Headline: Sickness runs through Eubanks'

Rachel (my wife) and my dad are both battling with sicknesses. Rachel was sick all last week, and even took a day or two off of work (that's serious for her). My dad has been sick for the same amount of time, and he isn't mending quite as quickly as Rachel. I have been thankful to dodge this sickness since I have my very first cycling race this weekend. I'm extremely nervous about it, and I need to be in peak condition both athletically and overall healthwise. The race I'm doing is the Ride to Live circuit race at Barber Motorsports park on Saturday morning. I'm in the lowest category (cat. 5), and the race is on at 7:30 a.m.

Until then, I'll keep taking care of Rachel and checking on my dad. Peace out all!!

First triathlon of the season--success

On Sunday, we traveled to Oxford, MS to compete in the Rebelman Triathlon. The weather was awful but not the worst possible. It was windy (20-25 mph) and cold (43 degrees), so doing well depended on whether or not the athletes could handle the conditions thrown at them. My swim was pretty good (for me at least) at 7:03 for 400m, my bike was not what I wanted but was the fastest bike split in the race at 22 mph, and my run was 20:22---which was great considering I'd only ran 3 miles so far in 2009 prior to this race. I ended up coming in 4th overall and first in my age group, so it was definitely a success.

The two athletes I coach (Rachel, my wife and Sarah, her sister) both had solid performances as well. Rachel placed just as I did 4th overall and 1st in her age group, and Sarah placed 9th overall and 2nd behind Rachel in the same age group. So, I was very pleased with how the both did--a big improvement from past years at this point in the season.

So, the first one is behind us, and we have many more to go this year. Our next race will be on April 18th in Scottboro, AL at the Frank Maples Triathlon. At the same time, my next race with my brother Barrett will be the Race to Live at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, AL. I am definitely nervous about this race because it will be my first cycling race ever!!!

Time for a first

I received a call last night from a spin instructor who needs me to fill in for her on Thursday. So, it begins!! I am nervous because I want to teach a good challenging, smart, and exciting class. I have a lot of knowledge about the types of workouts that can be done, and I just hope that the attendees have patience with me. I'm preparing two different CD's so that I'll hopefully avoid the dreaded lock-up of the CD player. It would be pretty dang rough having to teach class with no music!

At the same time, we have our first triathlon of the season at Ole Miss this coming Sunday. I hope to have a good race, but Sunday races aren't my favorite. I miss having a whole day of rest afterwards. Oh well, I hope the Lent season is going good for all. Easter's a comin'!!

Rough week

As you may have noticed, I did not post anything last week. That was due to an awful stomach virus that lasted three days and sent me to the doctor for an IV of fluids as well. Prior to last week, I hadn't thrown up in 10 years. Oh well, I guess I am starting a new streak. (sorry if that's gross)

Prior to last week's sickness, my family went to see the Ringling Bros. Circus, and it was great. We thoroughly enjoyed the animals and the acrobatic-type trickery that went on. We almost didn't make it to the circus because of snow!! Yes, snow in Alabama (see picture above). We woke up on Sunday morning to a nice scenery, and now it's going to be 80 degrees today. Oh well, that's just the way it is around here.

On a side note, I am competing in my second race of the year this weekend. I'm teaming up with someone to do a duathlon in Tuscaloosa, AL. It's supposed to be raining on Saturday, so I'm not sure what to expect as of right now, but anything's better than last year's race at this location. It was 29 and snowing.

Fat Tuesday is upon us

Well today is the last day for all those participating in Lent to enjoy whatever it is you plan to sacrifice. I plan to sacrifice desserts (obviously a big whoop compared to what Christ did for me) and to read a book given to me by a friend. I really hope to take the 40 days of Lent and get closer to God by sacrificing something that shouldn't be a big deal (but it is)--both the sugary treats and my time.

I plan to have lots of chocolate chip cookies tonight (truth be told, I ate 3 for breakfast and 4 at lunch)!!

Spin Instructing

I attended a Spinning Orientation this past weekend because I'm looking to become an indoor cycling instructor. I really enjoyed it (other than sitting on a hardwood floor for 3 hours). I hope that I can start sometime soon while the inner fires are burning brightly. I do have confidence in myself, but I know there are some tough things to deal with when being an indoor cycling instructor (i.e. workout types, music selections, etc.). I know I won't be the best right off, but I do hope that I can challenge my class and help them to improve their fitness. Oh, by the way, I will be performing different workouts each class. I've attended some classes that do the same workouts every single time. That's cool if you only hit the class once a month or so, but once or twice a week--UGH!!!

Just a Sunday afternoon in Toney, AL

On Sunday, Rachel, Barrett and myself (see picture) competed in the Toney Time Trial in Toney, AL. It was very windy, but we all did fairly well (https://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2009-209). I averaged 23.4, Barrett 22.4, and Rachel 20.4. I don't know what the deal was with the ".4", but we all had it. This was our first foray into the cycling community here in Huntsville. We were a tad out of place, but only because we didn't know anyone. We're used to going to triathlons and being the ones with all the knowledge about what to do, but Sunday was a totally different story. I had to get help from someone on how to put on the race number because it goes on your back on the right side. That's way different from the stomach--which is where I'm used to putting a race number. Anyway, we had fun, we did well, and I'm kicking myself for not bringing my time trial bike--I thought it's dimensions were illegal, but apparently that only counts in "Nationals" type events.