K. Todd Storch

Tour de Georgia is underway!

The pro tour comes back to the USA beginning today with the Tour de Georgia!

From today until April 23rd, Pro Cycling teams will be hammering through the state of Georgia on a 6 stage race.

Pro teams in the race include Discovery Channel, CSC, Quick Step, Phonak, Davitamon-Lotto and others. 

I don't know about you, but I've been glued to the TiVo with the Cyclysm Sunday's that OLN has been broadcasting.  TdG will be a part of the lineup on Sunday, 4/30 at 4p CST.

See TdG results page each day here.

What a Great Birthday!

  Birthday Loot! 
  Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

What a great birthday!  I am so thankful for so many great friends and of course, my wonderful family.

I got to eat lunch with Tara today at a favorite place called Thai Chili.  Went to dinner with the family at our favorite mexican food restaurant, Guero's.

Had to wear the big sombrero while Happy Birthday was sung by the entire restaurant; the excitement on the kids faces was priceless!

Tara and the kids got me the awesome swim .mp3 player, a 2006 Discovery jersey, a new cycling mag, suntan lotion for my tri bag and one of funniest gifts, a "big bag of nothing" (family joke with the kids).

Also received a very cool book, a cycling statue and race wheel bag from Matt and Beth and the $'s from family will go directly to the new carbon race wheels (info coming soon).

Family and friends definitely have me pegged for gifts.

I'm very blessed and thankful!

Read This Book! The Tour by Dave Shields

Back in June of 2005, I interviewed Dave Shields, the author of The Race.  I found Dave through an article in a cycling magazine about his book, found his website and I was hooked on his writing.

Dave has finished the sequel to The Race, aptly titled, The Tour.

Why you should be interested in this book:

- you've read The Race
- you are a cycling fan
- you are interested in the Tour de France
- you are a Tour de France freak!
- you would like to know about the behind the scenes activities of a pro cycling team
- you enjoy reading "page turner" books

The Tour continues the story about Ben Barnes and his quest to win the Tour de France.  The way this book reads, you feel like you are in Ben's shoes the whole way.  The battle to make a name on the team, the in-fighting between coach and owner, the struggles and pain of the stages; it is all here.

I nearly read the entire book in one night and I wouldn't be suprised if you end up finishing it in one sitting.

As you can tell, I highly recommend this book.  If you haven't read The Race, pick them both up; you won't be disappointed!

Be sure to check out Dave's blog as well here.

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tags:  dave shields | the tour | the race

Garmin Forerunner 301

I finally got me a 301.  With the announcement of the new Forerunner 305, the prices of the 301 have really started to come down.  You should be able to find them on eBay in the $150 range.

I think I'm one of the last of my triathlon group to get one of these, which is pretty odd for me.  Usually, I'm one of the first to get a new gadget, but I was happy with my Polar 720i.

One of the best benefits of having GPS on your wrist or bike is the instant feedback you get on your pace and mileage.  This is very helpful when running to look down and immediately know what your min/mile pace is.

I also upgraded for the MotionBased web site.  If you love tracking your miles and sharing info with others, you will love this service.

Anyone else using the 301 or got their hands on the new 305?

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tags:  garmin forerunner 301 | triathlon

LIVESTRONG Ride Dates are Announced

The Ride for the Roses is now officially the LIVESTRONG ride series.

Locations and dates:

Southern California – June 25
Denver, CO – August 20
Philadelphia, PA – September 10
Portland, OR – September 24
Austin, TX – October 8

[LIVESTRONG site]

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tags:  livestrong | lance armstrong | laf | lance armstrong foundation | ride for the roses | livestrong ride

2006 Race Schedule and Goals

Tentative race schedule is as follows.  Need to double check with the family calendar for sure.  I will also be determining in 2006 which 2007 Ironman race I will enter.

• IceMan Sprint, Coppell:  March 25
• IceMan Sprint, Southlake:  April 9
• Dallas MS150, D/FW:  May 6/7
• Gulf Coast 1/2 IM, Florida:  May 13 <---H2F Target Race
• TinMan Olympic+, Shreveport:  June 4
• Disco Sprint, Dallas:  July 9
• RiverCities Sprint+, Shreveport:  August 6
• Hotter 'n Hell 100+, Witchita Falls:  August 26
• Texas Man Sprint+, Dallas:  September 17
• LIVESTRONG 100 mile ride+:  October 8
• Ironstar 1/2 IM, Conroe:  October 22  **depends on the date of the LIVESTRONG ride
• White Rock Half Marathon+, Dallas:  November 5
• New York Marathon, NYC:  November 6  **will put in for the lottery
• White Rock Marathon+, Dallas:  December 10  **only if I don't get into NY

2006 Goals

• 5 hour 15 minute 1/2 IM
• develop swim to maintain 1:35/1:40 100y swim time without being tired
• reduce weight to 160/162lbs during season
• reduce body fat % to level determined by nutrition coach (~9/10%)
• PR in repeat races (+ above)

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tags:  marathon | triathlon | 2006resolutions | 2006 goals | cycling

2005 Year in Review: Races and Training Log

I had a blast this year!  I made some good improvements in my bike and run speed.  Swimming didn't improve this year, but that is on the '06 goal list!

2005 Events/Races completed:

• Texas Man Half Marathon (PR set!)
• MS150 [photos]
  
• TinMan Olympic Triathlon
• Buffalo Springs 1/2 Ironman (PR!) [photos]
• Disco Sprint Triathlon [photos]
  
• RiverCities Sprint Triathlon (PR!)
• Hotter N' Hell (100 Mile)
• Texas Man Sprint
• Ride for the Roses (100 Mile) [photos]
• White Rock Half Marathon (new PR!)
• White Rock Marathon (new PR!) [photos]

Training Log
36,476 yards swam (20.73 miles) | 68% of 2004
2,098 miles on bike | 128% of 2004
640 miles ran | 64% of 2005

Swim:  This is my weak point.  I swam less this year mainly because I wasn't focused on it.  I don't enjoy swimming because I didn't have a good plan on how to improve my technique, so I struggled through workouts and just "got in" the training.

Bike:  My bike speed and endurance improved this year for sure.  Proper fueling and brick workouts were a priority this year.

Run:  Ran less miles this year but my runs were better quality miles.  I ran with faster training partners (thank you Curt and Todd) for the Thursday and Saturday long runs.  This made a big difference.  I also focused on form much more this year.

Other Highlights

• New tri bike
• Interviewed by Endurance Radio
• Featured on front page of DallasNews.com
• Interviewed by Zen and the Art of Triathlon
• Improved by USAT ranking from 2004
• First Century Ride on 8/27/05
• Very pleased with my 3:35 marathon at White Rock (3:15 to qualify for Boston looks out of reach...)
• Couldn't of had the year I had without the help of my family and friends.  Kudos to Curt Leonard, Todd Luther and Donnie Walker for their first Ironman's this year.  Inspiration, boys.  The friends I have made through Dallas Athletes are amazing and I cherish them all.

Sneak peak at 2006

• Training with Dallas Athletes' Headed to Florida group
• Gulf Coast 1/2 Ironman
• Major emphasis on improving swim and nutrition
• 5 hour 15 minute 1/2 Ironman goal
• Finish year with White Rock Marathon in December and Ironman in 2007!

[read] about my 2004 Year in Review

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tags:  marathon | triathlon | cycling

MS150: Top 100 Club

The Dallas MS150 has just announced the Top 100 Club from this year's ride.

Thanks to everyone for helping me raise money to get into the club and for ending up #43 for 2005.

2006's MS150 has a new route which is from Dallas to Ft. Worth.  The only issue I have with the ride in 2006 is that it is the weekend before my Gulf Coast Half Ironman in Florida.

Thank you again for everyone's support and contributions!

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tags:  ms150 | multiple sclerosis

Flickr, White Rock Marathon and Thanksgiving

Lots going on right now.  To begin with, I'm really getting excited about the White Rock Marathon in December.  It will be my 3rd year in a row to run this marathon. 

I like having it on the calendar at the end of the year, because it is a great way to keep training going after the triathlon season is complete.  Completed my 20 mile long run last weekend and it really was a good run.  I averaged around 815/820 minutes per mile.  My goal this year will be 3:40 to 3:45.  I do think I'm going to plan to run with the 3:40 pace group.

I've really been getting into Flickr lately.  Here's a photo stream that I put together of some of my favorite triathlon/cycling/marathon photos.  Enjoy!

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called Favorite Triathlon/Cycling/Marathon Pics. Make your own badge here.

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving holiday!  I got to spend all day with my brother Terry, his family and my mom.  The only bummer was that Tara was sick all day.

Here's a Flickr photo stream of this Thanksgiving:

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from K. Todd Storch tagged with thanksgiving2005. Make your own badge here.

Hope everyone is doing great!

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tags:  thanksgiving2005 | white rock marathon

LiveSTRONG Ride: 5 cities!

As you know, I rode in this year's Ride for the Roses.  One of things they were hinting about at the Expo, was a new "LIVESTRONG Ride" series.

Well, it is getting really close.  The cities that will have rides include:

• Austin, TX
• Denver, CO
• "New England" (not sure where...)
• Portland, OR
• "Southern California" (another vague reference)

[link] for more info and to get on email list

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tags:  livestrong | lance armstrong | laf | lance armstrong foundation | ride for the roses | livestrong ride