Monday, September 14, 2009

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.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

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.

Friday, September 4, 2009

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.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Open Water Swims


Getting out into the open water is one of the best workouts that you can do, the more you do it the more you are calm in the water. Swim parallel to the shore just outside the break, swim out around a buoy and back. Do runs down the beach and into the water to simulate starts.
There is more to swimming than just doing lap after lap, turning when you reach the wall at the end of the pool. You can swim in places with no walls - open water. Lakes, oceans, and rivers offer a great change of scenery - go to your local beach for today's workout instead of more laps in the pool. Depending on the reasons you swim, you may find it more psychologically rewarding; it can certainly be just as productive for building your fitness.

This from About.com
A few of the things to remember if you are going to swim in open water:
  • There are no lines on the bottom - look for landmarks to aid navigation, but find the balance between looking too often and not looking enough.
  • Put on your sunscreen - and don't forget your lips.
  • Drink plenty of fluids before you begin.
  • Make sure you follow the buddy system - if you are at a guarded beach, tell the lifeguards what you are doing.
  • You can do any type of workout - long straight swims, intervals where you vary the intensity level, even short sprints then tread or float in place.
  • It will be easier to count strokes compared to doing efforts for time or distance; 50 strokes at a high effort, 50 strokes easy, etc.
  • Base your workout on time spent swimming, not how far you think you have gone.
  • Stay on the safe side of distance from shore - DON'T GO OUT TOO FAR.
  • If you are in a race, watch out for the flailing arms and legs of those around you - getting hit or scratched hurts, and can knock off your goggles.
  • Learn to use the waves to help you ride up and slide down.
  • Time your stroke so you can breath without getting splashed in the face.
  • If they are allowed, wetsuits designed for swimming work - you will be amazed at the extra warmth and the additional speed with no additional effort.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Swimmer Shoulder Problems Fixed


We all feel something and most hope that we never get shoulder problems, but age and poor form might lead to this.

Swimmers' Shoulder Problems In A Nutshell
The four leading causes of shoulder injury:

- Thumb first hand entry

- An S-shaped pull

- Pulling deep with a straight arm

- Cross overs (normally caused by poor rotation to one or both sides)

If you’re suffering from shoulder injury or pain then concentrate on fixing these problems and 9 times out of 10 shoulder injury will disappear quickly. Find out more: Swim Smooth

Friday, August 14, 2009

Think Cool, Inner-Cooler Performance Wrap


COOL, is the one way to describe this device, wrap this around your neck and upper chest and well you guessed it lower body temp.

Athletes using the Inner-Cooler report better endurance, less dehydration and quicker recovery times. Just like an engine runs better, longer, and develops more power when it stays cooler, so does your body.

The Inner-Cooler Performance Wrap can be worn before during and after an event. It fits nicely under a jersey, chest protector or neck brace, is simple to use, durable and machine washable.

Not sure how much it ways but could be a good piece to wear on the bike leg or even for a portion of the run, instead of sticking sponges or even ice in your suit.

Check it out

Monday, August 10, 2009

Energy Drinks, this article says it all!


Well Tri Fuel does it again and proves why you should stay away from caffeine and better yet, energy drinks.

This paragraph says it all.
Danger of Caffeine Overdose and Addiction: The average energy drink contains nearly 4 times the amount of caffeine found in commercial soda beverages and several of the more popular brands contain the caffeine equivalent of 14 Cokes. A 6-ounce cup of coffee has 80-150 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, but the caffeine content of energy drinks ranges from 50-500+ mg, with one popular energy drink "shot" topping out at 570mg, which gives you the equivalent of about three and a half cups of coffee with a single sip!
More..

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Skipping A Workout, Ask Yourself This!


You should ask yourself some basic questions, how long have I been going at this 6,8, 12, 16 or 24 weeks. Will I really suffer, when is your next race.
1. Will I regret this decision?
2. How much have I exercised this week?
3. How will I make up for my missed workout?
4. Do I have a legitimate reason to skip this workout?
5. How will missing this workout affect my goals?
6. What could I do to make my workout more appealing?
7. How could I reward myself for doing my workout?
8. How could I change my workout?
9. How will skipping my workout affect my day?
10. What stands in the way of my workout?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

US Gran Prix of Cyclocross


It's coming to Mercer County NJ, again. I know it early but get it on your schedule and get ready for the mud. Last year was great.

The second weekend of the USGP of Cyclocross returns to Mercer County Park on November 14th and 15th where the racers are sure to face windy, challenging conditions and deep fields from the highly competitve Mid-Atlantic cross scene.

Once again Clif Bar will present it's Kids' Cross Clinic featuring the Clif Bar athletes at the race venue.

Course designer, CyclocrossWorld.com's very own Stu Thorne, says about the Mercer venue:

This is a course for the powerful racers. The first turn after the start will be critical and it leads into a long, slow grind into the false flats on far-side of the course. The sand pits - three in a row - are long and favor the strongest, technical riders. On the final lap, the race could turn on a strategic run through the pits. The pit is located fairly close to the finish and right before the fly-over. The person who gets a good bike change in the pits would be positioned well for the last trip over the fly-over, into the technical section along the lake into the final gravelly turn onto the long up-hill sprint to the finish.

In general, with the fly-over, sand and grass there is more than enough on offer on this course to make it very interesting! Throw in the strong winds coming off the lake and we're in for a great weekend of racing.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Getting to the Gym.


So the season is in full swing you are swimming, biking, and running 12-18 hours a week more or less. Now you find yourself lacking strength, but another couple hours at the gym a week, who has time. Well make time take a little of the workouts and put the time in, it will make you stronger and less prone to injury. TriFuel has a great post about this.
Summary:
The crème of the crop for a weekly gym workout during triathlon, using the following two criteria for choosing exercises:
1) the exercise must strengthen the external rotation muscles of the shoulders, hips, and core, which are the most neglected muscles of triathlon training and the most prone to imbalance and injury from swimming, cycling and running.
2) the exercise must not create excessive soreness, which will detract from important swim, bike and run workouts during race season.
Using those two criteria, here are the instructions for "The Exact Gym Workout to Do During Race Season."
-Warm-up 5 minutes. Go through each station 3x, performing the indicated number of reps for each exercises and resting only long enough to be able to do the exercises with good form. Once you finish all three exercises in a station 3x through, move on to the next station.
(here's the good news for you visual learners: each link will take you straight to a video for that particular exercise)
  • "The Exact Gym Workout to Do During Race Season."
  • Station 1: Hip External Rotators
  • Exercise 1: Band Side Walks - 20 steps in each direction http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/SideWalksBand.mov
  • Exercise 2: Hip Hikes - 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/HipHikes.mov
  • Exercise 3: Ice Skaters- 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/Iceskaters.mov
  • Station 2: Shoulder External Rotators
  • Exercise 1: Bow Row - 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/BowRow.mov
  • Exercise 2: Lateral Step with Reverse Fly - 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/LateralStepReverseFly.mov
  • Exercise 3: Pull-ups or Pull-downs - 10 (no video, you know how to do these)
  • Station 3: Core External Rotators
  • Exercise 1: Side Plank Rotations - 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/SidePlankRotations.mov
  • Exercise 2: Cable Torso Twists - 15 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/CableTorsoTwists.mov
  • Exercise 3: Woodchoppers - 10 per side http://www.pacificfit.net/trivideos/Woodchopper.mov
By incorporating this routine at least once per week during race season, you will be working the exact muscles necessary to keep you injury free AND make you faster. Although this workout is not in my book "Top 12 Resistance Training Routines for Triathletes" at http://www.thestrongtriathlete.com, it would be a good workout to incorporate along with the routines in the book.more..

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Messenger Mirror


Easy post here these are simple, light and one of the best designs to use on a bike.

MessengerMirror allows you to view things approaching from behind and increases your safety on a bicycle when cars are present. Cooked up by a cyclist who was looking for a cycling mirror and found the available products (T-a-L, 3rdi) were too expensive, had their design flaws, and all were too bulky to have in his face.
  • Compact, light, affordable
  • Fits thick and thin frames
  • 1/2" diameter Glass mirror
  • Approx length is 6.5" overall
The MessengerMirror is very compact so adjust your expectations of field-of-view accordingly. New riders, plus those familiar with other cycling mirrors, will quickly adjust and develop a method to best utilize it. It is designed to be fit on the left side of glasses but could be easily modified for right side use.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Rudy Project Sterling Road Helmet


Rudy Project is having a great deal and with some athletes from the Tour wearing Rudy's you can't lose.

Rudy Project is proud to unveil our newest addition to the road and mountain bike helmet line. Our new Sterling helmet will be our lightest, best-fitting and most ventilated helmet ever!

- 18 large vents
- Incorporated "Eyewear Dock" that securely fits your favorite pair of Rudys during those long climbs
- weight: ~270 grams
- CPSC Certified
- $225 MSRP / VIP Price $135
- Available in White/Silver/Blue Matte, White/Silver/Red Matte, Titanium/Black/Red Matte and Black/Silver/Red Matte

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Armstrong's Custom Bikes


Every major events brings out the best in people and products, so this should not be a surprise that Lance would be an exception. The time trial showed us a new bike, the opening of the Tour gave us another, but what is to happen when he gets the yellow. We have seen many bike changes and color schemes from Lance, from glasses to gear, the major release it yet to come. Just go to trek Bikes to see some of the latest. Already released is the Cancellara’s Specialized Tarmac SL3 yellow bike, you know that Lance will not be outdone. So in short Lance get the jersey already the suspense is killing us.

Monday, July 13, 2009

4 Ways to Avoid the Bike-Run Bonk


All your preparation is done, you have put the miles in, hair smells like chlorine, bike tires worn, shoes been replace, in all you are ready, or so you think. What about the fourth sport, Nutrition. You feel OK on the bike, only to suffer a gastrointestinal meltdown in the run. Stomach feels sloshy, can't shake it, Active.com nailed the reasons why. Now every one is different and take with a grain of salt, but the main gysgt is EXPERIMENT, don't let a simple avoidable mistake ruin a great day.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Under Amour HeatGear ® Recharge Compression


So Under Armour has been in the Compression business for a while now, mostly in the high impact arena like football, lacrosse and soccer. With the HeatGear® Triathletes can start to rejoice. Training in the winter months is much better outside, everyone would agree, but freezing temperatures keep many on treadmills. Now their site recommends this for football, but if you are whiling to experiment Under Armour can't be beat on durability and price.

ArmourGrip™ technology locks gear in place using a tactified compound that prevents slippage. Strategic vent zones built into key points where the body dumps heat, keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable. Built with Flatlock Seams that feel smooth against the skin and prevent chafing. Armour&Stretch improves mobility and accelerates dry time with lightweight fabrics built in a 4-way stretch.