The Life and Times of Sam Luna

This past weekend I raced in my second Sugar Land Duathlon. This was my first multi-sport race last year, so I was looking to see what kind of improvement I could make. I really wanted to improve on my fifth place from last year, and beat all the "runners". The first run was set off at quick pace by the Houston Marathon winner Drew Prisner and Track State Champion Rainbolt. I finished the first two miles in 9th place. On the bike I passed all but the 1st relay and Dana Lyons and John Zuilof. I struggled on the second run and was passed by Austin Conner who took the 39 and Under win, and I finished second, dropping 2 minutes from last year. So now its off to a few road races to see how I and my new Rudy Project helmet and shades stack up against the roadies and then to the Duathlon World Championship

This is the race I have been unknowingly training for since this past December. My Goal for this year was to qualify for the USA World Duathlon Team. I went to the first qualifier of the year at Powerman Alabama. It was my first real race, and I was not physical ready for what it demanded. I learned a hard lesson, but one that has brought me a long way. Over the past few months I have been "racing", but in reality it has been training for Duathlon Nationals. I had to learn to respond to my body, and know what it is capable of. My training for Nat's has been a serious one, even my diet had to change in preparation for my only chance to qualify for the World Team. My mileage increased to 125 miles a week on the bike, 25 miles a week running plus I had to maintain my swim at a minimum of 3000yds a week. For most serious athletes this probably wouldn't sound like alot. However, I work 50 hours a week at two jobs, Printing-X-Press, plus I am a student at the University of