Steelhead 2010 Training Update...Less then 3 weeks away!

Training for the Steelhead Half Ironman and trying to fundraise $2,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a lot of work. I don’t remember working this hard when I was training for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge last year.

Right now I’m at the peek of my training. Friday was a 1.5 mile swim. Yesterday I had to do a 50 mile bike ride and 5.5 mile run brick workout. Today I had a 12 mile run I had to hammer out around Busse Woods. I’m a little sore but I’ll survive. Tomorrow is a 2,500 yard swim.

There were plenty of times I wanted to quit. There were plenty of times I could have been sleeping in, playing video games or hang out with my friends late at night at the bar. Then I think about all the people I know who are affected by cancer. They can’t quit, they don’t have that luxury of quitting. Plus I remember that I’m stubborn and I don’t like to quit either.

Looking at how my training is going I’m expecting to finish the half Ironman in 6 to 7 hours. I’m assuming 40 to 50 minutes of swimming, 2.5 to 3 hours or cycling and 2 to 2.1 hours of running. I would be real happy if my end time was around 6 hours. My first and main goal is to finish and finish strong of course.   

I’m still fundraising. I have about $1,600 to go.  The best way you can help me is buy one my Team in Training water bottles. Click here to learn more. My Pump It Up and Noodles and Company Fundraisers did okay. Be on the lookout for another function in the very near future.   Of course you can make a donation at http://www.RunningForACure.info.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is committed to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and helping patients and their families. The support you provide is invested wisely:

In fiscal year 2008 $71.4 million was invested, including funding for 129 new grants to researchers in academic institutions and $4 million in contracts through the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program. As of June 2008, LLS was supporting 388 research projects and 9 research contracts in the U.S., Canada, and 14 other countries. LLS also provides financial assistance to patients; sponsors scientific conferences around the country; produces educational materials and videos; and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide. (Source http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=12358)

Finally a video from the 2009 Chicago Tri Triple Challenge

I finally had a little time and I put together a little video of my experience in the 2009 Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge. Take a look and enjoy.

Harbor Lights Triathlon Results

So today I raced in the Harbor Lights Sprint Triathlon. Here are my results:

• Overall place: 135 out of 810 (Top 17%)
• Division place: 20 out of 82 (Top 25%)
• Gender place: 114 out of 516 (Top 25%)
• Time: 1:22:54 ( I was shooting for anything under 1:30)
• Swim: 9:40
• Trans 1: 3:21
• Bike: 36:21
• Trans 2: 1:17
• Run: 32:17

The race was well run and the weather was cool. For some reason the race cheeped out on finisher medals. I expect a medal after paying a $75 race entry. That is my only complaint. Otherwise it was a good race.

My thoughts on my results:

The water was cold. The starting temp was 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus this was my first open water training of the year. I really tired focusing on my form. At the end my goggles filled up with water. Could I of done better? I don’t know.

On the bike I felt I was flying. Only problem, I lost my two new water bottles after the turn onto the highway. If the day was hot I would have had a bad ride. But the weather was cool. Maybe next year I’ll think about getting race tires and aero bars.

The run went well. I ran in intervals. 1 Mile run and a 60 second power walk. I thought I was running a 9 minutes/mile pace I was running a little over 8 minutes/mile. I was impressed with myself.

Shuffling in the Snow

It's been awhile since my last post. I appoligize I'm lazy. So to give you a quick update on evertyhing that's been happening for my training for U of I and Team in Training....

• I bought new shoes...again. I moved to Saucony Hurricanes cause they will give me more support to my feet. Plus I was getting shin splints.
• I recived a Garmin Forerunner for my birthday. I love it. Best tool for a runner. According to it my pace is up!?!?
• For my training for U of I, I only ran up to 18. Life has been getting in the way.
• It's snowing in Chicago and I'm running the Shamrock Shuffle. I thought it was spring.
• Marathon Team has good dedicated people. Can't wait to meet the whole team in May
• I'm offically fundrasing for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge for the LLS.

Wish me luck today I'm off in the wintery bliss!!!!!!

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.