December 17th, 2009
Happy holiday season everyone!
Here are 10 examples from actual Lifer’s life on how his holiday season is similar to citizens’ lives.
1. Received holiday cards, at least two from sports medicine specialists.
2. Amazon.com wish-list includes a new bike saddle, Powertap, and running shoes.
3. Holiday party circuit includes a stop at the primary PT’s party.
4. Observed your running coach riding a bike in a Santa suit in Central Park… more than once.
5. Every time you have a chip/dip/cookie, a Russian voice chimes “PWR” in your head.
6. More than 75% of the guests at your own holiday party will have completed a marathon or Ironman.
7. Already recorder location and operation hours of swimming pool where you are traveling for holidays.
8. Race medal(s) utilized as X-mas tree ornaments.
9. Completed more than one race with “holiday” or “jingle bell” in the name in a 7 day period
10. More than 50% of conversations at office holiday party begin with “So, what are you training for now?”
Posted in 2010 IronTeam, Lifers | No Comments »
December 10th, 2009
Fees for changing airline tickets destination – $250.
Beach cruiser bikes day rental – $50.
Island’s local triathlon race entry fee – $70.
No knowing where he carried “the ring” during the race - priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in 2010 IronTeam, Priceless Series | No Comments »
October 6th, 2009
As weekend cycling training for New York athletes still depends on the NJ roads after the GWB, consider yourself warned. There’s a testy police officer in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, that seems to have a special “attraction” to bike riders in his patrol area. Over time, several rational and respected members of our local road racing community noticed a common experience on Route 9W and other roads after the GWB. It seems that this police officer periodically stops cyclists for riding two abreast and similar “crimes”, tickets riders (or worst) while providing a variety of abuse.
Reports indicate that his name sounds like Haggerty. There are recollections of his actions going as far back as 15 years ago (that case was brought by the cyclist to the local NJ court, challenged it in court and case was immediately tossed out by the judge). His patrol vehicle is the unmarked car (could be a black Mustang).
Here is a recollection from another cyclist: “The man went ballistic on us. He threatened to throw our bikes in his trunk and take us down to HQ, but there was no way, no how I was getting in a car with such a lunatic, even if he was a cop. Others at the time had similar stories. I filed a complaint with internal affairs, but of course, he was absolved. BTW, he was driving an unmarked car.”
Posted in Don't be that guy, Sandbox | No Comments »
October 6th, 2009
Coach Scott’s triathlon career - 20+ years.
Number of his tire flats - 250+.
His fastest flat tire repair - 46 seconds.
Being able to use the Force to fix a flat tire – priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in Priceless Series | No Comments »
September 24th, 2009
Total prior exposure to kayaking by Coach Earl – 12 minutes.
Temperature of water in the Mirror Lake - 58 degrees.
Total time to convince him to coach open water swim session from the kayak - 16 seconds.
No being able to come up with funny and tasteful joke about “cold water and searching for it…” - priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in 09 IronTeam, Priceless Series | No Comments »
September 24th, 2009
Another story of ironman dreams crashed… this time by otter. Read this article and wonder about glory of Nature.
In sum, an “angry otter viciously” attacked leg of the triathlete training in the local lake. Not sure who interviewed otter to determine if otter was angry or it was just a rough trade thing with wetsuited creature that visited otter’s lake… but poor man had to sprint to the shore as the otter continued its attacks. Near the shore, otter “came around me again, but this time I reached down and hit him with my hand… The otter swam away, then turned back and came at him again. Schmid scrambled onto the wooden dock as the otter swam underneath. While catching his breath, he saw blood gushing from his foot. The lower leg of his wetsuit was completely chewed up and covered with teeth marks… Several days later, he’s still walking on crutches and needless to say, won’t be competing in the Ironman.”
Posted in Casualty Department | No Comments »
September 24th, 2009
Sweat rate of adult athlete exercising in warm weather - one liter (33 ounces) to two liters (66 ounces) per hour.
Total time of the Brick – 5 hours.
Volume of fluids consumed each hour of the Brick - 1.5 liters (26 ounces).
Being able to address dehydration concerns via amber-colored product of local brew pub – priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in 09 IronTeam, Priceless Series | No Comments »
September 10th, 2009
Duration of the training camp’s Day 3 activities - 8 hours.
Lake water temperature – 58 degrees.
Duration of the prophylactic cold water therapy - 15 minutes.
Ariel’s ability to become invisible to coaches – priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in 09 IronTeam, Priceless Series | No Comments »
September 10th, 2009
Living, training and playing in our “sandbox” of New York can isolate us into separate, ultra-specific social groups – our work/office, our family/relationships/friends, our neighborhood, our training grounds/partners, our meals and drinking establishments, etc. In such big sandbox, there could be someone very similar to you just inches away. This coach just saw such example - another NYC triathlon coach, also with accent, also working with local group of athletes… Seem so similar but than tiny differences kicked in: he has beautiful thick hair, he has a dog, he is free with his smile and compliments, he makes training easy and fun, and he is on TV…
Yes, you might not know but owner of TerrierTri, Rob Pennino, is preparing two hosts of the Today Show, Natalie Morales and Hoda Kotb for the sprint triathlon on the Jersey Shore. And he has Kathy Lee Gifford helping him.
After I watched this MSN video it became very clear to me how much fun triathlon training can be. But after little pondering I decided that it would be just too hard for me to let my athletes have that much fun. Gracefulness in personal character suggests that I should not comment on displayed coaching methodology, coach-athlete interaction or skill set of athletes.
Posted in Sandbox | 1 Comment »
September 9th, 2009
Private tutor for American English - $70 per session.
American girlfriend/spouse - $? (I’ll get in trouble for this one).
Average residence time in the USA - 15 years.
Being able to get in touch with your Eastern European Brighton Beach-wear roots – priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Posted in 09 IronTeam, Priceless Series | No Comments »