This is my new mantra. This is the reality of how our family must face each day. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time....
As I'm sure most of you are aware, this blog (well the blog formerly known as seaisletriathlon.blogspot.com) was created by Matt McCulley.
Matt suddenly passed away on January 12th. He was a loving husband, father of 3 beautiful girls, a beloved son, brother, and friend. TRI FOR OUR VETERANS was extremely important to him, and it is our family's wish that his vision be carried on.
I am Matt's sister, and I hope to be able to continue what Matt started....to support our military veterans. I am now the race director for this year, and the TRI is scheduled for May 29, 2010.
I won't promise to be as insightful, thorough, or as funny as my brother was - but I am willing to give it a go! I will not have the answers to everything, as I have never competed in a triathlon in my life! I do, however, have many people who are helping me learn the ropes and guiding me through this new journey. I want to especially thank Neil Semmel from Piranha Sports, Shannon McGroagan from GO! Athletics, Chuck Brodsky from the Nation's Triathlon, as well as, my family and friends. Since Matt's passing, the amount of support we have received has been overwhelming. Thank you does not seem to be enough.
Matt was very special to me, and I miss him more as each second goes by. His drive, commitment, and determination to help The Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, Sea Isle's VFW Post 1963, and all military veterans was amazing......you can help to continue his passion by signing up here!
Thank you!!!
Showing posts with label 2009 triathlon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 triathlon. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Training Tips
Tri for Our Veterans is off to a BOOMING start with 110 people signed up so far. Very exciting. Last year, we had 400 registrations and we will surpass this number by May.
I am often asked questions about the race-- is it a good race for 1st timers, is the ocean swim scary, how should I tailor my training, and will the sandy beach run slow me down. Here are some answers and a few training tips:
1st Timers? Yup, more than welcome. Last year, 40% of our racers were "rookies" and 99.85% finished. Pretty good, huh? The Sprint Distance is a great way to experience a triathlon. All of the distances are as short as possible and you can practice the various legs (see training tips below).
Ocean swim scary? Are you kidding? A scary swim, to me, is a stagnant, land-locked lake or pond with yucky run off (when it rains, dog/goose crap and other stuff finds its way into the pond), low visibility, and who knows what on the bottom. In the ocean, you are swimming in a very clean, visible water table. Our race is staffed by Sea Isle City's Beach Patrol, who can be at your side in seconds, thanks to their outstanding training and equipment (jet ski!). The Beach Patrol are in the water with you and surround the swim course. Plus, we also set our swim course to go WITH the current...you'll be out in no time. Last year, the average time in the water was under 14 minutes (fastest was 6 mins, slowest was 19 mins).
Slow, sandy beach run? Running on the beach is certainly different than running on the sidewalk. Will it be slower than running a 5k on the streets? Yes, but our average times map consistently with the garden variety 5k road race--- meaning, not that much of a difference. One suggestion is to try and do a training run on the beach. Another tip, find the hardest piece of salty beach line and stick with it. Positives--- running next to the ocean is just awesome.
Training tips? My fist triathlon was the Avalon Islandman, a race I still go back to every year-- wonderfully run and the course is very similar to ours in Sea Isle (same distance too). Looking back, I would have done a lot of things differently. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Plan backwards: Race date is May 23rd. Plan your training from that day and march backwards on the calendar. You'll want to hit certain milestones in training (run "X" miles, Bike "Y" miles). Try to "peak" or hit your longest distances in early May. You'll want to leave two weeks to taper off your training. The body needs to rest.
2. Do a "Brick": A brick work out means you are putting two training sessions back-to-back. I suggest doing a bike ride followed by a run. When getting off the bike, some racers experience "jelly" legs and you'll want to have that experience when hitting the run. Try it out-- do a mock race if you need to. By doing a brick, you'll eliminate the surprise feeling of jelly legs.
3. Distances: Because this is a Sprint distance (400m swim, 12.3 mile bike, 3.1 mile run), there is no need to train at heavy distances. It is more important to consistently hit the distances. For instance, training for the run portion does not require you to log 40 miles a week or a 10 mile run. Instead, focus on doing 3.1 miles well-- hone in your speed by running hills, completing a brick, and having the confidence to do all three segments.
4. Average finishing time: Last year, the average finishing time was 1 hour, 28 minutes. By May one of your goals (if this is your first triathlon), should be to exercise for over an hour. Preferably, work out for 90 minutes-- any type of cardio will do and any combination. The Brick I suggested? Maybe a goal for you is to be able to bike for 60 minutes and immediately switch to a 30 minute run. If you can do this by May, you can complete the race.
5. Plan your work, work your plan: Using the "backward calendar", you have laid out your workout plan for the race. Now do it! Sounds easy, but so many people have already given up on their January 1st resolution of getting in shape. Don't be that guy/girl.
See you soon in Sea Isle City...133 days before the race.
.
.
I am often asked questions about the race-- is it a good race for 1st timers, is the ocean swim scary, how should I tailor my training, and will the sandy beach run slow me down. Here are some answers and a few training tips:
1st Timers? Yup, more than welcome. Last year, 40% of our racers were "rookies" and 99.85% finished. Pretty good, huh? The Sprint Distance is a great way to experience a triathlon. All of the distances are as short as possible and you can practice the various legs (see training tips below).
Ocean swim scary? Are you kidding? A scary swim, to me, is a stagnant, land-locked lake or pond with yucky run off (when it rains, dog/goose crap and other stuff finds its way into the pond), low visibility, and who knows what on the bottom. In the ocean, you are swimming in a very clean, visible water table. Our race is staffed by Sea Isle City's Beach Patrol, who can be at your side in seconds, thanks to their outstanding training and equipment (jet ski!). The Beach Patrol are in the water with you and surround the swim course. Plus, we also set our swim course to go WITH the current...you'll be out in no time. Last year, the average time in the water was under 14 minutes (fastest was 6 mins, slowest was 19 mins).
Slow, sandy beach run? Running on the beach is certainly different than running on the sidewalk. Will it be slower than running a 5k on the streets? Yes, but our average times map consistently with the garden variety 5k road race--- meaning, not that much of a difference. One suggestion is to try and do a training run on the beach. Another tip, find the hardest piece of salty beach line and stick with it. Positives--- running next to the ocean is just awesome.
Training tips? My fist triathlon was the Avalon Islandman, a race I still go back to every year-- wonderfully run and the course is very similar to ours in Sea Isle (same distance too). Looking back, I would have done a lot of things differently. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Plan backwards: Race date is May 23rd. Plan your training from that day and march backwards on the calendar. You'll want to hit certain milestones in training (run "X" miles, Bike "Y" miles). Try to "peak" or hit your longest distances in early May. You'll want to leave two weeks to taper off your training. The body needs to rest.
2. Do a "Brick": A brick work out means you are putting two training sessions back-to-back. I suggest doing a bike ride followed by a run. When getting off the bike, some racers experience "jelly" legs and you'll want to have that experience when hitting the run. Try it out-- do a mock race if you need to. By doing a brick, you'll eliminate the surprise feeling of jelly legs.
3. Distances: Because this is a Sprint distance (400m swim, 12.3 mile bike, 3.1 mile run), there is no need to train at heavy distances. It is more important to consistently hit the distances. For instance, training for the run portion does not require you to log 40 miles a week or a 10 mile run. Instead, focus on doing 3.1 miles well-- hone in your speed by running hills, completing a brick, and having the confidence to do all three segments.
4. Average finishing time: Last year, the average finishing time was 1 hour, 28 minutes. By May one of your goals (if this is your first triathlon), should be to exercise for over an hour. Preferably, work out for 90 minutes-- any type of cardio will do and any combination. The Brick I suggested? Maybe a goal for you is to be able to bike for 60 minutes and immediately switch to a 30 minute run. If you can do this by May, you can complete the race.
5. Plan your work, work your plan: Using the "backward calendar", you have laid out your workout plan for the race. Now do it! Sounds easy, but so many people have already given up on their January 1st resolution of getting in shape. Don't be that guy/girl.
See you soon in Sea Isle City...133 days before the race.
.
.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
We are LIVE and OPEN for [holiday] business!
Friends, Family, and Competitors:
I am happy to announce the launch of Tri for Our Veterans II. The Piranha website listed us last night and we are open for registration. Click HERE to go to the web page and registration.
With the holidays approaching, we have a special one time offer available. Sign up by Christmas and receive the pricing from 2008! Keep this in mind when you are trying to figure out what to buy for friends and family.
Curious how Tri for our Veterans got its start? Click HERE for the story.
See you in 220 days!
.
.
I am happy to announce the launch of Tri for Our Veterans II. The Piranha website listed us last night and we are open for registration. Click HERE to go to the web page and registration.
With the holidays approaching, we have a special one time offer available. Sign up by Christmas and receive the pricing from 2008! Keep this in mind when you are trying to figure out what to buy for friends and family.
Curious how Tri for our Veterans got its start? Click HERE for the story.
See you in 220 days!
.
.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Date is set for Tri for Our Veterans II
This week, we received permission to host Tri for Our Veterans II (Thank you Sea Isle City). On Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 AM, the 2nd annual Tri for Our Veterans will kick off.
This summer triathlon in Sea Isle City is truly special-- the only American triathlon dedicated to our military veterans. Last year, we welcomed 400+ racers to the Jersey Shore and rasied $35,000 for two veterans' causes-- Sea Isle's VFW and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
In 2009, we plan to introduce a duathlon alongside our super successive triathlon event. Our duathlon will be a 2 mile run, followed by a 12.4 mile bicycle, and then a 3.1 mile run. The last two legs of this race followthe final two legs of the triathlon course.
Registration will open on/about October 1st.
This summer triathlon in Sea Isle City is truly special-- the only American triathlon dedicated to our military veterans. Last year, we welcomed 400+ racers to the Jersey Shore and rasied $35,000 for two veterans' causes-- Sea Isle's VFW and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
In 2009, we plan to introduce a duathlon alongside our super successive triathlon event. Our duathlon will be a 2 mile run, followed by a 12.4 mile bicycle, and then a 3.1 mile run. The last two legs of this race followthe final two legs of the triathlon course.
Registration will open on/about October 1st.
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