Well it is has been a while since I put an entry in and a lot has happened since my last entry! Above are some pictures of the new Boys Dormitory that is currently being built just down the road from the existing Little Eden site. This will allow Little Eden to more then double it's current capacity of kids. In addition to the dormitory for the boys, Apartments for Anne, the Orphanage director, and other workers are being built along with a large cafeteria for the kids to eat lunch at during the week since it is very close in proximity to the school for the younger children. I spoke with Mike Eden, the owner and incredible man behind this orphanage along with his wife Sylvia, who just got back from Kenya and he told me how things have really progressed on the boys site and it is very exciting! I also added some more pictures of me with the kids.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE PLEDGES AND DONATIONS SO FAR!!!! I have already got over $5,000 dollars raised for these amazing kids!
As far as for me, I am now back in Houston full time and working (well sort of, since we don't have a lot of work right now at our office) from my Houston office. I got back just in time to try to squeeze in some last minute training for my Half Ironman race, IM 70.3 Texas in Galveston on April 3rd. After much debate back and forth I decided I was ready enough to go ahead and race after doing a couple practice rides in Galveston.
I did the race and finished in 6 hours and 17 minutes and I was really happy with that time! With the lack of training I had I just wanted to finish within 7 hours. The swim went really well, and I was out of the water in about 40:44. When I was getting out of the water, I felt great! As I transitioned to the bike it was great to see and hear all my fans! Thanks to Carson, Angie, Mom, Dad, Katie, Brad, Kyle, Billy, and later Kyle. As I rushed to mount the bike I went a little fast in a mode I was not use too and messed up big time. I ended up costing myself some time as I had to stop and put my shoe on and then clip in and get going. The bike ride as a whole was really good. Doing the two practice rides on the route was a huge difference. I knew to save something for the ride back. After crossing the bridge to come back onto the island it was again a huge surprise to have groups of my fan club along the route on the way back! You have no idea what a boost of energy it was right when I needed it. The bike ended up taking me about 3 hrs 1 minute. In transition to the run, I have to admit I was a little dead. It took all I had to get moving and get started on the run. I went ahead and had them cake on some sunscreen and I was off. The first lap was good and I found I was able to hold about a 11:00 minute average pace. I was feeling pretty good about that and was only stopping every mile. It was the last lap that I started feeling like I had nothing left. My pace started falling and I started stopping more frequently. Once I realized I was getting close and I only had a mile left, I walked for a moment, let my heart rate drop and caught my breathe. I was gonna give the last mile and the finish line my best. I ended up running the last mile or so almost under a 9 minute pace. In the end I felt good and I have never been prouder of myself. I owe to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my family and friends for their support, and also all the amazing friends and teammates I train with. I know I am just another huge step closer to finished an Ironman and making a difference for the amazing kids at Little Eden Children's home! I can't wait!!! Here are some pictures from Ironman Texas 70.3.
