Finished Marathon!

Well, I didn't quite hit my goal time (under 4hrs) for the Chicago Marathon, but I came close. 4:1:48 is the time I pulled in. I was happy considering I somehow got cramps in both thighs around mile 20. I've had cramps in calves before, but never thighs. I drank sufficient water, so it wasn't dehydration. My guess is I was just pushing myself too hard because I was on a 3:45 pace up until that point. Regardless, I'm happy, and now I know I can break 4 hrs if I just train a bit harder. So, see ya next year!

1 week to go till Marathon

Well, I completed my 20 mile training run, and it's taper time until the Marathon. I'll admit with everything going on at work (big projects) and my 3 kids in travel hockey (Ann Arbor last weekend, Kalamazoo next, Grand Rapids after that) I just don't have my mind or focus on running. Oh well, it's my 4th marathon anyway, so I'll just probably take it easy and enjoy it. At least it's supposed to be cool this year, and not the sweltering heat that it was in Chicago for the last 2 years. Woohoo.

Chicago Half Marathon tomorrow

Looking forward to the Chicago Half Marathon tomorrow. Last year's had just terrible weather -- cold, windy and raining the entire time. Tomorrow is supposed to be very nice, thankfully! I'll be running with my neighbors for a bit, as the husband Bob attempts his first ever 1/2 marathon! Go Bob!

Ah...the long runs

This morning it was an 18 mile training run. The weather was perfect. Cool, but sunny. Lots of people out doing between 18-20 miles today, so that made it more enjoyable. I wasn't tired, but my left foot was pretty sore. Dang hockey injury flaring up again. However, the ice bath afterward helped. I usually evaluate how sore I am by how I feel descending stairs. Good news is stairs are fine today, so training must be paying off! ;-) I think I'll swim a mile tomorrow, and then bike on Monday (labor day) with a friend. Nice relaxing weekend...at least until my kids hockey season starts next week!

Chicago Triathlon - done!

Today was just a beautiful day for the Chicago Triathlon. Water was a bit cold (60 degrees) but the rest of the event was cool and sunny. I was told beforehand that the first 1/4 mile of the swim would be crazy with everyone kicking you and bumping...boy we're they right! Thankfully after that it opened up nicely and the swim went very well. On the bike, the only problem was the 15 mph winds in your face for half of the 40k. Of course, the other half was nice with 15mph winds at your back! The run was nice and flat, albeit windy for the last half of the 10k. The most interesting thing was that I had to drop off my bike at transition around 5:30am, but then my wave for the swim wasn't until 9:20am. Needless to say, I went back to my car and slept until 7:30am. My times weren't anything spectacular, but I'm satisfied for my first Olympic distance triathlon. I'd put new tires and new aero bars on my bike, and I think they really helped. I was very happy with my bike time, although I wish I trained more in the position over the aero bars...my back and shoulder's got pretty stiff. You can see my times here.

Taper and long runs?

Well, this week sure should be a strange one...I'm supposed to be doing taper for the Chicago Triathlon, while still training for the Chicago Marathon. I had a 16 mile run this weekend, coupled with 2 hockey games...well, let's just say my legs are a bit stiff. However, they are less stiff than I thought they'd be, so I'm pretty happy! My only worry is my left foot is very sore on the top. I think I took a slap shot off my foot in one of the hockey games -- it's the only thing I can figure. I'm going to have to basically not run this week and let it heal. My only other issue is I think I've gotten wax build up in my ear due to all the swimming, so it's like I have a perpetual head-cold, without the feeling bad side effects. Time to go invest in some ear cleaner fluid or something.

Anyway, I'm excited about the Triathlon this weekend...looking forward to using my new wetsuit in a race for the first time vs just training. I just hope it's not windy, since I hate riding the bike in the wind. Cold or hot is fine. Just no wind.

Lake Michigan swim training

Well, after my hockey game this morning, I headed down to Ohio street beach and took my first training swim in Lake Michigan. I wore the wet suit, but truthfully I probably didn't need it. However, it definitly helped once I got out a bit and the waves started rolling in. I did a nice easy 1 mile swim. Not too crowded, so passed 4 or 5 people and just had one guy pass me at the end. Worst part was the parking costs...forgot that weekend they don't have hourly rates, but just one flat rate for the entire day! Doh!

Sprint Tri is done!

It's been a while since I posted. Last weekend I completed my 4th Naperville Sprint Triathlon. I was really happy with my swim time -- taking 1:15 off my previous time, which was great. I also changed my transition to not wear socks, in either the bike or the run. That helped shave between 1-2 minutes of my transition times. However, the bike and run weren't better than previous attempts. It was quite windy on parts of the bike, and for some reason that always effects me. During the run I'll admit I just took it easy and didn't push myself. Overall I still beat last year's time so it's a PR for me, but only by about 30 seconds.

Next up is the Chicago Triathlon at the end of the month. I finally bought a wetsuit, since I'm nervous Lake Michigan will be quite cold due to our abnormally low temperature summer in Chicago. I've gotten very comfortable swimming a mile at a time, and I've upped my biking to 25+ miles/each attempt. Running is no issue since I'm up to 13-15 miles as I train for the Marathon, so the 10k at the Tri should be fine. I'll mostly focus on transition training, so as to get used to the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run workouts. Truthfully my biggest worry is whether I can put in the long runs to prepare for my 5th Chicago Marathon in October. We'll see!

Half Marathon & 10 mile hill race

Well, these last two weekends have been a ton of fun with some great races. First off was the Indy Half Marathon. For those who haven't heard of this, this race is consistently voted one of the most fun races in the entire U.S.A. We had a team of 5 for the race. The reason for running this race as a team is the "team tent" at the end of the race. In the tent you get all the beer you can drink, full massages, food, music, places to sit, and old guy with a laptop to look up your exact chip race time. Although none of us ran that fast, we had a great time and enjoyed the cool weather which turned to sun after the race. Later a few of us visited the local Indy blues scene at the Slippery Noodle, and enjoyed dinner at the famous St. Elmo's steakhouse, where they have the spiciest shrimp cocktail you have ever eaten!

Next we turn to Lemont, for the Quarryman Challenge. This race makes use of the hilly area around Lemont Illinois. I know...hills in Illinois? All I know is that running up and down hills in Lemont for 10 miles is exhausting. The course host tracked it via GPS and discovered you gain 1000 vertical feet during the 10 miles. That explains the exhaustion. Lemont is a very scenic small town, and you start/finish in the quaint downtown area. Lots of fans lining the main thoroughfare, and lots of volunteers, including Police, to help ensure you stay on course as you wind up and down through the Lemont hills. There is also a 5k race, for those of you who dread the idea of 10 miles, with hills.

Lastly, I think I'm finally over the damn cold, which slowed me down in both these races. Funny how coughing and breathing problems hinders your race time. ;-< However, I'm fairly happy because I wasn't sore after either of the races. Heck, I even did a full-out sprint at the end of the Quarryman just to beat one more guy ...not that I'm competitive or anything! ;-)

Today sucked

Well, this week was ok for training...couple good swims (even got hit on by some younger women, which is nice for an old guy), and good short runs. Long run today just sucked. Weather was awesome, but hangover from Chicago Cancer Charity at Civic/Lyric Opera house last night, combined with a cold, and allergy season made this run terrible. Legs felt great, but just could not breathe. Guess it's time to start taking the allergy medicine. Thankfully met up with girl named Erin who chatted with me and kept me from falling behind too far. It's amazing that I could not breathe when running by myself, but I somehow manage to carry on a conversation, breathe loudly, and run a bit faster while chatting. Funny how the mind works.

Another travel week

Well, at least this last week I got in alot of swimming, and I've finally gotten to where I can swim 3/4 of a mile and then run a 5k immediately afterward at a 7:30 pace without being tired. That's good improvement. Now I've got to focus on some longer runs since I have the Indy 1/2 in 2 weeks. Hopefully running in SFO this week will be nice.

Can skiing be training?

Well, I took 2 of my son's skiing in Colorado this last weekend for spring break. We got in a good 3 days of skiing at Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone. I didn't have any time for training, and to be honest, I was too damn tired each day. We skied just bumps and back bowls at Vail, often through 14+ inches of new snow...exhausting, especially in the trees. We took it easy at Breckenridge, since I was mostly helping my youngest son ski on Blue runs and a few Blue/Black runs. Keystone we went back to skiing bumps, and we had 6+ inches of new snow from the previous night. Thankfully no injuries, although I did get big bruise on my left foot from my new ski boots. Damn high instep. Better get that fixed b4 next year.

Now that I'm back home, it's time to up the run training and de-emphasize the tri training. I need to get prepared for the Indy 1/2 marathon at beginning of May.

Here's pic of us

3rd week biz travel causing issues

Well, I had to travel out of town for work this week, and it's screwing up my training schedule. Tried to swim at hotel, but pool was full of kids so...no laps. Lifted weights and ran a 5k instead. Still need to focus on bike, although biking was better this week. No leg soreness...just butt soreness getting used to sitting in seat for long periods.

I'm getting excited about the upcoming Indy Half Marathon (500 festival). Going with friends and as a Team, so should be be a great time. Hopefully I'll turn in a sub 1:50 time.

Good 2nd week

This week was a good 2nd week of Tri training. Swimming went really well. Not tired at all after 600 or 800 yards. Even lifted weights afterward on one day. Bike still sucks. Biked outside for first time this winter, and although I managed >20mph avg for 9 miles, it kicked my ass and left my legs sore.

I miss doing long runs on the weekend...I think I'll do a 10 mile run sometime this week, since I'd been up to 12 mile runs prior to starting Tri training last week. Hopefully that doesn't screw up my training too much. It's supposed to be beautiful finally this week in Chicago -- almost 70 degrees!!!! We are all so tired of winter here in Chicago. It's been brutal. Tons of snow, -18 degree days (-45 deg wind chill). Yuck.

Formal Triathlon training has started

Well, last week I formally started my Triathlon training. I got a training plan from TrainingPeaks. I now log my workouts daily, including any hockey games I play during the week (which was 3 last week!). So far so good...I'm glad I kept up with the running & swimming over the winter. I'm performing now at Elite or Professional level on the training plan in those two areas. However, I'm back at "age group appropriate" level on Bike, since I didn't do any bike training this winter. Oh well...hopefully it will come back quickly.

Swimming day

Finally starting to feel natural swimming a 1/2 mile today. Good to be back! Still some shoulder stiffness to work out. More swimming must be necessary! ;-)

Somewhat related

This is kind-of related to my training, but I recently responded to a request from a co-worker to write an online article about technology and running. Here's the link. There are some other articles on the site from Vinnie Mirchandani's network on other topics like technology and skiing, technology and car-tinkering, etc. You can see how technology is enhancing people's hobbies.

11 mile run today

Today was a nice easy 11 mile run. The snow made for some fun challenges that forced me to run in the street, dodging cars, but at least the sun made for a warm run even though the outside temp was in the low 20's F. This was my favorite new route which has 4 miles of uphill running. I love the challenge, and I'm glad the 4 miles is in the middle of the route...not the end! Good pre-training for the eventual Quarryman Challenge in Lemont!

Well, time to up the training level !!!

I decided as part of my motivation this year to increase my training, a blog would help motivate me and provide a place to log my training activities. I doubt anyone will read this, which is fine.

This year I have a few of the same goals as previous years:
- run the Chicago Marathon
- run in 2 or 3 half marathons (Indy Mini-marathon, Chicago Half, etc.)
- have fun with the Naperville Sprint Triathlon
- do the 10 mile hill run in Lemont, called the Quarryman Challenge
- run some misc. 5k and 10k races

My big addition for 2009 is to do the full Chicago Triathlon. So, my big challenge will be getting in enough swimming each week so that I'm confortable doing the mile swim. Plus, upping my transition training (swim to bike, bike to run) on various days will also be key. I'm psyched for the challenge and I look forward to tracking my progress.

Eric