Wonderful Christmas!!!

What a wonderful time with the family again this Christmas. Laughter is always going to be there. My brother saying or doing something so funny that I wet my pants(or shit my pants). But, none the less, we laugh a lot and it's fun. Over the last year I have been leaving home and feeling really sad. I don't why. I just want to cry. Heck, last time I left at Thanksgiving Emma had to console me because I was crying at "Five Guys" eating lunch. For whatever reason, I lost it and it seems to be getting worse. Anyway, enough sad talk....lets look at these hilarious pictures. What a wonderful Christmas we had!!! Love you guys

Goodbye to the 'Ham'

It's been a good ride in Birmingham, AL. Many good memories with family and friends. I've lived here 10years. WOW!! Longtime for us Smith boy's. It's time to try something new in my young life. I'm heading to Tampa, Fl as some of you may know for work. I'm taking over the FL territory starting January 1st.

I'm really excited and nervous all at the same time. I'll try to keep everybody posted with what's going on.


Quote of the Day: "One good thing about the move, at least you don't have to climb any more hills on your bike" Jesse Saunders

Lost Pictures

Emma found some pictures that I looked over or forgot to post. Here are some pictures for everybody's use. I can't wait to see everybody in a few weeks. Go DAWGS and HEELS!!!!

I love the middle picture of Alex starting the terradactyl. Hilarious!! I couldn't stop laughing at his face.

Nagging Sister

I don't know if anybody has a nagging and bossy sister, but I do!! haha! No, actually it was brought to my attention that I haven't posted anything on my blog in over a month. I'll get you up to speed with what's going on in my life.

At this moment, I'm trying to decide whether to do the Florida Half Ironman in May 2009 or wait for the Full Ironman in Nov 2010. They are so expensive, that's why the huge delay. I've been training everyday, but not hard. I haven't swam in three weeks. I've continue to run and ride alot, but NO swim. I've read that these months are supposed to be recovery months from the year. Let your mind and body relax for a few months from the grind. Anyway, its cold outside and muscles don't react the same. Even though I love to ride and run in the cold. When I see my breath I know its a good time to go outside.

Well, here are a few pictures that Emma and I took goofing off the other night.

Dawg Pound

Went to the UGA vs UA game this past weekend. It didn't really turnout so well for the Dawg fans. Bama kicked our tail and Emma was jumping around like a crazy person. I had to calm her down a few times, she didn't like that too much. I must say though the pregame tailgate party was the only thing Dawg fans had to be excited about. Lots of food, drinking and stories to tell the next day. We had some fun!! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Crossed Fingers

After writing in my earlier post about how excited I was about TDG. I did some research and this is what I'm learning. Read this from cyclingnews.com:



One of America's biggest stage races, the Tour de Georgia (2.HC), is unlikely to be around next season according to multiple sources involved with the race. The failure to secure consistent sponsorship combined with financial losses have made the race questionable over the past few years, and it appears these problems have finally caught up with the event.
Chris Aronhalt of Medalist Sports, the original promoters and current logistics provider for the race, said that the board would be meeting soon to discuss the future of the race. Contacted by Cyclingnews the race's executive director Elizabeth Dewberry said that there were ongoing discussions about postponing the race for 2009 in order to reorganize. However, Dewberry would not return calls for additional details.
The race began in 2003 with Medalist Sports, the promoters involved with running the Tour of California, Tour of Missouri and the last three years of the USPRO championships in Greenville, South Carolina. The Tour de Georgia laid the groundwork for the Tour of California and Tour of Missouri. However, the race has run under three different title sponsors in the past six years, including Dodge, Ford and most recently with AT&T. The Georgia Partnership Economic Development took over formal ownership of the race from Medalist in 2007 and the 2008 edition also found support in Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle as chairman of a newly formed board of directors.
The race was touted as a stepping stone to the Tour de France, a tag line helped along by the attendance of one Lance Armstrong in the final two years of his Tour de France victories. Record crowds attended in those years, but the numbers have not sustained since.

Tri Fit

Yesterday, I went to my bike shop to get tri fitted. It took two hours of detail measurements, calculations and the science of wind cheating aero-positioning from a coach. I had no idea that my bike was that far off on measurements. I definitely had no idea about the detail that goes into TT. My brother once did a time trial at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. He came home talking about if only he did this or did that to his bike. Wow! It definitely changes my insight on TT now. The coach was talking information that was thirty light years over my head. I needed to hear it though.

I rode my bike tonight. I can definitely tell a difference in the positioning and the angle of back. I used muscle that I didn't know existed. I think I'm going to love it though!!!

Also, I'm also really pumped about my favorite cyclist coming out of retirement, Lance Armstrong. Really, I think I'm more excited about seeing him ride in an live event. I'm putting it on my calender now...spring of 2009. I'm going to watch Lance ride with my brother at the, Tour de Georgia 2009. I've told my brother for the last two years I would go over there with him, but I've punked out each time. I can't miss my only chance of watching Lance ride. My brother still talks about Lance climbing Brasstown Bald Mtn, while other riders were "snaking" up it. I wonder if this retirement push from Lance will get my brother back on his bike again? I've already got one friend to "bitch out" on me, for a flute. I've got a good feeling about Alex. I think he is on the comeback...just like "Lance". Maybe the two greatest cyclist I know will come out of retirement at the same time? Anything is possible.

Little Helper...

On Saturday, I helped a buddy of mine get in some miles for his Ironman in November. We had to do at least 70 miles. We did that with ease, even though our pace wasn't that fast. Our main objective was the miles. This coming Saturday we are doing a 100 mile ride. That will be my first, as well as his. I've come close to a century when riding with Alex up Caesar's Head.


So, I've been helping a friend train. But have been lacking in my own training. I've got my last triathlon on Oct 5th. I gotta get back on my the horse this week and do some serious training for myself.

Tarheel

WOW!!! Another great trip to Greenville, SC this past weekend. We saw some awesome cycling. The new layout of the Pro Cycling Course was far better than in years past. We made a lot of great memories as always. These are a few pictures from this weekend. I'll post some more later.

It took one Tarheel shot to break Alex down and then it was over. We didn't really have ice cream running down our hand, but it was close. I love spending time with my brother. He is by far the coolest person I know.

Next year Ally is coming hopefully, so she can experience the Tarheel shot. Ha!

Cold Stone

This weekend is Greenville, SC trip. I'm really excited about getting back and enjoying the scenery. I hope we have some great weather.

Mtn Lakes Pictures

I got my Mtn Lakes Tri pictures yesterday as most of you already have seen them, but if not. Here they are in full color. I signed up yesterday for the Lake Lanier Triathlon Oct 5th in GA. I'm excited about this race, since its the last race of the year.

Look Ahead

My next event or ride is August 30th in Greenville, SC at the USA Pro Championship. Greenville is one of the coolest small cities I have ever been to. Alex, Christy, Emma and I are all headed down there to relax and enjoy some cycling fun. Maybe even have a few drinks!!



This is a pic from 2006 when the 3 amigos/Felt Angels took the course over. Good times!

Mtn Lakes Tri

I did the Mtn Lakes Tri in Guntersville, AL today. I finished 107 out of 717. Felt good, but still need to work on my open water swim and run time. I'll get there.