March 2010 Archives

All kinds of good stuff happening...

First, the BOB Ironman stroller showed up yesterday. The brake needs some adjusting, but from my limited 10-foot tests in the kitchen, it is going to be quite sweet. The navy color is slick and I'm sure Elsa will approve.

Second, my Bones RS rack from Saris showed up today. What a nifty contraption. Everything is designed with a purpose but done so well you take the strength and durability for granted. As I was unboxing it, I was scheming of excuses to take a trip with the bikes. Medford, perhaps?

Third, my running is coming around. Thinking back to last year, I'm nowhere near half-marathon shape, but I like where I'm at given the new lifestyle. During runs, I even let my mind wander to thoughts of a half-marathon PR, but then reality smacks me as my other foot hits the ground and my legs tell me I'm not that in shape.

Check out the graph below that shows my heart reacting to a 3mi tempo run after a 2mi warm up. (highlighted in the middle). Note the heart rate is a touch skewed as I finished uphill. But, the last mile my legs were screaming to stop, but I continued. May sound trivial to you, but in my current shape it was nice to overcome. (click image for larger version)

Also, with the weather making a major breakthrough this week, it's about time I get out on a bike. I just might have to get into the pool, too. Watch out! I just might become a triathlete some time this year.

Last night, the fact that I hadn't even gotten my REI dividend letter yet didn't stop me from spending it anyway. Just about this time last year, my dividend was burning a hole in my pocket while Elsa was baking in Kris' tummy. Serious thoughts entered our minds that we should just get the stroller then and have it ready for this year. But, wiser heads prevailed and we recognized that we would be in the same position at just about the same time: with dividend and 20% coupon in hand and stroller in need. But that didn't stop me from dreaming of one day going on runs with Elsa. I even told her so while she was still in utero.

Now that Elsa is actually here and that she's done remarkably well holding her head up, there was no reason to hesitate on getting the BOB Ironman. So I pulled the trigger last night, and with any luck we'll be out on the road in two weeks.

Now, I fully realize that running while pushing offspring is likely more glamorous than it sounds or looks like from afar. But isn't that parenthood in general? I realize that my excitement may wain quickly, but think of all the bonus resistance training that's built in. Come race day I hope that without the stroller, it'll feel as light as putting on a new pair of shoes. At least that's what I'll keep telling myself.

For those of you runner parent types out there, any tips on how to break a baby in to jog-strollering? Elsa loves to fall asleep in her car seat/stroller on walks. Think she'll do the same in the BOB? Kris suggested I ease into it a couple of blocks at a time, rather than start off with a 10-miler right out the gate. Seems to make sense, since you wouldn't do that in your training, would you? (In case it matters, I did get the full cover weather shield, too.)

"Making the Team"
March 15, 2010
Madison, WI

Now in its third year of giving back to the endurance community, Team Evotri once again wants you to be part of the journey.

This spring, the team will be adding another teammate from the endurance sport community. Along with joining the family, the new recruit will be awarded a prize package from the Team Evotri sponsors: SRAM, Robbie Ventura's Vision Quest Coaching, CycleOps Power, Zipp Speed Weaponry, 2XU, Headsweats, and new sponsor for the 2010 season, Specialized Bicycles!

Over the next few months the team and sponsors will be looking for an individual who embraces the spirit of triathlon: someone positive, enthusiastic, and dedicated to giving back to the community. Triathlon experience is not a deciding factor in choosing a winner, but passion is. Do you have what it takes to make the team?

Winners can rest assured their performance will undoubtedly be taken to the next level with the following prize package:

Trusted by world champions like Chris McCormack and Melanie McQuaid, the veteran racing professionals at Specialized will provide the winner with an unbelievable race package. Be prepared to light up the course with none other than the fiercely designed and wickedly fast Transition Pro Time Trial bike, technical helmet, and racing shoes.

Ever innovative CycleOps Power will provide the winner with a cutting edge Joule wireless Powertap SL+.

The endurance experts at Vision Quest Coaching will take the winner to the next level with a dynamic professional coaching package.

SRAM will outfit the Transition Pros with world-class Force drivetrains, engineered for top performance.

The velocity doctors at Zipp Speed Weaponry will provide 606 wheelsets, cranks and bars for the excellence in endurance sport trifecta.

The winner of the 2010 Team Evotri slot will receive a brand new wetsuit and race gear from 2XU, the industry experts in state-of-the-art style.

To top off this incredible package, the 2010 team slot winner will also receive a collection of custom racing hats and visors from the industry leader in endurance accessories: Headsweats.

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Team Evotri and their sponsors invite you to submit a video conveying why you are the best pick for the team in 2010.

Making the Team: 2010: Contest Guidelines:

Endurance sport enthusiasts, do you have what it takes to make the team? Tell us how and why in a video submission no longer than five minutes, and be sure to recruit your friends to help you out! Videos will be evaluated by Team Evotri and their sponsors for creativity, quality, and how well they address the following questions:

1. How will you benefit the team if you're chosen? What are your personal attributes?

2. How have you, and how do you plan to give back to the endurance sport community? Nothing is too insignificant, list it all.

3. What are your future plans regarding triathlon and endurance sport?

*Upload all videos to You Tube and send the link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com by April 15 May 3rd, 2010.

*Contestants should provide contact information along with his/her link submission. Team Evotri and their sponsors will announce the winner in May, 2010.

*Videos not within the time constraints will not be considered.

*By sending a video link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com, candidates grant contest affiliates permission to use said video for promotional purposes affiliated with Team Evotri and the Making the Team: 2010 contest.

*The winner of the team slot forfeits all awards if he/she is unable to continue as a team member for any reason.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to contribute to the Team Evotri web site for as long as he/she is a member of Team Evotri.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to attend the WIBA training weekend in Madison, Wisconsin in July, 2010 and race the Rev3 Cedar Point Half-Ironman in September, 2010.

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Transition Pros provided by Specialized, an industry leader committed to excellence in both performance and design. Visit http://www.specialized.com for their full line of men's and women's road and mountain bikes.

CycleOps Powertaps and trainers are provided by the Madison, Wisconsin-based Saris Cycling Group; makers of industry leading power meters, racks and indoor trainers, as well as home to the top minds in performance science. Visit http://www.cycleops.com for an up close and personal education.

Professional coaching provided by Vision Quest: a dynamic, hands on, fully involved coaching program designed to provide direct interaction between the athletes and the coach for triathletes and cyclists. Please find more information on the diverse and flexible programs at http://www.visionquestcoaching.com.

Wheels of Team EvoTri provided by Zipp Speed Weaponry, flawless craftsmanship makes these wheels, aerobars and cranks the industry leaders in speed and aerodynamic efficiency. For more information, and for a complete product catalog, visit http://www.zipp.com.

Drivetrain components provided by SRAM, manufacturers of world-class bicycle parts including the new Double Tap & Exact Actuation technologies designed for faster Tri, Road & CX machines. See & learn more at http:/www.willyoumaketheleap.com.

Cutting-edge and sleek, 2XU will assure teammates maximize their potential with the industry's most revolutionary wetsuits and race gear. Visit http://www.2xu.com for the latest innovations.

Headsweats custom racing gear surpasses all others in absorption and comfort when its needed most. All seasons, all conditions, Headsweats goes the distance. Check out http:/www.headsweats.com to see the entire 2010 line.

It has been decided! I shall go to Medford and challenge myself to a early-season half marathon. Teammates Michelle and Stu should be there, too.

It just so happens that Runner's World just published a six-week training plan for a half-marathon. I hope to follow that with at least three runs (tempo, quality, and long) per week with bikes and swims filling in the other days when I can. The weather has turned hear in Wisconsin - highs are to be in the fifties all week! That means lows in the mid-thirties, which are typically found at the same time I run in the morning. That, and the days growing longer helps, too.

Stay tuned for big Evotri news Tuesday!

Hooray! This morning I was able to pull myself out of bed early enough to squeeze in a run. You may be thinking big whoop-idi-ding-dong-doo, but to me it's something to celebrate. My alarm has gone off at 6AM for the past three weeks -- at the risk of waking our baby and stirring up an earlier than welcome morning. Every day before today, the magnet of a warm bed was too strong and I simply slept the next hour away in nine-minute increments. But not today. Today was a success, but it almost didn't happen. I hit the snooze once, but was able to overcome and get myself out the door. And it was a great day to be out, too. Crisp at 20°F, frost blanketed the cars and fog hovered over the lakes. In fact, the fog was so thick in front of the Monona Terrace, it reminded me of Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back. I wish I had my camera to take a picture. In the end, it was thirty minutes of morning running. Something I haven't done since November, I think. I'm going to have to keep this up if I decide to run the Medford half-marathon.

Yesterday, teammate Michelle proposed:

How about coming up to race a half-marathon in the big town of Medford? Flat, old railroad bed, fast course. No bling, few spectators, but you'd get to see me and Stu!

My initial reaction was to say no. It's the same day as Crazylegs, and I haven't missed that since 2004. And I'm wickedly behind on my base development and 13.1 in April would hurt. But, it would be a really great motivator to get myself back into shape. And to hang out in the bubbling metropolis that is Medford is serious hard to pass up. Plus, there were only 50 people total in the half last year. I have a serious shot at hardware in a running race. Unheard of!

So, what should I do? Stay home, run 5 miles and be comfortable? Or, challenge myself and push to get ready to run 13.1 miles in 50 days? Let me know!

BTW, this is what Michelle responded with when I expressed my hesitation:

Crazy Legs?!!! Pfft!!! The racing experience in Medford would far surpass that! Who cares about wickedly overweight and out of shape but you? Not I.