Rev 3 Tri has announced that they are accepting applications for their Age Group Triathlon Team until November 1! Not only do team members receive free entry into all Rev3 races, but also receive discounted products from sponsors and a team environment at each race! For more information regarding the team (http://rev3tri.com/news/rev3-is-now-accepting-applications-for-our-age-group-team/)
This team is not just about winning and the competition (although it is great to test yourself against other athletes), but about being an ambassador for the sport and the series. These are family oriented events and always have destinations that will engage athletes and spectators alike.
Rev3 has added races for the 2012 season and here is their schedule slated for next season (http://rev3tri.com/events/):
March 17 - Costa Rica
May 6 - Knoxville, TN
June 2- Quassy- Middlebury, CT
July 10 - Portland, OR
August 12- Wisconsin - The Dells
August 26- Old Orchard Beach, ME
September 11 - Cedar Point- Sandusky, OH
October 9- Anderson, SC
Look forward to seeing everyone out at the events and for a competitive and fulfilling 2012 season!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Motivation: The 15 Minute Rule
Sometimes it is so hard to get out the door. A run...bleh. A swim...ug. Exercise...boooooo.
In our family we have a motivational mentality for the days you just don't feel like doing anything except eating and lounging around. We tell ourselves to just go exercise for 15 minutes. Lift weights, go for a walk, a run, something to move the rear for 900 seconds.
By the time 15 minutes elapses, usually you are already feeling better and just continue exercising. You reach the point where you are already out there, now you are warm, and chances are you just want to keep going. If not, well at least 15 minutes is better than not working out at all.
In our family we have a motivational mentality for the days you just don't feel like doing anything except eating and lounging around. We tell ourselves to just go exercise for 15 minutes. Lift weights, go for a walk, a run, something to move the rear for 900 seconds.
By the time 15 minutes elapses, usually you are already feeling better and just continue exercising. You reach the point where you are already out there, now you are warm, and chances are you just want to keep going. If not, well at least 15 minutes is better than not working out at all.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Need Motivation?
Just a short post today, but I found this book in one of the groups I am associated with on LinkedIn (Cycling professionals) and thought it might be appropriate for some as the season winds down unless you qualified for Kona or are doing IMAZ or IMFL.
The book is called Sufferfest (http://www.thesufferfest.com/uncategorized/the-book-of-suffering-now-available-and-free/). You can download this book for free and peruse the photos of cyclists "torture chambers" and find inspirational quotes. This goes along with the photos I uploaded earlier in regards to my sister needing to find inspiration. Also might make you feel better knowing the rest of the world is dusting off their trainers and setting them up as most prepare for the winter training season.
Now to the quote. This might be one of the best quotes I have seen and if you can read this quote without feeling motivated to go train I would be shocked....
Ready to go train? To be motivated? I leave you with your inspiration for the day.
"I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow" - Sufferfest
The book is called Sufferfest (http://www.thesufferfest.com/uncategorized/the-book-of-suffering-now-available-and-free/). You can download this book for free and peruse the photos of cyclists "torture chambers" and find inspirational quotes. This goes along with the photos I uploaded earlier in regards to my sister needing to find inspiration. Also might make you feel better knowing the rest of the world is dusting off their trainers and setting them up as most prepare for the winter training season.
Now to the quote. This might be one of the best quotes I have seen and if you can read this quote without feeling motivated to go train I would be shocked....
Ready to go train? To be motivated? I leave you with your inspiration for the day.
"I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow" - Sufferfest
Monday, September 12, 2011
Kona Prepared!
Congratulations to Craig Alexander and Melissa Rollison who took home the title "Ironman 70.3 World Champion" yesterday in Henderson, NV.
Alexander who won the inaugural 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, FL torched the hilly run course in NV posting a 1:11:50 finishing four minutes ahead of uber biker Chris Lieto. Despite getting a flat tire on the bike (and rolling the remainder of the ride on Andy Pott's spare wheel) (http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/worldchampionship70.3/marines-ironman-world-championship-70.3-sees-convincing-wins-by-two-australians#axzz1XlLfnKOP) and being 4 minutes behind Lieto off the bike Craig made a strong statement to the field by making up 8 minutes on the run. Alexander put the rest of the Kona field on alert with this impressive performance and letting current champion Chris McCormack know he is out to regain the title. Should be a classic battle in October.
Once again, Lieto cannot hold off the stronger runner's in the field after hammering the bike course and gaining over 4 minutes on the field. It is a hard way to race for Lieto knowing he is going to give up time each mile on the run course, but one day I hope he does break through and finish on top of the podium.
Melissa Rollison seems to be following in the footsteps of Chrissie Wellington and Mirinda Carfree. Rookies with impressive victories. Although Carfree didn't win the Ironman World Championships her first year, she posted the fastest run time and finished second to then champion Wellington and last year solidified her as one of the best in the world by breaking through and taking the championships.
Melissa completed her first 70.3 distance race last year and can now call herself champion. She ran a 1:21:14 en route to a 6 minute margin of victory. An impressive performance for the first time winner and a performance that will quickly gain the attention of the best women's triathletes around the world.
Congratulations to Both Craig Alexander and Melissa Rollison!
Split times and full event coverage can be seen on www.ironman.com
Alexander who won the inaugural 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, FL torched the hilly run course in NV posting a 1:11:50 finishing four minutes ahead of uber biker Chris Lieto. Despite getting a flat tire on the bike (and rolling the remainder of the ride on Andy Pott's spare wheel) (http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/worldchampionship70.3/marines-ironman-world-championship-70.3-sees-convincing-wins-by-two-australians#axzz1XlLfnKOP) and being 4 minutes behind Lieto off the bike Craig made a strong statement to the field by making up 8 minutes on the run. Alexander put the rest of the Kona field on alert with this impressive performance and letting current champion Chris McCormack know he is out to regain the title. Should be a classic battle in October.
Once again, Lieto cannot hold off the stronger runner's in the field after hammering the bike course and gaining over 4 minutes on the field. It is a hard way to race for Lieto knowing he is going to give up time each mile on the run course, but one day I hope he does break through and finish on top of the podium.
Melissa Rollison seems to be following in the footsteps of Chrissie Wellington and Mirinda Carfree. Rookies with impressive victories. Although Carfree didn't win the Ironman World Championships her first year, she posted the fastest run time and finished second to then champion Wellington and last year solidified her as one of the best in the world by breaking through and taking the championships.
Melissa completed her first 70.3 distance race last year and can now call herself champion. She ran a 1:21:14 en route to a 6 minute margin of victory. An impressive performance for the first time winner and a performance that will quickly gain the attention of the best women's triathletes around the world.
Congratulations to Both Craig Alexander and Melissa Rollison!
Split times and full event coverage can be seen on www.ironman.com
Century Rides: A dreadful necessity
If you are an avid cyclist or a long distance triathlete you know the term "Century rides" all too well. I did my fair share of them last year when I was training for IM Louisville and after the race vowed to stop riding them for a while. I think every IM'er has wanted to (at some point or another) throw away their bike or give it away while training for a long distance race. I know I didn't want to look at my bike for days after my race.
Recently, I have been riding 60-80 miles rides once a week and enjoying them and the group I ride with. Well about a week ago, one of my friends who is training for IMAZ in November asked if I wanted to ride the "Endless Summer Watermelon Ride". Since the race started about 5 miles from my house I couldn't say no. They had a 30,70 and 105 miles ride. (http://www.nfbc.us/Rides/Events/tabid/58/Default.aspx) The ride started at 7:30 am so I met my friend outside of her house and we rode the 5 miles to the start.
Getting ready to ride a century without having a race to look forward to or a specific purpose takes a different mental toll on you than on race day. Race day you can focus on your goals while in contrast going for a 115 mile "joy" ride is completely different. Motivation might be a little lower and getting up at 5 am your body might be saying "seriously? Doesn't bed feel much better". The morning was nice, started off about 80 degrees and was hoping cloud cover would stay throughout the day, but that only lasted until about 9:00 am. Then the heat and humidity came and touched the high 90's -draining your energy very quickly.
The biggest thing to be prepared for on these long rides (especially when it is hot) is to make sure you stay hydrated and fueled. I try to drink at least a bottle and a half of liquid each hour and try and consume about 400 calories. I started the morning with a bagel and peanut butter, 20 oz chocolate milk, cup off coffee and and a myoplex protein bar. I brought about 1500 calories with me for the ride (3 bags of powerbar energy blasts, two honey stinger waffles, two purefit protein bars - these are great because they do not melt). I brought three bottles with me, two filled with Gatorade and one with water. They had rest stops about every 20 miles so I knew that I could refill at each station.
We started the ride at a nice easy pace (19-20) while some groups blew past us doing 24-25+. It was hard for me to let them fly by without wanting to latch on to their group, but I knew we would be picking up many of their causalities along the way. I knew there was no chance that everyone in those groups would last the entire distance at that pace. We continued on and at about mile 40 our small group had added about 8 more riders which grew another 5 or 6 about mile 60. We had some first time century riders with us and as most learn on their first if you don't eat or drink enough you bonk. We tried to keep the group together and stopped at each rest stop for the individuals needing the additional food. Just for good measure the final 10 miles or so we had the wind in our face.
Overall, the ride was great, little hot but I live in FL, it is always hot. It was good to have my first century of the year under my belt. It was nice to have ridden the IM distance on the bike and know that I felt like I could have ran after - not sure about 26.2 just yet. These rides are great for training and can help you push yourself in those final 20 miles or so when your body is telling you it wants to get off the bike and when you need a break you can tuck in behind some people and draft off them.
I got home and had a 320z chocolate milk waiting for me, along with water and Gatorade. I laid on my floor for a while, stretched out the legs, watched some football and then indulged in some pizza. I know once the beginning of the year comes I will be logging more of these rides, but today was good to just be out there remembering what 115 feels like and knowing that I do not need to do another for quite some time!
Recently, I have been riding 60-80 miles rides once a week and enjoying them and the group I ride with. Well about a week ago, one of my friends who is training for IMAZ in November asked if I wanted to ride the "Endless Summer Watermelon Ride". Since the race started about 5 miles from my house I couldn't say no. They had a 30,70 and 105 miles ride. (http://www.nfbc.us/Rides/Events/tabid/58/Default.aspx) The ride started at 7:30 am so I met my friend outside of her house and we rode the 5 miles to the start.
Getting ready to ride a century without having a race to look forward to or a specific purpose takes a different mental toll on you than on race day. Race day you can focus on your goals while in contrast going for a 115 mile "joy" ride is completely different. Motivation might be a little lower and getting up at 5 am your body might be saying "seriously? Doesn't bed feel much better". The morning was nice, started off about 80 degrees and was hoping cloud cover would stay throughout the day, but that only lasted until about 9:00 am. Then the heat and humidity came and touched the high 90's -draining your energy very quickly.
The biggest thing to be prepared for on these long rides (especially when it is hot) is to make sure you stay hydrated and fueled. I try to drink at least a bottle and a half of liquid each hour and try and consume about 400 calories. I started the morning with a bagel and peanut butter, 20 oz chocolate milk, cup off coffee and and a myoplex protein bar. I brought about 1500 calories with me for the ride (3 bags of powerbar energy blasts, two honey stinger waffles, two purefit protein bars - these are great because they do not melt). I brought three bottles with me, two filled with Gatorade and one with water. They had rest stops about every 20 miles so I knew that I could refill at each station.
We started the ride at a nice easy pace (19-20) while some groups blew past us doing 24-25+. It was hard for me to let them fly by without wanting to latch on to their group, but I knew we would be picking up many of their causalities along the way. I knew there was no chance that everyone in those groups would last the entire distance at that pace. We continued on and at about mile 40 our small group had added about 8 more riders which grew another 5 or 6 about mile 60. We had some first time century riders with us and as most learn on their first if you don't eat or drink enough you bonk. We tried to keep the group together and stopped at each rest stop for the individuals needing the additional food. Just for good measure the final 10 miles or so we had the wind in our face.
Overall, the ride was great, little hot but I live in FL, it is always hot. It was good to have my first century of the year under my belt. It was nice to have ridden the IM distance on the bike and know that I felt like I could have ran after - not sure about 26.2 just yet. These rides are great for training and can help you push yourself in those final 20 miles or so when your body is telling you it wants to get off the bike and when you need a break you can tuck in behind some people and draft off them.
I got home and had a 320z chocolate milk waiting for me, along with water and Gatorade. I laid on my floor for a while, stretched out the legs, watched some football and then indulged in some pizza. I know once the beginning of the year comes I will be logging more of these rides, but today was good to just be out there remembering what 115 feels like and knowing that I do not need to do another for quite some time!
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