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