a little more creative with my excuses.

We had a nice bike ride back doing some more intervals.  Kev, had to cut it short, and I "had Georgia on my mind" so I headed out to the valley.  

WARNING!  This is about to get deep, so if you want to just follow me and my triathlon training, stop here!  

As I was riding all by lonesome, I couldn't help but just think about the completely awesome creator we have.  The sunrise, the morning dew, the deer, the complete silence and the sounds of nature.  If you are having a hard time empathizing - then you need to get outside more!  

"He bought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because he delighted in me." Psalms 18:19 

Scenic City Trail Marathon Reviewed

I was planning on running the half-marathon at the Scenic City Trail Marathon, but since I have been having some knee problems I just decided to take pictures and support my friends.

One of my friends directed the race...

One of my friends terrorized everyone...

And another one of my friends won the race!

Contrats to all who finished!

Updates

May was extremely hectic for me, so I made a personal goal to blog everyday in June.  So now, as of June 3, I have already failed at this.  Owell...

Monday, June 1 Ironman training was my official start for training.  I'm sure this is a major shock to most of you.  However, I've been keeping in-shape - long rides here and there, trail runs, etc..., but now, it's official triathlon training time.  

For now, no more just keeping in-shape, it's time to get in triathlon shape, which is a world of difference than just being in-shape.  On Monday, after work I grabbed a quick open water swim.  Unfortunately, I had to cut it short, but it was great being back in the water.  I never thought after training for the Louisville Ironman that I would miss it, but I have. 

Last night I got in another swim and today I got some good running in.  Saturday, is my first big day and I'm stoked becuase my training partner will be with it and we are both good at challenging each other in different legs.  

In May, I did participate in some really cool events, in-which I will blog about over the next couple of days.  So be sure to keep coming back - or better yet - SUBSCRIBE TO THE RSS FEED!

Ride of Silence

Hey everyone in the blogosphere.  I was wanting to promote the Ride of Silence on Wednesday.  This is a slow ride (max 12 mph) in hone of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.  Go to: http://rideofsilence.org/main.php

For a ride near your city.

If you live in Chattanooga, here you go:

Date:	Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:	Finley Stadium
Street:	1826 Carter Street
City/Town:	Chattanooga, TN

Starting Swim Training in Style

I'm kicking off my swim training for the Florida Ironman like everyone should...in the ocean.  Sure beats chasing the dreaded black line in a cold pool.

I'm going to try top post some pictures when I'm there, but just in-case I knew everyone would enjoy these.  I also plan on getting some good sailing time in.  

Hopefully the weather gets better in Chattanooga, TN.  

Country Music Marathon...Taste of Victory

I love this picture for a lot of reasons. It definitly describes us all three as individuals.

Brent: Chicago Bears Hat, Softball T-shirt, next time just wear a sign that says "I'm not a runner, but my best friend annoyed me so much I signed up"

Dusty: All the marathon, road running gear he needs. If it wasn't so hot, I'm sure he had another 26.2 in him.

Jimmy (me): Trail racing t-shirt, Ironman Triathlon hat. This obviously isn't my kind of race, but I still had a blast with all of my friends! Which is what life is all about! Well sort-of...
By far my favorite picture! They busted out crying, my wife and I started crying. It was all-out waterworks. We were all in need of some gel-therapy (inside Ironman joke). Only a spouse understands all of the hard-work and dedication it takes in training to complete a marathon. You did it Dusty! Congrats! You are a marathon runner for life.

After I finished I crashed under some shade with some water, and then got back out there and ran to about mile 23 or 24 to brink Dusty home. On the way, it looked like a freaking death march. Unfortunately, I was passed by more ambulances than I can count on one hand, and even saw a guy have a seizure. I thing after this one, Dusty will want to put the Badwater Ultramarathon off for a couple of years.
Back story. I have an amazing wife that ran the last two miles in my Ironman Triahtlon in flip-flops with our 6-month old strapped to her front. Becca, my wife's best friend and the sister I never had is right up there in support as she is 5 months pregnant and she got out there to run a little with her hubs.

In the end, I had a horrible race as my right knee blew out on me at mile 11. It didn't matter though, because my legs were shot after the first five miles of hills .Like I said in the beginning, I had a blast with my friends and I would do it all over again just to see my daughter try to eat my finisher medal.

p.s. All of the pictures are from my awesome Wife - thanks for keeping life documented!

What Kind of Life Are You Living?

WOW! For me, this puts my Ironman Triathlon in perspective. On one level it is definately not safe, and it is out of the box. However, I want to live a much deeper life, one of meaning, purpose and experience. I hope you all enjoy!

Mob Boss Book Review

I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse is a straight talking book business book if there every was one.  Michael Frazese balances  business advice with real life examples, albeit most of the examples are illegal. 

The biggest asset the book has is the simplicity.  The book flows well and is very easy to read.  Additionally, it has an outline of bullet points at the end of each chapter titled: “Get the Message”

Another big plus for the book is that it is part of Nelsonfree, which means if you buy the book, you get the audio book and the ebook free. 

The only major thing I can complain about is that it felt cheesy at times, as Franzese’s constantly compares himself to “Tony Soprano” which seems odd, considering Franzese was an actual mob-boss.  However, the real examples the book describes are like nothing I have ever read.  Mainly because they are illegal.  I can’t believe this guy is alive, much less telling the true stories of the inner-workings of the mob.

I think the business section of the book store is better off with this book.  We need more real life examples in business practices and less theoretical management garbage.  If you want an easy to read, straight-talking book, and you are interested in the inner-workings of the mob, this is the book for you!

2009 Country Music Marathon

This weeked I'm running my first road race.  The 2009 Country Music Marathon.  The race is extremely special to me as it was my first marathon.  I think I did everything wrong, but I finished and that is what counts.

This year will be just as special as my best friend is running his first half marathon and one of my good training buddies is running his first marathon.

Hopefully I won't be looking like this:

Which is exactly what I looked like the last time I ran the Country Music Marathon.  Hopefully, the lack of an extra 13.1 miles will help.

Good luck to all.

Good Ol' Days

I think perspective is extremely important in all parts of life.  Sometimes I get frustrated with where I am in my training versus where I want to be.  I used to have a lot more time to train, and as such, was a lot faster.  But I just came across some archives of my first couple of posts and an overwhelming smile came across my face.  

Let's treat life as a process and not a goal, and enjoy the ride!  

Why run ultras?

“Why run a hundred miles? Because basketball and baseball only require one ball.”
- Kim Gaylord

Who I Am

It's obvious.

That it is important to know who you are.

But unfortunately (or fortunately) I'm not going to even attempt to summarize who I am in a blog post. Here is a summary anyway:

I am a passionate person. I value experiences in the the highest order. I believe life should be looked at not as a goal, but as a journey. YES, I have to remind myself of that regularly. I love GOD, I love my family and friends. I love the outdoors and all of the opportunities and encounters I have with mother nature.

My ultimate goal in life: to consume more Ice Cream than any other person on the face of this earth (hence, I need to keep doing Ironman triathlons, to stay in reasonable shape for this task)

Pictures of River Gorge Trail Run

Pictures of the River Gorge Trail Run are up.

Black & White images should be uploaded later in the week.

10% of all sales go to the Cumberland Trail Conference.

Congrats to all of the finishers who made it through the mud!