Congratulations to everyone that entered and finished the Warrensburg Triathlon!!!! It was a very tough day...very hot and windy...conditions that I have not trained in much during our mild summer. It was a very well run event...athletes started showing up at 8 and you caould tell that several of the first timers where very nervous (i was one of them) After we all got our body ink we were ready to start. I was number 15 so that ment I was the 15th in the pool. Once I got in the pool I new I was in trouble...I was going to fast for me...my swim time was a full minute faster than any of my practice swims...that usually is not a problem but I still had to bike and swim...the wind killed me on the bike...plus I threw a chain and had to fix it...once I got the run I was gassed...I kept moving and finished in 1:36:09....It was the hardest thing I have ever done...My next triathlon will be in April in Emporia Kansas...can't wait...

Well here it is ...the night before the big event. I've done everything I can do now I guess we will see what happens. I have laid out my transition stuff so I will pack it up in the morning and try to get there at about 8 a.m. I will have a small breakfast..maybe a bagel with peanut butter...I guess I better get some rest...i am a little nervous...I will post results and pictures after the event.

ISN'T SOMEBODY SUPPOSE TO PICK UP THE ROAD KILL...I HAVE RUN AND RIDEN PAST THE SAME DAMN POSSOM FOR TWO WEEKS...IT STINKS.... This weekend I think I had some great workouts...I ran on Friday and went hard for 3 miles and then intervals for 1 mile..it was going to be my last hard run until race day but today (sunday) I went what I thought was fast for 3miles...you cant call my running fast when I get passed by a lady pushing a double baby stroller...not only did she pass me but she flew by me. Saturday was a standard 10 mile bike ride...just to stay in bike shape...oh and I swam on Friday morning. So here is how it's going to go...My swim will take me 9 to 10 minutes (this is slow in case you were wondering) so I will be one of the last people out of the pool. I will need to hurry in my transition to bike...I feel like the bike may be my strongest event...I plan on making my move during the bike portion...I will then transition to the run...who ever I pass on the bike will pass me on the run. I plan on tappering off my work outs this week while getting ready for Saturday. Bike ride on Monday...run tuesday and swim/run wednesday....off on thursday and friday and Saturdays the big day. Pace will be the big key for me on Saturday...I can't get caught up in the faster runners...man I hope I dont suck....

It's hard to belive but the Warrensburg Triathlon is a week from Saturday...I have trained hard, I have done two-a-days...I have done brick training (swim to bike) and things have gone well. Today I did the full triathlon just to see if I could do it. I impressed myself....I did it. I wasn't fast but I completed the entire event without walking during the run. The hardest thing was the run...my hips were really sore at the one mile mark but that went away at about the two mile mark...it felt good that the training I did the past few months has paid off. Now the key will be to stay ready over the next week and a half. The course itself is not terrable but the end of the bike and run is straight up hill...the by the way really sucks. I guess I will just do some light work until the event. BTW...I will have a DQ Blizzard for lunch when this thing is over.....that will taste better than all the damn bugs I have eaten over the past two months....

Just 19 days left before the Warrensburg Triathlon...it has been awhile since I last posted but the training is going strong. My biggest fear coming into this thing has been the swim but I think I have it whiped. I am able to do the 300 meters in under 10 minutes...that's a big deal for me. The other day I did a swim/ride brick and had no problems. I think the problem now is going to be the run...running after the bike is tougher than I thought, I just don't have the leg strength. Two more weeks of training should take of that...I hope. Today was suppose to be a off day but I think I will work in a 3 to 4 mile run. BTW...I purchased clip pedals and shoes for my bike...with my added speed i'm thinking about next years tour de france...I also have spandex now...there are two types of people in this world, those that should wear spandex and those that shouldn't...I fall into the catagory of shouldn't. The triathlon shorts work good for all three sports...I just look very odd in them...

First of all...let me tell you how much I hate running and biking past road kill. The skunks are the worst...racoons are also bad...is this way to much info?? Saturday was the Firecracker 5k, I did O.K...finished in 36 minutes and finished 2nd in my age group, I don't think anyone finished 3rd if you know what I mean. How come other out of shape people don't run in races. My mindset was differant on Saturday, usually I try to just finish but this time I was planning my stratagy...I was actually planning in my mind how I was going to catch the 75 year old guy in front of me and pass him late in the race...well that didn't happen...what was I thinking about...like I could actually catch someone and pass them...I have no closing speed. Today was a very good swim day...went 300 meters non-stop (maybe a couple of 15 seconds breaks to catch breath) and then went 300 more meters in 50 meter intervals. I can now do all 3 sports but the key is to put them all together. I also doubled up training today...13 miles on the bike this afternoon and then a 1/2 mile run. I am beat...might have to take a break tomorrow...

Not only am I training for the Warrensburg Triathlon but the Firecracker 5k is on Saturday morning so i'm working that into my schedule. Training has been solid, I think....my bike rides are in the 12 to 15 mile range with lots of hills...I did a 12 mile route yesterday and needless to say my legs were VERY sore last night. Two years ago I ran in the Firecracker 5k...it was my first 5k and I managed to cruise it in 40 minutes (that sucks by the way) so sunday I did the same course to practice it for Saturday and I did it in 33 minutes (not to bad) and I even took a wrong turn. (how do you get lost in a 5k) Went swimming this morning...I really, really, really suck at swimming, however, I went 100 meters without stopping, and did my usual 50 meter at a time swim's for 30 minutes...so im looking at that as a positive. I'm starting to develop my strategy for the race, once I fine tune it I will post it here. I plan on running 3 to 4 miles tonight, we will see how that goes....

It has been HOT in the burg...temps in the upper 90's and heat index around 110 every day. I have been getting my training in but it has been tough. On Sunday I hammered out a ten mile bike ride then tried to run afterwards...very tough to make your body go from one movment to another. On Monday I ran in the evening...still hot and humid and could only go a couple of miles...it's amazing how the heat can limit a workout. Hit the pool yesterday...gonna have a problem there I can already tell. I swam about 500 meters but not non-stop which is kinda the goal. I plan on swimming Thursday and Friday morning and I am looking forward to great progress...if not I will without question be the last one out of the pool on race day. Due to the crappy weather I decided to run this morning and what a differance it made. I rolled 4 miles in 49 minutes...the great thing is I could of gone farther...I had 4.5 or 5 miles in me. I can't move now because i'm sore but what the heck. I think i'm gonna run in the firecracker 5K on the fourth...I ran in that 2 years ago and finished preatty much last...my goal is to finish 2nd to last this year...well maybe a little better thatn that. Hope everyone has a grat day and it's off to the pool tomorrow....

It's another very hot and humid day in Warrensburg but with the Warrensburg Triathlon just over 6 weeks away I had to countinue my training. Today I had a very solid 3 mile run...the thing that was great about today's run was that it was windy...and as many of you know, i'm a big guy so when I run or bike into the wind I turn into a kite. I fought through the wind and finished in just over 35 minutes or just under 36 minutes which ever way you want to look at it is fine. I have got to focus on nutrition...I need to whack 10 to 15 pounds off my body by race day. It can be done, I just need to back off the fried foods and cookies ( well maybe not all cookies) the only fried food that I can have is the sweet potato fries at Captian Rons they are the best... It's back to the ball park tonight...Royals vs. Cards...tonight will be about a 5 inning night because tomorrow it's off to the lake for boating, jet skiing, swimming and Captian Rons. Sunday will be a brick day so stay tuned.......

Skipped going to work early today so I could get some pool time. This portion of the Warrensburg Triathlon is 300 meters...it dosn't sound far but to me its forever. I swam for 30 minutes with only a few stops so I guess thats a positive. Next week I will really ramp up the swimming and try to push the endurance level...starting to get nervous about the swim portion because time is running out...

I have been hot many times but today, WOW, very hot and humid...heat index is in the neighborhood of 98. Made two miles running but i'm paying the price, maybe I should have next years triathlon as a goal. Tomorrow is a pool day, no question about it and then maybe a afternoon movie aat ol Carmike. I have to be short today...off to the Royals game.... (I'll correct mistakes tomorrow once my sense's come back)

On today's bike ride through Johnson County I realized that no one swerves to miss a turtle. Poor little guys took a pounding over the weekend. Well today was very tough, I went on a 12 mile ride in very hot and humid conditions and I chose a path that was very hilly. I made it in about 55 minutes but it was tough. I did have a near fatel experiance when I almost got clipped by a semi on highway 58. When I ride on Highway 58 I now know there is a chance I won't make it back...tight road with no shoulder. I am worn out and very sore...it's time's like today that I wonder if i'm going to be able to make it. I just tell myself to focus and train hard and i'll be able to make it. Tomorrow morning I will hit the pool and hope to have some success or I might have to hire a coach to help me swim. Man i'm hurting tonight.....

Here it is Sunday and back to training for the Warrensburg Triathlon. Just to0 busy on Friday and Saturday...as I head down the streach I can't take back to back days off agian. Today was a run day and it was a good one. 3.8 miles in just over 46 minutes. Thats really a pretty fast time for me...I bought new running shorts last week and I truely think i'm faster when I wear them :). As you may remember the Warrensburg Triathlon is a 300 meter swim (yuk) 8 mile bike ride (yes I own a bike) and a 3 mile run. My theroy is to have a good base for each section. For example, I should be able to swim 400 meters, ride 15 miles and run 4 to 5 miles...if im right I better get my (big) ass in gear. The week ahead I hope will consist of two to three days of swim and two to three days of bike. I did get in the pool today but treading water and throwing my daughter in the air does not count as triathlon training. When I struggle with my training I always remember that I am raising money for a great cause and my goal is to finish without walking....check back on Monday for more great insight on my quest to run in a Triathlon. FYI....DO NOT EAT KASHI BLUEBERRY CEREAL BEFORE YOU RUN 4 MILES...TRUST ME.

Happy Thursday everyone...well i've never blogged before but I thought this might be a good time to start. For those of you who don't know me my name is Greg Hassler, I am Co-Owner, Sports Director and General Manager of 1450 KOKO and 98.5 THEBAR KWKJ. In April it came to my attention that their was a charitable group called Connected Hearts who's sole purpose is to raise money for homeless kids in Warrensburg. (There website link is on our home page) I have a soft spot for kids and I don't think any child should go without basic need items. So my plan is to help Connected Hearts and bring attention to their cause was to compete in the Warrensburg Triathlon and raise money for their cause. Of course I could have done anything...but no, I had to pick a triathlon. The Warrensburg Triathlon is 300 meter swim, 8 mile bike and 3 mile run. Now that doesn't sound like much but to me it's ironman distance. I am going to keep track of my training on this blog and let everyone how things are going. So hopefully, I will be able to complete my goal and raise money for a good cause. I have been training over the past month and it's going O.K. Last night I went 3.3 miles in 40 minutes...it was VERY difficult. My problem will be the swim. I have three days scheduled for the swim next week. So far I have raised $140.00 for Connected Hearts and I have a goal of $500. Have a great day and check back often....