Monthly Archives: July 2020

Turning too fast and all that garbage

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

A few years back when I was first putting in big miles on my road bike, I came to a turn at the juncture of two semi-rural roads. It had rained slightly that morning. When I leaned into the right … Continue reading →

Posted in bike crash, bike wobble, cycling, cycling the midwest, cycling threats, death | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer running, or not

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

After freshman year in high school cross country, I was set to begin training the summer before sophomore year when a big fat catcher from another baseball team dove on top of me when the third base coach sent me … Continue reading →

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Fools in the pool

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Our fitness center at the Fox Valley Park District has been working hard to provide opportunities for people to return to their facilities for training. The pool was one of the biggest challenges because the health precautions necessary to prevent … Continue reading →

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Keeping your distance while going the distance

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

While setting up transition for the Springfield Olympic distance triathlon this past Saturday, I was greeted by a tall guy parking his bike on the same rail. It was Denny Koonce, a reader of this blog and a solid triathlete. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Cudworth, competition, cycling, half marathon, healthy aging, healthy senior, mental health, racing peak, swimming, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gearing up for an Olympic distance triathlon

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Thus far, my triathlon career has consisted of Sprint and Duathlon races. But last year, my goal was to do a pair of Olympic distance races. Weather, injury and illness intervened to keep me from racing at all in 2109. … Continue reading →

Posted in PEAK EXPERIENCES, race pace, racing peak, training, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Have you ever been underestimated?

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

When my son Evan was perhaps ten years old, he turned to me and said, “Dad, have you ever noticed that when people say “Good for you” they are often being condescending?” Yes, my son understood the meaning of condescension … Continue reading →

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A minute can last a lifetime

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I had a nice conversation yesterday with Craig Virgin, one of America’s greatest distance runners whose 27:29 10K still ranks in the top ten all-time. He was also a three-time Olympian We talked about his book Virgin Territory, which I … Continue reading →

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In memory of Dave Bashaw, a sweet and talented guy

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

A friend of mine from long ago (and still today) sent me the obituary of a fellow runner from a nearby town. His name was Dave Bashaw. Dave was a talented and determined runner from Geneva High School. I competed … Continue reading →

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The smell of asphalt

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Yesterday while working at home the air inside our house started to smell something like mothballs. I walked around trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. Then my wife told me, “It’s the pavers doing the driveway … Continue reading →

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The fine art of leaving old friends behind

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

As a kid growing up in Pennsylvania from the age of five through twelve, I had the best friend ever. We did everything together. Ran around and played everyday. Learned about girls as we grew older, and joined the same … Continue reading →

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