Made a new Twitter friend the other day - JenSmall (http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com). Jen went from - in her words - Fat to Fit with diet and exercise, losing 100 pounds that she has kept off for over 8 months. She now competes in triathlons while chasing a little one at home.
I've also been watching some Ironman races from the mid 00's during my indoor trainer workouts. While it's fun to 'keep pace' with the leaders, I find more inspiration from the John 'Blazeman' Blais story - finishing his first Kona race after being diagnosed with ALS - than from watching Michellie and Norman tear up the course. Not only did Blazeman finish, he inspired Brian Breen to complete his first Ironman one year later, and now the movement continues: Iron Blazeman is available on iTunes, and pros like Chrissie Wellington are rolling over the finish line to keep the ALS fight alive.
We all need outside inspiration now and again. Long runs in cold weather and snow; 3:45am wake-up calls to head to the trainer for another ride; pool intervals while most are still sleeping. Watching what we eat, weigh-ins, and missing out on birthday cakes and that glass of wine. It can take its toll, and we need to keep focused. In addition to racing for yourself, who else do you race for? Family? Charities? Someone like Blazeman who has touched you and you want to continue the fight?
As for me, my family gives me great inspiration, along with support. I also think of Patti Sue and the kids at Casa de Fe (lacasadefe.org) an orphanage in rural Ecuador that adopted us when we visited there; and how they do so much with so little. I also draw strength from Blazeman and JenSmall, hoping I can use triathlon to help and inspire others to do more than they thought they could as well as spreading the word of a great cause.
Who Inspires You?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Triathlon: A Team Sport Contested by Individuals
It's Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving. Did you stop and thank your Triathlon Team yesterday? And did you ever think of how, while triathlon may be an individual sport, it's a team that gets you to the starting line?
Went to Miami a few weeks ago to do the Miami Man Triathlon (A fun, well-run triathlon I suggest every one checks out and adds to their race schedule for 2011). I was at the swim start by myself - but I hadn't gotten there alone. The hours I spend away in training from my family are only happening as they support my tri habit, and takes a big share of daily duties for the little guy. My bike got shipped down - thanks to Fast Splits Multisport in Newton for packing it up and reassembling it when it got back. Swim coach Leah Nyikes at Liquid Lifestyles who fine tuned my stroke this year. The local club who I trained with a few times this year. Everyone who traveled to cheer me on, help me hobble around South Beach afterwards, and listened to me retell the war stories over and over to anyone who would listen. I compared race notes with my brother; my hotel went out of their way to make sure I had proper nutrition before and after the race. A massage after-the-fact at a local spa. Not to mention the folks who covered me at my day job so I could take some days off to travel, compete and recover.
We all may be at the start - and finish - by ourselves, but our team of friends, family and support crew get us to the start line, cheer us on during the race, and take care of us afterwards. Even for us Middle-of-the-Pack triathletes. And I give thanks for them all!
Went to Miami a few weeks ago to do the Miami Man Triathlon (A fun, well-run triathlon I suggest every one checks out and adds to their race schedule for 2011). I was at the swim start by myself - but I hadn't gotten there alone. The hours I spend away in training from my family are only happening as they support my tri habit, and takes a big share of daily duties for the little guy. My bike got shipped down - thanks to Fast Splits Multisport in Newton for packing it up and reassembling it when it got back. Swim coach Leah Nyikes at Liquid Lifestyles who fine tuned my stroke this year. The local club who I trained with a few times this year. Everyone who traveled to cheer me on, help me hobble around South Beach afterwards, and listened to me retell the war stories over and over to anyone who would listen. I compared race notes with my brother; my hotel went out of their way to make sure I had proper nutrition before and after the race. A massage after-the-fact at a local spa. Not to mention the folks who covered me at my day job so I could take some days off to travel, compete and recover.
We all may be at the start - and finish - by ourselves, but our team of friends, family and support crew get us to the start line, cheer us on during the race, and take care of us afterwards. Even for us Middle-of-the-Pack triathletes. And I give thanks for them all!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Post-workout recovery meals
What's the ideal post-workout recovery meal?
Sports nutritionists have been preaching the importance of post-workout recovery nutrition. That golden 30-60 minutes after a workout where our bodies can utilize fuel the best to recover, rebuild and repair the damage we just did. More and more information has been coming out about protein ratios needed for recovery - 3:1 or 4:1. I won't answer that question, but I'll let you in on my favorite.
First up: that elementary school favorite chocolate milk. Karp and his friends wrote in
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (2006, 16, 78-91) that cyclists recovered better between bouts of intense exercise with chocolate milk than with a recovery drink. This information echos two studies presented at the 2010 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting showing how cholcoate milk helps repair muscles and restore glycogen after exercise (athletes exercised from 30-60 minutes in the two studies). It comes in the most widely-researched 4:1 carb:protein ratio.
Upside? Available darn near anywhere - supermarkets, convenience stores, even gas stations. A dairy here in Boston even does home delivery!
Downside? Storage.
Recovery isn't just what you do after a hard race or workout; it's something all endurance athletes need to attend to for optimum performance.
Sources:
And, no, I'm not sponsored by any dairy company, but I do get home delivery every week!
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Hit-and-run is not a felony - if you have money....
If you haven't ran across this yet, prepare to be outraged:
Vail Daily
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939/1078&ParentProfile=1062
Yup. Allegedly hit a bicyclist, drove away without rendering assistance. Then caught while putting his mirror and bumper into his trunk. Bad injuries to the bicyclist - spinal injuries and bleeding into the brain, knee injury and a broken scapula (this tells you how bad it was - the scapula (or shoulder blade) is one of the three hardest bones in the body to break).
Big fines, time in jail?
Nope. It's gonna be a misdemeanor, 'cause the guy who allegedly did it has loot. Lots of loot. Bags and bags of loot, the potential to make more, and I'm sure his clients and friends have something to say about it.
So, following this logic, take a look in your bank account, and add into that how much you could make at your job. That should tell you how many people you're allowed to run over.
The logic on the side of the 'prosecution' and the district attorney is that a felony conviction would impair the accused's ability to pay restitution.
I call BS.
I'm sure someone who manages a billion in assets has knowledge of a few things like asset protection and a personal liability insurance policy. You don't control that kinda loot and be dumb about your own money.
So, what's the true reason? I'll let you take this to its logical conclusion, but I invite you to look at the 2 main players:
Mr. Erzinger - Accused hit-and-run driver, man with friends and money.
DA Hurlbert - political aspirations (read: needs money to fund campaigns); likes to hurt those he can and protect those he can:
http://www.crimeandfederalism.com/2010/11/mark-hurlbert-corrupt-prosecutor.html
The Victim:
Dr. Milo - most likely won't be able to perform live-saving liver transplant surgeries for a long time - if ever.
What can we do?
A few words and a plea from Jordan Rapp, professional triathlete and car vs. bike victim
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Calling_EVERYONE_To_Action!_P3065992
What else can we as cyclists and triathletes do? Be careful, be visible. And don't ride around Erzinger or Hurlbert.
Vail Daily
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939/1078&ParentProfile=1062
Yup. Allegedly hit a bicyclist, drove away without rendering assistance. Then caught while putting his mirror and bumper into his trunk. Bad injuries to the bicyclist - spinal injuries and bleeding into the brain, knee injury and a broken scapula (this tells you how bad it was - the scapula (or shoulder blade) is one of the three hardest bones in the body to break).
Big fines, time in jail?
Nope. It's gonna be a misdemeanor, 'cause the guy who allegedly did it has loot. Lots of loot. Bags and bags of loot, the potential to make more, and I'm sure his clients and friends have something to say about it.
So, following this logic, take a look in your bank account, and add into that how much you could make at your job. That should tell you how many people you're allowed to run over.
The logic on the side of the 'prosecution' and the district attorney is that a felony conviction would impair the accused's ability to pay restitution.
I call BS.
I'm sure someone who manages a billion in assets has knowledge of a few things like asset protection and a personal liability insurance policy. You don't control that kinda loot and be dumb about your own money.
So, what's the true reason? I'll let you take this to its logical conclusion, but I invite you to look at the 2 main players:
Mr. Erzinger - Accused hit-and-run driver, man with friends and money.
DA Hurlbert - political aspirations (read: needs money to fund campaigns); likes to hurt those he can and protect those he can:
http://www.crimeandfederalism.com/2010/11/mark-hurlbert-corrupt-prosecutor.html
The Victim:
Dr. Milo - most likely won't be able to perform live-saving liver transplant surgeries for a long time - if ever.
What can we do?
A few words and a plea from Jordan Rapp, professional triathlete and car vs. bike victim
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Calling_EVERYONE_To_Action!_P3065992
What else can we as cyclists and triathletes do? Be careful, be visible. And don't ride around Erzinger or Hurlbert.
Monday, November 1, 2010
A Change of Perspective
Coming onto the end of my season, I was having a conversation with my brother who is finishing his season as well. We were chatting about how nice it'll be to be done with the year; how we were both looking forward to the taper, less time on training, more time with other activities and interests. I even admit to skipping a workout this week for mental health reasons.
And then yesterday, I turned on the TV. Not sure who was watching what the night before, but some tele-preacher was on. I usually don't listen very long to TV Religion - about as long as it takes to find the remote and turn it to anything else. But this guy said something that struck me, so I listened for a few minutes, and even replayed it. He was talking about perspective.
It's easy to get stuck in a rut, with the 'woe is me' running rampant. Taxes are due, time for another turn at work, I gotta do a brick workout. My pool swims are lousy, the car is making funny noises, the family is trying to pull me away from a training session.
But look at it differently:
Taxes are due = I made enough money to have to pay taxes.
I gotta go to work = I have a job
Car making noises = I have a car
Family pulling me different directions = I have a wonderful family who supports me and wants to spend time with me
Workouts = I am healthy enough with family support to workout and compete in races
Amazing what a different perspective can do for you. Some call it a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), others reframing. The simple answer, though, is if you are feeling down about something, not looking forward to an activity, look at it differently. Find the happiness in the situation, examine it from a different angle.
The best advice I have ever gotten when it comes to triathlon is to smile. This does the same thing as a change of perspective. You may be gutting out those last minutes (hours?) of a training session, or the last miles of a race, but having a goofy grin on your face makes them go faster, and it also lifts those around you. And instead of 'surviving those last miles', it turns into, 'I'm glad I am healthy enough to enjoy this activity and this day with my friends'.
It just takes a change of perspective.
And then yesterday, I turned on the TV. Not sure who was watching what the night before, but some tele-preacher was on. I usually don't listen very long to TV Religion - about as long as it takes to find the remote and turn it to anything else. But this guy said something that struck me, so I listened for a few minutes, and even replayed it. He was talking about perspective.
It's easy to get stuck in a rut, with the 'woe is me' running rampant. Taxes are due, time for another turn at work, I gotta do a brick workout. My pool swims are lousy, the car is making funny noises, the family is trying to pull me away from a training session.
But look at it differently:
Taxes are due = I made enough money to have to pay taxes.
I gotta go to work = I have a job
Car making noises = I have a car
Family pulling me different directions = I have a wonderful family who supports me and wants to spend time with me
Workouts = I am healthy enough with family support to workout and compete in races
Amazing what a different perspective can do for you. Some call it a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), others reframing. The simple answer, though, is if you are feeling down about something, not looking forward to an activity, look at it differently. Find the happiness in the situation, examine it from a different angle.
The best advice I have ever gotten when it comes to triathlon is to smile. This does the same thing as a change of perspective. You may be gutting out those last minutes (hours?) of a training session, or the last miles of a race, but having a goofy grin on your face makes them go faster, and it also lifts those around you. And instead of 'surviving those last miles', it turns into, 'I'm glad I am healthy enough to enjoy this activity and this day with my friends'.
It just takes a change of perspective.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Ironman Access: Special Perk vs Money Grubbing?
In case you hadn't heard, WTC/Ironman has announced their new Ironman Access program - see it here: http://bit.ly/brUkLS
From everything I'm seeing in the triathlon world, the sentiment is a resounding "Are you kidding me?". Sure, when you own the name and the access, you can charge whatever you want. But isn't being an Ironman special enough? Now you want us to buy into the hype with a $1000 ANNUAL FEE for a few things like early registration, a special ID card, and a few VIP passes? And I still have to pay the full fee for $550 to race?
I know WTC is owned by Providence Equity Corporation, and are a for-profit company. They took a risk buying the name and rights, and - for the most part - have done a good job promoting the sport in general and their events in particular. They have raised their profits through strategic partnerships, sponsorships and the like. I don't deny them the right to a profit, but at what expense? But with the advent of the 5i50 series, are they diluting the brand? And with the Ironman Access program, are they going to drive participants to other IM-length but non-IM brand events? I have already heard some grumblings from fellow triathletes that they may walk away from the IM-branded events in favor of other organizers (Rev3 seems to be a popular choice).
As always, time will tell if this is a great idea, or a decision WTC will regret. As for now (and the foreseeable future), I'll remain a non-VIP, no-access triathlete.
From everything I'm seeing in the triathlon world, the sentiment is a resounding "Are you kidding me?". Sure, when you own the name and the access, you can charge whatever you want. But isn't being an Ironman special enough? Now you want us to buy into the hype with a $1000 ANNUAL FEE for a few things like early registration, a special ID card, and a few VIP passes? And I still have to pay the full fee for $550 to race?
I know WTC is owned by Providence Equity Corporation, and are a for-profit company. They took a risk buying the name and rights, and - for the most part - have done a good job promoting the sport in general and their events in particular. They have raised their profits through strategic partnerships, sponsorships and the like. I don't deny them the right to a profit, but at what expense? But with the advent of the 5i50 series, are they diluting the brand? And with the Ironman Access program, are they going to drive participants to other IM-length but non-IM brand events? I have already heard some grumblings from fellow triathletes that they may walk away from the IM-branded events in favor of other organizers (Rev3 seems to be a popular choice).
As always, time will tell if this is a great idea, or a decision WTC will regret. As for now (and the foreseeable future), I'll remain a non-VIP, no-access triathlete.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
40 is the new 20...
From the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/fashion/24triathlon.html
It talks about the sport with some interesting statistics. The ones that struck me most:
Average age: 41 (I'm helping to bring that down. A little.)
Average Income: $175,000
Average Ironman Expenditure: $22,000
But where is this drive to start the sport truly coming from? An adventure by middle-agers trying to recapture youth in a mid-life crisis? A chance to reach goals of fitness and weight loss? Just bored slinging weights in the gym? An excuse to wear spandex and spends lots of money on toys? Probably a little different for everyone. Personally, I was bored at the gym, was running and swimming and decided to take the plunge into triathlon (completed a duathlon years ago).
What about you? Was it time to conquer another mountain, get into shape, or you just wanted an excuse to wear stretchy clothes and shave your legs?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/fashion/24triathlon.html
It talks about the sport with some interesting statistics. The ones that struck me most:
Average age: 41 (I'm helping to bring that down. A little.)
Average Income: $175,000
Average Ironman Expenditure: $22,000
But where is this drive to start the sport truly coming from? An adventure by middle-agers trying to recapture youth in a mid-life crisis? A chance to reach goals of fitness and weight loss? Just bored slinging weights in the gym? An excuse to wear spandex and spends lots of money on toys? Probably a little different for everyone. Personally, I was bored at the gym, was running and swimming and decided to take the plunge into triathlon (completed a duathlon years ago).
What about you? Was it time to conquer another mountain, get into shape, or you just wanted an excuse to wear stretchy clothes and shave your legs?
At the beginning
Have been thinking for a while on how to organize the random thoughts in my mind from my various training - you know, those thoughts that creep in around mile 11 of that half-marathon, or maybe it's during the main set of your long swim of the week. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be concentrating on form, pacing and such. But those thoughts do creep in, and I'll be sharing them here. Everything from living the Triathlon Life to my thoughts of the latest doping scandal in the world of cycling (isn't there always another one?). I'll also try to sprinkle in some science of cycling, running and swimming as well as nutrition, not to mention the motivation behind it all.
Hang on and enjoy the ride....
Hang on and enjoy the ride....
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