He started training at 61 and climbed Everest at 65 after a hip replacement

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Product Review; The Right Stuff - NASA developed serious hydration for serious athletes

During my most recent endurance event (www.silvermannv.com) I was granted the opportunity to test an hydration / electrolyte replacement product that is relatively new to the market.  In case anyone from the FTC is watching and in the interest of transparency the product was provided at no charge for my use during this event and I am not being compensated by the distributor / manufacturer.
The product "The Right Stuff" is a concentrated electrolyte solution originally developed by NASA for use by the astronauts to combat the effects of dehydration - which seems to afflict every astronaut on every flight.   Dehydration affects me on every long course event I've ever done - extended training too.  No matter if it's a long swim, ride or run, I cramp - when I cramp I cramp bad - like debilitating rolling on the ground crying for my mommy bad.  I've tried everything to prevent the killer cramps but no amount or combination of hydration and  supplementation has ever worked for me.  My particular genetic make-up means I'm a heavy sweat-er and a salty sweat-er.  Cramps are just something I've learned to deal with...until this past weekend.

The Right Stuff  comes in easy to handle 16.5ml plastic vials with a tear off top.  You simply squeeze the contents of a vial into 16oz or more of any fluid you're going to consume and viola!  no more dehydration!  The manufacturer recommends 1 vial per hour of racing.   I downed 5 vials for a 6+ hr event and was utterly and completely cramp free during and after my triathlon.
After years of habitually suffering from mega leg cramps after 50 miles or so I was racing on eggshells anticipating the first twinges of muscle mis-fire and lock-up.  They never came.  I was so relieved.
I'm sure it will take a few more events to re-gain my confidence and compete without holding back for fear of painful cramps but, I feel certain I've found my electrolyte replacement supplement.

As to the aesthetics of The Right Stuff;  It's a little salty, a little tart and completely palatable.  It contains no carb's whatever.  I put 2 vials in a 32oz aero water bottle which I consumed within 90 min.  I had no issue with flavor -in fact its preferable over tap water.  I put 2 vials in a 3hr bottle of endurance formula (that contains no electrolytes) and could not taste the product.
I consumed the final vial in T-2 squirting the berry flavored vial into my mouth and chasing with 8 0z of water then heading out on the run.   I was free from any gastric distress throughout the race. 
I gave an extra vial to a fellow racer in T-2 who wasn't able to get his shoes on due to cramping.  He later passed me at mile 7.  I'm just glad he wasn't in my age group.
Based on my experience with The Right Stuff-USA I enthusiastically recommend you go to the web site www.therightstuff-usa.com and order some.  

The Silverman reviews are in!

Silverman is the best run and most challenging multi-sport endurance event on the planet.  That may be a grand statement but, Silverman backs it up.  In so many events the athlete's are so much chattel.  Go here, moo....go there, moo...Silverman treats the athlete's like athletes - individuals who have sacrificed in pursuit of a major goal who are about to attempt something rare and spectacular.  At Silverman you are special - and it feels good.  Furthermore Silverman treats fans, family and volunteers to an engaging and entertaining sometimes gut wrenching celebration of human spirit and extraordinary endurance. Race director Frank Lowery could run a school for race directors.  Every turn is flagged, every aid station well stocked and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers, every detail managed - nothing is left to chance except the athlete's ability to finish one of the worlds most grueling and relentless courses.

Sponsors get a high end audience, athletes get the challenge of their lives, Henderson gets a world class athletic event (that the world has yet to discover), volunteers get inspired and amazed and the sport of Triathlon gets elevated another notch by the professionalism, competitiveness and shear love of sport that Silverman creates.  Truly a unique happening even in this crazy sport we all love.

You can race the other-man races but you haven't met your greatest adventure until you've raced Silverman.

Silverman 70.3 in the bag

Sunday November 8th 2009 went down in the record book as one of the warmest calmest bestest days ever in southern Nevada.  The morning was cool and calm the afternoon warm with a slight breeze the evening brisk and still.  It was a day when 900 athletes put their fortitude and athleticism on display on the Silverman Triathlon course.  I was there in the 70.3 wave of 500 age group athletes that surged off the Hemenway Harbor boat ramp at 830am.  It was a great day and a great race.
I must be honest and report that my season ends with a big fat "Needs Improvement".  Which is to say I am not happy with my 6:44 5th of 13 finish.  I offer no excuses, I just didn't have what I needed to achieve my goal of 6:05.  I had a great swim in perfect water.  I exited the water in 37min feeling strong.  (I love swimming in open water)  My bike was a solid 3:26 on an incredibly challenging course.  I can't begin to explain how poorly I felt on the run.  Just blah - in pain - no oomph.  I actually considered quitting (something I never do).  I stuck it out and let my positive inner voice soothe my sniveling ego.  By mile 6 I started to feel better and actually negative split the 2nd half.  Still, I could not manage a 2 hr half marathon to save my race.
Maybe starting  new job or my son being hospitalized all in the month prior to the race played a role.  I don't know - I don't really care - I expect better of myself.  Thing is...I know I can do better.
I have some work to do.  I'm looking forward to next year :-)

Jon Berghoff; The 400milerun

Lactate Threshold Work Outs - The Keys To Success

We're 7 weeks out from Silverman Triathlon www.slivermannv.com.  I've been doing significantly more running this season than I have in past seasons.  The reason being, my run sucks I have a squatty body with tree stump legs better suited to rugby than distance running.  Triathlon is a swim, bike, run race not a swim bike race.  That said, I want to improve my PR's (and run splits) therefore I need to attack my weaknesses.
To that end I start a 6 week series of lactate threshold track workouts this week.  I learned this from my coach Frank Lowery www.lowerymultisports.com.  These are painful (brutal really) sprint work outs that - moaning and groaning aside - are the key to success in terms of improving run times, efficiency & strength.
If your in Henderson NV on Thursday mornings between now and October 22nd - drop by the track at Green Valley HS and join me.
Here's what the work outs look like.
Each session begins and ends with 1.5mi warm up / 1.5mi cool down + stretching
3 x 50 yd strides + 2 x 100 yd strides - these start slow and build to sprint pace and help transition the body into fast run mode
Main set. - these are run at 90% to 95% of max effort.  The key is constancy - 1st lap as fast as last lap, focus is on form and pace - creating muscle memory and mental toughness. Rest interval is half the distance run (run 200 cool down 100 and so on)
Week 1. 2 x 100 6 x 200, 1 x 400 (1800)
Week 2. 2 x 200, 3 x 400  2 x 200 (2000)
Week 3. 1 x 200, 1 x 400, 1 x 600, 1 x 600, 1 x 400, 1 x 200 (2400)
Week 4.  1 x 400, 2 x 800,  2 x 400 (2800)
Week 5.   1 x 400, 1 x 800, 1 x 1200,  1 x 800, 1 x 400 (3600)
Week 6   3 x 1600 (4800)  
These are my work outs - yours may vary of course.
Last spring I used this series to set PR's in my 5k, 10K & 1/2 marathon races.
For the last two years I've taken 3rd place in my division at Silverman  (last year I shaved 44 min of my overall time and still I took 3rd).  In 2009 I'm looking for redemption.

The Silverman Triathlon - Follow me as I train to race the most challenging course in America

Silverman Trailer from Momentum Advertising/Production on Vimeo.

Now here is a young man going places Go George!!

Climb to Kaiser

I had to dig deep on this one friends. A 155+ mile round trip journey from Clovis Ca. (500ft elevation) to the top of Kaiser Pass at the top of the Sierra's (9100+ft elevation) the "Climb to Kaiser" includes 14,000ft of climbing, panoramic vista's and multiple climate zones.

Most of the climbing is done in the first 83 miles of the ride. It is brutal, grinding, relentless uphill pedaling. From flat and fast to a grueling 18% incline, mile after mile after mile of uphill push. This ride is truly an extreme endurance event but, it attracts all ages and skill levels.

In it's 33rd year the "CTK" is an annual right of passage for those of us who believe "seeing what we're made of" is both challenge and fulfilment.

A new record was set this year; 8:04 destroying the previous best of 8:23. By contrast my effort took 16:10. I thought I missed the (5pm) cutoff at Kaiser Pass but was very relieved to learn I made it with nearly 30 min to spare. I make no excuses for my time. I achieved my goal - I finished.

The ride back was something I won't soon forget. 73+ miles of downhill. It was late afternoon by the time I hit Hwy168. Traffic was nearly non-existent and I let my trusty black Cervelo stretch it's legs. Tucked in aero position I bested 45+ mph in spots. My Garmin 205 finally petered out at 10:02 at 103 miles. After dutifully displaying my single digit pace for much of the ride it just couldn't go on.

Once we'd cleared the final mandatory check point at the top of Auberry Rd, 3 of us grouped up and flew the 25 miles alternately passing and being passed to the Millerton Store water stop. Rarely does one get to go so fast, smile so much and feel so free.

The Coup d'grace was the welcoming committee cheering and ringing cowbells as we pulled into the finish area. I was overwhelmed by relief and success. I must admit I nearly cried. I love riding my bike but, I was so glad to get off just then.

Want to see more? Take a look at a slide show of riders

Still want more? Get a break down of the route

Want to know if you have what it takes? I'll see you there next year.

Dick & Ricky Hoyt - The Most Inspirational Team Ever!

These guys were on my mind on a recent long run. If you have never seen them and heard their story - take a few minutes and be inspired.

I am continuosly inspired by the courage of others