Tri-Umph
As most of you probably don't know, the triathlon bug has caught on inside the UM family. This past Sunday Andy, Ryan, and I raced in the Chicago Accenture Triathlon, the largest triathlon in the world. Needless to say, triathlons and rock 'n roll don't outwardly appear to go hand in hand but I'd argue there a perfect fit.
I started doing triathlons 3 years ago for a slew of reasons, one being to combat the helatious lifestyle that is touring. With many a late night and our fair share of celebratory libations, I think it's safe to say you can all imagine how taxing the days can become on your mind and body. It's easy to find yourself engaged in a state of lethargy, unmotivated by one too many Budweisers the night before. But we are slowly trying to break the traditional mold of your 'average' day in the life. I'm a firm believer that your body wants at least one good sweat every day.
Training comes in all shapes and sizes and could be (is) the subject of a blog of it's own but a typical week may look something like this. Running is by far the easiest and most conducive event to train for on the road. There is virtually nowhere you can't lace up some sneaks and pound the pavement. 2-3 runs a week comprised of various distances and intensities will fill that quota. 2-3 bike rides a week, again varying in distance and workout intensity, can prove slightly more difficult depending on our location but is certainly achievable. Thanks to our truck driver Dave bikes have been easier to tote around this past summer. Swimming is the most elusive event to train for on the road as there isn't a lap pool around every corner. That said, we manage to plot and scheme our way into a variety of YMCA's, local gyms, lakes, oceans, sewers etc. 2 one mile swims a week is a victory during a busy tour. Mix a little yoga and/or strength training in there and you've got yourself a solid plan for finishing a Tri.
After last year's Chicago Triathlon, I emailed the boys to see if I could get a few takers to join in the reindeer games. Sure enough, Ryan and Andy couldn't resist the challenge and got bit by the Tri bug. I know it may sound ridiculous to lots of you but these things are a ton of fun. The feeling of crossing the finish line after months of training is one that I have yet to replicate in any other way. Plus, the multisport lifestyle is a perfect fit for our ADD personalities. Just when you're tired/bored of one discipline, it's time to train for something else.
The Chicago Triathlon comes in two sizes, the sprint distance and the olympic distance. We raced the olympic distance which is a 1500 meter swim (.9 of a mile), followed by a 40 Kilometer bike ride (24.8 miles), and finished with a 10 Kilometer run (6.2 miles). I also would like to give a huge shout out to my wife who raced the sprint distance (no walk in the park) for the first time and actually had a ball doing it. Hopefully, we'll get a few more of the guys in for one of the two distances next year and soon we'll have our own race team, Tri-umph!
Day breaks over Lake Michigan as the first wave of swimmers hits the water. Alarm clock frequently goes off around 3:45 am on race day!
Reaching for the ripcord on my wetsuit as I head towards the transition area.
Could this guy be having any more fun? (Especially given that he stepped on a nail 2 days before the race!)
Ryan, Andy, & I at the finish line.
