Monthly Archives: September 2020

Confessions of a crap bike mechanic

I was always a crap bike mechanic, but as a kid, I couldn’t resist trying to convert my big frame bike into a Sting Ray. Somehow I came into possession of a set of handlebars and put them on my … Continue reading

Posted in bike crash, cycling, cycling the midwest, cycling threats | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

3Disciplines and a trail of joy

The folks at 3Disciplines deserve thanks for putting on a well-organized, safe and interesting triathlon event in the Muncie, Indiana area. Communications in advance of the race were clear and helpful. Event registration was simple and quick, even with the … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 13.1, running, swimming, trail running, tri-bikes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Why you can’t trust your devices for every decision on training

Yesterday I ran an easy seven miles through a forest preserve and back. It was warm out again, so I didn’t run hard. When I got back home and saved the workout on my Garmin Fenix, the data was shared … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 13.1, competition, cross country, race pace, swimming, training, training for a marathon, TRAINING PEAKS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Skin checks, the Big C and the body politic

This morning I visited the dermatologist for an annual skin check. My father had skin cancer and it’s nothing to mess around with. The sight of his bald head ground down to red patches is enough reminder to get my … Continue reading

Posted in aging is not for the weak of heart, death, diet, evangelical Christianity, game of chicken, life and death | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is there anybody out there?

I guess I’m Old School in more ways than one. Not only do I train with relatively little hydration, preferring to stop for sips rather than haul water around with me, I also avoid wearing earbuds while out running or … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A run of luck with Glen Kamps

This morning I met up to run with one of the leading personalities of the Illinois running world. That would be Glen Kamps. We go back a long ways to the early 80s when he was first working for Dick … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 13.1, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, cross country, half marathon, marathon, race pace, racing peak, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why I’m not an RRCA coach…

A few years back, I signed up for a Road Runners Club of America coaching clinic over in Michigan. I hosted an art exhibition of my own work the Friday night before leaving for the clinic. Gathering up my stuff … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 400 workouts, competition, cross country, race pace, running | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Transfer of excellence

While many of my peers are retiring or planning to do so in the near future, I have no plans to retire for another ten years or so. There are many reasons for that having to do with career shifts … Continue reading

Posted in aging, Christopher Cudworth, college, competition, Depression, mental health, PEAK EXPERIENCES, racing peak, swimming, training, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Useful takeaways from a triathlete’s first 70.3 Half Ironman

Five years ago, standing on top of the spiral parking ramp by the Madison Hilton, I watched the start of the Wisconsin Ironman race in which my wife Sue was competing. She had a decent go of it that first … Continue reading

Posted in 13.1, bike accidents, bike crash, bike wobble, Christopher Cudworth, climbing, competition, cycling the midwest, duathlon, half marathon, healthy aging, IRONMAN, marathon, running, swimming, training, training for a marathon, tri-bikes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons, We Run and Ride Every Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What a wild ride we’re all really on

On a cool, clear weekend west of Madison, Wisconsin, a group of us gathered at Governor Dodge State Park in early September of 2012. Our plan was to camp out, ride the Wright Stuff Century (or thereabouts) and float down … Continue reading

Posted in bike crash, bike wobble, Christopher Cudworth, cycling, cycling the midwest | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments