New Things in the Tri World

Hi All,

There are two new things in the world of Ironman and triathlon that I wanted to scoop you on. The first is the introduction of the partnership of Ironman and PowerBar to supply the new drink, Ironman Perform, on certain 70.3, Ironman and IronGirl race courses. The second is the debut of the new triathlon magazine, LAVA, which is all about triathlon, and nothing but triathlon.

The press release from Ironman re: Ironman Perform can be found on the ironman.com website by searching PowerBar Ironman Perform. As a registrant for Rhode Island 70.3 this year, one of the select races to be using this new drink, PowerBar shipped via FedEx to all participants a case of Ironman Perform in the orange mango flavor about a month before the race. Knowing how important it is to train with your intended race drink and allow time for your body to adapt to it, this was a good marketing move by PowerBar. Previously Gatorade Endurance had been served and is still served on many courses. Gatorade Endurance was introduced on courses beginning about 2005, but could be purchased in powder form as early as 2004 and possibly earlier and is still the primary drink on Ironman sanctioned courses this year.

I tried Ironman Perform on a Tuesday AM at Sherwood Island with the 6:00 AM cycling class. It didn't taste very good the second time, and it was a good thing the restrooms were open. If you have an iron stomach and can race on Gatorade, you can race on this drink. While the flavor wasn't bad, all the horrors I remember of drinking Gatorade back in the day came back. (Note I'm referring to Gatorade and not Gatorade Endurance). I went back to my trusty drink of choice for distance and heat, Hammer Heed, and did well for myself at the Rhode Island 70.3 in 90 degree temps and had perfect nutrition. I felt bad for all the newbies out there that didn't have their race nutrition nailed down and drank this.

The long story short is this: this product may work for you, but I would encourage people to try tried and true products like EFS, NUUN, Hammer, Endurox etc. and not to rely on the marketer paying the most money to Ironman. (Note - that's my opinion and not necessarily anyone elses). Train with what works for you, and experiment in the off season.

The new LAVA magazine is cool and sleek. Awesome photography and excessive ads make this magazine a sexy read. For its inaugural issue, Craig Alexander, triathlon's family man, is featured. If you want to know what the most expensive triathlon gear available is, then this is the magazine for you. With a cover price of $5.95 it's spendy, but then again, it's a bi-monthly magazine. Other features of the magazine are a Gear section, a Training section and a Racing section. You'll see articles lile, "Reviewed - First Endruance's Optygen HP", "Coach's Counsel, Tears in Utah: Should "harder" Ironmans have different cutoff times?" and other articles you might not see elsewhere. It's remniscent of Vogue, but for triathletes. In my humble o-pinion, if you're an age grouper , and not looking to simply buy your way to the top and find the most expensive new gear possible, stick with the pedestrian triathlon magazines.

Tail Winds,
~Clare

A pretty fast Lake Placid

Mitch West is the shy and retiring type.  So he won't get on the blog and say" I GOT 5th IN MY AGE GROUP AT LAKE PLACID. "  Well, congratulations Mitch on an incredible showing -- a 9:49 pace.  Are you going to Kona again?

Greg Stewart got 17th in his age group in just over 10 hours -- also a great showing.

Alan Masarek and Bruce Kofsky both completed Lake Placid.  Ok, maybe they didn't quite do 10 hours -- in fact they had to suffer for somewhat longer -- but they finished.  A gargantuan feat and we are proud of both of them.

Dom Gillen was in 6th place overall when his body/mind shut down.  Jeff thinks Dom may have been low on red blood cells.   Sounds like Dom's sympathetic nervous system just said "no mas."  Good news is that Dom has a back up Ironman that he will do in about 6 weeks time.   Dom -- taper well and crush it.

Ok -- I am certain I am missing some key folks who went to Lake Placid -- please email me at rick@ttwestport.com so I can update the blog appropriately. Or send it to dom@ttwestport.com or to eneas@ttwestport.com.

I just finished a 3.5 hour training session and what was most fun about it was seeing Little Max, our intern, race alongside Matt Baldwin, Stephan Badger and myself.  That was a blast to see -- our 17 year old young man who had never seriously ridden a bicycle when he joined us and now mixing it up with the big boys (and I think he got a top 10 finish -- way to go bud!).  The Badger did a massive leadout for the field sprint (thanks Stephan and also thanks Brian Wolf).  I am tired now but that is pretty much a perpetual state of being...

Again -- great showing in Lake Placid!  Amazing.  You are not getting me to swim for an hour -- and then bicycle for 112 miles -- and then do a marathon.  I'm sticking to bicycle racing. But we are very proud of you guys for doing it.

Wins and more by TT Masters bicycle racing team

The Masters team this year has been pouring it on recently.  The guys on the team are all experienced racers, well known in the 35+/40+ peleton and guys who are both professional in demeanor (they represent TT well) and race well.  In alphabetical order, here are the guys who are racing almost every weekend:

Ed Angeli. Ed just won perhaps the hardest single day road race on the calendar: Tour of the Hilltowns.  Ed also won the Bear Mountain Spring Classic earlier this year and won the King of the Mountains and Sprinter's Competition at the Connecticut Stage Race.  Ed got bronze in the Connecticut road race championship at Housatonic Hills (7th overall in that race)

Stephen Badger. Stephen is the captain of the team.  He spent 25 miles off the front of the Naugatuck Criterium two weekends ago to win that race, oh, in 100 degree heat.  Badger also won silver in the State of CT criterium state championships.

Max Lippolis.  Max as previously reported won two of the 4 stages in Fitchburg (3rd overall), the Hawley road race and also the 40+ Nutmeg Games race.  Max got 3rd in Housatonic Hills. Max lives just over the border in NY state so he doesn't qualify for CT state medals.

Eneas.  Eneas almost always is racing the Pro 12 field and since he is not 35, he rarely races masters (which can start at 30+). Eneas got silver for CT Criterium Championship and I believe also got 2nd for the New England Regional Championship.  He got 2nd in the Naugatuck criterium.  Eneas did win the US duathlon championship in his age group

Matt Baldwin.  Matt won the 30+ gold medal for the Connecticut State Criterium championship this year.

HOT but happy and Lance says hello from France to Phoebe

We had two good rides today but even the 6 AM was hot and humid. We rolled through the hills of Ridgefield.

Dom, Mitch and Greg are racing Lake Placid along with Alan and a troup of others.  We wish them the best of luck.  It will be hot -- guys use ice where possible and lots and lots of salt/electrolytes!

There are a couple of cool Northeast bicycle races that are accessible this weekend: Tour of the Hilltowns or Stirling (criterium in NJ).   Hilltowns is a tremendous race but not on my calendar.  It's got a 1000 foot climb in it -- not too many of those around here.  Stirling is a typical flat four corner crit (can you say smoking fast and super hot) but always attracts good racers.  But it is a 2 hour drive from here and while it should be on my calendar I am not going to do it...Oh well -- I would rather race every weekend but this looks like a miss.

Lance Armstrong (with help from Phil Clifford and friends) posted a ticker greeting to Phoebe in his final time trial at the Tour de France.  His LiveStrong ticker said "Phoebe S. Your friends and family are thinking about you and love you. Stay strong and livestrong."

The LiveStrong Clip for Phoebe

The good news is that Phoebe is back home today from Sloan Kettering and Hallie is back home from camp and we have a full house and there is general merriment. So missing a race is not too important!

But go gang at Lake Placid!

And I am looking for a ride tomorrow morning so ping me if anyone is interested!

OWS Cancelled Tonight

Due to thunderstorms, tonight's open water swim session is cancelled.