February 16, 2012
A record-breaking number of GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) athletes, including over 50 athletes from Qatar, have signed up for the third annual Abu Dhabi International Triathlon to be held this March, with a leading expert saying the demand signals a paradigm shift in the growing popularity of endurance athletics in the region. Nearly 1,000 athletes from around the GCC, almost 50 percent of total spots available, have registered for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-organised event on March 3. According to Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team manager Dr. Werner Leitner, the steady growth of GCC-based triathletes is no surprise given the increasing grass roots infrastructure coming on-stream, which is being bouyed by flagship events such as the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. In addition, the vast mountain terrains and picturesque coastlines found throughout Qatar and the wider GCC region, combined with the cool winter climate, offer some of the world’s best training conditions. “Triathlon, as a sport, is growing rapidly in the region as people have started to recognise the importance of healthy living and exercise,” says Dr. Leitner, himself an ex-triathlete. “The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon has really made impressive strides in bringing together these like-minded athletes, and giving the region an international platform to showcase its talent and prefect winter training credentials.” Read more: Gulf-times.com PHOTOS: 2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
February 15, 2012
Have you ever heard that running on a flat treadmill is like running downhill? Here’s why: When we’re airborne in midstride, neither foot is in contact with the treadmill—no problem there. But as soon as the leading foot makes contact, the backward motion of the treadmill grabs the heel and—more quickly than road running—draws the forefoot onto the belt. This accelerated motion actually mimics running slightly downhill. It requires a higher level of anterior shin muscle strength, which is why many people get shin splints on treadmills (an easy way to avoid this is to increase the incline a few degrees). Read on to learn more about how treadmills can affect your stride. A few other treadmill truths: 1. Treadmill running pulls on the hip flexors at a predetermined belt speed and, through a neurologic “stretch reflex,” the flexors are activated at the same time. This inhibits the hip extensors (glutes), making it more difficult to fire them. 2. With the backward belt motion, the knee is drawn into extension more than in road running, mildly stretching the hamstrings. That same “stretch reflex” will inhibit and weaken the quadriceps. 3. The moving belt has a tendency to encourage more ankle dorsiflexion. This promotes a heel strike and initiates a stretch reflex in the calf, increasing risk for Achilles injuries, calf shortness and other biomechanical faults. 4. The treadmill naturally draws the leg backward, as opposed to the gluteal muscles doing this job, and causes a faster forward swing on the recovering leg. (Want to feel this effect? Speed up your treadmill.) This can cause more hip flexor recruitment, which can again inhibit proper gluteal function. If your core isn’t sufficiently engaged, these overactive hip flexors will draw the pelvis forward, increasing the arch in your spine. Can you say back pain? Use treadmills with awareness, and find a speed and incline where you feel as though you are slightly pushing the belt backward instead of the belt pulling you backward. This may be enough to stay healthy and injury-free. The Gait Guys are Drs. Shawn Allen and Ivo Waerlop ( Thegaitguys.com ). Also From The Gait Guys: Make Great Strides
February 9, 2012
Choppy water. Flailing arms And legs. Sharks. Limited visibility. Frigid temperatures. Shuddering yet? The fear of open water holds back a lot of triathletes who are otherwise confident swimmers, taking pre-race anxiety to another level. To help athletes with this problem, Lidia Garcia uses hypnotism. “Regardless of their training, if athletes have a doubt in their minds, what they’re focused on is probably going to come true,” says the hypnotherapist and running coach from Toluca Lake, Calif. Through hypnosis, Garcia can desensitize the fear until athletes are ready to race with confidence. Most of Garcia’s clients fear “the pack”: getting beat up by fellow swimmers or missing a breath because water splashed in their mouths. Under hypnosis, she guides them through race day step by step. As soon as they show signs of anxiety, she’ll go through the fear over and over until the athlete can pass through. “It’s just like going on a rollercoaster,” Garcia says. “The first time it was scary, but the 20th time it’s like nothing. As soon as the water fear comes up and they get anxious, I replace that feeling with something else.” Sports psychologists across the country are using hypnosis to help prepare athletes for competition. Runner Kara Goucher works with a sports psychologist who uses mental rehearsals, mantra reciting and anchors (triggers for emotional or physical changes), all techniques Garcia also incorporates. Garcia starts sessions with an interview process to understand how your fear was manifested and why it’s holding you back. From there, she’s able to create suggestions to change the ideas you have in your subconscious mind. If you’re thinking, “I can’t be hypnotized,” take note: Garcia says athletes are actually easier to hypnotize because of the mind-body connection they have from doing an individualized sport. And hypnosis doesn’t involve the pendulum-swinging “you are getting verrrry sleepy” scenario that leads to dancing with a broom in front of a room of strangers. She says everyone is hypnotized on a regular basis—those moments where you forget the past five minutes while driving, or when you’re crying during a movie, or how you feel right before you fall asleep, are all trance-like states. Overcome Your Open Water Fear • Create a vision board. Include photos of a goal race PR, your planned reward after the race (i.e. Coldstone) or a cutout of your head on Chrissie or Macca’s body. “Look at it for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at night. Meditating on it will change how the subconscious mind sees the result,” Garcia says. • Put “anchors” in place—decide on a motion that reminds you that you’re safe. (Touching two fingers together is a common one.) • Come up with a mantra that’s present and positive. “Keep moving forward,” for example. • Do a full mental rehearsal of your race from alarm clock to finish line. The more often, the better. • Try a session with Garcia if you’re in the area (starting around $80), or contact her for a recorded hypnosis that you can listen to pre-race. Lidiamgarcia.com More swim training articles from Triathlete.com.
February 9, 2012
New Orleans’ 5150 race will now be held on June 24, 2012. Two years ago, Ironman approached Bill Burke about purchasing Premier Event Management, his company that produced triathlons and other races across the nation. Twenty-one months later, Burke has his company back and is once again making his presence felt in the New Orleans triathlon community. “(Ironman parent company) World Triathlon Corporation offered it back to me, and I jumped at the chance,” Burke said. “I was able to get my company back and still manage all of these events. It’s a good move for both of us.” Among the first of his moves since getting his company back is to move the date of the Ochsner 5i50 New Orleans. The 5i50, an Olympic-distance triathlon, was to be held on April 22, the same day as the larger Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. However, because of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Battle of New Orleans culminating that week, Burke said changes needed to be made. The city will have a Navy week celebration finishing that weekend, and the Blue Angels are going to be doing an air show on Saturday and Sunday (the day of the race) between 1 and 4 p.m. “Logistically, it made sense not to have both races,” Burke said. “But we have been working with the city on this to provide the best atmosphere possible.” Now, the 70.3 will start and finish at UNO instead of finishing in City Park, where Burke had moved the race finish to in November. With the air show happening along Lake Pontchartrain, Burke said it would have been difficult for the racers to finish in City Park, then get back to UNO during that time frame because of the amount of people heading to the lakefront for the air show. Burke said he has worked with the city to have all of the bikes off the course by noon or a little after, allowing the air show to start at 1 p.m. This also means that anyone still on the course at the time will be running and could possibly finish the race while the Blue Angels are performing above. Now the 5i50 event — a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run — will be held June 24, allowing competitors to participate in both races. Read more: Nola.com
February 8, 2012
The awards recognize the accomplishments of triathletes from around the country. See the complete announcement from USA Triathlon below: USA Triathlon is pleased to announce the inaugural winners of the USA Triathlon Multisport Awards. Honors were presented in six different categories designed to recognize those individuals who best fueled the multisport lifestyle during the 2011 season. “In reviewing the nominations for each of the awards, the judges were humbled by the stories of courage, strength, determination, discipline, recovery and inspiration,” said John Jones, chairman of the USA Triathlon Age Group Committee Multisport Awards Subcommittee. “Each of these award recipients, and the nominees receiving honorable mention, have in their own way shown a unique and exceptional passion and dedication to the multisport lifestyle.” USA Triathlon’s Age Group Committee Multisport Awards Subcommittee reviewed all nominations and selected the winners and honorable mentions for each award. Full details on the criteria for each award and nomination instructions are available at usatriathlon.org. The 2011 USA Triathlon Multisport Award winners and honorable mention selections are as follows: JEFF JEWELL SPIRIT AWARD This award honors Jeff Jewell, a massage therapist for Team USA from 2001-2009, active triathlete and devoted USA Triathlon annual member. He lost his battle with brain cancer on Nov. 15, 2010. He was one of life’s biggest cheerleaders and was an inspiration to everyone he met. The recipient of this award is someone who truly embodies the spirit of Jeff Jewell. * Winner: Jennifer Kilinski, Tallahassee, Fla.: An inspiration to Florida’s triathletes, Jennifer Kilinski loves to compete, inspire and encourage others who have faced adversity. * Honorable Mention: Eve Bartlett, Dunedin, Fla. * Honorable Mention: Stephen Williamson, Albuquerque, N.M. INSPIRATIONAL COMEBACK AWARD This award recognizes athletes who have made a comeback to the sport after a traumatic or troublesome personal situation. * Winner: Maureen McGowan, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Maureen McGowan is a cancer survivor who emerged from treatment, signed up for a triathlon and has continued to encourage other patients and lead by example. * Winner: Jordan Rapp, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Jordan Rapp’s training accident, recovery and return to race-winning form is an inspiration to triathletes around the world. * Winner: Katherine Rivera, Miami Shores, Fla.: Katherine Rivera came back from severe injuries sustained in a scooter accident while on vacation in Greece to place sixth in her age group at Ironman 70.3 Miami. * Winner: Melissa Stockwell, Chicago, Ill.: Melissa Stockwell lost her left leg above the knee in 2004, while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. Melissa is now a two-time paratriathlon world champion in the TRI-2 category. She has started a non-profit in Chicagoland with the mission of getting athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairment involved in triathlon. * Winner: Sean VanGerena, Orlando, Fla.: Sean VanGerena had begun triathlon training before a devastating car accident. Since recovering, Sean has participated in triathlons of all distances and has launched his own non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitation and training. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD This award recognizes an individual or organization whose volunteer leadership in the multisport movement has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified athletes, programs and organizations that improve the events, youth or others affiliated with the sport. * Winner: Chuck Graziano, Ramsey, N.J.: Chuck Graziano has served in several key roles for USA Triathlon including the National Board of Directors, the Hall of Fame Committee and the Age Group Committee. * Winner: Beth Sanden, San Clemente, Calif.: Beth Sanden is a multisport coach, leader and advocate for physically challenged athletes. * Honorable Mention Kevin Collins, Charlotte, N.C. * Honorable Mention: Keri Schindler and Dan Tun, Chicago, Ill. SPIRIT OF MULTISPORT AWARD This award recognizes those individuals who illustrate the principles of the positive spirit of the sport as displayed through acts of sportsmanship and leadership in multisport, with no deference to athletic ability. * Winner: Janit Romayko, East Hartford, Conn.: Janit Romayko is an experienced, enthusiastic, compassionate female triathlete who has been active in the sport since the 1980s. * Honorable Mention: Joella Baker, Harmony, Pa. * Honorable Mention: Elyse Jarard, Cincinnati, Ohio * Honorable Mention: Jonathan W. Miller, Winston-Salem, N.C. * Honorable Mention: Chris Mosier, New York, N.Y. MILITARY SPORT AWARD This award recognizes the multisport successes achieved by the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. * Winner: Michael Danish, Miami Fla., U.S. Coast Guard: Michael Danish is a sub 10-hour Ironman triathlete who has represented the Coast Guard in a number of international sports venues. * Winner: Jolene Wilkinson, Boise, Idaho, U.S. Air Force Reserve/Guard: Jolene Wilkinson is a two-time junior national champion, two-time age group world champion and competed as a professional from 2001-2010. * Honorable Mention: Cpt. Christopher Cordova, West Point, N.Y., U.S. Army * Honorable Mention: Lt. J.g. Derek Oskutis, Chula Vista, Calif., U.S. Navy LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to USA Triathlon and the multisport lifestyle. These contributions, whether they have been in performance, leadership, volunteerism or mentorship, must demonstrate impact on the multisport lifestyle and support an extended commitment to the sport. * Winner: Fox Ferrel, Marietta, Ga.: Richard “Fox” Ferrel has been actively involved in multisport for more than 25 years. In that time, he has participated in more than 200 triathlons and duathlons. * Winner: Tom Miller, Scottsdale, Ariz.: One of the most decorated U.S. multisport athletes, 94-year-old Tom Miller is a six-time duathlon world champion and a three-time national champion.
