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I have written for years with my Dixon Ticonderoga in my Moleskin journal. I was motivated to create an online blog almost ten years. Much has changed in my life since starting this blog. Back then I worked at the Barn and now I am a multi-Ironman triathlete, adventure seeker & former camp director. GraphiteFree is for fun, nostalgia and to honor my favorite yellow pencil.
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Tag Archives: Adventure
A Dixon Ticonderoga Adventure
Many great memories are attached to a Dixon Ticonderoga NO. 2 pencil. From my mom trying to make me a swell speller by writing words thousands of times to teaching hundreds of Space Camp staff how to give a presentation … Continue reading
Posted in Pencils
Tagged Adventure, Dixon Ticonderoga, Florida, Norman Rockwell, Pencils
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Mental Toughness
The year 2016 was hard for a lot of people. With the presidential election, social protest and the loss of so many A-list celebrities I don’t think I can say anything new about 2016 being difficult. However, as I review … Continue reading
Another Ironman
When I signed up for both Ironman Chattanooga & Ironman Florida I had every intention on spending a majority of my time training so I could be at the top of my game for both events. That wasn’t the case, … Continue reading
Posted in Triathlon & Other Events
Tagged Adventure, Blog, Ironman, Triathlon
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Purple Bib
The last 80.9% of the Dopey Challenge would take me through all of Walt Disney World’s theme parks – over 39.3 miles. I ran a half marathon on Saturday and then a marathon on Sunday. The final two races were … Continue reading
Posted in Triathlon & Other Events
Tagged Adventure, Cow Bell, Disney, Dopey Challenge, ESPN, Goofy, Hail State, half marathon, Marathon, Running
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Keep Moving Forward
In the past on New Year’s Eve, I have posted a blog entry about the previous adventures and accomplishments of that given year. Not this year, well not last year! It is January 1, 2016 and I have chosen to … Continue reading
People of Encouragement
Working at Space Camp I meet a lot of people in a given year or even in a given week. I have met moon walkers, generals, distinguished educators, politicians and celebrities in the years I have worked at Space Camp. … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Friends, Running, Triathlon
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Running Stinks
Have you ever wanted to be a super hero? Well, I have! Unfortunately, if asked for super powers, I would ask to spell every word correctly and run a six minute marathon pace. These are my choices because I can’t … Continue reading
Posted in Triathlon & Other Events
Tagged Adventure, Alabama, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Space Camp
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Mount Rushmore Style
This is has been a really good year! Could have been great with the exception a just a hand full of moments. This year I wanted to do something different from my normal year end blog. Since the mighty Bulldogs … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Aviation Challenge, Chattanooga, Chick-fil-A, Food, Friends, Ironman, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Mount Rushmore, Raleigh, Triathlon
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The Ragnar Effect
This weekend I had the pleasure of joining eleven other athletes to run from Chattanooga to Nashville for the third straight year. There is something about the relay experience that is unique and special. To say the experience is simply … Continue reading
Posted in Triathlon & Other Events
Tagged Adventure, AOBJ, Chattanooga, Friends, Nashville, Ragnar, Tennessee
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144.6
I have spent the last year training, and now that the long day of the race has come and gone, I have had time to reflect. I have read a lot of race reports and seen hundreds of Facebook or … Continue reading
Triathlon
In the last twelve months I have completed three sprint triathlons, three olympic triathlons and three half Ironman distance triathlons. Next Sunday, I will run my first full Ironman distance triathlon in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I have been asked: Are you … Continue reading
Posted in Triathlon & Other Events
Tagged Adventure, Ironman, Jack Daniels, Mirinda Carfrae, Triathlon
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What Was I Thinking
What was I thinking while caught up in a moment of “Billy Bad Assisum”? What was I thinking signing up for a FULL Ironman triathlon. I guess I really thought I knew what I was doing. I guess I thought… … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Aviation Challenge, Camp, Chattanooga, Derek Jeter, Dixon Ticonderoga, Ironman, Peyton Manning, Space Camp, Triathlon
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