Thursday, November 19, 2009

HIlarious

I just saw a dog eating a diaper... just tearing into the thing like a piece of steak. What a thick animal. This is exactly why I love dogs. How often have you seen a cat eat a diaper?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Mr. Collington

Fireside Chat with Olypic Hopeful, Kevin Collington!!!

Kevin stormed onto the triathlon scene as a recent ITU stud. He has brilliant results to his name such as 13th place at the incredibly competitive Hy-Vee Triathlon. A feat which few can claim, he has outsplit Simon Whitfield on a run course! A member of the USA triathlon team, he is definitely one to watch for in the London Olympics of 2012. He recently smacked it at 70.3 world championships, coming 7th.


Representing the Red White and Blue in ITU

Amazing season so far, how did this season compare with your expectations going into the year?

This year I really just wanted to prove I could race on the international level. I raced well in 2008 in some of the World Cups in Europe but a lot of people questioned those results because those races were not as competitive as they usually are since a lot of the top guys were sitting out waiting for the Olympics. So I really wanted to do well in a couple of competitive races this year and prove I can race at that level. My result at Hy-Vee really exceeded even my highest expectations, and I did OK at a couple of World Championship Series races this year in Hamburg and Gold Coast. The end result is that I should really be able to attack the 2010 World Championship Series next year.

Your run speed has just gone through the roof and your progression has been amazing. What changes have you made from years past that has lead to this development?

My run improvement came from a lot of different changes. The biggest has just been a slow increase in running mileage over the years. I was only running 20 miles a week in 2007, but now I'm up to 50 or 60 per week. I have also been working with a running coach out of Boulder, Bobby McGee, and combining the work I do with him on running form and economy with the increased running mileage has really made my run my biggest weapon. I still have a lot of work to do before I can keep up with the top ranked guys in the WCS, though!

I understand you recently stepped up from ITU and short course racing to 70.3 placing 7th at 70.3 Augusta. How was your first go around at this distance?

Augusta was an interesting experience. Having just returned from the World Champs in Gold Coast, Australia I was really having sleeping and training leading up to the race. But it turns out this was just the taper I needed and I had a great race. I learned a lot about what I need nutritionally for the 70.3 distance and also how to pace myself so I hope to have an even better race in Clearwater in 3 weeks.

Any plans on Ironman in the distant future?

I could see myself doing an ironman but not until my short course career is over. I'm really focused on making the 2012 Olympic team for London right now, and I'll be 35 for the 2020 Olympics so that would be the last Olympic team I would probably be capable of making. I would love the challenge of Ironman so maybe you'll see me racing one in 2021. That's a long way off, though!

Could you roughly describe your weekly training?

I live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and this really shapes the way I train. I swim with the triathlon group here 5 to 6 days per week at 4000 to 5500 meters per session. Running this year was 50 to 60 miles per week - during the summer I like to go up into the mountains to do long runs at around 9,500 ft (2900m), and I do my faster runs on a local trail at around 5900 ft. Biking in the springs is great - again I do my longer rides in the local mountains - we have lots of challenging climbs in the Springs. I do some harder rides on the Computrainer just because it's a great way to dial in your workout intensity.

Favorite workout?

My favorite workout is a long run up at the Rampart Reservoir. It's a challenging, technical trail at around 9500ft above sea level. It's a beautiful place to run and also running there makes me appreciate running at 6000ft a lot more, and sea level is a breeze.

As an olympic hopeful, what would going to London mean to you?

Going to London would be amazing. It would be the culmination of a lot of hard work. I don't just want to go, though - I want to be a medal contender! With a few more years of development at my current progression that is certainly a possibility.

How are things in terms of sponsorship?

Things are going great! I'm very lucky to be able to work with some great companies like Shimano, Rudy Project and Kiwami to name a few. My results have improved again this year and I'm talking with a couple of companies now that I will hopefully be working with next year!

Being a pro triathlete sounds very glamorous but the training and travel sound ridiculous. What is one thing you absolutely love about your job and one thing you absolutely could live without?

I love the travel - going to a new race in a new location is always lots of fun. At the same time, though, I need some time at home to unwind. One thing I could live without is traveling with a bike box. Not only is it heavy and cumbersome, but you always have to wonder "is my bike going to arrive when I get there?" or "If it arrives, is it still in one piece?" My favorite part about being a professional triathlete is just getting to swim, ride my bike, and run and call it a job!

Any other things we should know about you? Shout outs, favorite foods, horrible phobias, etc...

My favorite food is Krispy Kreme Donuts and I can eat a dozen in about 2 minutes!


Ironic

Like the alanis morsette song... I almost got hit on my bike today. The offending vehicle: an ambulance. Ironic and almost convenient had anything happened.

Another interesting little bit for those of you who enjoy weird things.

So, I signed up for IM florida as I may or may not have mentioned... and today I was riding and I pulled up on a guy wearing an IM florida jersey. He was affronted by my riding up on him and started smacking it. He was one of those late 30 year olds who has spent the better part of a decade developing those tree trunk legs and could move pretty good. I was staying near and everytime I tried to pass, he would surge hard. Looking at his ass the whole time, it was like I was literally chasing my goal.

I've got a long way to go.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Bryan Rhodes Interview

Fireside Chat With Bryan Rhodes!!!


We're here with Bryan Rhodes aka rhodsey, multiple ironman champion, great guy, and avid liver of the good life. I had the pleasure of meeting Rhodsey at a local socal race where I was guiding Aaron Scheidies, blind triathlete extraordinaire. His season was sadly cut short by an injury and he has been rehabbing in New Zealand, and getting ready to drill everyone next year.


JP: Bryan, seemed like you had a solid season going until the injury at Steelhead 70.3. Can you walk us through what exactly happened?

Rhodsey: Yes. It happened when we were running into the water at Steelhead 70.3. I got landed on by one of the other pro men and got me on my ankle as I was going forward with my left leg. He was coming down with his foot. I thought I had a really bad cramp and rolled over did some backstroke to try and loosen up my leg. I was 2nd to last going around the 1st Bouy and then told myself to harden up and get going. I swam through most of the field to stand up in 5th place but then I knew something was really wrong as I went to put weight on my left leg and I couldn't and had to get 5-6 Guys to help me out of the water and up the beach.

JP: How has the recovery been coming?


Rhodsey: The first coule of months were really hard. I was very fit and couldn't do anything. I was in cast for weeks and had to get around on crutches. You realize how hard it is to just do the little things when you're injured.

JP: What have you been doing with the forced downtime due to the injury?


Rhodsey: I sat on the couch and watched every movie I had. I was pretty upset about missing the rest of my race season especially Worlds in Kona! Since getting back into it from the 1st of October I've been carving it up at the pool and been in the Gym working on getting strength in my left leg so not to come back weak. I want to come back a better Triathlete.

JP: Looking at your resume, I notice a domination of Ironman Malaysia with 2 wins and a 2nd place. What is the appeal of that race for you? Why do you keep going back?


Rhodsey: Ironman Malaysia was were I won my 1st Ironman title and it has been hard to win a 3rd title there. I like that it is super hot, sometimes even hotter than Hawaii. When I won the 1st year it was 42.3deg. This is one reason for me going back and that they really take good care of me year after year.

JP: What are the plans for the upcoming year?


Rhodsey: I'm really wanting to mount a good challenge for Ironman NZ next year as I don't want to be a unknown Triathlete in New Zealand, I'm just hoping I'll be 100% but want to be there one way or another. After that, a number of 70.3's and I will focus on Kona as if I don't place top 10 next year, I'll just do other Ironmans I've never done before.

JP: I think it is fair to say you are an IM guy and many people think that IMers have lost their speed. False. I have witnessed first hand the blitzing 5k speed that is Bryan Rhodes. What is your 5k pr?


Rhodsey: We'll I'm not that fast over 5k my PR is 15.45 and 10k 32.10. I wish I could run like sub 30 of 10k as I wouldn't be doing Ironman. I would be trying for the Olympics.

JP: With that 5k speed, you must be doing some seriously intense training. Would you say you favor volume or intensity in training?


Rhodsey: I'm definitely a volume guy as, if I put too much intensity in my training, I get injured. Once I've built a big base I add strength and track workout once a week.

JP: What does a typical training week look like for you?


Rhodsey: Swim 5 times a week = 25k Ride 6 times = 500 -650k Run 6 times = 80k

JP: I know the economy can be a bit rough on athletes, how is sponsorship going for you?


Rhodsey: I'm really lucky to have a good sponsors and they have been with me for Years : Cervelo 12yrs , Blue70 6 years, Clif Bar 6 years, Saucony 12 years, Profile design 8 years, Computrainer 6 years, a couple of new ones... Coffee's of Hawaii where if you go to there website and enter the promo code "RHODSEY" you get 25% off your order. Also Selle Italia saddles came onboard this year and also Shimano.

Now for the lightning round:

Favorite food? Medium rare Steak with chips and a Salard.
Favorite workout? 10 x 400 in the pool.
Favorite triathlon? Escape from Alcatraz
Favorite movie? Lock stock and two smoking barrels, Also Hangover!!!
And finally, and most importantly, favorite beer? Mac's Gold (NZ Beer) MGD in the U.S.A.


JP: Anything else the people should know about The man, The myth, The legend, Bryan Rhodes?


Rhodsey: I race very hard and party just as hard after!!! My website is : www.rhodsey.com.