Goodbye 2006 - Hello 2007

For me, the 2006 triathlon season came to an end last Sunday at the Mid-East Regional Triathlon Championship. And, what a year it was.

2006 In Review

January through March was a great base building period with 50 mile running weeks, lots of cycling in January, spin class Tuesdays and Saturdays (with a Saturday brick run), and trail runs every Sunday. The base period was capped off with an endurance testing off-road duathlon. Scott, Tom, Steve, Dennis, Tom and I all completed the 8 mile trail run, 16 mile mountain bike and 8 mile trail run. We were ready for the season.

April started the Sunday morning tri rides, the Wednesday evening Fast rides and more regular pool swims. As the season wore on, we added Saturday swim/run bricks at Ohio Street Beach and speed workouts at the Hickory Creek track.

The results?

1. Training with great friends!
2. Fun!
3. More training with great friends!
4. More Fun!
5. A great season of races!

The Races?

Galena Triathlon -- 2nd in age group
Tri-Shark Triathlon -- 3rd in age group
MetLife Duathlon -- 3rd in age group
Lifetime Fitness Tri -- 1st in age group
USAT Mid-East Regional -- 4th in age group

I sincerely believe that 98% of the fun in triathlon is the training, and the other 2% is the measure of how much fun we had. Based on the results, this season was a BLAST!

I know I may never have another season like this one, but I will also never forget it. Thanks to Scott, Tom, Pam, Keri, Tom, Steve, Dennis, Michelle, Demetrius, Gerry, Gil, Rick, Bill, Craig and everyone else that helped to make 2006 so much fun

2007 Preview

Technically, the 2007 triathlon training does not begin until after the Scenic 10 on Labor Day. However, starting on September 5th, the 2007 season will be broken into 4 segments, each with a primary goal:

The Running Period: September through November:

The main focus is on running and improving overall pace/speed. It is also probably time to join the masters swim program for laying a better swim base going into 2007. Cycling will be for pure enjoyment, hopefully including several of the nice Fall centuries. The running period will conclude with the Running For Kicks Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.

The Base Period: December through March:

The main focus is base training with high running mileage, spin class, masters swimming, trail runs and mountain biking. The base period will conclude with the 2nd Annual Swallow Cliff Trail Duathlon.

The Speed Period: April through July:

The speed period will focus on maximizing speed in the swim, bike and run, and putting them altogether into the spring races. The speed period will conclude with the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis.

The Distance Period: Mid-July through September 9th:

The distance period is all about the conclusion:
IRONMAN WISCONSIN 2007!
Time Goal = None.
Fun Goal = Finish with a smile

Who's in?

Landis, Zabriske, Vande Velde and Stensland!

It was a great weekend for some final training as we are all closing in on our final races of the season. It was also a great weekend to meeting some of the greatest endurance athletes in the world, thanks to Robbie Ventura and his Vision Quest Coaching service.


Floyd Landis, me and Dave Zabriske


Floyd Landis, Scott and Dave Zabriske


Christian Vande Velde


Jessi Stensland

Yep - damn great weekend!