CGI Racing 4 Triathlons and the New Unite Half

Get ready for the Rutgers half marathon. THE FIRST 100 RUNNERS TO SIGN UP GET IN FOR $17.66!!! Yup 17.66, 10 am EST.
The CGI Racing team in the past couple years has nailed Racing Events. They put on spectator friendly events, are not afraid to change it up and notification about events is dead on. Now the triathlon Series is one of the best put on, New Jersey (sprint and olympic), Black Bear (kicks off the season), Northeast and the women's tri Philadelphia. If you have not experienced the event either as a racer or spectator it is very much like the ITU events.
So get ready for 2010, CGI is.

Box Jumps Doing It Right!

Box Jumps will work the whole body make you faster, even impress your friends. By using very basic, versatile equipment and by working large, functional muscles, the box jump is an excellent way to jump to the next level of physical fitness and athletic ability.
From, eHow

Step 1
Set up your box. This is where the simplicity of the box jump comes in to play since you can use a variety of boxes at different heights to do the exercise. Use an aerobics step, a workout box or even a park bench to do a box jump. Set the box up so you have at least a few feet to move on either side.

Step 2
Warm up. The box jump requires a good amount of explosive power and muscle contraction in your lower body. Warming up these muscles is very important to get them flexible and ready to absorb the shock of the jump and the descent. Do about ten minutes of low level cardiovascular exercise followed by some stretching.

Step 3
Start with a warmup set. Stand in front of your box with your hands at your sides. With your feet roughly shoulder width apart, jump up onto the box, hold your position on top of the box for a count of one second and then jump back down. Begin your exercise session with sets of eight to twelve repetitions.

Step 4
Make the exercise dynamic. You will probably find that the exercise gets easier pretty quickly as you practice it. Add weight to the box jump by holding a dumbbell in either hand. If you want to add another level of complexity to the exercise, do lateral jumps where you stand to the side of the box and jump up and to the right or left.

Cross Country Tips

Cross Country season is upon us and it is one of the best season to run. Running is one of the most overlook sports and needs to be given the respect that it deserves. Kids jump into running because it seems easy and they don't have to buy equipment, parents buy there kids sneaker, shorts and a light weight shirt and feel they have completed "their" requirements.

First off running is a cheaper sport than most but "running" shoes are what is going to keep you healthy, injury free and happy. Find a good running store that can access your running style, even give you pointers to change your style (Newton Running) has a whole section on Running Better. "To discover your best running form all you need to do is run barefoot. You'll immediately discover that when barefoot you're not landing on your heels, you're striking on your forefoot.

Striking on your forefoot is the most natural way to run, it is also the fastest and most efficient way to run. Newton Running shoes were developed to make your feet think they're barefoot and increase your performance."

Next would be the short, make sure they are lightweight and comfortable. Shorts should wick moisture away, be quick drying and complement your running style not basketball game.

Last would be the a good lightweight shirt, same principle as shorts, you might even need a long sleeve as well. To baggy and it could rub to tight and dig into the skin. Try them on make sure they feel good, keep you warm and wick the moisture away.

Last not really needed but a good hat. Blocks the sun, wicks moisture and fits.

Sand vs Road Running

You never know what is going to be thrown at you, the morning of a triathlon, changes happen all the time and it is how you adapt that helps you overcome. Switching from a road run to a sand run, most would run for the hills, not if you have been training in Newton running shoes.

"The genius behind the Newton running shoes is the patented Action/Reaction Technology™. When using the ultra-efficient Land-Lever-Lift midfoot or forefoot running gait, the technology absorbs and then returns your own energy back to you. It's not fancy technospeak, and it's no gimmick. It's a revolutionary way of building a running shoe based on Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion – "For every ACTION, there is an equal and opposite REACTION." Loosely translated, it means you get a boost of forward energy with every single stride you take."

Learning to run in Newton's can help one achieve better performance, less injuries and the ability to take on different terrain. Now depending on the conditions of the sand hard packed, soft, watery the training is the KEY. If you choose to go without shoe and risk injury, training correctly so your body is used to the correct running style is key. Landing in sand on your heels will hurt plain and simple. Using Newtons Land-Lever-Lift and you can take the shoes off and run as fast if not faster than with shoes. Stanford university's coach Vin Lananna, has his athletes train barefoot in the grass.

Plain and simple the proper body position and training will help you overcome most obstacles.

Simple steps to beat Race Dehydration

This article was originally posted on Runner Dude’s blog, where you can check out more tips for runners from marathoners to beginners.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re well hydrated before, during, and after the marathon.

1. Find out what sports drink will be provided during the race.
2. Never use the featured sports drink in a marathon, if you did not use it in your training. Don’t Do It!
3. Don’t over hydrate.
4. Drink 16oz of water 2 hrs before race time.
5. During the race, drink 6-12oz every 15-20 minutes.
6. Rehydrate after the race.

Triathletes Unite

Triathletes, Runners, anyone who shares the road with cars or trucks, we have a right to the road as they do. My suggestion to help the problem is if there is a car/truck that buzzes you get the license plate number and/or the name of the company on the side of the truck. As bloggers we can make a difference. How is that company going to like having their name dragged through the mud. Think-Tri can't be the first to have thought of this but hopefully can add and make a difference. Greg Bennett was recently run over, well a car drove past him and turn right in front. This has to stop or be controlled. All of us have had this happen and wondered what we can do to make a change. Well blogging about it and should make a difference. Post videos on YouTube. I am sure after some companies get their names on the web (bad press) there will be a slow change happening.
Thanks for listening.