I competed in my first triathlon the summer after my high school graduation (Aug. 1998).
It was only a sprint distance race, but I have been adding mileage on ever since...eventually
making it to the Ironman distance at Ironman Wisconsin in the fall after my college graduation
(Sept. 2002).
Two people have joined me in this madness known as triathlon. The first one being my
sister Jean, who was the one to originally sign up for that first sprint race and convinced
me to complete it with her. She has also gone on to add more mileage to her races and has
successfully completed many half-ironman races with more to follow. The other person to join me
is Mr. Andrew Wiers. My rivalry with this runner turned triathlete
began at the Springfield Ironhorse in June 2001, where the distances definitely favored a
true triathlete (me) and I brought home the victory. The following fall Wiers was the first
one to sign-up for IM Wisconsin, but since I could not let him complete an Ironman before me,
I signed up quickly thereafter. As it turns out, he did end up completing an Ironman before
me...actually around 2 hours before me. The next showdown is planned for July 27, 2003 at
the Dairyland Half-Ironman in Racine, WI. The experts are predicting Mr. VanderSanden to
redeem himself at this race. One expert
commented, "as the run gets shorter, Steve's advantage gets bigger." I will certainly
keep everyone up to date with the race proceedings.
Well, the experts were right about the Dairyland Tri. Steve brought home the victory in
what turned out to be a good day for all. Weirs had some quad problems, but turned in a good
run performance. Jean had a great day all around, but had the same complaint as everyone
else..."Damn that water was cold!"...not to mention the gale-force winds on the bike.
The entire VanderSanden clan has tackled marathoning with a vengeance. Four out of the six
siblings have completed a marathon (I am pretty sure that number is going to stay at 4).
The first marathon I completed was in Milwaukee (it was supposed to be a family affair, but that story is for
another day). The VanClan has gone on to finish races in Myrtle Beach (Jean),
the Twin Cities (Karen & Sam), Boston
(Sam), San Antonio
(Cheryl, Jean & Steve), Chicago
(Cheryl & Jean), Milwaukee (Cheryl), and Walt Disney World (Cheryl, Jean, Karen, Sam & Steve).
Here are a few links to satisfy your running curiosity... Runner's World...great magazine,
great website Running for Kicks...
great local running shop...Palos, IL Marathon Sports...great local
running shop...Brookline,MA
I spent 4 years of my life in "scenic" Milwaukee, WI attending MU. The people and memories
I have taken away from that experience are priceless. Maybe some day I will get a few pics
up on this site so everyone will be able to see what I am talking about.
Like a true Cubs fan, my response to coming to within 5 outs of the World Series was..."there is
always next year." Well, next year is here! Hopefully the Cubs will get those final 5 outs and
then make a run at the World Series.
Keep up with the Cubs action at cubs.com
Also, if you want to remember the good parts of the 2003 playoffs...take a look at some
pics that I gathered.
Other Links
Here are a few links to other things that interest me... Jimmy Buffett...wastin' away again
in Margaritaville Lance Armstrong...annual owner of
the Maillot Jaune Tour de France...see how he
wins it
