The Road to the Ironman – The Naperville Tri

Well folks believe it or not I am entering the final stretch. It really doesn’t seem to long ago that I started this goal. 35 days, or one month and 5 days for the right to brag for the rest of my life.

The Naperville Triathlon officially marks the home stretch. I like this triathlon because it is close, I don’t have to leave at 2 am to get there and there is no overnight hotel expense. This was my 4th year doing it and it amazing how many people I know. In a major way that is more important than my results because it is nice to see people embracing a healthier and fitter lifestyle. Many remind me of who I was a short 4 years ago. I encourage anyone to come down a watch one of these events. Believe it or not the majority of people are not the uber-triathletes that think their poop doesn’t smell. Most are people like you and me. We just want to do our best, enjoy a great morning with fellow like minded people. You will be amazed on how many shapes and sizes you will see at a race like this.

To all my friends (many 1st timers or people who have come back to the sport) congrats and welcome to the tri family. I hope you catch the bug like me and enjoy the benefits of this sport. I am proud to be a small part of your experience and I hope you encourage more to join our journey.

OK now onto the results:

• 2009 1:20:22
• 2008 1:20:31
• 2007 1:29:40

This year 1:18:29, it is hard to believe I have taken more than 10 minutes off my time since my 1st race. So did I win? No, the winner was somewhere near the 58 minute mark, so I have a ways to go. I did finish 336 out of 1593 overall, 39 out of 120 in my age group, 283 out of 889 in the male category and 9 out of 31 44-year olds (I know I am only 43, but that is how it works.)

• Swim – 8:42 slower than last year, but they actually made it a 400 meter course this year versus the guessing they have done in years past. It needs to be a 1:30 faster.
• Transition 1 (T1)  - 3:31 a few seconds better. It could easily be a minute faster.
• Bike – 39:08 or 21.0 mph or same as last year. It is possible to take a few minutes off the race, just by going 22 mph.
• T2  -1:42 and I am OK with that, actually a few seconds faster than last year.
• Run – 25:29 or 8:14 minute miles. Now to the non-runner that might seem pretty good, but the run continues to be my weakness. I was almost three minutes faster this year, but I continue to get past by so many people running under 8 minute miles. So if I could take another minute off this time that would be great.

So if you add it up and if I improve for next year’s race I hope to take 6 minutes and 30 seconds off my time and I believe I get bumped up to the 45-49 age group (man that is sad) I would finish 175 overall and 19 in my age group. Little improvements really move you up the ladder. We will see.

For now everything is focused on the Ironman! As mentioned 35 days. One last big week of training and a slow taper for three weeks until the big day. That does not mean I stop swimming, biking and running, I just cut the milage back week by week.

As usual I continue to put out the invitation for people to come up and see this event. Not just because I would enjoy the support, but you will see things that will amaze you. I understand this will be a day or two out of your busy schedules but if I think back to last year when I volunteered I witnessed things that were life changing and if not life changing definitely inspirational. The day starts early at 7 am and will go all the way to midnight. So yes it will be a long day and you might need to get a hotel for a night or two, but it is worth it. There are only a few moments in one’s life that we as humans forget about politics, religion, race, sex and so on and simply enjoy life and this is one of those moments!

Totals:

Running Miles: 673.40

Number of Hours: 102:40

New shoes: 163.10 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,630.00

Number of Hours: 94:55

Swimming Miles: 72.23 miles or 127,120 yards

Number of Hours: 30:25

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 4,918 lengths or 2,459 laps

Weightlifting hours: 25:35

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 268 hours and 25 minutes