My game plan for 2010

Tonight I finally received my 2009 Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge Shirt. About friggin time. Its a nice blue long sleeve tech shirt. It has the total miles from each race listed I did that weekend. Which I guess is reason why I'm blogging tonight. Well, not the real reason but it makes a nice segway for what I'm about to talk about.

In 2009 I ran the Illinois Marathon; raced the Harbor Lights Sprint Triathlon, coached the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon; Raced the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge; rode the Apple Cider Century Ride; and coached mile 5 of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon . Let;s not forget that I'm running the Schaumburg half marathon Turkey Trot at the end of the month. It's been a great year. I've enjoyed allot of memories with friends and new friends alike.

So how do I top all of this for 2010? I've asked myself the same question this past week. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know I've been  struggling with the idea to sign up for a Ironman. After consulting with friends and Team in Training Triathlon Coaches I've decided to wait for 2011 to do the the Madision, WI Ironman.

So this is my plan 2010. I'm assuming nothing earth shattering happens in my life.
2010 will be themed OMG...My Last Year in my Twenties. Or something catchy like that. I'm up for suggestions.

Anywho...


February 28 (The Day after I turn 29) - I'll be running my seventh marathon in the Rock And Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. Louisiana will be my sixth state I've run a marathon in.


Early June - I plan to race the Olympic Distance Elkhart Triathlon. My goal is to beat my 2007 Chicago Olympic Triathlon time.My 2009 time was slower because I ran out of gas on the run.


July 31 - I'll be racing the Whrirlpool 70.3 Ironman in Benton Harbor, MI. After doing the Triple I'm ready for a Half Ironman! My goal will be to finish all 70.3 miles strong. More info later on this.


September 12 - Volunteer for Ford Ironman in Madision, WI. This way I'll learn some new tricks and register for the 2011 race.


Mid November - Race in El Tour De Tuscon. My goal will be to finish under 6 hours and get the gold medal. After July 31 I'll be focusing on everything to get to that finish line under 6.

Of course some sprint triathlons, a 8K race here and there, and a few bike rides will slip in the cracks. The above are my major events planned.

As I said before I'm going to sign up for the 2011 WI Ironman this September in person. By doing it this way I'll save a few dollars. According to Bill Snyder, the Team In Training head triathlon coach, my schedule and all athletic events will be planned around my training for the Ironman. That's something I'll worry about next December. 2011 is tentatively themed "Crap I'm 30...Now What?"

My question for every now is...Who's going to be partying with me in Mardi Gras this February? FYI, I'm brining lots of purple and green beads to the race!