CalebKeiter.com

So I wanted to start a new category of blogs to encourage two things:

So here is the first installment of ‘Photo of the Week’ where I will post my favorite photo taken that week. To start off the batch, here is a photo of my parents at Mt Soledad since they came to San Diego to visit me this past week.

In my feeble attempt to take over the world, myself has found myself on the interwebs once again.
Check out my interview with the folks over at FXPansion, makers of BFD.

FXPansion BFD Interview

Here’s to more Google search results for me!

At the beginning of this year (2008), I set the goal of running my first full marathon. After 16 tough weeks of training, I finished the 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 43 minutes. It was not as fast as I wanted but I will learn from my mistakes and do better next time. I am already signed up to run a half marathon on August 17 (America’s Finest City Half Marathon) and looking forward to it.

The other goal that I wanted to achieve this year was to compete in a triathlon. Just like running races, there are different lengths of triathlons (sprint, olympic/international, half-ironman, and ironman). I have chosen a sprint distance to start my triathlon experience. In particular, I will be signing up for the Mission Bay Triathlon, the oldest known triathlon in existence.

So, one of the legs of any triathlon is cycling. As of yesterday, I did not own a bike. Whilst researching bikes and all of the different types, styles, brands, etc. I quickly learned that a TON of options exist for buying a bicycle and it breaks down to how much money do you want to spend and how fast do you want to ride. Here is my journey, in as few words as possible, but first, a few things I learned about bikes to help you enjoy this blog.

First of all, bikes are made of one of three materials: steel (tough and rigid, but heavy), aluminum (has the rigid advantage of steel but much lighter), and finally there is carbon fiber (the strongest yet lightest of all three). The top of the line carbon fiber bikes can weigh as little 13 pounds and cost as much as $10,000! After you pick your frame choice, it comes down to components. Shifters, chains, derailers, wheels, etc. range greatly in materials, quality, durability, weight, and cost. To put it simply, the best company around is Shimano and they have different levels of products, the best being called ‘Dura-Ace’, followed by ‘Ultegra’, and ending with ‘105′. There are a number of manufacturers out there, some old some new, but most seem to stick with the same rules of manufacturing and geometry. So, knowing all of that, here we go.

The first bike I was attracted to was the Quintana Roo Kilo. Touted as one of the greatest entry level triathlon bikes out there, Quintana Roo has been around for a long time and only makes triathlon bikes and wetsuits. The company seemed very trustworthy and the bike had great components and a great setup for an entry level triathlete. The bike is made of aluminum, again fairly lightweight and rigid, has Dura-Ace and Ultegra components, and has better triathlon geometry than most other bikes in this price range. The Kilo has a pretty great package and sells for $1600.

That is the bike I had my eyes on, until I saw theQuintana Roo Seduza. Normally, this would have been way out of my price range at $2500, but the AMAZING people over at Hi-Tech Bikes in San Diego put the bike on sale for $2000. The Seduza has the same drive train and components as the Kilo, however, the frame is carbon fiber and has a better tuned geometry. $2000 is still more than I wanted to spend, but I recently signed up for the Triathlon Club of San Diego ($60/year membership) which got me an additional 10% off the bike…the SALE price of the bike. That dropped the price down to $1800, only a couple hundred more than I wanted to spend, but twice the bike. I test rode both bikes and could tell a huge difference in the two materials of the bike. So yesterday, I walked out of the store with a 2008 Quintana Roo Seduza. The folks that work at Hi-Tech Bikes spent a good couple hours with me getting the bike fitted just for me as well as getting me all the extras that go along with a new bike purchase such as pedals, shoes, a helmet, etc. Tomorrow morning will be the maiden voyage and I am stoked!

For those of you looking to get into the sport of triathlon and buying your first bike, I would HIGHLY recommend Hi-Tech Bikes in San Diego, CA. They were the GREATEST staff I have run into in any specialized store in a LONG time. Thanks again, you guys are the best.

I’m looking forward to getting out and riding and starting to work on a completely new set of muscle groups that may not have been as strengthened during all of my run training. Next, it is on to the swimming.

To a healthier, happier, Caleb!

Head over to RNRMarathon.com and click in the middle of the page on the ‘Live Results’ link. My race number is 18614. Today we went to the Expo and picked up my number and chip. I signed up with the 4 Hour Pace Team. If I can just keep up with that guy, I will run the race in 4 hours. Below, are tomorrow’s goals.

1. Have fun
2. Stay injury free
3. Finish
4. Finish in my pre-training estimated time of 5:20:00.
5. Finish in the top 25% of my age group (25-29). Last year, 2077 ran in that group.
6. Finish in my post-training goal of 4:00:00 or less.
7. Finish in the top 15% of my age group.
8. Finish in the top 25% overall. Roughly 22,000 people are running this year.
9. Finish in the top 15% overall.
10. Finish in 3:45:00.

So, those are my goals. Some of them are easily attainable, some are right on the fence, others are going to be rather difficult. But hey, you have to shoot for something.

I will try to Twitter throughout the race.
Check it out!

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. Talk to you again after the race.

I just found out that you can track a runner online during the race. Results will be posted for each runner at the 5k, 10k, 10-mile, 13.1 mile and 20 mile marks with updates to the LiveResults site every 60 seconds. Log onto rnrmarathon.com and there will be a link somewhere around the middle of the page that says Live Results. I’m not totally sure how this is going to work just yet so more news as it develops.