Aug. 9, 2009

 Thunder and lightening threatened the start of the seventh annual Greater Cleveland Triathlon & Duathlon Sunday morning. The early morning downpour forced race officials to cancel the swim, for the second year in a row.

 “Having the swim canceled is part of being a triathlete,” said Race Director Mickey Ryzmek. “Triathlete’s are great planners, more so than any other sport. They are also great at adjusting to adversity and have done wonderfully for two years now.”

 Ryzmek goes all out to make this a fantastic event. This year the course was separated by orange pylons, making the ride on Heisley Road much safer and easier, plus he does a great job to keep the courses marked year around.

 “We are the only event in the country that supports the race with a number of activities including a free USAT rules seminar, and free on-course training sessions, May, June and July.” Ryzmek said.

 Each free on-course training session has a theme: Newbies clinic, Kid’s clinic and a Women’s clinic.

 “We had a large number of youth attend the July training session, and it was reflected in their performance Saturday,” Ryzmek said.

 The youth triathlon is limited to 150, insuring a safe event, especially since the park does not close the roads.

 “For the last two years we have hit this number (150),” Ryzmek said. “We could probably get a lot more youth participating, but want to host a safe event.”

 The GCT draws athletes from all over the U.S. Athletes from 17 states supported this year’s event.

 “We get a large number of people who grew up here and return home to race. We also get a large number from surrounding states who visit and stay for a couple of additional days,” Ryzmek said.

 One aspect of the event that most participants and spectators pay little attention to, but is extremely important, is the medical support, which is headed up by Dr. Paul Saluan of Cleveland Clinic Sports Health.

 “In addition to the finish line medical support, Saluan also manages three on-course roving vehicles from NEOMRC,” Ryzmek said.  “A lot of medical planning was planned through out the year Ryzmek said, and it paid off.”

 A female athlete was life-flighted after a terrible collision on the course with another cyclist. According to Ryzmek she was released, but has a lot of recovery time coming up.

Click here for more information about the Greater Cleveland Triathlon & Duathlon as well as the Youth Triathlon.

June 29, 2009

After a two-year hiatus from triathlons, I made a return at the Fat Rabbit International Triathlon, Sunday, June 28.
My times for the OLY are a far cry from competitive, but all things considered, I crossed the finish line strong.

The guys at Fat Rabbit Racing, Scott Weaver and Craig Thompson put on a great event. Fat Rabbit racing is located in Columbus, and hosts a variety of events throughout the race season.

The Internationalal Triathlon is held at Alum Creek, which in my opinion is a great location for a triathlon, and it’s close to Cleveland, about a two and a half-hour drive.                                                

Fat Rabbit’s next event, Nationwide Better Health Columbus International Triathlon and Sports Festival, July 18 & 19 will be another great event.  This event not only hosts the triathlon, but it’s a kickoff weekend for the Oct. 18 Columbus Marathon. Check out the FRR Web site for all the details.

If you are looking for a flat and fast course, Alum Creek is the location. The swim takes place in the reservoir, a nice flat swim, followed by a mostly flat ride, with one hill at the end of the loop, and the run is rolling with a small strip of trail.

I know of a few runners who have camped out overnight before a race, or slept in their car – not a big deal.

A college freshman from Charlotte, North Carolina couldn’t afford a hotel the night before the Folly Beach 10-Miler, and a thunderstorm kept him from camping outside. Where did he sleep? Not in a car, but in a porta potty.

The next morning he won the 10-mile event in 1:02.

Desperate times can call for desperate measures, but a porta potty …
I can’t top that, can you?

TOSRV: Friday, May 8, 2009

Let the fun and blogging begin.

 Three girls and a sag-angel packed the decked out Pathfinder:  

We arrived at the Red Roof Inn, Columbus at 5:15 p.m.:

 Packet pick-up and expo:

 Quick stop to chat with Brent and Scott “CowAn.”

 Dinner, finally: Max and Erma’s was packed – take out was a great idea

 Bedtime 10:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. goes  early – night!

After five years of multi-sport racing and several running races, 10Ks, half-marathons and an ultra-marathon, I have decided to do a cycling tour.

The tour of choice: Tour of the Scioto River Valley, affectionately known as TOS. The tour is a two-day, 100-mile ride each day on mostly flat terrain, with a few rollers. The tour begins in Columbus and makes its way to Portsmouth and back each Mother’s Day – mom, thanks for being so understanding; I promise to make this up to you.

I do not have the proper amount of saddle time in for such a ride but, we [K.S. & A.C.]  have a sag, thus when my legs die I have an angel waiting for me in a decked out Pathfinder, so I am told.

I am packing my gear tonight, all  100 items. One never knows what the weather has in store. As stated on the TOS Web site the tour rolls despite rain, shine, sleet, snow or wind – and sometimes this all happens in one weekend.

Since its inception in 1962 the tour has attracted riders of all shapes, sizes and ages ( 2,000-4,000 riders). I am excited to be part of this event. I will begin documenting my experience, Friday, May 8 at 1 p.m. Please check in throughout the weekend to see how I am fairing on my first Century.

May 3, 2009
6-mile run
Carriage Hill Trail

I began my run with uncertainty today. My legs were tired from Saturday’s 48-mile ride. The recovery time between my ride and run was less than 20 hours, which is not unusual, but this is my first run following a long ride, and usually that means I feel every step I take, especially on slightly rolling terrain.

The test began as I made my way up the first hill. I took it slow and steady, and when I made it to the top without the burn, I new I was in love with these socks.

I finished my run with a strong spring in every step. I can honestly say that compression socks work. If you are not familiar with compression socks or compression gear in general, I will encourage you to read my article on compression gear, which will be in the June issue of Ohio Sports and Fitness.

After hearing about the socks and gear I wanted to try if for myself, as I was a nonbeliever. I will not go into the technical aspects here, other than to tell you that compression gear aids in enhancing oxygenated blood flow and can help aid in recovery …

I will continue to share my wear-testing experiences with you throughout the summer.

Train Smart. Stay focused. Have fun.

April 25, 2009

 If Neal Neroni, president of Hermes had hand picked a day for his Hermes 10 Miler, he couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day. By 7:30 a.m., the shores of Lake Erie were 72 degrees – two degrees higher than last years high of the day.

Although the temperature climbed through the morning, runners were able to cool off, at various times, with the breeze coming off the lake. I even saw a few run through the sprinklers that spectators had placed at the end of their driveways.

The new course was flat, well marked and supported by volunteers and the Cleveland Police Officers – thank you. As usual, the race was well organization, and in my opinion – superb!

Andrea and me before the start

The Hermes 10 Miler is a great race to hone in on your abilities early in the season and a good race for a newbie or experienced runner. The residential area and monitored traffic made this race enjoyable.

Results are already on Hermes Web site, and the pictures taken by Brightroom Photography are available for review on April 30.

Thank you Hermes for another great race.

 
Hermes offers more than 80 events through the season. Visit Hermes to view all of the races available for the 2009 race season.

 Andrea sporting her Zoot compression Socks                                         Laura Sporting her Fleet Feet team visor

and Fleet Feet’s/Bike Authority Tri team gear

                             It’s UGLI!

It’s lumpy rind looks like it is rotting and it’s soft to the touch.

After reading about this citrus cousin to the grapefruit/taneglo family, in the May issue of Bicycling, I was curious …

I headed to Mustard Seed, Solon, to pick up a few of my favorite things: cocoa locos, the best, healthy chocolate chip cookies on earth, honey oat bagels, big enough to feed two people, Stevia, a natural sweetener, and the UGLI fruit.

I stared at the UGLI fruits, which are really a tangelos, for a while. Then I touched and squeezed its mushy coating – all the while wondering what was underneath that lumpy looking rind.

I was pleasantly surprised to peel the rind and find a juicy, sweet orange-like fruit.
I am hooked.

Now my curiosity was really piqued. I wanted to know more about the UGLI brand. My research guided me to the UGLI homepage, where I read about the history of the fruit, the producers of the UGLI brand, and the delicious recipes that can be made with tangelos.

With my curiosity satisfied about the UGLI fruit, it’s time to learn about
acai, acerola, cherimoya, goji berry and prickly pear. These tongue twister names are playing upon my curiosity too

Happy eating!

Sunday, April 12, 2009
Training ride: 20 miles in the Valley
Sunny skies and cool breeze

Sometimes the Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookies just have to be part of the diet. Fresh-out-of-the-oven, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies are irresistible. Right K3?

These specialty cookies are made with an entire stick of butter. After eating two, then a third, and a fourth … Oh, how I hate to admit my weaknesses, K3 decided the first group ride of the season would be called: The Butter Loop. By the way, K3 only had two cookies.

Despite the wind and chill in the air, our 20-mile ride through the Valley was beautiful, even the hills.

           K3, Drewshka, Me and La                                                                   

            Drewshka and Speed Racer

In the September 2008 issue of OS&F I raised the question:
Is there a difference between women’s running shoes and men’s running shoes?

Due to the range of answers I received, I decided to reach out to a well-known source in the running industry: J.D. Denton (“Shoe Guy”), a senior writer for Running Times.

J.D.’s answer: Yes and no. “…There are no design differences between men’s and women’s running shoes other than size, scale and colors …”

To read the entire article please log onto the OS&F Web site.

Four months later, Mizuno has introduced what is touted as the “latest innovation in running footwear technology,” according to a press release posted on the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Web site.

The claim: Mizuno’s technology “delivers a perfectly tailored and individually engineered shoe for both men and women, resulting in optimal fit, feel and performance for a faster and smoother run.”

What running shoe doesn’t offer optimal fit, feel and performance for a faster and smoother run?

What struck me as odd was a statement made by Rod Foley, director of marketing Running Footwear, Mizuno USA.

Foley states: “We have learned through extensive research that there are fundamental differences between the running styles of men and women.”

Really? I hate to sound pessimistic, but this isn’t anything new.

Foley also states: “…men are generally heavier than women, their running shoes must be able to absorb greater impact. Running shoe soles with inadequate width can lead to a feeling of insecurity. Therefore, Mizuno has introduced a wider, slightly flared sole, increasing the landing area in the running shoes specifically designed for men. The result is a more stable and secure run.”

I am sorry, but again this isn’t anything new. If I am not mistaken, and Vince Rucci, owner of Vertical Runner and Jody Herzog, owner of Fleet Feet,  can weigh in here: Other brands such as Asics and New Balance introduced the “wider width” about a year ago or so.

I am no Shoe Gal, but I have enough experience in the industry to question this so called  ”new” technology.

The press release also mentions “…women have a wider pelvis than men…” Again, nothing new …

I am not convinced Mizuno has the latest innovative idea – how about you?

In closing, I share this: I believe the press release is poorly written. Perhaps a more detailed look at what the real “new” technology is would help convince and sell me. I am already sold on the brand - I own a pair of Alchemy.