Iron News Man - November 2, 2009

By CHRIS SCHAUBLE

Updated 9:04 AM PST, Mon, Nov 2, 2009

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So I’m finishing the second 60-mile loop (as part of my 120-mile training ride) Saturday when I come upon a man and a woman on tri-bikes. We give the typical friendly greeting, then, the man asks, “Is this your second loop? I think we saw you before coming the other way.” I said, “Yup, that was me!” I told them I was getting ready for Ironman Arizona and they replied, “See ya there!” Wow! What a small world! Nice to get a reminder that I’m not nuts and my arduous journey is shared by others with a similar passion :)

Reflecting back on my ride Saturday, a few things stand out. First, 13 hours for Ironman Arizona may be a touch ambitious. That’s the goal I set for myself, but it’s going to take an efficient, mistake-free day of racing. I know that I have it in me. However, if I finish closer to 14 hours I will still be proud. Also, starting the short run after I finished my ride Saturday was tougher than I expected. I was truly spent and began questioning how well I fueled myself. Now is the time to work out the bugs, so I’m already planning on consuming more during my Ironman Arizona experience.

Here’s my TrainingPeaks.com schedule for today from Triathlon Coach Jason Healey:

Workout Description:

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Countdown to Ironman

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Ironman Journey

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Triathlon Training

Ride 1 hr (approx 18 miles) on a relatively flat course. Think recovery. Ride in Zone 1 and zone 2 (easy to medium). Maintain a steady and continuous effort. Add in 4 to 5 one-minute sets of one-footer drills (alternate between each leg). Practice smooth circles and try to workout the clunky dead spot in each leg.

I'll use the Santa Clarita Trail for my recovery ride. I’m also going to weight train with Jordan Yuam. In fact, to get most out of both workouts I’ll lift first, and then ride. Jordan should be pleased because my muscles won’t be “flat” from doing cardio first. A recovery ride and a less strenuous day sounds good. I’m still feeling slightly sore from a tough prior week. Still, my enthusiasm for Ironman Arizona is not diminished one bit!

Days until Ironman Arizona: 20!

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-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.