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Team Running Free athlete

Derek Virgo

Team Running Free Alumni

Age: 0

Member Since: 2009

Occupation: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training Program Coordinator

Home: Markham, ON

About Me: <br><br> I’m 27 years old. <br><br> I have a beautiful girlfriend who doesn’t mind coming out to long races in the extreme heat or pouring rain, and splitting the grocery bill with me and my 4000 calorie per day diet. <br><br> I’m a triathlete from the ankles up. I started out as a very biomechanically inefficient runner… the worst you’ve ever seen, I guarantee. <br><br> However, I’ve somehow managed to drag my pancake-flat feet through marathons, triathlons, and even a 400 kilometre 10-day charity fundraiser run. <br><br> Shifting the focus away from running though, and training as a triathlete has helped to keep me injury free for the last 3 years. It’s even made me a little faster on my feet. <br><br> Aside from swimming, cycling and running, I like travel, yoga, and surfing. In 2006, my girlfriend and I lived in Japan and went surfing every week… unfortunately, there is no surfing in Markham.

Sports: <br>Triathlon. <br>Running. <br>Swimming. <br>Cycling.

Athletic Goals: <br>Finish the 2010 Seaton Trail Ultramarathon (52k)<br> Finish Ironman Lake Placid in July 2010 <br>

My most catastrophic racing experience was: <br><b>In May of 2008 at the ING Half Marathon in Ottawa...</b> <br>I took off at a 3:45/km pace and started to crash after about 4 km. I'm still not sure what I was thinking, but the rest of that story can write itself for you I am sure.

My most memorable racing experience was: <br><b>July 2009 at the Peterborough Half Iron.</b> <br> A great day for a swim, ride, and run... I finished in 4:39 and felt like there was still plenty to improve on. Time will tell.

Favourite Racing Gear: <br>I guess I should include my <b>Asics Foundations</b> since they keep me upright...<br> But I also love my:<br> CW-X 3/4 Pro Tights<br> Sable Water Optics<br> And my CycleOps Fluid Trainer

Favourite Race: Peterborough Half Iron & Guelph Lake

Favourite Race Food: <br>Bob's Red Mill Organic Oats with shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, flax oil, and agave nectar. Dates with almond butter and a matcha smoothie from the Magic Bullet! Try it!! You'll love it!