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By Janda, August 12, 2010 10:00 am

I’ve been training for and competing in triathlons since 1995. Ever since catching the tri “bug” at age 19, it’s been my dream to host a triathlon of our own here in my home town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. That dream came to fruition last year and once again this past Sunday, as my city and I celebrated the 2nd annual Gloucester Fisherman Triathlon. It was a ton of hard work to pull the race off, but we did it, and enjoyed a spectacular turn out and some tremendous performances by the best pro/elite field to grace the New England sprint triathlon scene this year.

Helping to create and direct a triathlon is one of the most challenging endeavors I have ever faced. Logistically, you must cover all the bases and think of ways to avert all the things that could go wrong before over 800 athletes swim, bike and run throughout the streets of a fairly busy city such as Gloucester.

Being a long time athlete myself, my first and foremost concern for the event revolves around safely as the thought of a fellow athlete being injured on our course is something that makes me lose sleep at night. The myriad of emotions that you face leading up to, and following race day leaves you nothing short of exhausted. I often wondered why race directors complained of being sick post race, and now I know (I’m currently dealing with a nasty cold!).

The GFT serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit group I belong to: The Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association. The GFAA consists of a group of volunteers who pool their collective resources to create events and fund raising drives that raise much needed funds here in Gloucester. These funds are used to offset the athletic “user fees” that our school system must impose upon its student-athletes due to budgetary cuts. The funds are also used to maintain and enhance the athletic fields & facilities that our student-athletes play and compete upon.

As a proud graduate of Gloucester High School and someone who benefited tremendously from my experiences as an athlete, I feel that it my obligation to help out the next generation of GHS athletes and saw the creation of the Gloucester Fisherman Triathlon as a chance to do just that.

It was once again a dream come true as I watched hundreds of athletes pour into Gloucester last weekend. Many of them showed up on Saturday to pre-register for the race, and I had the opportunity to lead a training clinic for many of the first timers in attendance who would soon embark on their first triathlon the next morning! I must admit that, due to the combination of fatigue and stress that I had to endure for the weeks leading into this race, I was nearly overtaken with emotion when I first greeted the group and began my talk. Although it may sound a bit corny, I felt incredibly proud of the fact that these people would soon call the GFT their FIRST EVER triathlon. I was also very grateful for their participation as they were directly helping the GFAA in their fund raising efforts by competing in the race.

Michelle and I were up bright (it was actually pitch black at 4:30 a.m.) and early Sunday morning and on the go all day; helping out on the course, running supplies around, directing athletes as they headed out and in on the bike, handing out awards… if you think that competing in a triathlon is hard, try organizing one!

We had some legendary names on hand and the Women’s race was won by none other than the 1995 Hawaii Ironman World Champion, Karen Smyers. Seeing Karen rip through the streets of downtown Gloucester was almost too good to be true. What made it even better was that she was joined by so many other great athletes like former U23 national champ Ethan Brown and about 100 of my friends and acquaintances from around town.

Check out the Gloucester Daily Times’ online edition for a story on the race and all of the great photography and video content that the good people at Good Morning Gloucester provided as well.

Well, that’s a wrap for the 2010 rendition of this year’s GFT. I’m looking forward to next year already!

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By Landice, August 11, 2010 10:57 am

Janda Ricci-Munn helped coordinate what is being called the most competitive sprint event in the Northeast, the Gloucester Fisherman Triathlon.

Congratulations to Janda for such a successful event, and to all the runners, the race even saw a new course record by John Babcock!

See full race results here.

Good Morning Gloucester was on the scene for the race. Check out their video recap, including interviews with triathletes and their fans!

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By Landice, August 6, 2010 11:25 am

Our friends from Fort Worth, TX, The Running Couple (Lee and Isis Hargrave) are helping coordinate a new race!

The Peacemaker isn’t your average 10k. This is a 6-mile course lined with more than 12 obstacles to test your physical and mental limits, including Texas-sized hay bale hills and Fort Worth’s own Trinity River!

Think mud, sweat and fun!  If you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss this race!

The Details:

When: Sept. 11, 2010
Where: Fort Worth, TX
Benefitting: Save Haven, a Texas non-profit aimed at ending domestic violence.

For more info, check out The Peacemaker’s website.

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By Landice, July 6, 2010 10:00 am

In October, 45,000 people will line the streets of Chicago for the Bank of America Marathon. Will you be one of them?

We’ve pulled together a few details about this historic race:

• If you’re planning to run in Chicago, or even watch, don’t end up in Chicago without your official Running Couple t-shirt! Our friends, Lee and Isis, are hosting a “meetup on the run!” Easily spot other Twitter fans and followers in their Chicago Marathon 2010 shirts! (Read more about the shirts on the Running Couple’s blog.)
  • Get your Running Couple shirt here and customize your shirt with your Twitter handle.
  • Proceeds benefit Common Threads, a Chicago charity whose mission is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being, and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking.

• Registration for the marathon is currently open. To register, click here.

• You may already know that the Chicago Marathon supports a number of charities. When you register, you are invited to register through the Charity Program and the charity of your choice will benefit from your run.

• Charity Program registration is open until Sept. 1, 2010, or until the individual charity list is full, whichever comes first. There are currently four charities still available for you to support with your registration:
  • The Red Cross
  • The Chicago Diabetes Project
  • Fred’s Team
  • The Ronald McDonald House

So lace up your running shoes, register, get your t-shirt and get to Chicago!

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By admin, July 5, 2010 10:00 am

Photo by Chris Milliman. Courtesy of Craft Apparel.

With the summer training season upon us, we have had several requests for some “getting started” training tips. It’s always good to go back to the basics, so we’re reviewing these basic training tips from Janda Ricci Munn.

So you’re looking to test the limits of your endurance and speed and have signed up for a local 5k, 8k or 10k road race.  To date, you’ve employed a more recreational approach to your running but know that in order to finish strong on race day, it’s time to get serious with your training.

But where do you begin?

For the beginner to intermediate competitive runner, there are a number of key elements that must be addressed during your training leading up to race day if you hope to succeed. Continue reading 'Basic Training Advice #1'»

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By Landice, July 2, 2010 12:56 pm

There’s one thing every runner has in common. Whether running inside or out this summer, shoes are one of those necessities that you just can’t go without.

Competitor.com has released their 2010 Summer Shoe Guide. The shoes were tested by a panel of athletes, and were reviewed in 3 categories: Fit, Feel and Ride. If you’re looking to upgrade, or try something new, this guide is a must read for you! Continue reading 'What’s on your feet?'»

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By Landice, July 1, 2010 10:00 am

Unfortunately, this is a topic I’ve become all too familiar with the past few weeks. I crashed on my bike during a recent triathlon and broke my collarbone. Injuries are a part of sports. This is probably even more so for endurance sports. Injuries are not fun at all. They are painful, they interrupt training plans, they alter the race schedule, they lower your fitness, they ruin competitive goals on the horizon, and they cause frustration, loss of confidence and possibly even a bit of depression.

Injuries are just another challenge that life throws at us. You get to choose how you want to deal with it. Are you going to embrace it and come out the other end a better person and athlete or are you going to give in to all of the negative things that an injury can bring? I hope you choose the first option. Continue reading 'Injuries: They’re part of the game'»

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By Landice, February 16, 2010 11:24 am

One of our faithful Twitter followers, @lilpokes, asked a great question today.
“What should I eat before a marathon?”
Lee, from The Running Couple (@runningcouple) sent us his recommendation:

The diary tracking your food vs. performance is a great way to find out what works for you and what doesn’t. While training for my first marathon, I got to hear all the horror stories about GI problems and decided to do something about it. I would track what I ate throughout the day and how my performance was for the following run. The entire week before the race I stuck to my safe food and had no problems at all. That is what I love about running…learning about your body and testing your limits.

My pre-race food stays the same…whole wheat pasta with red sauce the night before (I avoid dairy like the plague) and oatmeal with peanut butter and honey in the morning 3 hours before the start. I usually stick with water, but I always have a small glass if orange juice in the morning. I get my caffeine from my Clif Shot Bloks!

Janda Ricci-Munn has this suggestion:

30 min. pre race/during warm up = 1 Power Gel + a few sips of sport drink

60 min. pre race/during warm up = Light hydration (a few sips of sport drink here and there)

2 Hours pre race = 1 pint of sport drink

3 – 3.5 hours pre race = 400 – 500 or so calories, which should primarily come from complex carbohydrate sources such as oatmeal, bagels, cereal, etc.  Avoid animal protein sources & dairy if possible.  Very small amount of fat in the form of peanut butter okay, but not more than a tablespoon or so.  Consume 1 full glass of sport drink with breakfast (sport drink should factor into the caloric equation).

30 min. pre race/during warm up = 1 Power Gel + a few sips of sport drink

60 min. pre race/during warm up = Light hydration (a few sips of sport drink here and there)

2 Hours pre race = 1 pint of sport drink

3 – 3.5 hours pre race = 400 – 500 or so calories, which should primarily come from complex carbohydrate sources such as oatmeal, bagels, cereal, etc.  Avoid animal protein sources & dairy if possible.  Very small amount of fat in the form of peanut butter okay, but not more than a tablespoon or so.  Consume 1 full glass of sport drink with breakfast (sport drink should factor into the caloric equation).

Hope this helps! Do you have a special meal that works for you before your race? Comment on this post and let us know what your favorite pre-race meal is!

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By admin, November 24, 2009 11:48 am

Photo by Chris Milliman. Courtesy of Craft Apparel.

Winter is fast approaching, racing seasons for many athletes are tapering down, and athletes and coaches are beginning their preparation for the vigorous months of training that lie ahead.  It’s time to start gearing up for the next racing season.  Maybe you didn’t perform as well as you would have hoped this time around.  You’re not alone, and many athletes are planning on increasing their training regimen over the winter months to ensure greater success next season.

Have you thought this through?  Are you certain that hard-core outdoor training in the winter is the most efficient way to prepare for your next marathon?  Is it the safest method of training?  Are you layering on the winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf?  Are you running in wind, snow and ice?  Is this outdoor training really what you need to be successful?

And safety aside, what about the technical side of your training?  Are you focusing on your VO2Max?  Do you even know what that is or how it relates to your athletic ability?

What about the psychological aspect of training?  What are you doing to keep yourself excited and motivated?  How do you keep from peaking early in the next season, only to become frustrated with your performances soon after?

Do you know what your “limiting factor” really is?

Janda Ricci-Munn, accomplished triathlete and coach discusses his unique approach to winter training: identifying and developing the limiting factor. Continue reading 'The Limiting Factor'»

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By admin, November 18, 2009 4:54 pm

Kyle Garlett at Lavaman Finish Line

Ironman competitor, Kyle Gartlett, overcomes cancer, heart transplant, bone marrow transplant and joint replacements to compete as an Ironman athlete. Read his inspiring story from Triathlon.Competitor.com

Bethany Leach
www.triathlon.competitor.com

More than a month after the Hawaii Ironman, Kyle Garlett just started back his Ironman training. Last month, he had attempted to become the first heart transplant recipient to finish a Hawaii Ironman. But his race was cut short when he missed the two-hour, 20-minute swim cutoff by eight seconds.

I had no clue I was pushing 2:20, Garlett says. And when he was told by an Ironman official that he was done for the day, he didn’t understand until he looked at his watch.

It was pretty tough, he says. I logged a lot of hours and miles, and I didn’t want the day to be over that quickly.

Though disappointed with himself, he was encouraged by the support he received. He was ushered into the medical tent, away from the cameras, and an Ironman official told him that he would do better next year. Continue reading 'Heart Transplant Recipient to Attempt Kona Again'»