Tag Archives: Swim

Where’s the Beef? – A Peer Pressure Blog

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I’d like to introduce you to my buddy Beefy (on the left). Beef is the reason I started training for a marathon, I went on one of his training runs for the 2009 Chicago Marathon. I (barley) made it 6.5 miles that day, but it hooked me on running.

I went out to watch Beef run the Marathon that year and saw how excited all the finishers were, it was amazing.

A few weeks later Beef and I were sitting in my condo, watching the bear and drinking some Abita when he said “You should run the Marathon with me next year.”

I said “OK” and started training for the 2010 Chicago Marathon.

I was one of the most fun run’s I ever had, and it got me hooked on endurance sports. The next year I did an Ironman 70.3, then the 2o11 Chicago Marathon and for 2012 I’m doing TWO 70.3′s and I’m registered for Ironman Wisconsin. It’s my first attempt at the full Iron distance.

One of my prep races will be the Bigfoot Triathlon in Lake Geneva on June 24th. I sent Beef a Facebook message today saying he should do it with me.

Let’s just say he didn’t jump at the idea. But he didn’t say no.

I know that he IS interested in doing a Tri. He bought a bike last year, he already has running experience, and I know he can swim at least a little (we used to be Lifeguards together).

So I’m going for the peer pressure approach. I would probably never be doing this if I didn’t run with Beef. Help me get Beef to race the Bigfoot Triathlon this year!

Leave a comment below and let’s get this guy racing!

Family, Life and Training – How to fit it all in

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I’ve written about the balance of fitting triathlon training in to an already busy schedule, but as my work situation has changed it’s actually gotten a little harder.

 

Right now I’m trying to balance being a Stay at Home Dad of a 2 year old and a 3 month old, and training. Lately I’ve been trying to be a super early morning (like 3 or 4am) person, so I can workout before “work” starts but there are some variables where even that fails. For example the last two days my 2 year old woke up several times between 2am and 4 am. And when he’s up at 4 HE. IS UP!  So that killed my early AM swims.

Yesterday I decided to hit the pool at 8pm instead, unfortunately it was closed for repair. The new plan (with Coach Jen’s approval) was to make the swim up today and do a double workout. I was pretty pumped about this! I would swim in the morning and do my Bike/Run brick in the afternoon. A total swim/bike/run day HOLLA!

Wrong… Well not totally, but it hasn’t panned out so far. My son was up at 4am, good bye morning swim… So the plan right now is to Bike/Run in the afternoon still and then swim tonight.

My only issue with night workout is that at the end of the day, weather I was working in an office downtown or managing 2 kids at home, I’m worn out! I NEED to bang these swims, rides and runs in first thing in the morning to assure they get done, and get done well.

At the beginning of this seasons training schedule, I talked to Jen about my new stay at home situation and mentioned that if I could do a bunch of my runs on a treadmill that it would make my life a little easier. She said that running outside is always best, but treadmill was okay as long as I ran at a 1-2% incline to simulate running outdoors.

So in a couple weeks my treadmill should be here, which theoretically help me get more workouts done during the kids naptime. Right now I can always ride my Felt bike on a trainer while they sleep. Last season even in the nicest weather I had to do trainer rides when I needed to be home, so did them in the back yard!

 

But running, just like swimming, is an issue because of the weather, amount of day light and length of time I need to run.

Today’s run is only a 15 minute hard run off the bike. Though its not ideal, for 15 minutes in 40 degree weather I can put the kids in a jogger and get it done. But if it’s an hour or more that can be a problem in the winter. So then it’s treadmill time.

So right now I’m trying to find a perfect balance… or maybe a good enough balance.

What do you do to make sure you get your training in?

Relays in an Ironman event, will it hurt the brand?

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Yesterday World Triathlon Corp, owners of the Ironman, announced a relay division in some of their 70.3 events.

Really?

Ironman is the marquee name in the world of triathlon. From the World Championship in Kona Hawaii to the 70.3 or Half Ironman races in places like Muncie, IN it’s supposed to be the ultimate tests of endurance. Your body remains in constant motion from 4 to 17 hours depending on how fast you are.

In an article from Outside Magizine, the question was asked Why race an Ironman?

“Because marathon’s have been ruined by people who think it’s fine to walk.”

That was a great line! It really hammers home why people not only do triathlon, but why they choose an Ironman event. So it makes me wonder why, with that kind of following opening up some races to relay teams seemed like a good idea?

The Chicago Marathon, a World Major Marathon does not allow any relay teams (unless you’re Hope Solo). They are asked to make exceptions every year, and respond to each one the same way. 

“We do not have a relay division. Each participant must individually complete the full 26.2 mile distance.”

The Ironman website says the purpose of the relays is “For those who want to try triathlon, but don’t feel quite ready for all three disciplines.”

Well if you’re not ready for all THREE disciplines in a TRIathalon, that might be a good goal to set for yourself. Think about it… if you’re a runner and your not ready to run marathon or half marathon, you would most likely train, run shorter races and eventually build up to your goal of completing your desired race… TA-DAAAA!!!

If Ironman wants to continue to brand itself as one of the most difficult major endurance events, don’t open up races to everyone who wants an M-Dot t-shirt. If you’re just looking to get started in triathlon this coming season, find a training program or coach, some sprint or olympic distance races, and train hard to perform well!

Coach Jen just said to me yesterday when I was unmotivated to swim “Winners are made in the winter.”

Happy Training