One foot in front of the other.
NYRR Achilles Hope & Possibility 5 Miler
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Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
Hey Brandon,
Good episode tonight…thanks for the shout out again! Let me clarify my comment from earlier today. When I said that I don't them out and about, I meant specifically Amphipod belts. Actually, Fuel Belt brand seems to have a monopoly over the Richmond running market. Of the 4 or 5 running stores in Richmond, only one of them carries Amphipod.
Having previously owned a "New Direction" brand belt that was 2 10 oz. bottles worn sideways and VERY hard to remove on the run, I am very partial to my Amphipod. Here's why: (and I think your other friend Ari (sp?) echoed some of these as well)
It is a velcro strap so you can easily tighten/loosen on the go
The bottles (mine has 4 8 oz) clip on w/ metal clips and each bottle has grooves on the top and bottom. It's really easy to pull off and snap on while your on the go but I will admit that I've dropped bottles about 3 or 4 times in 3 years of regular use.
The bottles have a wider opening (which you mentioned) that make it easier to fill at a water fountain, sports drink bottle, or to even refill in a race or training group runs with the paper cups
The large velcro pocket is great for keys, GU and even a cell phone (but not all at the same time!)
The belt is expandable and more clips for bottles and other accessories can be easily added. You can also put the bottles on sideways or up and down. I keep 2 in the back up and down and 2 sideways on the side and rotate them as I finish off bottles.
I do get asked about mine on training runs and I always sing their praises and on the rare occasion that I see another Amphipod, I try and strike up conversation with that person.
Thanks for hearing me out!
Phil (Richmond, VA)
Brandon:
This is the Fuel Belt I use… http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/images/helium4...
I upgraded the pouch to the larger one to carry my cell phone, iPod, voice recorder, money, shot bloks…etc…
Needless to say with all that 'crap' I carry with 4 full bottles, this thing weighs at least 5lbs (seriously, maybe more!) It is great for training and I have also raced with it.
In my most recent 1/2 IM though, I chose to rely on the race course aid stations because they were every 2kms (about every mile and a bit). I was concerned that the aid stations might fail me since we have all heard reports of races running out of water or lack of volunteers. In the end, I made the right choice not to wear my Fuel Belt in the race. The aid stations were fully stocked with Gatorade/water/pretzels/Coke and plenty of wonderful volunteers. Not only was it nice not to have something else to worry about putting on in transition, I felt so much lighter running without it and has a great run.
All in all, I would recommend ALWAYS training with my Fuel Belt for runs over 1hour. For races, I would suggest not wearing it if you are confident the race is well organized. I don't plan on wearing it for IMC2009 because I have hear so many great things about the fully stocked aid stations every mile on the run course.
Thanks for reading my training comment in #47.
Erin
The only reason that I can think of to wear it during any specific event, is if you have sort of VERY particular and specific nutrition thing going on that the race cannot provide you with. Otherwise, I totally agree. I too upgraded my pouch for a larger one and the extra weight will only serve to make me lighter on race day!!
I agree with both Erin and Brandon. I train with my Amphipod Full Tilt 20-20 but I do not race with it. I've been lucky so far that the 1/2 and full marathons I've run had the same fluids that I trained with. However, if a race has different fluids, Cytomax comes to mind, then I would consider racing with my Amphipod.
Brandon, thank you so much for the advice you gave me about road bikes from episode 46. I am going to look into slick tires for my mountain bike in the next couple of weeks. On my long runs I run with a fuel belt I got from Zombierunner.com. People probably think I look stupid but I could care less. I need my fluids when I am running long miles. Training is hard for me but I am able to get in my workouts. Sun is my long run 10-13 miles. Mon-Fri I bike 1 hr each morning before work. Mon, Wed and Fri I lift weights for 1 hr. Tues and Thurs I run for 45 min. Sat is my day to rest or do whatever I want. I am married with a 3 month old girl and work from 4:30 in the morning to 1pm, plus I am in college. I love running and biking and lifting and if it means getting up early for a bike ride at 2:30 in the morning for an hour before work, so be it. By the way, I never get tired hearing about Trea. I wish her alot of luck. I will be running my first Half in Nov. This may sound corny but If you believe, you will achieve Trea. Thanks B.
Yo Brandon you really do look jacked in that pic coming out of the water. I would not want to mess with you brother. Anything planned for the big Five-0?
Hey Brandon. I hope this catches you before tonight's show. A few things:
First, I wanted to thank you for the support that you and your listeners gave me regarding my first triathlon. I know that lots of other people have done them and have gone much further than the sprint distance (half-Olympic in this case), but it's like me cheering on people who are trying their first 5K. It means so much to have other people tell you that you can do it. It helps fight off the doubts and feelings that you don't belong with "those people" who have done them. So again, thank you for your support and for being a mentor when I had questions.
Second, I thought that "David after Swimming" video was hilarious. It did get me thinking about ways to improve my stroke strength. Should I get some paddles? Would that help? I could probably shave a few minutes off my swim time and that would definitely improve my ranking at my next tri.
Third, you look freaking huge in that picture. I do in my video as well. The difference is that you look like Lou Farigno and I look more like Drew Carey. Anyway, I made my video as a record of my first, to show others how they work, and to send a message that you don't have to be super fit to participate in a triathlon.
Fourth, thanks very much for the advice about the bike seat (sorry – saddle). I can't wait to get mine new saddle. Get that body moving, sure, but SAVE YOUR JUNK!