Quote to live by:
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
- Jack London
Monday, September 24, 2007
FINISHED...
Yesterday, I completed the longest event I have competed in - the Atomic Man Half Ironman. My lovely wife and best friend & his wife were all there to see me in probably the most pain I have ever been in. I finished in 7 hours - my personal goal was 6 - but at the end of the day I was looking for the big finish and I got it.
Swim
The swim wasn't that bad. I obviously should have tested the wetsuit out before I used it in a critical event, but it definatley helped more than hurt. I did get a massive headache from my goggles, but that's ok, this is the first triathlon I have competed in where they didn't leak!
Lesson Learned: Do an all out test (even that nasty swim cap) with all your gear at least twice
Bike
Bike was fun. The rolling hills didn't provide any monotony which I was a big beneficiary of. Everyone competing had awesome bikes which kept me entertaining myself wondering how much each bike costs.
Lesson Learned: I need to be riding with the fast group here in Chattanooga - as they all had awesome times.
Run
DEATH - the first 6.5 miles were tough steep hills. The last 6.5 miles were long-straight and had no shade. There was a brief interuption on mile 10-12 where it was a trail next to the river which was awesome.
Lesson Learned: Do at least a couple hard-core BRICK workouts and even suck it up and run in the sun in the afternoon. I know I would have trimmed at least 30 min. off my time if I was acclamated to to running in the sun - and not the nice shade that my 5:00 a.m. training runs provided me with.
Summary
Great race. Organization with the officials was a little scarce but I was fully expecting this from the web-site and how many people competed in it, so no worries. The volunteer support by the boy scouts was awesome. Special Note: I am a proud Eagle Scout and even got a couple of "hooh-rahs" when I told them at the aid-stations.
Hopefully I can post some pictures up tommorow.
Yesterday, I completed the longest event I have competed in - the Atomic Man Half Ironman. My lovely wife and best friend & his wife were all there to see me in probably the most pain I have ever been in. I finished in 7 hours - my personal goal was 6 - but at the end of the day I was looking for the big finish and I got it.
Swim
The swim wasn't that bad. I obviously should have tested the wetsuit out before I used it in a critical event, but it definatley helped more than hurt. I did get a massive headache from my goggles, but that's ok, this is the first triathlon I have competed in where they didn't leak!
Lesson Learned: Do an all out test (even that nasty swim cap) with all your gear at least twice
Bike
Bike was fun. The rolling hills didn't provide any monotony which I was a big beneficiary of. Everyone competing had awesome bikes which kept me entertaining myself wondering how much each bike costs.
Lesson Learned: I need to be riding with the fast group here in Chattanooga - as they all had awesome times.
Run
DEATH - the first 6.5 miles were tough steep hills. The last 6.5 miles were long-straight and had no shade. There was a brief interuption on mile 10-12 where it was a trail next to the river which was awesome.
Lesson Learned: Do at least a couple hard-core BRICK workouts and even suck it up and run in the sun in the afternoon. I know I would have trimmed at least 30 min. off my time if I was acclamated to to running in the sun - and not the nice shade that my 5:00 a.m. training runs provided me with.
Summary
Great race. Organization with the officials was a little scarce but I was fully expecting this from the web-site and how many people competed in it, so no worries. The volunteer support by the boy scouts was awesome. Special Note: I am a proud Eagle Scout and even got a couple of "hooh-rahs" when I told them at the aid-stations.
Hopefully I can post some pictures up tommorow.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tapering...
Atomic-Man is only a couple of days away so for the first time in a long-time I didn't ride in and had my wife take me into work.
It's funny - every time I don't ride in - it makes me appreciate my rides even more. Driving to work I dealt with - 1)having to wake my pregnant wife up; 2)listening to all of the wrecks on the interstate and ads on the radio) and 3) dealing with traffic - With riding I really don't deal with any of these
Great article on a whole family in L.A. who ditched their car for bikes.
Read it here
Atomic-Man is only a couple of days away so for the first time in a long-time I didn't ride in and had my wife take me into work.
It's funny - every time I don't ride in - it makes me appreciate my rides even more. Driving to work I dealt with - 1)having to wake my pregnant wife up; 2)listening to all of the wrecks on the interstate and ads on the radio) and 3) dealing with traffic - With riding I really don't deal with any of these
Great article on a whole family in L.A. who ditched their car for bikes.
Read it here
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Personal Navigation Assistent For Cyclists By Garmin
It used to be such an elitist technology that was either deployed by rich people in their expensive luxury vehicles or by geography buffs who needed the tech for work purposes. Garmin has become the number one personal navigation device seller in the United States and they pushing along for an even bigger market share with the Garmin Edge 705 and Edge 605, both of which designed for cyclists.
Both units get 2.2-inch color displays and standard turn-by-turn directions, as well as detailed street maps, topography of the region (seek out and/or avoid major hills), and the company's ANT+Sport technology. This last bit is meant to interface with fitness devices like heart monitors. What sets the two devices apart is the fact that the Garmin Edge 705 gets a barometric altimeter. It's also includes a wireless heart rate monitor that delivers real-time data to the on-screen display.
The Garmin Edge 605 is priced at $400. The Edge 705 starts at $500, getting bumped to $550 if you want the heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor, and getting bumped further to $650 if you want the ANT+Sport bundle. Look for these to drop in December 2007. Just in time for prime-time riding season?
It used to be such an elitist technology that was either deployed by rich people in their expensive luxury vehicles or by geography buffs who needed the tech for work purposes. Garmin has become the number one personal navigation device seller in the United States and they pushing along for an even bigger market share with the Garmin Edge 705 and Edge 605, both of which designed for cyclists.
Both units get 2.2-inch color displays and standard turn-by-turn directions, as well as detailed street maps, topography of the region (seek out and/or avoid major hills), and the company's ANT+Sport technology. This last bit is meant to interface with fitness devices like heart monitors. What sets the two devices apart is the fact that the Garmin Edge 705 gets a barometric altimeter. It's also includes a wireless heart rate monitor that delivers real-time data to the on-screen display.
The Garmin Edge 605 is priced at $400. The Edge 705 starts at $500, getting bumped to $550 if you want the heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor, and getting bumped further to $650 if you want the ANT+Sport bundle. Look for these to drop in December 2007. Just in time for prime-time riding season?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Just a couple of places I was swimming at last week...
I can't believe in a couple of weeks I will be a half-ironman. CRAZY...
My vacation just ended unfortunately. I had an awesome vacation, spending time throughout the entire southern caribean. I swam a mile pretty much every day. I do see now why everyone likes the ocean for swimming in triathlons. First off, the buoyancy is a major advantage and weirdly it's a little cleaner to me than the freshwater back in the states.
O well, I'm going to be doing a little riding and running this week and do a major tapering next week. Honestly, I'm ready for this thing to be done with and start training for the real thing next year!
Monday, August 27, 2007
It's official
I am an official registrant in Ironman Louisville
As the fat kid, growing up I never in a million years dreamed I would be participating in an Ironman event.
It has been 1 year and 4 months since my first triathlon in Hilton Head with my training buddy Kevin
I want to thank all of my friends and family for their support and above all - I would like to thank my wife Brittany for giving me the freedom to pursue this dream!
My wife and I have some friends teaching in Korea right now and their blog is a must read!
I love working and living in Chattanooga, but it would be fun to travel the world one year as they have done. Additionally, I can only dream of "soft red bicycle paths on every sidewalk"
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Adobe Slideshow
Adobe Slideshow
This is what happens when you run barefoot in 100 degree heat after a mile swim.
More on this later...
This is what happens when you run barefoot in 100 degree heat after a mile swim.
More on this later...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Silly Rabitt...
I had a great swim over the weekend. Who would have guessed that when I swim in water that is surrounded by protected National Parks that I can breath and don't blow snot for the next two days?
Trueely this really has put the fear in me, and today I'm swimming in a new location so we shall see how this goes.
On Monday I woke up at 5:00 and as I was running I ran right past this rabbit. The thing didn't even move on the trail. Simple things like this make the early mornings really enjoyable. And you know other small things like there is no humidity and its around 75 degreees compared to 100 degrees with 100% humidity in the afternoons.
I had a great swim over the weekend. Who would have guessed that when I swim in water that is surrounded by protected National Parks that I can breath and don't blow snot for the next two days?
Trueely this really has put the fear in me, and today I'm swimming in a new location so we shall see how this goes.
On Monday I woke up at 5:00 and as I was running I ran right past this rabbit. The thing didn't even move on the trail. Simple things like this make the early mornings really enjoyable. And you know other small things like there is no humidity and its around 75 degreees compared to 100 degrees with 100% humidity in the afternoons.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Outside Magazine has a story headlined: "Swim. Bike. Run. Shoot. Kill." It's about how the Navy SEALS have discovered that while their graduation rate is 26%, among triathetes its 40%. So, the Navy is trying to recruit athletes into the SEAL program.
The author of the piece, Tim Sohn, says that triathletes make good recruits because they are "wiry all-arounders who tend to be focused, good both on land and in the water, and largely indifferent to physical discomfort."
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
House passes energy plan despite ridicule over bike commuter benefit
I'm pretty agnostic when it comes to politics, but Republicans aren't helping themselves when they make comments like this:
“A major component of the Democrats’ energy legislation and the Democrats’ answer to our energy crisis is, hold on, wait one minute, wait one minute, it is promoting the use of the bicycle.
Oh, I cannot make this stuff up. Yes, the American people have heard this. Their answer to our fuel crisis, the crisis at the pumps, is: Ride a bike.
Democrats believe that using taxpayer funds in this bill to the tune of $1 million a year should be devoted to the principle of: “Save energy, ride a bike.”
Some might argue that depending on bicycles to solve our energy crisis is naive, perhaps ridiculous. Some might even say Congress should use this energy legislation to create new energy, bring new nuclear power plants on line, use clean coal technology, energy exploration, but no, no.
They want to tell the American people, stop driving, ride a bike. This is absolutely amazing.
Apparently, the Democrats believe that the miracle on two wheels that we know as a bicycle will end our dependence on foreign oil. I cannot make this stuff up. It is absolutely amazing.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the Democrats, promoting 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. If you don’t like it, ride a bike. If you don’t like the price at the pumps, ride a bike.
Stay tuned for the next big idea for the Democrats: Improving energy efficiency by the horse and buggy.” Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
As I have posted several times - the bike is still the most energy efficient mode of transportation out there.
The guy even had the audacity to make a joke poster and post a video on his web-site.
I'm pretty agnostic when it comes to politics, but Republicans aren't helping themselves when they make comments like this:
“A major component of the Democrats’ energy legislation and the Democrats’ answer to our energy crisis is, hold on, wait one minute, wait one minute, it is promoting the use of the bicycle.
Oh, I cannot make this stuff up. Yes, the American people have heard this. Their answer to our fuel crisis, the crisis at the pumps, is: Ride a bike.
Democrats believe that using taxpayer funds in this bill to the tune of $1 million a year should be devoted to the principle of: “Save energy, ride a bike.”
Some might argue that depending on bicycles to solve our energy crisis is naive, perhaps ridiculous. Some might even say Congress should use this energy legislation to create new energy, bring new nuclear power plants on line, use clean coal technology, energy exploration, but no, no.
They want to tell the American people, stop driving, ride a bike. This is absolutely amazing.
Apparently, the Democrats believe that the miracle on two wheels that we know as a bicycle will end our dependence on foreign oil. I cannot make this stuff up. It is absolutely amazing.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the Democrats, promoting 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. If you don’t like it, ride a bike. If you don’t like the price at the pumps, ride a bike.
Stay tuned for the next big idea for the Democrats: Improving energy efficiency by the horse and buggy.” Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
As I have posted several times - the bike is still the most energy efficient mode of transportation out there.
The guy even had the audacity to make a joke poster and post a video on his web-site.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Ford Ironman World Championship Broadcast Re-air Sunday - IRONMAN.com
Ford Ironman World Championship Broadcast Re-air Sunday - IRONMAN.com: "re-air of the Emmy-awarding winning 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast this Sunday on NBC from 2:30pm – 4:30pm EST. The show, taped on location in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on October 21, 2006, received an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, one of the highest honors."
BIG IRONMAN NEWS!
There is going to be a new IRONMAN CHINA
It will be in April 20, 2008 in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province. I would have already signed up but my wife and I are expecting our first child 2 months earlier so I think it might be smart just to do my first Ironman here in the states.
The re-air of the Emmy-awarding winning 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast this Sunday on NBC from 2:30pm – 4:30pm EST. The show, taped on location in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on October 21, 2006, received an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, one of the highest honors.
There is going to be a new IRONMAN CHINA
It will be in April 20, 2008 in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province. I would have already signed up but my wife and I are expecting our first child 2 months earlier so I think it might be smart just to do my first Ironman here in the states.
The re-air of the Emmy-awarding winning 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast this Sunday on NBC from 2:30pm – 4:30pm EST. The show, taped on location in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on October 21, 2006, received an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, one of the highest honors.
Friday, August 03, 2007
An inspirational bike ride!
This is one of the most inspirational stories I have ever read. Particularly, because I have a baby on the way and this guy is taking his one year old and his two other kids (ages 8 & 9), and the wife on a bike ride across Canada!
I think my family should be up for a bike ride across America!
Check out the slick bike
His web-site is here
from BikePortland.org -
Local family embarks on cross-Canada journey
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
DSC_2519
Kurmaskie family just hours before take-off.
(File photo)
Crazy bike adventures are nothing new to local author and nationally known speaker Joe Kurmaskie. The man who is known by his fans as the “Metal Cowboy” has biked all over the globe, but his current adventure might be his most daring yet.
This time he’s taking the entire family along.
DSC_2500
Joe packs the trailer.
(File photo)
Yesterday afternoon, Joe, his wife Beth and their sons Quinn, 9, Enzo, 7 and Mateo (will be one next week), embarked on a two month, 3,000 mile journey across Canada. Bicycling magazine is already on board (they plan to publish regular updates and track the journey via GPS) and a book will likely follow.
I caught up with them just before they left.
The first thing I noticed was their “stretch limo” set-up . They’re rolling a triple tandem, connected to a tag-along bike, connected to a trailer. Most of the gear has been strategically packed into the trailer (leaving just enough room for little Mateo of course), but I was surprised at how little they seemed to have.
Joe says he limited the kids to one toy and one stuffed animal each saying, “there are no extras on this trip,” as he secured two panniers to the rear of the trailer.
They had considered putting Beth on a single bike, but she wanted to be “part of the team” and this way, she’ll be closer to the action.
Kurmaskie family send-off
Joe and Beth Kurmaskie.
(File photo)
Beth is going into this with a positive outlook, and looks forward to how the trip will bring the family closer together, “Riding in this arrangement takes a lot of communication,” she says. She’ll have a chance to share how it all goes in the upcoming book. The plan is to let Beth write a rebuttal after each chapter to act as counterpoint to Joe’s re-telling of events.
As for the route, Joe says they’ve planned for anywhere between 2-3,000 miles but that he doesn’t have every mile planned out,
“We’re starting on Vancouver Island and ended up in Nova Scotia…I don’t believe in over-planning because it takes the adventure out of it… but don’t get me wrong, I plan to stay safe… I won’t do things with the family that I’d do on my own.”
Kurmaskie Family send-off
Quinn seemed unfazed about
the upcoming odyssey.
(File photo)
While Beth is busy keeping the family in good spirits and Joe is making sure they’re headed the right direction, Enzo and Quinn will just be having fun. They’re used to bike adventures. Last year they joined their Dad on a trip across America that resulted in Joe’s latest book, Momentum Is Your Friend: The Metal Cowboy and His Pint-Size Posse Take on America.
While I was there yesterday, Enzo and Quinn were busy having a squirt gun fight and there was talk of how to put some holsters on the frame for easy access while riding.
And of course we can’t forget about little Mateo. He’s not quite one year-old, and he’s got the best seat on the trip. He either loves the trailer, or he’s just resigned to the fact that it will be his home for the next two months.
DSC_2508
Mateo loves his spot in the trailer.
(File photo)
For a few more photos of the Kurmaksie family, check out my gallery. To stay in touch with their progress, read the Metal Cowboy blog and watch for updates in Bicycling Magazine.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
1/3rd of the way there
I woke up at 5:00 this morning and ran 13 miles into work. After work I plan on swimming 1.25 miles and cycling 56 miles.
The run in was nice and peaceful. I got a touch of a stomach cramp around the half-way point but I think it was because of my water-belt being too high up on my stomach.
I'm excited about the bike ride - the ClifShot mix is mixed in my water bottle and currently in the freezer.
I woke up at 5:00 this morning and ran 13 miles into work. After work I plan on swimming 1.25 miles and cycling 56 miles.
The run in was nice and peaceful. I got a touch of a stomach cramp around the half-way point but I think it was because of my water-belt being too high up on my stomach.
I'm excited about the bike ride - the ClifShot mix is mixed in my water bottle and currently in the freezer.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Another great reason that my first Ironman will be Ironman Louisville
The swim is in the Ohio River!
I'm used to swimming in polluted rivers in Chattanooga
Good News & Bad News
The good news
I found a fast group that swims at the Dam on Monday nights.
I also had pretty good form for the whole swim, even with the waves.
The bad news
It only took me 20 minutes to go buoy to buoy and back, which means I have only been swimming around a half mile, when I was thinking I was swimming a mile!
I found the free Atomic Man Training Schedule - and I think I'm slightly behind
The good news
I found a fast group that swims at the Dam on Monday nights.
I also had pretty good form for the whole swim, even with the waves.
The bad news
It only took me 20 minutes to go buoy to buoy and back, which means I have only been swimming around a half mile, when I was thinking I was swimming a mile!
I found the free Atomic Man Training Schedule - and I think I'm slightly behind
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
From TriGeek:
Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov tests positive for blood doping. NFL star quarterback Michael Vick is indicted for allegedly fighting dogs and killing those canines that aren't good enough fighters. An NBA referee is under investigation for fixing games for the mob. Steroid-user Barry Bonds is about to break the major league career home run record while allowing his "best friend" and trainer (who won't testify against him to a grand jury) to rot in jail.
TriGeek is by far the best triathlon blog that I have found. Here is a great article on him.
Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov tests positive for blood doping. NFL star quarterback Michael Vick is indicted for allegedly fighting dogs and killing those canines that aren't good enough fighters. An NBA referee is under investigation for fixing games for the mob. Steroid-user Barry Bonds is about to break the major league career home run record while allowing his "best friend" and trainer (who won't testify against him to a grand jury) to rot in jail.
TriGeek is by far the best triathlon blog that I have found. Here is a great article on him.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
It's official I have registered for the Atomic Man Half Ironman.
I had to: represent that (i) I am in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in the Event; and (ii) I am not under the influence of alcohol or any illicit or prescription drugs which would in any way impair my ability to safely participate in the Event. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to determine whether I am sufficiently fit and healthy enough to participate in the Event.
How drunk or high would you have to be to register for such an event?
I thought I was going to get a good deal since I went through "SportsWare" ghetto web-site until the final page where they charged me almost $10 for processing.
O,well. I'm really excited.
I had to: represent that (i) I am in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in the Event; and (ii) I am not under the influence of alcohol or any illicit or prescription drugs which would in any way impair my ability to safely participate in the Event. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to determine whether I am sufficiently fit and healthy enough to participate in the Event.
How drunk or high would you have to be to register for such an event?
I thought I was going to get a good deal since I went through "SportsWare" ghetto web-site until the final page where they charged me almost $10 for processing.
O,well. I'm really excited.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Many of you know I am an avid reader. I just finished one of the best books I have ever read. The kind of book that you want to buy for all of your closest friends, but if your like me, you just tell them to check it out at the library like you did!
The book is The Long Tail.
I was going to write a rave review on this blog. But then I found a better review at SustainableWork so here it is:
Borrowing The Long Tail rules
Chris Anderson closes his wonderful book, The Long Tail, with a set of rules he says comprise the secret to creating a thriving Long Tail business.
Please read the book. Don't rely on my summaries. Because Mr. Anderson is the Editor at Wired and is a Silicon Valley guy, a fair amount of his text relates to enterprises he's familiar with. These often represent really cool breakthroughs in the world of digital commerce.
With self-appointed artistic license, I'm going to cite Mr. Anderson's Long Tail rules and fill in my own take on why these concepts are vitally important for us micro enterprise, citizen entrepreneur types.
Big picture (1): Make everything available.
My take: Within your niche you need to be as open and transparent and as educational as you can possibly make your enterprise. It is in your self interest and the self interest of your enterprise. It also provides the first steps to providing appropriate solutions for the right customers... where all your marketing and commercial efforts should be taking you.
Big picture (2): Help me find it.
My take: Your enterprise and your web site need to glow with usefulness. Make yourself easy to do biz with in every aspect of your organization or perish. This isn't hard. Obfuscating and trying to trick people is far harder, as well as dumber and less efficient.
Then we get the Long Tail 9 rules.
Rule 1: Move inventory way in...or way out.
My take: Knowing what you need to handle and what you need to outsource is mission critical. Surely this will change over time, but it needs to be in the front of your brain at all times. Keep asking yourself, "What is critical that I handle and what can others do better?" What value added piece do you bring to the table? Focus your resources there.
Rule 2: Let customers do the work.
My take: In the digital world they get huge numbers by crowdsourcing. Micro enterprisers can use the same phenomenon to get customers to educate themselves on our web sites first and then provide testimonials after our enterprises have provided them with value.
Rule 3: One distribution method doesn't fit all
My take: Your distribution channels and methods significantly define how you market your enterprise. Draw it out on paper. Think through the consequences. That said, I believe you need to go to market through as many non-competing sales channel as are appropriate. Be transparent and honest with everyone. Start your marketing and distribution research yesterday.
Rule 4: One product doesn't fit all
My take: Make your offering available across a range of needs. Some people need a little bit of your stuff. Some need a truckload. The Long Tail uses the term "microchunking" for breaking up your offer into appropriate pieces. It will help you, and it will help your end users self select their own appropriate entry point.
Rule 5: One price point doesn't fit all.
My take: See above. Making yourself easy to deal with on price and content increases your chances of selling stuff. Multiple price points for entry invite the widest range of potential customers available. You can sort them and grow with them once they are in your world.
Rule 6: Share information.
My take: Your job is to make your end users wish they had more waking hours to absorb all the good info and help you want to share. Do it through every venue you can use, many of which are free or close to it.
Rule 7: Think "and", not "or".
My take: "And" is easier to choose from than "or". Once your new customer has chosen your solution, there are additional benefits you want to be able to offer. Do not pile on here. Just have a good, short list of upgrades to your basic offering available.
Rule 8: Trust the market to do your job.
My take: Society rewards useful solutions. The world is wired up to instantly deliver information, reviews, alternative solutions, and all the other digital word-of-mouth conversations taking place on every subject all the time. You will be put out of business if your offering does not make a valuable contribution to your customer. As you launch, carefully note where those contributions are having the greatest impact. Follow those results, not your assumptions.
Rule 9: Understand the power of free.
My take: Understand that you will do many demos, presentations, product placements, life juggling heroics, distributor circuses, and seminars, all for free. This is your entrepreneurship hazing ritual. Welcome, and get over it. We all do it. Free stuff is a component of what we all do at the beginning of new enterprises. That said, remember that smart marketing leads to cash flow, my friend.
Chris Anderson is in fact, working on a new book tentatively titled, 'Free'. It's a really intriguing concept. The most popular working subtitle discussed on the Long Tail blog is 'Free: How Companies Get Rich By Charging Nothing'. The scuttlebutt I've heard on the radio is that Mr. Anderson may be giving this new book away to people who will accept advertising placed in the book. Copies without advertising would be sold through traditional channels. Not sure if that's true.
That's it for The Long Tail for now. Read or listen to this book.
The book is The Long Tail.
I was going to write a rave review on this blog. But then I found a better review at SustainableWork so here it is:
Borrowing The Long Tail rules
Chris Anderson closes his wonderful book, The Long Tail, with a set of rules he says comprise the secret to creating a thriving Long Tail business.
Please read the book. Don't rely on my summaries. Because Mr. Anderson is the Editor at Wired and is a Silicon Valley guy, a fair amount of his text relates to enterprises he's familiar with. These often represent really cool breakthroughs in the world of digital commerce.
With self-appointed artistic license, I'm going to cite Mr. Anderson's Long Tail rules and fill in my own take on why these concepts are vitally important for us micro enterprise, citizen entrepreneur types.
Big picture (1): Make everything available.
My take: Within your niche you need to be as open and transparent and as educational as you can possibly make your enterprise. It is in your self interest and the self interest of your enterprise. It also provides the first steps to providing appropriate solutions for the right customers... where all your marketing and commercial efforts should be taking you.
Big picture (2): Help me find it.
My take: Your enterprise and your web site need to glow with usefulness. Make yourself easy to do biz with in every aspect of your organization or perish. This isn't hard. Obfuscating and trying to trick people is far harder, as well as dumber and less efficient.
Then we get the Long Tail 9 rules.
Rule 1: Move inventory way in...or way out.
My take: Knowing what you need to handle and what you need to outsource is mission critical. Surely this will change over time, but it needs to be in the front of your brain at all times. Keep asking yourself, "What is critical that I handle and what can others do better?" What value added piece do you bring to the table? Focus your resources there.
Rule 2: Let customers do the work.
My take: In the digital world they get huge numbers by crowdsourcing. Micro enterprisers can use the same phenomenon to get customers to educate themselves on our web sites first and then provide testimonials after our enterprises have provided them with value.
Rule 3: One distribution method doesn't fit all
My take: Your distribution channels and methods significantly define how you market your enterprise. Draw it out on paper. Think through the consequences. That said, I believe you need to go to market through as many non-competing sales channel as are appropriate. Be transparent and honest with everyone. Start your marketing and distribution research yesterday.
Rule 4: One product doesn't fit all
My take: Make your offering available across a range of needs. Some people need a little bit of your stuff. Some need a truckload. The Long Tail uses the term "microchunking" for breaking up your offer into appropriate pieces. It will help you, and it will help your end users self select their own appropriate entry point.
Rule 5: One price point doesn't fit all.
My take: See above. Making yourself easy to deal with on price and content increases your chances of selling stuff. Multiple price points for entry invite the widest range of potential customers available. You can sort them and grow with them once they are in your world.
Rule 6: Share information.
My take: Your job is to make your end users wish they had more waking hours to absorb all the good info and help you want to share. Do it through every venue you can use, many of which are free or close to it.
Rule 7: Think "and", not "or".
My take: "And" is easier to choose from than "or". Once your new customer has chosen your solution, there are additional benefits you want to be able to offer. Do not pile on here. Just have a good, short list of upgrades to your basic offering available.
Rule 8: Trust the market to do your job.
My take: Society rewards useful solutions. The world is wired up to instantly deliver information, reviews, alternative solutions, and all the other digital word-of-mouth conversations taking place on every subject all the time. You will be put out of business if your offering does not make a valuable contribution to your customer. As you launch, carefully note where those contributions are having the greatest impact. Follow those results, not your assumptions.
Rule 9: Understand the power of free.
My take: Understand that you will do many demos, presentations, product placements, life juggling heroics, distributor circuses, and seminars, all for free. This is your entrepreneurship hazing ritual. Welcome, and get over it. We all do it. Free stuff is a component of what we all do at the beginning of new enterprises. That said, remember that smart marketing leads to cash flow, my friend.
Chris Anderson is in fact, working on a new book tentatively titled, 'Free'. It's a really intriguing concept. The most popular working subtitle discussed on the Long Tail blog is 'Free: How Companies Get Rich By Charging Nothing'. The scuttlebutt I've heard on the radio is that Mr. Anderson may be giving this new book away to people who will accept advertising placed in the book. Copies without advertising would be sold through traditional channels. Not sure if that's true.
That's it for The Long Tail for now. Read or listen to this book.
What wants to kick back...When you can SWIM!!!!
I'm pumped! I did a mile swim on Saturday and then did a 50+ mile bike ride. I would have gone for a nice run, but the blistering sun had other plans for me. Owell, next week I will be fully prepared with some BullFrog Sunblock!
This week I am going to register for the Atomic Man and find a way to get a fast, light, CHEAP bike! How will I do that - I don't know, but I'll keep everyone updated. Until then, if anyone has any Half-Ironman tips - LET ME KNOW!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Cyclist, Dog Collide during Tour de France
During Stage 9, rider Marcus Burghardt ran into a spectator's dog that wandered onto the course. The bike fared worse than the dog and rider.
During Stage 9, rider Marcus Burghardt ran into a spectator's dog that wandered onto the course. The bike fared worse than the dog and rider.
Going to church on Sunday I past all the runners in the Waterfront Triathlon and was insanely jealous! But it did motivate me to start training for the Atomic Man. Saturday is looking pretty open, so I think I may go for an ultra-long (for me) training triathlon to see how far I can go.
And for anybody that works for the City of Chattanooga: Please pass this along:
Portland’s green policies add $2.6B to local economy
Economist Joe Cortright has just released a white paper titled “Portland’s Green Dividend” that claims our city’s land use and transportation policies, combined with our high rate of transit and bike use contribute $2.6 billion to our local economy every year.
This economic impact, Cortrights says, flies in the face of critics that say our economy will be stunted by encouraging public transit and non-motorized vehicle travel,
“Skeptics view biking, transit, density and urban growth boundaries as a kind of virtuous self-denial, well meaning, but silly and uneconomic. Critics see the seeds of economic ruin. They claim planning, policies and regulations that restrict use or access to resources impede growth and lower household income.
Both the skeptics and the critics are wrong. Being green means Portlanders save a bundle on cars and gas, and local residents have more money to spend on other things they value, which in turn stimulates the local economy.”
According to Cortright, one of the primary drivers of this economic boon is that Portlanders travel an four miles less per day than the national average. Four miles doesn’t sounds like much to you? Cortright does the math:
“The Portland metro area has roughly 2 million residents. If Portlanders traveled as much as the typical U.S. metro resident, that would produce 8 million more vehicle miles per day or about 2.9 billion more miles per year.
…the cost of driving is about 40 cents per mile…All told, the out-of-pocket savings work out to $1.1 billion dollars per year. This works out to about 1.5 percent of all personal income earned in the region in 2005.”
And where does this money savings go?
“Because this money gets re-spent in other sectors of the economy, it stimulates local businesses rather than rewarding Exxon or Toyota.”
And, since Portlanders are twice as likely to use transit and seven times more likely to commute by bike, Cortright says we save time (which he equates to $15 an hour), and we save 400,000 gallons of gas per day (which in turn means 1.4 million tons of greenhouse gases are not being emitted each year).
Download the PDF here
And for anybody that works for the City of Chattanooga: Please pass this along:
Portland’s green policies add $2.6B to local economy
Economist Joe Cortright has just released a white paper titled “Portland’s Green Dividend” that claims our city’s land use and transportation policies, combined with our high rate of transit and bike use contribute $2.6 billion to our local economy every year.
This economic impact, Cortrights says, flies in the face of critics that say our economy will be stunted by encouraging public transit and non-motorized vehicle travel,
“Skeptics view biking, transit, density and urban growth boundaries as a kind of virtuous self-denial, well meaning, but silly and uneconomic. Critics see the seeds of economic ruin. They claim planning, policies and regulations that restrict use or access to resources impede growth and lower household income.
Both the skeptics and the critics are wrong. Being green means Portlanders save a bundle on cars and gas, and local residents have more money to spend on other things they value, which in turn stimulates the local economy.”
According to Cortright, one of the primary drivers of this economic boon is that Portlanders travel an four miles less per day than the national average. Four miles doesn’t sounds like much to you? Cortright does the math:
“The Portland metro area has roughly 2 million residents. If Portlanders traveled as much as the typical U.S. metro resident, that would produce 8 million more vehicle miles per day or about 2.9 billion more miles per year.
…the cost of driving is about 40 cents per mile…All told, the out-of-pocket savings work out to $1.1 billion dollars per year. This works out to about 1.5 percent of all personal income earned in the region in 2005.”
And where does this money savings go?
“Because this money gets re-spent in other sectors of the economy, it stimulates local businesses rather than rewarding Exxon or Toyota.”
And, since Portlanders are twice as likely to use transit and seven times more likely to commute by bike, Cortright says we save time (which he equates to $15 an hour), and we save 400,000 gallons of gas per day (which in turn means 1.4 million tons of greenhouse gases are not being emitted each year).
Download the PDF here
Monday, July 09, 2007
From: TreeHugger
Bike City Berlin
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07. 1.07
Cars & Transportation (bikes)
Two years ago, the Berlin Senate decided that bikes should make up 15% of city traffic by the year 2010. Results released from the newest traffic study of the Berlin Development Administration show that the goal could be reached early: the number of bicyclists has more than doubled in the last decade to 400,000 riders daily, accounting for 12% of total traffic.
Some attribute the gain to habits formed after measures that encouraged bicycling during the 2006 Football (soccer) World Cup. High gas prices undoubtedly also play a part. But a clever investment strategy in biking infrastructure is more likely the primary facilitator of the migration to human powered vehicles.
Measures initiated by the Berlin Senate have doubled the network of demarcated bike lanes on city streets in the past three years. According to the Senator for City Development in Berlin, last year 2.5 million Euros were spent on improving and expanding the Berlin bike paths and bike lanes. The program also targeted improvement of connections between train stations and bike paths,and over 3000 bicycle parking places have been built on 40 stations. Unfortunately, the carrying of a bike on the public transport will continue to require purchase of an extra ticket.
The current situation in Berlin is the envy of many a city: Berliners have access to 620 Km of bike paths, 80 Km of bike lanes in the streets, 70 Km of bus lanes which are also open to bicyclists, 100 Km of combined pedestrian/bike paths and 50 Km of marked bike lanes on the sidewalks. The Berlin Senate Bicycle Traffic Strategy foresees pulling all these routes together into a network with primary routes running from the city center out to the suburbs and two traffic rings by 2016. Park-and-ride facilities will be added at 20 additional U-bahn stations in the coming year.
Additionally, 16 million Euros were invested in expanding intercity bike paths for bicycle tourism. Tourism by bicycle has seen a strong increase according to the German Bicycle Club (ADFC), especially on the route along the former Berlin Wall and for trips on long distance bike paths such as the Berlin-Copenhagen route.
Everyone say it with me: "Ich liebe mein Fahrrad!" (I love my bike!)
Bike City Berlin
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07. 1.07
Cars & Transportation (bikes)
Two years ago, the Berlin Senate decided that bikes should make up 15% of city traffic by the year 2010. Results released from the newest traffic study of the Berlin Development Administration show that the goal could be reached early: the number of bicyclists has more than doubled in the last decade to 400,000 riders daily, accounting for 12% of total traffic.
Some attribute the gain to habits formed after measures that encouraged bicycling during the 2006 Football (soccer) World Cup. High gas prices undoubtedly also play a part. But a clever investment strategy in biking infrastructure is more likely the primary facilitator of the migration to human powered vehicles.
Measures initiated by the Berlin Senate have doubled the network of demarcated bike lanes on city streets in the past three years. According to the Senator for City Development in Berlin, last year 2.5 million Euros were spent on improving and expanding the Berlin bike paths and bike lanes. The program also targeted improvement of connections between train stations and bike paths,and over 3000 bicycle parking places have been built on 40 stations. Unfortunately, the carrying of a bike on the public transport will continue to require purchase of an extra ticket.
The current situation in Berlin is the envy of many a city: Berliners have access to 620 Km of bike paths, 80 Km of bike lanes in the streets, 70 Km of bus lanes which are also open to bicyclists, 100 Km of combined pedestrian/bike paths and 50 Km of marked bike lanes on the sidewalks. The Berlin Senate Bicycle Traffic Strategy foresees pulling all these routes together into a network with primary routes running from the city center out to the suburbs and two traffic rings by 2016. Park-and-ride facilities will be added at 20 additional U-bahn stations in the coming year.
Additionally, 16 million Euros were invested in expanding intercity bike paths for bicycle tourism. Tourism by bicycle has seen a strong increase according to the German Bicycle Club (ADFC), especially on the route along the former Berlin Wall and for trips on long distance bike paths such as the Berlin-Copenhagen route.
Everyone say it with me: "Ich liebe mein Fahrrad!" (I love my bike!)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
LINKFEST!!!!
I thought since I haven't been giving much commentary lately, the least I could do was offer some of my favorite links and why I like them.
Tom Peters - Innovation rules
Khosla Ventures if your interested in the technical/economic aspects of alternative energy
TreeHugger - by far the best overall site on helping out the environment
TED = technology + innovation = helping the world (at least here anyway)
Great Place for the accidental activist!
CarFree - the name says it all
ibike - great bike statistics here!
I thought since I haven't been giving much commentary lately, the least I could do was offer some of my favorite links and why I like them.
Tom Peters - Innovation rules
Khosla Ventures if your interested in the technical/economic aspects of alternative energy
TreeHugger - by far the best overall site on helping out the environment
TED = technology + innovation = helping the world (at least here anyway)
Great Place for the accidental activist!
CarFree - the name says it all
ibike - great bike statistics here!
Ouch! Last post was June 21! Obviously a lot has been going on. Most of which I won't bore you with.
I decided not to register for the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon for these reasons:
1) I'm not in-shape enough :-(
2) $95 registration fee?
3) It's maxed out!
I have honestly had a funner time with my friends just doing mock triathlons with them and saving my money (and waking up when I want to on Saturday)!
I decided not to register for the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon for these reasons:
1) I'm not in-shape enough :-(
2) $95 registration fee?
3) It's maxed out!
I have honestly had a funner time with my friends just doing mock triathlons with them and saving my money (and waking up when I want to on Saturday)!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Did you know the average American eats 5 pounds of pesticides a year!!! Does anyone else want to sign up for the organic challenge?
1. Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.
2. Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
3. Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
4. Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
5. Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.
6. Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
7. Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
8. Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
9. Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.
10. Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
11. Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.
12. Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Source: usda.gov ; http://www.ewg.org/
1. Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.
2. Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
3. Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
4. Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
5. Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.
6. Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
7. Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
8. Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
9. Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.
10. Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
11. Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.
12. Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Source: usda.gov ; http://www.ewg.org/
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Finally I have something to blog about. Training has been ok as I did a mock triathlon on Saturday. The heat is definately coming on strong here in the south.
As for some inspiration. Check this guy out he is racing across America in 12 days on a FIXED gear bike! His speed is definately slowing down, but I think he will make it!
Spurgeon is no stranger to challenges. Last year he became the first person to ever complete the 538 mile Race Across Oregon on a fixed gear (that event has 40,000 feet of climbing).
As for some inspiration. Check this guy out he is racing across America in 12 days on a FIXED gear bike! His speed is definately slowing down, but I think he will make it!
Spurgeon is no stranger to challenges. Last year he became the first person to ever complete the 538 mile Race Across Oregon on a fixed gear (that event has 40,000 feet of climbing).
Monday, June 18, 2007
Interesting Quotes
"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live." ~ Mark Twain, Taming the Bicycle
--
"The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart." ~ Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
--
"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." ~ Ernest Hemingway
--
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world." ~ Grant Peterson
--
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of mankind" ~ H.G. Wells
--
"Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling."~ James E. Starrs
"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live." ~ Mark Twain, Taming the Bicycle
--
"The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart." ~ Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
--
"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." ~ Ernest Hemingway
--
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world." ~ Grant Peterson
--
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of mankind" ~ H.G. Wells
--
"Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling."~ James E. Starrs
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sometimes a disappointment is a blessing. I say this as last night I didn't win the lottery into the NYC Marathon
I say this is a blessing because everyone that knows me knows I'm a complete tight wad and know that I can now save more money going into the Christmas season.
I haven't been training like I should and haven't even registered for the waterfront triathlon or the atomic man half ironman, but things should kick into gear once I start paying to use the pool, which is next month!
I say this is a blessing because everyone that knows me knows I'm a complete tight wad and know that I can now save more money going into the Christmas season.
I haven't been training like I should and haven't even registered for the waterfront triathlon or the atomic man half ironman, but things should kick into gear once I start paying to use the pool, which is next month!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Signal Mountain man to be in ultimate triathlon
Friday, June 01, 2007
By Jaime Lackey
Staff Writer
For the past 15 years, Sheridan Ames' dream has been to compete in one of the world's toughest athletic events.
He found out in April that it would finally become a reality, but the 46-year-old Signal Mountain resident still can't believe his name was one of 200 selected from a drawing to choose competitors for the Ironman World Championship triathlon.
"It was excitement beyond belief," Ames said. "It's the luck of the draw, so I've just been biding my time. I'm still beside myself. This is the Super Bowl of triathlons. No other race is more prestigious. Plus, the setting isn't bad either."
The event consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run will take place Oct. 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. More than 6,500 triathletes from around the world submitted their names for the random lottery that selects participants to join the more than 1,500 who qualify through their finishes in other Ironman events.
Ames was the only athlete chosen from Tennessee this year, but his longtime friend and training partner Bruce Novkov competed in 1999. Also selected through the lottery, Novkov said the Ironman is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"The average person that has a wife, kids, job, all of those things, is not going to be able to put the time in you would need to be able to qualify," Novkov said. "The everyday man is probably only going to get there via the lottery. They created this way in so there's always the hope that anybody can compete.
"It's absolutely unbelievable. You literally get to start and compete with the best in the world. The average person doesn't get to go catch a pass from Peyton Manning. There aren't a lot of sports where a regular person gets to go compete in the world championship. But it's still highly competitive."
Ames is spending about 20 hours a week training to make himself as competitive as possible. He began his regimen the day after getting the news, and his training will increase steadily as October approaches.
"It seems like a long way off, but realistically, the last couple of weeks before the race you can't do much of anything," Ames said. "The race takes anywhere from 10 to 18 hours. That's a long time to be out there, so it takes a long time for your body to get ready for that duration of an event."
To prepare for the intense physical demands of the Ironman, Ames said he runs, swims, bikes or does some combination of the three six days a week. In a typical week, he does at least two six- to eight-mile runs and 3,000-yard swims, plus two bike rides of up to two hours.
He does even more training on the weekends but said none of it would possible without the flexibility in his job as a project manager with the Hudson Construction Company.
"In the job that I do, it's not about the hours, it's about getting the job done," Ames said. "That's the luxury I have, and I have a very accommodating employer who has helped tremendously. Without that, it would be difficult."
A New Jersey native who moved to the Chattanooga area 16 years ago, Ames started out as a youth swimmer and high school runner, picked up cycling in college and has done triathlons regularly since 1986.
Since then, the Ironman championship race has been the pinnacle of his hopes, and Novkov said Ames will relish every moment of it.
"It could not have happened to a guy that wants it any more than Sheridan does," he said. "There's nobody more deserving who will embrace the whole event any more than he will."
E-mail Jaime Lackey at jlackey@timesfreepress.com
Signal Mountain man to be in ultimate triathlon
Friday, June 01, 2007
By Jaime Lackey
Staff Writer
For the past 15 years, Sheridan Ames' dream has been to compete in one of the world's toughest athletic events.
He found out in April that it would finally become a reality, but the 46-year-old Signal Mountain resident still can't believe his name was one of 200 selected from a drawing to choose competitors for the Ironman World Championship triathlon.
"It was excitement beyond belief," Ames said. "It's the luck of the draw, so I've just been biding my time. I'm still beside myself. This is the Super Bowl of triathlons. No other race is more prestigious. Plus, the setting isn't bad either."
The event consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run will take place Oct. 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. More than 6,500 triathletes from around the world submitted their names for the random lottery that selects participants to join the more than 1,500 who qualify through their finishes in other Ironman events.
Ames was the only athlete chosen from Tennessee this year, but his longtime friend and training partner Bruce Novkov competed in 1999. Also selected through the lottery, Novkov said the Ironman is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"The average person that has a wife, kids, job, all of those things, is not going to be able to put the time in you would need to be able to qualify," Novkov said. "The everyday man is probably only going to get there via the lottery. They created this way in so there's always the hope that anybody can compete.
"It's absolutely unbelievable. You literally get to start and compete with the best in the world. The average person doesn't get to go catch a pass from Peyton Manning. There aren't a lot of sports where a regular person gets to go compete in the world championship. But it's still highly competitive."
Ames is spending about 20 hours a week training to make himself as competitive as possible. He began his regimen the day after getting the news, and his training will increase steadily as October approaches.
"It seems like a long way off, but realistically, the last couple of weeks before the race you can't do much of anything," Ames said. "The race takes anywhere from 10 to 18 hours. That's a long time to be out there, so it takes a long time for your body to get ready for that duration of an event."
To prepare for the intense physical demands of the Ironman, Ames said he runs, swims, bikes or does some combination of the three six days a week. In a typical week, he does at least two six- to eight-mile runs and 3,000-yard swims, plus two bike rides of up to two hours.
He does even more training on the weekends but said none of it would possible without the flexibility in his job as a project manager with the Hudson Construction Company.
"In the job that I do, it's not about the hours, it's about getting the job done," Ames said. "That's the luxury I have, and I have a very accommodating employer who has helped tremendously. Without that, it would be difficult."
A New Jersey native who moved to the Chattanooga area 16 years ago, Ames started out as a youth swimmer and high school runner, picked up cycling in college and has done triathlons regularly since 1986.
Since then, the Ironman championship race has been the pinnacle of his hopes, and Novkov said Ames will relish every moment of it.
"It could not have happened to a guy that wants it any more than Sheridan does," he said. "There's nobody more deserving who will embrace the whole event any more than he will."
E-mail Jaime Lackey at jlackey@timesfreepress.com
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. I had a nice long bike ride with a good friend up Suck Creek Mountain and the back side of Signal Mountain, which which was followed by some nice skiing on the lake. Then on Sunday I swam and did a quick (7 min/mile) 5 mile run in some seriously hilly terrain!
For a nice technical update, the feed of this blog will be updated at Chattablogs.com
Chattablogs is ran by the nice folks at Coptix. Josiah Roe's blog is definitely my favorite blog related to Chattanooga.
Additionally, you can always get the RSS feed here
For a nice technical update, the feed of this blog will be updated at Chattablogs.com
Chattablogs is ran by the nice folks at Coptix. Josiah Roe's blog is definitely my favorite blog related to Chattanooga.
Additionally, you can always get the RSS feed here
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Had a KILLER work-out yesterday. It usually takes me about 40 min. from my office to get up Lookout Mountain when I'm by myself. Yesterday, I did it in 26 min. with my training partner. We then went back through TN, then took it easy on some flats for about 20 min. at a nice 17 mph pace, and then did indian drills for 30 min. back home. Of course, the indian drill are really just REALLY intense interval runs since there is only 2 of us. All in all, it was a blast! Then the run came, which wasn't such a blast. I ran 6 miles after that, and thankfully didn't quit, but I was in-some serious pain, as my body is clearly not ready for a Olympic distance triathlon yet. But I will be soon, and I can definately tell a difference since I have actually been doing ab-work.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
I think I have found the challenge of all challenges: Eating all organic on a food stamp budget!
I LOVE IT!! It encorporates two goals at once (eating organic and saving money)! I will be embarrased if I can't do this, as even the governor of Oregon can do it!
Here is a couple that has been doing it for four weeks now.
I LOVE IT!! It encorporates two goals at once (eating organic and saving money)! I will be embarrased if I can't do this, as even the governor of Oregon can do it!
Here is a couple that has been doing it for four weeks now.
The complete Waterfront Triathlon course just got posted and I think they actually measured the run course this time!
What a surprise it's about half of the distance as last years - yet no one at Team Magic is admitting anything wrong with last year's course! O well, it will just make my improvements even more remarkable.
I was going to swim after work last night, but it seemed a little cold and I wanted to get home to finish a good book I just started.
Today I have my first major Triathlon workout so everyone Pray, chant, or do whatever you do for me, because I will need it!!!
What a surprise it's about half of the distance as last years - yet no one at Team Magic is admitting anything wrong with last year's course! O well, it will just make my improvements even more remarkable.
I was going to swim after work last night, but it seemed a little cold and I wanted to get home to finish a good book I just started.
Today I have my first major Triathlon workout so everyone Pray, chant, or do whatever you do for me, because I will need it!!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I had a great bike ride yesterday after work and a slow run into work this morning. I was going to run after the bike ride yesterday but it ended up being too late.
The bike ride entailed a new route into Flintstone, GA where one of my friends live (picture above).
I'm pretty excited about triathlon training this summer. It will be tough, but well worth it. Next week, there will be a lot of new upgrades/updates to this blog so GET READY!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I've got a new favorite training time: Sunday before church. The weather is great and no one is on the road at this time. Usually I'm watching political shows and eating donuts, but since I have given up by powdery friends and all politiceans pretty much lie ( or at the very least get nothing to very little accomplished) this new time is significantly more productive for me.
So I decided to check out the new bike section for the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. And it officially sucks! Not to be a complainer, but Chattanooga is one of the prettiest city's in America, and once again, the organizers have chosen one of the worst routes possible. Last year was Amnicola Highway (for you non-Chattanoogan's) that's basically an industrial park. Now, it's on an a major highway, with rolling hills, which is good for all Chattanoogan's and extremely bad for everyone else.
Trust me, for all Chattanoogan's who think the hills "are bad, but not that bad" you clearly haven't cycled the path yet, and have only driven the course.
For me, I would rather go climb Lookout Mountain! I mean if your gonna climb at high noon in July with 100% humidity, you might as well be in the shade and have a fun ride down, right?
So here is the link for the worst bike course for a Chattanooga Triathlon.
As for the run course, which is "partially new" who knows, maybe this year they actually measured the distance and we may only have to run 6.2 miles instead of the 10 last year!
So I decided to check out the new bike section for the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. And it officially sucks! Not to be a complainer, but Chattanooga is one of the prettiest city's in America, and once again, the organizers have chosen one of the worst routes possible. Last year was Amnicola Highway (for you non-Chattanoogan's) that's basically an industrial park. Now, it's on an a major highway, with rolling hills, which is good for all Chattanoogan's and extremely bad for everyone else.
Trust me, for all Chattanoogan's who think the hills "are bad, but not that bad" you clearly haven't cycled the path yet, and have only driven the course.
For me, I would rather go climb Lookout Mountain! I mean if your gonna climb at high noon in July with 100% humidity, you might as well be in the shade and have a fun ride down, right?
So here is the link for the worst bike course for a Chattanooga Triathlon.
As for the run course, which is "partially new" who knows, maybe this year they actually measured the distance and we may only have to run 6.2 miles instead of the 10 last year!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Such few time, and so much to blog about...
I had a great time at Bike2Work today.
What's not to like: Warm Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Smoothies, Very Nice people (no road rage here!)
I loved it.
Everyone was talking about the Century this weekend. Everybody said they would drop out if it started raining. Not me (i thought) - However, then they started talking about death rates, and then I said well, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea!
I had a great time at Bike2Work today.
What's not to like: Warm Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Smoothies, Very Nice people (no road rage here!)
I loved it.
Everyone was talking about the Century this weekend. Everybody said they would drop out if it started raining. Not me (i thought) - However, then they started talking about death rates, and then I said well, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
More National Bike Month media coverage, this time originating from the great state of Washington. From the Tri-City Herald, 05.01.07:
Tri-City commuters to pump the pedals
The extra effort Shellie Feather of Kennewick puts into commuting to work by bike is worth the savings she'll get by avoiding the gas pump.
"The gas prices are outrageous," she said. "It is nice to have alternative means to get to work so you're not committed to spending that gas money."
Bicycle advocates hope to cash in on the recent spike in gas prices -- now exceeding $3 a gallon -- by convincing more people to bike to work. Bike commuting also can help with losing weight and preparing for work or unwinding from it.
"It is a great way to get your day started and ended," said Dave Espinosa-Aguilar, a software engineer for the city of Richland.
(Becky Driscoll with Kennewick's REI) said she wants to expand the challenge into a community-wide event. "Getting more people out of their vehicles and onto their bikes would make them happier and healthier," she said.
She said any bike would do. She said one unemployed man purchased a $15 bike and rode it to apply for and be interviewed for jobs. He ended the month healthier and employed, she said. (Read more.)
Rising gas prices will certainly lead some people to investigate bicycle commuting. Unfortunately, as researchers from my employer discovered: "Gas prices hardly affect demand: UC Davis survey says pump costs have to soar a lot before Americans change driving habits."
Tri-City commuters to pump the pedals
The extra effort Shellie Feather of Kennewick puts into commuting to work by bike is worth the savings she'll get by avoiding the gas pump.
"The gas prices are outrageous," she said. "It is nice to have alternative means to get to work so you're not committed to spending that gas money."
Bicycle advocates hope to cash in on the recent spike in gas prices -- now exceeding $3 a gallon -- by convincing more people to bike to work. Bike commuting also can help with losing weight and preparing for work or unwinding from it.
"It is a great way to get your day started and ended," said Dave Espinosa-Aguilar, a software engineer for the city of Richland.
(Becky Driscoll with Kennewick's REI) said she wants to expand the challenge into a community-wide event. "Getting more people out of their vehicles and onto their bikes would make them happier and healthier," she said.
She said any bike would do. She said one unemployed man purchased a $15 bike and rode it to apply for and be interviewed for jobs. He ended the month healthier and employed, she said. (Read more.)
Rising gas prices will certainly lead some people to investigate bicycle commuting. Unfortunately, as researchers from my employer discovered: "Gas prices hardly affect demand: UC Davis survey says pump costs have to soar a lot before Americans change driving habits."
I'm pumped!
Already this week my best friend and my wife have commuted to work by bike!
They both were pleasantly surprised by how good they felt afterwards!
My wife doesn't want to start everyday like yours truly. But, we will save about $20/month if she just does it once a week.
Folks, it is easy math:
Commuting by Car = Stress
vs.
Commuting by Bike = Stress Reducer!
Friday is the official Bike2Work day for Chattanooga. The party will be at the Southside of the Walnut St. Bridge. BONUS = FREE BREAKFAST and it's AWESOME!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Question:
190 lbs (me+bike) - 157 lbs (me)= ?
Answer:
A really HEAVY Bike
I've been calling around, doing the typical due dilligence for a new bike. Essentially, anything under 19 lbs would be great. So I wondered how much my current bike weighted. Man, I was surprised. And this weight is without my aerobars!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing my times on my new high speed, low-drag bike.
190 lbs (me+bike) - 157 lbs (me)= ?
Answer:
A really HEAVY Bike
I've been calling around, doing the typical due dilligence for a new bike. Essentially, anything under 19 lbs would be great. So I wondered how much my current bike weighted. Man, I was surprised. And this weight is without my aerobars!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing my times on my new high speed, low-drag bike.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Here in East Tennessee one of the prettiest things around is the spectacular views when the leaves are changing colors. I love all of the undeveloped mountains in this area. Take a moment this weekend and plant a tree. As the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard said: "Plant a tree, only an optimist would do that"
Thursday, April 26, 2007
It's a busy time of year at work so I haven't gotten much cycling in. However, I did enjoy a nice run in this morning.
I probably won't do this race next year, but at some point when I feel comfortable travelling for races, I would love to do the Pacific Crest Half Ironman. This is definitely one of the prettiest places I have ever seen for a race.
I probably won't do this race next year, but at some point when I feel comfortable travelling for races, I would love to do the Pacific Crest Half Ironman. This is definitely one of the prettiest places I have ever seen for a race.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Calculate the Cost of Commuting
When I plugged my wife's numbers in (since I bike and my commuting costs is a big ZERO) I was surprised it wasn't higher. Still saving $40/month ($480/year) is a lot of money. And isn't it ironic than that is how much an Ironman entry fee is???
When I plugged my wife's numbers in (since I bike and my commuting costs is a big ZERO) I was surprised it wasn't higher. Still saving $40/month ($480/year) is a lot of money. And isn't it ironic than that is how much an Ironman entry fee is???
From IBIKE.ORG
More Than Forty Good Reasons For Bicycling
1. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Have Access To Motor Transport.
2. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Qualify To Drive A Car.
3. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Can't Afford Motor Transport.
4. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Want To Drive Motor Vehicles.
5. There Are 28 Miles Of Bike Trails In The City of Seattle.
6. Bicycling Is The Most Efficient Form Of Transportation Ever Invented.
7. You Get Exercise Form Bicycling
8. Save Travel Money By Biking
9. Reduce Stress
10. Biking Is Therapeutic For The Mind & Spirit
11. Cycling Is Therapeutic For The Body
12. Your Commute Will Be The Best Part Of Your Day Instead Of The Worst Part Of Your Day.
13. Cycling Improves Self-Esteem
14. Save On The Membership To A Health Club, Get Your Exercise Bicycling To Work
15. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Body
16. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Environment
17. Bicycling In Your Neighborhood Is A Great Way To Meet Your Neighbors
18. Camaraderie of Cyclists Makes It A Great Way To Meet A Nice Stranger With A Similar Interest
19. Bicyclist Can Ignore the Traffic Reports
20. Feel the Self-satisfaction Of Biking Past A Traffic Jam In The Bike Lane.
21. Predictable Commute Time
22. Easier Parking
23. Cheaper Parking
24. Leaving Your Car At Home Provide A Parking Space For Someone Less Fortunate
25. If You Are Lazy, Your Bicycle Provides Door-To-Door Transport (You Don't Have To Walk Across A Vast Parking Lot)
26. Reduce Demand For Parking Lots
27. Reduce Energy Consumption (see below)
28. Reduce Air Pollution -- Bicyclist Emit Few Gases
29. Reduce Water Pollution -- Bikes Don't Drip Brake Fluid, Anti-Freeze, Transmission Fluid, Etc.
30. Reduce Noise Pollution -- Even Without A Muffler Bikes Are Quiet
31. Reduces Road Wear -- Even If Cyclist Feel Like They Have The Weight Of The World On Their Shoulders.
32. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
33. 40% Of All Trips In The U.S. Are Within Two Miles Of Home.
34. Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of responsible citizens.
35. Bikes Small Profile Reduce Congestion
36. Motor Vehicle Emissions Cause More Than Half Of The Northwest's Air Pollution.
37. Reduce Need To Lay Additional Asphalt And Concrete
38. Easier to Vary Your Route By Bicycle
39. Bicycling Improves Cardio-Vascular Health
40. Better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
41. Healthier People Have Lower Health Care Expenses
42. New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting.
43. The Exercise Increase Your Productivity At Work
44. Increased Bike Uses Generates Bike Facilities Which Increase Property Values
45. Bicycling Gives You More Fresh Air Than A Sauna And You Can Still Sweat And Clean Your Pores
46. Bike Commuting Is A License To Dress Weird And Still Feel Smug
47. Urban Cycling Keeps You Humble
48. Biking Is Virtually Life Long Activity
49. Bicycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Topography
50. Cycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Climates
51. Bicycles Are A Great Means To See The World
52. Bicycling is cool.
53. Biking Is Fun.
More Than Forty Good Reasons For Bicycling
1. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Have Access To Motor Transport.
2. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Qualify To Drive A Car.
3. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Can't Afford Motor Transport.
4. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Want To Drive Motor Vehicles.
5. There Are 28 Miles Of Bike Trails In The City of Seattle.
6. Bicycling Is The Most Efficient Form Of Transportation Ever Invented.
7. You Get Exercise Form Bicycling
8. Save Travel Money By Biking
9. Reduce Stress
10. Biking Is Therapeutic For The Mind & Spirit
11. Cycling Is Therapeutic For The Body
12. Your Commute Will Be The Best Part Of Your Day Instead Of The Worst Part Of Your Day.
13. Cycling Improves Self-Esteem
14. Save On The Membership To A Health Club, Get Your Exercise Bicycling To Work
15. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Body
16. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Environment
17. Bicycling In Your Neighborhood Is A Great Way To Meet Your Neighbors
18. Camaraderie of Cyclists Makes It A Great Way To Meet A Nice Stranger With A Similar Interest
19. Bicyclist Can Ignore the Traffic Reports
20. Feel the Self-satisfaction Of Biking Past A Traffic Jam In The Bike Lane.
21. Predictable Commute Time
22. Easier Parking
23. Cheaper Parking
24. Leaving Your Car At Home Provide A Parking Space For Someone Less Fortunate
25. If You Are Lazy, Your Bicycle Provides Door-To-Door Transport (You Don't Have To Walk Across A Vast Parking Lot)
26. Reduce Demand For Parking Lots
27. Reduce Energy Consumption (see below)
28. Reduce Air Pollution -- Bicyclist Emit Few Gases
29. Reduce Water Pollution -- Bikes Don't Drip Brake Fluid, Anti-Freeze, Transmission Fluid, Etc.
30. Reduce Noise Pollution -- Even Without A Muffler Bikes Are Quiet
31. Reduces Road Wear -- Even If Cyclist Feel Like They Have The Weight Of The World On Their Shoulders.
32. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
33. 40% Of All Trips In The U.S. Are Within Two Miles Of Home.
34. Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of responsible citizens.
35. Bikes Small Profile Reduce Congestion
36. Motor Vehicle Emissions Cause More Than Half Of The Northwest's Air Pollution.
37. Reduce Need To Lay Additional Asphalt And Concrete
38. Easier to Vary Your Route By Bicycle
39. Bicycling Improves Cardio-Vascular Health
40. Better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
41. Healthier People Have Lower Health Care Expenses
42. New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting.
43. The Exercise Increase Your Productivity At Work
44. Increased Bike Uses Generates Bike Facilities Which Increase Property Values
45. Bicycling Gives You More Fresh Air Than A Sauna And You Can Still Sweat And Clean Your Pores
46. Bike Commuting Is A License To Dress Weird And Still Feel Smug
47. Urban Cycling Keeps You Humble
48. Biking Is Virtually Life Long Activity
49. Bicycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Topography
50. Cycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Climates
51. Bicycles Are A Great Means To See The World
52. Bicycling is cool.
53. Biking Is Fun.
Monday, April 23, 2007
I had an amazing ride Saturday going up 2 mountains (Suck Creek and Signal) for a grand total of 60 miles! This was my first long ride and I felt pretty good through the whole thing. The only time when I was in serious pain is going up the second mountain, but I finally figured out it was because I had been on a bike for 3 hours.
I was planning on being hard-core and not getting off for the sag in the three-state, three-mountain race. But that plan is definitely over!
The entire ride was gorgeous and I had a great time riding with my training buddy Kevin (who was fully prepared for "at least 15 miles").
While I felt bad that he did a lot more than he bargained for, he could have left anytime. PLUS, we both know, and hopefully everyone else out there, that this is what training for an IRONMAN and completing an IRONMAN is all about. Knowing your limits, and then finding out that you didn't know your limits!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Yesterday was a great day. On my lunch break I made it down to the Tour de Georgia Health Expo, and got a ton of free goodies.
Then after the market closed, the pelaton came right by my office. Just in-time to inspire me for a long bike ride.
I did my usual Lookout Mountain loop, and then made my way to Suck Creek Mountain. When I started the pro riders from the Tour de Georgia were coming down and started cheering me on. This was really inspirational!
Attached are some pictures of Suck Creek. It was extremely beautiful, as the Tennessee River was on my left and once I started climbing there was nice stream and a couple of blue holes on my right, and this is on top of the majestic mountain views I had. Needless to say, after approximately 50 miles of cycling, I'm feeling it today.
Yesterday was a great day. On my lunch break I made it down to the Tour de Georgia Health Expo, and got a ton of free goodies.
Then after the market closed, the pelaton came right by my office. Just in-time to inspire me for a long bike ride.
I did my usual Lookout Mountain loop, and then made my way to Suck Creek Mountain. When I started the pro riders from the Tour de Georgia were coming down and started cheering me on. This was really inspirational!
Attached are some pictures of Suck Creek. It was extremely beautiful, as the Tennessee River was on my left and once I started climbing there was nice stream and a couple of blue holes on my right, and this is on top of the majestic mountain views I had. Needless to say, after approximately 50 miles of cycling, I'm feeling it today.
Then after the market closed, the pelaton came right by my office. Just in-time to inspire me for a long bike ride.
I did my usual Lookout Mountain loop, and then made my way to Suck Creek Mountain. When I started the pro riders from the Tour de Georgia were coming down and started cheering me on. This was really inspirational!
Attached are some pictures of Suck Creek. It was extremely beautiful, as the Tennessee River was on my left and once I started climbing there was nice stream and a couple of blue holes on my right, and this is on top of the majestic mountain views I had. Needless to say, after approximately 50 miles of cycling, I'm feeling it today.
OK, here is the official list of potential Ironman's for 2008. Leave a comment or email me if anyone has any thoughts on the races. The best race calendar's can be found at trifind.com
Saturday August 11, 2007 ::: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada: Bigfoot Full Iron Triathlon
Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Location: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: 1-800-343-4466
email: Bigfoot@Triathlons.net
Course Info: Flat, fast course great for your first ironman distance event.
Directions To Race: The site is located 60 miles East of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at Harrison Mills. The closest city is Mission, B.C. about 15 miles.
2006 Results At: triathlons.net
Sunday, August 26, 2007 ::: Louisville, Kentucky: Ford Ironman Louisville
Swim 2.4 miles , Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:00am
Location: Great Lawn, Waterfront Park
Phone: (727) 942-4767 x221
email: mella@ironman.com
Printable Entry Form at:
Price: $450.00
# Course Info: The swim takes place in the Ohio River
# The bike heads east out River Road and US 42 to LaGrange
# The run takes athletes through downtown Louisville to Iroquois Park. The race features a spectacular finish at Fourth Street Live.
Saturday, October 20, 2007 ::: Clermont, Florida: 17th Annual Great Floridian Triathlon
Full Iron Distance ::: Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:30 am
Location: Clermont Waterfront Park
Phone: (352) 394-1320
email: eventinfo@triamerica.com
Register On-Line At: GreatFloridian.com
# Course Info: Ironman distance triathlon The 2.4 mile swim takes place in Lake Minneola. The projected water temperature should be in the upper 70's.
# The gently rolling bike course travels along the scenic country roads of Lake County.
# The run course features a flat out and back section along the South Lake Trail followed by three laps around Lake Minneola.
More: The Great Floridian Triathlon is Florida's original ultra distance triathlon and is the nation's largest independent ultra-distance triathlon. Weekend activities also include the 23rd Annual Florida Challenge long course triathlon and the Great Floridian Festival of Fitness and Sports.
Directions To Race: Clermont is located just 20 minutes west of Orlando at the intersection of US 27 and SR 50 and is less than 30 minutes from all major Central Florida Tourist Attractions.
2006 Results At: sommersports.com
Saturday August 11, 2007 ::: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada: Bigfoot Full Iron Triathlon
Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Location: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: 1-800-343-4466
email: Bigfoot@Triathlons.net
Course Info: Flat, fast course great for your first ironman distance event.
Directions To Race: The site is located 60 miles East of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at Harrison Mills. The closest city is Mission, B.C. about 15 miles.
2006 Results At: triathlons.net
Sunday, August 26, 2007 ::: Louisville, Kentucky: Ford Ironman Louisville
Swim 2.4 miles , Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:00am
Location: Great Lawn, Waterfront Park
Phone: (727) 942-4767 x221
email: mella@ironman.com
Printable Entry Form at:
Price: $450.00
# Course Info: The swim takes place in the Ohio River
# The bike heads east out River Road and US 42 to LaGrange
# The run takes athletes through downtown Louisville to Iroquois Park. The race features a spectacular finish at Fourth Street Live.
Saturday, October 20, 2007 ::: Clermont, Florida: 17th Annual Great Floridian Triathlon
Full Iron Distance ::: Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:30 am
Location: Clermont Waterfront Park
Phone: (352) 394-1320
email: eventinfo@triamerica.com
Register On-Line At: GreatFloridian.com
# Course Info: Ironman distance triathlon The 2.4 mile swim takes place in Lake Minneola. The projected water temperature should be in the upper 70's.
# The gently rolling bike course travels along the scenic country roads of Lake County.
# The run course features a flat out and back section along the South Lake Trail followed by three laps around Lake Minneola.
More: The Great Floridian Triathlon is Florida's original ultra distance triathlon and is the nation's largest independent ultra-distance triathlon. Weekend activities also include the 23rd Annual Florida Challenge long course triathlon and the Great Floridian Festival of Fitness and Sports.
Directions To Race: Clermont is located just 20 minutes west of Orlando at the intersection of US 27 and SR 50 and is less than 30 minutes from all major Central Florida Tourist Attractions.
2006 Results At: sommersports.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Big Day in cycling with the Tour de Georgia passing by my office all day!
I planned to tackle two mountains for the first time after work, even though there are a lot of cycling activities that would be fun to go to. Who knows, maybe I can do both.
Also, I was in the bike shop yesterday complaining about my back hurting, so they made two quick adjustments that took all of 30 seconds (that would have taken me about 30 minutes). Then I told them I was training for 3 State, 3 Mountain and asked for any training advice?
They said, heck there's pro-cyclist Eddie Hilger, just ask him.
Eddie was very nice and very helpful. The basic thing he recommended for me was a heart rate monitor to make sure I'm pushing myself the entire time.
I planned to tackle two mountains for the first time after work, even though there are a lot of cycling activities that would be fun to go to. Who knows, maybe I can do both.
Also, I was in the bike shop yesterday complaining about my back hurting, so they made two quick adjustments that took all of 30 seconds (that would have taken me about 30 minutes). Then I told them I was training for 3 State, 3 Mountain and asked for any training advice?
They said, heck there's pro-cyclist Eddie Hilger, just ask him.
Eddie was very nice and very helpful. The basic thing he recommended for me was a heart rate monitor to make sure I'm pushing myself the entire time.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
CONGRATS! To Howard Curtis "Ducky"
Although I have no clue who you are, according to the elevators in the Krystal Building, and according to the Ironman Arizona Results Page YOU Qualified for KONA!!!
OVERALL PLACE TOTAL TIME LAST NAME FIRST NAME RACE DIVISION DIVISION PLACE
44 09:55:13 CURTIS HOWARD M35-39 10/426
Although I have no clue who you are, according to the elevators in the Krystal Building, and according to the Ironman Arizona Results Page YOU Qualified for KONA!!!
OVERALL PLACE TOTAL TIME LAST NAME FIRST NAME RACE DIVISION DIVISION PLACE
44 09:55:13 CURTIS HOWARD M35-39 10/426
Monday, April 16, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
10 Ways to Stay Motivated from Ironman.com
1. Make sure your exercise plan has a purpose (i.e., to run a 5k, train for a triathlon or hike an 8,000-foot peak). Once you have a detailed training plan to follow you'll be much more likely to follow through with a regular routine, and your fitness will improve much more rapidly.
2. Talk to people! Telling friends, family and coworkers about your goal to follow through on a plan of action will hold you accountable to it. Without going overboard, mention your goal in conversation at least once a day to stay focused and keep your training on track.
3.Keep a training log. Whether you follow through with your complete workout that day or not, record your activity for the day as well as how you felt while doing it, how much sleep you had the night before, what you ate prior, etc. This is a great way to track outside factors that may be affecting your performance, and it will also help you to feel like you've really accomplished something that day
4. Make an early investment. If your goal involves something that requires an entry fee or registration, sign up early! Signing that check and choosing your T-shirt size is like signing a written agreement to follow through. When training gets tough you can tell yourself, "The check has cleared—there's no backing out now!"
5. Find training partners. Having others to train and exercise with will not only help hold you accountable to your plan, it will make following the plan much more fun. Group trips to the coffee house or your favorite breakfast restaurant post-workout are a great motivator to get you up early on those Saturday mornings.
6. View this as YOUR time. Avoid looking at workouts as another item to check off the list, and instead view them as time that's reserved just for you. Also, look at your active time as something that makes the rest of your day run more efficiently and that keeps you clear-headed.
7. Make an appointment with a sports nutritionist. Simply being active is only one part of the equation. By making healthy changes with regard to nutrition as well as fitness you'll be more likely to adopt "whole" lifestyle changes that will lead to ultimate success.
8. Involve the family. Family time is scarce to begin with, and when you add exercise into the mix it can sometimes be a limiting factor. Make a "date" with your spouse to go for a brisk walk once or twice a week, do a run or go hiking or kayaking. One idea is to arrange a weekly Friday night date night that begins with some type of sport and ends with dinner out. And, if you have kids, involve them in other ways. Nice long walks with your kids gives you quality time (i.e., time outside shuttling them to their practices and friends' houses) to relate to each other, and bike rides around your neighborhood are fun for the whole family.
9. Commit to learning. In addition to subscribing to Her Sports to stay informed and motivated, at least twice a year buy a book that will teach you more about the scientific aspects of being healthy and fit. Knowing the "whys" behind what you're doing will help you to make lasting changes that will enhance your health.
10. Reward yourself! While fitness is a huge reward in itself, there's nothing wrong with giving yourself an added incentive for finishing that 10k, conquering a new mountain or finally learning to surf. Whether it's indulging in your favorite treat or allowing yourself to buy that new pair of shoes you've been eyeing, little rewards work!
I'm just now finishing up my recovery from the marathon. I ran 13 miles on Saturday and ran 6 this morning at a VERY slow pace!
In the mean time, I was checking out Stanford Business School's Cool Product Expo, and knew I would find something worth blogging about.
Optibike - this is the coolest commuter bike I have ever seen!
I will keep saving my money for a nicer road bike though.
In the mean time, I was checking out Stanford Business School's Cool Product Expo, and knew I would find something worth blogging about.
Optibike - this is the coolest commuter bike I have ever seen!
I will keep saving my money for a nicer road bike though.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070408/ap_on_fe_st/brazil_amazon_swimmer_7
After 3,272 miles of exhaustion, sunburn, delirium and piranhas, a 52-year-old Slovenian successfully completed a swim down the Amazon River Saturday that could set a world record for distance — something he's already done three times before.
Check out the slideshow!
After 3,272 miles of exhaustion, sunburn, delirium and piranhas, a 52-year-old Slovenian successfully completed a swim down the Amazon River Saturday that could set a world record for distance — something he's already done three times before.
Check out the slideshow!
What is going on with the weather? Whatever it is, it is not fitting in with my normal run-to-bike transition in the Spring.
According to weatherimages.com, 35 mph winds (the highest speed I got up to this morning) combined with 35 degree temperature, produces a wind chill factor of 21 degrees, and my bare fingers can attest to this!
I couldn't find my winter gloves this morning, so of course they were at my office, where I didn't need them!
According to weatherimages.com, 35 mph winds (the highest speed I got up to this morning) combined with 35 degree temperature, produces a wind chill factor of 21 degrees, and my bare fingers can attest to this!
I couldn't find my winter gloves this morning, so of course they were at my office, where I didn't need them!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Have I done it? Have I started to transform the culture of my fellow Tennesseans?
From Chattanoogan.com:
Outdoor Chattanooga Warns Drivers of Bicyclists
posted April 3, 2007
As gasoline prices go back up, drivers and bicyclists using Hamilton County streets must remember two very important things: bicycles are a form of transportation and the people who ride them are operators of vehicles. They are recognized as such by the laws of Tennessee.
Road bicyclists are afforded the same rights and privileges as the drivers of motorized vehicles. They are also required to follow the same traffic laws, e.g traffic lights and stop signs. Tennessee code states:
(a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10.
Tennessee State law also requires that bicyclists ride as far right on the road as is “practicable,” which means as far to the right as the bicyclist considers feasible without endangering his or her safety.
a) (1) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:
(A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(B) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or
(C) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
For their own safety, road bicyclists should wear brightly colored clothing and always wear a helmet. However, they are not required to wear a helmet unless they are under the age of 16. Bicyclists are required to use head lights and rear reflectors if they ride after dark, and they should always signal their intentions clearly in traffic.
This spring and summer, Hamilton County drivers will see more and more bicyclists take to the roads, not only for recreation but also for transportation. Many of these bicyclists will be children and teenagers. It is important for both bicyclists and drivers to take responsibility for everyone’s safety.
Visit http://kba.tripod.com/tncode.htm to see the Tennessee Code for bicycles and excerpts from the Tennessee State Drivers Manual on sharing the road safely with bicycles.
From Chattanoogan.com:
Outdoor Chattanooga Warns Drivers of Bicyclists
posted April 3, 2007
As gasoline prices go back up, drivers and bicyclists using Hamilton County streets must remember two very important things: bicycles are a form of transportation and the people who ride them are operators of vehicles. They are recognized as such by the laws of Tennessee.
Road bicyclists are afforded the same rights and privileges as the drivers of motorized vehicles. They are also required to follow the same traffic laws, e.g traffic lights and stop signs. Tennessee code states:
(a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10.
Tennessee State law also requires that bicyclists ride as far right on the road as is “practicable,” which means as far to the right as the bicyclist considers feasible without endangering his or her safety.
a) (1) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:
(A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(B) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or
(C) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
For their own safety, road bicyclists should wear brightly colored clothing and always wear a helmet. However, they are not required to wear a helmet unless they are under the age of 16. Bicyclists are required to use head lights and rear reflectors if they ride after dark, and they should always signal their intentions clearly in traffic.
This spring and summer, Hamilton County drivers will see more and more bicyclists take to the roads, not only for recreation but also for transportation. Many of these bicyclists will be children and teenagers. It is important for both bicyclists and drivers to take responsibility for everyone’s safety.
Visit http://kba.tripod.com/tncode.htm to see the Tennessee Code for bicycles and excerpts from the Tennessee State Drivers Manual on sharing the road safely with bicycles.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
WARNING WARNING WARNING
What I am about to tell you is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!!
I just found this absolute best way to map your routes to get mileage and elevation change! You can even put in pace times!!!!
Here it is! http://www.sanoodi.com/
What I am about to tell you is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!!
I just found this absolute best way to map your routes to get mileage and elevation change! You can even put in pace times!!!!
Here it is! http://www.sanoodi.com/
"Only those who dare, truly live" Ruth P. Freedman
Yea, yea...another inspirational quote on the blog, by somebody we don't know, right? WRONG!
This quote was posted on Felix Wong's web-site. So who is he and why should I care? Because at age 30 he quit his software engineering job in Silicon Valley (a Stanford grad) and retired! And now all he does is marathons, centuries, and other outdoor activities, or whatever he wants to - HE'S RETIRED!!!!!
Yea, yea...another inspirational quote on the blog, by somebody we don't know, right? WRONG!
This quote was posted on Felix Wong's web-site. So who is he and why should I care? Because at age 30 he quit his software engineering job in Silicon Valley (a Stanford grad) and retired! And now all he does is marathons, centuries, and other outdoor activities, or whatever he wants to - HE'S RETIRED!!!!!
At the Knoxville Marathon's Expo, I stumbled upon Team 413
I would love to do something like this for all endurance athletes (not just runners). Their web-site is pretty neat, hopefully it will be inspiring to all of you.
As for other news, the soreness is pretty much gone now, so back to training it is...
I would love to do something like this for all endurance athletes (not just runners). Their web-site is pretty neat, hopefully it will be inspiring to all of you.
As for other news, the soreness is pretty much gone now, so back to training it is...
Monday, April 02, 2007
Alright, it's over and time to blog about the Knoxville Marathon.
It was a great race and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was tough keeping a slow pace the first 13 miles due to the significant number of half-marathoners and relay racers, but kept the discipline, crossing the half mark at 2:02. I prayed from mile 13-20, that I wouldn't "Hit the Wall" and that definitely worked. The other contributing factor was the rolling hills. I felt sorry for the people that were "dropping like flies" on the uphill, but I was extremely thankful for running up Signal Mountain. Not only did this give me confidence I needed, but it also gave me the strength.
Everyone that knows me knows, I am very enamoured with the idea of running a negative split, so I was very happy at the end when I did it. I was in complete control after mile 20. Actually, from mile 19-end, NO ONE passed me! I think a lot of my friends have trouble visualizing this, but with hundreds of great runners out there, I was feeling great.
Knoxville was a very cool city to run through. Mile 17 takes the cake though, with the neighborhood grilling out and giving out free hot dogs and Bloody Mary's, and anything else you wanted to drink!
No, I didn't have one, but I was definately laughing. At 9:00 on a Sunday morning, these people might not have been drunk, but they were definately "feeling good."
The last half-mile was completely downhill into Neyland Stadium. I was flying! Two race volunteers actually stepped in front of me to slow me down because they thought I was going too fast on the rainy streets. Then an old man, busted HARD, right before entering the field. So I step onto the field, and the sign reads: 3:59:53. I immediately started sprinting! And according to the sign on the field I finished at 4:00:05. I was like sweet, a sub-4:00 marathon (note I was about 30 yards behind the
start line, with the gun sounded at the start. Then on marathonguide.com, they have me finishing at 4:01:02 and a 4:00:48 chip time. Something technology wise got majorely jacked up!
Maybe wife is right, and I need to start running with a watch (what a novel idea). O well, it was very fun, and the ice cold wind, and pouring down rain gives me additional bragging rights.
It was a great race and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was tough keeping a slow pace the first 13 miles due to the significant number of half-marathoners and relay racers, but kept the discipline, crossing the half mark at 2:02. I prayed from mile 13-20, that I wouldn't "Hit the Wall" and that definitely worked. The other contributing factor was the rolling hills. I felt sorry for the people that were "dropping like flies" on the uphill, but I was extremely thankful for running up Signal Mountain. Not only did this give me confidence I needed, but it also gave me the strength.
Everyone that knows me knows, I am very enamoured with the idea of running a negative split, so I was very happy at the end when I did it. I was in complete control after mile 20. Actually, from mile 19-end, NO ONE passed me! I think a lot of my friends have trouble visualizing this, but with hundreds of great runners out there, I was feeling great.
Knoxville was a very cool city to run through. Mile 17 takes the cake though, with the neighborhood grilling out and giving out free hot dogs and Bloody Mary's, and anything else you wanted to drink!
No, I didn't have one, but I was definately laughing. At 9:00 on a Sunday morning, these people might not have been drunk, but they were definately "feeling good."
The last half-mile was completely downhill into Neyland Stadium. I was flying! Two race volunteers actually stepped in front of me to slow me down because they thought I was going too fast on the rainy streets. Then an old man, busted HARD, right before entering the field. So I step onto the field, and the sign reads: 3:59:53. I immediately started sprinting! And according to the sign on the field I finished at 4:00:05. I was like sweet, a sub-4:00 marathon (note I was about 30 yards behind the
start line, with the gun sounded at the start. Then on marathonguide.com, they have me finishing at 4:01:02 and a 4:00:48 chip time. Something technology wise got majorely jacked up!
Maybe wife is right, and I need to start running with a watch (what a novel idea). O well, it was very fun, and the ice cold wind, and pouring down rain gives me additional bragging rights.
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