Vison Quest Cycle Coaching Kicked my Ass...And this was the first class!

This morning was my first day attending Taste of Vision Quest (VQ) class hosted by Team in Training Head Coach Dan Jurger and Mentor Captain K.C.  Maddelein. 

Vision Quest is a 8 week program designed to make you a better athlete. They have a variety of programs. Some of the pros go through this program during their off seasons. I'm in the Taste of VQ cycling class. 

In the VQ cycle class they hook up your bike to a comp-u-trainer. There, the computer measures your speed and energy output in watts. The comp-u-trainer will also control the Resistance the bike is going . In essence, the instructor can make any virtual ride. Similar to a spin class but you get to use your bike and your gears work.

Today's goal was to get our average energy threshold so future "rides" can be based on.  I started out riding at a 290 Watt output but ended up with a average of 260 Watts. What did this mean? First I went out too fast, but that's okay. I now know my limits.  Second, I know how powerful I am and in 8 weeks I should improve my average. 

It was a tough 40 minutes. I wonder if I could of done better if I didn't go to a holiday party and got only 5 hours of sleep. Afterwards I was soar and ended up with a giant migraine. I went straight home and crawled into bed for 2 hours.  It was a small price to pay but in the end It will be worth it. 

At the end Coach Dan was telling me that eventually will be able to improve my average to 290 Watts. He also told me That since I'm a runner I have a tendency for my pedaling to be in the shape of a square. That causes some weired clicking noises in my chain. Pedal strokes should in a circle. He said I need to control my hip action. This won't happen overnight but with more live bike riding and my VQ I could get really good at this biking thing.

Review of the movie "Run Fat Boy Run". A must see for any marathoner.

When I was on the plane ride to Tucson I watched the movie Run Fat Boy Run on my iPod. The movie revolves around a over weight mall security guard named Dennis (played by Simon Pegg). Dennis left his baby's mama, Libby (played by Thandie Newton), at the alter by running away. Several years later, Libby is getting married to a well off marathon runner Whit (played by Simpons voice actor Hank Azaria). Dennis then decided to train for the local marathon to prove he is a grown up to Libby and his son. Only problem is the marathon is in two weeks.  (IMDB.com)

I liked this movie for all the little moments that reminded me of my training.

• There is this moment where Dennis has to go to Spin class for the first time. Whit  convinces Dennis its a "good work out". By the end of the class Dennis falls off his bike in exhaustion.
  
  It reminds me how I feel after a Tuesday  night Spin Class.
  
  
• Another moment I liked is the way Dennis gets a entry into the race. The only way for Dennis to get into the all ready full London marathon is to get sponsored by a charity. After failing to convince the racing committee he is running for a bogus condition his neighbor has, Dennis accidentally drops a wheel chair on a nearby runner. Then Dennis ends up taken the fallen runner's place for Erectile Dysfunction Awareness . Through out the race Dennis wears a bright blue shirt with a limp banana on the back. 
  
  I cringe because I run with the charity group, Team in Training. 
  
  
• Finally Dennis goes through all the pit falls of a runner doing a marathon for the first time without proper coaching or research. Dennis doesn't carbo load the night before the race, he wears cotton while training, and doesn't wear the right type of running shoes, and uses KY Jelly to reduce body friction.  
  
  I laugh because I did the same things when I was training for my first marathon. My first marathon was the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon in 2005. I had a salad and beer the night before, trained in cotton boxers (I know T.M.I.) under my running shorts, and discovered Body Glide the day before the race.

If your a marathoner or training for your first marathon watch this movie. You'll get a kick out of  Run Fat Boy Run.

For more on the movie Run Fat Boy Run go to IMDB.com and Flixster.com. 

Thank You Post Card

Here is a post card I plan on sending out to people who helped me fundraise once I save up some money...

From Bobby on the Run

Follow Up to Inspiration

Here is the link from the playlist I mentiond in a eailer blog

Need a Little Inspiration? Listen to this...

Like many athletes I own a iPod or mp3 device and listen to it before I go running, biking, or swimming. While wacthing the olympics I heard that 8 time gold meadlist swimmer Michael Phelps listens to rap before he swims. I listen all sorts of things to get me going. Here is most popular songs that get me going...

• 3 Doors Down - The Champion in Me
• Lucas Grabeel - Go The Distance
• Joe Esposito - You're The Best
• Queen - We Will Rock You
• Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens - Top Gun Anthem
• Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone
• Lion - You've Got The Touch
• Fort Minor featuring Styles of Beyond - Remember the Name
• Rascal Flatts - Feels Like Today
• Lady Antebellum - I Was Here
• Alan Silvestri - Forest Gump Suite
• Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)
• John Cafferty - Hearts on Fire
• Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity
• Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

If you notice there is a general theme here besides inspiration. Well, 75% of the music is from a movie. It's the kid in me, or the dork, that gets me out the door.

• Go The Distance from the Disney Movie Hercules
• You're The Best from the movie Karate Kid
• We Will Rock You from the movie D2: Mghty Ducks 2
• Top Gun Anthem from the movie Top Gun
• Danger Zone from the movie Top Gun
• You've Got The Touch from the animated Transformers: The Movie
• Forest Gump Suite from the movie Forest Gump
• Gonna Fly Now from the movie Rocky
• Hearts on Fire from the movie Rocky IV
• Battle Without Honor or Humanity from recent live action movie Transformers
• Eye of the Tiger from the movie Rocky III

You should give the my playlist a listen too or at least watch the movie they are from. You might get up from get on your shoes and run to the top of the stairs and have your "Rocky Moment".

I'm Thankful for alot of things today while I ran 13 miles.

It's Thanksgiving, Five days after I completed the Tour De Tucson. The Tour de Tucson is a  109 mile century ride in AZ. Anyway I didn't have enough money to do a Chicago Turkey Trot this year so I decided to do a run by myself. So I properly hydrated, packed two Strawberry Banana Power Gels  into my trusty Fuel Belt. Then I put on my underarmor, my favorite blue Nike running shorts, my favorite pair of running tights, my Asics Gloves, Zip Down Asics shirt,Team in Training Head band, 2 pairs of running socks, put on my shoes picked up my iPod and went out the door. It was 22 degrees Fahrenheit outside and Sunny. A perfect day for running. Not to mention a great day for long run before a big Thanksgiving feast at my Uncle's house in Kennelworth.

It was cool, Mid way through the run my fingers were freezing numb. But I kept going. I went through Nikol Park in Arlington Heights and ran to the highest point there and had my Rocky. Moment. Through out the entire run all I could think of was how thankful I was for everything. To have the ability to run on  a day were in a few hours I'm gonna stuff my self silly with Turkey I think it is a privilege for what I do. Think about it, there are people worrying about car bombs and where they are going to get their next meal. I've met allot of people and seen enough to know I am super lucky. 

Let's just go down a list:

• I'm alive. Only when you're alive things can feel so good. It may of been cold and my legs . felt like rubber but I wouldn't have it any other way. Not many people can take a day off and just take in the surrounding suburbs. 
• My family. Thank god I have my family. I'm luckey to still have my dad with me today after all he has been through with cancer and his recent trip to the hospital. I'm Lucky to have people that care for me and be there for me.
• My friends.  I'm so thankful I surround my self with people who lookout for me and can laugh with me. If I was alone I would truly be miserable and this Thanksgiving Run would be allot lonelier if I didn't have anyone to think about. 
• My Life. Not many people in this world can go for a run then come to a safe warm house ad then blog about his run.  
• My Health. Thank goodness I'm healthy enough to think about completing a half Iron Man in 2009.  There are thousands of people who can't run cause they are stuck in some hospital. All I can do is do the occasional fundraising for them and think about them while I run. 

If you get the chance, put your running shoes on or take out your bike and enjoy the day before you eat. It will put things into perspective for you.

Today I ran 13 miles in 2 hours and 4 minutes
through Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, & Wheeling, IL.

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My first Century Ride...El Tour De Tucson 2008!

I did it! I rode on my bike in El Tour De Tucson on November 22, 2008 in 8 hours and 49 minutes. The El Tour De Tucson is a 109 mile bike ride. More importantly I raised about $4,000 that will help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with TEAM IN TRAINING! Thanks to the Coaches at Team in Training and my new bike I’m a much stronger rider then I was last year. I might off finished faster but that wasn’t my goal. I’m going to save that goal for the next time I do El Tour de Tucson. This ride I had more important goals:

1. To finish all 109 miles of the El Tour De Tucson
   
2.  Finish Strong
   
3.  Stay Positive      
   
4. Be a inspiration to others
   
5.  Help pull my pace line team mates along the way.
   

The day was beautiful. I loved looking at the mountains. I told my team mate Heidi at one point, “It’s like looking at God’s Sand box…In a good way. I like Sand boxes.” The weather hit a high of 80 degrees. Their was a great tail wind. I can’t wait until the next time

Here is how the day went:

Race went off great. We crossed the Starting line around 7:15 am. The Pace line was determined to stick together. Our pace line got so many good compliments because we communicated and stuck together so well. We were taking short turns at pulling.

For non bike people when you are “pulling” you’re in front of the pace line while everyone else is “drafting.” When you draft you don’t work as hard and conserve energy. Everyone takes turns pulling to share the load.

Unfortunately the pace line broke apart through out the race.

•  Gale and Rose broke off before the first crossing. That was expected
  
• Sue was over heating before the second river bed crossing. She stayed back with Katie. Sue finished with Coach Al Later.
  
• We lost Mark around mile 66 at a long incline. Mark caught up with Tom and finished with him. Throughout the rest of the day we kept passing each other up at rest stops. In the end we got ahead of them.
  

At that was left was Brian, Heidi, and me.

Susan was the brains of our pace line. She planned out stops and help set our initial pace. Our goal was to make 6 minute stops at stations: D, I, M, & Q. But you never know what is going to happen race day…

• We stopped at “C” because we all had to go bathroom. I thought the lines were long for the porta potties. I decided to go up a little further and help water the cacti. We were there for about 10 minutes
  
•  “D” was short because all we had to do was drop off our extra gear with Katie’s parents and top off our water bottles.
  
•  “I” took too long because lines for bathrooms were too long
  
•  “M”, in my mind took too long. My rear wheel fell off because the nut came loose at that stop for what ever reason. I was able to fix it
  
•  "Q" was within limits. At that time my rear brake was out of alignment though. I was able to push the break and fix it.
  
• We had to stop a couple other times between stops for a refresher.
  

 There were two hills and some long inclines. The hills and the incline was my time to break away from Heidi and Brian. I felt really good and really strong. Our Barrington and St. Charles rides were worse in my mind. I thought, “Hey, I could ditch them and finish around 7 to 8 hours.” If I left them, I knew I wouldn’t reach my goal of helping my teammates pull. I couldn’t do it. I already let Sue, Mark, Gale, Katie, and Rose down. I wasn’t going to let Heidi and Brian Down.  The only thing I could really do was just to keep reminding Heidi and Brian how great they looked and kept cheering them on and everyone we passed up or passed us up.

 Heidi at times told me to “GO” so I kicked it up a notch. I went in to the drops and rocked out. There were times I thought I lost Brian and Heidi but I slowed down and they caught up. Incase I forgot to say Heidi’s job was to keep me in check. And a good job she did at that.

 There was this stretch of road along mile 90 were cars were really close. One car with PVC pipes hanging out of the passenger side, I thought, got too close to Brian and Heidi. That was the only time I cursed. I believe my direct quote was, “Watch where the #$%@ you are going you #$%^&^% @#$ %$#!!!”

 At the end for the last 3 miles, Heidi said along the lines off, “Alright Bobby let’s finish this.” According to Brian, “I took off like a rocket”. Heidi told her mom, who was waiting for us at the finish line,“I knew if you heard Bobby finishing, you would know I wasn’t far behind.” Heidi and Brian finished about 5 minutes behind me.

 When I crossed that finish line I was cheering and yelling at the top of my lungs!

 Heidi, Brian and I all ended up with Sliver Medals. At the Team in Training Tent the staff rewarded all of us with out 100 mile pin. For finishing a marathon, a triathlon and a century I was rewarded with the coveted Triple Crown Pin!

 Mark finished with Tom 10 minutes after we did. After I dropped off my Bike off at the Team in Training Trucks I saw Gale and Rose finish and cheered them on. Sue Finished with Coach Al.

 After the race people told me and my team mates that they were lucky to have me. That I made there day brighter and gave them that extra push.

 If I inspired people, well in my mind, then IT WAS THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT of the day for me.

 Thank you all of Team In Training for helping everyone cross the finish line. Thank you to all the participants that help fundraised over one million dollars for the LLS! 

A Letter to Team in Traing Cycle Alumni of the 2008 Tour de Tucson

I just rode the Tour de Tucson. It was an amazing experience. As soon as I got home rather then right down my experience first I wanted to write to my fellow cyclists at Team and Training. Here is that letter.

Dear Team and Training Cyclists,

 It’s Bobby here, the happy go lucky, out of control, spirit you all rode with for the past 3 and half months. I wanted to take a moment and say thank you.

First to all the Coaches for giving me the tools to help me finish a 109 mile bike ride.

Paula: For being my first Spin teacher and convincing me to do a cycle event.
Steve: For teaching me how to use my gears and get up hills with ease.
Al: Riding with my pace line for the first 40 miles at Tour de Tucson.
Julie Ann: For teaching me how to reach for my water bottle while riding my bike.
Angus: For being hard headed and getting the ball rolling for me to be a Assistant Cycle Coach.
Dan: For being a positive inspiration and showing everyone that every day is a beautiful day.

Second, to the people in my Pace line through out trainings and Tour de Tucson who had to deal with my bad jokes for hours on end.

Susan: For making it okay to be myself and encouraging my zest for life.
Hedi: For keeping me in line when I strayed too far.
Brain: For staying positive even though it was tough at times
Gale: For reminding me how freighting and exciting doing your first endurance event can be.

Third to all the members of Team that helped me reach my fundraising goal:

Gary and Bonnie: For teaching me how to gamble and win money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the same time
Mark and Rose: For helping me at Jewel that one Sunday. If it weren’t for you two it would have been a beautiful day but a very lonely and non profitable one.
John V: For keeping and eye on my fundraising.
Clint and Marianne: For the two people who have been with me since I first started TEAM back and 2006 on the Chicago Marathon Team and supporting me the entire way. 

Fourth the happiest TEAM staff member I have ever met.

Tracy: For dealing with all my crap, jumping over hills to make me feel special event weekend and always having a smile.

Finally but not least, everyone that rode the Tour de Tucson and fundraised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It is people like you that make it possible for people for, like my Dad, to survive cancer.

This is my 6^th time with Team in Training. Every experience is special and has a place in my heart. This experience made me feel I was in a Team because we all supported each other the entire way. I’ve never felt more part of TEAM then I have this season. Some of you told me how I inspired you with my energy, well, it goes right back. It’s AMAIZING PARTICPANTS like YOU who give me that super human energy. It’s the reason I show up to every practice and keep Team in Training part of my life. 

Thank you again, I love you all, and most importantly...

 GO TEAM

Bobby Dobroski

“You can be happy or you can be miserable, either way the distance is the same.” – Keegan Grant. A Little Boy who lost his battle to Cancer

Slogans

When ever I go running, swimming, biking, what ever I always think of the following things for inspiration

1. "Do or Do Not There is No Try" - Yoda, from the Empire Strikes Back
2. "Rock and or Roll"  - Revrand Love Joy, from the Simpsons
3. "You can be happy or your can miserable either way the distance is the same" - Kegan Grant. a little boy who lost his battle with cancer.
4. "How many people drive 26.2 miles in a day?"
5. "Pain is temporay, pride is forever" - Steve Prefontane

There are more but I can't think of them at the moment. Be Sure I'll be thinking about them this Saturday in Tucson. 

Time for Taper

This week I rain durring my lunch break for 40 minutes around Glenview. It was a 4.4 mile run.
On Tuesday I went to Spin Class in Schaumbung and Asst. Coach Paula foused on hill training. 
On Wednesday I went to Spin Class in in Deerfield. Coach Steeve focused on high intenisity training. 

I'll take a break Thursday and Friday. Friday I turn in my bike to get shipped to Tucson. Woo Hoo. Only 1 week until I head out. I have my race packet.  All I need to do some laundry and get so little things at Target. 

Only 9 days until Tour de Tucson.
Come to think about it...I'm going to need to plan out my stops with my pace group.
By the way look at the Map of the 109 mile course.

El Tour de Tucson '07

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Don't forget to check up on my status during the race. My bib number is 5059.

Very Cold, Very Windy, Very Stupid 20 Mile Bike Ride

I just finished a 20 mile bike ride from my house to Long Grove and Back.

Look at my route at here. 

Probably not the smartest thing. It was cold, windy, rainy, and too many public roads with a hint of snow flurries. I could of got hurt. I would of gone longer if I brought money to buy water and if the weater was nicer. 

I averged 17 MPH. My Top Speed was 28.5 MPH and it took me 1:12 to do the 20.5 mile bike ride. 

I had to go on one bike ride before I turn it in this Friday. Yep This Friday my bike is getting turned in and I will see it in Tucson The Friday before the ride. I was sad I didn't get to do my last 80 mile ride with Team in Training yesterday. 

80 Miler Cancelled. Bummer...

Due to winter like conditions the cycle coaches decided to cancel practice. I was ready to go. But my back hurts a little so I guess its a great time to relax. Besides after today our taper training starts. I drop off my bike this Friday so it can get transfered to Tucson.

If I feel adventous tommrow I might go for a 25 mile bike ride.

Election Day Don't Forget to Vote

Election Day! Don't forget to vote. I'll be at my polling place at 6 am. I want Barack Obama to win but please vote for who ever you think is the best for the United States. 

Last night I turned in 25 cell phones that will move me closer to my goal raising $4,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you want to make a small tax deductible donation go to my fundraising website at http://etools.teamintraining.org/Etools/?ProgramGroup=tnt. 

Today I might go running for 45 minutes instead of going to Spin Class in Schaumbing. Instead of Spin Class I might go the Obama Rally in Chicago. I don't have a ticket to get into the main area but it's a great way to celebrate the greatest nation in the world. 

Weekend of Nov 1st, 2008 Bike Ride

 I rode my bike 77.5 miles in Naperville with Team in Training on Saturday November 1st. My ride time was 5:10. I crashed twice. Once at a stop were I didn't clip out fast enough and another where I avoided crashing into another rider I was coming into fast. Other wise I feel good. I can't wait for the 80 mile next Saturday in Arlington, Heights. 

On November 2nd I ran from my house to Nickol Knoll Park. It was good hill training. I did a goof 1:02 run. For me that was a 6 to 7 mile run. 

Afterwards I asked for donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in front of Jewel/Osco in Elmhurst, IL. 

After El Tour De Tucson, I plan on running Illinois Marathon and doing the St. Anthony's Triathlon in April. Tour De Tucson is a 109 mile bike ride that happens November 22.