  Chicago Triathlon 2010 was my toughest yet. I learned that success is not in a vacuum, and different life circumstances will alter, improve or maintain your status. My knowledgeable and savvy running coach, Lisa shared this inspiration with me post TRI last week. All in all, I am happy I participated and finished the world’s largest triathlon along Lake Michigan in the city of Chicago. I proved to myself that quitters never win, and winners never quit. Truthfully, I did fine considering the combination of unbearable heat which made it very difficult to do back to back events, over 10, 400 participants, and the fact that I had been traveling for one month prior to the event. This past August I was consistent and strong but not fast. Many say that finishing TRI is an accomplishment, and thank you friends for that positive reinforcement. My transitions were pretty quick, but I have to tell you the heat caused me to be congested and feel heavy hearted. Weather plays a big role in success or struggle. What I enjoyed most was the viewing of the city as I swam, cycled and ran along scenic downtown Chicago. AND- I enjoyed being athletic and able bodied enough to complete an event of this magnitude. Everything is relative though because some people can’t imagine doing a TRI, and others scoff at the amateurs who do it in slo-mo. As far as I am concerned, it is important to be active and mentally sharp. The mental aspect of preparing to complete 3 diverse types of fitness during an uncertain weather situation is what keeps your saw sharp if you will. LESSON: Keep razor sharp by being prepared mentally and physically for sports and therefore in life. Sports parallel life quite a bit, and if you train, condition and build upon your base you will be setting yourself up for success! Hopefully by the next post I will have my fitness goals for 2010-11, and let me tell you something amigo, they will be met! Xo The Roadrunner
 This Sunday I get to put my work to the test as I participate in the 28th annual Chicago Triathlon. I am ready for the Sprint distance, and may I share that I trained as much and as hard as I could while carrying on with my busy life. Not every day was easy to train simply because of my crazy schedule, the weather, one stint of being really sick, travel and my BIG life that takes up so much time. My accomplishments include staying consistent for the past 6 months, only missing about 2 scattered weeks of training, learning new eating habits, which I have not mastered but I have incorporated, working with an elite running coach Lisa Menninger who has ignited the fire in me to compete more fiercly next year, and adding a new tool to my training that being clip on pedals and clip in shoes. I am happy that I am in a better place this year than last, and mentally I am a bit tougher.
This past week was very stressful with life obligations, but I still got through a few workouts, and now I'm tapering and preparing to GO FOR IT. I know there will be faster athletes and more conditioned athletes than me, but I also know that I am doing the best I can with what I have built up. These past 2 weeks I cranked on the bike riding up to 18 miles in a session, and increasing my run to 5 miles. My swim is the weakest link, but even still my stroke is 50 percent better than last August.
Registration is tonight for the world's largest Triathlon, and I can't wait to go down get my packet, and feel the fitness vibe! I may scope out the exhibitors, and I will for sure soak up the feeling of this accomplishment about to happen.
LESSON: Yes there is a lesson to share here and it is to NEVER GIVE UP on yourself. Commit to your goals, and try as hard as you can to not waver from them. Everyone can cross the finish line, it just takes the desire and the work.
Until after TRI, make it great and see you on the trails....
xo
The Roadrunner
This past week has been by far my most intense week of training as I have put in the most distance on the road, in the pool and on the track. Last Sunday I completed over a half mile in the pool, and recently I did a five mile run with consistency, good form and decent pace. Not real fast, but an acceptable pace of 12 minutes a mile. I have not run that far in years, and it felt really empowering to be able to complete that distance, Yesterday, for the first time alone, I headed over to Salt Creek trails and began my brick workout. Coach Lisa told me to bike for 10 miles and then jump off and run for 10 minutes. I'm so happy that Lisa told me to ride this distance with my new clip ons because I had the first hand personal experience of clipping in and out of the pedals right before my stop to cross the street. Out of 6 times stopping and starting my bike, I had 2 wipeouts, which were due to me not clipping out soon enough and not placing my left foot on the ground to stop. The practical experience before race day got me more comfortable with my new pedals and shoes. Of course I've ridden my road bike in a race before, but not with my new shoes. The clip-ons allow me to pedal and be seated with more power and position. Each Tri that I participate in I add a new element of training, which improves my participation. This year it was adding the clip-on shoes and replacing pedals to clip in. At first I was nervous to wear my new clips, but with practice and a couple of wipe-outs I now feel comfortable and ready to roll. So much so that next year I want to compete not just participate.
LESSON: When adding to or improving technique, put in actual test time before performance day. You must go out on your own and go through the motions of each step in order to get the new process down. It's true that practice makes perfect. Simulate the entire event before the actual one so that you diminish fears.
This coming week I have few more workouts, and then I begin to taper. I will keep you posted and add my Tri list for race day soon.
In the meantime, wishing you lotsa kefi an energy!
xo
The Roadrunner
It's so hard to believe that when I started this blog 200 plus days ago, time seemed so free and accessible, and now with less than 2 weeks until my Triathlon, I'm developing a little nervous excitement.
July and early August travel made my workouts a mental game, but I passed the test. Being on the road, and on vacation made it, at times, tough to stay in the game. The good news is that I have been working out and increasing distance and conditioning.
As you have read here before, I ran about 9 times during my 20 days in Greece, and I averaged about 12 days of swimming. If you recall I got pretty sick over there, and that affected my training. When I returned to America on July 30, I had severe jet lag and lack of sleep causing me to miss 3 days of training. I was able to hook up with my coach Lisa for a bike fit over at SPOKES in Naperville. Ralph, the owner of Spokes, personally made sure my bike was in shape for riding on Aug 28. He also got me in some clip on shoes that allow me to fly on my Argon road bike. The fit is really important for riding efficiency. Last week Lisa ad I went out and practiced getting in and out of the clips on the pedals, and she said I caught on fast. Thursday, 8-12, we did a 13 mile ride in Westchester, and it was so fun. Friday, the next day I ran 3.5 miles, Sunday 8-15 I swam 20 50 meter laps, and yesterday I ran four miles. I'm off today, and catching up with Lisa tomorrow for a brick workout.
Over the weekend I treated myself to some new TRI shades, which I am wearing here in the picture. Aren't they cool?
Next step is to get all my gear in order for TRI day, and I'll share the check list with you next week.
For now...
LESSON: Setting goals, sticking to them as closely as possible, makes you accountable. During your training, keep going and as the clock keeps ticking you will be moving as well. Seasons will change, holidays will roll around and life happens....keep working out through it all so that when you cross the finish line, you can say I DID IT, and I didn't give up!!!!!
Catch you later, and thanks for all your support!
xo
The Roadrunner
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