New Runner Academy Interview

By Steve | Published: November 26, 2012

I recently did an interview with Matt Johnson of Runner Academy and we chatted about a wide array of topics. Come check out the podcast.

Posted in health & fitness, ironman, leukemia & lymphoma society, survivor, team in training, training, triathlon | Tagged , , | Comments closed

Be Well Philly Health Hero Finale

By Steve | Published: November 20, 2012

Last night Philadelphia Magazine crowned their Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge winner; Dr. Beth DuPree. While I was just a tad disappointed that I didn’t win the contest, I am very honored to have even been nominated for such a title, let alone make it to the final four of the competition. Over the last few days I gave some thought to what I might say to the crowd if my name was announced as the winner. And the truth is, I really struggled to find the right words. As the evening unfolded, I realized why the words never came to me.

I think I would have struggled with accepting the “win” simply because there were too many worthy contestants playing for some very outstanding charitable organizations. I understand that there needs to be a winner, and to that point, I fully support and graciously applaud Beth DuPree for earning that title outright. She is a pioneer who is facilitating great change. But as I met more and more of the semi finalists last night, and learned more about their causes and missions I realized that the room was full of some very special people. People who are making a strong impact in the lives of so many people. People who are saving, changing, and molding in immeasurable number of lives.

As the voting portion of the competition reached a crescendo , I found myself reading all of the other contestant’s bios and watching their very inspirational videos and wanting them all to succeed.  In fact, I started following a few of my “competitors” on Twitter and liked their Facebook pages because I believed so much in the work they are doing. And I can easily see myself helping out a couple of these organizations in the future.

So, congrats to all contestants, especially our winner Dr. DuPree. And kudos to Philadelphia Magazine for pulling this together and for hosting a great event last night.

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Armstrong Cuts Formal Ties to Livestrong

By Steve | Published: November 12, 2012

Armstrong Livestrong CyclingAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lance Armstrong has cut formal ties with his cancer-fighting charity to avoid further damage brought by doping charges and being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Armstrong resigned from the board of directors for Livestrong on Nov. 4. He had previously resigned as chairman from the charity he founded Oct. 17 but had kept a seat on the board.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ordered Armstrong banned from the sport for life and stripped of his titles. The International Cycling Union, which had originally supported Armstrong’s fight, later agreed to wipe out Armstrong’s record seven victories.

Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane said Monday that Armstrong “remains the inspiration” and is still its largest donor with nearly $7 million over the years.

In a statement, new board chairman Jeff Garvey said Armstrong stepped resigned from the board to spare the organization any negative effects resulting from the controversy surrounding his cycling career.

“Lance Armstrong was instrumental in changing the way the world views people affected by cancer. His devotion to serving survivors is unparalleled and for 15 years, he committed himself to that cause with all his heart,” Garvey said.

Armstrong has not comment publicly on the USADA report and recently returned to Austin from Hawaii. Over the weekend, he posted a photograph on Twitter of him lying on a couch at his home with seven yellow Tour de France jerseys mounted on the wall.

Armstrong also has lost his personal sponsors, including Nike and brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, who dropped their contracts with him or said they would not renew when current deals expire.

USADA’s report accused Armstrong of helping run “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen” within his U.S. Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams.

The USADA report said Armstrong and his teams used steroids, the blood booster EPO and blood transfusions. The report included statements from 11 former teammates who testified against Armstrong.

Armstrong denies doping, pointing to hundreds of passed drug tests. But he chose not to fight USADA in one of the agency’s arbitration hearings, saying the process was biased against him. Former Armstrong team director Johan Bruyneel is also facing doping charges, but he is challenging the USADA case in arbitration.

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Ken Glah Races Kona 29 Consecutive Years

By Steve | Published: November 11, 2012

This article was reposted from Ken’s site Endurance Sports Travel. Kudos to you Kenny Glah. You define and epitomize the true meaning of the word IRONMAN. I’m proud that you are one of us. I’m proud that you are a Pennsylvania local guy. And I’m proud to know you.

Read on…

This year, Endurance Sports Travel founder and 6-time IRONMAN® champion Ken Glah will attend his 29th consecutive IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. An amazing feat that extremely few athletes have achieved since the start of IRONMAN racing in 1978, Ken’s accomplishment is one that speaks to his top-level talent and extreme perseverance. The unrelenting black lava coast of Kona often provides 45 mph crosswinds and scorching 95 degree heat as the backdrop for the drama found in the World Championships. But, those brutal conditions have not stopped Ken from toeing the start line 28 times previously with the thought each time of being the first athlete to finish on Ali’I Drive.

In celebration of Ken’s 29 consecutive years of racing in Kona, help us celebrate and enjoy reading part two of the interview with Ken. And, follow Ken on twitter (@ken_glah) as he makes his way around the world for the World Championships in Kona.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Ken to talk about this achievement:

How does it feel to qualify for the World Championships in Kona for the 29th consecutive time?

Ken: I feel very fortunate to have qualified for Hawaii this year so that I can try for my 29th consecutive finish. I was in moderate shape going into the race in New Zealand and did not race well until later in the run. I actually missed the slot by a place but after one of the older men did not take his slot (Garth Barfoot, a many time EST client from NZ) the math was redone and my age group was next in line for another slot. So, I literally got the last slot in the race!

How have you dealt with injury throughout the years?

I have rarely had to deal with injury in my career mostly because I listen well to my body and for most of the time I have been in the sport I have gotten a lot of massage work done. With the demands of the business and the constant travel my training has not been consistent and I have not taken care to get the massage work my body needs so I did sustain an injury this spring and have run and cycled only a hand full of times from late April till mid-June. I have been a bit more consistent with my running but with more than 3 weeks in Europe at 3 different Ironman races there was little time for cycling. I feel the injury is mostly healed and my goal is to try to be more consistent with my training and to get some massage, stretch more and strengthen some weaknesses that were discovered in physical therapy.

What will preparation prior to Kona in 2012 look like for you?

I won’t be able to prepare very well for Kona again so my goal is just to get some consistent shorter rides, run and swims in from now through September when I am traveling and to have a week here and there where I can ramp it up a bit. I plan to go straight to Kona after the trip to the Beijing International Triathlon (a new concierge race that will be held on September 16th as a qualifier for Escape from Alcatraz). This should allow me to get in about 12 days of training before I taper.

Explain the importance of finishing #29.

The only real importance to finishing number 29 is completely personal. I won’t be in shape to challenge for the top 5 in my age group but I would like to be fit enough that if I have a good day I will finish without any major issues and maybe be in the top 10 or 15. Finishing number 29 would be nice as it will then make finishing 30 consecutive Ironman World Championships a goal for 2013 and with me being in a new age group maybe I can find the time to get fit enough to really race hard in 2013.

How do you manage EST and dealing with the demands of racing Kona?

The main problem is the travel. I can get in a bit of training when I am home but this year it looks like I will be on the road about 225 days and that is where I have trouble being consistent. I need to somehow carve out 1 to 2 hours or so each day for training and then I would be able to have a reasonable fitness level that combined with a week here and there of higher volume and all my residual fitness from when I started running at 7 years old and doing tri’s at 18 will be enough to get me safely through Kona.

How have you stayed healthy and completed the previous 28 IRONMAN Hawaii races?

Base work, consistency, massage, listening to my body (my injury this year was because of a lack of all these things), taking the necessary time off when I was training a lot and most importantly my love of training and racing. If I had the time I would love nothing more than to train 5 to 8 hours every day!

Thanks, Ken!

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The Endurance Sports Expo is Back

By Steve | Published: November 10, 2012

The 2013 Endurance Sports Expo is a do not miss event for the endurance sports athlete! At ESE you will find the latest running gear, ride the hottest road and mountain bikes, see the newest tri products, find out about great events and non-profits, and learn from experts in the industry. As you plan your 2013 season come out to the largest cycling, running and triathlon expo in the country.

The Endurance Sports Expo will feature over 200 national and local vendors, brands, events, and endurance sports personalities at each of the locations. Starting with our new addition at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center on February 9th and 10th, followed by our 4th time at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA on February 23rd and 24th, and finishing with our second year at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, NJ on March 2nd and 3rd.

Click for more info.

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Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge

By Steve | Published: November 10, 2012

Just a heads up that the event which was originally scheduled for November 7th to announce the winner of the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge was postponed due to inclement weather here in the Philly area. The event has been rescheduled for Monday, November 19th. Stay tuned!

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GRS ING NYC Marathon Teammates

By Steve | Published: November 2, 2012

While I am very bummed at the fact that the NYC Marathon was just cancelled, I am more bummed at the fact that I won’t be spending the weekend with Ethan Zohn and my Grassroot Soccer family. This year was GRS’s 4th year at NY and I have been with them since the beginning.  Ethan had asked if I would talk for a few minutes at our team dinner on Saturday night. And yes…. bummed to be missing that as well. But I thought the least I could do was put down a few words that I would probably want to say to my GRS teammates…

I first want to salute and applaud everyone for having the courage to take on this adventure. I think having that courage and commitment to take the plunge is sometimes the hardest part of the journey.

I was first introduced to our fearless captain by a mutual friend after Ethan’s initial diagnosis. This friend knew that we had a lot in common and thought we would be good for each other. This friend had no idea how right he was. Besides our shared passion for health and fitness, Ethan and I were also both former goalkeepers.

But the greatest common factor between Ethan and I is the fact that in February of 2006, I was diagnosed with a chronic form of leukemia. I underwent 4 rounds of chemo right away and quickly reached remission. I also did everything within my power to stay in shape and use fitness as a weapon in my treatment arsenal. I’ve always been an athlete and this year’s NYC marathon would have been my 21st trip at that distance.

Add to that 10 ironman finishes and countless other multisport events of every distance and you begin to get the picture. This has always been a way of life for me and I have literally raced and trained before, throughout, and post diagnosis and treatment; often running home from my chemo visits. I draw many parallels between the struggles we face in racing and the ones we face in real life. And I was not about to let leukemia take that lifestyle away from me.

At the end of the day, the key is how well we endure. Whatever that challenge is. Be it a diagnosis, a marathon, a natural disaster… whatever. What measures us and defines us is our ability to endure.

I keep coming back to this race, with this team for a number of reasons. First, I am incredibly proud to be a part of GRS and contribute to the insane amount of good they are doing in this world. Second, Ethan has become a very good friend and I want to support him and his efforts. Third, NYC is one of the premiere events in the world, and it’s very exciting to be a part of it all. And another big reason for me continuing to be a GRS team member, is the fact that – I can. It’s a choice that I can own and control.

I wish I could give you all some words of encouragement for your race on Sunday. Well, I guess I can but the points may be a little meaningless without the race. But understand that you do belong at this race. You have paid your dues and earned the right to race.

So, I will offer a few words to consider even with no race,  words that have helped chart my course and remind me that the journey is just as important as the destination…

Embrace every single step of the way.  Run with your head up and take in all of the sights and sounds that you can. Don’t wish your way to the finish line too quickly. This thing will be over before you know it. So make a friend out there. High five the kids along the way. Thank the volunteers who make it all possible. And be thankful for the opportunity, the courage, and the belief that you can do this – whatever it is.

See you guys soon.

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NYC Marathon Cancelled

By Steve | Published: November 2, 2012

A few words from the race management team…

The City of New York and New York Road Runners announce that the 2012 ING NYC Marathon has been canceled. While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of disagreement and division.

We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event — even one as meaningful as this — to distract attention from all the critically important work that is being done to help New York City recover from the storm. New York Road Runners will have additional information in the days ahead and we thank you for your dedication to the spirit of this race. We encourage runners who have already arrived in New York City to help with volunteer relief efforts.

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Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge Voting Closed

By Steve | Published: October 30, 2012

I want to sincerely thank everyone for their support of the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge – especially this weekend with the weather from hell.

Voting has officially ended. We won’t know the final results until next week and I will be sure to keep everyone posted. I think we made a great showing for Team in Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and represented both organizations very well. We’ll just have to see how the final votes go.

Be safe and thank you again.

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Team In Training’s Stephen Brown is a Finalist for Health Hero Challenge

By Steve | Published: October 5, 2012

To VOTE – CLICK HERE!!!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) of Eastern Pennsylvania applauds Team In Training’s (TNT) coach Stephen Brown of Upper Darby for being one of the four finalists for Be Well Philly’s Health + Hero Challenge.

In February of 2006, Brown was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Wasting no time, he underwent four rounds of chemotherapy. He maintained his baseline fitness level, often running home from his treatments and quickly reached complete remission. By July of that same year, Brown was back to racing triathlons and a few months later crossed the finish line of his 8th career iron distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). His diagnosis drew him to LLS’ Team In Training program where he signed on as one of the triathlon coaches.

“Being involved with TNT is a perfect partnership. I get to train eager triathletes in a sport that I am very passionate about and in exchange they are raising funds and awareness for blood cancers like mine. It simply does not get better than that,” said Brown.

The editors of Philadelphia magazine selected 16 semi-finalists from a pool of nearly 500 entries for their first-ever Health Hero Challenge, in search of locals who were making a difference in health and wellness in the community. In the month of September, contestants faced off in an online competition. Each week, the magazine featured four semi-finalists on Facebook, so readers could vote for their favorite contestant. The winners of each of the past rounds have gone on to be a part of the finals this month. The winner, decided purely by fans, will be announced at a celebration in November, taking place at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Philadelphia. Each of the 16 finalists will have the opportunity to recognize one another at this event. The winner will also be featured in a future issue of Philadelphia magazine.

Voting for Brown will take place Tuesday, October 16th at 10 a.m. through Monday, October 29th at 5 p.m. Supporters can vote once a day throughout the voting period. To vote, please visit Be Well Philly’s Facebook page by clicking here – http://bit.ly/WtX4Ki

Brown and his wife MG live in Upper Darby PA, where he serves on the Board of Directors of the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County and is a USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic regional council member. He is also involved with LLS’ First Connection Program, where he connects with other patients and their family members. Brown is employed by JPMorgan Chase Bank in Wilmingon DE.

About Team In Training

Team In Training (TNT) is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s sports endurance training program that provides training for ½ marathons, marathons, triathlons or century (100-mile) bike rides. Team members raise funds to help support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in exchange for certified coaches, training sports education clinics, a personal fundraising website, support from staff and teammates, a fundraising mentor, event fees, and lodging and airfare to more than 60 accredited events in the United States and abroad. The society uses at least 74 cents of every dollar raised for cancer programs, funding research to find cures for leukemia, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and myeloma as well as assistance with the often overwhelming burdens faced by patients and their families currently fighting blood cancers.

As of 2010, TNT has had more than 500,000 volunteer participants and has raised over $1 billion to support blood cancer research and patient services for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada including the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

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