Jon's Jibber-jabber

Author Matt Fitzgerald is well known in the running circle.  He has served as a writer for Triathlete and has written numerous articles and books on the endurance sports world.  I have an interesting relationship with Mr. Fitzgerald's work, loving some and less-than-loving others.  This latest book in his collection, "How Bad Do You Want It?", deals with the mental aspect of the sport.  In particular, this book centers on several key challenges that athletes face and techniques to potentially overcome or avert them.   Fitzgerald has written on this before with Brain Training for Runners and through other articles.  This book, however, has a different feel.  It is not so focused on "brain training" but on talking through concepts of mental issues and using anecdotal examples.   Fitzgerald doesn't limit himself to his familiar genre of running.  Here he draws from other sports such as rowing, cycling, and even winter sports.  There is some...

This past weekend I ran the Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon.  The GDC (or more formally the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic PGDC), consists of four races throughout the weekend.   There is a 15k and a 5k on Saturday followed by the Half Marathon and an 8k on Sunday.  The GDC has attracted some top talent in the past (Bill Rodgers won the 15k back in the days) and these are some of the largest road races in the Tampa Bay Area.  With all of the race options, there are a few challenges that mix up combinations of race distances, including the Ultra challenge that includes all four races.  Start times are staggered so that most participants can complete the early race and make the start of the later race.  This year 32,000 participants took part in the weekend.   I only did the half marathon, although friends of ours did the challenges.  This was a tune up race for 70.3 Florida and my training program had a 2 hour run for this weekend. ...

'I am a slow adopter of new things in most settings.  Until just a few months ago, I had an iPhone 4 (not 4s, just 4) and I would probably have my 3s if it still would work.  I also struggle with nutrition and fueling.  Specifically, I have a hard time getting a proper fueling plan.   This was the case when I was running and continued into triathlon.   I took advice from what people had done for a long time in the sport and stuck to my ways.   If I found something I liked (such as a particular brand of Gu), it would be pretty hard to get me to change.   A brief history of my fueling.  I started with sport beans, moved to Gu, moved to Honey Stinger gel and waffles, moved to Hammer gels and this is where I landed.   I actually have been working for about a year with Hammer gels and Salt Stick electrolyte tablets.   My problem came on the bike.  The amount to carry and the stickiness from trying to eat the gels was causing me frust...

Recently, I had the opportunity to try my wife's Polar M400 GPS watch.  We purchased this watch in November 2014 at the Walt Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon Expo.  We spoke with the Polar rep for a long time and since she was in the market for a new watch, we bought it.  After a few months, she could not get it to work the way she wanted and stopped using it.   The gadget swap began about a month ago when I bought her a new Garmin VivoActive to try.  Review on that to come later or over on her blog.  I began using the Polar M400 since she no longer needs it.   I will preface my review by saying I am not DC Rainmaker so if you want a thorough, technical and in depth review of feature, see this article . The M400 is a running watch.  I will state that up front.  It isn't created primarily for triathlon or other sports.  It also is not a "smart watch" in line with other recent additions such as the Apple Watch, VivoActive o...

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. ...

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 chal...

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 Frida...