One down. Two to go tomorrow for the Chicago Triple Tri Challenge.
This morning’s SuperSprint was a rainy, muddy, puddley mess with flooded transition areas & squishy running paths. Oh yeah, it was raining and the lake is FREEZING cold. 56-FRIGGIN’ DEGREES COLD!!! So cold that it knocks the wind right out of you. Tough to catch your breath. Kinda feels like you have asthma… and struggling to find a swim stroke beyond flailing!

Otherwise a great day… hoping tomorrow has better weather! Today was the short one… tomorrow will be a lot longer & a lot further!!!

Kinda muddy along the run…

And flooded in the Transition Area…

Exactly one week later…  and I’m back for another healthy dose of Cirque du Soleil.
And coincidentally, the seats that we have this time are EXACTLY the same as last time?! My parents ordered the tickets online, and my niece Taylor was sitting in MY seat from last time.

Kinda fun to see the show for a second time. To see the things you missed the first time. And to watch for any small differences in the performance. It is live after all.. so something’s gotta be different!!!

Also fun to see it with my sister Jen and my niece Taylor. It was their first time under Le Grand Chapiteau! Jen has seen some of the shows in Las Vegas, but never a traveling show under the tent. And for Taylor this was her first time seeing Cirque du Soleil live EVER!!! Also their first time enjoying circus popcorn with chocolate M&M’s sprinkled all over… yep, my doing!!!

The show was wonderful again as expected. There were a few differences. Some of which I was not pleased with. But no one else would probably even notice. For some reason, the juggler at the beginning who does his “duet” with the drummer was nowhere to be found. No juggler ever?! And the “Aviator” character who did the traditional tubes & planks balancing act on a non-traditional swing… did hand-balancing on that same swing?! No tubes. No planks. Same actor. Same costume. Similar, but different… and sadly, not quite as exciting.

Otherwise, our evening under the Big Top for KURIOS was fun for the family. My parents enjoyed the show, and Jen & Taylor loved their “first” Cirque du Soleil experiences!!! And I can never get enough!!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day… beautiful weather, incredible rides and a full day of fun with my niece Taylor and sister Jen. It’s was our annual adventure to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ilinois. My cousin Kim was supposed to come with, but she was instead bed-ridden with a back injury. Probably not the best idea to taunt the injury with jostling on some roller coasters?!

We arrived early before the rides open. They allow you to enter the park, but the actual lines don’t open until 10:30am. So there was plenty of time for a few “glamour shots.”

We considered several different roller coasters for our first ride of the day. Taylor was being a little cautious, so we ended up back on “The Viper”… her favorite wooden roller coaster from last year. Lots of bumps, twists and hills that make you fly out of your seat. Okay, she’s right… it is a pretty great roller coaster!!!

Of course there are the prerequisite spinny, twisty, going-around-in-circles rides that Taylor loves!!! Jen gets a little squeamish on these spinny rides, so it’s just Taylor and I taking on the challenge… again… and again… and again…

We didn’t quite make it on “The Demon.” A little too “bouncy” and not quite as smooth as we would like. Taylor did it last year but wasn’t too much of a fan. Too much head shaking & jostling around. But I did get a great shot of it while we were waiting in line for another spinny ride!

Next up was her other favorite roller coaster… “The Whizzer.” It’s one of the original rides form when Six Flags opened thirty years ago. It’s not the tallest or fastest, but it does give you a great view of the rest of the park and its many roller coaster!

And yes, for the record…
Every roller coaster does have a sign that clearly states cameras are NOT permitted while on any of the rides. It also says that arms & legs are to remain in the car at all times. Ha!!! But if we all followed the rules, we wouldn’t have great pictures like this, right?! I rest my case.

After several roller coasters and a lot of spinny rides, it was finally time for lunch. And who doesn’t love huge corn dogs & cheesy nachos?! Not the healthiest of options, but… when in Rome…

And then it was back to the spinny… maybe not the best idea on a newly full stomach?!
I’m sure some good Dippin’ Dots will settle that back down!!!

We took a calming “diversion” to settle someone’s stomach and recharge in the calming & air conditioned Sky Trek Tower. It’s a very slow, revolving elevator that gives you great views of the park.

Front to back… “Raging Bull”, “Giant Drop”, and the original classic “American Eagle”…

“The Whizzer”…

“The Viper” on the right…

The classic carousel at the entrance…

Another great shot of “The Viper”…

And “Hurricane Harbor Water Park” that we never quite make it too.

After our refueling ride up the tower, it was finally time to tackle some water rides!!! First up, “Logger’s Run.” Another Great America classic that has been there for thirty years… and you can tell.

And once you’re wet, you might as well go for another water ride… this time it was “Roaring Rapids” where we all got soaked!!!

What better way to dry off than another trip on Taylor’s favorite “The Viper”???

And Taylor’s nemesis… “Raging Bull.” It’s my favorite of all the roller coasters, but Taylor was NOT a fan last year when she went on. I think it was far too open on the sides, and only has a lap restraint – not the full over-the-shoulder-lock-you-in-contraption as some of the newer ones. So the closest we got to it this year was walking under it as we were in line for “The Viper”… again.

Sunset shots of “The Viper” and “Raging Bull.”

And what trip to Great America is complete without a couple funnel cakes at the end?! I mean if you’re going to go, you might as well go all the way, right?! So I had them add ice cream & hot fudge to mine! Taylor chose the classic powdered sugar route… but obviously was left wanting more!

After the funnel cakes, our day came to an end back where we started. With a beautiful view of the iconic Great America Carousel. And the conclusion to another great day at Great America with Taylor & Jen. Sorry Kim… maybe next year?

Just the sight of the big yellow & blue tents make me giddy!
And knowing that we’re going in for another wonderful Cirque du Soleil experience is even better!!! Tonight was my adventure under the Big Top for the latest touring show by Cirque du Soleil… KURIOS : Cabinet des Curiosities.

By now you may have realized that I’m kind of a Cirque du Soleil groupie… or junkie… or stalker?! I love all things Cirque. Can’t get enough. I’ve seen all of the shows that traveled through Chicago. I’ve seen the shows in Las Vegas. I’ve traveled to other cities to see them. I’ve even worked for them for two shows (Varekai & Dralion). So imagine my excitement with a new traveling show here in Chicago… after a far-too-long absence of four years!!!

Inside the tent, the stage is a dark & moody place. Lots of contraptions, inventions and mish-mashes of things & textures. It doesn’t take long before you realize that this is most likely going to take on a “steampunk” vibe. And who doesn’t like steampunk?!!!

The show was wonderful. Lots of amazing feats… and some “usual” circus acts you’ve seen before yet with that whimsical Cirque twist!!

The music for this show is also a lot of fun. Very upbeat & bouncy. Especially the first number where you get to “meet” the cast of characters. I always love seeing how they incorporate all of the athletic performances with the live musicians & singers. Loved the juggler & drummer duo interaction!

Congratulations & Thank You Cirque du Soleil… you’ve done it again!!!
And I’ll be back again next Wednesday evening with my niece Taylor!

Grab yourself some tickets if you can.
They’re scheduled to be in town through September 20th.
And then the tents come down and the “magic” disappears from Chicago!

Tomorrow evening is the Opening Reception for a new exhibit in the Lillstreet Gallery Annex on the second floor. It’s a collection of Lillstreet ceramic artists who make soda-fired work. I have a large “constellation” of wall pieces in the show. The textured wall pillows make a fun installation grouping full of textures, surfaces & shadows.

Stop by tomorrow evening between 6:00-8:00pm for the Opening Reception. Second floor of Lillstreet Art Center just a few doors down from my studio. 4401 North Ravenswood, Chicago, IL 60640 on the corner of Montrose & Ravenswood.

MUNCIE 70.3 HALF IRONMAN : Saturday, July 11, 2015

A typical Triathlon day starts out VERY early in the morning. A 4:30am departure from the hotel with our gear to make it into the Transition Area to get set-up. We pulled in around 5;30 and the anticipation starts ramping up!

We had checked our bike in to Transition the day before, so all we had were our gear bags.
So, under cover of darkness, you need to find you assigned space by following the signage.

Here are my friends Chris & Nancy setting up their gear – preparing for the long day ahead. You need to have all of your shoes, clothing & gear ready for all three events. Trying to get everything in order, laid out and ready for the day ahead.

Soon enough the sun started to rise… which means that we were approaching our designated start times. Chris and I were in Wave #2 which was scheduled to start at 7:04am.

While you’re there you start checking out your route for later in the day. There’s a whole system of gates & arches to direct where you to go. Bike Out, Bike In, Run Out, etc.

Here’s the view of the Prairie Creek Reservoir from the hill above… and the ever-present lines of porto-potties! Just looking at the water makes me a little anxious. Basically the 1.2 mile course takes you about from the beach left of the brick house, practically all the way to the other side where the trees are, across and parallel to the opposite shore, and then back again. Look closely at the bottom right corner – that’s the SWIM OUT inflatable arch. And the point where I will be the most relieved!!!

So our wave actually started about five minutes later than planned. But soon enough we were off and in the water in our wetsuits. It was a tough swim for me… as it was MY FIRST SWIM OF THE SEASON!!! I know. Not good. No training for me in the water. I just haven’t had time. The water in Lake Michigan is still pretty cold. And I was in Dover, Delaware for the last three weeks! All adds up for no swim training for Gary!!! Add to that… the restriction that you finish the swim in 1 hour and 10 minutes or else you get disqualified. Not knowing how I would do in the water, that one-hour-ten was always in my head!!!

So I finally got out of the water, shuffled up the hill to the Transition Area, and soon enough I was on my bike and feeling comfortable. The weather was great and the course was fairly flat. Some gentle rolling hills but nothing too crazy. To get our 56 miles in, the route was straight out & back that we had to do twice. So you were riding one direction while watching the other athletes riding back already – not knowing who was on their first lap or second?! I think I did pretty well on the bike. It was fun!!!

Then you get off the bike, switch shoes and head off for the run. Knowing that you now have a 13.1 half marathon ahead of you. And the fact that all of the Ironman Information kept referring to the run as “challenging” was a little concerning. Turns out the “challenging” part was that the course was hilly. Living in Chicago… we don’t have hills!!! So I have no experience running on hills except for the incline on the treadmill.

The run was tough. Another 6.5 miles out & back. So your running out while other runners are running in. Thankfully there were water rest stops every mile on the route. I was thankful for the water, ice & Gatorade… but also for an easy thing to focus on, appreciate and use as a countdown to get to the end. As the miles continued, the hills seemed to get worse. Which I know can’t be the case… as we’re on the same road and the same hills as the first half of the run. But it felt worse!!! And I’m not sure which I hate more?… running UP the hill or running DOWN the hill? Both are no fun!!!

Finally, about a mile and a half out, you can start to hear the Finish Line. People cheering and the announcer welcoming the runners. Puts a little pep in your step. A little. But somehow you muster up one last bit of energy, pick up your feet and push on for a strong finish. One last hill, a small left turn and then a smooth grassy downhill run through the Finish Line!!! Whoo-hoo!!!

The professional race photographer hopefully got photos of us running through…
luckily we got a few shots after we ran through the Finish Line.

Here we are : HALF IRONMAN FINISHERS!!!
We all came with a mission and we all accomplished it. And had a fun time doing it.

And the three of us with our official medals and finisher hats!!!

So excited to be done. So excited to have finished the race.
So great to have shared this adventure with my friends Chris & Nancy.
Of course they had both trained the right way for this.. but not me… maybe next time?

At Ironman Village, after the race, we were surprised and excited to find that we got a free meal. What?! Let me just say that that was the BEST GRILLED CHICKEN EVER!!! Sure, we were a little hungry too, but everything tasted amazing!!!

And, oh but wait there’s more… FREE ICE CREAM TOO!!!

We hung out at Ironman Village for awhile. Taking pictures. Eating our free food. And then saw the Massage Tent. We decided to check it out and see if they had any openings. They did… and we each got a wonderful 20 minute massage to work out the kinks. It felt amazing. Sure, it hurt, I flinched and tried not to cry a couple times. But when my masseuse was done, I felt SO much better. Like I may actually be able to drive home without cramping up too badly.

So we hopped in our cars for the four-hour drive home. We stopped once along the way for food & restrooms, but ultimately made it home with ease. I was pretty stiff getting out of the car. And carrying all of my gear & bike up three flights of stairs was so easy. Once I made it, there was a big sigh of relief!!!

So here are my official times… with transition times added in there somewhere?!
Maybe not the best ever, but my goal was just to finish in one piece!!! And I did.

Swim : 57:52 … look I had more than twelve minutes to spare!!!
Bike : 2:48:21 … which I believe also includes both Transition Times.
Run : 2:53:04 … nearly three hours on  my feet & hills.

Race Total : 6:55:19… practically seven hours of fun!!!

Whoo-hoo!!! Nothing better than coming home from a great bike ride and finding “free money” on the street!!! Maybe I need to buy a lotto ticket today?!

Okay, so what could be cuter than a bunch of adorable animals?! Nothing, really.
I must admit I was a little doubtful about the petting zoo being a big attraction at the Big Barrel Music Festival. Well, I was wrong. These little critters won my heart… each one cuter and more drooly than the next. Adorable!!!

And then the best shot… the miniature donkey looking on longingly as the over-sized & majestic Clydesdales trot past his small pen.

 

 

One of the highlights this week while playing in Dover is the chance to see the trademark Budweiser Clydesdale horses in person. They’re here for a marketing promo during the Big Barrel Country Music Festival. During the event they get all dressed up in their special parade attire… and then prance around the venue for all to see. And they are beautiful. You can almost see how proud they are to pulling that wagon.

Even better, during the morning hours before gates open, the Clydesdales are led around the grounds for their daily exercise. So much fun to see them up close. Out of uniform. Having a great time… before they head back to the “stable” for a full cleaning, drying, grooming & primping!!! Such beautifully majestic animals.