My game plan for 2010

Tonight I finally received my 2009 Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge Shirt. About friggin time. Its a nice blue long sleeve tech shirt. It has the total miles from each race listed I did that weekend. Which I guess is reason why I’m blogging tonight. Well, not the real reason but it makes a nice segway for what I’m about to talk about.

In 2009 I ran the Illinois Marathon; raced the Harbor Lights Sprint Triathlon, coached the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon; Raced the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge; rode the Apple Cider Century Ride; and coached mile 5 of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon . Let;s not forget that I’m running the Schaumburg half marathon Turkey Trot at the end of the month. It’s been a great year. I’ve enjoyed allot of memories with friends and new friends alike.

So how do I top all of this for 2010? I’ve asked myself the same question this past week. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know I’ve been  struggling with the idea to sign up for a Ironman. After consulting with friends and Team in Training Triathlon Coaches I’ve decided to wait for 2011 to do the the Madision, WI Ironman.

So this is my plan 2010. I’m assuming nothing earth shattering happens in my life.
2010 will be themed OMG…My Last Year in my Twenties. Or something catchy like that. I’m up for suggestions.

Anywho…


February 28 (The Day after I turn 29) – I’ll be running my seventh marathon in the Rock And Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. Louisiana will be my sixth state I’ve run a marathon in.


Early June – I plan to race the Olympic Distance Elkhart Triathlon. My goal is to beat my 2007 Chicago Olympic Triathlon time.My 2009 time was slower because I ran out of gas on the run.


July 31 – I’ll be racing the Whrirlpool 70.3 Ironman in Benton Harbor, MI. After doing the Triple I’m ready for a Half Ironman! My goal will be to finish all 70.3 miles strong. More info later on this.


September 12 – Volunteer for Ford Ironman in Madision, WI. This way I’ll learn some new tricks and register for the 2011 race.


Mid November – Race in El Tour De Tuscon. My goal will be to finish under 6 hours and get the gold medal. After July 31 I’ll be focusing on everything to get to that finish line under 6.

Of course some sprint triathlons, a 8K race here and there, and a few bike rides will slip in the cracks. The above are my major events planned.

As I said before I’m going to sign up for the 2011 WI Ironman this September in person. By doing it this way I’ll save a few dollars. According to Bill Snyder, the Team In Training head triathlon coach, my schedule and all athletic events will be planned around my training for the Ironman. That’s something I’ll worry about next December. 2011 is tentatively themed “Crap I’m 30…Now What?”

My question for every now is…Who’s going to be partying with me in Mardi Gras this February? FYI, I’m brining lots of purple and green beads to the race!

Finally a video from the 2009 Chicago Tri Triple Challenge

I finally had a little time and I put together a little video of my experience in the 2009 Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge. Take a look and enjoy.

Overall Triple Challenge Results

The overall results for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge are finally posted.

Take a look at my results:

• Clock Times: 5:11:33
• Overall Place – 45/89
• Gender Place – 39/71
• Super – 00:42:31
• Sprint – 01:26:49
• International – 3:02:13

I’m happy with those.

Life after the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge.

I completed the Chicago Triple Challenge. 68 miles of swimming, cycling, and running in one weekend. Anyway here is the breakdown of all three races.

Super Sprint Wave #18 starting at 8:20 AM
375 M Swim, 10 K Bike, 2.5 K Run

• Bib # 11767
• Clock Time: 00:42:31
• Overall Place: 63 / 707
• Gender Place: 59 / 324
• Division Place: 17 / 76
• Swim: 00:08:45
• Bike: 00:20:29
• Run: 00:13:15
• Swim rank: 165
• Bike rank: 57
• Mph: 18.1
• Run rank: 51
• Pace: 00:08:33

In short I felt great and rocked it out. It was soo short it was too easy. Another Triple challenger told me in conversation that the bike part was hard because it had three loops and you lost so much time turning around. I kind of agree with that. The water was a little cold but it was so short it didn’t matter. Water temp was like 63 degrees.

Sprint Distance – Wave #1 starting at 6:00 AM
.75 K Swim, 22 K Bike, 5 K Run

• Bib #: 304
• Clock Time: 01:26:49
• Overall Place: 154 / 2304
• Gender Place: 129 / 1248
• Division Place: 24 / 204
• Swim: 00:16:51
• Trans1: 00:03:40
• Bike: 00:39:34
• Trans2: 00:02:30
• Run: 00:24:13
• Swim rank: 235
• Bike rank: 119
• Mph: 20.7
• Run rank: 321
• Pace: 00:07:48

This portion was probably my best sprint triathlon ever. I felt so good after the sprint. I thought I would PR the international too. The water was warmer then the air. I had so much adrenaline pumping I didn’t care. As for the pace I didn’t feel I was going all out. I found out I was wrong during the run portion of the International. One of my favorite parts was when I came out of the swim I took off my swim cap and I saw my Dad cheering for me. For those of you who don’t know my Dad is my inspiration and one of the reasons I keep pushing myself to raise money for cancer and my body to new limits.

International Distance: Wave 45 starting at 9:12 AM
1.5 K Swim, 40 K Bike, 10 K Run

• Bib #: 7350
• Clock Time: 03:02:13
• Overall Place: 2144 / 4243
• Gender Place: 1760 / 2951
• Division Place: 328 / 543
• Swim: 00:31:10
• Trans1: 00:03:22
• Bike: 01:19:02
• Trans2: 00:02:21
• Run: 01:06:18
• Swimrank: 1123
• Bikerank: 1641
• Mph: 19.2
• Runrank: 3476
• Pace: 00:10:41

Looking back at my times in the Chicago Triathlon 2007 (My first triathlon ever and international distance too) I improved upon everything but the run. The run was my down fall. My swim, transitions, and bike times all improved. You could tell I ran out of steam when I went from an 8-9 minute pace (looking at all my triathlons) to a 10:41 pace. During the run I had to power walk miles 2 and 3 and do intervals for the last half. I was so hungry at that point. Maybe if I ate another Gu or had peanut butter sandwich at transition things would have been different. I was planning on doing 5:1 run/walk intervals but my body told me I had to slow down.

All in all I was happy with my times. I expected myself to finish the sprint distance around 1:30:00 hours and the international in 3:00:00 hours. I did three triathlons in one weekend, something I’ve never done in my life. I’m extremely proud of myself and that fact. All I can do is learn and aim higher. Next year I have my eyes sighted on competing in a half Iron Man. Time, life, and god willing.

It was great seeing so many friends, family and teammates from Team in Training along the way. My mom saw me finish the International race. Some of my marathon participants cheered me on. I raced along my triathlon coaches Brian and Bill. The marathon coaches body marked me and cheered me along the way. It was such a great experience. Plus since I had green hair with a purple mohawk a lot people said they loved the hair. On top of that everyone was able to see me coming a mile a away because of the hair.

The times don’t really matter either. The most important thing is that I raised over $1,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That money is now being used to help find cures for cancers. Hopefully some day the children suffering from a blood cancer today can compete in a triathlon in the future.

Be on the look out for my You Tube Videos about my Triple Challenge Experience.

Here is a link on Facebook with all the pictures I took over the weekend. More will be added as friends send pictures to me.

Here is one about all the pre race stuff:

P.S. you can still make a donation and help me reach my fundraising goal of $2,000 but donating at http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/chitri09/rdobroski

GO TEAM!

Training & Fundrasing Update

I wanted to give everyone an update on my fundraising efforts the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and training efforts for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge.

Fundraising Updates

I’ve decided to raise my goal to $2,200 but I’m still stuck at $600. Here are ways you can help me reach my goal to raise $2,00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society:

1. Come to my fundraiser party at Pump It Up Glenview on Sunday August 9^th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
   $15 for kids and $10 for adults. Pizza, Soda and 1.5 hours of bouncing fun!
2. Donate your old cell phones and a company will then recycle them and will make a donation the LLS
3. Donate a $1 and vote on the color of my hair for race day. So far I’m having Purple Hair. Make a donation at http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/chitri09/rdobroski to choose your favorite choice.

Training Update:

For the past two weeks I’ve been busy with summer camp and Team in Training Winter Season Recruitment. My trainings in the middle of the week have been suffering.

I’ve also need to buy new running shoes for general use. I’m doing a lot of walking at camp and my shins have been aching. It’s a sign I need to buy new shoes. I’ve barely broken in my last running shoes that I use to workout with.

I’ve have been able to keep up my long distances on the weekends fortunately. This Sunday I will be racing in the Harbor Lights Sprint Distance Triathlon in Waukegan, IL.

• 1/2-mile swim with a beach start and finish in Lake Michigan
• A 13.2-mile bike on a closed and flat course
• A 4-mile run that includes a stretch down beautiful tree-lined Sheridan Road

Wish me luck this Sunday. As a pre race treat I’m eating out at a Pasta joint then seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince this Saturday night. If you want to join me Saturday contact me! I love company.

I could of used S.A.G. Today

Today I was going to ride on my bike for 50 minutes then go on a 15 minutes run as part of my training for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge.  I took  my usual route from my house in Buffalo Grove towards Deer Park and Long Grove. Well, at 7.8 miles into it my tire blew.  Which is fine…or so I thought.

My spare tire had the wrong type of valve. I was able to change the tube. When I tried using my compressed air to fill the tube I broke the valve on the tire.  

I realized I forgot my cell phone. So I couldn’t call any one.

So I put my bike on my shoulder and started walking home. I saw a Dicks Sporting Goods on Rand Road in Deer Park. They had bike tire tubes!!!! I thought I was saved. But  I only had $5 on me. The tubes were $6.99 a piece. So I continued to walk home. 

My total experience was 2 hours and 25 minutes long

So what did I learn?

• I’m a dumbass for not picking up the right tire tube
• Always bring a cell phone 
• Pack more air canisters or carry a hand pump
• Carry more then $5 on a bike ride

You want to ask me, “Bobby, you  had $5 why not go use a pay phone and call a friend or your parents to pick you up?”

Answer: I am very stubborn and have too much pride. Plus It was a nice day so I didn’t want to bother any body. I probobly wouldn’t of called any one even if I had my cell phone.

Chaulk this story to one of those training stories to tell people what not to do. 

Tri Training Update

I wanted to write a quick update on my training for the Chicago Triathlong Triple Challge and fundrasing efforts for the Leukeima and Lymphoma Society. 

So far I have raised $579 for the The Leukeima and Lymphoma Society!

People who donate get to vote on the color of my hair on race day. After you donate I will send you a link to vote. Not everyone has voted so far. Right now it looks like I will have purple hair. Make a donation at http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/chitri09/rdobroski and get your vote in.

Remember I’m also selling performace dry wicking shirts that say “Your Pace or Mine” for $30. They come in Men loose fit blue or ladies fit pink. The deadline to Order is June 1st. Download a form for the shirts here.

As for training it’s going really good. I just did my first Team In Training Tri Team Swim last night in Highland Park. Wednesdays will be my rest day. Tommrow I’m going on a 45 minute bike ride. The short bike rides are killing me. After training for El Tour de Tucson any thing under 20 miles, or one hour, is too short. 

My running is going really well. Since I got a garmin watch it’s been telling me I’ve be running at a 8:00 to 8:30 pace. Some day I hope I can keep that pace up for longer distances and for race day but well see. 

Kick Off and a Bike Ride

I had a really productive weekend:

On Saturday I ran 5.8 miles by my house in Buffalo Grove before I headed over to York High School for the Fall Season Kick Off of Team In Training. We all had a blast. For me I was kicking off two things…

1)The official start of me coaching for the Chicago Marathon, Rock And Roll Chicago Half Marathon, and Nike’s Women Half & Full Marathon. I even got to lead the the rally cry for the Marathon Team. I met allot of the participants. I’m really excited for the season.

2) It was the start of my Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge Training. Training for this is going to be tough on me. I have to balance a 11 to 12 hour a day job, fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and marathon coaching.

Speaking of fundraising, it is going really well. Since the release of my You Tube Video last Sunday I have received $353!! Some donations came from people who just saw the video who live in Pittsburgh, Arizona, & California!

Thank you everyone that has donated. As for the color of my hair so far I’m having green hair with a purple stripe down the middle is winning. Remember a $1 donation gets you 1 vote on the color of my hair. You get a thank you e-mail with a link telling you where to vote after I received your donation. ($20 gets you 20 votes)

Please keep passing the link along to everyone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDqenRDR6M). Please post it on your blogs, your Facebook profiles, twitter profiles, etc.

As for today, me a Steve B., From The cycle Team, rode 41 miles on the 62″ish” mile course of the Blood, Sweat, & Tears Bike Ride (BST) that’s happens on Sunday, June 22. There is a 5 mile Family Fun Course, a 25 mile course, 45 mile course, or 62 miles course. It starts in Highland Park Train Station and is $35 for adults and $10 for people under 16.

If you want to train for the BST Ride, The Team in Training Cycle Program is holding a fundraising program. The goal is $250 per person. For more info e-mail tnt@tntillinois.org.

Did you see my You Tube Video about Fundrasing $2000 for LLS and Team In Training?

I made a little You Tube video about my fundrasing efforts for the Leukima and Lymphoma Society and my training for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge. 

After you watch my video, donate a $1 and pass the link on to your friends. 

Your Pace or Mine? Performance T-Shirt $30 – All profits go to Cancer Research!

Do you need a work out shirt that will grab everyone’s attention? Do you need a shirt that asks the opposite sex “Your pace or mine” while you are out of breath? For $30 you can wear this logo in a Men’s Blue loose fit or Pink Women’s Fit Performance Technical Shirt from alo.

All profits Go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Download your order form! Order’s due by June 1st.

Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Every ten minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma (www.LLS.org). This summer I’m racing in the Chicago Triathlon       Triple Challenge and raising $2,000 for cancer victims    as member of Team in Training. Make a $1 donation and help victims of cancer!

T-shirts made by the help of Proforma Clothes