Photo: 2-hour single-speed ride, 7:00 a.m., 35 degrees, Bertram, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,100 yds (ytd 196,125 yds.)
Bike: 73 miles (ytd 4,547 mi.)
Run: 22 miles (ytd 1,406 mi.)

Taper, sweet taper.

Photo: 40-mile road ride, 7:00 a.m., 45 degrees, Robins, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,100 yds (ytd 191,025 yds.)
Bike: 98 miles (ytd 4,474 mi.)
Run: 31 miles (ytd 1,384 mi.)

She's got a point.

Photo: 26.2-mile run, pacing my sis with help from The Faker, 11:00 a.m., 70 degrees, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,900 yds (ytd 185,925 yds.)
Bike: 102 miles (ytd 4,386 mi.)
Run: 44 miles (ytd 1,353 mi.)

Slow and steady does NOT win the race... but it's good for some laughs along the way.

Photo: 15-mile run, 7:00 a.m., 50 degrees, Robins, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,600 yds (ytd 181,025 yds.)
Bike: 103 miles (ytd 4,284 mi.)
Run: 39 miles (ytd 1,309 mi.)

Ah, Iowa.

Photo: post-run, 6:00 p.m., 70 degrees, Decorah, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,250 yds (ytd 176,725 yds.)
Bike: 58 miles (ytd 4,181 mi.)
Run: 53 miles (ytd 1,270 mi.)

Nothing quite like being rousted from sleep by a stranger telling you that 70-mph winds are 10 minutes from your campsite.

Photo: post-run, pre-mow, 9:00 a.m., 60 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 1,800 yds (ytd 172,475 yds.)
Bike: 125 miles (ytd 4,123 mi.)
Run: 45 miles (ytd 1,217 mi.)

Photo: 3-hour single-speed ride, 8:00 a.m., 60 degrees, in the shadow of I-380, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 3,500 yds (ytd 170,675 yds.)
Bike: 97 miles (ytd 3,998 mi.)
Run: 35 miles (ytd 1,172 mi.)

Photo: 10-mile run, 6:30 a.m., 60 degrees, Robins, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 3,300 yds (ytd 167,175 yds.)
Bike: 126 miles (ytd 3,901 mi.)
Run: 44 miles (ytd 1,137 mi.)

George was right!

Photo: 30-mile ride, 6:00 a.m., 55 degrees, Toddville, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 3,300 yds (ytd 163,875 yds.)
Bike: 120 miles (ytd 3,775 mi.)
Run: 44 miles (ytd 1,093 mi.)

Photo: 4-mile run, 4:00 a.m., 70 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 2,500 yds (ytd 160,575 yds.)
Bike: 155 miles (ytd 3,655 mi.)
Run: 34 miles (ytd 1,049 mi.)

I-N-S-O-M-N-I-A

Photo: 70-mile road ride, 5:30 a.m., 62 degrees, Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 1,750 yds (ytd 158,075 yds.)
Bike: 146 miles (ytd 3,500 mi.)
Run: 35 miles (ytd 1,015 mi.)

Photo: post-race, ol' Highway 52, 5:00 p.m., 95 degrees, Winneshiek County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 1,100 yds (ytd 156,325 yds.)
Bike: 146 miles (ytd 3,364 mi.)
Run: 21 miles (ytd 980 mi.)

What's better than a podium finish? Driving home in MAX A/C

Photo: 70-mile ride, 9:00 a.m., 70 degrees, Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 9,000 yds (ytd 155,225 yds.)
Bike: 140 miles (ytd 3,218 mi.)
Run: 41 miles (ytd 959 mi.)

The perfect place for a photo break, food break & bladder break...

Photo: 65-mile ride, 8:00 a.m., 80 degrees, near Stone City, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 9,700 yds (ytd 146,225 yds.)
Bike: 125 miles (ytd 3,078 mi.)
Run: 33 miles (ytd 918 mi.)

Into the foggy abyss...

Photo: Post-17-mile run, 10:00 a.m., 85 degrees, 1 billion percent humidity, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,200 yds (ytd 136,525 yds.)
Bike: 150 miles (ytd 2,953 mi.)
Run: 36 miles (ytd 885 mi.)

Happy kids use them for summer fun. Gassed, overheated, middle-aged "athletes" use them as a lifesaver.

Photo: 3-hour single-speed ride, 8:00 a.m.; 45 degrees; alt. 10,000 feet; on the way to Leadville, Colorado

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,600 yds (ytd 131,325 yds.)
Bike: 131 miles (ytd 2,803 mi.)
Run: 32 miles (ytd 849 mi.)

The fastest way isn't always the bestest way.

Photo: 2.5-hour single-speed ride, 7:00 a.m.; 35 degrees; alt. 12,000 feet; between Eagle and Summit Counties, Colorado

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,300 yds (ytd 126,725 yds.)
Bike: 108 miles (ytd 2,672 mi.)
Run: 17 miles (ytd 817 mi.)

pedal, pedal, gasp, pedal, pedal, gasp...

Photo: post-13-mile run; 7:30 a.m.; 70 degrees; Marion, IA

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,100 yds (ytd 121,425 yds.)
Bike: 132 miles (ytd 2,564 mi.)
Run: 26 miles (ytd 800 mi.)

The fun of the run?

Photo: post-race; 10:00 a.m.; 50 degrees; White Bear Lake, MN

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 6,375 yds (ytd 117,325 yds.)
Bike: 82 miles (ytd 2,432 mi.)
Run: 21 miles (ytd 774 mi.)

2004... 3rd place AG
2005...2nd place AG
2006... 2 minutes faster than last year...
only good enough for 5th place...Aargh!

Exercise in Frustration, Frustration in Exercise

Photo: pre-race; 5:15 a.m.; 60 degrees; Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,050 yds (ytd 110,950 yds.)
Bike: 121 miles (ytd 2,350 mi.)
Run: 22 miles (ytd 753 mi.)

Swim, Bike, Run...three times the fun!