On May 16, 2012,
in There are times where I don’t really plan for what I’m going to write about in my blog. I get a spark of an idea, and go write about it. Those kind of posts are really a lot of fun – and in some cases I get to use my creativity to write (hopefully) compelling stuff that you like to read.
Other times, I really do some planning. Advance work. Research.
I thought I’d give you a glimpse into some of the things I’ve got in the “hopper” and will be publishing in the next couple of weeks.
Product / Book Reviews
I am quite honored when a company approaches me and asks me to do a review of their product. While my reviews may not be as in-depth or techy as DC Rainmaker’s, I think I do a pretty solid job of rendering my opinion on products when they come my way. Ultimately, my perspective is if I like a product I will tell you what I liked about it and why. On the other hand, I’ll also be honest about what I don’t like.
Over the past year, I’ve built a relationship with Velo Press and have been able to review several really good books. Right now, I’m in the midst of reviewing Sheila Taormina’s new book Swim Speed Secrets for Swimmers and Triathletes. I’ve actually finished reading the book, and have gone back to re-read several sections prior to writing my review. Look for that… Read the rest
Certainly, you’ve heard of the bucket list. Or at least the concept of a bucket list. It’s a list of things that you’d like to accomplish before you die. Or turn 40. (To some, those milestones are one and the same).
Of course, The Bucket List was a movie back in 2007 starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. This is not so much about the movie but more about the concept.
So many of us have lists of things we’d like to accomplish during our lifetime. Some folk’s lists are more altruistic than others. For example, you could want to “rescue a dog or cat from a shelter”, “make a tangible difference in someone’s life”, “find a cure to cancer” or just “be happy”. Other folk’s list are more selfish, and could include things like: “earn a million dollars”, “own a Ferrari”, “Find a beautiful wife/husband”.
Multisport athletes are no exception to the rule. We love to have lists of things we either want to do, things we want to buy, or things we’d love to accomplish.
For the longest time, my bucket list included (1) do a marathon and (2) become an Ironman. My list wasn’t a “do it before I die” list, but rather a “do it for my 40th” list. I set out in 2009 to do both of these things, and lo and behold, I did. In February 2009 I ran my first marathon (26.2 with Donna, The National Marathon to End Breast Cancer) and… Read the rest
Waves and chop at the 2012 Ironman St George were reported to be between 4-5 feet.
Over the past week there has been a considerable amount of web traffic posted about the swim conditions at this year’s Ironman St. George and how it appears that a considerable number of athletes were pulled from the water. One of the more interesting dialogues that has been occurring related to the question of whether athletes who cannot swim a pace faster than 2:00 per 100 yards should even attempt an iron distance race swim of 2.4 miles, with the main premise being that they shouldn’t.
At first, the conversation (which is on Slowtwitch) was focused on the concept and theory that swim speed was correlated to swim stroke mechanics and ability (which it is) and the thought that poor swimmers shouldn’t swim an iron distance race. Then, as more and more athletes chimed in, the conversation switched to the concept that slow swimmers just aren’t safe and ultimately present a hazard to both themselves and to race directors.
I’ve written before that I’m not the fastest swimmer – I have been recently training in the 1:45-1:50 range per 100 yards. While I may be slow compared to some swimmers, I’m not the slowest and I hardly consider myself a hazard. In fact, I’d wager that I’m a middle of the pack swimmer in terms of most triathlon swimmers.
To prove this point, I did a little analysis by taking… Read the rest
366 days ago, I spent the day racing Rev3′s Knoxville race. I had such an amazing experience last year that I had planned on the 2012 race at Knoxville being my first “real” effort of this season. This year’s Rev3 Knoxville race was this past weekend. Many of my Team Rev3 teammates raced this weekend – I was looking forward to meeting some of the new folks, reconnecting with folks who were on the team last year, and seeing some of the folks from Rev3 (Carole, Charlie, Eric, Ashley).
This year, however, I didn’t race. I didn’t even head up to Knoxville to be a spectator or volunteer. What did I do instead this past weekend? I went on a weekend retreat/mission trip with a group of middle school kids. I’d like to share a little about the weekend. I promise I won’t get preachy or too religious, but I’d love to give you a glimpse into our weekend and why this past weekend was every bit as good (and probably better) an experience as I’d have had if I was up in Knoxville racing.
This was the third year in a row I’ve gone on this trip, and each year I find it immensely satisfying, fun, and exhausting. There were about 150 sixth, seventh and eighth grade kids that went on this trip. We headed south from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach for 72 hours of wild and messy games, amazing music, and worship.
I roomed with 20 eighth grade guys – and I’ve… Read the rest
If you weren’t around this blog in 2010 and 2011, I ran a really popular series that I affectionately called “Ten Questions With…” This interview series included interviews with some of the top professional triathletes, a bunch of age groupers, and some industry folks (see here for the full list). I totally enjoyed doing the interviews, and got to interact with some of the coolest folks around.
Well….I’ve decided to bring the series back.
And to kick off the series with a bang, I reached out to professional triathlete Sara McLarty. Sara lives and trains in Clermont, FL – home to the National Training Center and one of the more popular independent iron-distance races in the Southeast. She grew up swimming, and was an All-American at the University of Florida (go Gators!).
I could go on and on…..but why don’t we just get to the actual interview? So here we go…..Ten Questions with Professional Triathlete Sara McLarty:
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Professional Triathlete Sara McLarty
TriMadness: So congratulations on a solid race at St. Anthony’s last weekend. You had an amazing swim and came out of the water in 19:10. How did you feel about your race, in general?
Sara McLarty: Thanks, but it was a terrible result for me and I’m not happy at all. However, I am going up to Knoxville this weekend for the rev3 race and hoping for a better race!
TM: Like so many professional triathletes, you have a massive swimming… Read the rest
It’s spring in the United States. Kids everywhere are playing sports.
Of course, most kid’s sports fall in the “traditional” variety: soccer, football, basketball, baseball, softball. In the part of Florida where I live, lacrosse is a huge, and growing, sport for both boys and girls. Then there’s the “fringe” sports: crew, golf, triathlon, fencing. Wait….did I just say TRIATHLON?
Absolutely! Triathlon is a big-time sport in Jacksonville.
Photo: The Florida Times-Union, Will Dickey
As evidence, the fourth annual First Coast Kids’s Triathlon – held yesterday on the campus of the University of North Florida. More than 1800 kids, aged 6-15, finished their race yesterday. There’s no telling how many (if any) participated but didn’t finish. The organizers call this the largest kids triathlon in the country.
While we know triathlon is an individual sport, the cool thing about the First Coast Kid’s Triathlon is how kids trained for the race – often as teams. Many local elementary schools formed training teams who prepped for months in advance of the race.
None of my kids raced this year, but one of our daughter’s good friends did (and she rode my daughter’s bike). She completed the 200 meter swim, 6 mile bike and 1 mile run in a total of 51:19…good enough for 24th out of 119 kids in her age group!
Pretty dang exciting that kids have a chance to enjoy the sport that we love with their very own race!
She flew lazy circles above the giant, clear blue rectangular pond. Hunting.
She needed a meal of fresh blood so that she could reproduce. That night, she was a predator. Any mammal would do. A dog. A cow. A horse (after all – that’s what she is named for). Even a human.
As luck would have it, prey was bountiful that night. There was a multitude of humans in and around the pond. She didn’t understand why they kept going back and forth across it, but no matter. Eventually one would stop and come out of the water. Then she would launch her attack.
She’d land ever so gently upon her prey. Then, using her strong mandibles, she’d rip open the flesh and begin drinking her sought-after meal. Blood. Rich in vitamins and nutrients. She would then be able to carry on her innate role of reproducing herself.
Finally, one of those crazy humans lingered at the edge of the water. He stood there, catching his breath from one of those trips down and back – over and over again. He’d never notice her land on his left shoulder. So she did. She walked around a little until she sensed that she had found the perfect spot. Right below the left shoulder blade. She could enjoy her meal, and the likelihood that he would be able to fight back was low. She knew that he was not limber enough to get his arm back that far to hit her.
And… Read the rest
Photo/Marcy Browe & CNN
I suspect that the vast majority of us pay scant attention to physically challenged athletes when we’re racing. Except, of course, for when we’re getting passed by someone on a hand-cycle or in a wheelchair. Or when a visually impaired athlete and their guide pass us.
There’s no denying that folks with physical disabilities can be tremendous athletes. In fact, I’d argue that in some cases these athletes are better and stronger competitors than their non-disabled peers because of their challenges.
The fact of the matter, though, is that I have never paid attention to the rules that are applied to these athletes. Take, for example, the rule that a person with limited sight abilities and who is legally blind is required to wear “black out glasses” during the run phase of a triathlon. Seriously. It’s part of the rules for both USAT and ITU.
So…an athlete with 20% of their vision is required to become totally sightless via black out glasses in order to compete in a triathlon. That doesn’t seem right. In fact, isn’t depriving someone of what little sight they have actually dangerous? For example, a person with limited sight often has the capability to use peripheral vision. That peripheral vision could help that athlete avoid obstructions, other people, and stay on course in general.
I read an article on CNN today about Aaron Scheidies, a 30-year old legally blind triathlete from Detroit, who has filed a Federal… Read the rest
photo: www.cyclelicio.us
Yesterday’s ride was one of the more difficult rides I’ve experienced in a long time.
“Dude,” you might say “you live in Florida. How hard can any ride be for you? Riding there is flatter than riding in my bathtub.”
Yes. It is indeed flat here. But it can be notoriously windy here as well.
I get that it can be windy all over the place. In fact, I suspect that the US plains are equally windy as Florida for the simple virture that there are few trees out there to slow down the wind.
I’ve got to tell you, though, yesterday was WINDY. That wind made for one rough bike ride.
My ride yesterday was not all that long. Just 25 miles. But, OH MY GOD it was hard. The headwind was absolutely brutal. I rode 12 miles into a head and crossing wind. Despite being in my aero bars and working my a$$ off the entire time, I never got above 16mph. I got blown around like I’ve never been blown before. I literally thought I was going to get blown over once, and I was riding my training wheels – not even my aero wheels. It was unbelievable. I can only imagine what folks experience out in Kona where they face the Trade Winds during the race.
As rough as the first half of the ride was, the second half was a walk in the park. I topped 30mph… Read the rest
Photo: Gregg Matthews/NY Times
They say that practice makes perfect. The more you do something, the better you become. Faster. Stronger.
They also say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Both are true statements. But only one applies. At least when it comes to my swimming ability and proficiency.
I’ve never been the fastest swimmer around. I’m not the slowest either by any stretch, but no Ryan Lochte am I. Over the past several years, I have seen my open water swim times come down pretty nicely. For example, at IMKY in 2009, I swam the 2.4 miles in 1:35:xx, or roughly 2:15/100yds. I went slightly faster at IMFL two months later, coming in at 1:24:xx (1:59/100yds) in a wetsuit swim. Last year I experienced perhaps the greatest improvement I’ve seen in my swim. Take for example my first “big” race last year – Rev3 Knoxville. I did the Olympic race, and finished the wetsuit-legal swim in 33:13 (2:01/100yds). Three months later, I did a non-wetsuit Olympic race in 32:03 (1:57/100yds). Big-time improvement.
So…proof that I’m not fast, but getting better in general.
I’ve been swimming more this year than the past several years, and I’m able to notice a big difference in my ability.
Part of the change is a result of some coaching I received. Even though I thought my stroke was OK, I received some coaching that I was cutting my recovery and starting my catch way too early. Basically I wasn’t extending… Read the rest
