Jon's Jibber-jabber

This is my fourth time running the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa, FL.  A large group of friends participates in the race's series, where you get extra prizes for competing in three or five of the races over a five year period.  It's also a relatively inexpensive race that is close enough to Thanksgiving and Orlando that many make a Disney vacation out of it. I like the course because it is two out and backs of very close to equal distance. Six and a half miles north, back to start.  Six and a half miles south, back to start.  In years past, the heat has taken a toll but since I now live in Florida, this is comfortable fall weather.  Knowing the extent of the 90+ degree days in August provides a little perspective.   I made the decision to do the five year series as marathons.  You can switch between the half and the full but out of principle wanted to do all five marathons.  I'm rethinking that each year as I grow to hate marathons more each day.   Pretty much everyone else

Last year, I participated in TriRock Clearwater at the end of the season.  I placed 4th in my AG, missing the podium by less than a minute.  Since I now live in Tampa, I decided to do this race again.  I aged up this year so it would be even more of a challenge.  Every new age group comes with increased competition as I head toward the more competitive age groups. TR Clearwater is a sort of home course for me.  Because our Outspokin Multisport Team trains frequently in Clearwater Beach, I swim, bike, or run portions of the course once, twice, or even three times a week depending on my schedule.  It has been unusually hot over the past week.  However, I can't tell you the number of days I've sweated it out in Clearwater Beach this summer.   So this would definitely feel like my nice usual weekend group training ride. Race Day I got up early and made my way over to Clearwater since traffic can get bad on the island and parking is always a challenge on a normal day.  I decid

This is my report for IRONMAN Maryland version 2.0.  I say that because this race was supposed to happen two weeks ago.   Due to coastal flooding and the threat of Hurricane Joaquin, the race was canceled.  In an unprecedented move, WTC was able to reschedule the race.  I do not believe WTC has ever rescheduled a race, let alone in just two weeks after the original date.  Despite all of the bitching by people online, they did a great job of getting this thing done. They were not able to get everyone (volunteer and participant) back to the race but it was a pretty good return.  Approximately 55% of those registered did the race if the numbers on the results page are correct.    Race Week: This was a quick trip in and out.  Due to reschedule, WTC allowed packet pickup and bike racking on Friday all the way until 9pm.  This was very convenient for those trying to save on accommodations or vacation days.  I flew in on Friday early morning and flew out on Monday early morning. I was

I had been looking for a BTA (between the arms) hydration system for a little while.  The usual suspects such as the Xlab Torpedo, Profile Design HC, and the Speedfil A2 were on my list.   I did decide to use the standard Speedfil mounted to my downtube but also wanted a BTA for water that could be easily refilled.   I decided to go with the Nathan AP Pro after seeing it on sale at my local bike shop.  My wife uses Nathan hydration belts for running and I am very familiar with the company due to their running accessories.  But they are known for running, not cycling.  I'll be honest.  I bought it simply because of Andy Potts.   The AP Pro actually stands for Andy Potts, the pro triathlete and primary seller of this product.  According to what I have read, Nathan worked with Potts to design it and much of its design comes from what Ports specifically wanted in a BTA.  Hey, if it works for Andy, why not give it a try? Additionally, it does fit the needs of what I was looking for

As some of you may already know, 2015 Ironman Maryland was my last race of that distance (Ultra, Ironman, Iron-Distance, Full, or whatever you call it).  I chose to "retire" from that distance for a number of factors.  Chiefly among those are time commitment and focus.  I want to be good at something and frankly, the middle distances are where I excel.  I am an Ironman completer but I could be a short course "compete-r".  I've put together some thoughts on all of the distances here.  I hope you enjoy.   First let me say that one of the biggest things that annoys me about the tri community in general is the need to trivialize certain distances.  There are constant references to "stepping up" from sprint to Olympic or from half-Iron (70.3) to Ironman.  The question "but when are you going to do an Ironman?" is even heard in the pro ranks.  We plaster the distances with the equivalent of ranks or degrees (such as Masonic degrees or military rank

Leroy Jethro Gibbs has rules. Robin Lefler has laws.  And if you get those references without Google, then good for you.  As I head into taper, I have been reflecting back on what I've learned this season and through the Ironman Certified Coach course (which I Beta-tested and liked earlier in the year).  Below are a few of my own rules (more like suggestions) to think about during training and planning.    1.  Fit training into life, not life into training.  This is my golden rule of training for recreational athletes.  For most participants, endurance sports are a hobby.  We do not make our living through these sports.  There are exceptions.  My wife does make a living as a race director.  Others may have coaching businesses built on endurance activities.  However, 99% of those participating in running, cycling, or triathlon events are not doing it as an exclusive means of income.  I have seen too many athletes forget about life.  They put vacations on hold or call out from work j

This past Saturday I participated in the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The Nationals have two races, the Olympic Distance and the Sprint Distance held on consecutive days.  To race in the Olympic distance race, one has to qualify by meeting criteria.  Basically, if you win your age group or finish in the top 10% (for larger races) of any sanctioned race, you get an invitation.  For the sprint, you do not have to qualify.   At both races, a good number of Team USA slots are available to ITU Worlds for the Olympic and Sprint races held at various other places around the world. I went into this knowing full well I was not vying for a Team USA spot.  My goal was to do this as a tune up during my Ironman training and to have fun.  A friend of mine from Plymouth, Massachusetts also was going and we spent the weekend together so it was half racing and half social.  In all honesty, I went for Spotted Cow.  For those who don't know, Spotted

I have been searching this year for a set of aero race wheels for my triathlon bike.  Last year, I rented a set of Reynolds for my 140.6 to try to make the effort a little easier. I wasn't concerned about speed as much as effort.  That is still semi-true this season, but I am now getting to the point where I am becoming competitive at shorter distances.  Rather than continue to rent, I looked for something that I could call my own.   First, I went through the tubular vs. clincher debate. There was a lot of research on this and enough for a separate post on that debate.  I decided on clinchers for simplicity because that's what I currently use.  Then back to the wide world of the Internet to research wheels.  Again, debates over carbon, alloy, hubs, spoke count, depth, v-shaped versus toroidal.  I felt like I was back in physics class at times.  For every two people, there were three opinions on the best wheel.   In the end, I selected the Campagnolo Bullet 80.  The dec