As of today/tonight, we have three weeks to go until we all embark on our own "amazing race."

Think we (Team Chifecta) pretty much have everything here or on the way in regards to equipment - and really will after we loot the adidas store in downtown Chicago this weekend thanks to the boys and girls at adidas.

Our (Team Chifecta) last item to purchase is the water bottle and holder for the backpack. I have done some research and read lots of blogs and most go with the dual bottles in a holder attached to the shoulder straps of your backpack. I saw the Rough Country and RaidLight ones that they sell in the Racing The Planet store but I was wondering if I could get some feedback on what others plan on bringing and if they have used before and their thoughts.

Our backpacks are The North Face TERRA 35.

Thanks....really looking forward to seeing everyone in Chile!

b

I can't believe it's only 40 days away. So many questions: Where have the days gone? Am I really going to run 250km? Was I under the influence of something when I registered? etc. etc. etc.

But I digress. Trying to finalize getting our equipment with the Chifecta teammates is proably harder than running the race. These guys. Well at least we have our American flags in hand and our Oakley's. Mayyyyyyyyyybe a couple more things more to get.

Still going to the gym every evening doing a bunch of cardio and mixing it up but the past couple weeks I have been doing a different type of training in very hot weather. Short time lapse videos below.

Part 1 – http://youtu.be/bxsrgnt1zeg?list=UUxts5vxr-P2AdhjOXuulMmg

Part 2 - http://youtu.be/-_9tcjw35uE?list=UUxts5vxr-P2AdhjOXuulMmg

Part 3 - http://youtu.be/OBezo7hi1NA

I'm sure the other 190 or so competitors have everything set and are training hard and have all their equipment...but my two mates are "ho hum, we will get it done soon."

There is a good chance we stay in town and just eat Chilean cuisine for six days straight.

Talk soon!

b

 

 

 

I know the good Lord rested on Sunday but I'm sure He won't mind if I change that to Friday...well kind of resting.

Today's training consists of the following:

Friday, 8, August, 2014 - At 5:30 PM CDT - Pizza and Chicago Italian Beef then off to the Mötley Crüe "final" concert "ever" at the The First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, which should be interesting. I'm just being a good husband because my wife is super stoked.

I'll be back at it tomorrow with some intense training outside and at the gym. Videos of that hopefully will accompany the next blog post.

Well, since we are inside 60 days before this crazy adventure we all will embark on, I thought it would be a good time to start to write every day and update everyone on, well, the Chicago way to train.

First off, I am part of a three-person team (Chifecta). You can read all about us and the great charities we are running for in the 4 Deserts feature here - http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/rtpactp.php?SID=3&SBID=FAR_522

Two members of our team are here in Chicago (Billy I. and John) and one member is in Atlanta (Billy A.). All three have a different approach to training. For example, Billy I. (me) works out every day, usually with one hour plus of different cardio exercises and basketball games. So today, Billy A. text me asking when I was going to start with weights on my back, I said, in about 30 days. He was shocked. He could not believe his ears (or in this case eyes because it was a text). He plans on running to Stone Mountain in Atlanta and back to his house with 25 pounds on his back tomorrow, which is approximately 20 miles in the hot Atlanta summer. Yah, I'll just chill in the air conditioned gym. And don't ask about John yet. Let’s see how many Billy Blogs I can do before we see John actually run in the gym. Over/under is at 30 days from now.

So here we go - Thursday, 7, August, 2014 - At 10:00 PM CDT - 4 games of high-intensity basketball, 33 minutes on the elliptical machine, 2 miles on the treadmill.

XOXOXOXO

b

P.S - Does everyone think now would be a good time to start to look for flights to Chile?