Holy Crap, it's racing season already! I've been happily plugging away at my base training for a few weeks now, and just got the January e-Newsletters from USAT and TriFreaks, among others. Oceanside 70.3 (part of Ironman 70.3 series) is only 8 weeks away. Before panic ensues, take a gut check of your core competencies:
_ Able to swim 1.2 miles (slower than I want to, but check!)
_ Able to bike 56 miles (well, I can at least bike for 3 hours. only 8 weeks to see how far that takes me)
_ Able to run 13.1 miles (no problemo there)
Okay, so with 2 months to go I guess I'm not in such terrible shape, after all.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Got Mud?
A number of readers have asked for some more "About Me" material. So here goes:
I am not a professional triathlete or trainer. I'm pretty new to the sport, actually, having run a few marathons and completed several sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. This year, I've signed on for two Ironman 70.3 races (Oceanside & Honu), and Ironman Switzerland this July. I gather I have the right mixture of athleticism, craziness and stupidity to put these events on my calendar for 2008.
I expect my Iron(wo)man career to be brief - nay, I want to be a one-hit-wonder. But I want to do it right. I don't want to take my coveted spot at the sold-out starting line, only to flail around and struggle for 15+ hours and cross the finish on a gurney. I want to do this right - ergo, I got MUDDY.
Coach Muddy, to be precise. My buddy, muddy, as he humbly calls himself, has brought several athletes to the ITU World Championships in the past several years. He's plugged in with the best of 'em - from Lavelle to Lieto, Muddy Waters is 1 part coach, 10 parts friend to many in the triathlon nation.
Looking for coach to help you reach your full potential this triathlon season? GET YOUR OWN MUD! Just kidding. I know we can't keep him all to myself - he's just too lovable a guy. But here are some tips from the pros on how to select the right coach for you:
Full Article: [Courtesy of Dave Scott, Triathlete Magazine]
I am not a professional triathlete or trainer. I'm pretty new to the sport, actually, having run a few marathons and completed several sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. This year, I've signed on for two Ironman 70.3 races (Oceanside & Honu), and Ironman Switzerland this July. I gather I have the right mixture of athleticism, craziness and stupidity to put these events on my calendar for 2008.
I expect my Iron(wo)man career to be brief - nay, I want to be a one-hit-wonder. But I want to do it right. I don't want to take my coveted spot at the sold-out starting line, only to flail around and struggle for 15+ hours and cross the finish on a gurney. I want to do this right - ergo, I got MUDDY.
Coach Muddy, to be precise. My buddy, muddy, as he humbly calls himself, has brought several athletes to the ITU World Championships in the past several years. He's plugged in with the best of 'em - from Lavelle to Lieto, Muddy Waters is 1 part coach, 10 parts friend to many in the triathlon nation.
Looking for coach to help you reach your full potential this triathlon season? GET YOUR OWN MUD! Just kidding. I know we can't keep him all to myself - he's just too lovable a guy. But here are some tips from the pros on how to select the right coach for you:
Full Article: [Courtesy of Dave Scott, Triathlete Magazine]
- A combination of education and experience.
- An understanding of the fundamentals of workload.
- An ability to cross-reference key training indicators such as speed, heart rate, watts and perceived exertion.
- The ability to design a program for the full training year (periodization, micro-cycles, rest, etc.).
- An attention to the details of your training and the astuteness to recognize when it's time to make changes (e.g., to recognize symptoms of over-reaching/training or mental burnout, etc.).
- An understanding of the biomechanics of swimming, cycling and running and the ability to prescribe drills and exercises to effect corrective changes.
- The knowledge of the principles of endurance nutrition and supplementation and the ability to prescribe a fueling plan that is tailored to you.
- Any advice and guidance for your individual race-day tactics.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A motivating personality that fits you.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
What Happens in Vegas...
Looking for an early season triathlon? Were you too late to register for, or highly inspired from Ironman Arizona 2008? (the first one, see earlier article on IM/AZ)
Looking for a reason to reward your hard work with a trip to Las Vegas? You're in luck! The news is out on the Rage in the Sage triathlon, coming up April 19th.
What: Rage in the Sage Triathlon (Sprint & Olympic Distances)
Where: Lake Mead Recreational Area, Las Vegas, NV
When: Saturday, April 19, 2008
Where: Lake Mead Recreational Area, Las Vegas, NV
When: Saturday, April 19, 2008
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Post Race BBQ
- "Healthy" reason to go to Vegas
- Chip-Timed Race
- Qualifier Race - Best in the U.S. Triathlete Competition (Nevada State Qualifier)
And, WTF is the Best in the U.S. Triathlete Competition,
and why should I give a crap?
Because USAT will be taking the top 1/3 or top FIVE finishers
in EACH AGE GROUP to qualify for the national competition.
Oh, what, did you think I was referring to Worlds? Whoops.
I have to read more about this Best in the U.S. Championship,
but it sounds to me like the consolation draw in the "real" dance
in Clearwater. More info to come. But hey, for now enjoy the opportunity
to do something in Vegas that's GOOD for you for a change!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Quiz: Are you ready for the 2008 Triathlon Season?
Fellow multi-sport athletes! The holidays have passed - gone are the decadent gatherings where we over-eat and under-train. We have tapered and recovered as far as we could have for the end of 2007. It's time to get our asses in gear and put those whimsical fitness plans into action. IT IS OPEN SEASON AGAIN.
Take this quiz to find out if you're ready for battle or if you're cruisin' for a bruisin':
1. My USAT membership is:
a) platinum status - active for life!
b) active through next year (which is now 2009, remember)
c) expires sometime this year
d) buried under some junk mail
2. I have gained ___ pounds since my last race of 2007:
a) less than 2
b) 2-5
c) 5-10
d) 10+
3. Average number of weekly weight workouts in December 2007:
a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) You're funny
4. My road bike is:
a) ready to ride tomorrow
b) dirty, but at least within eye sight
c) needs tune up, new tires, grips and brakes
d) locked up in basement housing spiders
5. My pantry is stocked with:
a) bars, Gu, Electrolytes and Recovery mixes
b) some free stuff I got during races last year
c) one Cliff Bar and a spoonful of Cytomax
d) assorted cookies, crackers, chips and candy
6. I can run:
a) nonstop for 90 minutes easily
b) on flat surfaces for 60 minutes
c) on treadmill for 30 minutes
d) to the fridge and back
7. My race preparation for this year is:
a) etched in stone - I've already registered for my races
b) written down - I have a list of races I want to do
c) with my crew - friends have told me which races are hot
d) nonexistent - to race, or not to race...?
8. My core can________ in 1 day:
a) do 100 sit ups
b) do 50 crunches
c) sit really still
d) expand 4 inches
9. Yoga is:
a) my morning meditation and core workout
b) a great way to relax and rejuvenate on weekends
c) something I should start doing soon
d) that bear who steals picnic baskets
10. I drink more ____ than anything during the week:
a) Water
b) Coffee / Juice
c) Soft Drinks
d) Beer / Wine / Spirits
SCORE:
Mostly A's: You're a pure blood triathlete who has adopted a lifestyle centered around multi-sports. Congratulations, you're starting off 2008 well ahead of most!
Mostly B's: You've maintained a reasonable amount of all the hard work you put into last year's triathlon season. Consider yourself lucky - you have a decent base from which to build upon this year.
Mostly C's: Don't worry you're human. Try not to beat yourself up too much. But note, there are A's and B's in front of you so get yourself to the gym, soon!
Mostly D's: You are a disgrace to the sport. Just kidding! You're either new to the sport, or are part of a unique breed known as the 'recreational athlete'. You work hard, but play hard, too. Print this quiz out and use it as a check list to get a leg up on your competition - and then take this quiz again next month. You'll likely jump up 2 categories!
Take this quiz to find out if you're ready for battle or if you're cruisin' for a bruisin':
1. My USAT membership is:
a) platinum status - active for life!
b) active through next year (which is now 2009, remember)
c) expires sometime this year
d) buried under some junk mail
2. I have gained ___ pounds since my last race of 2007:
a) less than 2
b) 2-5
c) 5-10
d) 10+
3. Average number of weekly weight workouts in December 2007:
a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) You're funny
4. My road bike is:
a) ready to ride tomorrow
b) dirty, but at least within eye sight
c) needs tune up, new tires, grips and brakes
d) locked up in basement housing spiders
5. My pantry is stocked with:
a) bars, Gu, Electrolytes and Recovery mixes
b) some free stuff I got during races last year
c) one Cliff Bar and a spoonful of Cytomax
d) assorted cookies, crackers, chips and candy
6. I can run:
a) nonstop for 90 minutes easily
b) on flat surfaces for 60 minutes
c) on treadmill for 30 minutes
d) to the fridge and back
7. My race preparation for this year is:
a) etched in stone - I've already registered for my races
b) written down - I have a list of races I want to do
c) with my crew - friends have told me which races are hot
d) nonexistent - to race, or not to race...?
8. My core can________ in 1 day:
a) do 100 sit ups
b) do 50 crunches
c) sit really still
d) expand 4 inches
9. Yoga is:
a) my morning meditation and core workout
b) a great way to relax and rejuvenate on weekends
c) something I should start doing soon
d) that bear who steals picnic baskets
10. I drink more ____ than anything during the week:
a) Water
b) Coffee / Juice
c) Soft Drinks
d) Beer / Wine / Spirits
SCORE:
Mostly A's: You're a pure blood triathlete who has adopted a lifestyle centered around multi-sports. Congratulations, you're starting off 2008 well ahead of most!
Mostly B's: You've maintained a reasonable amount of all the hard work you put into last year's triathlon season. Consider yourself lucky - you have a decent base from which to build upon this year.
Mostly C's: Don't worry you're human. Try not to beat yourself up too much. But note, there are A's and B's in front of you so get yourself to the gym, soon!
Mostly D's: You are a disgrace to the sport. Just kidding! You're either new to the sport, or are part of a unique breed known as the 'recreational athlete'. You work hard, but play hard, too. Print this quiz out and use it as a check list to get a leg up on your competition - and then take this quiz again next month. You'll likely jump up 2 categories!
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