Get To Know Your Bike!

GET TO KNOW YOUR BIKE!

Please join the Chicago Triathlon Luna Chix for an overview of the bike, general maintenance and tire changing clinic! This hands-on clinic will provide an overview of general bicycle maintenance and minor adjustments and a demonstration of changing a flat tire. Attendees are encouraged to bring a wheel from their own bike, tire levers and a pump to practice changing a flat. This is a must-not-miss clinic for new cyclists preparing for the outdoor biking season!

WHEN: Thursday, April 30th, 7:00pm

WHERE: Runners Grove, 5155 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515

COST: $10.00 - Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Fund Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring guests!

RSVP: info@trismartcoaching.com or 708-466-2379.

REFRESHMENTS: Will be provided!

No Easter Ride

Today is the annual Folks on Spokes Easter Ride. Easter is over, you say? Doesn't matter. This group does a bike ride every year around this time. It's a great local ride, the first one of the season in this area.

However, with the weather forecast for today and this picture I just took out my front door, well, let's just say I'm taking a pass on this year's ride.

Really happy I went out for that ride yesterday afternoon!

Quarryman Challenge Course Preview #2

Great morning for a run! I think many of us were a bit overdressed as we headed out to run the hills of Lemont. If you've never run this course, you're missing out. Some of the toughest hills you can find out in this area. Race day is May 9, 2009. If you're interested, you can Register here.

I think temperatures were in the low 50s when we started and reached low 60s by the end of the 10 mile run. Very little wind and beautiful sunshine made this a very enjoyable run.

Hope you can join us on May 9, 2009!

Introduction to Cycling Workshop - 5.6.09 and 5.13.09

INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING

Whether you are new to cycling or triathlon, or if you’re an experienced athlete just looking to improve your skills and technique on the bike, please join us for a two-part workshop designed to help you be more knowledgeable and comfortable in your cycling endeavors!

Dates: May 6th and May 13th, 2009
Location: Urban Tri Gear
210 Burr Ridge Parkway
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Registration: www.trismartcoaching.com/sign_me_up
Cost: $40.00

This workshop will cover the following:

• Group Riding Etiquette
• Paceline riding
• Cornering
• Shifting
• Skills and Drills

Bring your bike, shoes, helmet and dress appropriately for the ride. Each workshop will include a short informational session followed by a ride for hands on practice of the material discussed.

All participants must complete a registration and participant waiver. Registrations will be accepted on day of the workshop (cash or check only).

MJ Slikas has been competing in the sport of triathlon for six years and has completed 4 Ironman distance races. She consistently places at the top of her age group in all distances. MJ has also qualified for and ran the Boston marathon, participated in the Wild Scallion Adventure Race and is active on the local running and cycling scene. MJ is a USAT Certified Coach and is the founder and owner of Tri Smart Coaching (http://www.trismartcoaching.com/). MJ can be reached at mj(AT)trismartcoaching.com.

Luna Summit

Each year, Luna invites all the members of it's Luna Chix team out to Clif headquarters for some education, workouts, team bonding and much more. Though I've been a part of the Chicago Triathlon Luna Chix for 4 years now, this was the first year I was actually able to make it to this event called Summit.

I thought I knew what to expect. And in some ways, I was right on and in some ways I was completely off. On the first day, Leader Training, I forgot my camera. Taking a tour of the Clif Headquarters was an amazing experience and it's very similar to what I pictured it to be. It has all the things you'd expect a forward-thinking, environmentally correct, California-based company to be. I kid you not, during our meeting, there were employees skateboarding from one section of the warehouse to another. I couldn't control my giggling when one would skate right by.

The second day was a whirlwind of clinics: open water swimming, bike maintenance, a yoga class, Cross-Fit, Chi Running, I mean, it was almost exhausting. Being able to sit and rub elbows with the Pro Luna Team is an experience I will never forget. Listening to the CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund was also very moving and inspirational. It was almost too much packed all into a tiny 2 and a half day weekend.

I was very excited to be able to put faces with names - women with whom I've exchanged emails and phone calls with, with whom I've learned from and grown with through the program. Every time I turned around there was another women I was anxious to speak with and get to know better. I've learned so much more about Luna and the Luna Chix program - things you'd think I would have known years ago.

Before I could even blink, the weekend was over. I was happy to spend time with so many women gathered together to reach a common goal: to get women out and active while raising money for the Breast Cancer Fund. Each and every woman I met out there made some sort of impact on me. It was a great kickoff to what promises to be yet another successful Luna Chix season!