4 weeks out from Ironman Canada 2006 and the unveiling of GymSkinZ Gear at Ironman!
Well I survived the weeklong training camp and even had a swimming break-through to boot! Needless to say, heading into the final 4 weeks and taper phase before Ironman has been EAGERLY awaited for quite some time! It's literally been almost 2 years since this whole "airy-fairy" dream of doing Ironman started - especially since I couldn't swim worth a damn!
In any case, looking forward to keeping in touch with everyone via my website at gymskinz.com and my newly released "You don't have to win, you just have to TRI" podcast! Check it out! - subscribe to it and listen to my follies on your iPod!
Hope everyone is having a great start to their August and I'll catch up with you soon!
Be sure to drop by www.gymskinz.com!
cheers
Tavis
Monday, July 31, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
GymSkinZ at Ironman Training Camp
GymSkinZ at Ironman Training Camp!
Hey folks!
So I'm still up here in Penticton at the halfway mark of this training camp. Suffice to say I now know what it's like to be a pro-athlete and have nothing to really worry about except training / eating / recovering / repeating. It's amazing and what your body is capable of doing (concussed or not) when you decide to push it and not have the daily chores (like work and domestic duties) to worry about - at least not as much as "normal".
The camp has consisted of early morning swims in the lake where Ironman Canada is taking place in - not the exact same course due to all the boats and pleasure-craft out there, but a good 1 mile loop incorporating one of the lengths of the actual swim route (more or less). A great way to practice what to sight off of for the race and to get used to where the sun is going to be at that time of morning and figure out what to look at when it's blinding us. Was also nice (I can't believe I'm saying this) to have a really choppy day yesterday just to practice swimming in crappy / windy / choppy conditions.
After each swim session, we've rode various parts of the bike course, discussed key points along the course to consider in terms of where it's good to drop the hammer, and where to hold back to prepare for a nasty climb. I rode about 120km yesterday with one of the other guys and did basically 2/3 of the course whilst the others skipped one of the biggest hill climbs since it wasn't part of the schedule. We're all doing the entire thing as a group and it will be a good test of nutrition and dealing with the heat (95-97 degrees or so).
I also had the pleasure and honour of doing a run with the legendary Steve King who has been the race announcer for Ironman Canada and many other prestigious races for the last 23 years. He has an uncanny ability to remember teeny weeny details of people he's met and he has been such a source of inspiration and motivation for tens of thousands of athletes over the years. He is an accomplished triathlete / and ultra-marathoner and picking up tips from him for this race was an invaluable experience. Unfortunately, he won't be announcing at this year's Ironman as he's decided to step away from this event, but I'm looking forward to him announcing for the Vancouver International Triathlon this fall as he'll likely remember some quirky thing about me and what we talked about during our run - and likely blast it over the PA as I finish that race. He is truly a gentleman and will be sorely missed by all the Ironman participants this year who have come to associate his voice to Ironman Canada for all these years.
Aside from the swim/bike/run sessions, we've had great group meetings / discussions about everything to do with the race - from nutrition, to stretching, to mental training, race strategies when things go sideways, etc etc. With 3 remaining days of the camp, I have to say I've gained a little more confidence with each session - not only on the physical side, but the mental side which is very important in these long course events. I never thought I'd EVER say this - but I'm actually looking forward to the open water swims in the morning and especially the 4km swim we're doing on Sunday. At the start of the race last Sunday, the LAST place I wanted to be was in that very same lake....
In any case, stay tuned for some exciting developments on the business side of GymSkinZ as it relates to some of the stuff I've just talked about. I have some pretty cool things planned for the rest of the year and it's got nothing to do with funny t-shirts ;) (although I like doing those too! =)
Cheers everyone and thanx for tuning in... Catch up with ya soon and please help me spread the word about GymSkinZ!
Thanx!
Tavis
Hey folks!
So I'm still up here in Penticton at the halfway mark of this training camp. Suffice to say I now know what it's like to be a pro-athlete and have nothing to really worry about except training / eating / recovering / repeating. It's amazing and what your body is capable of doing (concussed or not) when you decide to push it and not have the daily chores (like work and domestic duties) to worry about - at least not as much as "normal".
The camp has consisted of early morning swims in the lake where Ironman Canada is taking place in - not the exact same course due to all the boats and pleasure-craft out there, but a good 1 mile loop incorporating one of the lengths of the actual swim route (more or less). A great way to practice what to sight off of for the race and to get used to where the sun is going to be at that time of morning and figure out what to look at when it's blinding us. Was also nice (I can't believe I'm saying this) to have a really choppy day yesterday just to practice swimming in crappy / windy / choppy conditions.
After each swim session, we've rode various parts of the bike course, discussed key points along the course to consider in terms of where it's good to drop the hammer, and where to hold back to prepare for a nasty climb. I rode about 120km yesterday with one of the other guys and did basically 2/3 of the course whilst the others skipped one of the biggest hill climbs since it wasn't part of the schedule. We're all doing the entire thing as a group and it will be a good test of nutrition and dealing with the heat (95-97 degrees or so).
I also had the pleasure and honour of doing a run with the legendary Steve King who has been the race announcer for Ironman Canada and many other prestigious races for the last 23 years. He has an uncanny ability to remember teeny weeny details of people he's met and he has been such a source of inspiration and motivation for tens of thousands of athletes over the years. He is an accomplished triathlete / and ultra-marathoner and picking up tips from him for this race was an invaluable experience. Unfortunately, he won't be announcing at this year's Ironman as he's decided to step away from this event, but I'm looking forward to him announcing for the Vancouver International Triathlon this fall as he'll likely remember some quirky thing about me and what we talked about during our run - and likely blast it over the PA as I finish that race. He is truly a gentleman and will be sorely missed by all the Ironman participants this year who have come to associate his voice to Ironman Canada for all these years.
Aside from the swim/bike/run sessions, we've had great group meetings / discussions about everything to do with the race - from nutrition, to stretching, to mental training, race strategies when things go sideways, etc etc. With 3 remaining days of the camp, I have to say I've gained a little more confidence with each session - not only on the physical side, but the mental side which is very important in these long course events. I never thought I'd EVER say this - but I'm actually looking forward to the open water swims in the morning and especially the 4km swim we're doing on Sunday. At the start of the race last Sunday, the LAST place I wanted to be was in that very same lake....
In any case, stay tuned for some exciting developments on the business side of GymSkinZ as it relates to some of the stuff I've just talked about. I have some pretty cool things planned for the rest of the year and it's got nothing to do with funny t-shirts ;) (although I like doing those too! =)
Cheers everyone and thanx for tuning in... Catch up with ya soon and please help me spread the word about GymSkinZ!
Thanx!
Tavis
Sunday, July 16, 2006
GymSkinZ at Peach Classic Triathlon
GymSkinZ at Peach Classic Triathlon
Hey Folks!
Tav and GymSkinZ reporting from sunny and scorching Penticton BC.
So I participated in the Investors Group Peach Classic Olympic Triathlon today - note how I said "PARTICIPATED" as opposed to "RACED". Here's my report...
So I arrived here yesterday afternoon after a rough week trying to get everything squared away on the home-front, at my real job, and with GymSkinZ stuff - 5 hours of sleep in the last couple nights was definitely not a good way to start the race weekend. Upon arriving, hit the race package pickup and pre-race meeting and I knew the planets weren't in aligment when I got my race number - 333.... Hmmm, so did that mean things were only going to be HALF as evil as they should be? To add more anxiety and undue stress to the day, the first thing Steve King mentioned to start off the meeting was "Do NOT expect to do a PB on this race course!!" Oh great, that's a way to instill confidence in the 400 or so people in the room. I looked down at my race-bib in my hand and thought, well how bad could it be ? Since I usually have a pretty laid-back and positive attitude towards this kind of stuff (after all, racing is supposed to be fun right?) I thought at least the swim is gonna be flat ;)
Well, that's as positive as it got. Suffice to say I ABSOLUTELY sucked the donkey today... and that's being pretty generous. First off, I swim like a brick - I could barely swim 25 meters at this time last year and today I may as well have been towing an anchor. I knew things were gonna be bad as soon as I got in the water this morning - Despite the water conditions being absolutely fantastic, I felt TOTALLY out of my element - and I feel out of my element at the best of times when I'm in a nice warm pool where I can see a line, and I know there's a wall nearby. All I wanted to do was float around on my back and sleep, not have to swim out that little fleck on the horizon which was supposed turnaround buoy... Anyway, starting gun went, and off I went... never got into any comfortable rhymthm and basically did my own thing waaaay off to the side, but at least I made it back and didn't come out of the water last... I did that on my very first olympic tri about a year ago and I vowed I would never do that again (what kind of an idiot-stick does an olympic tri as their first attempt when they can't swim 100M?! oh yah, that was me me July 2005....) Today was damn close to that experience... Once again, noticed the number painted on my arm and realized that the dark lord and all that is evil was going to be my pace-buddy today....
In any event, I dragged my arse out of the water and high-fived my buddy for making it out alive... at least I CAN ride a bike (or so I thought - that's foreshadowing BTW) so I was happy to strap on my helmet and hop on my bike hoping to get into my happy place nice and quick. Well, the bike course may as well have been taken right out of Stage 15 of the Tour de France - just when I got my legs spinning and feeling good, I was faced with this 4km climb which could have been a Category 1 climb and felt like I was ascending from the depths of hell for crying out loud - at least I was passing people but whoever came up with the term "mildly undulating" and applied it to this course needs a good swift kick in the beets as there wasn't ANYTHING resembling a flat spot on this damn course. Things went from bad to worse when I went to take a drink and lo and behold - not my water bottle.... My buddy grabbed the wrong bottle this morning!!! The ride concoction that I use is a combination of Cytomax / Carbo-Power and dissolved E-Caps which is like the nectar of the Gods - I ended up with some watered down Gu2O mixture that I could have used as cleaning solvent for my bike. AGGGHH... So at this point, I decided I was gonna go and chase down my buddy and retrieve my water-bottle (and my buddy was out of the water 12 minutes ahead of me - yes, I am THAT slow in the water). At least I had a focus now, so I dropped the hammer and off I went. I managed to catch up just before the turnaround and as I rode up from behind I said "Hey, you notice something different about your water bottle"..... We made the exchange after some cursing and back to town I went. Of course, at this point, I had gone out WAAAAY too quick to catch up and I didn't exactly back off on the way back into town, so I would definitely pay the price on the run (if I made it.... more fore-shadowing).
Ok, so now it gets interesting.... I managed a pretty half-decent time back to town and I *would have been* in the top 25 or 30 overall for bike splits... BUT.... remember that colossal climb I mentioned at the beginning? well we obviously had to come DOWN that so I came SCREAMING into the stretch leading into transition at some gong-show speed, and as I was coming to the dismount line, I prepared to do my regular "running dismount" where I unclip my right foot, swing my leg over from behind, slow down enough to unclip my left foot at the same time and run off the bike - sound simple right?! I've done it a bazillion times, but since I was riding with the mark of Satan's half brother - it wasn't going to happen today! As I tried to unclip my left foot, my hammy decided to cramp JUST at that moment which didn't allow my foot to turn far enough to unclip, I took that first step with my left foot still attached which resulted in a cirque-du-soleil style cartwheel with a half-twist while driving my head into the 120degree concrete in a spectacular display of splintered carbon fiber and composite materials as my bike pin-wheeled into the crowd and probably killed some poor innocent spectator and his two kids.... Of course, I also took out the poor guy behind me as he didn't expect carnage while he was dismounting and ended up piling into me... As I lay there staring at that bright light which I thought for sure was the portal to heaven (I later realized it was the sun I was staring at), I swore I saw vultures circling above ready to swoop down and start pecking at my jugular, I could also kinda of hear Steve King announcing (and pronouncing my name wrong of course like he always does at every race) - "Rider 333 is down, Tavis Yeung from Vancouver has crashed coming into transition!". I recall a bunch of volunteers gathering and as I got up to assess the damage, at least was coherent enough to ass if the other guy was ok - Thankfully he had already picked himself up and was long gone into transition. My head was throbbing, I was bleeding, and everything was a nice shade of blue (which was kinda cool) and when the spectator wheeled my bike back to me from about 50 yards away, I thought to myself this sure is FUN!! Well, I figured I better suck it up and dragged myself into transition whilst overhearing volunteers and spectators yell "Are you ok?!" and "Hey man, you're bleeding!"
After about 10 minutes in transition trying to figure out how to tie my shoes (which is kinda funny since I have speedlaces), and thinking how nice it would be to just lie on my towel and go to sleep, I told myself to suck it up and headed out onto the run course concussed, bleeding, tired, generally pissed off and feeling as if a small leprechaun was standing on my shoulders with a jack-hammer. When I thought things couldn't get any worse, the run course was just as bad as the bike course - after 2 km of a nice and flat stretch out along the lake, say hello to a 3km climb complete with switchbacks all the way to the turnaround. Did I mention whoever designed this course needs a kick in the beets? Thank God coming back consisted of that downhill but I barely noticed considering my legs were like lead and I did most of the run with my eyes closed since my head was pounding and my vision was blurry and everything being blue was really tripping me out. Perhaps the only saving grace to this whole race was as I was coming down the final stretch, I managed to run down the poor guy I took out coming into transition and as I passed him, apologized again which he probably didn't appreciate too much ;) I knew it was him cuz he was about 7 feet tall and looked like a mutant smurf in blue running gear - oh wait minute, I think that might have been my weird bluish vision...
In any event, chalk this one up to a "character building" race. I now get to look forward to a weeklong training camp for the rest of this week which is gonna be interesting since all I wanna do is crawl under a rock and die.
Anyway, for all those doing Ironman Lake Placid next week, best of luck and keep your head off the pavement!
cheers and catch up with ya'all soon!
Tav@my.head.freakin.hurts.com
Hey Folks!
Tav and GymSkinZ reporting from sunny and scorching Penticton BC.
So I participated in the Investors Group Peach Classic Olympic Triathlon today - note how I said "PARTICIPATED" as opposed to "RACED". Here's my report...
So I arrived here yesterday afternoon after a rough week trying to get everything squared away on the home-front, at my real job, and with GymSkinZ stuff - 5 hours of sleep in the last couple nights was definitely not a good way to start the race weekend. Upon arriving, hit the race package pickup and pre-race meeting and I knew the planets weren't in aligment when I got my race number - 333.... Hmmm, so did that mean things were only going to be HALF as evil as they should be? To add more anxiety and undue stress to the day, the first thing Steve King mentioned to start off the meeting was "Do NOT expect to do a PB on this race course!!" Oh great, that's a way to instill confidence in the 400 or so people in the room. I looked down at my race-bib in my hand and thought, well how bad could it be ? Since I usually have a pretty laid-back and positive attitude towards this kind of stuff (after all, racing is supposed to be fun right?) I thought at least the swim is gonna be flat ;)
Well, that's as positive as it got. Suffice to say I ABSOLUTELY sucked the donkey today... and that's being pretty generous. First off, I swim like a brick - I could barely swim 25 meters at this time last year and today I may as well have been towing an anchor. I knew things were gonna be bad as soon as I got in the water this morning - Despite the water conditions being absolutely fantastic, I felt TOTALLY out of my element - and I feel out of my element at the best of times when I'm in a nice warm pool where I can see a line, and I know there's a wall nearby. All I wanted to do was float around on my back and sleep, not have to swim out that little fleck on the horizon which was supposed turnaround buoy... Anyway, starting gun went, and off I went... never got into any comfortable rhymthm and basically did my own thing waaaay off to the side, but at least I made it back and didn't come out of the water last... I did that on my very first olympic tri about a year ago and I vowed I would never do that again (what kind of an idiot-stick does an olympic tri as their first attempt when they can't swim 100M?! oh yah, that was me me July 2005....) Today was damn close to that experience... Once again, noticed the number painted on my arm and realized that the dark lord and all that is evil was going to be my pace-buddy today....
In any event, I dragged my arse out of the water and high-fived my buddy for making it out alive... at least I CAN ride a bike (or so I thought - that's foreshadowing BTW) so I was happy to strap on my helmet and hop on my bike hoping to get into my happy place nice and quick. Well, the bike course may as well have been taken right out of Stage 15 of the Tour de France - just when I got my legs spinning and feeling good, I was faced with this 4km climb which could have been a Category 1 climb and felt like I was ascending from the depths of hell for crying out loud - at least I was passing people but whoever came up with the term "mildly undulating" and applied it to this course needs a good swift kick in the beets as there wasn't ANYTHING resembling a flat spot on this damn course. Things went from bad to worse when I went to take a drink and lo and behold - not my water bottle.... My buddy grabbed the wrong bottle this morning!!! The ride concoction that I use is a combination of Cytomax / Carbo-Power and dissolved E-Caps which is like the nectar of the Gods - I ended up with some watered down Gu2O mixture that I could have used as cleaning solvent for my bike. AGGGHH... So at this point, I decided I was gonna go and chase down my buddy and retrieve my water-bottle (and my buddy was out of the water 12 minutes ahead of me - yes, I am THAT slow in the water). At least I had a focus now, so I dropped the hammer and off I went. I managed to catch up just before the turnaround and as I rode up from behind I said "Hey, you notice something different about your water bottle"..... We made the exchange after some cursing and back to town I went. Of course, at this point, I had gone out WAAAAY too quick to catch up and I didn't exactly back off on the way back into town, so I would definitely pay the price on the run (if I made it.... more fore-shadowing).
Ok, so now it gets interesting.... I managed a pretty half-decent time back to town and I *would have been* in the top 25 or 30 overall for bike splits... BUT.... remember that colossal climb I mentioned at the beginning? well we obviously had to come DOWN that so I came SCREAMING into the stretch leading into transition at some gong-show speed, and as I was coming to the dismount line, I prepared to do my regular "running dismount" where I unclip my right foot, swing my leg over from behind, slow down enough to unclip my left foot at the same time and run off the bike - sound simple right?! I've done it a bazillion times, but since I was riding with the mark of Satan's half brother - it wasn't going to happen today! As I tried to unclip my left foot, my hammy decided to cramp JUST at that moment which didn't allow my foot to turn far enough to unclip, I took that first step with my left foot still attached which resulted in a cirque-du-soleil style cartwheel with a half-twist while driving my head into the 120degree concrete in a spectacular display of splintered carbon fiber and composite materials as my bike pin-wheeled into the crowd and probably killed some poor innocent spectator and his two kids.... Of course, I also took out the poor guy behind me as he didn't expect carnage while he was dismounting and ended up piling into me... As I lay there staring at that bright light which I thought for sure was the portal to heaven (I later realized it was the sun I was staring at), I swore I saw vultures circling above ready to swoop down and start pecking at my jugular, I could also kinda of hear Steve King announcing (and pronouncing my name wrong of course like he always does at every race) - "Rider 333 is down, Tavis Yeung from Vancouver has crashed coming into transition!". I recall a bunch of volunteers gathering and as I got up to assess the damage, at least was coherent enough to ass if the other guy was ok - Thankfully he had already picked himself up and was long gone into transition. My head was throbbing, I was bleeding, and everything was a nice shade of blue (which was kinda cool) and when the spectator wheeled my bike back to me from about 50 yards away, I thought to myself this sure is FUN!! Well, I figured I better suck it up and dragged myself into transition whilst overhearing volunteers and spectators yell "Are you ok?!" and "Hey man, you're bleeding!"
After about 10 minutes in transition trying to figure out how to tie my shoes (which is kinda funny since I have speedlaces), and thinking how nice it would be to just lie on my towel and go to sleep, I told myself to suck it up and headed out onto the run course concussed, bleeding, tired, generally pissed off and feeling as if a small leprechaun was standing on my shoulders with a jack-hammer. When I thought things couldn't get any worse, the run course was just as bad as the bike course - after 2 km of a nice and flat stretch out along the lake, say hello to a 3km climb complete with switchbacks all the way to the turnaround. Did I mention whoever designed this course needs a kick in the beets? Thank God coming back consisted of that downhill but I barely noticed considering my legs were like lead and I did most of the run with my eyes closed since my head was pounding and my vision was blurry and everything being blue was really tripping me out. Perhaps the only saving grace to this whole race was as I was coming down the final stretch, I managed to run down the poor guy I took out coming into transition and as I passed him, apologized again which he probably didn't appreciate too much ;) I knew it was him cuz he was about 7 feet tall and looked like a mutant smurf in blue running gear - oh wait minute, I think that might have been my weird bluish vision...
In any event, chalk this one up to a "character building" race. I now get to look forward to a weeklong training camp for the rest of this week which is gonna be interesting since all I wanna do is crawl under a rock and die.
Anyway, for all those doing Ironman Lake Placid next week, best of luck and keep your head off the pavement!
cheers and catch up with ya'all soon!
Tav@my.head.freakin.hurts.com
Friday, July 07, 2006
GymSkinZ and Tour De France
Le Tour 2006: One of the hardest in years
By Anthony Tan, with additional reporting by Tim Maloney in Paris
GymSkinZ Corp is excited, yet deeply saddened by the developments of the 2006 Tour De France. Regardless, perhaps a couple Gag T-Shirts will lighen the mood. Here's the 2006 route.
Le Tour 2006
Photo: © ASO
On midday Thursday at Paris' Palais des Congres, the official route of the 2006 Tour de France was unveiled. A classic course according to veteran Tour experts, but also one of the hardest in recent years, the 93rd edition of La Grande Boucle follows an anti-clockwise direction around France, the 20 stages covering some 3,600 kilometres including nine flat stages, five mountain stages, four medium mountain stages and two individual time trials. Three mountain-top finishes are on offer (yes, L'Alpe d'Huez is in there!) including 22 Cat. 1, Cat. 2 and hors categorié passes, two rest days and 116 kilometres of individual time trialling.
Beginning on July 1 with a 7 kilometre prologue in Strausbourg on the French-German border, Le Tour 2006 skirts around the northern perimeter of France towards Lorient, side-stepping into Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium on the way. The first full-length individual time trial comes on Stage 7, a 52 kilometre race against the clock from Saint-Grégoire to Rennes, and the often controversial team time trial is absent this year.
A transfer to Bordeaux after Stage 8 marks the first rest day, before two difficult, back-to-back Pyréenean stages on Stages 10 and 11: 193 kilometres from Cambo-les-Bains to Pau on July 12, followed on Thursday, July 13 by a 208 kilometre stage from Tarbes to Val d'Aran-Pla-de-Beret. The usual traverse across to the Alps takes up four days including a rest day in Gap, before two brutal Alpine stages that both end in mountain-top finishes - the first finishing atop the legendary L'Alpe d'Huez, and the second a 182 kilometre journey from Bourg d'Oisans to La Toussuire.
After the finish the following day in Morzine, the peloton heads north back to Paris, but before those famous final laps on the Champs-Elysées, what could be a nail-biting time test marks the penultimate stage of the 2006 Tour: a 56 kilometre ITT from Le Creusot to Montceau-les-Mines.
Total prizemoney: €3.2 million, with €450,000 for the winner. But just who will that be?
By Anthony Tan, with additional reporting by Tim Maloney in Paris
GymSkinZ Corp is excited, yet deeply saddened by the developments of the 2006 Tour De France. Regardless, perhaps a couple Gag T-Shirts will lighen the mood. Here's the 2006 route.
Le Tour 2006
Photo: © ASO
On midday Thursday at Paris' Palais des Congres, the official route of the 2006 Tour de France was unveiled. A classic course according to veteran Tour experts, but also one of the hardest in recent years, the 93rd edition of La Grande Boucle follows an anti-clockwise direction around France, the 20 stages covering some 3,600 kilometres including nine flat stages, five mountain stages, four medium mountain stages and two individual time trials. Three mountain-top finishes are on offer (yes, L'Alpe d'Huez is in there!) including 22 Cat. 1, Cat. 2 and hors categorié passes, two rest days and 116 kilometres of individual time trialling.
Beginning on July 1 with a 7 kilometre prologue in Strausbourg on the French-German border, Le Tour 2006 skirts around the northern perimeter of France towards Lorient, side-stepping into Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium on the way. The first full-length individual time trial comes on Stage 7, a 52 kilometre race against the clock from Saint-Grégoire to Rennes, and the often controversial team time trial is absent this year.
A transfer to Bordeaux after Stage 8 marks the first rest day, before two difficult, back-to-back Pyréenean stages on Stages 10 and 11: 193 kilometres from Cambo-les-Bains to Pau on July 12, followed on Thursday, July 13 by a 208 kilometre stage from Tarbes to Val d'Aran-Pla-de-Beret. The usual traverse across to the Alps takes up four days including a rest day in Gap, before two brutal Alpine stages that both end in mountain-top finishes - the first finishing atop the legendary L'Alpe d'Huez, and the second a 182 kilometre journey from Bourg d'Oisans to La Toussuire.
After the finish the following day in Morzine, the peloton heads north back to Paris, but before those famous final laps on the Champs-Elysées, what could be a nail-biting time test marks the penultimate stage of the 2006 Tour: a 56 kilometre ITT from Le Creusot to Montceau-les-Mines.
Total prizemoney: €3.2 million, with €450,000 for the winner. But just who will that be?
Thursday, June 22, 2006
“What It Takes” Triathlon Movie
“What It Takes” Triathlon Movie Offers Sneak Preview
GymSkinZ will be seeking ways to distribute this DVD
SEATTLE, June 1, 2006 – Triathlon fans’ wait is almost over. “What It Takes”, the documentary profiling four Ironman triathletes, will debut in the coming months through film festivals and selected distribution partners. Until those arrangements are finalized, the triathlon community can get an early peek at the movie’s first few minutes at http://www.witmovie.com/video.php?clip=teaser and a newly updated trailer at http://www.witmovie.com/video.php?clip=trailer. More clips will be released in coming weeks.
The feature-length documentary stars four elite Ironman triathletes – Peter Reid, Heather Fuhr, Lori Bowden, and Luke Bell – who together have won 6 world championships and dozens of major races. Viewers go behind the scenes in the quest for the 2005 world championship in Kona, Hawaii. Running just over 98 minutes, the movie includes footage of the athletes training, racing, and resting, and also opening up in extensive interviews to share their thoughts and feelings. The audience learns much about the sport of triathlon and the duel for athletic supremacy, but also about the very human issues which confront four athletes in an up-and-down, unpredictable year. “What It Takes” was shot at 24 frames per second on a Panasonic SDX-900, and is presented in 16:9 widescreen format. Its rich cinematic feel and sweeping visual imagery from places around the globe – including Australia, Canada, Dubai, and numerous locations in the United States, including Hawaii – combine with compelling storylines to produce a fascinating narrative about four athletes, four human beings, and one dream, the Ironman world championship.
GymSkinZ will be seeking ways to distribute this DVD
SEATTLE, June 1, 2006 – Triathlon fans’ wait is almost over. “What It Takes”, the documentary profiling four Ironman triathletes, will debut in the coming months through film festivals and selected distribution partners. Until those arrangements are finalized, the triathlon community can get an early peek at the movie’s first few minutes at http://www.witmovie.com/video.php?clip=teaser and a newly updated trailer at http://www.witmovie.com/video.php?clip=trailer. More clips will be released in coming weeks.
The feature-length documentary stars four elite Ironman triathletes – Peter Reid, Heather Fuhr, Lori Bowden, and Luke Bell – who together have won 6 world championships and dozens of major races. Viewers go behind the scenes in the quest for the 2005 world championship in Kona, Hawaii. Running just over 98 minutes, the movie includes footage of the athletes training, racing, and resting, and also opening up in extensive interviews to share their thoughts and feelings. The audience learns much about the sport of triathlon and the duel for athletic supremacy, but also about the very human issues which confront four athletes in an up-and-down, unpredictable year. “What It Takes” was shot at 24 frames per second on a Panasonic SDX-900, and is presented in 16:9 widescreen format. Its rich cinematic feel and sweeping visual imagery from places around the globe – including Australia, Canada, Dubai, and numerous locations in the United States, including Hawaii – combine with compelling storylines to produce a fascinating narrative about four athletes, four human beings, and one dream, the Ironman world championship.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
GymSkinZ supports Project Play 2006
GymSkinZ is proud to support Paige Dunn and her involvement with Project Play 2006.
Here's an excerpt from Paige's website: http://www.paigedunn.com
"Project Play an incredible adventure that I will be part of this November. I will be traveling with four others to Niger to help develop soccer programs throughout this African Nation. Enabling and encouraging participation in sports is something that I am very passionate about and very excited to share with you.
Project Play is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults in African nations through participation in the world's most popular sport - soccer. This collaborative effort will provide educational incentives, promote self-esteem and foster community pride while generating confidence and hope to those in impoverished African nations.
I have wonderful memories of growing up playing soccer and being excited and motivated every season to play and travel with my friends. Soccer provided the opportunity for me to learn the value of teamwork, to bolster my confidence and self-esteem as well as teaching me the value of creating a healthy active lifestyle – clearly something that has stuck with me all of my life. Youth soccer is such an integral part of our lives in the Bay Area that we don’t realize that playing soccer is a privilege that not every child shares.
This privilege is not available to the youth of Niger but “Project Play” can help make a difference. Niger currently has three million people on the verge of starvation. Our group’s purpose is to utilize a soccer project for constructive social purposes and help draw more attention to the needs of the Republic of Niger by working along side the government and in coordination with the nation’s Peace Corps Volunteers.
Along with the Niger Football Association (FENIFOOT) and the Niger Peace Corps, Project Play staff will travel to Niger's seven provincial capitals to implement the program and coordinate with the distribution of soccer balls and manuals to the Peace Corps volunteers. I am proud to be part of this team effort to make a difference.
The cost to deliver our goal of 5,000 soccer balls is $50,000 which includes transportation and administration costs. I am hoping that you will help support this worthwhile endeavor. For only $5 you can pay for the cost of one soccer ball which truly can change an entire village in Niger.
I know there are many many worthwhile groups and causes to support so if Project Play does not resonate with you perhaps you might consider forwarding my letter to someone you know. Any help or support is deeply appreciated.
However, if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to Project Play, please email me and I will send you more information.
If you would like additional information about “Project Play”, please visit our Web site at www.projectplay.net. Or feel free to email me, paige@xcelsportsgroup.com, and I can tell you more about this exciting adventure . Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
Paige
www.paigedunn.com"
Here's an excerpt from Paige's website: http://www.paigedunn.com
"Project Play an incredible adventure that I will be part of this November. I will be traveling with four others to Niger to help develop soccer programs throughout this African Nation. Enabling and encouraging participation in sports is something that I am very passionate about and very excited to share with you.
Project Play is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults in African nations through participation in the world's most popular sport - soccer. This collaborative effort will provide educational incentives, promote self-esteem and foster community pride while generating confidence and hope to those in impoverished African nations.
I have wonderful memories of growing up playing soccer and being excited and motivated every season to play and travel with my friends. Soccer provided the opportunity for me to learn the value of teamwork, to bolster my confidence and self-esteem as well as teaching me the value of creating a healthy active lifestyle – clearly something that has stuck with me all of my life. Youth soccer is such an integral part of our lives in the Bay Area that we don’t realize that playing soccer is a privilege that not every child shares.
This privilege is not available to the youth of Niger but “Project Play” can help make a difference. Niger currently has three million people on the verge of starvation. Our group’s purpose is to utilize a soccer project for constructive social purposes and help draw more attention to the needs of the Republic of Niger by working along side the government and in coordination with the nation’s Peace Corps Volunteers.
Along with the Niger Football Association (FENIFOOT) and the Niger Peace Corps, Project Play staff will travel to Niger's seven provincial capitals to implement the program and coordinate with the distribution of soccer balls and manuals to the Peace Corps volunteers. I am proud to be part of this team effort to make a difference.
The cost to deliver our goal of 5,000 soccer balls is $50,000 which includes transportation and administration costs. I am hoping that you will help support this worthwhile endeavor. For only $5 you can pay for the cost of one soccer ball which truly can change an entire village in Niger.
I know there are many many worthwhile groups and causes to support so if Project Play does not resonate with you perhaps you might consider forwarding my letter to someone you know. Any help or support is deeply appreciated.
However, if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to Project Play, please email me and I will send you more information.
If you would like additional information about “Project Play”, please visit our Web site at www.projectplay.net. Or feel free to email me, paige@xcelsportsgroup.com, and I can tell you more about this exciting adventure . Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
Paige
www.paigedunn.com"
Thursday, June 15, 2006
New Film about Le Tour
"Tour de France Confidential," a new film that features U.S. cycling's top riders and promises to provide an insider perspective on what really happens at the world's most famous bike race.
According to the film promo, riders, coaches and commentators tell stories of the Tour's intense rivalries, feuds and alliances. Revealed are "hidden tricks" from inside the peloton and the event's circus of off-bike diversions -- behind-the-scenes access typically reserved for racers and their closest confidants.
Now who could pass up a chance to see all that?
According to the film promo, riders, coaches and commentators tell stories of the Tour's intense rivalries, feuds and alliances. Revealed are "hidden tricks" from inside the peloton and the event's circus of off-bike diversions -- behind-the-scenes access typically reserved for racers and their closest confidants.
Now who could pass up a chance to see all that?
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Oliver Half Iron Triathlon Race Report!
Oliver Half-Iron Triathlon
...well that was fun... kinda sorta!
I am pleased to report I survived my first attempt at the half-iron triathlon distance.... suffice to say it was a *little* different than the sprints / olympic distance stuff that I've done in the past - and when I say *little* different, I mean in the "what? I can't go anaerobic / balls to the wall the ENTIRE time and still finish?". In any case, here's my "so-called race" report from this past weekend.
I can say without hesitation that I still absolutely suck donkey-ass in swimming (who takes 62 minutes to swim 2km? Oh wait, that would be ME!) It was my first open water swim of the year and thankfully shoe-horning myself into my wetsuit wasn't actually part of the race or I would have been dead last from the sound of the gun! Couldn't get into any sort of rhythm at all during the swim and was zig-zagging like some sort of Grand Slalom downhill skiier.... Must have been absolutely PAINFUL for spectators to witness from the beach - "Hey, who's the idiot swimming perpendicular to the swim-course?!" I'm sure the other swimmers were saying the exact same thing as I found myself bouncing off of others left and right like a pinball the whole way, and of course being slower than EVERYONE, people had to swim around me, over me, under me, etc etc. No matter how hard I tried to stay wide of the main traffic, I kept veering right back into it... Note to self, learn how to sight before Ironman... Regardless, I was simply happy to *complete* my first attempt at swimming 2km in open water considering I could barely swim 100m around this time last year without getting my heart-rate up to about 220..... for crying out loud.... Anyway, lot of work to do in the lake over the next 12 weeks cuz if I have this kind of swim up at Ironman, it's going to be a RRRREEEEEAAALLLLY loooooong day.
So next was the bike... I was "instructed" to just treat it as a training day so as I was doing cart-wheels through the transition area since I simply made it out of the water alive, I had to keep reminding myself not to hammer like a mad-man during the ride. Of course that's easier said than done since I was so jacked on the fact I was still upright and breathing, and not lying in the back of the EMS ambulance with a couple paramedics yelling "CLEAAAAR!!" as they attempted to revive my lifeless carcass. Anyway, jumped on my bike and started BLOWING by people which felt fantastic, but not really part of the race plan. Once I settled down and got my heart rate to something respectable, it all worked out to a comfortable 2hr 47minutes on the 92km bike course (was 96th overall for the bike). I think that averaged to around 20 or 20.5 mp/h which was great for the rolling course. Was REALLY nice to get off my bike and actually be able to jog back through transition but I did hang out there for a little longer than I should of - mental note - put my speedlaces back on! In my previous sprint races, my legs were rather twitchy and it took me a while to stop cursing at the thought of still having to run but at least this time, sitting down on the concrete to put my shoes on wasn't an exercise in futility...
So after I jammed my feet into my runners, I started haulin ass to the run course when one of the marshalls near the END of transition was nice enough to point out I forgot my race-belt / number.... After hauling ass BACK to my bike (about 100 meters the opposite direction) to find my number, I was finally out on the run course after a rather long transition, but oh well, what's a minute here or there WASTED from stupidity? So anyway, I don't think I've spent more than 1.5 hours on my feet since the California marathon last December, so I was a little worried what was going to happen. It was nice being able to actually RUN coming off the bike as opposed to shuffle/limp/cramp/stretch/curse/jog/repeat. Still, I literally didn't know if I was going to implode 5km into the run or 15km into the run so I figured I better run purely on heart rate as opposed to trying to keep my normal half-marathon pace (which is normally around 1:30 to 1:35 - but a little easier when you haven't rode for almost 3 hours!). Anyway, first aid station, it felt like I was grocery shopping since I gunned down a bunch of gatorade, a gel shot, a couple slices of oranges and I think a chocolate chip cookie that was crushed in the process of trying to grab everything. Basically just ran until my watch started beeping at me letting me know I was out of my zone1 heart rate which I wanted to stick to for at least the first couple miles. At this point, I noticed my watch wasn't showing any pace - *sigh*.... wasn't going to stop and figure it out so I just kept truckin along and relied on heart-rate. Was a nice and slooooooow pace in order to keep my heart from exploding (around 9:00min/miles), but legs felt great the whole time and as much as I wanted to drop the hammer and push, I stuck to the race plan and literally treated it like a Sunday long training run. No idea what was going to happen so I figure I'd just go at this pace until I knew the end was near and pick it up LATER rather than sooner. For once I actually stuck to the plan! Saw my buddies at various points of the run with signs and doing the wave and cowbells and all sorts of other fun stuff so that was fantastic. The people lining the course were great and everyone at each aid-station was awesome! I remember at one of them I asked for a pillow and a comforter instead of the regular "water/gatorade/gel/or fruit and the gal *almost* took me seriously! Always gotta keep a sense of humour I tell ya....
So all in, finished right at 6hrs feeling fantastic - albeit a little disappointed I panicked like a little baby during the swim and probably could have went a LOT quicker during the run - but I really just wanted to finish strong and boost my confidence for Ironman Canada.
Anyway, thanx to the tremendous support of my buddies who came up to support myself and a bunch of others in our "pre-ironman" warm-up race. If any of you want to send me some "long-course open water anti-panic tips" - that would be greatly appreciated ;)
I'll post some pics as soon as the gang sends them over!
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and look forward to catching up with ya'all soon!!!
Tav!
...well that was fun... kinda sorta!
I am pleased to report I survived my first attempt at the half-iron triathlon distance.... suffice to say it was a *little* different than the sprints / olympic distance stuff that I've done in the past - and when I say *little* different, I mean in the "what? I can't go anaerobic / balls to the wall the ENTIRE time and still finish?". In any case, here's my "so-called race" report from this past weekend.
I can say without hesitation that I still absolutely suck donkey-ass in swimming (who takes 62 minutes to swim 2km? Oh wait, that would be ME!) It was my first open water swim of the year and thankfully shoe-horning myself into my wetsuit wasn't actually part of the race or I would have been dead last from the sound of the gun! Couldn't get into any sort of rhythm at all during the swim and was zig-zagging like some sort of Grand Slalom downhill skiier.... Must have been absolutely PAINFUL for spectators to witness from the beach - "Hey, who's the idiot swimming perpendicular to the swim-course?!" I'm sure the other swimmers were saying the exact same thing as I found myself bouncing off of others left and right like a pinball the whole way, and of course being slower than EVERYONE, people had to swim around me, over me, under me, etc etc. No matter how hard I tried to stay wide of the main traffic, I kept veering right back into it... Note to self, learn how to sight before Ironman... Regardless, I was simply happy to *complete* my first attempt at swimming 2km in open water considering I could barely swim 100m around this time last year without getting my heart-rate up to about 220..... for crying out loud.... Anyway, lot of work to do in the lake over the next 12 weeks cuz if I have this kind of swim up at Ironman, it's going to be a RRRREEEEEAAALLLLY loooooong day.
So next was the bike... I was "instructed" to just treat it as a training day so as I was doing cart-wheels through the transition area since I simply made it out of the water alive, I had to keep reminding myself not to hammer like a mad-man during the ride. Of course that's easier said than done since I was so jacked on the fact I was still upright and breathing, and not lying in the back of the EMS ambulance with a couple paramedics yelling "CLEAAAAR!!" as they attempted to revive my lifeless carcass. Anyway, jumped on my bike and started BLOWING by people which felt fantastic, but not really part of the race plan. Once I settled down and got my heart rate to something respectable, it all worked out to a comfortable 2hr 47minutes on the 92km bike course (was 96th overall for the bike). I think that averaged to around 20 or 20.5 mp/h which was great for the rolling course. Was REALLY nice to get off my bike and actually be able to jog back through transition but I did hang out there for a little longer than I should of - mental note - put my speedlaces back on! In my previous sprint races, my legs were rather twitchy and it took me a while to stop cursing at the thought of still having to run but at least this time, sitting down on the concrete to put my shoes on wasn't an exercise in futility...
So after I jammed my feet into my runners, I started haulin ass to the run course when one of the marshalls near the END of transition was nice enough to point out I forgot my race-belt / number.... After hauling ass BACK to my bike (about 100 meters the opposite direction) to find my number, I was finally out on the run course after a rather long transition, but oh well, what's a minute here or there WASTED from stupidity? So anyway, I don't think I've spent more than 1.5 hours on my feet since the California marathon last December, so I was a little worried what was going to happen. It was nice being able to actually RUN coming off the bike as opposed to shuffle/limp/cramp/stretch/curse/jog/repeat. Still, I literally didn't know if I was going to implode 5km into the run or 15km into the run so I figured I better run purely on heart rate as opposed to trying to keep my normal half-marathon pace (which is normally around 1:30 to 1:35 - but a little easier when you haven't rode for almost 3 hours!). Anyway, first aid station, it felt like I was grocery shopping since I gunned down a bunch of gatorade, a gel shot, a couple slices of oranges and I think a chocolate chip cookie that was crushed in the process of trying to grab everything. Basically just ran until my watch started beeping at me letting me know I was out of my zone1 heart rate which I wanted to stick to for at least the first couple miles. At this point, I noticed my watch wasn't showing any pace - *sigh*.... wasn't going to stop and figure it out so I just kept truckin along and relied on heart-rate. Was a nice and slooooooow pace in order to keep my heart from exploding (around 9:00min/miles), but legs felt great the whole time and as much as I wanted to drop the hammer and push, I stuck to the race plan and literally treated it like a Sunday long training run. No idea what was going to happen so I figure I'd just go at this pace until I knew the end was near and pick it up LATER rather than sooner. For once I actually stuck to the plan! Saw my buddies at various points of the run with signs and doing the wave and cowbells and all sorts of other fun stuff so that was fantastic. The people lining the course were great and everyone at each aid-station was awesome! I remember at one of them I asked for a pillow and a comforter instead of the regular "water/gatorade/gel/or fruit and the gal *almost* took me seriously! Always gotta keep a sense of humour I tell ya....
So all in, finished right at 6hrs feeling fantastic - albeit a little disappointed I panicked like a little baby during the swim and probably could have went a LOT quicker during the run - but I really just wanted to finish strong and boost my confidence for Ironman Canada.
Anyway, thanx to the tremendous support of my buddies who came up to support myself and a bunch of others in our "pre-ironman" warm-up race. If any of you want to send me some "long-course open water anti-panic tips" - that would be greatly appreciated ;)
I'll post some pics as soon as the gang sends them over!
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and look forward to catching up with ya'all soon!!!
Tav!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
GymSkinZ off to Oliver Half-Ironman Triathlon!
Where the HELLLL did the year go?!? Suffice to say the last couple months have been an exercise in patience / tolerance / sleep deprivation. So many things going on these days, I'm not even sure where to begin!
I'll be doing the Oliver Half-Iron triathlon this weekend in prep for the "big-one" (Ironman Canada) in August. Training has been rather sporadic lately due to ongoing projects at the office and trying to stay on top of the chaos with GymSkinZ! Big thanx to everyone from around the world who has visited GymSkinZ and left me comments, as well as picked up some gear. Nothing makes me happier to hear from someone who found me because they saw one of my shirts at a race in some foreign country! To date, there have been some notable GymSkinz sitings in Italy, Australia, the UK, Japan, France, all over the US and even a few right here in Canada ;) A couple pro-triathletes are even sporting some GymSkinZ designs so that's very exciting - you may even see my stuff in the next edition of Triathlete magazine! If you're really bored, come and hang out at the GymSkinZ "myspace" - http://www.myspace.com/gymskinz and join my "gymskinz nation" forum where various multisports athletes from around the world are starting to congregate.
In any case, would love to hear from ya'all to see how you're doin. I've been pretty much a prisoner of my own office and the Peak Center for Human performance the last little while, and will continue to be throughout the summer in prep for Ironman, but drop me a note and look forward to catching up. Stay tuned for my Oliver Race report next week!
cheers
Tav.
www.gymskinz.com
I'll be doing the Oliver Half-Iron triathlon this weekend in prep for the "big-one" (Ironman Canada) in August. Training has been rather sporadic lately due to ongoing projects at the office and trying to stay on top of the chaos with GymSkinZ! Big thanx to everyone from around the world who has visited GymSkinZ and left me comments, as well as picked up some gear. Nothing makes me happier to hear from someone who found me because they saw one of my shirts at a race in some foreign country! To date, there have been some notable GymSkinz sitings in Italy, Australia, the UK, Japan, France, all over the US and even a few right here in Canada ;) A couple pro-triathletes are even sporting some GymSkinZ designs so that's very exciting - you may even see my stuff in the next edition of Triathlete magazine! If you're really bored, come and hang out at the GymSkinZ "myspace" - http://www.myspace.com/gymskinz and join my "gymskinz nation" forum where various multisports athletes from around the world are starting to congregate.
In any case, would love to hear from ya'all to see how you're doin. I've been pretty much a prisoner of my own office and the Peak Center for Human performance the last little while, and will continue to be throughout the summer in prep for Ironman, but drop me a note and look forward to catching up. Stay tuned for my Oliver Race report next week!
cheers
Tav.
www.gymskinz.com
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
V02 Max / Lactate Threshold Training
VO2 Max
Some people have asked where to get V02 Max / Lactate Threshold tests done, how much it is and whether doing one is even worth it.
Well, typically you can ask your local university human kinetics department or physiology department if they offer them. Often grad students will recruit guinea pigs for projects and will test you for free as part of their curriculum. I did both of my run and bike tests at a place called the Peak Center for Human Performance who also offer coaching and personalized programs based on your goals / test results as well as the university of British Columbia Human Kinetics Lab. The cost can vary greatly I suppose, but you can expect it to be anywhere from $125 to $200 - remember you get what you pay for. As you can see in my video for the bike test, it's in a controlled lab environment and obviously requires some special equipment to do the test - think lab rat
Is it worth it? In my opinion, it's a resounding YES. It has helped me train "properly" for endurance sports and provides structure to why and when you need to train slow, and why and when you need to train fast. Most recreational triathletes train purely on RPE (or rate of perceived exertion). Basically, you train as hard as you can, or as long as you can keep up with your training buddies or run group without barfing a lung, you think everything is all good... not usually the case! I train with some of my best friends and as much as I love their company on those long rides or runs, since we're all at different levels, we all have our own specific heart rate zones we need to train at and have to do our own thing although we could probably all alter our mere "speed" to stick together as a group. As much fun as that is, what might be aerobic for one of us is anaerobic for another, or what is a comfortable pace for one, is near race pace for someone else. This is TOTALLY ineffective training if you have a specific goal in mind.
One of the numerous articles about lactate threshold training can be found here: http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/lactatethreshold.html
The most important thing you'll need when you train using these methods is of course a heart rate monitor, and access to a computrainer or power-tap for your bike (for power output in wattage). I ride with guys that can output 200 watts at around 100bpm for crying out loud whilst I'd be sucking wind so hard, a black-hole like vortex would envelop my riding space within 2 bike lenghts in all directions..... well, not really.. but you get the idea of typically every individual is at a different level. Just a few beats per minute either way can equate to a proper zone 1 aerobic workout vs. a zone 2 junk-mile workout - a very important line that you want to establish for yourself if you want your hard hours spent running / biking / swimming to bear fruit and make you quicker!
Hope this makes some sense!
drop me an email if this kinda stuff interest you in anyway, would love to share my data with ya!
cheers
Tav
Some people have asked where to get V02 Max / Lactate Threshold tests done, how much it is and whether doing one is even worth it.
Well, typically you can ask your local university human kinetics department or physiology department if they offer them. Often grad students will recruit guinea pigs for projects and will test you for free as part of their curriculum. I did both of my run and bike tests at a place called the Peak Center for Human Performance who also offer coaching and personalized programs based on your goals / test results as well as the university of British Columbia Human Kinetics Lab. The cost can vary greatly I suppose, but you can expect it to be anywhere from $125 to $200 - remember you get what you pay for. As you can see in my video for the bike test, it's in a controlled lab environment and obviously requires some special equipment to do the test - think lab rat
Is it worth it? In my opinion, it's a resounding YES. It has helped me train "properly" for endurance sports and provides structure to why and when you need to train slow, and why and when you need to train fast. Most recreational triathletes train purely on RPE (or rate of perceived exertion). Basically, you train as hard as you can, or as long as you can keep up with your training buddies or run group without barfing a lung, you think everything is all good... not usually the case! I train with some of my best friends and as much as I love their company on those long rides or runs, since we're all at different levels, we all have our own specific heart rate zones we need to train at and have to do our own thing although we could probably all alter our mere "speed" to stick together as a group. As much fun as that is, what might be aerobic for one of us is anaerobic for another, or what is a comfortable pace for one, is near race pace for someone else. This is TOTALLY ineffective training if you have a specific goal in mind.
One of the numerous articles about lactate threshold training can be found here: http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/lactatethreshold.html
The most important thing you'll need when you train using these methods is of course a heart rate monitor, and access to a computrainer or power-tap for your bike (for power output in wattage). I ride with guys that can output 200 watts at around 100bpm for crying out loud whilst I'd be sucking wind so hard, a black-hole like vortex would envelop my riding space within 2 bike lenghts in all directions..... well, not really.. but you get the idea of typically every individual is at a different level. Just a few beats per minute either way can equate to a proper zone 1 aerobic workout vs. a zone 2 junk-mile workout - a very important line that you want to establish for yourself if you want your hard hours spent running / biking / swimming to bear fruit and make you quicker!
Hope this makes some sense!
drop me an email if this kinda stuff interest you in anyway, would love to share my data with ya!
cheers
Tav
Saturday, May 20, 2006
GymSkinZ Closet Clearance
Hey Everyone!
Just received a bunch of my "Threesome Anyone?" shirts in various colors / styles as well as a bunch of others - gotta clear out some room for my next batch of stuff coming in so drop me a note if you're interested in picking one or three up ;) starting at $14.99 taxes and shipping - drop by www.gymskinz.com/news.html for what's currently available.
For a limited time, I'm also releasing a few more of my highly coveted (and controversial) "F*CK STRONG" shirt, in absolutely NO WAY was this design created to disrespect or dishonor the foundation bearing a similar name with the same number of syllables ;) email me for details!
I have some REALLY COOL tech-fiber stuff being produced right now using "Chitosante Interlock" fabric which feels like butta! Lots of things happening with my little "side project' so stay tuned! Oliver Half Iron is just a couple weeks away so I'm sure that will inspire at least a couple new shirt designs ;)
cheers!
Tav!
www.gymskinz.com
Just received a bunch of my "Threesome Anyone?" shirts in various colors / styles as well as a bunch of others - gotta clear out some room for my next batch of stuff coming in so drop me a note if you're interested in picking one or three up ;) starting at $14.99 taxes and shipping - drop by www.gymskinz.com/news.html for what's currently available.
For a limited time, I'm also releasing a few more of my highly coveted (and controversial) "F*CK STRONG" shirt, in absolutely NO WAY was this design created to disrespect or dishonor the foundation bearing a similar name with the same number of syllables ;) email me for details!
I have some REALLY COOL tech-fiber stuff being produced right now using "Chitosante Interlock" fabric which feels like butta! Lots of things happening with my little "side project' so stay tuned! Oliver Half Iron is just a couple weeks away so I'm sure that will inspire at least a couple new shirt designs ;)
cheers!
Tav!
www.gymskinz.com
Monday, May 08, 2006
If this doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will...
Part of the Ironman video series - AWESOME.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgS2y3Rkx2I&search=ironman%20addicted%20drug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgS2y3Rkx2I&search=ironman%20addicted%20drug
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Gag T-Shirts
Gag T-Shirts have invaded the often oh-so-serious world of Multisports! Welcome to the official blog of GymSkinz Corp. - the home of hillarious Gag T-Shirts relating to multisports and LIFE! In our Blog and upcoming Podcasts, you'll find all sorts of information and news (some useful, some not so useful ;) regarding multisports, the triathlon lifestyle, funny stories, our crazy gag t-shirts and of course stuff about me - Tavis - the guy that started GymSkinZ!
What is GymSkinZ? Our mandate is to simply put some fun (back) into the typically monotonous and often gruelling act of training for triathlons, marathons, or whatever it is you do to get you off your ass and outside to play!
We'll also use this as a way to update people on the PLETHORA of new designs we'll be releasing, featured designs, exciting corporate developments and everything else under the sun.
Get it? Have fun out there folks and look forward to catching up with you soon!
Tav
Ironman Canada 2006
drop me a note anytime!
tav@gymskinz.com
What is GymSkinZ? Our mandate is to simply put some fun (back) into the typically monotonous and often gruelling act of training for triathlons, marathons, or whatever it is you do to get you off your ass and outside to play!
We'll also use this as a way to update people on the PLETHORA of new designs we'll be releasing, featured designs, exciting corporate developments and everything else under the sun.
Get it? Have fun out there folks and look forward to catching up with you soon!
Tav
Ironman Canada 2006
drop me a note anytime!
tav@gymskinz.com
Funny T-Shirts for MultiSports Athletes!
Funny T-Shirts for Multisports Athletes!
Big things are in the works for summer here at GymSkinZ corp. Stay tuned for many new designs and race updates from the Oliver Half Iron, Squamish Triathlon, Peach city Triathlon, and of course the big one - Ironman Canada in August! Gymskinz will gear will be on the backs of a bunch of the participants - hopefully causing a laugh or three during the race ;)
cheers!
Big things are in the works for summer here at GymSkinZ corp. Stay tuned for many new designs and race updates from the Oliver Half Iron, Squamish Triathlon, Peach city Triathlon, and of course the big one - Ironman Canada in August! Gymskinz will gear will be on the backs of a bunch of the participants - hopefully causing a laugh or three during the race ;)
cheers!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Boston Marathon
Whoa, talk about inspiring! Suffice to say GymSkinz will be featuring a few more "inspiring" t-shirt designs as it was an AMAZING experience down at the Boston Marathon this past weekend. To everyone we met out the course, at the expo, in the pubs, etc etc, it was a pleasure and look forward to seeing you again soon! Now I just have to get my ass in gear and actually qualify! First there was ironman, next stop - Boston qualification!
cheers
Tavis
cheers
Tavis
Friday, April 14, 2006
Gag T-Shirts gone to Boston
Gag T-Shirts gone to Boston
GymSkinz Gag T-Shirts and performance apparel are down in Boston MA for the marathon!! We'll be mixing and mingling with the thousands of participants and fans from around the globe. Be sure to check www.gymskinz.com for the upcoming photo-gallery!
A bit about the Boston Marathon:
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification).
Thanx for your continued support!
T.
GymSkinz Gag T-Shirts and performance apparel are down in Boston MA for the marathon!! We'll be mixing and mingling with the thousands of participants and fans from around the globe. Be sure to check www.gymskinz.com for the upcoming photo-gallery!
A bit about the Boston Marathon:
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification).
Thanx for your continued support!
T.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Technical Fiber Gag T-Shirts
GymSkinZ Technical Fiber Gag T-Shirts are about to make their big debut down at the Boston Marathon this weekend! Hold onto your hats folks, it's gonna be a busy summer!
T.
IronMan Canada 2006
GymSkinZ Inc.
Technical Fiber Gag T-Shirts and Performance Apparel
Here's some other crazy obnoxious shirts for your viewing pleasure:
T.
IronMan Canada 2006
GymSkinZ Inc.
Technical Fiber Gag T-Shirts and Performance Apparel
Here's some other crazy obnoxious shirts for your viewing pleasure:
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Herbal Nutrition Supplement
Herbal Nutrition Supplement
That's right!! The Herbal Nutrition Supplement called FRS-PLUS boosted elite cyclists' performance by 3.1% in a clinical trial - and that's without any EPO ;) As a multisports or endurance athlete, gag t-shirts alone will not help you perform at your best - wish they did cuz I'd be in Kona no problem or running this weekends Boston Marathon! Anyway, so what the hell is FRS? FRS stands for "Free Radical Scavenger" and it is literally the best tasting stuff you've ever had - almost tastes like a melted orange creamsicle and they have a new lime flavour too. It's an antioxidant booster, as well as an antioxidant and multivitamin. Take this stuff with you on your next run or long ride, and you'll perform like a champ! ;)
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are reactive oxygen molecules that are created as a by-product when our body burns oxygen to create energy. These molecules have an unpaired electron in the outer shell that makes them unstable.
How often does our body produce free radicals?
Millions are produced every second.
What effect do free radicals have on the human body?
They damage healthy cell walls, reduce the energy producing capability of the mitochondria in the cells, and even damage the DNA in the cell nucleus.
What causes free radical cell damage to increase?
Exposure to environmental toxins, stress, chemicals, radiation from the sun, high fat diet, high sugar processed foods, periods of intense exercise, periodic over-exertion (the "weekend warrior syndrome") and lack of sleep.
What are some long term possible effects of free radical cell damage?
Premature aging, weakened immunity, and low energy. In addition, while disease conditions are associated with many factors, including family history, diet and lifestyle, scientific research now suggests that free radical damage may be implicated in over 60 diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's.
What does FRS stand for?
Free Radical Scavenger.
What are Free Radical Scavengers?
Free Radical Scavengers, more commonly know as antioxidants, neutralize free radicals to help prevent damage to our cells.
What are flavonoids?
Flavonoids are polyphenolic substances present in most plants, concentrated in the seeds, fruit, skin, bark, and flowers. They are powerful antioxidants that fight free radical damage.
What are the key metabolic enhancers in FRS?
Caffeine
Quercetin
Vitamins C, E, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-12, and B-6
Why are those key metabolic enhancers beneficial for my body?
They help to absorb the other nutrients
How much caffeine is in a serving of FRS?
There are 38 milligrams of caffeine in an 8 ounce serving of FRS, which is equivalent to a cup of tea or approximately 1/3 cup of coffee.
What are the key active ingredients?
500 mg of quercetin, which is typically found in the skins of apples, onions and red grapes.
100mg of catechins extracted from green tea
100% + RDI of 7 key vitamins
Why are those key ingredients beneficial for my body?
Quercetin
• Quercetin has powerful performance-enhancing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Green Tea
• Green tea, recognized worldwide for its therapeutic properties, contains powerful flavonoids called catechins. The chief catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, cholesterol lowering, fat burning and other beneficial properties.
Who should use FRS drink?
Everyone can use FRS to fight against daily free radical cell damage. Because of its caffeine content (about ¼ of a cup of coffee) and energy-increasing properties, FRS should not be given to very young children without a pediatrician's approval.
What will I feel after drinking FRS?
Consumers of FRS often experience an increase in energy and alertness within 30 minutes of ingestion.*
* Individual results will vary.
How often should I drink FRS?
Two 8 oz servings per day are recommended, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to obtain the best results. A serving is 2 oz of FRS concentrate combined with 6 oz of chilled water to make an 8 oz drink.
How many servings are in a 32oz concentrated bottle of FRS?
There are 16 servings per bottle.
How do I make a serving of FRS from the concentrated form?
Shake the bottle of FRS well. Pour 2 oz of FRS concentrate into the plastic measuring cup and then pour into a drinking glass. Add 6 oz of chilled water and stir.
Is it okay to mix FRS concentrate with other liquids than water?
Yes, feel free to use in smoothies, juices or protein shakes.
What is the shelf life of FRS in the concentrated 32oz bottles?
1 year
Do I need to refrigerate the concentrated 32oz bottles FRS?
Yes, but only after opening the bottle
What is the shelf life after I open the 32oz concentrated form of FRS?
We recommend that the bottle be consumed within one month of opening.
Increase Your Energy Levels By Getting Rid of Toxins
Increase Your Energy Levels By Getting Rid of Toxins!
As a multisports athlete, we're constantly in search of ways to increase energy levels or performance. A product I've been using to stay awake while I build GymSkinZ into allll hours of the night, and give me the energy to drag my ass out of bed to continue training for Ironman is FRS-PLUS.
FRSPLUS is revolutionizing the Sports Performance market. Join the revolution and get a free sample!
Work based from home
Work based from home
GymSkinz currently uses CafePress to provision many of our hillarious Gag T-Shirt designs. Having said that, I run this entire operation from the comforts of my own home! It allows me the time to keep training for Ironman Canada, and make a little bit of money while people spread the word throughout races around the world with my funny t-shirts! Not a bad gig!
Check our site often at GymSkinZ for exciting new changes and additions of new designs! Add this .xml feed to your My Yahoo or My MSN space and be updated immediately with sales, promotions, and the launch of our new technical fiber line! (not available through cafepress ;)
cheers,
T.
GymSkinz currently uses CafePress to provision many of our hillarious Gag T-Shirt designs. Having said that, I run this entire operation from the comforts of my own home! It allows me the time to keep training for Ironman Canada, and make a little bit of money while people spread the word throughout races around the world with my funny t-shirts! Not a bad gig!
Check our site often at GymSkinZ for exciting new changes and additions of new designs! Add this .xml feed to your My Yahoo or My MSN space and be updated immediately with sales, promotions, and the launch of our new technical fiber line! (not available through cafepress ;)
cheers,
T.
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