First Team World Vision Chicago Group Run

The cold weather in Chicago broke just enough to allow the first Team World Vision group run to be quite nice. I hoofed downtown (a good 45 miles), and dragged along a friend of mine. We started from the New Balance store on the north side, and ran along the lake front. While a bit windy, after you warmed up, it wasn't to bad. It was the first time most of us involved in Team World Vision met each other. It was pretty cool. People of all different level and backgrounds (new run, to marathoners, to Triathletes). I ended up with about 7 miles, even ran on a section of a 5k race that was about to start (oops!).

In all, it was good times, good run, but most of all good people. I look forward to future runs (and hopefully some cycling as well).

Peace

Its complete... My Copperman Registration is done

The last planned event of my season is now booked. The Copperman Sprint triathlon, in the Great White North (well almost), opened its registration today. My family has visited the Copper Harbor area of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula a number of times. I suppose it helps that my wife went to College in Houghton MI. Its a beautiful and scenic area of the country. Its also got some rolling hills that seems like small mountains to us Illinois Prairie flatlanders.

With my registration for the Copperman complete, I am now officially registered for all the events I had planned to do. Its a big year. 2 Sprint Triathlons. 1 Olympic distance, One 1/2 marathon, One Full marathon, and the big dog of the year is the Spirit of Racine 1/2 Ironman.

Training is going well. I have not yet seen the benefit of adding the body sculpt and weight training to my weekly regimen. Except for some mighty sore quads and hip flexors . In the end I am sure it will pay off. In the short term, those classes just eat into my midweek runs and also leave me a bit tired for the evening sessions on the bike trainer.

...And now for something completely different
Training will be very sparse, if not put on hold completely for the next few weeks as our family will be on vacation. Perhaps the mountain hiking in the Andes of Peru, or (if possible) the ocean swimming off the coast of the Galapagos will provide me some training possibilities. Should be a great trip. Until I return...

Peace
Ted

MapMyRun, what a cool concept

Have you ever wondered when you hit the pavement or the streets for a good run and take a new route how far you've gone. It on the streets you can drive the route in the car. If on a path or something you can take a bike with a computer on it. If you are not one of the lucky few with a handheld GPS, I've got something for you....

As I close out the week, I'll share a website that the director of the fitness center I go to. Its mapmyrun.com. Its not just any old mapping and destination software. But it allows you to click, place markets, and the best part, you can determine the distance of all those neighborhood run. I checked it out for the first time today. Its pretty cool...

Destination ????? The miles are racking up. We are sitting at 1719 miles. Although, with an upcoming vacation, mileage will be at a standstill. However, once we return, the volume and intensity will shoot up. There are only 56 days until the 1/2 Marathon (not only the first event of the year, but my first official 1/2 marathon)

Peace

Time has flown by

Its been awhile since my last post. Work has picked up considerably, which cannot be all bad. The time trials went very well last week. I'll will post an update shortly. I saw great improvement in distance on the bike, and an improvement in the run as well.

Running has been on the sides lines lately. I have managed to get on the trainer, and keep the swimming going. With a half marathon in about 2 months, I will need to start putting some more miles on very soon.

Something new however, if a new weight training program. Aside from the regular body sculpt classes, and circuit classes, I've began some more personalized, triathlon specific, weight training on Wednesday and Fridays. Wednesday and Friday are also my running days, so that's also impacting my distance. I'm sore, so the weights must be working. I'm hoping that the weight will allow for some jumps in improvement on the bike and run. Time will tell..

peace