ran an article on February 15 highlighting the impact of pregnancy centers across America.

"... thousands of crisis pregnancy centers in the U.S. are working to end abortion... the new face of an old movement: kind, calm, nonjudgmental, a special-forces soldier in the abortion wars who is fighting her battles one conscience at a time. Her center helps women navigate the social-service bureaucracy, sign up for Medicaid and begin prenatal care. She helps pregnant girls find emergency housing if their parents threaten to throw them out. Free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are just the latest service."

"[They] talk of changing hearts. They are part of a whole other strategy that is more personal and more pastoral..."

"...the pregnancy-center movement takes the fight over abortion deep inside some of the most intimate conversations a woman ever has."

"Pregnancy centers offer everything from emergency food and formula to strollers and baby clothes to help with the month's rent."

"The latest trend is to convert pregnancy centers into health clinics that offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and testing for sexually transmitted diseases."

The article fairly wrestles with the complex issues of abortion and the important role of pregnancy centers. The closing sentence sums it up, "On issues of such weight, making the questions harder for people is the first step toward finding some answers." The need to raise funds for these CPC's is continually important.

Posted by Jeff at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey Guys! It's been awhile since I've updated. I'm sorry - been a bit too busy lately to keep on top of everything. Training has been OK, but I am not where I need to be. I've been managing 10 - 13 hours/week for the past several weeks, but really need to start bumping that up.

My running has been average. I've been wimping out a bit lately and using the YMCA track more than the cold Minnesota outdoors! I'm trying to get in 30 - 40 miles per week (it's been closer to 30 lately).

Cycling is also average. I've watched a few decent movies while on the trainer, such as The Aviator, Facing the Giants, and 4 Minutes. My longest indoor ride has been 74 miles (57 miles, followed by a short break, and 17 more to finish off). I've done several 30 - 40-milers. A couple hours on the trainer is long enough!

Swimming seems to be going OK. My times are a bit above where I used to be, comfortably averaging 1:50/100, and going as fast as 1:45/100 for 1500 m.

Weight training needs some more focus as well - getting 3 days per week or so. Would like to get back to 5.

Attached are some reports from the past month. I'll start updating more frequently now. Ironman Arizona is quickly approaching!

Click on any of the images for a zoomed-in view.

Posted by mpluimer at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tim Miller and I had the privilege of speaking and presenting our Janus Charity Challenge fundraising opportunities to several CPC directors at their meeting in Richfield, MN on February 14. We were blessed by the positive response to this program, and feel so honored to be able to serve God by using our gifts for His glory. It is our true passion and desire that others will see Christ through us, and will be moved to support the great cause of the Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

I am passionate about life - from the unborn baby to the aging grandparent! What a gift.

We showed the Dick and Rick Hoyt video set to Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullin, which is enough to tug on anyone's heartstrings. As Dick Hoyt, the father of Ricky, a 30-year old man with cerebral palsy, wills his son to finish the Ironman triathlon by pulling him in a raft, biking him 112 miles, and then pushing him in a stroller for the finishing marathon, so my Heavenly Father gives me the strength and enables me to cross the finish line. I pray for forgiveness for when I take the glory, as I know it is by HIS STRENGTH ALONE that I can accomplish anything.

Posted by mpluimer at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TOTAL TIME: 11:57:17 OVERALL PLACE: 669 DIVISION (M 30-34) PLACE: 126/279 Download Race Report

RACE REPORT -- IRONMAN USA LAKE PLACID

JULY 23, 2006 Lake Placid, NY is a gorgeous venue for the Ironman (or any other outdoor event for that matter). The atmosphere in the days leading up to the race was intense. Athletes everywhere (and I think I was the only male with unshaved legs!). The Ironman is a unique experience. This year, Heather and I were blessed to have some additional fans at the race: My mom and dad, my sister, Joy, and her husband, Chad. First time IronFans! It was so great to have them at the race! Race Day Conditions: Cool (great!), Rainy (not so great). Fortunately, the rains subsided a couple hours in, making for great conditions for the day. Temperatures were in the 70's. Nice.
The Swim: 2.4 miles.	The race started at 7:00 a.m. It is a mass swim start, meaning all 2200 athletes enter the water at the same time. It was a deepwater start, so we were treading water for 10 minutes prior to the actual start. The swim consisted of two rectangular laps around buoys in Mirror Lake, a gorgeous crystal-clear lake. It was the roughest swim start I’ve had in a triathlon, as far as physical contact from other swimmers. My swim goal: 1:15. Actual time: 1:11. My fastest Ironman swim split yet. I was pumped!
The Bike: 112 miles The bike is still the most grueling part of the race for me. And this bike course is particularly difficult, as it's the hilliest Ironman bike course in North America. I set a somewhat aggressive goal for the 112-mile bike course: Break 6 hours. That would mean I would have to average 18.7 mph on this hilly course. In Ironman Arizona earlier in the year, I averaged 19.5 mph, but that course was pretty flat. This would be a test. It rained hard for the first 20 miles or so, making the downhill stretch by mile 9 rather intense, as I was rolling over 45 mph down much of that section. I finished the first lap in 2:55, averaging 19.2 mph – right on schedule. The second lap can make or break the race, though. I managed a 3:04 18.2 mph 2nd lap, for a total split of 5:59:45, 18.7 mph! I met my goal. However, I would later find out that my nutrition strategies on the bike would come back to haunt me on the run. In Arizona earlier this year, I drank too many fluids on the bike, causing my stomach to shut down and stop digesting. I tried to skimp on both fluids and calories on this race, consuming just 100 calories per hour, rather than the recommended 300 - 400. The big question would be whether or not 600 calories is enough to sustain me for the marathon.

The Run: 26.2 miles

Coming off the bike, I felt fantastic. I just had my best Ironman swim, followed by a respectable sub-6 hour bike. I knew that if I could crank out a 3:30 marathon, I'd be in under 11 hours, exceeding my 12-hour goal by an hour! As I ran out of the transition, I saw my family and gave them a big, double fist-pump. I was ready to roll, and felt great. I started clicking off 7-minute miles. I knew that was a bit fast, but I felt so good, I wanted to let it roll. I continued the pace for the first 10 miles or so, when I started to slow. I finished the first 13.1 mile loop in 1:46, close to 3:30 pace for the marathon. It was still within reach. Well, by mile 15, the thoughts of finishing in under 11 hours were fading fast, as I found myself slowly running down. But my sub-12 hour goal was still an easy reality, or so I thought. By mile 17, I hit that infamous "wall". For those of you who have never hit the wall, I don't recommend it. I found out the hard way that 600 calories is enough to sustain me for 17 miles of running in an Ironman. Unfortunately, the marathon is 26.2.

By Mile 17, I was literally stumbling along the shoulder. I had trouble even walkingin a straight line. It started to become a reality that I may not even finish this race, much less break 12 hours! I tried to force myself forward, but my body wasn’t cooperating. As much as the food at the aid stations turned my stomach, I forced myself to grab some Coca-Cola at each mile marker. After 5 miles of stumbling, the sugars started to kick in, and I regained some strength. At mile 22, I realized that if I could run sub-8 minute miles for the final 4, I would finish in under 12 hours. I crossed the finish line strong – in 11:57:17. Praise God for allowing me to reach my sub-12 hour goal! To Him be the Glory!!! And thank YOU for your prayers!!

Posted by mpluimer at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)