Pay attention to capitalization… I do not capitalize often. VERY, VERY LIMITED number of spots for TriLife IronTeam 2011 are still available. Interview process for applicants is proceeding right now. Ironman Lake Placid will remain “race A” goal. Training starts September 28, 2010.
HalfIron Team 2011 is also filling up fast, so do not procrastinate and start your application process ASAP.
can find himself mentioned and discussed in the Arts section article of the New York Times. It takes a renaissance man to be such coach… and deservedly Earl Walton gets co-mingled in “Triathlon Training with Chopin” with Chopin, Czerny, and Homer.
Here is one beautiful quote:
“Watch someone who is at home in the water, or comfortable running or biking, and the activity seems perfectly natural; there is no excess movement; nothing is jarring or out of place. It is as if the human body had been made for these activities. A swimmer’s body can plow the waves like some Homeric vessel guided by the gods.
In actuality, though, can anything be more unnatural? Free-style swimming is devised for movement through an alien element. Ordinarily we are not aware of our breathing; in swimming, breathing is the determining factor. The movements of the arms and body are designed so that the mouth can regularly be raised above the water’s surface without disturbing forward thrust. Bicycling is also pretty unnatural: what animal moves by leaning over and moving the feet in tight circles? Watch a beginner — watch me — and the peculiarities are obvious. The beginner demonstrates the unnaturalness of it all, the perversity of the enterprise.
Part of the appeal of watching races is that we see that perversity overcome. The unnatural becomes natural, the difficult turns simple. The motion eventually makes sense. It feels as elegant as it looks. I know this, too, from the piano: is anything less natural than moving individual fingers up and down or arms from side to side to create music?
Practice is partly physical training: teaching the body to feel comfortable with the artifice and its intricacy. Ultimately, the playing must seem effortless; all the tension, the strain, the struggle must be dramatized in the music, not in the body. And when I have practiced enough, I no longer have to be aware of every minute finger motion or position of my elbow. Movements mold themselves into phrases, becoming supple and poised. My body’s once uncoordinated parts cohere; the body can be forgotten.”
Post-race, don’t they have a very pleasant, relaxed look… with smiles, clean sets of riding kit… but inside they all have burning desire to avoid bike saddles for as long as they can (to be exact, until the next bike session they must coach)… Yes, coaches George and Adam are looking very well after being the rams/mules/oxes/camels/diesel engines (or whatever is a more heroic analogy for beasts of cycling burden that ride through the nights of team RAAM) for seven days. I personally question Adam’s pose as being too “modelish” (Adam – you would not hit a Head Coach, would you?) and also not sure of exact style of George’s hair but I can not question their hard, valiant and dedicated work for Charlie’s Champions RAAM team. Boys – well done! Sadly, it is safe to assume that you did not do open water swim after this photo?
To know more about RAAM team with a great cause, Charlie’s Champions, check their Facebook or go to www.charlieschampions.com.
Some characteristics of TriLife coach are obvious, some are more complex… Here is an example, some of our coaches also work with assorted non-profit organizations (as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Team in Training” programs, for example) that rely of their endurance training programs to raise funds. Once a while our coaches get to shape up and prepare some “celebrity” grade person within these program. Celebrities attract media (or is it media that makes celebrities)… the point is that eventually media cycles such into news content, and coaches end up on TV, in magazines, etc… So why are TriLife coaches so media shy that even other colleagues find about such occasions via back channel (from athletes that happened to catch such occasions)? Is it humility of spirit (or humidity that destroys their hairstyles)? 
So here is recently spied series of promo pieces from Fox TV on Team in Training, Fox “Good Day New York Weather Authority” Mike Woods training for the Nautica New York City Triathlon and some of the TriLife coaches he has been working with to get ready. (Hint, they both love swimming)
See one segment on native site: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/sports/triathlon-training-with-mike-woods-20100628
With only four days left before the Ironman Lake Placid 2009, the famed discipline and seriousness of the IronTeam is rapidly disintegrating. TriLife coaching staff is left only to yearn for good-old corporal punishment. It remind me of my last time in Kazakhstan jail, when all inmates got giddy anticipating ”the big news” (actual details were not known, they were not sure if it will be a parole announcement, unscheduled riot, unlimited herring for dinner or a final punishment)…
Congratulations IronTeam 2009 athletes! Your preparations are over (some say it is the harder part). Now you need to survive the rest of the taper goofiness and the race itself. Good luck and smart racing wishes - from all TriLife coaching staff!
If you are planning on racing in Lake Placid next year (2010), no matter if you are intending to train with TriLife or on your own, one of your biggest immediate challenges is actually getting a race number. Athletes that are racing this year can register for 2010 on the Saturday, July 25th (day before the race). Registration will be 9:00 to 11:00 am in the Lake Placid High School gymnasium. 2009 athletes can only register themselves (must have 2009 wristband).
All others have to register on Monday, July 27th (day after the race), 9:00 to 11:00 am. You can only register yourself (a photo ID required). If there will be any general entry spots left after this on-site in-person registration, they will be sold via Active.com (usually starting at 12:00 pm local LP time the day after the race).
While Ironman organization was already selling 2010 Lake Placid spots in recent IM 70.3 R.I., we do not believe that such action indicates that all general entry spots will not be sold during on-site registration. We highly recommend on-site registration to insure your 2010 race number.
There is another formal way to acquire race number for 2010 if you are unable to do so on-site or online. Typically, additional race numbers become available via Community Foundation slots (North America Sports Community Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization) via Active.com. Their price consists of race registration fees (we anticipating $550) plus additional $550 to $775 that go directly to NASCF. The later component of fee is tax deductible and every Community Foundation athlete will receive their tax donation receipt letter for income tax purposes (note that many athletes use their company’s matching donation program).
And finally, if you are hoping to train with us for your ironman event in 2010, it is time to go through the application process. We are already in midst of interviews, and you need to start communicating with TriLife coaches on this topic ASAP.
As professional coaches, we all have certain self-perception of our “coaching personas.” We built and enhance images we hope to project, and hopefully image and actual reality co-inside. But once a while, it is refreshing (or depressing, or comforting, or revealing) to see how athlete’s perception varies from our own internal image.
Recently, one of IronTeam athletes shared with us her current visual construct/perception of these three TriLife coaches: Earl, Scott and Ross.
(Coach Ross note: I guess I should feel the glory of being in a good company of coaches who in part are considered to be mortal and immortal gods. But not sure how to take comparison with kids-tormenting haphephobic psycho candy factory owner?.. Honored, horrified, in need to change profession or modify my communication skills? Do I say anything remotely similar to Willy Wonka’s: “Little girl? Don’t touch that squirrel’s nuts! It’ll make him crazy!”)
Administrative note - TriLife Coaching staff is away at the Lake Placid training camp. Please be patient if you are trying to communicate with us – both cell phone and e-mail connectivity is less than stellar in the Adirondack mountains and our base camp.
Welcome IronTeam athletes! One training session is under your belt. But the rest of your long individual road to Ironman(™) and its conclusion is impossible to grasp, to see or to predict. So enjoy the trip itself – both successes and challenges that you will overcome.
If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you do not really want it, you will find an excuse. Ironman(™) finish line is crossed by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.
It does not have to be fun to be fun. Coach Ross
Another half ironman is raced. Congratulations from all TriLife coaches.
Every race is a stepping stone on a way to a higher level of personal performance. No matter if it was PR-shattering day or DNF, now is not a time for passive awe, regrets or second thoughts… it is time to ponder what you did right before and during the race and what you may have done less so. To analyze this now and to remind yourself in the future, wright a race report (you do not have to share it with everyone, if you do not want to). Do it soon, as human memory tends to selectively abandon more poignant and painful aspects of your race. Next on your agenda is recovery – give your body a fighting chance to rest before you will start training and racing hard again. Also next is unpacking, laundry, cleaning your bike, and washing water bottles. Do not forget to make yourself more visible to family, friends (outside TriLife) and work colleagues. While “decompressing” after this key race, consider your athletic career – where are find yourself now, where you want to go (if you want to continue in this sport / lifestyle), what you want to achieve, and plan to execute your goals.
Congratulations again. As Coach Earl said best: “Thank you – as a coaching staff we were thrilled and honestly a little nervous to have such a large team. We have always said that we do this for a love of the sport and the people that we have the good fortune to spend our days with. Thank you for coming out to play with us each week and to allow us to push you to achieve your goals. You should know that you challenged us as well and we hope to come back next season with even more fun for the TriLife team.”
