Based on the race reports that I've received from AllTriathlon.com athletes, Ironman Brazil was a tremendous success.  Congratulations to everyone who competed a few weeks ago in Florianopolis!

Pictured below AllTriathlon.com athlete Jose Alberto Samayoa on the bike at Ironman Brazil 2008:

Pictured below AllTriathlon.com athlete Jose Feliciano finishing the run at Ironman Brazil 2008:

This looks to be an interesting product:

The bicycle frenzy blog has a review available at this link.

I agree with the reviewer on bicycle frenzy, the design is somewhat crude and could be reshaped to be a little more aero but it's a great concept especially for triathletes who are always looking for some extra space to cram some gels, bars, etc.  The position behind the seat and water bottle is also a good spot to improve aerodynamics vs. the top tube or aerobar mounted carrier systems.

Take a look at the product website at CagePack.com.

Price: US$13.50 for one, US$22.00 for two

Getting started in the sport of triathlon can be an overwhelming and sometimes intimidating experience.  In addition to the physical requirements of swimming, cycling and running, there is a vast amount of technical knowledge, and skills that must be mastered and personal discovery that must take place.  Even though each of these elements can appear daunting to the beginner, the process of becoming a triathlete (whether a sprint triathlon finisher or an Ironman finisher) is a gradual process that involves a consistent effort to achieve daily and weekly progress which over time (months down the road) results in the "race-ready" triathlete.

(photo: JKrabbe)

In my work with beginner triathletes, I like to see two objectives reached through their early stages of training:

1.  Become familiar with the sport - the massive amount of knowledge that surrounds the sport of triathlon is incredible.  Becoming an expert in three sports won't happen overnight.  As you start your training you'll instantly be exposed to the requirements of each sport and it will become your task (and the task of your coach) to determine the best way to personally meet each requirement.  You'll discover that there are faster ways to swim, bike and run and techniques that will optimize your efficiency and help you to avoid injury.  You'll also discover a deep curiosity in the equipment and tools that you can use to have a great experience in the sport.  Enjoy this process of discovery and allow each workout to stimulate your desire to gain and apply new knowledge.

2.  Gain confidence - the human body is an incredible thing.  I'm convinced that most people are grossly unaware of what physical potential they can unlock with even small amounts of consistent effort.  The early stages of your training don't need to be highly strenuous or difficult.  (If it is you might want to reconsider your approach.)  Your early stages of training should simply be opportunities for you to discover your endurance potential.  As you're doing so, you'll also enjoy the benefits of improved health and physical performance but ultimately finding out what you're capable of will help you to have the mental strength and confidence to push yourself through the adversity that you'll without question face during your future workout progression and race schedule.

As these first two important objectives are being satisfied and you feel yourself growing in your competence and confidence as a swimmer, runner and cyclist, you can start to place some emphasis on the third objective...getting faster!

3.  Improve performance - believe it or not, not every athlete that I work with has a goal to be fast.  I often hear from athletes that they just want to finish comfortably and feel good and being fast isn't important.  However, these same athletes typically always finish their explanation with a clause something like "but I don't want to finish last" or "I would like to do the best that I can".  Whether your a beginner athlete who's interested in triathlon because you want to be fast and win races or you're an athlete that isn't worried about beating anyone but wants to be the fastest he/she can be you both have the common requirement of finding a way to stimulate improved performance with your training.  This isn't an easy process.  Ask any elite triathlete who is trying to make a breakthrough in performance at the highest level and he/she will tell you that there's no secret formula.  This final objective of performance maximization is a constantly moving target and a fun target to chase as you progress through your adventure in triathlon.

Enjoy the adventure!

The UK's largest multi-sports tour operator, Sports Tours International, has added another specialist department to their expanding business.  The new addition is triathlons and is set to take triathletes around the world to major events.

Sports Tours identified triathlons as a growth area and that international travel was important to many competitors and enthusiasts.  With a 25-year track record of assisting their customers to travel to events across the globe, it was a natural add-on to the already successful product offered from the Manchester based tour operator.

Commenting on the move into triathlons, Sports Tours Chief Executive Chris Bird said:

"Having been in the business for almost 18 months, I felt that the experience of our team and the skills they have, could provide a fantastic service to triathletes.  This is very much a natural progression for us.  We are the market leader in running tours from the UK to iconic races such as the New York Marathon, as well as being Europe’s number one cycling tour operator and the only official UK partner of the Tour de France." 

Sports Tours are also the official travel partner to one of the World’s largest sporting events companies IMG, and will specialise in travel to triathlons in London, Stockholm and Barcelona.  Closer to home, Sports Tours have teamed up with Tatton Park in Cheshire, as the official Sports travel partner for the inaugural Tatton Park Triathlon on June 8th.

Bird adds:

"Since our online triathlon announcement we have been inundated with enquiries from event organisers in the UK and around the world, looking to partner with us to offer our travel services to their competitors.  It has not taken long for the word to get around regarding our move into triathlons.  It has also been very helpful to have a successful 25-year track record in delivering a quality service to our customers too." 

Additional to the triathlon race activity, Sports Tours will be offering specialist training camps in Lanzarote at Club La Santa, where they are the exclusive sales agents for the UK and Ireland.

For more info visit: www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/triathlon

Here are a few statistics from the 2007 Ironman UK race results:

Overall finish times:

Just an FYI on the course modifications for the 2008 race:

IRONMAN UK are announcing that there will be some changes to the cycle and run routes at the 2008 IRONMAN UK Triathlon at Sherborne Castle on September 7th 2008.

The changes have been made to offer a potentially more spectator friendly course and have taken into account the feedback of athletes following the 2006 and 2007 races.

“Following on from a series of meetings between ourselves and our local partners, IRONMAN UK was given an opportunity to make some slight alterations to the 2008 routes. The majority of feedback we have received from the previous years regarded two sections of the course in particular and IRONMAN UK took the opportunity to change them”.

Organisers continue “The two main sections that athletes referred to were the footbridge/Dual Carriageway and the Bike lane at Dorchester. The changes we have made have removed these sections”.

IRONMAN UK organisers continue “We feel that the changes made, will offer the athletes a whole new experience, but without removing the aspects of IRONMAN UK which has made it such a challenge. There will still be the mix of fast technical descents with slow grinding hills and some spectacular scenery - should you have the energy to look!”

“Changes to any race course are not an easy task and cannot be done on a whim. This is especially so of IRONMAN UK and we have had to follow a lengthy consultation process with our partners in Highways, The Police, Councils, Road Marshals, Rotary, Raynet Communications and St John Medical, to ensure that the course can maintain the same level of safety and cover as before. It is has taken approximately 5 months to make the changes to this course”.

“Up until yesterday evening, the 2007 course was still scheduled to be used. Only after receiving full approval have we changed the course. WE would like to thank our partners for their assistance in this matter.”

The IRONMAN UK Triathlon takes place at Sherborne Castle on September 7th 2008 and a full field of 1500 athletes will take on the challenge of the 2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2mile marathon run.

For more information on the courses and IRONMAN UK in general, please visit www.IRONMANUK.com.

With all of the great food and hydration products available for endurance athletes it can be a confusing maze to attempt to find a race day nutrition strategy that fits your specific needs and preferences.  There's bars, gels, caps, powders, beverages and "optimally" engineered goodies of all varieties that can be useful but are sometimes distracting and confusing for athletes of all levels that are looking for the right nutrition or seeking for the next level in competitive performance.

As you attempt to find your nutrition groove for race day I'd recommend that you be open-minded to what's available and stay away from boxing yourself into a nutrition strategy that relies only on "optimal" or "highly engineered" nutrition products.  I'm not suggesting that all of those bars and gels out there aren't great products and all that they're billed to be.  The point that I want to make is that you should try a variety of options, some may be less conventional, to find what fits for you.

Your best race day nutrition strategy needs to: (1) fit your preferences and tastes and (2) provide fuel, hydration and replenishment for your body's physical demands.

Don't use "optimal" products if they don't fit requirement 1.  If you can't seem to stomach energy bars, you may need to go with some old fashioned PB&Js or another favorite snack on race day instead.

Whatever nutrition products or homemade concoctions you attempt to use for your race day nutrition, you need to be sure that these choices have passed the ultimate test of successfully fueling, hydrating and replenishing your needs during your most difficult and grueling training sessions.  If they pass this test you can feel 100% confident that your strategy will deliver for you on race day. 

I've worked with a number of current and former professional athletes who have looked to triathlon as a new challenge, an outlet for the desire to continue to compete or just a new way to get in better shape.  This story about Jeff Conine and his jump into the sport of triathlon does a good job capturing the adventure:

Jeff Conine retired last fall from major-league baseball after a 17-year career.

He was 41.

Then he thought, "What am I going to do now?"

"And then I started thinking seriously about doing an Ironman triathlon, something that had been in the back of my mind," he said. "I guess guys in my position are supposed to take it easy. But I have no desire to take it easy. I like the idea of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles at Hawaii's Ironman world championship in October."

Click here to read the full story on Tampa Bay Online.

I've been having race reports trickle in from Ironman Arizona and they are confirming the reports that this was one terribly difficult race this year!  Nonetheless, some great performances where put in and I must say congratulations to everyone who made it through the day!

From Ed:

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thanks for an awesome training program. I could not have dreamed of a better experience for my first full Ironman. As you know the weather conditions in Tempe last week were very challenging; the 95 Deg F temp, and 20 – 25 MPH winds, made IM AZ 2008 the third highest DNF rate in Ironman history at 18%. The 24 week program you put together had me mentally and physically prepared and 100% injury free on race day. I was calm, focused and able enjoy every minute of the day with a big smile on my face……just how I had envisioned the day many times in my head during training. I would recommend your training program to anybody ready to take on the Ironman journey.

Thanks again for all your help and support in making my first Ironman a very enjoyable experience. I’ll be looking you up for IM FL 2010!!

From Keith:

Last year on May 10th, you sent me a 48 week plan for Ironman Arizona.  I can now proudly say “I am an Ironman”.  Except for being blessed with a wonderful family, this is definitely the single most gratifying personal accomplishment I could imagine!

By sticking to your plan and completing my first half-iron distance in November 2007 and completing it in 5:20, I was on my way.  Battling through some minor leg injuries and plantar in my foot, the training plan was always there for me.  I raced only one extra marathon but used it as more of a training run.  When April 13th arrived, I was ready and had a GREAT day.  My goal was to be under 13 hours, but after a solid swim @ 1:08, I turned in a 5:50 on the bike.  My transitions weren’t great, but I used them for extra food and to try and cool off.  I ended with a 4:26 marathon and total was 11:37:40.  I still can’t believe it!!  Almost 20% of the racers dropped out or didn’t finish.  It was hot, windy on the bike and oh yes, very hot! 

In closing, I would like to say Thank You!  Without the plan you provided and the consistent training regimen, I would have been lost.  I only wish I didn’t work 50 hours a week because I think I could ramp up and take some serious time off my first ever Ironman.  I will come your way if I’m able to do this again.  Thanks!

There are a lot of great bicycle manufacturers out there and each year it's always exciting to see the new models with their subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) changes in design that seem to stretch toward aerodynamic perfection.

One of my favorite triathlon bikes is the Guru Crono.  Take a look at these pics:





If you're upgrading this year or just planning to try a different machine, you'll want to check out the Guru Crono.