The Curious Case of Jason Gradyan

For me fitness is _______________ (fill in the blank).
For some it's a path to weight control, for others a recaptured youth, for some a passion and others still its an obsession. I'm an all of the above.
One thing I never counted on when I began my journey as an adult athlete was how inspiring my fellow athletes would be to my experience. I train and compete with doctor's, MBA's, lawyers, accountants, stock brokers, stay at home Mom's, high school principals, heavy equipment operators, college students, actors and performers from Las Vegas shows, former special forces warriors, architect's....the list is infinitely varied and rich.
The most inspiring individuals are those who have had to overcome the most. When I'm aching and bitching about another 5am training run or swim, the man in this story pulls up in his pick-up and wrest's his chair from the back, laughing and joking calling our greetings, and I am humbled to silence.
The following article was written by Eugene Kaufman for The Vegas Longevity Runners Blog. Take the time to click over and read; The Curious Case of Jason Gradyan

"Never give up on your dreams" Jason Gradyan

New Venue for Ironman World Championship 70.3

New Venue for Ironman World Championship 70.3

Ironman World Championship 70.3 moves to Lake Las Vegas

Published Thursday, October 7, 2010

Beginning in 2011, the Ironman World Championship 70.3 will move to Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., located just minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Since its inception in 2006, the championship race in the global Ironman 70.3 Series has been held in Clearwater, Fla.

“We’re grateful to the city of Clearwater for being a fantastic host to the Ironman World Championship 70.3 over the past five years,” said Steve Meckfessel, WTC’s chief operations officer. “Clearwater’s sports-minded spirit, enthusiasm and dedication of resources have been critical to building the Ironman 70.3 Series. We are excited to return to the community to introduce the inaugural 5150 Clearwater event taking place on Nov. 12.”

Slated for Sept. 11, 2011, the race begins with a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Las Vegas at Lake Las Vegas Resort. Next, athletes will embark on a challenging 56-mile bike through Lake Mead National Recreation Area that includes several steep climbs. Participants will finish with a 13.1-mile run through Henderson’s scenic residential areas with views of the Las Vegas Strip.
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“It is an honor to join an elite list of cities that have hosted an international event of this caliber,” said Andy Hafen, mayor of Henderson. “We look forward to welcoming the thousands of athletes, their families, friends and fans from around the world to our premier city.”

“It is a privilege to host the Ironman World Championship 70.3,” said Frank Lowery, race director.

“This course will be labeled as one of, if not the toughest, in the United States. The challenging race, coupled with endless entertainment options and its proximity to the famous Las Vegas Strip,
will provide the ultimate event experience for athletes.”

In 2011, 60,000 athletes will participate in the Ironman 70.3 Series, which consists of nearly 50 events in locations such as China, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland. Participants in the World Championship will range in age from 18 to 70-plus and will represent all 50 states and nearly 50 countries. The Ironman World Championship 70.3 will offer a prize purse of $100,000 for distribution among the top professional male and female finishers. More than 2,500 volunteers from the local community will support the event.

Originally from: http://www2.ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/ironman-world-championship-70.3-moves-to-lake-las-vegas#ixzz11tCHbAVJ

So Cal Ragnar Relay 2010

One of my endurance race adventures in April was the So Cal Ragnar Relay. Thanks to Coach tracy Hulson for putting this video together. I'd never done a team endurance event and thanks to Coach Tracy's skillful and experienced management this was the MOST FUN I've had in a long run of events. I guess the thing I was missing was FUN FUN FUN!!!


Coach Tracy is putting a team together for the 2011 Florida Keys Ragnar Relay. If you want a great team to have a lot of fun with and raise money for a children's fitness charity you cannot beat a Ragnar.
We'll see you in October 2010 for the Vegas Ragnar! WOOT!

2011 ITU Long Course World Championships coming to Silverman

2011 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships to be Held in Henderson, Nevada The International Triathlon Union, USA Triathlon, the city of Henderson and Lowery’s Multi-sport Races are proud to announce the 2011 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in Henderson, Nev., USA, on Nov. 5, 2011. “We are thrilled to welcome this world class sporting event to Henderson,” Mayor Andy Hafen said. “Henderson is proud to join an elite list of cities and to showcase its ability to produce an international event of this caliber.” As the host city for the Nevada Silverman Triathlon for the past five years, the city of Henderson and Lowery have significant experience and expertise in managing an event of this stature. In addition, southern Nevada boasts 145,000 hotel rooms and the fifth-busiest airport in North America. “It is a privilege that only few in the United States have been given. To host the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships speaks volumes of the hard working volunteers and city officials who have made this possible,” said Lowery. “Without the support and dedication of this great city, there is no possible way this event could be hosted here. We are thrilled to welcome this world class sporting event to Henderson, and we are confident it will be a huge success.” Perth, Australia hosted the 2009 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, a year after Almere, Holland staged the event. The last time the Long Distance Triathlon World Championships were held in the United States was in 1996 in Muncie, Ind. “We are thrilled to have the ITU Long Distance World Championships on American soil,” said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlon’s National Events director. “Henderson & Las Vegas will provide athletes with a great event and world class entertainment.” “The US is a very important region for ITU and we are delighted to be able to bring such a large event back to a country which has such a long and important history within our sport,” said Marisol Casado, President of ITU. About International Triathlon Union (ITU) The International Triathlon Union is the world governing body for the Olympic sport of Triathlon and all related Multisport disciplines: Duathlon, Aquathlon and Winter Triathlon. ITU was founded in 1989 at the first ITU Congress in Avignon, France and has maintained its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada since then. It now has over 120 affiliated National Federations around the world and is the youngest International Federation in the Olympics. Triathlon was awarded Olympic status in 1994. ITU is proudly committed to supporting the development of the sport worldwide through strong relationships with continental and national federations, working with its partners to offer a balanced sport development program from grassroots to a high-performance level. For more information, visit: www.triathlon.org. About USA Triathlon USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the national governing body for triathlon – the fastest growing sport in the world – as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 2,800 races and connects with more than 125,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games. Visit www.usatriathlon.org for more information. About the Nevada Silverman Triathlon  The Silverman Triathlon is a long distance triathlon held annually in Henderson, Nev. Branded as the toughest course in North America by triathlon icon Dave Scott and echoed by more than 2,500 participants over the past five years, the Nevada Silverman is sure to attract individuals and relay teams from around the world in the coming years. For registration or more information on the Nevada Silverman Triathlon, please visit www.silvermannv.com. Event Contacts Ashley Massi, Silverman Triathlon Media Manager Email: silvermanmediarelations@gmail.com  Mobile: 702.375.3266 Frank Lowery, Silverman Race Director Email: flowery719@cox.net Mobile: 702.400.2790

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 :-)

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!!

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.

Silverman Full & Half Distance Triathlon 2008

Here is an overview of the 2008 Silverman Triathlon from 6am until midnight Nov 9th. We had a huge storm front move thru at the swim start and gale force winds all afternoon. Look for Ian from UK, Chezie being helped out of the water after 2.4 grueling miles, the warriors who did this course on prosthetics and hand cycles and all the awesome volunteers who make this event possible.
I finished my 1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike and 13.1 mi run in 6:36, 44 min faster than last year, 3rd in my age group.
Thank You Frank & Meg Lowery for the love of the sport and your attention to details. Silverman is the Gold Standard of triathlon events. Forget the Iron go for Silver!

Running Extends Your Life Span - Fitness is Life!!