One foot in front of the other.
Chrissie Wellington Taking 2012 Away from Ironman Racing
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Step 1: Click one of the buttons below to donate the amount for the raffle entry you want. It will take you to the donation site. You can enter more then once, just donate the base amount multiplied by the number of entries you want.
Step 2: Click one of the buttons below to send out the tweet for the item you want to be entered to win. It is VERY important that you tweet the proper item so I can see that you are entered in the right contest.
Step 3: I will close the raffles at the following times:
Polar RS300X #1 – 6/10/11 – 8 PM EST
Newton Running package, women’s – 6/10/11 – 11 PM EST
Polar RS300X #2 – 6/11/11 – 9 AM – EST
Brunton Restore – 6/11/11 – Noon EST
Newton Running package, men’s – 6/11/11 – 3 PM EST
Winners will be announced about 30 minutes after each raffle closes. You do not have to be online at the time to win. I will contact each winner on Twitter to let you know that you’ve won. Unfortunately, raffles are only open to those in the US and Canada.
THIS GUY!
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As many of you know, this coming Friday (June 10) at 5 PM EST my marathon live show to raise money for Athletes for a Cure will start! I’ve worked with several brands to arrange for giveaways and raffle items for the show and without any further delay…here they are! (Rules and such to be posted tomorrow, June 7, so check back!)
SwimSpray – I’ll be giving away a boat load of this amazing new product! Invented by a swimmer who was tired of smelling like a pool, SwimSpray eliminates chlorine odor and irritation from hair and skin. Use with your own favorite shampoo, soap, or body wash. Simple. Effective. Natural.
Hydrapak Gelbot – The Gel-Bot delivers two performance essentials, fuel and hydration, in one easy to use sport bottle. This patent-pending design lets you fuel or hydrate with just one hand. Perfect for racing or total gel addicts. All the Gel-Bot components can be taken apart and easily cleaned.
SOLE Signature DK Response footbeds – The Sole Signature Series Dk Response is world-famous ultra runner Dean Karnazes’ signature edition footbed, with added features. Every SOLE Custom Footbed features their orthopedic base layer that molds to your unique foot without losing its supportive shape. SOLE Custom Footbeds are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Sole donates a portioon of every sale to Karno Kids whose mission is to support, encourage, and motivate youth to get outside and become physically active, and to restore and preserve the environment.
Ryders Eyewear Seeker Sunglasses – All Essential styles within the Adrenaline collection feature Duraflex frames with low-profile, high-strength pinned hinges and polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are shatterproof, optically-correct, scratch-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. All styles have high-performance features such as anti-slip, hydrophilic nose pads and/or temple tips that get more tacky as you sweat so your eyewear always stays in place.
Road ID eCard – It’s a gift card for whatever Road Id strikes your fancy! Need I say more?
Kate’s Real Food Bars – (2, 6-packs!) Kate’s Bars are real food snack bars, hand made in the shadow of the Tetons. Kate’s Bars are created for people who live, play or just want to be outdoors. The flavors and textures of Kate’s Bars are designed to reflect the natural surroundings they were inspired by.
Brunton Restore power storage and solar panel – The most efficient, integrated compact power pack available. Internal battery keeps extra energy at hand, and twin solar panels keep the battery at peak capacity in less time. Ideal for charging personal devices like iPods® and smart phones. Advanced polycrystaline solar technology gathers maximum energy per inch for maximum efficiency. Power storage capacity: 2,200 mAh Output: mini-USB
Primus EtaSolo Stove – Compact, lightweight and low fuel consumption. Eta Solo is based on the award winning Eta technology of our Primus burner and heat exchanger. Its high efficiency rate assures fast boiling times and lower fuel consumption. The Eta Solo is stable in windy conditions, lightweight, and extremely compact. Quick and easy to set up thanks to its robust quick-click locking mechanism.
Polar RS300X – (Raffling off TWO of these!) A smart, intuitive training computer for runners and cross-training athletes, the Polar RS300X wrist heart rate monitor helps you to train at the right intensity with personal training zones. It’s compatible with Polar’s S1 foot pod and G1 GPS sensor (both separately available), enabling you to combine heart rate with speed and distance and truly make sense of your training.
Newton Running Shoes and Gear – We’ll be raffling off TWO gift packages from the one and only Newton Running(one for the ladies, one for the men)! This will include one pair of Newton Running shoes of your choice, a copy of Newton co-founder Danny Abshire’s book (Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running) and some other schwag!
Lake Success, N.Y. (June 1, 2011) – Polar (www.polarusa.com), the leader in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technologies, today introduced the RCX5. Building on decades of experience, and a heritage of precision excellence in product design and functionality, the RCX5 combines Polar heart rate tracking accuracy with a slew of new features. Ideal for multisport endurance athletes, the RCX5 can accommodate the needs of today’s triathletes who want the best in training intelligence and tracking capabilities. It will be immediately available in “smart black” and will also be sold in “striking red” later this year.
New accessories for the RCX5 include the G5 GPS sensor – an incredibly lightweight and compact sensor which measures speed/pace and distance and provides an online map view of training – as well as the new WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter, which provides heart rate data even when underwater. Additionally, an enhanced s3+ stride sensor is compatible with the RCX5.
“Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sport segments in the United States, and we understand better than anyone in the market that multisport athletes demand data, whether they are training for their first regional event or chasing a lifelong professional pursuit,” said Jeff Padovan, President, Polar USA. “The Polar brand has been an established name among elite athletes for more than 30 years, and we are proud of the loyalty and knowledge we’ve built within the ‘tri’ market specifically. The RCX5 is the realization of everything we’ve been hearing that ‘tri’ users require to get to that next level, packaged in a new, sleek design.”
Sport Profiles: Essential for multisport and triathletes, this feature enables users to quickly switch between sports during training. With just a few button presses, this feature quickly adjusts settings to the current sport. It automatically detects any sensors needed, so that no time or training data is lost between swims, rides or runs. Four sport profiles come pre-loaded into the RCX5, and more can be added based on the user’s preferences.
ZoneOptimizer: Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge and it depends on many factors, including physical and mental state, stress, sleep, and previous training. The brand new ZoneOptimizer feature eliminates guesswork by adjusting personal heart rate zones based on a user’s current physiological condition. It guides training at the right intensity, making every session more effective.
Race Pace: The perfect feature for regulating speed and race strategy, Race Pace allows users to
set a target time for a certain distance, and then displays the current pace/speed, as well as how far ahead or behind the user is from the target.
Training Load: This feature within polarpersonaltrainer.com displays a color-coded graph of a user’s cumulative training load, notifying a person when he or she has recovered enough for the next session, and accurately predicting training developments to prevent overtraining. This data also provides intelligence to modify training sessions as necessary.
polarpersonaltrainer.com: Several upgrades have been incorporated into the free online training journal to support the RCX5 users. Users can now create complete endurance training programs for running and cycling, including warm-up, work and cool-down sessions. The training programs can be easily synched to the RCX5 via the DataLink data transfer unit. After each session, it is easy to track progress online over time.
New RCX5 Compatible Accessories:
G5 GPS sensor: The extremely small G5 GPS sensor measures speed/pace and distance and allows users to see their route on the new map view at polarpersonaltrainer.com after a session. Incredibly light (34g) and worn with a soft, flexible armband, the G5 has an 18-hour battery life and can be recharged via micro USB.
s3+ stride sensor: The s3+ comes with a new, firm shoe attachment which guarantees more accurate speed/pace and distance measurement. This small and lightweight (23g) sensor is shock and water resistant, handling even the most demanding runs. By monitoring running cadence and average stride length, s3+ can help improve running technique. The RCX5 can also calculate your Running Index, which scores a run, based on speed and distance data from the GPS or stride sensor. While cycling, users can get speed, distance and cadence measured by adding Polar cycling sensors using W.I.N.D. technology.
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter: The RCX5 provides heart rate data even in water with a comfortable, fabric chest transmitter. It transfers data both in 5 kHz and 2.4 GHz.
Product Sets Available:
RCX5 Bike (MSRP $389.95):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
CS speed sensor W.I.N.D.
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Run (MSRP $419.95):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
s3+ stride sensor
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Multi (MSRP $469.95)
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
G5 GPS sensor
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
RCX5 Basic Set (MSRP $349.95) (Available July 2011):
RCX5 training computer
WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter
DataLink data transfer unit
Getting Started Guide
The RCX5 is also compatible with the existing G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D. and the s3 stride sensor W.I.N.D. All sensors will be available for purchase as separate accessories.
Alberto Contador gets one step closer to racing the Tour de France
Heat training by Torbjørn Sindballe
American Trail Running Association
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(Scotts Valley, CA) Giro, the cycling world’s design leader since 1985, has announced the launch of the all-new Selector helmet. Combining a built-in eye shield with a self-adjusting fit system and an adjustable lower tail section that optimizes the helmet to match the rider’s back, the Selector is a revolution in the aero helmet category. It’s also the most aerodynamically efficient helmet available based on Giro’s extensive test data, one that gives measurable real-world performance gains.
“The Selector is the only aero helmet available to consumers that benefits from more than 25 years of experience in designing aerodynamic helmets,” said Giro Senior Brand Manager Eric Richter. “It represents hundreds of hours in the wind tunnel, countless hours spent creating and evaluating models and prototypes, and real-world feedback from top professionals including…TBD. That all comes together to create the ultimate weapon when every split-second counts.”
With the challenge of optimizing helmets to match the body shapes and positions of so many elite
riders, including Lance Armstrong who requires a very specific helmet design to minimize drag, Giro engineers sought to create a helmet that could be customized to fit a wide range of riders and course conditions, without compromising performance. This line of thinking led to the Selector, a helmet that addresses the market with a customizable approach to performance, rather than the traditional “one solution for all” approach.
Giro engineers utilized their unparalleled testing resources to create the sleekest front profile possible. The built-in eye shield’s vents allow cool air into deep channels inside the helmet’s liner to help disperse heat, before sending it out exhaust vents to the rear. And it is at the rear of the helmet where the revolution truly begins. An uninterrupted transition from helmet crown to the rider’s back is one of the biggest factors in aerodynamic efficiency and the Selector is the first helmet to allow tuning of that transition. For the first time, riders can choose between a shorter, 10mm tail section for those with a relatively flat –backed position, or a 45mm tall section for those with a more compact or hunched position. Further optimizing aerodynamics, the Selector utilizes Giro’s new Roc Loc® TT system that self-adjusts, which eliminates the need for access to the system and allows the helmet to be closed at the rear.
The Selector was developed with the same core team of designers and engineers that have collectively helped Giro-sponsored riders to win countless major titles in the last decade, plus 9 of the last 11 Tours de France (confirm). This year, it will be the helmet of choice for riders from Radio Shack, Garmin-Cervelo, Rabobank and Trek-Livestrong U-23.
FACTS ABOUT GIRO’S NEW SELECTOR HELMET
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Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru has passed away. All our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The world has lost an amazing athlete and true champion.
I think I’ve floated the possibility of this event several times since I got involved in triathlon and it looks like the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has been on the same wavelength as well. Bloomberg news is reporting that the WTC is in talks with Korff Enterprises, the company that operates the Nautica NYC Triathlon, to bring the 140.6 mile event to New York City.
While the event has been (and continues to be) in the negotiation stage for the better part of seven years, John Korff insists that it’s still a ways off.
The catch to an event of this magnitude being in NYC is, as the article linked below points out, the time factor. Ironman events give competitors 17 hours to complete an event, which would mean a huge amount of the city being blocked off and/or shut down for a big chunk of time. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the 17 hours mark is not a lump amount of time that racers have to complete the course. Races, which typically start at 7 AM, give competitors 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the 2.4 mile swim portion, until 5:30 PM to complete the 112 mile bike portion and until midnight to complete the marathon portion.
The logistics of a race like this would be a nightmare but if it could be pulled off it is certain to be an epic, marquis event for Ironman.
[Bloomberg.com - Ironman Targets Wall Street Endurance Athletes With NYC Event]
Wouter Weylandt dies in the Giro d’Italia
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Legally Blind woman wins the Flying Pig Marathon!
Triathlete stops, mid-race, to save a life.
Man REALLY gets “natural” and tries to run a marathon…NAKED!
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In an epic show of badassery, Teresa McCoy, 37, of Tampa stopped during the bike leg of the well know St. Anthony’s Triathlon to save a life.
McCoy, who is a nurse by profession noticed a fellow racer being looked at by police officers. She decided that she would pull off the course to see if she could help. The officers, who believed the man to be having a seizure had apparently not taken his pulse. Upon checking, McCoy didn’t feel any signs of life. She immediately began CPR while calling for a defibrillator, which one of the officers had in his truck. Immediately after shocking him, her fellow athlete came to. Having answered the call of duty, McCoy got back on her bike and finished the race!
Teresa McCoy, we salute you!
[St. Petersburg Times - Tampa woman saves man's life, then finishes triathlon]
After kicking Haile Gebrselassie’s (and the current standing) marathon world record squarely in the ass, Geoffrey Mutai as well as the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) were lobbying hard for a new marathon world record. Alas, the B.A.A. has decided to let it go.
The Boston Marathon is not eligible for a world record according to the I.A.A.F because it is a point-to-point course and because of the amount of net elevation loss, regardless of its storied difficulty. For now though, Mutai’s time of 2:03:02 will still allow him to keep the $50,000.00 bonus for the best time of the year (but the year isn’t over?).
Leave a comment on this episode (142) and be entered to win a FREE pair of Stuffitts!!
Geoffrey Mutai wants his world record
Haile Gebrselassie weighs in on the marathon world record (sort of)
2011 Boston Marathon is not Kara Goucher’s day
Ironman Louisville gets five more years
2011 Ironman World Championship Lottery Results
A closer look at “balance” bracelets, necklaces and the like
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Kim Smith, native New Zealander who calls Providenc Rhode Island, ran an amazing race for the first 17 miles or so of the 2011 Boston Marathon this past Monday. Then tragedy struck. The video below is an interview with her soon after having to pull out of the race, unable to run.
@RunProvidence tweeted this on her behalf:
From Kim Smith “Since everyone has sent so many nice messages I thought I would update. Had an MRI and I tore my Soleus muscle.”
New York Times recap of the 2011 Boston Marathon
Natural running form clinic and symposia
Natural running form clinic in Hampton, Virginia
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Come see me sing with Christopher McDougall and Co. at the Naked Tour!
I am now coaching! If you’re interested, email me at info@ironbrandon.com
Get up to THREE entries to win a Sony NWZ-W252 (pictured) by doing the following:
Entry one: Comment on Episode 140 of the IronBrandon Show [LINK]
Entry two: Have someone else leave a comment and refer your name (that way you BOTH get an entry!)
Entry three: Tweet the following: Listen to the IronBrandon Show 140 and be entered to win a Sony MP3 player! http://goo.gl/p9PCV #IB140
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Prize packages include mountaineering in Ecuador, trekking to Everest Base Camp, and heli skiing in Alaska
BOULDER, COLO. (April 8, 2011) – Exotic locations, breath-taking scenery, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await three lucky winners in the co-sponsored Sierra Designsand Alaska Mountain Guides ‘A Year of Adventure’ sweepstakes.
Launching on April 8, 2011, the ‘A Year of Adventure’ consumer sweepstakes offers contestants an incredible opportunity to learn mountaineering skills in Ecuador, win a trek to Everest Base Camp, or access untracked powder via helicopter in the Alaska backcountry. Premier guide service Alaska Mountain Guides (AMG) will lead the trips and Sierra Designs will supply apparel and equipment.
“We’re very excited about partnering with Alaska Mountain Guides for our ‘A Year of Adventure’ sweepstakes,” said Sue Timbo, marketing director with Sierra Designs. “AMG hosts some of the most incredible expeditions around the world and we’re looking forward to sharing some of these experiences with our loyal Sierra Designs fans.”
Learn mountaineering skills while experiencing the cultural and environmental diversity of Ecuador with the Mountaineering in Ecuador sweepstakes. This sweeps goes live on April 8 with a winner drawn after the sweepstakes closes at midnight on August 15. Equipment prize pack will include SD Mountain Meteor 3 tent, Arrow Rock 15 sleeping bags, Revival 65 packs, and Mantra Fusion Jackets.
Spend three weeks in Nepal with the Alaska Mountain Guides, trekking through the Himalayan Mountains to spend a night above 17,000 feet at the foot of the world’s tallest peak. The Everest Base Camp sweepstakes launches on August 16 and closes on December 17 with a prizewinner randomly selected and notified the next day. Sierra Designs prize pack will include SD Convert 3 tent, Revival 50 packs, Mantra Fusion jackets, and Fusion Pants.
Win our third and final sweepstakes and you’ll float through untracked powder on seldom-skied peaks in the Alaskan backcountry. The Heli Skiing in Alaska sweeps will start on December 18. Contestants will be able to enter until midnight on April 17, 2012 with a winner drawn the following day. The Heli Skiing prize pack will include Sierra Designs Ministry 40 packs, Gnar down jackets, Mantra Fusion jackets, and Fusion pants.
For more information on the sweepstakes and how to enter, please visithttp://www.sierradesigns.com/ayearofadventure.aspx. Enter once for a chance to win any of these three trips. Each prizewinner will have up to one year to schedule their trip.
About Sierra Designs Founded in 1965, at the beginning of the golden age of backpacking and climbing, Sierra Designs is one of the original brands for the eco-conscious outdoor enthusiast. We have always had a passion to protect where we play, and our tents, sleeping bags, and apparel have been to every corner of the world, from the highest peaks in Tibet to your local greenway around the corner. We model and design our products for high performance adventurers, but make it attainable for you. Sierra Designs’ gear and apparel fits in with your daily life, no matter where it takes you. Visit us online at SierraDesigns.com or see us on Facebook
About Alaska Mountain Guides For 20 years, Alaska Mountain Guides and Climbing School Inc (AMG) has been the premier adventure guide service and climbing school in Alaska. Programs include, exceptional climbing, trekking, skiing, and sea kayaking adventures that visit some of Alaska’s and the Yukon’s most unique and intriguing places. Leading remote wilderness expeditions and treks is our specialty and we employ the best guides and instructors in the business. They are exceptional at helping individuals to learn the best ways to approach a first glacier trek, an initial kayaking trip, or excel on more advanced expeditions. In addition to these programs we also work closely with the International Wilderness Leadership School (IWLS) and Mountain Guides International Inc. (MGI)
Leave a comment HERE to be enterer to win a free pair of Stuffitts!
Natural running clinic in Milwaukee THIS WEEKEND!
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So the wait is over! Here are some details on the new RCX5 training computer. This is a cutting-edge product ideal for endurance sports, with some exciting new features to coach you in planning, training and analyzing your performance in detail.
Some new features:
ZoneOptimizer: Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge as your condition changes every day depending on a number of factors, including your physical and mental state, stress, sleep, and previous training. The brand new ZoneOptimizer feature in the RCX5 takes out the guesswork by adjusting your personal heart rate zones for every training session based on your current physiological condition. It will guide you to train at the right intensity to get the training effect you want, making your every session more effective.
Sport Specific Training: The RCX5 gives you sport-specific training data based on your personal settings. So the display views, training zones and more can be customized based on your sport. When you are doing brick workouts or racing, you can switch these sport profiles within seconds. Button pressing should be the least of your worries during transition, so we designed the feature along with the wrist unit design/button location to make this as easy as possible.
Swimming & Indoor Workouts: The RCX5 comes with the new WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter, making it ideal for triathlon and off season training. The transmitter has a dual signal, so it will transmit, display and record heart rate in the water. Also, the WearLink®+ Hybrid transmitter can be used to transmit heart rate to treadmills and other exercise equipment that is Polar ready.
New Sensors: New sensors will also be part of the RCX5 launch!
G5 GPS Sensor: The small G5 GPS sensor is rechargeable via mini USB. We will post a few pictures of this soon, but let us tell you, THIS THING IS SMALL.
s3+ stride sensor: The new s3+ comes with a new, firm shoe attachment which guarantees more accurate running pace and distance measurement.
And of course in the saddle you can get your speed, distance and cadence measured by adding compatible Polar W.I.N.D. cycling sensors.
With the sensor accessories, RCX5 keeps up with you in the water, on the saddle, during your run, and online.
There will also be big upgrades at polarpersonaltrainer.com to support multisport athletes in their training. Here are just a few:
The RCX5 will be available in two colors, the smart black and the striking red, and in four different product sets with different sensors. All black RCX5 sets will be available between May and July. The striking red color design will be available in all four set combinations in late September 2011. All sensors will be available for purchase as separate accessories.
How can you stay updated on RCX5 and other Polar news?
Stay tuned on Facebook
Sign up for the Polar Newsletter http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/newsletter
And if you are on Twitter – Follow Chris @ twitter.com/chrispolarusa where he’ll be posting snapshots, video and more of the RCX5 in action.
Leave a comment HERE to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
If you’re in the Milwaukee/Madison/Chicago area come meet us for a run this Saturday, March 26 at 10 AM at:
Alterra Coffee
1701 N Lincoln Memorial Dr [Click the address for a map]
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.223.4551
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Leave a comment HERE to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
Sally Meyerhoff killed in cycling accident
Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp
Kara Goucher declares, “I’m back”
2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Women’s Odds
2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Men’s Odds
2011 Boston Marathon adds a third wave to the start
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LEAVE A COMMENT HERE TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A FREE PAIR OF STUFFITTS!
Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC)
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Black RED – SRAM’s new color option for its top groupset
After the success of the Limited Tour Edition (LTE), SRAM RED will be available in a new color option: Black. With market trends focused on product customization, SRAM offers another choice to consumers and customers.
The Black RED groupset adds an elegant black finish (rear derailleur, front derailleur, and brakes), while the modern silver graphics are maintained. This new color option matches perfectly with all the framesets on the market.
The groupset includes shifters, rear and front derailleurs, brakes, cassette (same as LTE, w/11-28 option), crankset with black anodized rings, ceramic bottom bracket and chain.Features and benefits stay the same as the original SRAM RED, as it remains the world’s lightest gruppo, approaching 1800 grams in the BB30 version.
Look for several of SRAM’s top road and triathletes to be racing on Black RED…
Commercial availability March 2011.
Pricing – TBD
In less than a month, on March 11, 12 and 13 New York City athletes will get a chance to be attend some amazing natural running clinics right in the Big Apple (as well as a couple dates for those of you in CT and NJ!)! Ok, so I know that I’ve told you about these before and many of you reading this have come to these clinics and learned some great stuff, BUT for those of you that are rolling your eyes and saying, “I’m not a natural/chi/minimalist runner, Brandon”, yes, you are. If you have feet, you’re a natural runner, your shoes and such have just been telling you different for so long that you don’t know it!
These clinics are 100% free and are for ALL, and I do mean ALL runners, no matter what kind of shoes you wear, no matter how fast you are and no matter what you think you know about running, EVERYONE is welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity to get one-on-one attention from renowned natural running expert and SEVEN time World Adventure Racing Champion, Ian Adamson. Here are the details:
New York Running Company- East Side
What: Natural Running Reception & Presentation
Where: 1059 3rd Ave. | New York, NY 10065
Date: Friday, March 11, 2011
Time: 7-9:00 pm
Contact: 212.223.8109 | therunningcompany.net
New York Running Company- Time Warner Center
What: Natural Running Form Clinic
Where: 10 Columbus Circle | 2nd floor ste 210 | New York, NY 10023
(The group will meet at the TWC location and then head over to Central Park for the clinic)
Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 8:30-10:15 am
Contact: 212.823.9626 | therunningcompany.net
New York Running Company- Time Warner Center
What: Natural Running Form Clinic
Where: 10 Columbus Circle | 2nd floor ste 210 | New York, NY 10023
(The group will meet at the TWC location and then head over to Central Park for the clinic)
Date: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Contact: 212.823.9626 | therunningcompany.net
Greenwich Running Company
What: Natural Running Symposium and Form Clinic
Where: 2 Greenwich Ave | Greenwich, CT 06830
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Contact: 203.861.7800 | therunningcompany.net
Princeton Running Company
What: Natural Running Symposium and Form Clinic
Where: 108 Nassau St | Princeton, NJ 08542
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Contact: 609.252.9110 | therunningcompany.net
Sorry for such a short episode guys! The new (for the next few weeks) live streaming time will be at 8 PM EST on THURSDAYS!! To join in go to: ironbrandon.com/live
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I got beat to this by a tiny bit by someone else, but I thought I’d share anyway! Here is the former Mrs. James, Sandra Bullock on a visit to the gym accompanied by her Newton Performance Racers (Distancia)!
The Boston Athletic Association announced this morning a new registration procedure as well as new qualifying times. Both of these things will begin with the 2012 and 2013 races.This is in response to the record sell out time of the 2011 race which sold out in 8 hours.
First, the registration process will be a rolling admission whereupon the fastest qualifiers will be allowed entry first. Second, starting with the 2013 race all qualifying times, across both genders will be lowered by five minutes.
My two cents
While I don’t have too much of an opinion on the registration procedure, I think that the time standard change sucks.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with the open time (3:10 changed to 3:05) being lowered, though five minutes will be tough since just getting to 3:10 is tough enough. What I have a problem with (if I offend any women with what comes next, I don’t mean to. It’s nothing against anyone personally) is the RIDICULOUS notion that the women’s open qualifying time of 3:40, which will be 3:35, is somehow equal in its difficulty to the men’s qualifying times. The HALF HOUR time gap was a completely arbitrary number when it was established and is based on NOTHING. This is incredibly infuriating!
One suggestion that was being floated was to make the time difference between the men’s and women’s times the same gap between the respective world records (Men: 2:03:59, Women: 2:15:25). Hell, even make it an even 15 minutes! This is LUDICROUS.
(side note: The BAA website is getting slammed with traffic, so much so that I can’t pull up the story!)
The headline pretty much says it all! The Sir Isaac Guidance Trainer from the awesome folks at Newton Running has been named the Run Shoe of the Year by the UK’s Triathlon 220 Magazine!
The Sir Isaac Guidance Trainer is part of the transitional line up of shoes from Newton. For those looking to become more efficient runners and to move their stride to a more natural, midfoot/forefoot gait, this shoe will certainly get you there. Now, got get some!
After famously un-retiring in 2008 to return to the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong has once again officially retired. Sitting down in an interview with the Associated Press (video below), Armstrong says that he wants to devote his time now to his family and the Livestrong Foundation. Of course, for those of us in the triathlon world, we do expect to see Lance toeing the line at multisport events around the world including the Ironman World Championship in Kona on October.
Leave a comment HERE to be entered to win a FREE bottle of Vidazorb!
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I’m a bit confused as to what this means in terms of the UCI and racing in general but, apparently Alberto Contador has been cleared of doping allegations by the Spanish Cycling Federation. Backpedaling (pardon the pun) on their recommendation 3 weeks ago that Contador be suspended for a period of one year, they have now rescinded this ruling and a formal announcement is expected tomorrow.
Contador is set to go race in the Tour of Algavre in Portugal. However, the UCI does have a month to make a final decision on Contadors ability to race.
[Tour de France Champion Contador Is Cleared in Doping Case, El Pais Says]
Happy Monday and happy Valentine’s day! Today is the beginning of a very interesting period in my life and I thought I’d take a minute to share some thoughts on where it began this morning and where it may be headed. It does have something to do with running, triathlon and the like so, read on!
Achilles
A few weeks back I mentioned that while out on a run on a day with a lot of ice on the ground I
over-extended my trailing leg and “tweaked” my achilles. Since then I’ve had to kind of knock back the intensity of some of my runs and, to be completely honest, I’ve not run 100% pain free since. I’m not sure that I’d call this a true injury per se, but rather a small stumbling block.
I had a run last Friday where I was feeling my oats a little bit and so I took it out quicker than I have been. I wasn’t in pain while running, but I was aware of the tweak. After my run (about 8.5 miles at about 7:00/mile), as soon as I stopped at the front door of my building and began walking in the hallway, my achilles lit up. P-A-I-N. It seemed that the pain came not really when I put pressure on it but rather when I took it off.
I stretched immediately but couldn’t take too much time since I still had to get to work (yes, I managed to make it out for a pre-dawn run). Throughout the day I forced myself to alter my walking gait so as to avoid any pain. I guess I looked like I was limping a bit but it was a self imposed limp rather than my body NEEDING to limp, so that has to be something.
On Saturday morning I headed out the door for a 2.5 hour brick workout. I had spoken to Coach Jeff the night before and he told me to just do the ride and to forget about the run. So my ride, which was scheduled to be 1.5 hours got upped to 2.5 hours. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to ride outside so this was a welcome change from the monotony of the indoor trainer. Upon getting on the bike my achilles, which had been largely immobilized and set in ice for most of the previous day, was feeling quite tight and sore. I made and effort to gently stretch it out when I could and after about 30 minutes of riding it loosened up and even let me ride some large-ish hills harder than I thought I’d be able to.
When not chasing my daughter and packing/cleaning, the rest of the day was spent, leg elevated and on ice. Sunday’s run was also canceled and we’re now in some odd stasis waiting to see how I feel this week. I don’t have a run scheduled until Wednesday and then I hope my patience and wisdom don’t lose out to ego and pigheadedness. There’s no point in sacrificing an entire season for a few missed runs.
As an aside, and not to go down the technical road; when I was home and able to, I spent the ENTIRE weekend in just socks. I even walked my dogs in just socks on Saturday night. When I was barefoot, I hardly felt anything at all. Today I decided to wear a pair of Newton Gravitas‘ to work since they’re effectively flat and thus far, I’m doing well.
The Subway
I got on the subway this morning (the ever so pleasant downtown 1 train) at my usual stop. The train was not very crowded and I easily got a seat at the end of a row. I tend to go for those seats since that means that I’ll only have one person squeezing in beside me rather than two. The train went from my stop (215th St.) to about 110th St. without incident, or even that much of a crowd. At 110th St. a bunch of people got on the train including one of those people who like to stand IN the doorway and block the door for those trying to get on and off the train even though there is plenty of room to stand elsewhere.
It was this door-standing, super classy individual that started my day off on the wrong foot. This guys elbow was just about level with my ear. Since he was holding onto the rail attached to the seat I was sitting in, this is not out of the ordinary and no big deal. However, as the doors would open, he would lean basically into my seat (yes, I’m aware of the sometimes overstated “American bubble” that we prefer and are spoiled with. That said, I’ve been on a subway in Japan at rush hour and I know what “close” really is). Each time he did this he was coming about 9 inches across where he needed to be and he would push, not very hard but just inconsiderately so, his arm into my head. He did not say, “I’m sorry” or even acknowledge this annoying and obvious invasion of my space.
Now, had this been simply an invasion of my “space” and not an actual instance of me being touched repeatedly in the head by some stranger, I would not really have a problem with it. At about 72nd St. there was a rather aggressive push of my head with this guy’s elbow. So, I put my hand on my head, in between my head and his arm and gently moved his arm away and said, “Excuse me, your arm keeps hitting my head.” I didn’t say this loudly of in any kind of a rude tone. The rest of the conversation went like this:
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry?
Douchey McA-hole: I said, don’t touch me again.
Me: I’m sorry but you’ve been hitting me in the head with your arm for the last forty blocks.
Douchey McA-hole: I’m just trying to let people on and off the train.
Me: Well, you could go stand somewhere where you won’t have to do that and hit me in the head.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: If you don’t touch me again then we won’t have a problem.
Douchey McA-hole: Don’t touch me again.
Me: Or what?
Douchey McA-hole: *silence*
He got off the train at 59th St. (Columbus Circle) without further incident. I don’t like confrontation, but when I’m put in that situation, with someone literally standing over me (since he was standing and I was sitting) my hackles rise very quickly. However, I did maintain a calm demeanor which was bolstered by the very nice woman next to me who was encouraging me to ignore him since he was clearly “that kind of person”. I just don’t get it. Why do people have to be like that? I was tempted to stand up and just stare at the guy since I had about 20 pounds and 3 inches on him, but I figured that would only serve to exacerbate an already tense situation.
So, Douchey McA-hole, have a happy Monday and I’m not hoping at all that you get dropped like a sack of potatoes by someone with less patience than I have.
Looking forward
Danielle and I are going to Milwaukee this week to sing Mozart’s Così fan tutte with Skylight Opera. Being there will be a nice break from living in New York for a while, though I must admit that I doubt it will instill in me the affection that some feel for this town.
While there I hope to take Gearist TV on tours of SRAM, Saris and Trek Bikes. Gearist is doing well and is further expanding passions of mine that have been emerging for a while. Upon returning from Milwaukee, we will be looking to the future. Our lease is up in October and we are moving. We don’t know where just yet but to us, anywhere is better than here.
The spring and summer will be spent training hard and racing. The biggest race of the season of course, is Ironman Canada. I’m still toying with the idea of doing a 24 hour live podcast to help raise money for Athletes for a Cure (PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!). If I do do a live 24 hours show I am certainly going to need people to call in and stop by to keep me awake!
I’ll be touching more on the reasons and desires of our move in the coming months as well as the direction we’re moving in. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images
This is Kelly Gneiting. He is a sumo wrestler. He currently weighs 410 pounds. He is a marathoner.
In 2008 Gneiting completed the Los Angeles Marathon in 11:52:11. At the time his weight was about the same as it is now, and should have put him in the Guinness Book of World Records. However, the guidelines for this particular record, according to Guinness, say that the entire race must be filmed and that the runner must be weighed immediately before as well as immediately after the race.
The current record stands at 275 pounds, though after searching the Guinness website I don’t seem to be able to find it (if you are able, please send me the link). Training every day, with a long run of 6 miles on Saturdays, Gneiting hopes to complete the 2011 L.A. Marathon on March 20 in somewhere between nine and eleven hours.
I may be late to the party on this bit of news, but here it is! Apolo Anton Ohno, an 8-time Olympic medalist, will be running the 2011 New York City Marathon. His training for the marathon will make him take off the next season of short track speed skating, but he stops short of actually saying that he’s retiring from the sport that made him famous. The official announcement of Ohno’s NYC Marathon ambitions is scheduled for this Friday, February 11.
[Full Story: Apolo Ohno goes from short track to NYC marathon]
As I’ve said in the past, we all know someone who has been affected by prostate cancer. Many of us, however, have no idea what affects te proliferation of prostate cancer and what we can do to beat it to the punch.
I came across this site today and it goes into some wonderful detail about prostate health and prevention. From screening to prostatitis and into the side effects of prostate disorders such as erectile dysfunction, this site includes an impressive list of resources and survivor stories.
Gear news and reviews at GEARIST.COM!
Draft Legal age group racing in Florida
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If you’ve ever done a triathlon in the United States chances are, drafting on the bike leg was illegal. In it’s rules USA Triathlon (USAT) takes the time to lay out the rules for drafting and how they are interpreted.
In USAT racing drafting is grouped among the “Position fouls”. Below is the text from that section of the USAT rules [LINK](you can skip to the end for the good part if you want!).
5.10 Position Fouls. In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance. While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. A variable time penalty shall be imposed for any violation of this section. This section shall not apply to off-road triathlons and duathlons and shall be excluded from enforcement at those events.
a. Drafting. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, while on the cycling course, no participant shall permit his drafting zone to intersect with or remain intersected with the drafting zone of another cyclist or that of a motor vehicle. With respect to a motor vehicle (including authorized race vehicles); it is the athlete’s responsibility to move out of the vehicle’s drafting zone or to continually communicate to the vehicle to move away.
b. Definition of Drafting Zone. The term “drafting zone” shall refer to a rectangular area seven (7) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the “drafting zone” is a rectangular area extending 15 meters to each side of the vehicle and 30 meters behind the vehicle.
c. Right-of -Way. A participant is generally entitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in the position first without contacting another participant. When taking a position near another participant, however, a cyclist shall not crowd the other participant and shall allow reasonable space for the other participant to make normal movement without making contact.
d. Blocking. Cyclists must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant.
e. Passing. A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached alters speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.
f. Position. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.
g. Being Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been “overtaken” within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist.
h. Exceptions. A participant may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following conditions:
(1) When entering the drafting zone from the rear, closing the gap, and overtaking all within no more than 15 seconds.
(2) When cyclist reduces speed for safety reasons, for course blockage, for an aid station, for an emergency, when entering or exiting a transition area, or when making a turn of 90 degrees or more; or
(3) When USA Triathlon or the Head Referee expressly excludes a section of the bicycle course from the position foul rules because of overly narrow lanes, construction, detours, or a similar reason.
5.10A Position Fouls. Rule for Elites(a) Drafting. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, while on the cycling course, no participant shall permit his drafting zone to intersect with or remain intersected with the drafting zone of another participant or that of a motor vehicle. With respect to a motor vehicle (including authorized race vehicles); it is the athlete’s responsibility to continually communicate to the vehicle to move away.
(b) Definition of Drafting Zone. The term “drafting zone” shall refer to a rectangular area ten (10) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the “drafting zone” is a rectangular area extending one meter to each side of the vehicle and fifteen (15) meters behind the vehicle.
(c) Exceptions. A participant may enter the drafting zone without penalty only pursuant to the following exceptions:
(1) When entering the drafting zone from the rear, closing the gap, and overtaking all within no more than 15 seconds; or
(2) When cyclists reduce speed for safety reasons, for course blockage, for an aid station, for an emergency, when entering or exiting a transition area, or when making a turn of 90 degrees or more.
(d) Position on Course/Right-of-Way. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, a participant is generallyentitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in position first without contacting another participant.
(e) Staggered Positioning. All cyclists must assume and maintain a staggered riding position relative to the cyclist directly ahead; no cyclist may maintain a position on the course directly in line with a cyclist directly ahead. This staggered position must be maintained even if the cyclist is outside of the drafting zone and following at a distance of greater than ten (10) meters.
(f) Blocking. Cyclists who have assumed a proper position must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant.
(g) Position and Passing. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and he is confident of his ability to overtake and pass the other cyclist. A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached decreases speed.
(h) Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been “overtaken” within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the side or to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. An overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone before attempting to re-pass another cyclist. In no case, however, shall a participant move into the path of another participant possessing the right-of-way.
PHEW! Now, with all that being said, there is a new race about to break onto the scene that is a DRAFT LEGAL race that IS sanctioned by USAT! This race will take place in Clermont, Florida in March and is the idea of one Mr. Jarrod Shoemaker. Below is a link to an interview he did recently with Slowtwitch discussing the first ever Draft Legal Challenge atClermont.
Last week, the folks at Competitor posted the below video from The Running Event in Austin this past December. In it, Newton Running’s co-founder Danny Abshire shows off the much anticipated zero-drop racing flat from Newton, the MV2.
After seeing the video and having a bit of inside info of my own I contacted some spies who told me the following:
…please note that the MV2 as it appears in the video is no longer accurate. The actual MV2 will look quite different from the one presented at the Austin Running Event last December.
That said, the MV2 in it’s earlier iteration is in house at Newton’s “Running Lab” in Boulder, Colorado. Another reader/spy sent me some pictures of the shoes that will be going out to wear testers as early as this week.
For now, the details that I know are that the shoe is in fact a zero-drop shoe (no height difference form heel to forefoot) and comes in at 5.5 ounces. Also, contrary to the video and to what Competitor first reported, the MV2 will not be out until sometime in Fall 2011. I will be certain to keep everyone up on new developments on what is sure to be a great shoe and one that already has die hard Newton fans drooling.
Much has been made in the past of the Crowie and Macca rivalry. In fact, you may have even heard some hints of it in my interview with Crowie [LINK]. Usually we have to wait until Kona to see Crowie and Macca go head to head, but this year we’ll get to see them early! Both World Champs will be in the Abu Dhabi International triathlon which takes place on Mach 12.
As many have said before (not the least of which is Macca himself), Macca is considered to be a stronger cyclist than Crowie. With that in mind, the unusual distance of the Abu Dhabi course will favore the 2010 Kona champ. The distances are: 3 km swim (approx. 1.86 mi.), 200 km bike (approx 124 mi.) and 20 k run (12.4 mi.).
TriCenter this week did a bit of a highlight on the two heavyweights as they gear up for an early season showdown.
An unexpected present showed up at Gearist HQ the other day. It came with a letter saying that we (in conjunction with IronBrandon.com) were the lucky recipients of one of only 26 of the packages contents in the world. [Side note: ah flattery!] In the package was a tube about 4 inches high and about an inch in diameter. I know what you’re thinking, “Awesome, a tube!” but wait, there’s more!
Inside the awesome plastic tube was an as yet not released product from the folks at GU Energy Labs, GU Brew Electrolyte Tablets. These little discs of sweat fighting goodness are yet another tool in the ever expanding arsenal of one of the best known and loved names in endurance nutrition.
If you’re familiar with GU Electrolyte Brew in powder form then this won’t be anything terribly new to you. The object is to bring a more convenient delivery system to the electrolyte balancing Brew that you’ve come to know and love. The tube I received is the Lemon Lime flavor. Each tablet contains 320 mg of sodium and 55 mg of potassium, giving a balance of electrolytes rather than just heaps of salt. They are actually quite tasty and mild enough to be completely palatable during long distance races. We will have a full review in the coming weeks, but for now, here is the full statement from GU Energy Labs.
Berkeley, CA – GU Energy Labs, creators of the original sports energy gel, today announced the introduction of GU Brew Electrolyte Tablets – an important addition to their innovative line of nutrition for athletes.
Brew Electrolyte Tables are specifically designed to provide athletes the electrolytes they need to excel on their longest workouts. The effervescent tablets allow the body to retain optimal electrolyte balance without providing unneeded calories. The tablets are also a convenient alternative to carrying bulky powders or additional bottles when embarking on extended workouts.
Each naturally flavored and naturally sweetened tablet provides a careful balance of sodium (320 mg) and potassium (55 mg), for optimal hydration and functional simplicity. The balanced sweetness is derived from Stevia leaf, and yields only ten calories per serving.
Simply put, Brew Electrolyte Tablets are an important new product for athletes intent on maximizing their performance.
“The introduction of Brew Electrolyte Tablets offers GU another avenue to provide easily accessible endurance hydration to athletes who demand premium performance offerings,” said GU Energy Labs President Brian Vaughan, “The proprietary formula for Brew Electrolyte Tablets allows athletes to efficiently hydrate and perform at a higher intensity for a longer period of time.”
GU energy products have long added to the competitive success of world-class endurance athletes including Ironman World Champions Craig Alexander and Mirinda Carfrae, as well as Melanie McQuaid, Conrad Stoltz and Michellie Jones.
Brew Electrolyte Tablets will be initially available in Orange, Lemon Lime and Peach Tea flavors. Each 4.6-gram tablet will contain ten calories. The retail price point will be $6.50 per twelve-serving tube. It will be released to specialty run, bike and outdoor specialty retailers in March, 2011.
TriSports.com Phoenix Triathlon
Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island
Leave and episode HERE to win a FREE pair of Stuffitts!
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Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am the social media manager and a customer service rep for Newton Running. 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!
Who: This contest is open to anyone and everyone in the U.S. and Canada (also APO)! Tell your friends!
What: Stuffitts! I have spoken about these simple yet awesome shoe savers in the past. Click here to read more about them. I cannot say enough how great they are!
When: Starting NOW! This is an ongoing contest that will be every month, or until every person on the planet has nice, fresh smelling shoes!
Why: Because Stuffitts are awesome! The folks at Stuffitts are being SUPER generous and I also want to give you guys something that I think is a great addition to any athletes arsenal!
How: On the last podcast episode post of each month (example: Episode 99 on June 28 HERE) entrants should leave a comment (however long you'd like). On the following week's show (the first show of each month) I will draw, by random number generator, one winner! That's it!
Good luck!
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