Y Thank You

By Steve | Published: November 18, 2010

Our local YMCA recently sponsored a coat drive for those children who could not afford a new winter coat. I though I would share a note the Y received from one of the appreciative recipients.

ymca

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New Philadelphia Area Triathlon Club

By Steve | Published: November 16, 2010

2011 Snapple Triathlon Club

The Snapple Tri Club brings together elite and amateur athletes in an environment where no question is silly, all levels are welcome and your love of the sport is the only prerequisite!

Learn from some of the country’s top triathletes, take advantage of jaw-dropping discounts and build relationships with fun, fit people along the way!  

Member Benefits Include:

-         Free Snapple-Branded Triathlon Kit (shorts and tops) from Champion Systems ($100 retail value)

-         Weekly Group Workouts – probably starting in March.  Most workouts will be in the Bucks County region but,   am hoping to have location  throughout the Philadelphia area also

-         Social Happy Hours and Events

-         Tri-Specific clinics and events with Professional and Elite Athletes from Team Snapple

-         Access to the Snapple newsletter, delivering info on races, clinics, events, and training opportunities directly to your inbox

-         Participation in group discussion with all club members and professional and elite team members—a great resource for athletes of all levels

-         25% discount on Snapple’s Triathlon Training Camps

-         Apparel and Accessory discounts, including:

-          Discounts at local multisport running and cycling stores

-         40% discount from Nuun

-          25% off ECO2O environmentally friendly water bottles and free sports caps

-          Up to 50% off Xterra Wetsuits

-          Discounts on apparel from Champion Systems, Headsweats and Much Much More!!!

-         Affiliation with Team Snapple, one of the most prominent and professional triathlon teams in the country

-        Follow this link to register http://snappletriteam.com/?page_id=2010

You will also find the attached discount list for all club members.  Codes will be given once you have signed up for the club. 

 Wednesday night Indoor trainer workouts start 11/17

http://highroadcycles.com/about/wednesday-night-trainer-rides-pg201.htm?preview=yes

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Chris Carmichael’s New Book Unlocks Speed for Time-Crunched Triathletes

By Steve | Published: November 15, 2010

chris cBoulder, CO, USA – November 15, 2010 – Following the success of his book The Time-Crunched Cyclist, world renowned endurance sports coach Chris Carmichael has published a new book in the Time-Crunched AthleteT series. The Time-Crunched Triathlete: Race-Winning Fitness in 8 Hours a Week will prepare triathletes for faster performances in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons while working within their busy lifestyles. The Time-Crunched Triathlete is now available in bookstores, bike and tri shops, and online.

Triathletes are busy people-and not just because they train in three disciplines. Half of all triathletes support growing families-and keep their garages full of tri gear-by working demanding full-time jobs. Yet for these time-crunched triathletes, triathlon is not just something they do on the weekends. Triathlon is a part of who they are. Using The Time-Crunched Triathlete, busy triathletes can train for speed-and even become more competitive-in less time.

The Time-Crunched Triathlete leverages the power of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and tri-specific workouts to make athletes faster at triathlon rather than over-developing their general endurance sports fitness. The Time-Crunched program develops fitness where triathletes need it most, using brick workouts to develop triathlon-specific speed and skills. The Time-Crunched Triathlete’s combination of intensity and specificity will enable triathletes to accomplish more with fewer workouts per week.

The book offers intermediate and advanced training plans for sprint and Olympic race distances. The sprint plans prepare triathletes for competitive racing in 6 weeks, requiring between 4 and 8 hours per week. Triathletes racing Olympic distances will build speed over 8 weeks, devoting 5-8 hours per week or up to 9 hours for the advanced plan. There is a bonus Time-Crunched half-Ironman training plan to prepare busy triathletes who want to step up to longer races.

The Time-Crunched Triathlete provides all the tools triathletes need to build speed quickly. Triathletes will learn the science of HIIT and how three-sport training requires a modified approach to intensity and rest. The book offers a tool kit of carefully designed workouts, including the CTS Cycling/Running and Swimming Field Tests that establish personal training intensity ranges. Carmichael and Rutberg explain how to fuel for HIIT, recovery, and race day. The Time-Crunched Triathlete offers coaching advice on how to schedule workouts into busy days and how to tweak the training plans for individual needs. Finally, the book offers a Time-Crunched strength training plan.

Triathlon is more fun when you are fast. The Time-Crunched Triathlete gives busy triathletes a better way to enjoy the tri lifestyle.

The Time-Crunched Triathlete: Race-Winning Fitness in 8 Hours a Week
Chris Carmichael and Jim Rutberg
Paperback with b&w photographs, charts, and tables throughout.
6″ x 9″, 328 pp., $19.95, 978-1-934030-61-5

Chris Carmichael was an Olympian and a professional cyclist before beginning his career as a coach, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of Carmichael Training Systems, Chris was recognized as the U.S. Olympic Committee Coach of the Year and inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. CTS coaches and has coached many elite professional athletes, including Ironman World Champions Peter Reid and Craig Alexander, Ironman St. George Champion Heather Wurtele, Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards. For more information, please visit trainright.com.

Jim Rutberg is the editorial director and a Pro Coach for Carmichael Training Systems, and co-author, with Chris Carmichael, of The Ultimate Ride, Chris Carmichael’s Food for Fitness, Chris Carmichael’s Fitness Cookbook, The Carmichael Training Systems Cyclist’s Training Diary, 5 Essentials for a Winning Life, The Time-Crunched Cyclist and innumerable web and magazine articles. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Outside, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, VeloNews, Inside Triathlon, and more.

VeloPress is an endurance sports and fitness publisher focused on cycling, triathlon, and running. For more information on The Time-Crunched AthleteT series and for free chapter downloads, please visit www.velopress.com.

Media review copies, excerpts, author interviews and events:
Dave Trendler, Marketing and Publicity Manager, (303) 245-2138, dtrendler@competitorgroup.com

Distributors and specialty retailers please order through:
Jen Soulé, Sales Manager, (800) 811-4210 x2169, wholesale@competitorgroup.com

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Be a Lifesaver

By Steve | Published: November 13, 2010

Since its inception in 1988, Team In Training has helped more than 465,000 volunteer participants cross the finish line of a marathon, half marathon, century ride or triathlon.  Together TNT participants have raised over $1 BILLION to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the fight against blood cancer.

Help create a world without cancer – Join the TEAM today!

You still have a have time to register for the following events:

Marathon de Paris
Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
The New Jersey Marathon &
Long Branch Half Marathon
St. Anthony’s Triathlon

To register, please contact Alyssa Haydt at 610-238-0360 ext. 226 or alyssa.haydt@lls.org.

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From Clutter to Clarity

By Steve | Published: November 11, 2010

I admit that I have been a little funky and scattered as of late. There are a few things going on that I am trying to get a handle and the proper perspective on. I have been fighting a cold and respiratory thing now for a little bit which is more annoying than anything else at this point. It did force me to walk about 75% of the NYC marathon last weekend which was a little disappointing. But I quickly remembered that a finish is all that mattered and our team, Grassroot Soccer raised close to $150,000 for AIDS/HIV education through the GRS program. That’s a big win. Even though it ended up being a walk, it was a great and memorable weekend.

I’m feeling better too. Not “better” – better. But I am feeling very much improved and should be back to normal in a day or two. I feel better mentally and I’m looking forward to moving into the winter to enjoy some care free mountain biking and trail running. While I have already committed to a couple of races in 2011, I am waiting on the rest until I sort through some things and make some decisions about what I want to do and where I want to do them. It seems there are a lot of new racing options for me in 2011 and I am excited about that.

One thing I know for sure is that I need to do a few different things next year. I’m getting stale with a couple of events so I will mix things up a little bit. I want to add events such as an adventure race, an ultra marathon, an off road triathlon, etc. I’ll call it “racing of a different flavor”…. Or something like that. Certainly more to follow on that.

This Sunday, November 14th I will be appearing at the Philly FIT BASH as a ‘celebrity judge”. My buddy Jami Appenzeller, the magazine’s publisher, called to ask me to help judge a number of fitness workouts based on various categories. It should be a lot of fun. Although, I don’t quite get the “celebrity” part.  All of the BASH details can be seen here: http://phillyfitmagazine.com/

I have at least one more race left this season (and possibly more than that). It’s the 8K being held the weekend of the Philadelphia Marathon. The 8K will be on November 20th and the half and full marathons will be the next day, Sunday November 21st. More on that can be found here: http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/

The interesting twist on this is that Philadelphia Magazine contacted me because they are doing some kind of a feature story on inspiring runners who will be racing that weekend. I’m not sure what to expect, but there will be some kind of blurb on me as well as a number of other runners coming out shortly. As I see something, I will post it.

Don’t forget the new book is now available. I’m pretty excited about  the contributions of those who helped with this project. Be sure to click on the BOOK link and check In Search of Center.

That’s about it for now. Today is Veterans Day. Thanks to all who have served this great country. My thoughts and prayers go out to those courageous souls we have lost over the years and to their families.

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New York State of Mind

By Steve | Published: November 5, 2010

So here is the deal. In two days I am to race the NYC marathon. I have been registered for months. I am racing with Ethan’s Grassroot Soccer charity team again and really looking forward to it. Except for one problem; I feel like crud! I was out sick two days this week and this respiratory thing is lingering and just will not go away. I am trying. I really am.

I think I will be ok by Sunday and even if I am not 100%, I am going to go and I am going to “participate” even if I don’t “race”. I don’t want to end my season with a sick bay scratch. That would just play head games with me all winter.

Send me some health vibes….. PLEASE.

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‘In Search of Center’ Now Available

By Steve | Published: November 1, 2010

in search of center My new book In Search of Center is now available directly from the publisher with release to the online retailers following shortly.

This project is another collection of thoughts. My thoughts. Thoughts on triathlon. Thoughts on life. Thoughts on cancer and thoughts on people. All of these pieces have previously appeared somewhere over the last couple of years. Some were written for other publications, and some simply personal blog entries.

These are assorted musings that celebrate, contemplate, and even mourn. Included in here as well are tributes to friends lost like Derek Valentino, Brad Schoener, Caroline Gallagher Cranston, Ed Collins, Barb Janz, and Norm Brown.

Thank you to Ethan Zohn for his involvement in writing the book’s foreword. Thanks also to Shep Messing, a long time goalkeeping idol of mine who provided a very nice message which I included in the beginning of the book.

I also want to thank Scott Tinley, Dave Scott, and Vicki Huber-Rudawsky for allowing me to rope them into this. I appreciate their open and genuine comments. ST, thanks for providing the inspiration for the book’s title as well.

This is just another chance for me to do – something. I may not have the deepest pockets and may not always be able to make the monetary contributions that I would like to, but I can use what I have and what I do to help contribute.

A portion of the proceeds of all sales will go to Ethan Zohn’s charity, Grassroot Soccer.

“Stephen Brown writes with equal parts thoughtful muse and devil-may-care prose. Perhaps born of his own life challenges, he doesn’t swoon his readers as much as he shakes their own foundations of belief about what sport is and what it isn’t. In a world of slick, market-driven writers, Brown writes for the best of all reasons—because it helps him to understand a confusing time and place. If you’re looking for careful, exacting narratives, you won’t find them here. But if you want a view of one man’s successful struggle to elevate his life through physical culture, you’ve come to the right place” –

Scott Tinley, author of “Racing the Sunset: An Athlete’s Quest for Life after Sport”

“Steve Brown is a survivor. This insight and passion for health covers the physical, psychological and emotional barriers that everyone has run up against. He’s overcome incredible adversity and always has a positive twist with infectious enthusiasm. I’ve seen Steve at many Team In Training functions and he has an uncanny ability to keep his message real, laced with humor and always ending on an upbeat note. As a cancer survivor Steve shares his incredible wealth of discovery and knowledge in his book “In Search of Center”

Dave Scott Six-Time Ironman World Champion, Coach, & Author

In Search of Center
…ramblings on life and sport

Written by Stephen Brown
Foreword by Ethan Zohn
Copyright 2010 Stephen Sinclair Brown
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-0-557-69644-4

Print – $14.95
Download – $9.99
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

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Give Triathlon Back to the Triathletes

By Steve | Published: October 29, 2010

I need to vent a little bit on this new program initiated by the World Triathlon Corporation – Ironman Access. And I really hope that after I do vent, I will feel better because I really do love this sport and hate to see it tarnished. For the last few years I have been growing increasingly disgruntled at the rising cost and market saturation of the “M-Dot” product produced by the WTC but this time they have taken the greed machine way too far.

Welcome the addition of the Ironman Access concept. And I use the word “welcome” in much the same way I would welcome a stomach virus…. Or a hole in the roof of my house. According to the Ironman Access pay to play program, athletes are now given the opportunity to pay an additional $1,000 membership fee to gain access to their exclusive preferred customer club, which will “afford” (another great contradiction, huh?) them the opportunity to register prior to general registration opening up to the rest of the non-member mortals. 

Seriously?

As if entry fees and the entry process to these races were not already out of control, we are now going to ratchet the snob factor up a few notches and make these events available to only those with thousands of dollars to burn. Is this really what this sport was intended to be? At what point did the WTC lose complete perspective? And when and how do we, the athletes, draw the line?

Thank God there are independent events out there being run by race directors who have a soul and who DO understand the spirit of the sport and the spirit of the triathlete. Maybe their toilet paper doesn’t contain a logo, but their events are safe, affordable, and fun and focus on the CHALLENGE OF THE RACE.

People ask me all the time whether I prefer to race the independents , or the full production M-Dot races. My answer is usually very honest and I highlight the benefits of each, encouraging people to do both events so that they have a fair representation of both ends of the event spectrum. But I am really struggling with this last move by the WTC which in my mind demonstrates nothing but a ravenous quest for someone else’s dollar.

Popular WTC events already sell out in minutes and carry a lofty sticker price, and now we have the Access program. I am dying to see what might be next. Will they (WTC) continue to price and drive their product line upward and into eventual extinction?

I’ll ask the question again….Is this really what this sport was intended to be? I think and hope not. Can we please just take a step backwards, breath deeply, and take a few personal and corporate inventories with the hope that we can find a way to please everyone and make this a user friendly sport (again)? I honestly don’t think I am rich enough to ever consider an M-Dot event again.

 Am I missing something?

Post Script – This morning I have learned that there IS redemption. We do have a voice. And there is much power in the social media. This program has officially been cancelled. It takes courage to admit and correct a mistake like this. Well done WTC.

While I felt strongly about raising my concern, my faith has been restored by this very important video message released by the WTC. Please visit:

http://ironmanaccess.com/

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WTC Introduces New Athlete Membership Program

By Steve | Published: October 27, 2010

 

accessOct. 27, 2010 (Tampa, Fla.) – Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) launches an exclusive athlete membership program called Ironman Access. In addition to other member benefits, the program will offer advance registration for Ironman events worldwide before entries open to the general public.  Membership into Ironman Access is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once it reaches capacity. To register for Ironman Access, click here.

Advance race registration for Ironman Access members will open one week prior to the event’s general entry registration date.  Athletes are required to pay the general entry fee for the selected event.  Early registration for Ironman Access members for the 2011 Ironman Florida will open on Monday, Nov. 1; athletes interested in registering for this event as an Ironman Access member must join the program by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 31, to be eligible.

Members may choose to register early for one or more of the following 2011 and 2012 Ironman races:

  • 2011 Ironman Florida
  • 2011 Ironman Arizona
  • 2011 Ironman Cozumel
  • 2011 Ironman Western Australia
  • 2012 Ironman New Zealand
  • 2012 Ironman South Africa
  • 2012 Ironman Australia
  • 2012 Ironman St. George
  • 2012 Ironman Lanzarote
  • 2012 Ironman Texas
  • 2012 Ironman China
  • 2012 Ironman Brazil
  • 2012 Ironman France
  • 2012 Ironman Coeur d’Alene
  • 2012 Ironman Austria
  • 2012 Ironman Switzerland
  • 2012 Ironman European Championship
  • 2012 Ironman Lake Placid
  • 2012 Ironman UK
  • 2012 Ironman Regensburg
  • 2012 Ironman Canada
  • 2012 Ironman Louisville
  • 2012 Ironman Wisconsin
  • 2012 Ironman Wales

In addition to exclusive, advance registration, Ironman Access will offer perks including an official membership ID card; a second chance in the Ironman Lottery Program*; two VIP passes per registered event; a one-year subscription to LAVA Magazine; discounts on Ironman partner products at shopironman.com and at Ironman’s on-site event retail stores; and a 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast DVD.  Membership benefits are valid for one year starting from activation date. In order to take advantage of early event registration, membership must be current. The annual membership fee is $1,000 USD.

*With purchase of a general lottery entry.

To register for Ironman Access, click here. For additional information on Ironman Access, please log on to www.ironmanaccess.com or contact access@ironman.com.

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To Fran Crippen’s Fans, Friends, and Family

By Steve | Published: October 26, 2010

Please visit Fran’s website for this message from his family.

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world " - Gandhi
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