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Stuff About Being the Only Triathlete in the Family...
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Friday, 10 April 2015 00:10
By Nicole Ekesten (nicolekesten.blogspot.com)
This post was shared on the Challenge Family America's Blog 3 weeks ago but wanted to re-share on my actual blog and add a few things that I couldn't share in my 850 limit :)
Many of us had similar starts to triathlon. We were drawn to the sport because it sounded intriguing, challenging and like something we wanted to accomplish for ourselves. I quickly learned, however, that my involvement in triathlon doesn’t just affect me–it affects my entire family. Endurance sports include more than just a few hours on random weekends; they can be consuming, expensive and sometimes cause a wedge in our relationships. As I enter my seventh year of triathlon, I want to share with you a few mantras I have found to keep myself and my family priorities balanced.
Racing isn’t just about me.
When I first started racing, my family would come with me to every race. We would drive all together, they would watch me set up transition, wait for me at the swim start and cheer throughout the day. It was great to have the support but I really didn’t think about them much and, after a while, they grew tired of supporting. I never considered that waking up at the butt-crack of dawn just to sit around on some camping chairs in a field (or better yet, a parking lot) to see me for a few glimpses over the course of a few hours wasn’t fun! ...
Getting Unafraid of Open Water...
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Thursday, 09 April 2015 00:10
Advice for avoiding panic attacks and other perceived perils of open-water swimming.
By Meredith Atwood (triathlon.competitor.com)
My first open-water training swim may have been one of the worst in the history of open-water swimming. The horrifying tale went something like this: 43 degrees outside, 62 degrees in the lake and my first time in a wetsuit. I knew the open water would be tough, but I was a good swimmer. I would be fine.
As I inched into the cold water, I noticed that my chest felt tight from the wetsuit, but I was hanging tough—until I put my face in the water. The shock of the cold floored me, and I immediately panicked and sucked in water. “I’m OK,” I said to myself. I put my face back into the water. More water in my lungs. I tried not to inhale the water, but the reaction was automatic. My coach at the time was gesturing: “We’re going to swim out to that first buoy and then take a left and swim past the four buoys and circle back.” I could not breathe. Swim? You want me to swim? ...
Gender-Specific Diet Stuff...
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Wednesday, 08 April 2015 00:10
By Brooke Schohl (usatriathlon.org)
When it comes to endurance sports, you know that fueling well is hugely important. The right fuel plan can increase energy levels, improve body composition and boost performance to the next level. Athletes who pay close attention to their intake, and strive to consume a clean diet of healthy, natural foods have a leg up on the competition.
There are some sex-specific fueling strategy differences between men and women, though. Which makes sense — we have unique anatomies, different nutrient requirements and diverse fueling habits.
Don’t be left in the dark, follow these women-specific guidelines for this year’s race season, ladies!
Ensure You Are Getting Enough Vitamins and Minerals
Female athletes like you are at higher risk for iron, calcium, B vitamin and zinc deficiencies. These nutrients are responsible for building bone and muscle, as well as being involved in energy production; all of which are essential to athletes. Iron insufficiencies occur commonly due to menstrual losses, and can lead to fatigue and low energy metabolism. Follow the philosophy of food first, supplements second when preventing or addressing nutrient deficiencies....
Jorgensen Keeps Rockin'...
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Tuesday, 07 April 2015 00:10
By Usatriathlon.org
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — March 29 - 2014 ITU World Champion Gwen Jorgensen ran to her 10th career ITU World Triathlon Series win on Sunday at ITU World Triathlon Auckland, while fellow USA Triathlon National Team member Katie Zaferes earned her second-straight silver medal of the season.
Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.) clocked in at 2 hours, 9 minutes, 4 seconds on the 1,500-meter swim, 43.2-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run course to break the tape. It was the seventh consecutive WTS win for the 2012 U.S. Olympian, who posted a 34:10 run split over 10k – the fastest run of the day by nearly 50 seconds. Zaferes (Hampstead, Md.) finished second in 2:10:42, mirroring the podium from three weeks ago at ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi when Jorgensen and Zaferes also finished 1-2....
Raking in the Reals...
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Monday, 06 April 2015 00:10
LATIN AMERICA 70.3 CHAMPIONSHIPS - BRASILIA - The season is young and most Minnesotans won't start racing for another month. Still, three of our state's fastest women are already kicking serious buttocks. A few weeks back, Lisa Lendway's half IM debut resulted in a runaway victory. That same weekend Lisa's sister, Heather, rocked a 2nd place pro finish ($3000 payday) at Las Olas International.
Yesterday, Ruth Brennan Morrey, in spite of a nine-minute deficit coming out of the water, rode like a banshee (2:17:19!) and ran even banshee-er (1:22:27!) en route to the podium, a 3rd place finish in a sizzing 4:18:16 at the Brasila Latin America 70.3 Championships.
The Top Two places were earned by Danish superstar Helle Fredericksen (4:04:16), whose 2014 victories included HyVee Elite Cup, Lanzarote 70.3 and Challenge Bahrain (Triathlon's richest race!), and Belgium's Sofie Goos (4:17:15), a sub-9-hour Ironman with a 70.3 PR of 4:06....