2012 Calendar of Events

As I reflect on last year and finalize plans for 2012, I think back to an episode of NBC’s Biggest Loser (season 12). John (the eventual winner) was having an ah-ha moment which triggered one
of my own. Dolvett (Quince),
John’s trainer, was trying to get John to understand that he needs to
appreciate the Journey he is on or he’ll end up right back where he
started. John is definitely a type A personality. He has to be in
control and is so focused on getting to the finals that he is missing
out on the self-discovery process which will be the glue that will
sustain the physical transformation that is occurring. Dolvett was
partially successful, but based on John’s game-play actions later in the
episode, I think there is still work to be done. Bob (Harper),
discussing John with Vinny (another contestant on the show), stated that
John will put every pound he loses back on due to his one-mindedness.

As
I watched, I thought back on my own personal journey. The Biggest Loser
(online) played a big part in my lifestyle change. I think back to
June 2005, I was still smoking a pack+ per day and was ~70 pounds
overweight. And even though that image is still very clear, it seems a
million miles away. But is it really? Have I really learned the life
lessons along the way? Or am I so focused on the end-point that I’m
missing it? And now, only a few inches from ending up in the ditch on
the side of the road in a steaming heap, I wonder…

Am
I really that different than John? I can, at times, be very
one-minded. I have a tendency to grab on to things and not let go; maybe
even borderline OCD. When living an unhealthy lifestyle, I did so
with great passion…

The reality is that nothing worth having in life comes easy or without constant focus and commitment. My yogi reminds me; ‘How you do anything is how you do everything”.

Pause and reflect….

Whether you subscribe to the whole Mayan 2012 prophecy or not, welcome to 2012 and the new year! New year, with new goals, hopes, desires, opportunities, and challenges. 2012 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting year. My son Christopher (Cheese) and his fiance (Elisabeth) are planning a September wedding! I’m so very happy for them and I wish for them nothing but the best that life has to offer!

This will also be the first year since 2008 with no full distance triathlon in the schedule. For the past three seasons I have had ‘that race’ in September as my Capstone event. It has been a challenge puting together a schedule without that as my anchor. I have not run my last full distance race and I will be there to cheer on friends and to volunteer. This year’s schedule will feature the RUN. With two marathons and two 50K distance events as the featured events,the year will take us to many new venues with some stops at some of my favorites. So without further adieu, here is the 2012 calendar of events; hope you enjoy the ride!

2012 Charity Challenge Indoor Track Events
Charities Challenge Mission: To Improve Health/Fitness, Reduce Health Risks, and Enhance Disease Management via Goal-oriented RxExercise Training Education Programs, Engaging Events Active Community Partnerships. Because…There is NO CURE for all the ills associated with lack of exercise except RxExercise!

Wow! Way outside my comfort zone. Track meets…really?
Well someone once said; If you want to run fast you have to train fast. So starting last November I started training with a group of like- minded friends at the University of Wisconsin River Falls on a 200M indoor track. The track meets started in December, with a total of five meets during the winter, all hosted at Bethel University. Three meets down with two more in February, it has been fun and I hope it pays off later in the year.

website: http://www.charitieschallenge.org/

29 January 2012

University of Minnesota Aquatic Center

It has been a couple of years since we participated in a USMS Swim Meet. I challenged my daughter Alexandra $10 for each event she beats me in. She has a meet on Saturday where she will swim three of the same events I will swim on Sunday. Honestly, I have little chance, since she has PR’s in most of the events that are way out of my league. So I think it is more of a challenge for me than for her. I plan to swim the 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 Free events. A lot of swimming in a morning meet, but what the heck, it should be fun.
website:http://www.minnesotamasters.com/

04 February 2012
Yukon Days – Run and Snowshoe
6 Mile and 3 Mile Run on White Bear Lake

Not exactly sure what I was thinking when I registered for this event and really not sure about what to expect or how to preapre. You see, the runs will take place on White Bear Lake; yep, not around the lake, or near the lake, but on the lake. Hope there is plenty of ICE!

website: http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/yukon-days-run-and-snowshoe-pick-your-distance

07 April 2012

Half Marathon – 13.1 mile run
Bald Eagle Lake Park

White Bear Lake, MN

A Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Fun Run. Proceeds from Camp WannaRunAMileorMore help pay for special needs kids to attend Young Life Summer Camps.

The half marathon course is challenging and scenic. The venue is beautiful and the field is intimate and competitive. There is good support and is for a great cause. It also gives me an early season look at where my training is and is a good warm-up for the 50K run in a couple of more weeks.

website: http://www.trifitnesswbl.com

28 April 2012
50K Trail Run
Ice Age Trail
New Auburn, WI.

This will be our second trip to New Auburn. Last year was amazing, very challenging, and I’m looking forward to going for a new PR at this distance, 50K =
31.0685596 miles. This is a very challenging trail run, with most of the course being single track trail.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail
is a thousand-mile footpath – entirely within Wisconsin – that
highlights Ice Age landscape features while providing access to some of
the state’s most beautiful natural areas. The trail is maintained by an army of volunteers.

website: http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/chippewa-50k-and-10k-trail-run

06 May 2012
100 Mile Ride
Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride

Lakeville, MN

This event has become a staple of my early season cycle training. This will be our fourth consecutive trip to Lakeville in early May. It has proven to be one of the most challenging events, primarily because of the amazing weather we have experienced; rain, snow, hail, thunderstorms, hurricane force winds, and extreme windchill. I would like to say that you never know what to expect, but the reality is, you know exactly what to expect, Mother Nature at her best!

website: http://ironmanbikeride.org

12 May 2012
3 Mile Run / 14 Mile Bike / 3 Mile Run
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Oakdale, MN

This
early season event is a good kick-off to the multi-sport year. The race
is well attended and a lot of the big guns are out to test their off
season training. Front Runner Events, the event sponsor, does a good job.It
is a well organized event and has good support. And there are hot dogs and Classic Ruffle chips when you’re done!

website: http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/oakdale-spring-classic-duathlon

03 June 2012
Olympic Distance Triathlon

Buffalo, MN

Probably my favorite race of the season. This year there is BIG news! Alexandra (my daughter) and two of her friends, Peyton and Maddy, are doing the Olympic distance race as a relay! The team, ‘Triple Threat’, will be coached by G4 Endurance Racing owner Coach T! Go Triple Threat!

Personally, I have a big star around this race. With road repairs now complete, which made the bike very challenging last year, the bike will be fast on the smooth roads around Lake Buffalo. I plan to go deep and push for a new PR.

website: http://www.tribuff.com

16 June 2012
Marathon – 26.2 mile run
Duluth, MN

Definitely
on the list of favorite events. This year Grandma’s celebrates its 36th
Anniversary, and it will be our 6th trip to the north shore of Lake Superior. The
26.2 mile run from Two Harbors to Duluth is beautiful, with breathtaking views of the largest of the five Great Lakes. This event will
always hold a special place in my endurance heart as my first Marathon.

Last year we ran very well here and it will be a tall order to lower last year’s PR. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

website: http://grandmasmarathon.com

07 July 2012

50 K Trail Run
Afton State Park
Afton, MN

Last year we did the 25 K, which had to be moved to Afton Alps Ski Area due to the MN Government shutdown. The course last year was run primarily on single track MTB trails. The original course, which I hope we get to run this year, is in the state park, and is a mixture of cross country ski trails, hiking trails, and single track trails. Living a short 7 miles west of the park entrance, I hope to train on the same trails which I’ll race. My biggest fear is the potential for extreme heat. July weather in MN can be extreme. I remember a Fourth of July a few years ago when the high temperature for the day was a scorching 105 F. Le’ts hope for something a bit more moderate.

website: http://aftontrailrun.com/50km-info/

15 July 2012
International Distance Triathlon
1/2 mile Swim, 21 mile Bike, 5.3 mile Run
Annandale, MN

A new event on this years schedule. This would typically be the weekend that we would make our way to Door County for the 70.3 Triathlon at Egg Harbor. Alexandra is leaving on the 14th for a mission trip to West Virginia. Charlene and I will pack up the car, drop Alexandra off for her long bus ride, and head west to Annandale for a little camping getaway. Although we have not been there I have heard nothing but nice things about this small midwestern MN town. With a strong downtown retail area I’m looking forward to a couple of relaxing days with my wonderful wife.

website: http://www.holtri.org/

12 August 2012
70.3 Distance Triathlon
1.2 mile Swim, 56 mile Bike, 13.1 mile Run
Wisconsin Dells

The classic half. I’m so excited about this venue. This is a new race for the Rev3 brand. An inaugural event, by a veteran organization. I’ve struggled a bit with how commercial and expensive Ironman events have become. I guess you can’t blame them; it seems regardless of what the price is, people pay. It is nice to have some alternatives with Rev3 and HITS now becoming major players in the triathlon market space. Don’t get me wrong, these events are still expensive, but competition at least provides the consumer with some alternatives.

The swim will take place at the Tommy Bartlett Show arena and will provide spectators with stadium seating for the swim.

My brother was able to book their time share, Wyndham Vacation Resort – Tamarack, so I’m looking forward to spending a few days with him and the family.

website: http://rev3tri.com/wisconsin/news/

07 October 2012
Marathon – 26.2 Miles
Twin Cities, MN

After a three year hiatus from this fall classic, we will return for our third TCM Marathon. The spectacular and challenging course is point to point and runs from the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis to the State Capital in St. Paul.

This is another event with a big star on the calendar. It will hopefully showcase the focused effort on my run training for the year.

website: https://www.tcmevents.org/events/

Other 2012 events include: