Races here we come

This post will be a mix on some training thoughts, politics, and finally a race schedule!! I’m sure many of you watch “Celebrity Apprentice.” One of the characters on that show is Rod Blowhardovich, the former governor of Illinois. I find it hard to watch that show since Blowhard is responsible for the fiscal crisis that lies in this state. The man goes on trial soon, and if there is any justice in the world, he will be locked up for a long time. Anyway to current events, our neighborhood school district is owed $12.5 million from the state, but is still required to educate our students to the highest level possible or face sanctions from the feds (thanks NCLB). Funding for education at the state level in Illinois is perhaps the most ass backwards operation in the world. So, demand that education be funded fully in your state, and stop the legislators from raiding general school and pension funds!! Off my soap box now……

4/11 SuperFrog Half
5/1 Peanut Butter Duathlon
6/6 Kansas 70.3
6/13 Batavia Triathlon
6/27 Big Foot Triathlon
7/19 Racine 70.3
8/29 Ironman Louisville
9/11 Lake Geneva Half Iron
11/6 Ironman Florida

This year, I have the opportunity to race during the month of April, which for a Midwesterner is quite early. I normally don’t begin to race long course until early June, racing SuperFrog Half Ironman in April will be a shock to the system. It brings me to some thoughts I had today when running. As an early race, I have no real idea of how my body will react to getting back to racing. So, as a result, we have been doing some specific training beginning a few weeks ago. While usually, I’d be knee deep in some serious base training, we’ve added some specific raced paced intervals to my long rides. I’ve been doing some 20-30 minute intervals around 280 watts, which I think is about the target wattage I’d like to ride at SuperFrog. All of you out there preparing for an early season race may benefit from doing some specific race intensity training. It could be adding some short, hard efforts during your long run or doing some 100’s in the pool at threshold. To prepare your body for racing, you must do some race specific intensities to “tune up” before heading to the start line. Happy training!!

SJI