(my own little blog updated here and there with life and race recaps)
Dec 2009...
We moved to Arizona! Scottsdale to be precise in a nice home 10 minutes from my office. Dry those tears, we'll both be back to MN every month or so for work. We had a feeling that I would have an opportunity with Abbott (my company) in Arizona, so Casey laid the ground work with General Mills to work remotely and after a few weeks of discussion, she was OK'ed and I had a job offer! I'm doing a similar job as in Minneapolis (Category Management - analytic side of sales) and got a promotion to manage a team of 8 that stretches across the western US. Lots of house hunting, but in the end we decided to rent. I was surprised - deals to be had in the outer suburbs and on short sales, but our focus was to be close to my office and get set up quickly. A few weeks into the move we are settled and spending time outside (in the warmth) and exploring the mountains a 10 minute drive away. It's fun although a little different to be away from our wonderful family and friends. We have plenty of room for visitors, so book your trips this winter!
Mar 2009...
New Zealand update - A break from work and setting aside life for a few
months is refreshing to the purest level. I feel as if time has stood still and
life (or my age) has reversed. I have removed stress, aside from the push of
triathlon training (a good stress on the body), and slept 8+ hours each night.
It’s like being a kid, but not having to work over summer vacation. This has
been a once in a lifetime trip with Casey and brought our relationship to a new
level. I am proud of that. We hope to carry some of our new habits home and
share them with those around us.
New Zealand was perfect country for this trip. In many ways it feels like home and others so very different. The English language is comforting. After spending time across Europe, I especially like this as we meet friends, roam around and ask questions. The people are unquestionably nicer. Sounds generic, but it’s true. Day after day, location after location people have welcomed us, entertained us, laughed with us… Casey and I have a running competition who is offered the more phone numbers. No joke, people we meet camping, walking or in pubs offer us their homes, parents home (when passing through) or a sincere invitation to join up with them again before the conversation is over. We’ve taken several up on their offers too - sharing dinner, a boat ride and biking/running. With so many fewer people (4 million in the entire country), I believe it’s safer here and the “front” to be tough hasn’t been learned or needed. Even teenage kids loitering around seem pleasant enough as we cross paths.
The scenery of New Zealand is tops. This comes after living in Switzerland too! It has everything the United States has and we joke that it’s all two hours away. Snowcapped mountains, beach, forest, dessert, big towns, little towns… When we read up on biking New Zealand, we mostly found notes on mountain biking. After biking a ton and training for Ironman, I agree, it’s best to mountain bike here and skip the road. The infrastructure doesn’t support it for two reasons. First the roads are too narrow, built for small cars. Second, they chipseal (small chunks of gravel poured over wet tar) the roads which makes it very bumpy riding. The scenery makes up for the shortcomings and we did our best to find less traveled roads and hugged the white line.
The NZ economy has not been
impacted to the extent of the USA. Yes it has slowed down, but it’s not like the
headlines we read from home. I think it’s because they don’t have big corporate
companies here. It seems more like the US in the 1980’s. More simple and trade
focused. Smaller homes. Fewer chains and more mom and pop stores. We have tried
to ignore the US stock market and our plummeting investments and are thankful
for our decisions (and our parent’s example) to live unleveraged and pay for
what we do and own. It’s what made this trip possible and our soon return much
less stressful.
Jan 2009...
NEW ZEALAND!!! Casey and I are down under for three months of pure
paradise (Jan 17 - Apr 6). This has been a dream journey for us, months in the
making. With a leave of absence from work, I'll have lots to time on my hands to
slow down, train like a madman, read, nap, recharge and see the world with my
best friend. We'll be back before you know it and sharing emails and pictures
along the way. While we are here we'll race Ironman New Zealand and any other
locals races that sound fun. When we return we'll be racing with our friends on
the SCS Multisport Elite team. Cheers mate!
Nov 2008...
Ironman training has peaked and we are just weeks out from the big day. It's
been an ideal training fall with warm and dry weather - many training/camping
trips to Wisconsin. My sister Angie and Jake were married in Sept. They are a
beautiful happy couple and we love having Jake in our family.
July 2008...
Wrapped up an early "short course" season of 7 triathlons, a duathlon, some
running races and a time trial. Fun and a big change of pace from last year's
Ironman season. Training volume was very low. I found the very top end speed was
slow to return. I now feel rested and energized to enjoy the summer with Casey
and then resume Ironman training for IMAZ in Nov.
Mar 2008...
Casey started an incredible journey across the United States. Check out her
website for the story and pictures.
www.caseyhirschman.com Missing her dearly, but know the time will fly. I'm
so proud of her for taking this adventure and thankful to join her for a few
weeks of fun.
Feb 2008...
Return to training and it feels great! I took a long break over the winter
to rest and relax. After achieving what took years to accomplish, I needed a
mental break and time to play with Casey. We picked up cross country skiing,
prepared for her trip and spent much time outside of swim/bike/running.
My race schedule is updated. This year we will return to short course racing,
take half the summer to goof around and then finish the fall with an Ironman. I
promised myself I would take a full year off of Ironman and IMAZ sits 13 months
after Kona '07. :)
Also proud to add two sponsors
to my support. Obviously as an amateur, sponsorship isn't a necessity and I
chose to only surround myself with the utmost quality of brands and teams. I
figured if there was ever a shot at the coveted Powerbar Team Elite, it would be
following my race in Hawaii. Also SCS Multisport and my coach Dan Cohen launched
a racing team this year. Looking forward to racing with new teammates and
supporting the top brands/companies in the sport I love.
Hawaii 2007...
Ironman Kona was a dream come true and I'm thankful. The race lived up to its reputation and my expectations. As I hoped before the race, I reflected several times during the day where I was and all that it took to get to this point. So much of it was familiar from our honeymoon last year and the countless viewings of the NBC broadcast from 2000 and on. When I finished I thought, as I do after nearly every race regardless of distance - "that was tough!" My second thought and still the same days later, is RAW. The conditions here are absolutely RAW. The wind is strong, the heat is fierce, the hills are challenging and the lack of spectators and environmental beauty outside of the city is numbing. This race is RAW and tough - suiting for the World Championships.
Thanks to Casey, Mom, Dad, Angie, Teresa, Scott, Pam & Ken, Shawn & Rachelle and Brent for coming all the way to Hawaii to watch and support the dream.
A full race report can be
found on the left side of this page. Also look for pictures on my site!
Oct 2007...
The Ironman World Championships is one week away. I have been reflecting on just how long I have prepared for this event. It's been a dream and I'm thankful it didn't come easy... it took 6 tries over 4 years. I will treat it as my first and last given the dream status I have associated with this race and the difficulty it took to qualify. I plan to race with a smile and shoot for the finish line as fast as humanly possible. Thankfully, Casey, my parents, Scott & Teresa, Angie, Pam & Ken, Shawn & Rachelle and Brent are all coming to watch in Hawaii.
In my taper resting phase, I have a sense of calm. Athletically I am to the place I always dreamed. I was that kid watching Ironman on TV inspired to push the body to its limit. This being my third Ironman of the year - I'm ready. I expect the elements of Hawaii (wind, ocean swim, heat, humidity) to be nothing less than grueling.
Sept 2007...
Sponsorship update!! I am wowed and awed by the generous support of my
supporters going into Kona. TYR and EAS have outdone themselves and treated me
like one of their pros.
We have helped TYR out over the years at trade shows and expos and once again they shipped us a box filled with the latest goodies. Head to toe, I'll be in TYR clothing race week. It's what I have always worn and think it's the best clothing in sport. This is the company I have always goaled to be part of.
EAS, one of the brands owned by my employer, Abbott Nutrition, heard of my Kona qualification and pledged full support to get me ready for race day. I love working for a company that not only recognizes, but also supports my passion for sport. I've tried nearly everything EAS offers including their shakes, bars, powders and multivitamins. My favorite product is the Myoplex shakes found in nearly every retailer in the country. Great taste and jammed with the science based goods we need to optimize our performance.
Also thanks to Rudy Project, who for the past 6 years has outfitted me with the coolest sunglasses and helmets on the market.
Lastly, a call out to GU Sports.
I think they have a brilliant marketing strategy. Support each and every U.S. athlete who
qualifies for the Ironman World Championships. They mailed me a box filled with gels, drinks, clothes and bottles. GU was actually one of my first
sponsors when I approached that side of sport years ago in Colorado and it's
been fun to check out their latest products.
June 2007...
I have excellent news to share. I feel like I have written this note in my head hundreds of times while training, racing and laying in bed dreaming.
I qualified for the 2007 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii !!!!!!
Last weekend Casey and I raced Ironman Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. Among the 2200 competitors, I finished in 9 hr 53 minutes, 32nd overall, 5th in my age group and was the 15th amateur. My best ever! Casey finished with a solid 12:35 and is training to peak at Ironman Wisconsin in Sept as well as complete THREE Ironmans in one season.
This dream has been a long time in the making. It took me 9 years of triathlon, 4 years of Ironman racing and 6 Ironman races. Foolishly I thought I may qualify at my first Ironman after training in Boulder for the summer. Little did I know there was so much to learn about long course racing and experience was top of the list. Trying again and again built the dream to what it is today.
Anyone interested in a
Hawaiian vacation? We would LOVE to have you join us for the week on the big
island (Oct 13th). Thanks for your love and support!
May 2007...
Casey and I are settling in to married life and enjoying a year with far less happenings. Time to sit back, dream and reflect on the grand events of 2006. We still love our little cottage on Medicine Lake. It's perfect proximity to swimming, biking, running and work. Casey is a two mile bike ride from General Mills and I continue to work from home. We have completed one (of three) Ironmans this year. A monstrous goal and something we love dearly. Dan Cohen of SCS Multisport is now our triathlon coach. New perspective and guidance is welcomed to achieve our ambitious goals. It takes a village...
Dec 2006...
Looking forward to 2007, I'm
focusing on long course Ironman racing. It's going to be big with the potential
of several Ironman races. With good health, I'll be ready. One more push and
then we plan to race short course in '08.
Since writing last, we raced IM Lake Placid, a decent race for me (see recap link on left side of page). Then the season winded down as we prepared for the grand event - our wedding in Sept. It was simply incredible and an experience that cannot be topped. Pics at: http://www.caseyhirschman.com/pic_wedding.htm Following the wedding we ran Des Moines Marathon where I finally broke the 3 hour barrier (2:57). Following the '06 theme of life changing, this marks my best running accomplishment to date.
I started a new job - goodbye Marshall Field's/Macy's, hello Abbott Laboratories. I'm now a sales analyst for some of the brands we commonly see out shopping (EAS, ZonePerfect, Ensure, Similac) and am enjoying learning. On top of that all Casey and I are enjoying quality time together as newlyweds and a family.
July 2006...
Triathlon update - I'm pumped. This is my first year of elite wave starts and first year with solid top 10 overall finishes in big races. My season started with speedwork, new to me as a marathoner, where I broke the 5 minute mile (4:51!!), a random goal, and took a minute off my 5K PR. Then I pushed to best 3 hours in the marathon this spring, but settled with a 3:04, still a minute better than last year. Up next is my peak race of the season, Ironman Lake Placid where the in dream of all dreams, I hope to qualify for Kona. This is my first year back to balancing working full time and training. Last year's 30 hour weeks in Switzerland just aren't possible, but I have managed low 20's and still am creeping up in the results. Last weekend I got to race with my two best tri buds (Anton and Curt) at Minneman where we rounded out the top 6. This weekend - a little fine tuning at Lifetime Fitness short course and then Casey and I hop into a rented RV to drive and vacation our way to New York.
June 2006...
Summer is well underway with our biggest celebration, Casey and my wedding, in September. It will be a chapel setting, immediate family ceremony followed by a weekend at Lake Vermillion with a handful of our closest friends. Just what we dreamed. After returning from Switzerland last fall, both Casey and I resumed our jobs at Marshall Field's (Macy's?!?!) and General Mills. My sister Angie was gracious enough to host us at the pink house and when summer rolled around, Casey found us a little cottage on Medicine Lake just west of Minneapolis. Its up north cabin feel is fit for few, but perfect for us.
A triathlon life? Hmmm, I like this.. who am I kidding? I LOVE this! A season planned for MN racing and an Ironman in late July. Sponsors pulled together this year with two generous offers from the folks at Pure Blue Swim/TYR and Active.com/Aquaphor. I am learning this sport takes patience. Endurance athletics and triathlon demands years of base and steady training. I'm only beginning to see what is possible.
Summer 2005...
This is my 7th year of triathlon and my second summer of full time training. Simply said, I just can not get enough, day after day.
Originally, I started triathlon when I needed to mix up the running week. I had completed a marathon, was a bit tired of running multiple days a week and needed a new goal. Triathlon? I'll try that.
Now I run longer and farther each week than my original “running only” days AND manage to also swim and bike. The satisfaction of pushing the body and then creatively stacking on a new set of challenges is what keeps me going. The incredible community in Minneapolis, Boulder and now Lausanne, Switzerland is the imperative finishing touch. The triathlete – generally happy, social and healthy – is just the kind of person that I enjoy most.
When Casey and I decided to move to Lausanne, the quest towards Ironman nirvana continued. In addition to Ironman Wisconsin, I also signed up for Ironman Switzerland. When else would I be in better shape to tackle two of these races?
Dreams? Every triathlete that puts on a wetsuit or straps on a race belt ultimately dreams of the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I am no different. My first goal – complete an Ironman within 10 years – is accomplished, and ahead of schedule. The next is a dream - Kona - someday, somehow. Until then, I will continue to do what I love most with those I love most – Casey, my family and the incredible training partners peppered across the world.