Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2010 by Mikhail Gavryuchkov

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Thank you everyone who made donations! Mihai, Evgenia, Asel, Lesya - you guys are awesome! And also big thanks to eBay which matches 100% of donations for their employees.

Now about how the training goes.

On the photo - some of the IronTeam and I (in center) preparing for a 20 miles ride.

We are progressing through 8th week of training. It's kinda slow - there are no coach or captain trainings this week because of the holidays. Neverthelesss, we are strongly advised not to stop training and keep our practices 6 times a week. So far I was able to stick to it.

Shine or rain we always train. That's the motto of the Iron Team. And that's what I like it so much about it.

One of our coaches, Ron, said in the beginning that the most difficult thing about the whole training is getting up in the morning. This is so much very true. Getting up at 6:30 on Saturday and Sunday can be a real drag. But we all do it!

The progress: I started running faster, just a bit faster - now it's on average 10 minutes 50 seconds per mile, whereas before season started in was about 11:30. Swimming - I see a good progress too. I see how the muscles of the torso became stronger. And I know that doing 2600 yards is not a big deal anymore :)

Biking - yes, I do like it very much too. My bike is awesome! I can even keep up with more seasoned cyclists. I am still to get better used to the clips though. Today, after biking for several weeks I fell from the bike again :( - I stopped and unclipped only one shoe and then I fell on the opposite side. Stupid me, my hand hurts now. But it's okay.

My favorite Youtube clip about IronMan preparation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4

And here is the event I am training for: http://www.vineman.com/triathlon.htm

Also please help me raise funds to be able to participate in the Iron Man event and donate some money.

Mikhail (aka Misha)