Personal History
My wife and I have been married for 21 years and while we don't have children, our dogs often seem to play that role in the house well. I own a private practice and work as a psychologist helping people with anxiety and problems with communication. While this kind of collaborative work has been so rewarding for me, I find balance in life by getting outside and surrounding myself with people who love to compete, sharpen their skillset, and build each other up in the process.
I've spent years shooting pistols and rifles competitively often mixed with fitness related challenges including USPSA, IDPA, and Patriot Games. Over time I managed to perform well enough that a number of firearm related companies sponsored my shooting. I am certain all of them would say that I not only represented their brand well in terms of professionalism, but also had a passion for genuinely communicating with other competitors about how those brands helped and supported my shooting career. I love to win, but helping and seeing other people get better is a close second. Unfortunately my local range closed last year and I went looking for a new community. I briefly raced motocross in high school and decided to get back into riding. So I hung up my gunbelt and strapped on a helmet.
I wasn't interested in doing motocross again but a number of my riding buddies suggested trying hare scrambles. I raced my first one two weeks ago and I am hooked. Naturally I went full send at the start, got clipped from behind in turn 2, and rode the rest of the hour and half race with no front brake. It was incredible. I have since changed my workout routine to focus on endurance racing, am constantly seeking out new information on technique, and riding as much as possible. I have so much to learn but with everything I do in life, I'm going at it 100%.
Riding Goals
I ride because it's hard. It will take everything I can give and still have room to take more. I can go to the gym and physically give everything I have but it doesn't challenge my mind. I can go to work and mentally drain myself but my body is bored. Racing a motorcycle as fast as I can for as long as I can is an opportunity to find the edge of what I'm capable of. What happens when you only have the energy to take one more turn in that moment but there's at least two turns left? You find out if you've grown.
With that in mind, my overarching goal is to compete in every hare scramble offered through Florida Trail Riders this season. I am running in the beginner class right now but I may switch to C or B class as the season progresses.
I tend to do better with goals that are focused on the process rather than the outcome. I can control the process and the outcome (winning) is result of a healthy process. So my process goals are:
1) Work out four times a week focused on strength and stamina specific to riding. A blend of free weights, foundation training, running, and riding my pedal bike
2) Research and practice a riding technique in an area where I am weak. Practice is at home if possible and on the trail three days a week
3) Ride at least once a week for 3-4 hours
4) Seek feedback from from more experienced riders weekly to help point out blind spots in my own evaluation
5) Have my bike properly prepped before each race with no unresolved issues
6) Finish every race knowing I gave everything I had
My goal for next year is to continue racing in the same hare scramble series but may expand into the enduro events in the Southeast as well.
Competitive Highlights
I completed my first hare scramble this fall. I finished 10th out of 54 riders in the beginner class. Two weeks later, I finished 7th of 56. The next race I finished 4th of 76. Every race I’m learning and better prepared for the next.
Obviously my racing resume isn't much but I do think I have a track record of showing I am able to prepare, compete, and achieve through my shooting career. Here are the results of my last few matches:
Lakeland IDPA - 1st overall out of 85
CFRPC USPSA - 2nd overall out of 52
OK Corral USPSA - 2nd overall out of 24
My most satisfying win was taking 1st in class and 2nd overall at the Florida Patriot Games. That match is an all-day grueling event that forces competitors to complete physical challenges (running with full gear for several miles, throwing 100lbs sandbags repeatedly over your head, Crossfit type exercises, etc) while also engaging in shooting with speed and accuracy. The win meant a lot to me because I'm 6'3" 175lbs and competing against guys who are shredded at 6' and 220lbs. At the end of the day, I wanted it more than them. And that was a huge lesson for me in the value of preparation and grit. I have already started bringing that into racing bikes and I'm so excited to see where it will go!