Rob Demick

Well, I did it.  I actually joined a cycling team after several years of wondering what if would be like to get into road racing.  I participated in a few road races, but not with the intention of learning anything new about the strategy involved since I only wanted to get a killer workout in for my Ironman training.  Then I learned about Apex and the philosophy of riding hard, yet remaining cool about racing.   I took a 15 year break away from any kind of racing or training (decided to go for a Ph.D. and play drums in a band during the hot Seattle scene); and the last thing I wanted to do was get overly aggressive and uptight about staying in shape.  See, back in the “day” I ran Track & Field at a world class level (400/800 meters) and it could be very intense racing against the fastest dudes on the planet.   Although I am not into “moderation” of any kind, I thought it was time to settle down, get a belly on me, have kids, and live my athletic life vicariously through them  - isn’t this what most guys do? 

Fortunately, I kept running a little, but the spark was gone each time I did a 5k or 10k “fun” run with 10 to 15lbs extra flab on me and getting passed by people who just took up running three months ago and had good knees…and attitudes.   Then came the year 2008!  My buddy Jason Connell had finally talked me into triathlons.  I did a short distance Olympic race and felt great that I managed to finish it.  That old acid-burning-up-to-the-esophagus feeling during the competition felt awesome!  The spark didn’t fully flame right away, but it did begin to smolder, and soon I signed up for a ½ Ironman.  Training primarily on an elliptical, I found out the hard way that one cannot be half-Assed about training for long-distance multi-sport events as I limped across the finish line for that ½ IM. 

In 2009 I drove up to Canada and watched Jason complete the full Ironman as tunes blasted and the spectators rocked the stands, all yelling and clapping (and some crying) at the sacrifice and commitment it took each participant to get to that finish line.  Again, I felt the ember beginning to burn:  I too would sign up for a full IM!  So, I quit my bottle-a-day wine drinking habit along with my elliptical training addiction and felt the rush of getting outside on a bike during my training rides.   I’m now glad I did, and glad I’m part of this team.  I’m ready to throw down some heavy sprinting now and during race season.  I look forward to learning more than I ever imagined about bikes, racing, and the camaraderie between teammates as we hit speeds normally reserved for motorized vehicles.