WAY Behind: Check, Check, and Check

Hello web world! Time to catch up a bit, lots of things knocked off the bucket list in the last year:



I finish Ironman Wisconsin last fall. It was a great day. In the process of training for it, I made a bunch of really great friends through my WellFit Chicago Ironman training group coached by the awesome Elizabeth Waterstraat. If you ever plan on doing an Ironman, look up Liz or WellFit. They will get you there!



BTW- Liz won her age group and qualified for Kona today at Eagleman. That is some 10 months post having a baby. She is a really incredible.

Also, the Mrs. Whatsnextdave and I have been busy. In December we purchased a little home in Roscoe Village in Chicago. It has been a great neighborhood and we love our new place. I have actually started a blog documenting the countdown to baby: 146 Days.

AND it was just in time to get some new space, because it wasn't too much longer when we learned we were going to have another roommate. We are expecting a baby, due November 1, 2011 (also my birthday).

Lastly, and least important... I went to Vermont a few months ago, . If you are keeping track at home, that only leaves 5 more states.

Cool Story About My Friend Amber

Here is a cool story about my friend Amber. Her total kickass at Ironman Wisconsin is no surprise to anyone who ever tried to keep up with her on a ride or run. She is a total stud, and this is such a great story about her.

So here is the story. She has worked very hard for this and earned her successes. Great job!

Ironweek is Here

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people."

Welcome to Ironweek 2010. It's all pretty real.

I had great intentions of keeping up the blog through my Ironman training this year, but as it turns out it takes a whole lot of time to train for these bad boys. The training, trying to hold down the job, staying married, and occasionally see friends (although I failed on the last one) didn't leave much time for writing.

But nearly a year ago I did sign up for Ironman Wisconsin. I had no plans to until that day. I had been following people the Sunday of the race, checking out their photos on Facebook the next day, and thinking about when I would take on the big race.

At work the Monday after, I called the pre-wife (this was 2 weeks pre-wedding), "Hey, remember how we talked about doing that Ironman... what would you think if I signed up for Ironman Wisconsin next year?"

"You might as well take care of it now."

Well, she didn't say no. I pushed a bit further, "You do realize this is going to be a LOT of training. WAY more than I did for the half."

"Listen, I support you. If you want to do this, go for it."

Huh. OK.

So I posted on the facebook.

David Murphy What are you guys doing at noon today? Is anyone taking the plunge into IMoo 2010?

My friend Tammy was first to respond, something about how watching the day before made her tired. Then...

Elizabeth Waterstraat Do it!

Kelli Are you - Seriously I think you should!

No matter who you are there are certain people you look to for approval and guidance. Liz has been my tri coach since June of 2009 and Kelli had been my training partner who had done Ironman Louisville a few weeks earlier. In the case, they were the exact people I needed to hear from.

David Murphy I do Imoo

Holy crap was that premature.

Even That Guy From the TdF Wants Me to Ride in Madison

You got to love Robbie Ventura. One minute this guy is on TV telling me all about the conditions on le Tour, interviewing the riders, giving the first hand perspective of the course, the next minute he is emailing me telling me to preview the Ironman Wisconsin course with his Vision Quest Coaching:



I will have to miss one Robbie so I can enjoy a little riding in Iowa, but I will have to join your guys when they do it again in August.

Ironman Wisconsin, Not the Easiest

There is a good article today from TriJuice. It compares average finish times from the different Ironman races. The good news is, it doesn't look like Ironman Wisconsin is the hardest to finish, its like the second hardest.

Crap.

Jackson Hole Vacation

Mrs. Whatsnextdave and I joined my sister and brother-in-law for a quick vacation to Jackson Hole, WY. It was an amazing trip, with awesome hikes in Grand Teton National Park, a great ride up the Teton Pass, and fun meals and times in the cowboy town of Jackson.

Here are the details of some hikes and the ride up the pass. Will supplement with photos in a bit.

Hike on top of Tram at Jackson Hole - Details

Phelps Lake, Death Canyon Hike - Details

Cascade Canyon Hike - Details

Teton Pass Ride - Details

Goodwin Lake Hike - Details

Great Quote from Runner's World Daily Kick in the Butt

"At age forty-three, when I found myself standing in my garage in a new pair of running shoes, I knew that it was my moment of truth. Behind me lay forty years of bad decisions and broken promises."

John Bingham, The Courage to Start

To sign up for these click here

How Much for an Ironman Trophy?

I get that doing an Ironman is a big deal. It's an accomplishment that takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication (at least that's what people keep telling me). And I can see where Ironman finishers would want a memento of this impressive feat.

So when I received my daily top stories email from Ironman, I was fascinated by the story on the new "Ironman Trophy".

"Ironman athletes hardly need to be reminded of how much dedication, time and support is required to finish a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon run. Many will proudly display pictures of their achievement in their offices at work and around their home. Now, thanks to the folks at Ironman Trophy, there's a very special way to recognize your accomplishment - a spectacular bronze trophy."

So as I visualized my future trophy intimidating anyone that walked into my future corner office complete with a couch and wet bar, I hit the link to see more details on this "work of art."

Available in both types of patina colors: BLACK MARBLE and TAN! Watch out, it weighs more than most infants (16 pounds).

WHERE CAN I PRE-ORDER ALREADY??????????

Price = $695.00

I'm sorry... WHAT? Does that include someone doing the race for you? Does it come with a free Emma Snowsill? Can you at least put Macca's time on it? How about a free disk wheel? No?

Oh, wait... I get it. People (the World Triathlon Corporation in particular) now understand how triathletes love blowing money on their hobby.

But they forgot to ask if it passes the triathlete test for irrational spending... Does this make you more areo?

Welcome to 2010

Happy New Year! Many people take a moment this time of year to think about "what's next," so I thought it would be appropriate to write a quick entry into the old blogosphere. I hope your 2010 is a great one and your adventures are exciting. So put together your list of what's next and start knocking them off.

As for me, I don't need any help building lists, but rather on the focusing and execution of the lists. So the next few weeks I am going to update the list, work with the WND team to make a Life List and a 2010 List. Hopefully by adding a list with a date stamp on it, it will help with the focus and the execution.

In addition, I am going to start incorporating other people in my goals. I always intended for many of these things to be done with friends and family, I am just going to make it more obvious.

Lastly, as we welcome in 2010, I want to take a quick look back at 2009. Although I was not the best blogger (averaging only 2 per month), it was a monumental year in What's Next Dave World.

• Admitted Tri Addiction and Hired a Tri Coach
• Did a Half Ironman
• Did an Olympic Tri in under 2:50
• Got Married
• Knocked off another state on the quest to 50 (HI, 9 to go)
• Learned How to Surf
• Had a Surgery on Major Organ
• Left the US twice
• And signed up for a race on his new wife's next birthday (Keep it classy Dave)

All and all, a pretty terrific year for me, highlighted by the fact Melissa agreed to spend the rest of her life with me. A lucky guy indeed.



So here's to your 2010. Make it memorable. Make it a good one.



Auld Lang Syne as I heard it to bring in 2010 from our good friends Umphrey's McGee at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

Busy Summer Happenings

Hey strange web world...

Over the next few weeks I have some time off of work and I plan to do some more posting. For the time being, here are a few photos from my "A" race this fall:

Thus, WhatsNextDave Gal is now Mrs. WhatsNextDave.

Here are a few more photos. Thanks to Michael Rastall for his great talent.

Welcome Back to Wrigleyville Mr. Ricketts

What's that I smell? Is it hope?

 

Good interview. He is probably right about the family stuff. Wrigleyville is a great place for a 22 year old, but I have seen a number of awkward situations with kids at Wrigley.

I like the discussion of player development. I think that is something the Cubs have literally traded away over the last 10 years.

So Mr. Ricketts, you are saying the right things, but of course you are. Let's see what it means for the north sides favorite ballplayers.

Triathlon Swimming... LA or Chicago?

This is from the LA Triathlon this year. As I am still working on my swimming, I am please old lake Michigan doesn't get rolling like this (in the months I would think about getting in it.





In related news... for you swimmers on the west coast, this was off Sunset Blvd a few weeks ago:

Link of HUGE Shark jumping out of water

Sure, the water is only really good for swimming 5 months a year here, but I don't have to worry about that guy swimming at Ohio Street Beach.

• Lastly, in cool news, my boys from Umphrey's McGee were featured in The Toilet Paper on Sunday. I guess they have really made it.