Team Goose

Well, the work has been done - not it is time to keep quiet and just get the job done! Jeff got his bike back last night and everything is working great. He is riding tonight to get use to the new wheels (Thanks to Shawn for loaning them for this weekend!). We leave early Saturday morning to get there early, drive the run and bike route - work all the nerves out - eat and go to bed early. OH forgot and play with AJ at the farm!!!!! He thinks his friends Craig and Dobo will be there also - can't convince him that they don't run (hehe).

This has been a team effort - from Jeff's immediate family readjusting their lives to fit in his training and races - loaning us AJ to take with us and get the experience of the races and training rides. The Cows (especially Craig) for helping and pushing him on the bike. You guys have given him the tools and confidence to compete. Mark - running and racing with him this year. Having done the Ironman - Mark knows the dedication it takes to do well. I think we have had fun this year - will let you know after this weekend! Shawn for loaning Jeff wheels that will hopefully make it easier. Ezio and Tipp Cyclery for all their support. Ezio keeps Jeff on the road!

Seriously guys - THANKS from the Noose - I can keep his clothes clean - food cooked - diet on board - but you have helped him reach a spot in life that is really important. Goose has come from a skinny little guy they use to lock in lockers at school - to a regional level duathlete - now let's hope he can compete with Team USA.

Whether or not Jeff qualifies, we are left with many friends that we consider family. I guess as you get older you really start to value the friends that you have gained through the years. You also realize that it doesn't take blood to make some people part of your family. We have watched Craig go through many peaks and valleys and I know we have been proud to call him a dear friend. Mark - same with you - I still remember driving to Panama City Beach to watch your Ironman during a very trying time in your life just to surprise you and show you support- and this is from two people who do nothing on a whim!!!!

NO CHAIN - NO PAIN!

But - lots of honks on the bike and run - Excellent day for the Goose and Red Dog (Mark Crow). When I let the dog out in the middle of the night and it was still raining - I had this sinking feeling. Clock went off at 5 am and it was still raining :(. We loaded up and Mark met us at our house - I first thought the more north we drove, less rain --- wrong.

After picking up their racing chips and unloading everything - Jeff found out the canoes would leave in waves this year. Most of the fun of this race is the mass confusion start - but was much safer this way. The start was delayed hoping Mother Nature would get over whatever and stop raining. Well she had an attitude today so the race started in the rain. Jeff has done a lot of thinking about the start, your boat is in the water and you are standing on the beach - you have to run to your boat and shove off. He tried to come up with a better way to start - guess it worked, everything went so smooth. Leon and Nate beat Mark and Jeff in on the canoe, not to worry Red Dog was not going to let that affect their race.

Mark's computer read 23.5 average for the bike part. He said Jeff's honks became loud at the 5 mile mark. Jeff didn't get dropped (thanks to Craig and the Cows for giving him a really good base this year).

Mark and Jeff got off the bikes - Mark took off and I am wondering what is up with Jeff. Obviously all sorts of stuff runs through your mind - luckily he just needed to get his heart rate down. Once that happened, Jeff was able to shift into overdrive. Nate came in first, Jeff second, Mark third - which gave Jeff and Mark the team win - YEAH!!!

On a sad note - those that know Brian Barker - he was suppose to race today - he had surgery this past Tuesday and on Thur the Dr confirmed that he has cancer. Not sure what is planned for him - chemo, radiation or both. Our prayers go out to Brian.