EverymanTri.com

And the Top 50 healthiest & fittest metropolitan areas in the United States are....

What are the nation's healthiest, fittest metropolitan areas and why?

Every year since 2007 the American College of Sports Medicine has produced the American Fitness Index, an evidence and science based measurement of the state of health and fitness at the community level throughout the US.

This year’s winner is Minneapolis-St Paul which edged out last year’s winner Washington DC thanks to the Twin Cities reduction in smokers and improvements in healthy behavior measures.   

Cities ranked near the top are considered to have strong community fitness (which corresponds to individuals being fit) and many factors which support this lifestyle whilst having few that hinder.

Last minute housing deal for triathletes racing Hawaii Ironman 70.3 next month

For those who still haven't booked their accommodation for Hawaii Ironman 70.3, the triathlete-friendly, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is offering a sweet deal.

Rooms start from $199 per night plus there's the chance to win a Trek 7.5 Speed Concept tri bike, you'll receive a free Fuel Belt Race No Belt, water bottle and visor, you can take advantage of the free shuttle to Hapuna Beach for the race start and can join in a pre-race swim and question and answer session with Team Mauna Lani pros including Luke Bell, Mat Lieto, John Flanagan and Bree Wee.

Video: Is the Chevy Cruze Eco a race worthy high mileage ride for triathletes?

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is one of a new breed of non-hybrid fuel efficient cars.

As our sister blog TFLcar.com recently reported it competes with cars like the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, the Ford Focus and the Hyundai Elantra for the younger entry level buyer.

BTW: You can read our review of the the standard Chevrolet Cruse HERE.

Unlike the standard Chevrolet Cruse, the high mileage Eco version of the car is packed with enhancements to get the most out of every drop of fuel. Chevy has equipped it with the 1.4L engine from the Volt and to make it perform better Chevrolet also strapped on a turbo for 138 HP.

The Cruze Eco is also lighter and more aerodynamic that the standard car.

But does it have enough technology to reach 40 MPG on the highway without the need for an expensive hybrid battery?

That's the question we answer in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco video review below.

Lance Armstrong's Twitter alter ego Juan Pelota is "on a vacacion de twitter"

It's been a week now since the "you know what" hit the fan for seven time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong.

In the last week two of Armstrong closests teammates from his winning TdF days have alleged that they saw Armstrong use performance enhancing drugs...which he denied in a tweet.

BTW: You can watchg the CBS News 60 Minutes interview with Tyler Hamilton HERE.

So it would be fair to say that Armstrong, who's facing a potential Federal Investigation, is not having the best week of his life, but what about his triathlon loving alter ego Juan Pelota?

On May 4th Armstrong as Juan Pelota tweeted, "I'm on a vacacion de twitter."

And that's the last time the 17,436 Twitter followers of Pelota have heard from Mr. One Ball.

In other words,  it now seems that what started out as a fun and clever way for Armstrong to return to his first sport love of triathlon has veered of course.

USA Triathlon extends helping hand to tornado devastated city of Tuscaloosa

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., has offered remarkable support to  over the past five years, and the National Governing Body is hoping to return the favor by giving back to a community devastated by the tornadoes that affected much of the Southeastern United States last month.
 
Tuscaloosa has hosted one of USA Triathlon's major National Championship events each year since 2007, including the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2011 Collegiate National Championship just a few weeks before the tornadoes hit.
 
USA Triathlon, its staff and corporate partners have developed a significant bond with the community and aim to lend their support through a number of channels:
 
· The USA Triathlon national office staff members have donated food, clothing and household items to send to Tuscaloosa. Nearly 450 pounds of goods have already been shipped.
 
· With the assistance of Gold-Level Partner Blue Competition Cycles and Magnolia Disaster Relief, USA Triathlon has provided nearly 2,000 backpacks that will be distributed to Tuscaloosa children through the local school system.
 
· USA Triathlon Supplier Greenlayer has sent more than 1,700 T-shirts for distribution to Tuscaloosa-area residents. 
 
· USA Triathlon and Gold-Level Partner Gatorade will provide sports drinks to volunteer aid workers. 

New study finds exercise significantly slows prostate cancer

A new study conducted at the University of California found that at least 3 hours of vigorous physical activity per week slowed the progression of prostate cancer by 57 percent in men diagnosed with the illness.

According to Stanford Medicine's Scope:

"The researchers, led by UC-San Francisco's Erin Richman, Sc.D., followed men for at least 15 months after a prostate cancer diagnosis, tracking each man's exercise habits and monitoring whether their cancer worsened. The men who engaged in at least 3 hours of vigorous physical activity per week had a 57 percent slower rate of cancer progression to more worrying states than those who exercised less."

Researchers at the University of California and at the Harvard School of Public Health followed a total of 1,455 men who had been diagnosed with early-stage prostate and closely monitored the amount of exercise that each man did everyday.

Video: Upcoming Ironman Coeur d'Alene water temp still crazy (brrr) cold

If you plan on racing Ironman Coeur d'Alene next month you might want to go and get yourself a very thick (read warm) wetsuit.

The Spokane area Ironman race is not known for having tropical water temperatures or conditions...as a matter of fact. But according to our sources this year the water temperature in beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene are hovering around the low 50 degree mark.

Keep in mind that Lake Coeur d’Alene is partially fed by snow runoff from the local mountains so don't expect the water temps to reach Kona warm by race day on June 26th.

In fact our own Ben Greenfield recently decided to take a short swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene with a few of the athletes he works with before the big race.

Video: The Ultimate Olympic triathlon champion's bike workout revealed

So how does the winner of the inaugural Olympic Gold medal in triathlon train to keep his cycling edge?

Well all you need is a bike, a bike trainer, a pump, and of course a bouncy castle.

Put all of that together and you've got the Ultimate Simon Whitefield triathlon bike workout.

Just watch below:

Twitter photo of the day: Lance Armstrong has a secret

We're not sure if this was the wisest advertising slogan for FRS given the current Lance Armstrong news.

Photo Credit: Jim Vance on Twitpic

Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.

In case missed it...watch the 60 Minutes Lance Armstrong doping story here

This weekend the CBS News show "60 Minutes" exploded the Lance Armstrong doping controversy into the headlines again with a tell-all interview with Armstrong's teammate Tyler Hamilton.

Did Lance Armstrong cheat to win seven Tour de France titles by using performance enhancing drugs...that's the question at the heart of the controversy?

The bombshell interview aired on 60 Minutes last night.

In it Tyler Hamilton tells Pelley that he not only used Performance enhancing drugs, but that he also witnessed Armstrong use performance enhancing drugs on many occasions, including in 1999 when Armstrong, according to Hamilton, used EPO to win the first of his seven Tour de France victories.

"There was EPO...testosterone...a blood transfusion," Hamilton goes on to tell Pelley in the interview below.

Does Olympian and ITU Champion Sarah Haskins think that triathlon training improves or sinks your love life?

Does triathlon training improve or sink your love life?

That’s just one of the questions that Roman Mica asks Olympic Triathlete and ITU Champion Sarah Haskins in the latest Everyman Endurance Podcast.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast now, and let us know how Sarah answered the question to get some great Mission Skincare products (including sunscreen) sent to you for free to use this summer to train.

To get your Mission Sunscreen just be one of the first 4 people to email us your answer, along with your address, to romanmicaateverymantridotcom.

The first four people to email is the correct answer will get the Mission Skincare products mailed to them.

Click HERE to listen, download or subscribe to the podcast.

Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.

American Chris Horner at 39 oldest winner ever of Amgen Tour of California

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.  – Chris Horner (USA) of Team RadioShack crossed the finish line of the last stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California in Westlake Village with an overall time of 23 hours, 46 minutes and 41 seconds, capturing the Amgen Race Leader Jersey and solidifying his place at the top of the podium, while Matthew Goss (AUS) of HTC-Highroad won the final stage. Horner's teammate Levi Leipheimer (USA), a three-time winner of America's biggest race, finished second overall only 38 seconds back, while Thomas Danielson (USA) of Team Garmin-Cervelo, finished two minutes and 12 seconds behind to claim third place.

"It feels fantastic to be the winner of the Amgen Tour of California," said Horner, who at 39 marks the oldest winner in the six year history of the event. "I have competed in this race since its inception and I have helped Levi (Leipheimer) win it many times. As soon as they added the summit finishes, I made it one of my personal goals to finish high in the race. Team RadioShack came in with a great squad this year. We had some great help, and the crowds throughout the race have just been amazing."

Stoltz and McQuaid back on top at XTERRA Southeast Championship

May 22, 2011 (Pelham, AL) - The best off-road triathletes in the world - South Africa's Conrad Stoltz and Canada's Melanie McQuaid - won the XTERRA Southeast Championship on arguably the best off-road triathlon course in the world at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama today.

“This place is amazing, and I know I speak for all of us when I say we love it here,” said Stoltz.  “It’s a true XTERRA course with a nice warm water swim in a beautiful lake, a real mountain bikers course with climbing, technical sections, and fun corners, and a tough but scenic run.  This really is my favorite course.”

It’s Stoltz (pictured) fifth straight win in Shelby County, third straight on this year’s America Tour, and 40th career XTERRA championship victory.

And the 2011 Aquathlon National Champions are....

LONGMONT, Colo. - Kirk Framke (Denver, Colo.) and Amy Krakauer (Davidson, N.C.) posted the top performances Saturday at the weather-altered USA Triathlon Aquathlon National Championship.
 
Heavy rain and subsequent run-off in the Longmont area forced a change in the swim location and the format of the race. The water quality of Union Reservoir was deemed unsafe for swimming when tested Friday afternoon by race officials.

The event, held in conjunction with the America's Cup Aquathlon, consisted of a 5-kilometer run at 9 a.m. at Union Reservoir, followed by a 1,500-meter swim at 12:30 p.m. at Grant Ranch in Lakewood, Colo. Both segments were chip timed, and the combined time for the run and swim were used to determine official results, as well as Team USA spots for the 2011 ITU Aquathlon World Championships in Beijing on Sept. 7. The top 10 finishers in each age group, rolling down to 14th place, are eligible for a Team USA berth. 

Video: The sights and sounds of the 2011 Aquathlon National Championships

Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.

Top ten triathlon training schedule time saving tips (part 2)

So in no particular order of importance (except that the first one is about food, which I find myself thinking about a lot as a self-admitted food junkie), here are your 10 triathlon training schedule time savers:

5. Family Training Tools. As soon as my wife and I found out we were pregnant with twins (actually she was, I just helped, which was the fun part), we equipped our garage with a double bike trailer and a double jogger. The bike trailer always has two little bike helmets and a bunch of books and toys inside (you'd be surprised at how long a Batman action figure will keep a little boy entertained on a long bike ride).

My wife uses the jogger to take the kids on little nature field-trips, or to soccer, swimming, and even the gym (speaking of the gym, try to join one that has free kid care, like the YMCA, so you and your spouse can exercise together). Some triathlon training schedule advice is to do "Invisible Training", which is done early in the morning or late at night when your training is "invisible" to your family, but I encourage you, at least once a week, to set a good example and make family a part of your training.