Between your ears

You've probably heard it a hundred times...from your mom, your teacher, your coach, and maybe even your boss...."use your head", or "keep your head in the game".

While it is usually not communicated in a nice, gentle way, the advice is well founded.

Keeping your head on straight during a triathlon is key to having a good day. Why? Because no matter how well you are prepared, there is always something that will go wrong. And it is how you handle the situation or even situations that will determine your result.

First, let's deal with the physical. Not matter how much you've trained, and how fit you feel more often than not you will deal with some level of discomfort. For me the discomfort usually appears in the run. It may be heat, or it may be a cramp, or a blister. It is at these times that I simply try to think about how much time I need to deal with the discomfort. For example in a recent race the heat was really getting to me on the run. There was not a lot of shade, the road was hot, and the course was hilly. But I knew that if I could deal with the heat for another 12 - 15 minutes I'd be finished. And I knew if I kept moving I'd tick off the minutes and be done. So rather than focusing on the discomfort I counted down the minutes.

Then there are the mechanical issues. These are difficult because they can add a lot of time to your day. And worse, all you can think about are the athletes passing you. Then you begin to rush, make an error in your fix and end up in a worse spot. The key is to keep calm, and make the right fix, once. Slow is smooth and smooth is steady.

But what if it happens again. This is where attitude really comes into play. At Ironman Canada in 2005 carpet tacks were thrown onto the bike course by someone or a group of someones who did not want the race in their back yard. This caused a lot of flat tires. One participant suffered 6 flat tires during her ride. But she kept her cool, made the fixes, and knew that she had plenty of time to make the bike cut off. She did not end up with her desired time, but she crossed the line and was an Ironman. Now that's using your noodle.

And in a recent, local Olympic race the eventual winner had to fix a pedal issue which took 5 minutes of his time in transition. He kept calm, made the fix, then proceeded to race his race, and still cross the line in first place.

The stories could go on forever...from forgetting your bike shoes, to ripping your wetsuit, to losing your goggles in the swim.

So remember, train hard, and go to the race prepared - physically and mentally ready to handle whatever the day throws in your way.

Until next time, keep tri'n.

Hello! My name is....

Race sites are similar to airports in that they are fully functioning locations that have hundreds, and thousands of people milling around, all intent on getting somewhere in the quickest way possible.

And if you are a people watcher these are great places to be. And if you are a social animal you'll meet tons of great people. I think that as part of race kits we should all receive "Hello my name is " stickers.

Wouldn't be nice to know the name of the people around you while waiting in the line-up at the porto-potty. And what about your rack mates? They are really close so you should at least know their names. It's also a great way to let other know who the tri-holes are - the ones that hog space in transition, have swollen heads, and make you feel inadequate because you didn't win your age group.

But the other reason is that you will meet some really amazing people at these race sites that you'll stay in contact with for a long time.

My wife and I have been very fortunate in this regard. Here are some of the highlights.

While at the Corner Brook, Newfoundland (Olympic Distance Race) we met Kym and Darren, who lived in Ontario at the time. They now live in BC, but we still stay in touch, and Kym put me in touch with her former Aussie neighbour Donna.

Donna is a great athlete, and better person. We met up with her, her boyfriend Peter, and their racing buddies at IM Australia last year. They made us feel so welcome, and I look forward to doing another race with them.

At my first Ironman (Canada) one of my training buddies (Jason) introduced me to Fox. Jason met Fox at Ironman Canada the previous year. Fox is a retired pilot, who is a great athlete. A ton of fun, he keeps us in the loop about his training activities in Georgia.

And while in Florida at the Disney 70.3 Fox and I met up again, and this time he brought along his friend Kona George. Another retired athlete who has qualified for Kona a few times.

And finally, not even at a race I met Deirdre. While walking our dog I noticed a woman wearing an Ironman Florida shirt. I asked her about the race, we chatted a bit and exchanged e-mails. I subsequently lost the e-mail, but when my wife was wetsuit shopping we were helped by a familiar face. (Kismet I guess). Deirdre eventually became my coach for a season or two, and really helped me progress.

So next time you are at a race, don't be afraid to say, "Hello, my name is...."

Until next time, keep tri'n.

Things you shouldn't tri.

The articles, blogs and other forms of communication about trithalon, this one included, deal with things one should do - training, rest, nutrition, wellness, racing.

Well I thought that I'd put a list of things you shouldn't tri.

1) DON'T wear a new piece of clothing for the first time at a race, unless you are a risk taker who enjoys discomfort. Now if you like bleeding nipples, chaffing and/or blisters in parts unknown head on down to your favourite shop, or the race expo and put that credit card through its paces.

2) DON'T enter a race without proper training. There are no heroes in the medical tent.

3) DON'T Jump into longer distances to early. Take the time to prepare your body for the punishment of Ironman. Not just the race - the training, the expense, and amount of sacrifice you will have to make. Then there is the hit to your wallet.

4) DON'T go to a stag the night before a race. Oh yeah, he's your best friend, and I know you have will power, but you'll have to decide - race or stag.

5) DON'T run without toilet paper. See my earlier post about this one.

6) DON'T think your non-triathlete c0-workers care about your athletic exploits. They think your big race was a marathon, or maybe they'll ask, "was it a full triathlon"? Just say you had a good day, and be happy they remembered that you had an event.

7) DON'T wear black race clothing. Especially in July/August. And especially if you went to a stag the night before your race.

Just a little food for thought. In the meantime, keep tri'n.

People who impress me

Having participated in many different events has offered the opportunity to observe the other participants....and among the hundreds and thousands of people there are always a few who stand out. These are the athletes that I admire the most.

First Timers
Nervous and a bit shell shocked at the enormity of their decision, they are the lifeblood of the sport. With them the sport continues to grow. So next time one racks their bike beside you and unpacks their gear, welcome them to the sport and remember that you too were once a triathlon virgin.

The Big Hearted Athletes
This is the person who is participating for a bigger cause, typically identified with their team in training kit. Not only are they training for the event amongst their family and work obligations, they are also out there raising funds for their cause.

The 60 + years Athletes
These athletes inspire me to no end. Active and vibrant, they love being out there with the young kids and showing them how its done. They also know that putting in time when you are 40 will allow you to be active when you are 60+. They always are smiling, and enjoy every moment. We can learn a lot from this athlete.

The Disabled Athletes
These athletes demonstrate a tenaciousness and spirit that we should all learn from. Handed a difficult hand they are making the best of the situation and doing it with a smile on their face.

Until next time, keep tri'n