Posted by: Thys Wind in Triathlon, Training, Events on
Oct 22, 2008
The other day I was running through the quiet forest in Umstead State Park. With the leaves falling to the ground around me and the oxygen-rich air feeding my brain, I started thinking about the Bailout Plan. Not the one that we've all heard so much about on the news lately, but the one that you actually have some degree of control over, and one that has been shown to be absolutely 100% effective. Having a training plan before the weather gets cold and wet is highly recommended if you want to come out of the other end of winter in reasonable shape - ready for a breakthrough year of racing.
So as you train during the next few months, save yourself from a physical recession by employing the following (bullish) Bailout Plan:
Posted by: Thys Wind in Lifestyle, Events on
Oct 10, 2008
Our "green" initiative, Race Without A Trace, has been a huge success this year. Stay tuned for some hard data on just how effective it really was with respect to the amount of event-related waste we saved/recycled and the extent to which we minimized our carbon footprint across the 5 events that we produced this year. As we set our sights on 2009, we felt it was appropriate to update the Race Without A Trace logo. As Steve would say, it's definitely "the new hotness." Or, as I like to say, it's "off the chain."
Posted by: Thys Wind in Training, Run, Beginner on
Sep 24, 2008
There is not a single training methodology that endurance athletes should embrace more than the concept of cross-training. Most endurance athletes are aware of the importance of varying their training intensity and duration over the course of any training cycle. Many, however, do not vary their mode of training often enough, if at all. Some runners, for example, train for their races by only running - sometimes as often as 6 times a week! While this sort of consistent training is great for the cardiovascular system, it's destructive to your joints and a guaranteed way to shorten your career as a runner or triathlete. The most effective long-term way of training is one that consists of variety and thus utilizes the benefits of cross-training. Cross-training is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, all forms of continuous cardiovascular exercise, strength and flexibility training, as well as the various disciplines that improve the mind-body connection. The bottom line is that cross-training allows the body to recover and become stronger, and it is perhaps THE best way to a higher level of physical performance and mental endurance!
If you're interested in training for an upcoming race such as a fall marathon utilizing a cross-training approach, try a Turnkey Training Program offered exclusively by WindSpeed Endurance Training.
Posted by: Thys Wind in Gear on
Sep 22, 2008
Getting new running shoes is always exciting, especially if you have an interest in the constantly-emerging shoe technologies available on the market. At the top of my most recent wish list was a pair of
Newton Running shoes. Fortunately, they were kind enough to send us a pair to review. The shoes came in a cool mesh bag along with a free pair of socks and a DVD. Good first impression: check.
Here's the story behind this eco-friendly and innovative company based in Boulder, Colorado. Founded by a group of lifelong runners, Newton Running decided to develop a shoe specifically made to reinforce proper running technique - that is running with a forefoot/midfoot strike while maintaining a quick cadence and a slight forward lean. As the name implies, this company has embraced Isaac Newton's Third Law which states that every action has an equal reaction. After 15 years of research, Newton decided to put this Law to the test via its Active Membrane Technology. By placing three highly flexible red lugs, also known as actuators, on the midfoot region of the sole, the efficiency with which a runner can now move forward has been dramatically improved. Suffice it to say, Newton's Third Law still stands.
After several months of training and racing in my pair of Cushioned Racers, I dare say that I have found my running shoes for life! After converting over to a midfoot strike a few years back, I became increasingly frustrated by the lack of running shoes available that actually reinforce what industry experts and coaches alike proclaim to be correct running form. The door was wide open for Newton Running to meet this demand and they have delivered! The ride in these feather-light shoes is truly something to experience and I assure you that the action-reaction concept is no marketing ploy. Newtons require almost no break-in period, they're well-ventilated, and don't necessarily require one to wear socks. That should be good new for you triathletes out there.
Newton Running shoes come in a variety of bold and attractive colors, which is all the more reason to focus on running with proper form as admirers look on. For more information about Newton Running shoes, check out their very slick website at www.newtonrunning.com.
Posted by: Thys Wind in Run, Gear, Endurance Magazine on
Jul 31, 2008
Working a "traditional" job is so over-rated! Take it from me. I've been on both sides of the fence, and now that I'm fortunate enough to work at Endurance Magazine I'm certain that the grass is NOT greener on the other side. Why, you ask. Well, here's just a sampler of some of the perks & benefits (bennies) that life at EM HQ affords us: flexible work schedule, open exchange of great ideas, free race entries, coffee breaks at Starbucks just a few yards away from my desk, mid-day group runs/rides, Joe's music, Steve's extroverted nature, Mandy's calm nature, Justin's jokes, open-door policy to kids and dogs, awesome Endurance Mag race kits (see Joe's latest blog), networking with local celebs (elite athletes, coaches, business owners, and just overall amazing people), etc.
Speaking of perks & bennies, the latest case in point is a free pair of Newton Running shoes that I just scored in exchange for a product review that we'll run in the magazine. I've heard a lot of great things about these kicks and I can't wait to take them out for a spin.
Have you heard Endurance Magazine is looking for a superstar sales person?
Sunday the 13th of July started early for me. I arrived at Lake Crabtree at about 6:15 AM to take part in the Triangle Triathlon. Joe and Steve had other commitments so I was there to represent Endurance Magazine the best I could. The race went well and I enjoyed hanging out with my good friend Ricardo (November 2007 cover and star WindSpeed client) afterwards. Just as a side note, Ricardo told me about how he's "building" a bike, which to me means you just order a frame and a bunch of components, bring them to a local bike shop, and have them puzzle the bike together. No, Ricardo is actually building a bike, as in designing a frame on the computer, creating molds for a monocoque carbon fiber frame, using epoxy and fiber glass tape, etc. Pretty impressive!
Anyway, now that I'm home relaxing in the A/C, I am probably doing what the 890 other participants are doing (or not), which is checking to see if Set Up Events has posted the race results. At this point in time they aren't up yet, but don't worry because I am checking every 2 minutes! What is it that make race results so great to look at? The funny thing is, once you finally get to look at them the build up simply doesn't live up and you end up feeling sort of let down.
With my thought patterns now officially stuck in the "how about now?, how about now?, now?, now?,..." loop, I thought about a hilarious bit that the well-known comedian Kevin James did about the frustrations of unlocking the driver side door while your passenger keep pulling up on the passenger door handle. Fast forward to 4:25 in the video.
Joe sent me a random link this week with a subject line that read "Check out this guy...." I opened it and was introduced to a guy I have never heard about, but certainly should have. Now I know that
Marshall Ulrich is the man! No, I mean THE man (if you're into feats of endurance). Marshall is gearing up to run across the country in record time with another amazing athlete,
Charlie Engel. As a warm-up, he completed the Triple Crown of Endurance by completing 116 ultramarathons, climbing the highest summit on every continent, and completing 10 expedition-length adventure races. Want more? He also completed the Leadville Trail 100 and the Pikes Peak Marathon on the
same weekend. He's the only person to finish the self-contained, unaided, Badwater Solo run pulling a 220-pound cart 146 miles from Badwater to the top of Mount Whitney - 77 hours 46 minutes. The cart contained everything
he needed for his crossing, including all of his water. In his free time (whatever little is left), he writes books, guides expeditions, does motivational speaking, and raises funds for a variety of charities.
Marshall's example is one that reminds us all once again that endurance really is an attitude!
Steve has been busy designing some very slick race kits for our team to wear at upcoming triathlons and running events. While we all enjoy competing, none of us are elite athletes. Instead, it might be more appropriate to refer to us as "endurance citizens". We are part of the same community that we also work so hard to inspire. Without giving away too much, these race kits will embrace that notion.
On a separate note, I am an immigrant. So, before I can become a legitimate endurance citizen, I should probably become an American citizen first. Fortunately for me, I don't have to give up my Dutch citizenship entirely as I now have the ability to become a dual-citizen. I have been procrastinating for entirely too long, so here we go. Step 1, download the application, fill it out, and send it along with a large check. Then wait for potentially as long as a year. In the meantime, I'll keep racing with my greencard in my back pocket.
Posted by: Thys Wind in Untagged on
May 07, 2008
Our twice-a-day trip to the Starbucks next door is always worthwhile, but it results in a pile of used coffee cups. We're reminded of that when it comes time to take out the trash, when we find out that 90% of what we're throwing out consists of used java cups.
Today Joe and I decided enough is enough. We are now proud owners of reusable coffee mugs. I tell ya, being "green" feels good!
Check out this site that Joe pointed me to: http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/
Posted by: Thys Wind in Untagged on
May 01, 2008
Wow, what a ride!
It's May 1st and all of us here in the office are still catching our breath from an exhilarating month of April. In the past few weeks we produced the Carrboro Classic Endurance Sports Festival, Franklin 5000, and Tar Heel 10 Miler, and based on the feedback that we're getting I feel confident that we did a good job of it. Of course, we had tremendous support from our key sponsors and benefactors, most notably Fleet Feet Carrboro, the Swim for Smiles Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA.
The list of potential Thank You notes is very long, but by far I feel most indebted to the numerous hard-working volunteers (80 at the Carrboro Classic and 70 at the Franklin 5000 & Tar Heel 10 Miler!). As all of you know, the success of any event hinges entirely on volunteer support.
By the way, we also officially rolled out our Race Without A Trace initiative, which worked beautifully. The "ah-ha" moment for me was when I was cleaning up after the Franklin 5000 and Tar Heel 10 Miler and realized that our total actual trash amounted to just THREE bags. That's for an event of nearly 600 people. All cardboard, aluminum, paper, and food waste was either recycled of composted. We even offset 40,000 pounds of CO2 emmisions through TerraPass.
The last thing I'll mention before I shift the focus entirely to our amazing Ramblin' Rose Women-Only Triathlon Tour is that I feel extremely fortunate to work with such a great team here at Endurance Magazine. Steve, Joe, and Justin are not only great guys, but also truly committed to ensuring a successful outcome with respect to every facet of our event operations. Thanks guys!
