The ideal kick-off to a new season, athletes will have the opportunity to get training advice, fine tune their technique, learn about local races, purchase the gear they need to start the season and much more.

The event will also be the site of the annual USAT Mid-Atlantic membership meeting. Multisport World in the Mid-Atlantic will take place at the state-of-the-art Hanley Center for Athletic Excellence at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, MD (less than 20 miles from Washington DC).

Volunteer support will be provided by the DC Triathlon Club. Visit www.MultisportWorld.com for more details.

One of the appeals of the MS150 is the fact that this is a very “friendly” ride in that riders of all walks and of all ages and athletic abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. It is a great training ride for some, and an epic happening for others. The event attracts everyone from weekend warriors and serious athletes, to first timers and even entire families on every type of bicycle imaginable.

The MS150 also has a very unique and special feature. One that is so special that other riders flock to get a glimpse or snap a picture just to prove to others that this phenomenon actually exists.

Rather than me even attempt to do this amazing individual’s story any justice, click HERE for the full scoop. You too will be touched.

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

Visit TEAM IN TRAINING for more!

Reinforcing his own commitment to make a difference and encourage the “extra-mile message,” Shawn will be pedaling the U.S. ocean-to-ocean solo in order to positively encourage others who may need a lift in their individual lives.

A “possibilty thinker” and a self-billed “Battery Charger of the Human Spirit,” Shawn has a lifetime mission of empowering 1,000,000 people to lead a more positive and purposeful existence. Author of SOAR to the Top and most recently Amicus 101: A Story About the Pursuit of Purpose and Overcoming Life’s Chaos, Shawn is passionate about empowering others to maximize their goals and fulfill their personal potential.

Shawn, 46, is also hoping that his extra-mile cross country effort can spark an extra-mile trend for others in their mid and older years to exercise.

“Although I am a fitness advocate, I am neither a regular bicyclist nor a race enthusiast. I exercise solely to be healthy. In 1998, I did bike the U.S. ocean-to-ocean as a challenge to myself; however, my novice status as a cyclist is confirmed by the fact that I bought my bike the day before I left! From the completion of that cross-country ride through March of this year (2009), I have ridden a bike for no more than 50 miles.”

“My exercise and fitness foundation has always been as a runner. I jog 3-6 miles 5+ days a week as I have for over 20 years. For this cross-country ride, however, I am getting my “seat” used to the bike much sooner than before!”

Read more about Shawn here – www.ShawnAnderson.com

Although this was probably intended for his riders in the Tour, one can easily find the real life applications in this approach on handling obstacles, road blocks, hurdles, or whatever you want to call the things that always seem to get in the way of what seemed to be the perfect game plan. My version of what to do should you become diverted from your initial plan, goes something like this;

Assess - Stop and access the specifics of the situation. Try to cut through the emotions and clutter and understand the true root of the problem.

Explore – Determine how many ways there may be to “fix” or remedy the situation and still receive the desired outcome.

Choose – Based on the options available, and the expected outcome, select the best option.

Adjust – Make whatever tweaks or adjustments are needed to the plan.

Move – Get yourself back on course and do not focus time or energy on what had gone wrong.

I know these sound like simple and logical steps. The problem is, in times of a crises, simplicity and logic can become obscured by anxiety, fear, anger, or any number of emotions which are counter productive to your ultimate goal.

For more on Johan visit www.johanbruyneel.com

Over the years, I have done many such charity rides both socially and as hard core training efforts. This year I rode with a couple of good friends, John and Kevin, as well as my nephew Sean and could not have asked for better weather or a better day. It was one of those rides that just hummed for all 66 miles. Everything felt right.

Riding with good friends is great because you can play off of each other’s energy and work together for a more efficient result. As with many of the rides of this nature, they would not work without a band of very dedicated volunteers so thank you to all who worked long and hard to make this event a success. Kudos all the law enforcement and community support throughout the day as well.

To make the day even better, my wife and one of our daughters made their way to the end point in time to see us all finish, to share in the accomplishment, and to grab some lunch with all of us. Sharing things like this with the people who are most meaningful in your life just makes the accomplishment that much sweeter. We had a good day. No, we had a great day. And the best part is that our efforts will pay big dividends to many others in their fight against so many cancers.

Thanks for everyone’s continued support.

Off now for a short run.

Life is good.

View from Ocean Drive - Longport Bridge

 Although very flat, the shore can be a great place to ride with nice wide shoulders, and plenty of riding options featuring picturesque views and the often present scent of an ocean breeze.  On Saturday, I headed out at about 7 AM with a couple of modest goals in mind. First, to fully road test my nutrition intake plan, second, to log 100 miles of riding and third, to enjoy every minute of it. Or at least enjoy most of it. It sounded easy enough. And after the ride I knew I’d be able to kick back and enjoy a few well deserved hours on the beach.

What I didn’t realize was that someone had added a few extra agenda items for me. Apparently someone thought I needed to practice changing a flat tire (twice) and wanted to test my patience and resolve in the meantime. Although those items popped up just 15 miles into the ride, I handled them effortlessly and resumed my journey. No problem. I rode through beautiful Belleplaine State forest and revisited the venue of the Cape May Triathlon which was held a month earlier.

I then made my way all the way down a strip known as Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive essentially hugs the coast and runs through all of the South Jersey beach towns. It’s very scenic as you travel over the bridges and causeways. If you can block out the congestion at certain points as people try to get to the beach, it is a beautiful place to ride.

There are a few things that you will see every time you head out to ride at the Shore. I’m not sure what it is about road kill and flea markets in South Jersey but she sure has her share of both of them. Interesting road kill too. And a lot of unidentifiable road kill. Snake road kill, skunk road kill, turtle road kill, um … some other kind of road kill. You name it; you’ll see it. And if you can’t name it, you’ll still see it. You may see it for the next couple of weeks. And it’ll get a little funkier each time. Maybe the birds of prey can’t recognize some of these things either and figure it is best to just leave them alone. 

I reached my turnaround point on Ocean Drive and decided to pull over for a minute to enjoy the scenery, choke down a gel, and make a quick cell call. In that 5 minute period, I think I had 2 cars and 5 cyclists check on me to make sure that I was OK and didn’t need any help. I’ve said this many times before, but I still get blown away by the camaraderie that one sees out there on the road. I finished my gel, ended my call and headed back. The ride back on Ocean Drive always seems much faster. I’m not sure if it’s the wind or the psychological effect of going home. But whatever it is, it works. 

Of course I had had a couple of interpersonal exchanges with a few people along the way home. No ride would be complete without them. There was the guy in the passenger seat of a nice red convertible who felt the need to look right at me and spit at my feet as we sat at a red light. No problem bud, have a good day.

But for every irate and ignorant phlegm-meister, there is a kid with a lemonade stand there to make things all right. Of course, I had to pull over and fill up with some fresh squeezed and give the kid an extra three dollar tip. I made his day but not half as much as he made mine. Spend that money wisely dude. 

So, I made my way back home. Shoveled in a couple of PB & J’s and listened to my neighbors remind me of how slightly off center I can be. I just smiled politely and said … “thanks”. After a quick shower, I found myself perched quite comfortably in my favorite chair on the beach enjoying the sights and sounds of the Jersey Shore. Mission(s) accomplished. My nutrition worked out. I got my 100 miles in. And I enjoyed every minute of it. As I reflected back on another great ride, I reminded myself how lucky I am.