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Iron News Man - Arizona Edition!

By Chris Schauble

| Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 | Updated 7:30 AM PST

Iron News Man

This writing will cover my final day of training and won’t be updated until I return from Ironman Arizona (in Tempe). You can follow my comings and goings on Twitter (@chrisschauble). I’ll be posting pictures and talking about how I feel leading up to the race itself.

I have been preparing for Ironman Arizona for many months. It has been my passion and purpose. My family has been more than understanding while much of my free time has been consumed with training. This time in our lives will never be forgotten!

So, as I head off to Tempe, Arizona, here is my final TrainingPeaks.com schedule from friend and Triathlon Coach Jason Healey:

Ironman Race Week - Thursday (for Sunday Race)

Type: Brick
Brick: Bike and Run with optional swim.

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Bike: 45 to 60 minutes at Race Pace. Include 4 x 90 second hard efforts evenly throughout the entire ride. If you are already in Arizona, this will be a Great chance for you to scope out the bike course.

Run/Walk intervals: 15 to 25 minutes at an easy pace. Include 4 x 90 second hard efforts evenly through the entire run. Allow a 3-minute walk interval between each 90-second work interval.

Optional: If you feel fresh and willing, you may also perform a short 20 to 30 minute easy swim.

Ironman Race Week - Friday (for Sunday Race)
Type: Day Off
Day off: Total Rest Day. Stay off your feet as much as you can today. Take the time to organize your race equipment and mind for Sunday. Try to stay away from the crowds today and perhaps drive the coarse or take in a movie. Also, you may want to start adding a little more salt to your diet for the next couple of days.

I will not fail. I will not allow myself to fail. This journey has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. Hopefully those of you who have followed me realize by now that whatever your dream is, Ironman, a degree perhaps, it IS attainable. All you have to do is want it bad enough!

Click here to read my previous posts.

Also, follow me and our Today in LA team on Twitter!

-Chris

Why blog? To inspire others.

Simply put, two years ago I was overweight! At 6’1” I weighed 252, and wore size 40 pants. Few people really noticed, but I did. In pictures, on TV, I was not happy with my appearance. Covering the 2007 LA Marathon for NBC4 was the last straw. Every picture I was in highlighted just how out of shape I had become.

No more! Since that time, the guy who could barely run around the block has slowly built-up his endurance and completed the 2008 Long Beach International Marathon , 2009 Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, 2009 LA Marathon, and the 2009 Vineman Ironman 70.3.

However, something happened along the way. After my first marathon, I fell into a funk. I asked myself, “Why do you feel such a let-down after a marvelous achievement?” The answer I have since learned from my coaches, I failed to set the “goal beyond the goal”. Thus, my quest for Iron was born!

I’m registered to compete in the Ford Ironman Arizona on November 22nd, 2009. Along the way, I will compete in various road races and triathlons to fuel my passion and push my training along. The intense and at times brutal training will happen after my duties as 4 a.m. to 7a.m. anchor for NBC4 have finished. The sacrifices I will make will be substantial, and for that I thank my beautiful family and friends in advance.

I invite you to share this journey with me.