Posts Tagged ‘training’

I Run Like A Girl

Friday, April 12th, 2013

This article was written by Lauren Fleshman who is a JayBird triathlete and the wife of Jesse Thomas who happens to be a JayBird triathlete.

I have a confession to make: I wish I had a penis. Just kidding. Kind of. Not really. Oh, boy. Let me explain.

My sister and I grew up with a pretty dominant dad (pictured; I’m on the right) who was really macho and worked in construction and had the language to go with it. (You’ve been warned.) Frank was the undisputed boss who got the best chair in any room, the first serving of home-cooked dinner, and complete control of the remote at all times. He’s the kind of dude you’d expect would want sons.

But no. Frank had two girls, and turned out to be an unlikely sage for feminist wisdom. (more…)

Accenture 70.3 Oceanside Race Report

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Check out this article that was written by our newest athlete – Jesse Thomas Pro Triathlete

My oh my oh my oh my oh my….

THAT was a big one, crazy ass fans. The biggest one of this journey so far. I honestly don’t know where to start. I’m stoked. I’m crushed. I’m sore. I’m hung-over. I’m really, really hungry. Let’s begin. (more…)

Tips to Speed Your Race Recovery

Monday, March 25th, 2013

If you’ve raced before, you know how sore you can be the day or two after.  Part of that is inevitable—you’ve probably worked pretty hard and your body is going to exhibit some soreness and stiffness. But there are steps you can take to lessen the degree of soreness so that you can get back to the business of training faster.

The first step to recovery begins immediately after the race. Take a cool-down run, no matter how much it hurts and how much you don’t feel like doing it. Just 10 to 15 minutes of super easy running will help your body start processing the waste in your legs. (more…)

Which Triathlon Distance Should I Race?

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

According to USA Triathlon, participation in triathlon is at an all-time high, following unprecedented growth over the last decade. This is good news for participants as new races are popping up to keep up with the demand. Most people have heard of the daunting Ironman triathlon which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. The allure of this race distance attracts many, but there are several distances for athletes of all entry points, experience, and skill levels. (more…)

Beginner Training Tips

Friday, December 28th, 2012

Training Tips

  • In the immortal words of Walt Stack famed senior-citizen distance runner “Start slow… and taper.”
  • At first keep your runs short and slow to avoid injury and soreness so you do not quit.
  • If you are breathing too hard slow down or walk a bit until you feel comfortable again.
  • Pick your route close to home (out your front door)—the more convenient it is the better chance you will have sticking with it.
  • Find a beginner training for your first race.
  • Set realistic short term and long term goals.
  • Keep a training diary. (more…)

Taking on Ironman Arizona

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Sunday’s Ironman Arizona is known for its flat, fast course with lots of loops (three on the bike, three on the run) and the potential threat of wind on the exposed bike course. Since the race has moved from April to November as of a few years ago, heat has been less of an issue—this year’s forecast looks to be 78 degrees with no chance of rain, making for a picture-perfect day for competitors.

With the help of three-time IMAZ finisher Jessica Herschberg of FTP Coaching in Nashville, we have some tips for how to best navigate your race. Good luck to those tackling 140.6 this weekend!

Tips for the swim:

• Tempe Town Lake is not known for its crystal-clear waters. The murkiness means limited visibility—as in, you can’t really see your hand in front of you—so be prepared for flying arms or a foot in your face seemingly out of nowhere.

• The good news is that the one-loop course is very calm. The chaos of the mass start usually dissipates by the turnaround.

• Bring a couple goggle options and try them out in the practice swim the day before. In addition to the limited visibility, the swim starts due east, so the sun can be harsh for sighting as you go out. (Thankfully it follows a straight wall, which can help with sighting.)

• It’s a deep water start, so the earlier you enter the water, the longer you’re treading. “Be careful to not spend excess energy before you race,” advises Herschberg. On the flip side, waiting around too long could lead to a panicked last-minute 6:58 jump-in that won’t do much to calm your nerves. (more…)

CrossFit: It’s anybody’s game

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

As I stood in the Home Depot Center Stadium and looked around, I realized that in just two short years I have witnessed a true evolution in CrossFit.

Here in Carson, California, before a sold-out crowd, athletes from around the globe have come to challenge themselves like nothing you have ever witnessed before, in the hopes of being crowned fittest one earth.

Brutal workouts of burpees, pullups, running, Olympic lifting and gymnastics will force them to take their bodies to their limit. What was once a grassroots organization with garage gyms, and what some believe is a crazy approach to fitness, is now a televised event on ESPN with full sponsorship from Reebok. Million-dollar campaigns are now seen on primetime networks, as Reebok shows the world its specialized gear, specifically designed and inspired by CrossFit. There’s even a growing celebrity segment that has my mom finally believing that what I do is OK. That’s right if “Bob” says it’s OK… then mom says it’s OK. That “Bob” would be Bob Harper of NBC’s Biggest Loser, who was an avid spectator for the three-day event. (more…)

Keep The Fire Alive: Avoid Late-Season Burnout

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

Save the end of your racing and training season from burnout.

Assuming you’ve wrapped up your goal Olympic-distance or 70.3 race by the end of September, you’re likely feeling worked over. And that’s a good thing. Fatigue at this point of the season is a positive sign that you’re giving your all, and no one can take that away from you. (If you still have a lot left in the tank, we need to talk about training harder next year.)

With your goal accomplished, you’re now entering the end of the racing season, a complicated stretch of time that may last four to six weeks and include a couple more triathlons. It’s a time when you—and your mind, for that matter—benefit from taking a well-deserved break from training for competition, and your focus instead turns to training for conditioning. (more…)

Beach Boot Camp

Friday, May 18th, 2012

BEACH BOOT CAMP

No, it’s not a race. It’s an all-new way of challenging your body—and have a great time doing it. But unlike other events, you won’t just walk away sweaty, tired, and sore. You’ll leave smarter. We’ll introduce you to exercises you’ve never done, equipment you’ve never tried, and workouts that you’ve dreamed of! We’ve literally brought the pages of our magazines to life in the most fun venue on the planet: the beach. That’s right: Fit men and women in swimsuits—abs rippling, butts glistening—getting fitter by the second.

Day 1 starts with a grueling and exhilarating 12-station, 90-minute workout on the beach: We call it The Gauntlet. It combines the latest metabolic-training methods along with the coolest equipment. You’ll learn how to use battling ropes, kettlebells, medicine balls, TRX, and even sandbags to get an unbelievable workout. (more…)

Two-A-Days

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

When I was in high school, my cross-country team began every school day with a three-to four-mile run and ended it with another run. We placed first or second at the state meet every year. The secret of our success is really no secret. Instead of running five times a week, we ran 10 times. Studies have shown that runners who run higher mileage have better economy and cardiovascular fitness than athletes who run less.

If you’re currently running five days a week for at least 40 minutes a day, you’re ready for doubles. Here’s how to pack the most into your summer so that come fall, you’ll have an edge on the competition.

FOLLOW A FORMULA
Instead of going out for one run, divide your normal run by two. This gives you the distance of your first run. Your second run will be three-quarters of the distance of your normal run. So on a day in which you’d normally do eight miles, you’d run four miles in the a.m. and six miles in the p.m. (8 x .5 = 4 and 8 x .75 = 6).

TAKE IT EASY-EASY
Start weaving doubles into your routine by performing them twice a week on your easy days. A double dose of laid-back runs is great for building cardiovascular conditioning and increasing your mileage base. This is the duo you’ll run the most.

THEN GO EASY-HARD
After a month of easy doubles, start adding an easy morning run to one quality day. These early sessions will loosen you up and keep you from feeling sluggish during evening intervals or tempo runs. Once your body has adapted to the mileage boost, turn another hard day into a double. (more…)