It's that time of the year when parties and functions are in abundance. And Jack and Adam's Bicycles is sure to please with two parties of its own during the month of December. Don't miss out on the fun! Also in this month's Chain Links find the perfect accompaniment to gifts under the tree; catch some big bargains at the holiday sale; and read Pro-Triathlete, Michael Lovato's Hawaii report to see why it's essential to run your own race.

We also want to give a reminder about our move down the street to 1210 Barton Springs RD. The new location will be open for business shortly after Christmas Day. Also, don't forget about the Dirty Duathlon on Dec. 3rd.

Help ring in the new year with Rocket Science Sports, Rocket Science Music Group, and Jack & Adam's Bicycles.

The fun starts at 8PM on New Year's Eve and goes until 1AM at our new location, 1210 Barton Springs RD.

Door Prizes include Wetsuits, Electric Guitars, Transition Bags, Race Suits, and plenty more.

There will be free food and adult beverages with a Rocket Science Fashion Show & Live Music from Big Blue Hearts. Best of all, it's completely free!

Have you been looking for the perfect holiday card to send to family and friends or to accompany a gift under the tree? Then look no further. Skeese Greets has 8 holiday card designs that will reflect your lifestyle with style. Choose from snowflakes, a snowman, poinsettia, Christmas Tree, Santa's Hat, an angel, or holly all designed out of used bicycle chain.

From birthdays to anniversaries and congrats to thank you, Skeese Greets offers over 40 greeting card designs for the cyclists and triathletes in your life.

Hawaii Ironman 2006 Race Report

They said the swim was rough; they said it was slow. I can look at the times and realize that the fastest folks were about four minutes off what they normally swim. I can look at my deficit to those top swimmers and say that this was my best ever Hawaii swim. With the goal of coming out with the main group, I positioned myself right behind Cam Brown, a guy I have swum with in the past, but never in Hawaii. He is always in a desirable spot, so I joined him. Well, for a little while anyway.

I zipped through T1, intent to catch or maintain contact with whomever had beaten me out (of the water). I did a good job, as I ended up passing some pretty fast swimmers very early on the bike. Things were looking good, and my legs were feeling great. My plan was to ride pretty darn fast for the first ten to fifteen miles, but then to settle into a steady pace, perhaps with a group. What I had not anticipated was how angry and agitated I would become with other riders packed so closely around me. I made several attempts to bridge up to the lead group, while dropping those around me. Each time I would find myself alone for several minutes, but ultimately being caught back up by the groups behind me.

After fifty miles of this cat-and-mouse (cat-and-mice) riding, I began to feel the effects of my surges: my quads were really starting to ache. For the next thirty minutes or so, I continued to question myself: why did I let other athletes and what they were doing draw me out of my race plan; why did I get so angry at their riding tactics and strategies; why did I not stay within and race my race; why did I not just sit in, as the other athletes had no problem doing? These questions kept plaguing me; in fact, the fact that I was dwelling on these questions was plaguing me. For the first time in recent memory, my mental strength of staying within the moment, and racing positively in my own race had let me down.

With about fifteen miles to go, I found a second wind (or should I say my quads found a second wind), and I finished well: I even picked up a few folks who had blown as well.

Starting the run, I was a few spaces out of the top twenty: a place I had begun the marathon before. I was confident that I could overturn my mental and physical let-down from the bike, and run my way into the top ten: a revised goal for me.

The damage I had done myself on the bike was preventing me from running fast. I pushed and pushed; built and built, but I gained very little ground, as I anticipated doing. I was stuck in a no-man's land. I had ridden myself out of contention.

In 2005 I truly found out what it was like to have a bad race. Being forced to walk, and finishing 395th was a humbling experience. And now to finish back in the top twenty, and to do so with my second-fastest time on the course, I can only be pleased with the result. Even still, I must say that I am a bit disappointed to fall so far short of my goals; however, the race taught me a very valuable lesson, one that will surely aid me in next year's quest for a top finish.

Hawaii Ironman '06 is now history. We might all know the results, but why not come out and re-live the action with your friends at Jack and Adam's Bicycles.

Join us on December 9th at our new location - 1210 Barton Springs for a Hawaii Ironman Viewing Party. It all starts at 7:30, after the Trail of Lights 5k.

The Ironman screening will be outside on the new big screen with 8pm show time. Special guest will be Hawaii Ironman runner up and birthday girl, Desiree Ficker. Desiree will be autographing photo cards from 7:30 to 8:00.

There will be free food and drink and plenty of giveaways from sponsors NUUN, Twin Six, Jack and Adam's and others. We hope to see you there!