Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Staying Cool While Running In The Heat


Don’t be surprised if you feel a little extra sluggish when temperatures soar. When it’s hot outside, the brain tells the muscles to relax in order to keep the body’s core temperature low, and the process of sweating to stay cool diverts blood away from the muscles. Add allergies, dehydration, and longer daylight hours to the equation, and it’s tempting to take a vacation from training until cooler temperatures prevail. But your performance doesn’t have to suffer just because the mercury’s on the rise. Here are Runner’s World’s best tips for beating the heat.
Run before the sun. Head out before sunrise; it’s the coolest time of day. Your body’s core temperature is at its lowest right after you wake up, which means it takes longer for your body to overheat. If you can’t run in the morning, work out as late in the day as possible. Although the sun is highest in the sky at noon, the earth’s surface heat peaks between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. For a cool long-run adventure, get some friends together and do your long run after dark.
Check the heat index before you go out. It’s not just the heat; the humidity will take a toll, too. Moist air slows down your body’s ability to cool itself through sweat. The heat index combines temperature with relative humidity to determine the apparent temperature—how hot it actually feels—and the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when that hits 105° F. Be sure to check the temps and the heat index before you go.
Wear the right gear. Go for light-colored, loose-fitting technical clothing and a visor. Unlike cotton, technical fabrics wick away sweat and dry quickly, meaning you won’t feel weighed down by your sweat-soaked T-shirt. Light-colored clothing reflects heat, and a loose fit lets air circulate. Hats trap heat; visors will keep your head cooler while still shading your face from the sun. Wear apparel with a UPF-rating (ultraviolet protection fabric), which means it shields skin from UVB and UVA rays. For tips on what to wear in any weather, check out our “What Should I Wear?” tool here.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Bike Air Case



For those about to bike, we salute you. When you have to pack up your two wheels for a trip before you hit the road, however, Biknd's helium case will keep your prized cycle in mint condition. Its use of ultra-lightweight materials and clever engineering—it opens up completely flat for easy loading and the sides inflate for extra protection—makes it a trustworthy piece of luggage that will put your mind at ease when you're on the go.

Read more: Biknd's

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

USA Triathlon Adopts New Wetsuit Regulation


Beginning in 2013, wetsuits may not exceed five millimeters in thickness

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Following extensive research and consideration, USA Triathlon announced today that beginning in 2013 use of wetsuits exceeding five millimeters in thickness will not be permitted at USAT-sanctioned events.

The new regulation, which falls under Article 4.4 Wetsuits of the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules, states: "Effective January 1, 2013, any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than five millimeters shall be disqualified."

"Our board has been considering this issue and the impact it might have with our athletes for some time," said USA Triathlon CEO Skip Gilbert. "The overall feeling is that it makes perfect sense to align with the guidelines set by our international federation and multisport enthusiasts around the world. This is a standard that is good for the athlete community and our sport overall."

By implementing this rule change, USA Triathlon falls in line with the international standard of five millimeters recognized by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and other National Governing Bodies.

The adoption of this rule is designed to eliminate any competitive advantage gained by enhancements in wetsuit technology in recent years. Studies have shown there is a marked and measurable performance benefit to the use of certain wetsuits, specifically added buoyancy effectively reducing passive drag. These performance benefits have led to an increased, and artificially induced, reduction in physical demand required during the swim leg of a triathlon and an increase in speed.

USAT recognizes that there may be wetsuits currently available on the market that are greater than five millimeters in thickness. Consequently, the organization has implemented a phase-in period of the rule to allow the use of wetsuits that currently do not meet the thickness requirement. This announcement of the new regulation serves as notice that the rule change will come into effect in 2013.

USAT recently solicited feedback on the wetsuit thickness issue from its certified race directors via a comprehensive survey. The majority of those surveyed supported USA Triathlon's adoption of this rule.



Xterra Wetsuits Vector Pro X2 , is 1.5 mm thick. NICE

Thursday, June 17, 2010

KIEHL CROSS-TERRAIN UV FACE PROTECTOR SPF 50


Three things a guy likes:

  1. UVA / UVB protection with SPF 50
  2. Water-, sweat- and wind-resistant
  3. Unscented, water-free formula



Bike Love

Great, keep the kid spirit going no matter what age you are.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Kona Band Wagon

I LOVE THIS BIKE!!

New for 2010, the Band Wagon is a Paddy Wagon all hopped up. It's the same frame, with geometry somewhere between true track and road for the best of both worlds, but the powder blue and bright orange deep dish rim sporting Band Wagon features higher end spec than the Paddy-for hipsters with a bit more cake. A bike so sweet you could ride it naked and few would notice. But please don't do that. Except on World Naked Bike Ride Day: www.worldnakedbikeride.org.

Frame sizesC49cm, C52cm, C54cm, C56cm, C58cm, C60cm
Frame tubingKona Custom Butted Cromoly
Rear ShockN/A
ForkKona Retro Road
HeadsetFSA Orbit DL
CrankarmsFSA Vero (49-56=170, 58-60=175mm)
Chainrings42T
B/BTH 7420 ST
PedalsNone
ChainShimano CN-NX01
FreewheelDicta 16T Freewheel & Fixed
F/DN/A
R/DN/A
ShiftersN/A
HandlebarKona Pista (31.8mm, 420mm Wide)
StemKona Road (6°± , 49-52=90, 54-56=100, 58-60=115mm)
GripsKona Cork Tape
BrakesShimano R650
Brake LeversShimano R400
Front hubFormula
Rear hubFormula
SpokesSandvik Stainless 14g
TiresContinental UltraSport 700x28C
RimsAlex R600
SaddleSelle Italia Q-bik
SeatpostKona Road Deluxe
Seat clampKona Clamp
ColorMetallic Blue

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Ironman Series Donates $100,000 To Oil Spill Relief Effort



World Triathlon Corporation, owner of the global Ironman Triathlon Series, announces its contribution to the oil spill relief effort in the Gulf of Mexico. The Ironman Foundation, the company's charitable arm, has earmarked a total of $100,000 to support the efforts and its first donation of $25,000 will be made to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, an organization that has been instrumental in assisting those affected by the oil spill in the state of Louisiana. Ironman, headquartered off Florida's West coast, plans to offer additional assistance to related organizations in the coming weeks.
more..

Friday, June 4, 2010

Bring on the Bennett's



Well the U.S. Can't wait this is great. Whether or not Gregg does the 2012 Olympics, having him coach his wife is just as good if not better.

In a statement released today by Triathlon Australia, the Aussie sports federation said it has released Bennett, who has both a U.S. and Australian citizenship, from obligations in representing Australia.

"Laura and I have built our careers together for the past 11 years, leaning on each other constantly for support in coaching and mentoring," Bennett said in statement.

BRING ON THE BENNETTS

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Go By Bike Campaign


When bike companies get smart, only good things come of it. Trek has done it with this campaign for the second year running.
For the second year running Trek are running their Go By Bike Campaign. First run in 2009 to encourage people to take up cycling either for recreation or commuting, the campaign then consisted of special offers available to customers, along with basic information on the key benefits of cycling.

For 2010, Cycling Advocacy is a key part of the campaign, which is being run by Trek in partnership with the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) and Sustrans.

Cannondale used to have a trade in program that was great, bring in an old bike and get $$ of a new one. Not sure what happened but wish they still offered.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Video: Triathletes take on the best 10K runners in the world at the 2010 Bolder Boulder

Over 50,0000 runners finished the 2010 Bolder Boulder this year and among them were at least three professional triathletes.

Chrissie Wellington, Olympians Laura Bennett and Greg Bennett all raced in the professional waves and took on some of the best 10K runners in the world.

Chrissie Wellington raced for the U.K. while Olympian Greg Bennett ran as pro for the first and last time for team Australia.