Greetings! Much has been going on since my last post and with the summer solstice now upon us, I wanted to get down a few thoughts and updates. For starters, the pit crew party at the home of Leroy Keith on June 5th was a great time…i recently posted raw pics and an album of sorts which certainly reflected the genuine friendship that was brought on by the unique experience each of us had during the last ride. Lu always reminded how the bike brought so many folks together for the right reasons and that seems to be the hallmark of my rides, irregardless of how they might turn out.
I also wanted to announce that i’ll be doing a 24 hour ride at Fuel Sport fitness in Crest Hill, IL this coming Friday, June 25 and Sat June 26th. The ride is in conjunction with Fuel’s open house and a fundraiser for Miss Illinois, Jillian Dirks, who many might recall was at the venue that Sunday afternoon as the ride was heading into what would be the final night. I’ve included text portions of the press release below which further details this upcoming event. All our welcome to come out for this party and help support Miss Illinois and of course, I’ll be riding and the music is always good! Please see the info below:
George Hood Partners with Miss Illinois, Jillian Dirks in 24 Hour Marathon Fundraiser
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Foundation to Benefit
AURORA- Three-time Guinness World Record holder George Hood has fueled up with Fuel Sports Performance Training Inc., who will host a Grand Opening 24 hour “Static” cycling marathon fundraiser to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Will and Grundy counties. The venue is located at 2367 Copper Court just east of the intersection of Weber Road and Caton Farm Road in Crest Hill, IL.
Hood will begin his 24 hour marathon and kickoff the Grand Opening Fundraiser at 6 p.m. Friday, June 25 and end Saturday, June 26, around 6 p.m. Hood’s ride is being billed as a “recovery ride” only and is being done on behalf of Miss Illinois and her charity causes. There will be a celebration party during the day on Saturday as Hood continues his cycling marathon throughout the day. The event will have food, beverages, silent auctions and fun for all ages throughout the day. Saturday night features a live concert performance by local band, LAST FAST ACTION! For a small donation, you can sign up to ride with George, eat good food and listen to great music. So FUEL up and join us for some fun!
George Hood is an ultra endurance athlete, a former Marine, retired DEA agent and an Aurora resident who lays claim to three time Guinness world records which include stationary (spin) bike riding and rope skipping marathons. He recently completed a 175 hour ultra marathon in April in pursuit of the existing GWR of 192 hours and raised nearly $16,000.00, portions of which went to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and the Fox Valley United Way. In addition to his work as a certified personal trainer at X Sport Fitness in Naperville, Hood continues to train daily on his “spin” bike as well as running nearly 25 miles a week. Hood’s ride is for charity and will help Miss Illinois, Jillian Dirks, raise funds to support the Big Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Will and Grundy counties. Follow George’s activities on his website, www.ridegeorgeride.org and U- Stream.
In March 2010, Jillian Dirks of Warrenville was crowned Miss Illinois. With a background in criminal justice, this 20-year-old works for the DUI unit in her county and attends college in the evenings. Jillian is competing for a National Miss title in Orlando, from July 5 to July 11. While in Florida, she and other contestants will perform at Universal Studios. Jillian has been training with head trainer Ricky Alamillo from Fuel to prepare herself to ride with George. Jillian represents the International Junior Miss system. Check out Jillian’s website at http://www.missillinois.webs.com and find her on Facebook as well.
Fuel Sports Performance Training Inc., online at www.fuelspt.com, is a unique total fitness experience offering programs in youth and family fitness as well as sports performance training. They strive to partner with existing coaches and programs to identify areas of improvement in flexibility, balance, core strength, and overall explosive power. Fuel is donating space to host the fundraiser. Sponsors and individuals who want to join the fundraiser can contact John at 815-729-2673 or Tinamarie at 630-995-1523.
Additionally, my training tempo has increased slightly with continued hours on the bike yielding an even lower heart rate over the course of 4-6 hour rides and getting upwards of 15 and 16 miles consistently each hour. I sense that I’m getting the benefit of having just completed a 175 hour ride with 6 months of training behind that. I’ve now gotten back into my running routine and I enjoy the cross training effect. My pace at Springbrook is about 8:30 to 9 minute miles and James Small can attest to the tremendous fat calorie burn that one reaps simply by riding the loop along side of me. I’m very appreciative of the countless clients and friends who’ve joined me on my runs on the prairie. This past Father’s Day found me knocking down an 8 hour ride in prep for the 24 hour this weekend with 2501 calories expended and an AHR of only 90 bpm and a total DST of 114+ miles, clearly averaging 15 miles and hour. All to familiar stats which will once again be tracked over the 24 hour ride. Many have volunteered to support me in this effort at the bike and I appreciate it….I’ve been informed we’ll have about 5 or so good spin bikes at the venue for those that would like to join us at any time….
On the personal training side of the house, I continue to exploit core training with many clients finding tremendous benefit in the various core exercises (COREX) that I put them through. Many require a partner of sorts, but the staple of the COREX will forever remain the plank! Many show consistent improvement over time backed up by countless crunches and a variety of other exercises. I started doing the plank last summer and firmly believe it is the true test of one’s core strength. I had a personal best last summer of 25 minutes but have since lapped that mark over the last several weeks and most recently did a 4o minute plank on Monday at Springbrook. I enjoy the tremendous concentration and training effect I get from holding the position level with 4 points of contact and focusing on each and every minute. The planks I do are not done for attention, but merely for the benefit I find that it brings to my core and resulting posture on and off the bike. A 40 minute plank like a 175 hour ride simply will draw the attention of the curious by there very nature. The planks I do are witnessed by a client, friend or some other loyal passerby who keeps time for me and ultimately other runnners, park personnel, etc will often wander over and simply watch. This is not by design but simply a by product of the duration that my planks happen to be…..extraordinary, sure, but our bodies are extraordinary machines, complex as they are and to challenge the body and our minds to do the extraordinary and accomplish feats not thought possible is simply one of the cornerstones of the fitness regimen I try to impart to others…Mr Ristow will soon know all to well the limits his body will take him as his daily preps for the Ironman in September continue to hone his readiness for what many think impossible, a triathlon…..but we train on cause those of us on the lunatic fringe enjoy pushing the envelope and knowing others can do the same….Jim and I are really no different than many of you we’ve come to know over the last ride so simply put, just do! Many have asked if there is a world record for the plank and I did make an inquiry to GWR last year only to find out that GWR does not recognize the plank. The closest alternative they could come up with was the pushup record and I’m not certain I want to go there…. yet anyway. I’ve also incorporated rope training with many of my clients at the club and I’ll sometimes have it at Springbrook…..its a 40 pound, 1 1/2 inch diameter rope and I use 1, 3, 5 and 3, 5 and 7 minute drills with clients. Many enjoy the sharp increase in cardio output and resultant arm and core workout from the rope movements. Feel free to reach out and find me at the club and jump on the rope and check it out!
Lastly, tomorrow I speak at the Aurora Rotary at 7am regarding the recent ride and many of you will come to mind as I reflect briefly with them on the ride and the tremendous success we enjoyed in meeting each other and helping Injured Marines and the Fox Valley United Way. I’ll promote the 24 hour ride this weekend and smile knowing the bike will once again bring together some new faces and some former crew personnel for the benefit of Miss Illinois, Jillian Dirks. We love this stuff and I cant help but think of the success we’ll have raising money this weekend. It will be a party from what I hear, which should keep me awake. This is merely a recover ride, not testing any new waters….yet, but the GWR is still held by my good friend Mehrzad at 192 hours and the friendships I enjoy with he and Frank will forver be a part of the legacy this last ride left behind. Have a great rest of the week, I’ll try to blog from the venue this weekend and if I get the U-Stream up and running, I’ll stream the ride much like we did before….all the best! G
