25 Feb 2007

Malaysia 2007

I can't say enough good things about this race. It was a solid day.

In short, Amanda had a superb swim and she was on fire on the bike. She really seemed to be enjoying the day. She pushed herself hard. When she ``left'' the course at about the 36km mark, she was a long way in front in her age group.

I don't have any details on how she's doing at the moment. Both her mom and Luke were with her last evening after the race as she was receiving some medical attention.

It was an intense, hot day and more than a few people were given a lift by ambulance to the finish line. Many, many others walked a very long way.

As for me, I couldn't be happier with my race - I had an amazingly fast first half of the swim, rode within myself as planned and ran very consistently, with enough for a ``surge'' at about 36km to pass someone in my age group. It was the first time that I've been able to push so hard.

It's time now for a massive buffet breakfast at the Westin!!

23 Feb 2007

M-Dot Malaysia

Amanda Balding 25-29 .. #635 .. one spot

Tim Moore 4-444 .. #434 .. three spots

There are a few more than 700 athletes registered, more than twice a year ago. The weather looks to be good - sunny and hot with a bit of humidity.

The gun will go as soon as the sun rises, which is expected to be about 7.15am local time. We are three hours behind Sydney.

16 Feb 2007

M-Dot Malaysia

Malaysia Ironman is on Saturday February 24th. Amanda is either enroute or has just arrived on the island of Langkawi. I arrive Monday morning. There should be some coverage on ironmanlive though last year it was a bit sporadic.

Thanks for helping me with my preparations during these past two months. I'm really looking forward to the race.

During my absence, the blog will fall somewhat silent though I do plan to check email at least once a day and may post an item or two.

For all of you racing at Huskisson - whether short or long - have a great day!

Sydney weather through Monday

Saturday Possible shower
Min: 21°C Max: 26°C

Sunday Mostly sunny
Min: 21°C Max: 26°C

Monday Mostly sunny
Min: 21°C Max: 26°C

Train with the best - here

From USA Triathlon

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 12, 2007) - U.S. national team program triathletes are hoping a change in venue will allow them to take their training to the next level for the 2007 racing season.

The U.S. athletes typically begin preparing for the season in January, with baseline testing in Colorado Springs. From there the team has historically traveled to California to train at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, a site that allows the athletes to experience not only warmer weather but faster- paced training at sea level.

While several of the younger, up-and-coming athletes will still train in Chula Vista this year, a group of 20 - including national teamers and other elites - will take their warm weather, sea-level training to the triathlon-crazy country of Australia for a month-long training camp beginning next week.

"We want to take our athletes who will be competing on the World Cup circuit to Australia where they can train at a higher level with other high-caliber international athletes," said USAT Sport Performance Director Scott Schnitzspahn.

In addition to the Australian athletes - often among the best in the world - the U.S. contingent will be joined by athletes from Canada, Spain and Switzerland.

Weekend Training

sat bike/run 6 am york rd gates-hard day...easy to airport then pace .. will advise

run after

note: the good vibrations concert is on sat so u might not be able to park in the park not sure about running in park but think ok but maybe has to be inside gate loops

sat swim..i cant go but email group if going 5 pm bondi icebergs

sun bike 6:15 am york rd gates shorter easy ride altho a few might be going long as cant do sat long..ie: alice

sun brat race 10 am hefron park

sun at bergs social from 5 pm

monday stg swim 6:30 pm n bondi

jh

Calcium and Vitamin D

Associated Press

OMAHA — Very active young women who took higher-than-recommended doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements for eight weeks had fewer stress fractures than women who were given dummy pills, a study of Naval recruits showed.

Experts called the results encouraging and of interest to young female athletes as well as women in the military.

“What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time,” said lead researcher Joan Lappe of Creighton University. “Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks.”

The study, funded by the Department of Defence, was presented recently at the Orthopaedic Research Society's annual meeting in San Diego.

Stress fractures are the most common type of injury seen in military trainees, particularly women, and are also prevalent in some athletes.

The body uses calcium to build and repair bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.

The Creighton University study found that women who took 2,000 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units (IUs) of vitamin D daily had 27 per cent fewer stress fractures than those who didn't.

From:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070214.wcalcium0214/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

13 Feb 2007

Lance on confidence

From a new book on Lance called, How Lance Does It by Brad Kearns

``I asked Lance if he utilised anything beyond hard work - such as mental training or focusing techniques - to hone his confidence. ``Nah, I'm not a real Zen-type person, at least I don't think that I am. I'm a more mechanical-type person. I like to get into the rhythm of physically training hard, seeing the courses - hands-on physical work. Once I do that, everything else comes together. If I prepare my body properly and know what to expect with the race-course - mentally, that is the best preparation for me. Superstitions, rituals, sitting in a dark room focused on every curve and every hill - I have no use for this type of preparation. For me, knowing that I've done all the work is a magical feeling. When I'm on the starting line knowing that I've worked harder than anyone else - that is a great source of strength and inspiration for me.''

Watch Mottram in Sydney

Telstra A-Series meeting at Sydney Olympic Park this Saturday, 6.30pm

Craig Mottram running in the 3000m event.

Tickets are available from Ticketek or at the gate.

Adult $15.00
Child (12-16), pensioner, student $8.00
Child under 12 Free

http://www.athletics.com.au/

Oatmeal - breakfast of champions

Eating any oatmeal is good for your health, as long as you consume the right type. Currently the USDA recommends that adults should consume 6 to 8 ounces of grains daily.

Grains such as oats provide B vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. One of the most important benefits to eating oats is the water-soluble fiber that it contains as this type of fiber can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber also extends the time it takes the carbohydrate in a food to reach your bloodstream, referred to as the glycemic index of the food.

Oats come in many different forms. Instant oatmeal has 3 grams of fiber per serving, with 1 gram water-soluble. Of course depending on the brand and type of oats you may find some slight differences in these amounts.

When choosing instant oatmeal, it is important to choose the right type. Instant oatmeal is often processed with salt, sugar, flavorings, and colorings. Check the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts label.

Choose an instant oatmeal with at least 3 grams of fiber. Fiber helps you stay full longer, which can help with your weight control efforts, and also keep your stomach satisfied until lunchtime.

Oats naturally have about 3 grams of fat per serving, so any more than that is added fat. Make sure there is no trans fat or hydrogenated oil in the instant oatmeal. Instant oatmeal can also be highly sweetened, so look for those with little or no added sugar as this adds some empty calories to your diet.

If you want additional calories, add nutritious choices such as raisins, or other dried fruit, or healthy sources of fat such as almonds and walnuts. Adding dairy milk or soy milk to your oatmeal adds protein as well.

*source unknown

Fastgear - Newsletter Three is out

The third newsletter is out .. contact JH to get on the mailing list

fastgear@bigpond.com

Top sellers from fastgear's web site in the past month:
1. Caffeine gels
2. X'treme energy source
3. Locklaces
4. 4:1 energy source
5. Supercarbs esource and isotonic
6. Defeet socks

Kona Lottery reminder

Are You Ready To Make the Dream A Reality In 2007?

Deadline for Entry is February 28th, 11:59pm ET.

Every year, 200 lucky athletes find themselves with the opportunity of a lifetime at the Ford Ironman World Championship, via the Ironman Lottery Program. Will you be among them?

Round Four Kurnell

Entries are open for Round 4, Sydney Triathlon Series - Kurnell

Remember that entries are already 25% full; that the early bird rate ceases at 5:00pm on the Friday WEEK before the race and late entries will close when the race is full, or at 5:00pm the Wednesday before the race.

Race day is March 11th.

Cronulla filling fast

The Cronulla Triathlon is continuing to fill with race organizers predicting their 600 athlete race cap will be reached within the next two weeks. Early Bird entries are closing on February 16. The 2007 Cronulla Triathlon is the 2006/07 State Triathlon Olympic Distance Championships and will be held on 18 March 2007.

Stop Press: Craig Alexander, Craig Walton and Chris McCormack have all signed up for the Cronulla Triathlon. The event is fast becoming a must do race for pros and age-group athletes alike.

For more race details visit: http://www.cronullatriathlon.com.au/

From TriTravel

11 Feb 2007

Kurnell results link

For the Kurnell details:

http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/default.aspx

Jacqui - 1st Age Group Woman!!

A day of firsts for many at Kurnell's third race of the season. The water was calm, a huge tailwind was heading out of Kurnell (and just as much as one to battle on the way back) and then the sun was shining brightly for the run.

Jacqui RAN her way to first place, coming out of both the water and off the bike in second in the 30-34 age group. Alice was second, with the fastest bike split and second fastest run.

JH took out first place in his age group by more than TWO minutes, even with a puncture. He was running like the wind. Could it be those socks?

Nick, racing as an age grouper, took first in the 30-34 age group leading from start to finish. Paul was 6th (with the third fastest swim) and Dingo 9th in the same age group.

Oli was fifth in the 24-29 age group, going from 15th out of the water (Not acceptable when you have a personal swim coach!), to 3rd on the bike and 1st on the run!! James followed shortly after for 7th in the same age group.

Tim (me) was 4th in the 40-44 age group. My best placing ever at Kurnell!! And I was fourth out of the water!!! Thanks for all the swimming lessons from Lisa and advice from Jacqui. Bring on Malaysia!!

Others? Dave?

World 1/2 Marathon Record

Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya broke the World Half Marathon record* with a scintillating display of front-running in the Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates early this morning (9 February).

Wanjiru, just 20 years old, clocked 58:53.

Wanjiru set about his task with a will, shooting to the front of a field of around 15 men who hurtled through five kilometres in 13:27. That was slightly downhill, whereas the second 5k of the out-and-back course was slightly uphill. That was covered in 14:20, for an outrageous 10k ‘split’ of 27:47.

http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=37521.html

9 Feb 2007

SMF Hobart International Triathlon

SMF Hobart International Triathlon

Australian Elite, U23 & ITU Junior Sprint Distance Championships
ITU Junior Oceania Championships
TA Age Group Selection Race (ODT)

Entries Close TODAY .. Friday 9th February 2007 at 5.00pm

An additional $50 late entry fee will apply until Tuesday 13th February 2006 at 5:00pm. No entries will be taken after this date

To enter online and for athlete information including course maps go to: www.tasmanianevents.com

Weekend Training

sat bike 6 am york rd gates...easy week optional ride to kurnell

note:some are going longer due to missed rides

sat swim 5 pm icebergs or n bondi..text or email me if swimming on sat please

sun -- no ride..easy week or kurnell race but any casuals 6:15 am york rd gates

mon swim 6:30 pm with stg

regards
jh

7 Feb 2007

Hmmmm -- Monster Shark!!!!

Sydney Morning Herald online
Dylan Welch
February 7, 2007 - 2:20PM

Reports of a "monster" great white shark near southern Sydney beaches have got local authorities stepping up patrols.

Locals at La Perouse beach, Botany Bay, rapidly left the water about 8.30am today when a large shark was spotted nearby.

Surf Life Saving Sydney spokesman Steven Leahy said a helicopter made several passes over Botany Bay shortly after, but failed to spot the shark.

"A number of people have said it is a monstrous shark, up to 15 feet. Anecdotal evidence to us has been that it is actually big enough to create a wake behind it," Mr Leahy told smh.com.au.

After investigating today's reported sightings Mr Leahy said it was likely the shark had been around for at least a few days.

"It has harassed people, apparently it has come close to land, into the shallow water on several occasions.''

SLSS is planning to lay on patrols tomorrow morning at the beach, which is usually unpatrolled.

"We're hoping that we will have two Jet-skis patrolling the area along with an offshore rescue boat between 7am and 9am," Mr Leahy said.

There will also be several lifesavers patrolling the beach.

"When several people tell us that it's a monstrous shark and that it's been there the last couple of days and [that] it's been getting closer and more aggressive, then we have to take that seriously.''

6 Feb 2007

End of the time trials

Thanks to Tim, and John, for the month of time trials. Some solid training for all, no matter how many completed or almost completed. I for one though am looking forward to a somewhat shorter Saturday session and a bit more sleep on Tuesdays!

Apparently there are still a few monitors for sale, contact John before they are gone.

IMG revamps Port Mac entry

IMG has revamped how an athlete can gain a spot to race at Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie, eliminating the need to win a spot in a qualifying race.

The new system, which is similar to how Ironman races in the US work, will allow anyone to enter as of July 7th. The catch is that you must ``validate'' your spot by completing a half or a full-ironman ahead of the Port Mac race date.

In a related move, the qualifying series has been reworked for the 2007-2008 season with races in Tasmania and South Australia dropped from the schedule. The full Ironman in Busselton will be a validating race for Port Mac and there will be a new half ironman in a yet to be named location held in February 2008.

See the previous posts for more details.

2007-2008 Validator Race Calendar

May 5 Busselton half

Aug 19 Yeppoon half

Sept 30 Gold Coast half

Nov 11 Port Mac half

Nov 18 Shepparton half

Dec 2 Busso M-Dot

Dec 16 Canberra half

Feb ?? New half venue to be announced in May! (Forster?)

Tassie, South Australia Lose 1/2 Ironmans

Both the Tasmanian and South Australian half ironman races have been dropped from the calendar for the 2007-2008 season.

Qualify no more!

As of next year, anyone who wants to enter Port Mac can do so, as long as they complete a half ironman, eliminating the need to meet a qualifying standard.

There will be places for 1800 athletes and entries will be open on July 1. Multifinishers will be able to enter as of June 1st though they will still have to complete a half ironman to ``validate'' their spot. Legends can just enter!

This is the news letter sent on Monday:

New Ironman Australia Entry Procedure:

Entries open July 1, 2007. Enter and pay online at www.ironmanoz.com

Entries will close when the field limit of 1,800 competitors is reached. A waiting list will be put in place if required.

Multi Finishers (5 times to 9 times) entries will open on June 1st 2007, giving ‘one month head start’ to enter before the general entries commence. Note - Multi Finishers (5-9 finishes) will still be required to validate their Ironman entry.

Ironman Australia Legends (10-times or more Ironman Australia finishers) will be exempt from validating their Ironman entry.

International entries will be exempt from validating in the Snap Australian Half Ironman Series but will continue to be asked to have completed a Half Ironman in the proceeding 12 months.

After entering Ironman Australia, competitors will need to compete in one or more of the Half Ironman races to validate their entry. Once an athlete completes a Half Ironman race their name will automatically go into the confirmed entry list.

The confirmed entry list will be continually updated after each validation race. The final Ironman race field will be confirmed after the final race of the Series i.e. Ironman 70.3 event in February 2008. If a waiting list is necessary this will be updated progressively and these competitors put into the field as withdrawals occur.

Withdrawals from Ironman Australia received before the last event in the Series (Ironman 70.3) will receive a refund of their entry fee less an administration fee of $160.

Failure to validate by the final race of the Series will mean an automatic withdrawal from the 2008 Ironman Australia. In these cases, athletes will be withdrawn and will receive 50% refund of entry fee.

5 Feb 2007

Faster Aussies

QUEENSLAND'S Courtney Atkinson claimed his first title of the 2007 triathlon season when he won the City of Perth triathlon in hot and windy conditions Sunday.
Atkinson clocked 54min 46sec for the sprint style race format to win from Canberra's Simon Thompson (55min 23sec) and David Dellow (55min 57sec).

Triathlon legend Brad Bevan, in a rare appearance, chased the younger athletes down to secure a fourth place in 56min 24sec.

In the women's event, under-23s world champion Erin Densham won a close finish in 1:00.47 from Coffs Harbour's Emma Moffat (1hr 1min.43sec) with Perth's Tameka Day third in 1hr 2min 5sec.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21168908-23218,00.html

Speedy Kiwis

Bevan Docherty and Debbie Tanner won the national elite sprint distance triathlon championships titles at Kinloch near Taupo yesterday.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Docherty was too good in the men's race covering a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

He won in a time of 59.44m, 17s ahead of Kris Gemmell, who came came second, 25s clear of third-placed Graham O'Grady.

Tanner was a clear winner in the women's race, clocking 1h 7m 35s.

Anna Hamilton was second, almost 3m behind Tanner, with former junior world champion Rebecca Spence third.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10422448

Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival

2007 Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival/ITU World Cup - 23-25 March 2007

Age Group World Championship Selection Race

ENTRIES

For all USM Events you can enter through the secure on-line entry form available at the official web site, www.usmevents.com.au or phone USM Events for queries on (07) 5449 0711.

1 Feb 2007

Weekend Training

friday track:6 am mckay oval make sure u,ve warmed up a bit to start the e2 work at 6

friday pm swim-bondi please email me if interested

saterday -last of the tt,s at kurnell...those that can come early please do at 5:45 am otherwise 6:15

others sat 6 am york rd gates.

sat swim 5 pm bondi icebergs or beach if not rough-text me or email if coming on sat to confirm

sun bike optional 90-100k bike 6:15 am york rd gates or rest or calga tt....note next week end is easy bike w end or kurnell tri

monday stg swim 6:30 pm north bondi where colin trys to drown everyone :-)

regards
jh

ps nice turn up this morning?? :-(

Kurnell entry link

Just a reminder .. early bird entries close end of day FRIDAY for third Kurnell race

https://secure.eventdirector.net/reg/event.asp?id=1630