Kona champs

This is the place to get all the information on the older shows.

161-170

Episode 161 IMTalk

This Weeks News Steve Larsen dies. Coming up: IM Brazil.

This Weeks Discussion We were wondering what you think would be the best quick 'top 5 questions' we could ask pro's when we interview them?

If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week Tiare Lund aged 64, got the t shirt for 20 ironman nz and 2 winner of Hawaii , won her age group in IMNZ by heaps, she is a legend and real inspiration to us all.

High 5 From John ‘The Mountain Snail’ Hancock via “The Guardian” paper:

How to fit triathlon around a busy schedule

1. It's amazing what you can achieve if you want it enough

2. Prepare for all outcomes – even if you don't expect them to happen

3. Don't be afraid to take a break

4. Set broad long-term goals

5. And specific short-term ones

Website of the Week Nick ‘The Jucinator’ Morales sent through this weeks website: www.ironzip.com Here’s what he said: IronZip contains every Ironman and Ironman 70.3 qualifying race, starting with all qualifying races for the 2008 Ironman World Championship and the 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. It's full of results and statitics in relation to qualifying for Kona and Clearwater. It's pretty interesting.

This Weeks Websites www.ironzip.com, www.ironman.com, Challenge race, Chrissie Wellington.

Episode 162 IMTalk

Interview with Yvonne Van Vlerken

This week we have an interview with Yvonne Van Vlerken. She’s a great athlete and interview!

This Weeks Discussion

We were wondering what you think would be the best quick 'top 5 questions' we could ask pro's when we interview them?

If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Episode 163 IMTalk

Interview with Chris Legh

This week we have an interview with Chris Legh. He gives a great view on our sport! Check out his website: http://cl.ceronex.com/index.html

This Weeks Discussion We were wondering what you think would be the best quick 'top 5 questions' we could ask pro's when we interview them?

If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Episode 164 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: IM Brazil, Schloss, Kraichgau and lots of 70.3. Coming up: IMCDA, IM Japan.

This Weeks Discussion We were wondering if you think that the tri mags are worth the money you spend? Give us the ones you think are best, and why? If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Website of a Week Neil Scholes sent through this weeks website, here’s his email: Although not Ironman specific I thought you might be interested in a ride I am embarking on starting on 23rd June. The challenge is that along with my 2 best mates, Gideon York and Tony Watson we will cycle from John O’Groats in the north of Scotland to Lands End in the far South West of England (JOGLE) covering 1500 km in 10 days with Beth driving the support vehicle along with her sister Jennifer who is flying in from Phoenix, Arizona. Not content with replicating what others have done before we are completing the ride on Single Speed bikes (44 x 17T for the technically minded). We’ve decided to put ourselves through temporary pain to support the charity Help for Heroes and those who continue to suffer. Here’s their website: www.mysteeldonkey.com

High 5 This week we have the second part of Hollie Avil’s tips for time management for Triathletes. Here they are:

1.Keep a training diary.
2.Always give yourself new challenges and face your fears.
3.Sometimes motivating yourself has to come from within.
4.Resisting temptation.
5.Get support from your friends.

Age Grouper of the Week Michael Bakker sent through this weeks ager grouper, his dad Art! Here’s his email: My father, who is now 60 years old has had 3 heart surgery's over the last 6 years, none of which have completely corrected the condition. 80% of the time when his heart beats, it is in normal rhythm like you or I, but when it goes into A-Fib it feels like he is running sprints on the track, but in reality he may be sitting on the couch.

Prior to starting the triathlon this Saturday, he went into A-Fib. Instead of backing out of the race, he went ahead and completed it. He felt horrible the entire time, but has seen the joy and pleasure my sister and I have with triathlon. He has been training for the last 2 years and truly wanted to give it a go. He came in last place, but was glad to just have finished. I personally have never competed under such difficult and life-threatening conditions. I am truly inspired buy what he has done.

This Weeks Websites IM Brazil, Challenge Half, Eireman, www.endurancesportstravel.com, www.mysteeldonkey.com, Bike on Tribuys!

Episode 165 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: IM Japan and Coeur d’Alene, Coming up: IM France

Interview with Ken Glah This week we have an interview with Ken Glah. He talks about our sport and his travel business www.endurancesportstravel.com. He’s helping us in Kona so check out his company for great travel packages.

This Weeks Discussion Denis Rogers sent through this question: What crazy thing have you in either a race or training done that people won’t let you forget?

If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week Phil Paterson sent through this weeks age grouper, Richard Swam. Here’s what he wrote:

Its time I put an athlete forward for a very worthwhile nominee for age grouper. This athlete has overcome a trying year and I believe is a worthwhile recipient.

Richard Swam qualified to go to Kona last year in the Taupo IM 2008 with a sizzling 9.36hr IM. This was finished off with a 3.01 marathon, which was 7th fastest run overall of the day. This was swannys 5th IM Taupo and his fastest so far.

While out training for Kona, 9 weeks from race day he was riding around the suburbs of Auckland with a training partner when the sun blinded him while going down a slope and he ran right into the back of a parked van at over 35kph. This accident put him in hospital with 2 cracked vertebrae and caused some very serious injuries to his head and neck. He completely destroyed his bike in this accident along with his helmet and pretty much every item of clothing he was wearing at the time.

Due to the accident he was not able to go to Kona with doctors concerned for his health due to the head injuries and being in a neck brace that severely restricted any head movement. He was off work for a number of months with no exercise at all. After many months of rehab and rest which almost drove him mad, he returned to work part time late in 2008.

He started training for IMNZ 2009 shortly after this and after teaming up with a successful training partner was preparing for the race well and was recovering from his accident with very little adverse effects, (that I was aware of at least). Swanny was then able to overcome any anxiety he may of had to turn in a great performance with a hard fought race to finish 7th in his age group to get a roll down slot in the 25-29 age group for KONA. Not only did he come back and finish IM Taupo 2009 in 9.44.08 but he pulled out a 2.58.33 marathon which was the second fastest age grouper run of the day. This is a pretty impressive age grouper run time and put him 9th fastest run overall of the day.

So a year after he first qualified for KONA, Swanny has made a great recovery from his accident and shown the sort of determination and sprit that makes a true ironman. He will be lining up in KONA this October to race what has been a very hard earned slot having to do it twice, most of us find it hard enough to qualify once if at all.

This is why Richard Swan is …………………………………………………………..age grouper of the week.

This Weeks Websites Results, Rev3 Iron distance race, www.endurancesportstravel.com

Episode 166 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: IM Japan and Coeur d’Alene Coming up: IM France

Interview with WTC This week we have an interview with Steve Meckfessel from WTC. We discuss where the business is and what they are planning in the future.

This Weeks Discussion Hywel sent through this weeks discussion: What would be the best tri invention that does not exist yet? If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Website of the Week Barb Mcquinn sent through this website, here’s her email:

Check out this website -- it's not just for single-sport open water swimmers, it has tri links too. Also places to swim, cool open water advice, etc. Mostly covers the UK, but links are valuable for all of us. http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com

This Weeks Websites Results, www.ironman.com, http://www.pyreneesmultisport.com/, http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com, www.racedaywheels.com, Bevans marathon: http://imtalk.me/trainingpaceworksheet.pdf, http://imtalk.me/MarathonTrainingProgrammetric.pdf

Episode 167 IMTalk

This Weeks News: Results: IM Germany and Austria. Coming up: IM Switzerland, Challenge Roth, Forestman, Korean Tri.

This Weeks Discussion Nick Thomas sent through this question, here's what he wrote: What about a discussion on the products or skin/hair care regimes that people have found useful, as the English winter and swimming in chlorine 3 times a week is killing my skin.

If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week Rich sent through this weeks age grouper: I nominated Kit Stokes as a age grouper of the week last year but you never gave him the award. This year He's once again taken UK 70.3 by storm. First age grouper setting a new age group record, 8th overall beating a few pros. Not only that he posted the 4th quickest run split of the day 1:19:58. The guy is on fire at the moment ! He's racing in IM Switzerland next month and is once again hoping to crack the 9 hour barrier. He came close at Roth last year clocking 9:01 ! I know you've already met Kit and know he rarely smiles. That said, He's a tremendous athlete and remains a inspiration to us lesser mortals. I actually sold him his first race bike - he's never forgiven me !

Website of the Week Ed "Mr Demolition" Walford sent through this weeks website: www.virtual-swim.com. Here’s what he said: I found this swimming website http://www.virtual-swim.com which gives animations of 'world champion' swimmers so you can look at the technique. It's good in slow & stop animation modes so you can see the stroke broken down and easier to follow than watching clips on You Tube.

Coach’s Corner

How John would train for a marathon

16 week build

-would include 2 swims & 2 runs per week
-4 week cycles (3 build 1 easier)
-5 runs per week

1st block

-1 x drills & hill reps (eg 5x3mins) + core 70-90mins
-1 x steady run with strides 1hr
-1 x Long run easy to steady build to 2-2.5hrs and hold (hills and trails)
-1 x tempo run with drills 50-80mins
-1 x steady (perhaps off the bike) 45-60mins

2nd Block

-1 x interval run (400-1mile) + drills & core
-1 x steady run with strides 1hr
-alternating between tempo long run (2 runs of 3hrs) and easier long run building up to about 90-100min of marathon pace in a long run. Tempo work would be race terrain specific
-1 x steady (perhaps off the bike)

I would also

-include some racing and a half marathon (not all out)
-yoga

This Weeks Websites Results, www.ironman.com, coming up: www.challenge-roth.de, www.racenewforest.co.uk, Yvonne Van Vlerken’s world record helmet for Challenged Athletes, www.virtual-swim.com, Matt Harmston’s Bipolar website, Yvonne’s shower shot.

Episode 168 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: IM Germany and Austria. Coming up: IM Switzerland, Challenge Roth

Forestman, Korean Tri.

Interview with Rasmus Henning This week we have an interview with Top ITU athlete turn Ironman Rasmus Henning. He gives some great insight into his reason for the change.

This Weeks Discussion She Who Prefers Not to Be Named sent through this weeks question: Should Aquabike hold the same place at races? If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week Michael Langley sent through this weeks age grouper, Gary Taylor. Here’s what he said:I would like to nominate Gary Taylor of Little Rock, Arkansas as age grouper of the week. Gary is a superior athlete who captained his track team in college. He has been a great triathlon mentor and coach for many people.

Last October he was in the water getting ready to start Ironman 70.3 Austin. He was doing a quick swim out while waiting for his wave to start. The wave in front had gone off a few minutes before. When Gary got out a short ways he saw a swimmer having a panic attack. Gary tried to help the guy. The man continued his panic attack and nearly drowned Gary and himself. Gary got him under control and drug him back into safety. Just as he was getting back to the jump off point his group was signaled to start the race. Gary had to jump back around and start racing. He finished 5th in his age group and got a 70.3 world champ slot.

All in a good days work. Anyone who knows Gary would say this was a typical day for the guy. He helped someone in need and then went out and had a great individual performance.

This Weeks Websites Results, www.ironman.com, www.challenge-roth.de, www.racenewforest.co.uk, Altriman, Korean Tri, Cool Hand Chance Barber’s Fundraising Page.

Episode 169 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: Altriman, Vineman 70.3, Forestman. Coming up: IM Lake Placid NA sports & WTC not guilty on athlete dying.

This Weeks Discussion James McGuire sent through this weeks discussion, here's his question: Do you think athletes should have to pass a swim test before being allowed to swim in open water events? If you do what do you think the test should be? If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week I'd like to nominate for AG'er of The Week - Chuck Sloan - The Village, OK. USA /... Jennifer Johnso - Tulsa, OK. USA A former Olympic Distance "specialist" Chuck has had variety of successes racing short distance events (USA Age Group Triathlon Champion M30-34, Duathlon National Champion) and moved up to start racing longer distances in 2008 (Winner Vineman 70.3 AG 30-34 / 4th Overall). Chuck recently raced at Ironman Couer D' Alene (his first Ironman) finishing 6th in a ridiculously strong 30-34 age group and securing a Kona qualifying spot for this October. He secured that spot with a 2:57 marathon (5th fastest overall on the day) and ran his way from 25th off the bike up that 6th spot. It wasn't so much the result that sets Chuck apart it's what he faced, and how he handled it, during the final 8 weeks of preparation before the race. On top of dealing with illness and professional job stresses (beyond the normal) it was a tragedy that struck about two weeks before the race that tipped the scales. Three cyclists in Chucks community were struck down by a drunk driver on a popular cycling route, sadly for two of the three cyclists it was fatal. The cyclist were well known and one of the cyclist was a close friend of Chuck's, his sisters boyfriend. In a show of class Chuck put many things, including his training, ahead of himself when family and friends were in need. As many of us all know preparing and racing Ironman races can be selfish at times, but being the first class individual he is, Chuck was anything but selfish. It was clear when speaking to him he leading up to the event he would be racing with a heavy heart. Fortunately he was able to clear his head on race day for nine and a half hours to comepte. Running with fury (and a smile on his face) Chuck continued to show his class, this time athletic, by rising to the top and executing a brilliant race on less than optimal training and situations.

In all honesty (as I write this) maybe it should be Age Groupers of the week. Chucks girlfriend, Jennifer Johnson, (Tulsa OK.) had to deal with the same tragedy and also some illness in the lead up to the race. She, like Chuck, ran her way into a Kona qualifying position by finishing 4th in the W30-34 AG by executing a terrific race as well.. Those from their community that know these two will verify their tenacity with which they race and the class with which they carry themselves!

Website of the Week Daniel sent through this weeks website: http://www.tri226.de/index_en.php?language=en

This Weeks Websites Results www.racenewforest.co.uk, Altriman, NA sports & WTC not guilty on athlete dying, http://www.tri226.de/index_en.php?language=en, Cool Hand Chance Barber’s Fundraising Page.

Episode 170 IMTalk

This Weeks News Results: IM Lake Placid, Coming up: Vineman

Interview with Bobby McGee Bobby McGee is one of the top running coaches around. This week John has an interviewing him about running in triathlon. Check out his website: www.bobbymcgee.com

This Weeks Discussion Morten Liebach sent through an email saying that ITU races are becoming more popular than IM. We were wondering if you had to choose between watching an hours coverage of ITU racing or an IM which one would you pick? If you want to add a comment click here: add comment then open the discussion.

Age Grouper of the Week Peter Coulson sent through this weeks age grouper, here’s his email: I want to nominate my mate Smitty (Malcolm Smith) for age grouper of the week. His first Ironman in Australia in 2001, he did a 13:46 (40-44)

Swim 1.29

Bike 7.15

Run 5.01

Total 13:46

After doing 9 Ironman’s over the last 8 years on Sunday in Japan he qualified for Kona for the first time for a finish time of 10:29 coming second in his age group.

Swim 1:07

Bike 5:42

Run 3:39

Total 10.29

He is a great guy and really deserves this fantastic achievement. He listens to the show every seek. His nickname is the Secret trainer.

This Weeks Websites Results www.ironman.com, Gina’s piece, www.bobbymcgee.com