Unofficial Time 1:57:13 (results have not been posted yet)

The swim was a 1,000 yard triangle age group wave start:

The bike was a 18 mile out and back.

The Run was a 4 mile out and back.

I wore my Merrell Vapors for the run. I have switched over to these shoes 100% now.

My friend Rob watched the kids while I raced and I appreciated that very much. I couldn’t have raced without him being there today. Life of a single parent (but I have some awesome friends and support).

 Boston wishing daddy raced this time last year 2012. We volunteered and daddy didn’t race. But this year he got what he asked for and daddy was out there. Boston was cheering so loud!

The Crawfishman 2013 Boston and Daddy

A special thanks to Jones Physical Therapy for giving away a free entry so that I could race this year.

1: I switched to sockless riding. Before this I would have never even thought about it because my other shoes would have a couple of hot spots and I just couldn’t justify all of the trouble with blisters.

2: I ride with my shoes slightly loose and now my feet feel a lot more rested and less stressed when I get out of them and start running. If I need them tighter I just reach down and rotate the BOA system a couple of clicks and I am in business. Tightening and loosening these shoes are really so simple and amazingly convenient.

3: I used to sit down, put on my socks, put on my shoes, walk to T1 with my bike, slowly click in, and then start rolling. I did this because I just didn’t have the right shoe… Now I run to the bike, jump on, no socks, and start riding. My T1 time at Ironman Mont-Tremblant is going to be SICK FAST!! I can’t wait!

Check out this quick video to get an overview on the Trivent and how it works.

I don’t write a lot anymore these days mainly because I like to get to the point and Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS Method). So here is the quick of it…

1. These shoes look like space technology and it’s like having a brand new red Porsche strapped to your feet (comfy, fast, and sexy as hell)

2. They function as triathlon specific shoes fulfilling all the needs that elite pros need, and even us “lackey wanna be Ironman Triathletes” like myself.

3. They are ultra COMFORTABLE.

4. They are flexible and can change with your needs during a long ride (loosen them quick or tighten them quick)

5. Once you clip them on your bike there is really not a need to ever take them off again… They could probably be permanently installed onto your bike…

Our hearts go out to those affected by today’s tragedy at Boston.

Sincerely,

Dustin

Gyms can be costly and sometimes we have to make the best with what we have. The good news is that nature has already taken care of the gym equipment for free. Just walk outside and look around, be creative, and try to act like a kid again and find fun ways to get outside and workout. In the next two videos I will show you a couple of routines that I use several times per week, after my runs, to activate my muscles and get a full body workout.

For the past 14 days I have been 100% down, on the couch, in pain, and zero training (not even physically possible if I wanted to). So now the 263 Mile Ultra Race has been cancelled.  Until my doctor releases me I can’t even start training again. This was a bummer because it was my first Ultra Cycling Race and it would have been a great experience. Regardless, these races were to build base fitness for my Ironman Season and I am keeping my eye on the prize. Getting to the North American 140.6 Ironman Championships in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CN is the main focus of this Ironman season.

Setbacks are going to happen and in the past I would have really been stressed about missing these races, but now I have a different outlook. Racing really isn’t the key, nope, not even close… It’s the journey, the daily training, the frequency, the consistency, it’s the whole lifestyle. Race day is a celebration of “daily success”. If you show up on race day healthy, execute at least somewhat close to your plan, then things will generally go well if you trained correctly, honestly, and made training a “daily success” in your life.

The more I learn, the more races I do, and the more training I lay down I have developed a new mental goal that has helped me “chill” about missing races and obscure time goals. I want to run, bike, and swim all the way into my 80′s. I want to race and train at levels that reflect optimal health, optimal heart rates, and work towards that long term goal of LIFE. So these little missed races, missed time goals, and normal “bummers” are not bummers at all anymore. Why? Because there will always be another race, another goal, another day, and another opportunity. Races are just like taxis, if you miss one just grab another. So don’t sweat the little things…  Moving forward I’m going to depend less on GPS/pace, and more on my internal “happy pace/speed”, I’m going to worry less about “keeping up” with others and more about slowly building a super base of fitness.

What you will need:

1. Flax, Coconut, or Olive Oil (Any of your favorite oils will work)
2. Bananas
3. Agave Nectar
4. Sugar In The Raw
5. Cinnamon
6. Whole Wheat Bread

Step 1:

Turn your heat to medium-hot and throw some olive, flax, or coconut oil into a hot pan.

Step 2:

Cut some bananas in half and throw them right in there, drizzle some agave nectar on top, sprinkle some sugar in the raw and cinnamon on there, and let that banana ooze out some goodness and meld with the agave nectar, raw sugar, and cinnamon. This will create exactly the right mixture you will need for you bread (coming up next). Cook the bananas on both sides for about 4-5 mins each, keep adding a little agave to maintain a wet mixture.

Step 3:

Toast two slices of whole wheat bread

Step 4:

Remove the bananas from the pan, grab your toasted bread, rub both sides of the toasted bread onto the hot pan with all of the oozing goodness until you soak it all up and cover both sides of bread.

Step 5:

Leave the two pieces of bread on the pan until both sides have had time to cook and let the oozing goodness permeate into the bread (just like egg would normally do)

Step 6:

Cut some fresh strawberries, grab some other fresh fruits that you like such as blueberries, oranges, raspberries, etc. Place your bread on a plate, lay the bananas on top, then add your fruit, then drizzle some agave nectar on top, and top it off with a little more cinnamon and raw sugar.

Step 7:

Poor you a cup of fresh coffee and enjoy your breakfast

Cheers,

Dustin Hinton

So why am I writing about this? This is a Run, Bike, Swim website, not a football site, right??? Steve Gleason did not go on to win a Superbowl (although the Saints did give him an honorary ring), he did not go on to a full NFL career, quite the opposite, his path would be unexpected. In 2011 Steve Gleason revealed that he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and he started a battle for a cure along with friends Drew Brees and Sean Payton, called “No White Flags” and hung it high above TeamGleason.org.

Since his diagnosis Steve may have lost much control of his body, he can’t walk, he can barely talk, but his mind is better than ever, he is working, slowly, quietly, but working like a MACHINE, he is in pure Beast Mode to find a cure. Steve has used his power and celebrity to push technology forward, open new facilities that focus on making strides in ALS awareness and technology for those affected by it. He has kept his schedule FULL with non stop appearances, fundraisers, press releases, and a never ending awareness campaign.

But more than any of this stuff above, more than the fame, more than his celebrity, he is a dad… Steve has a little boy named Rivers, and his battle is of course with ALS, but in my heart I can feel his battle to stay with his son, just extend this time as much as possible. Steve has released many videos of him leaving letters for his son (see video at bottom of page), many pictures of daddy and Rivers, and although he battles constantly he has began preparing for the worst and he is making sure his son knows his MIND, his thoughts, his lessons. Everything for me revolves around my son, and when I learned that Steve was originally an Indianapolis Colt and then moved to New Orleans I just became connected to his story. I am from Indiana, and I moved to New Orleans, and I am a dad… So RunDustin.com LOVES Steve Gleason and his family. This could be me, I could be fighting for more time with my son, and when I think about this my heart breaks, and lets me know that I have to live EVERY moment, be with my son EVERY moment, and NEVER take anything for granted. When I feel like quitting, times are tough, not sure what to do I just think of Steve, his battle, and I say, “No White Flags Dustin… No WHITE FLAGS”!!!!

For the second time in less than 6 months, Steve Gleason will complete 13.1 miles when his brother-in-law, Vinnie Varisco, pushes him along the course in a specially equipped, customized wheelchair. Varisco usually runs a half-marathon in less than 90 minutes, but took an hour and 52 minutes in their first race last October. “It’s more difficult. But again, it’s all relative, “ Varisco said. “Very rarely will you hear me or anyone around Steve complaining about something being difficult when you see what he goes through on a daily basis.” Rundustin.com will be there running the full marathon and I can only hope to get to shake Steves hand, maybe a fist bump, or one of his classic smiles. If you are interested in supporting TeamGleason.org CLICK BANNER BELOW to donate to Steve’s Rock n Roll 13.1 goal.

MORE GREAT INFO ON STEVE GLEASON BELOW:

(Look at image of the Merrell shoes and follow from Left to Right)

1.) You’ll be starting with The Merrell Mix Master Move (or Mix Master 2). This shoe is going to give you some of the cushion and comfort that you are used to but it’s going to be 4mm heel to toe drop. This first step is enough for now and you’ll notice a better feel for the road. Compare the cushion to a standard shoe in your closet and you’ll quickly realize that you have made some big changes by switching to this shoe.

2.) Next you’ll graduate to The Merrell  Bare Access 2. This shoe is an incredible tool in your arsenal. Get ready to feel the road way more than you did with Mix Master and also get ready to strengthen your legs core muscle system and really make huge progress during this Bare Access 2 transition phase. This shoe has a ZERO heel to toe drop and it’s a whole new world… You definitely won’t be in Kansas any more…

3.) Then you’ll move to The Merrell Road Glove 2/ Trail Glove. Welcome to full out natural running. You’ll feel a lot, A WHOLE LOT, you’ll never zone out again and wonder what’s going on. When you are running in the Road Glove 2 your body will be working in full awareness mode. Tread lightly during this phase and don’t overdue it. Rocks, debris, and trails can really beat the foot up and you’ll need to be patient and let the foot strengthen over time. Don’t be afraid to do a Road Glove 2 run, then switch back to Bare Access 2 for your other runs that week. Variety is a good thing when it comes to feet. Too far, too fast, and too soon will spell disaster. Don’t fall victim to this… Take your time.

4.) You are now ready for the ultimate natural running graduation, The Merrell Vapor. You have made it, you are now basically wearing a sock with a super thin Vibram sole. You now feel EVERYTHING… Be VERY careful, listen to your body, and switch back and forth between The Vapor and Road Glove 2/Bare Access 2 when needed. You can keep building your natural running strength by doing some mileage totally barefoot and then switch back to The Vapor to complete the rest of your runs.

That’s it… I like to use the KISS method (keep it simple stupid)

The road map for success is easy, Merrell has you covered, and I am here for you 100% of the way…. Now LET’s Get Outside!!!!

I can’t say enough about this race… It’s just good… The weather has been perfect both times, the company has been good, the after party was awesome, and now I have matching half marathon and marathon medals!!! (and we all know that Boston LOVES his medal collection)

Here are some great photos from this weekends Mobile Merrell Tour 2013