Triathlons

I started training for triathlons in August of 2003. Since that time, I have competed in several races (pretty unsuccessfully, I might add), spent thosands of dollars on bikes, clothes, books, electronics, mp3 players, etc., and suffered one cracked helmet, one broken chain, one destroyed rear derailleur, too many blisters to count, swimmers shoulder, and a broken rib. Actually, i've now broken ribs on 2 occastions!

In short, I love it.

2008 Schedule:

Date Location Travel Race Status Swim Bike Run
May 4 Columbia, MO 323 mi Ultramax Race for Sight Skipped 400m 14mi 3mi
June 1 Cedar Rapids, IA 262 mi Pigman Sprint .5k 25k 5k
June 22 Des Moines, IA 135 mi Hy-Vee Triathlon 1.5k 40k 10k
July 20-26 Iowa RAGBRAI Awesome week!!! 450mi
Aug 2 Innsbrook, MO 383 mi Quartermax 1000y 28mi 6.5mi
Aug 9 Pella, IA 177 mi Dutchman Triathlon 1.5k 40k 10k
Aug 17 Omaha, NE Corporate Cycling Challenge 42mi
Aug 23 Council Bluffs, IA   Black Squirrel Triathlon 1k 21mi 6.2mi
Aug 31 Everywhere Nike+ Human Race 10k
Sep 14 Omaha, NE Bike Masters Fall Century 100mi  
Sep 21 Omaha, NE Corporate Cup Run 10k
Sep 28 Omaha, NE Omaha Marathon  
       

Here is what 2007 is starting to look like:

Date Location Travel Race Status Swim Bike Run
May 6 Columbia, MO 323 mi Ultramax Race for Sight Registered 400m 14mi 3mi
May 28 Omaha, NE Boys Town Memorial Day Run Registered 5 mi
June 9 Norfolk, NE 113 mi YMCA Tri 500y 10mi 2.5mi
June 17 Des Moines, IA 135 mi Hy-Vee Triathlon Registered 1.5k 40k 10k
June 23 Innsbrook, MO 383 mi Quartermax hmm... dri-fit shirt 1000y 28mi 6.5mi
June 23 Pella, IA 177 mi Dutchman Triathlon 1.5k 40k 10k
July 22-28 Iowa RAGBRAI Not likely 500mi
July 28 Papillion, NE Mayor's Triathlon 500m 15mi 3mi
July 29 Lincoln, NE 59 mi Cornhusker State Games 1k 20k 5k
August 19 Omaha, NE Corporate Cycling Challenge 42mi
August 26 Chicago, IL Chicago Triathlon 1.5k 40k 10k
Sept 16 Omaha, NE Corporate Cup Run 10k

2006 was a TOTAL BUST! Due to some unforseen personal problems, I didn't get a single Tri in all year long. I did, however, do 500mi at RAGBRAI, so the year wasn't a total loss from that perspective!

Tentative racing schedule for 2006:

Date Location Travel Race Swim Bike Run
March 25 Lincoln, NE 58mi Run For Your Life 10mi
May 7 Lincoln, NE 58mi Lincoln (Half) Marathon
2005: 02:01:28		 26.2 mi?
13.1 mi? 
June 4 Cedar Rapids, IA 265mi Pigman Sprint 500 m 25 km 5 km
June 11 Innsbrook, MO 386mi Quartermax
2005: 03:16:17		 .6mi 30mi 6.5mi
June 24 Pella, IA 180mi Dutchman Triathlon
2004: 03:12:47
2005: DNF		 1.5km 40km 10km
July 16 Springfield, IL 470mi Iron Abe Quarter .6 mi 28 mi 6.5 mi
July 23 Lincoln, NE 58mi Cornhusker State Games 1km 20km 5km
July 23-29 Iowa RAGBRAI 472mi
Aug 20 Cedar Rapids, IA 265mi Pigman Half 1.2mi 56mi 13.1mi
Aug 21? Omaha, NE 15mi Corporate Cycling Challenge 42mi
Aug 27 Chicago, IL 467mi Chicago Triathlon 1.5km 40km 10km
Sep 18? Omaha, NE 15mi Corporate Cup Run
2005: 0:59:00
 10km

Here is my racing schedule for 2005:

Date Location Race Swim Bike Run
May 1 Columbia, MO Race for sight 300 rd 17.5 mi 3.4 mi
May 1 Lincoln, NE Lincoln Half-Marathon 13.1 mi @ 9:18/mi 
June 5 Cedar Rapids, IA Pigman (did TI instead) 500 m 25 km 5 km
June 25 Pella, IA Dutchman Triathlon
2004: 03:12:47
2005: DNF		 1.5 km 40 km 10 km
July ~21 Lincoln, NE Cornhusker State Games 1 km 21 km 5 km
July 31 Innsbrook, MO Quartermax .6 mi 30 mi 6.5 mi
Aug 21 Gilford, NH Timberman Half Iron 1.2 mi 56 mi 13.1 mi
Aug 21 Omaha, NE Corporate Cycling Challenge 42 mi
Sep 18 Omaha, NE Corporate Cup Run 10km @ 9:30/mi

I highly recommend Carmichael Training Systems if you are in need of an on-line coach. And certainly checkout slowtwitch for great tri information in general.

Check out the story of my first triathlon (yeah, this the pic from '05, but I didn't grab last year's and I don't feel like photoshopping right now...)

Road rash rules!!! This is from a nasty spill I had on August 5, 2004, resulting in a ripped tire, popped tube, broken rib, and cracked helmet. But you should see the sidewalk! (joke)

Thi is my bike... A 2003 Cervelo Dual. I've made a couple upgrades... Shimano 10-speed Ultegra most recently. I also have a Polar 725 and power output system on it.