EverymanTri.com

Has plain old-fashioned running jumped the shark?

Today we got news of a new and rather odd 5K race to be held in California this year.

It's called the Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge (ROC) Race (see press release below) and it is based on the TV show Wipeout.

According to the press release the 5K race to be held in San Diego will feature, "20 outrageous obstacles including foam climbs, swinging ropes over water, ball hill climbs, swinging boulders, cargo nets, harassing role players, inflatable slides." You know just like Wipeout, Japanese inspired, game show.

Recently we recorded THIS podcast with Death race founder Joe DeSena.

Yet another black eye for professional cycling: so ask us if we really care anymore

This week's announcement that Alberto Contador is not guilty of cheating (after all) by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFCEC) is just another reason why professional cycling has become the poster child for professional doping.

As you may recall from THIS story Contador originally tested positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol, which is a banned substance, and which he says he mistakenly munched down in tainted meat during the last Tour de France.

The three time Tour de France winner told reporters yesterday, "Above all, it is a huge satisfaction not just for me but also for the team, the sponsors, and the truth is that I am happy to be here," from the Tour of Algarve.

So is Alberto a doper, or just an innocent victim of a poor meal choice?

Will the sport of triathlon Jump the Shark in 2011?

By Jumping the Shark, will there come a moment when something that was once great has reached a point where it will now decline in quality and popularity. Take for instance the origin of the phrase from Wikipedia.com – “Jumping the shark is an idiom used to denote the point in a television program's history where the plot spins off into absurd storylines or unlikely characterizations.

These changes were often the result of efforts to revive interest in a show whose audience had begun to decline.” The origin of this phrase comes from a Happy Days episode where the Fonz jumped a shark on water skis. Thus was labeled the lowest point of the show.

When will triathlon decline? Will it ever?

Triathlon in general has grown by leaps in bounds, even in the midst of a sputtering economy and great recession. Will it come to a climax and taper off? Will Triathlon be the next bubble to burst like the automotive industry, housing market and the technology bubble of the '90s?

Not even close. Triathlon has yet to become main stream and has yet to scratch the potential of becoming a staple of American lifestyles.

The four types of triathletes: please don't be the super jerk

You know you’ve seen that one triathlete that is just way too serious and would rather pass you like you’re standing still on the bike than talk to you in transition. Jerks are everywhere. They don’t just lurk at triathlons. But when you are crammed into transition setting up your gear, sometimes you just can’t avoid them.

Here is a handy triathlete categorization to remember for your next race. Not every athlete will fit in each group exactly and you may have a lot of attributes that cross types. There are exceptions to everything. You will get a triathlete that pretty much finishes near the top of every event and just truly loves the sport and is happy to be there. They might have raced for 15 years but they act like it’s the first time. For generality, here it is.

In Vail Colorado money talks and hit and run driver walks

Here's a bit of a EMT public service announcement:

If you happen to be in Vail, Colorado for heaven's sake don't ride a bike because if you happen to be struck and almost killed  by a wealthy driver who is temporarily overcome by the 'new car smell' of his Mercedes-Benz the prosecutor and judge won't be on your side.

In fact they won't be on the side of any person who happens to make the mistake of riding a bike in Vail, Colorado.

This week in an Eagle, Colorado court room District Court Judge Frederick Gannett and Deputy District Attorney Mark Brostrom once again proved that when you get on a bike on bike in America you take your life in your own hands, and of course forfiet the full protection of the law.

Prominent Denver wealth manager Marty Erzinger was senteced to, "one year of probation and 90 days in jail for running down cyclist Dr. Steven Milo with his new car and then leaving the scene of the accident," according to the Vail Daily.

Yes, you read that right...most anyone can complete an Ironman in 17 hours

Ironman entry would be easier to get if it wasn’t so easy to complete an Ironman.

Yes, you read that right. With most Ironman races allowing up to 17 hours to complete, as long as you meet the segment cutoff times most anyone can find a way to get it done. Take Glen Jusczyk for example.

At Ironman Louisville 2010, 35-year-old Glen Jusczyk completed the bike segment of the Ironman in Kentucky on a single speed BMX bike. He also swam in non-spandex swimming trunks and ran in cargo shorts. His overall time was around 15 hours. While a lot of professional triathletes are able to complete an Ironman race sub-9 hours, Jusczyk isn’t a threat to take the podium.

"My message is that anybody can do it if they want to, and probably have all the stuff you need already at your house. That's as ‘old school' as you can get," Jusczyk recently told the local newspaper.

It may be old school, but to some it may seem pointless and somewhat silly...sort of like running a marathon backwards or perhaps dressed like a clown like THIS guy.

This Thanksgiving please help someone less fortunate and pay it forward

Most triathletes are age groupers with full time jobs other than training and racing. We are constantly under the gun to work a full week or more, get our training in and handle all of our other responsibilities in life.

Just the other day, I was driving downtown thinking about when to get my next ride in, how can I take advantage of this great November weather, what are we going to get my 2 month old son for Christmas, bills, what to get my mother for Christmas, when will I find time to send out Christmas cards, what's my budget going to be for triathlon gear next year, how's my bonus at my job going to treat me, will I be able to make the races I want to do in 2011, how can I work out the training and racing logistics with a full time job, wife and 2 kids, just to name a few things.

Real endurance athletes race through injury and illness, or do they?

This past Ironman World Championship in Kona saw Chrissie Wellington choosing not to race due to an illness. This wasn’t a life threatening situation for Wellington. She might have even been able to complete the race. But, she decided not to race citing she thought it was in the sports best interest not to go out without 100% and give the race everything she had.

Was this gracious to the sport or something more selfish so she could keep her undefeated Ironman title? One wonders what her sponsors thought. She has yet to lose an Ironman full or half distance race she has competed in. That’s pretty impressive and safe after Kona since she dropped out.

The power of social media shakes Ironman to the core

Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Blogs, Email, Web Sites and the internet in general have fast evolved to give a voice to consumers rarely heard from in the public.

The internet and social media sites have been a great avenue to keep in touch with friends, family, create a presence for a small business, and take advantage of wide scale marketing for a relatively small investment compared to traditional paper media, radio and tv ads. Social networking has sky-rocketed in the past 5 years. Just think about Facebook. The creator is worth billions and they just made a movie about its creation. It’s everywhere and if you don’t have a Facebook page, you are now in the minority.

Head the warning, though. It’s a double edged sword.

Just ask WTC, Ironman, and the Marine Corps Marathon.

If you haven’t heard about the Ironman Access Program rise, and 24 hour fall, you might be living under a rock. Here’s a refresher on initial reaction and subsequent failure. The heralded WTC, holder of all things Ironman and a triathlon juggernaut, lived and died by social media on this gaff. In 24 hours, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and web sites were ablaze with the everyday triathletes condemning the WTC and Ironman for creating a perceived disparity between them and the wealthy competitors. WTC was forced to swallow some pride and recall the program.

Psst: The big secret that Ironman doesn't want you to know

Psst:

Please come close.

Just a bit closer because we have a huge secret that the World Triathlon Corporation (the folks who run the Ironman race series) don't want you to know.

We'll whisper it to.

Ready?

OK, here it is...the world triathlon corporation doesn't own the Ironman brand.

Is Ironman Access the straw that broke the IM camels back?

As of today, you can sign-up for Ironman races before the rest of the world. It's called Ironman Access and the benefits (listed HERE) include a second chance a Kona lottery slot.

Awesome you say?  Well, it comes at a price.  For one year it will lighten your wallet by $1000.00.  Yes, not $100.00, but add a zero to get $1000.00.

Dump the headphones and experience the pain and pleasure of working out

• What do the Beatles, Dave Matthews, Static X, Drowning Pool, Tool, NIN, Rage Against the Machine, Flight of the Concords, U2 and Bon Jovi all have in common?  Give up?  They are all bands on someone's workout playlist on their Ipod or mobile music player.
 
Check out runner's world for a list of playlists from prominent runners HERE.  

Triathlete Sarah Haskins has her favorite tune list HERE. 

 
You see it all over twitter and blogs on the internet, everyone has those songs that keep them going through a tough speed workout, long slow run on a Sunday or that first ironman race.
 
But, is that getting away from the fundamentals of being an endurance athlete and flying in the face of USAT official rules during events? 

USAT specifically mandates that earphones should not be a part of triathlons sanctioned by them HERE.   

Tragic death of American 10K swimmer generates flurry of harsh criticism

Perhaps the callous words of Ayman Saad, executive director of the UAE swimming association, say it all.

After divers found the body 26-year-old US Olympic swimming hopeful Fran Crippen Saad said, "We are sorry that the guy died but what can we do. This guy was tired and he pushed himself a lot."

Endurance supplement: real advantage or just another advertisement?

Editor's Note: We're thrilled to welcome Ryan Falkenrath to our small team of contributing writer's. Today Ryan starts with this opinion story that takes a critical look at the highly advertised triathlon performance supplements.

Have you picked up your issue of Triathlete, VeloNews, Inside Triathlon, Lava or Running Times and seen an attention grabbing “article” on EPO-BOOST ?

The articles look legitimate from initial inspection.  It boasts EPO-BOOST as a newer supplement that can increase your VO2max (ability to intake oxygen) and the rate at which your body uses oxygen, similar to the benefits of blood doping, synthetic drugs and the use of high altitude chambers.  Blood doping and synthetic drugs have long since been illegal in most endurance arenas and cost many an athlete titles and careers.

Oh boy...Lance Armstrong's new all electric Nissan Leaf is definitely design challenged

Well there you have it. Gaze upon the wonder that is the seven time Tour de France champs new set of wheels.

Lance Armstrong is now officially the first American to take delivery of the new Nissan all electric Leaf, and we have to be completely honest here when say that in our opinion (and from this photo) his new car looks like the pre-pubescent love child of an unholy union between Chevy Chevette and and a Nissan Rogue.

Triathlete and Senate candidate's life tragically ended by hit and run driver

We have so many serious and deeply troubling questions that we don't even know where to begin...so let's start with the facts as reporter by the nation press.

According to the Washington Post Maryland Green Party U.S. Senate candidate 30-year-old Natasha Pettigrew was killed while riding her bike when she was struck by a Cadillac Escalade as she was training for a half iron distance triathlon.

The Washing Post reports that Pettigrew was critically injured on Route 202 about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday:

"Pettigrew was hit by a sport-utility vehicle traveling near the intersection of Campus Way. State police said the driver apparently thought she had hit a deer or another animal and realized what had happened only when she arrived home and found Pettigrew's bicycle trapped under her car. Pettigrew was not dragged by the vehicle but suffered severe injuries, police said.