How Cool Is This...

Dear Athlete,

Congratulations! We have finalized our first 50 athletes and are excited to announce that you have been selected to become a member of 2006 Team Polar.

After reviewing your application and speaking with you on the phone, we are confident that your athletic goals, enthusiasm and peer influence is a perfect match for Polar. As a brand ambassador, we will look to you to not only be dedicated to athletic excellence, but also 100% committed to the success of the program. This means, that in addition to the 2 training club clinics and 2 retail appearances that are required of you, we hope you will continually be seeking out opportunities to promote Polar.

I apologize to the Kahuna and my Tri-Greek Dreamer teammates out there but I will not be wearing the awesome blue and black at Ironman Florida. Polar HRM is my new clothing sponsor and I am required to wear their team clothing at my races this year and through Ironman Arizona next year.

As part of the contract I get custom team apperal, an RS200sd running computer system and a CS200cad cycling computer system. I am also sent a dozen watches to run local clinics.

The great news is that my training partner, Jeff aka "The Machine", also made the team. Its nice to know that we can do all this together.

Free Money?

I would highly recommend you search this site to see if you have any loose income floating around. Be sure to check all the states you have ever lived in. Do you whole family while your at it and guys...don't forget your wifes maiden name.

Nothing for me and mine but searched my biz partners and found them some extra cash. What did you find?

Tensed Up...

I am getting a little frustrated at this hamstring issue. No I still haven't got the shot yet, though I still need it, but the belly of the muscle is all jacked up now and its hemming up my runs. I feel that it is so jacked that to run on it will cause a more serious long term injury. I haven't run in a week.

I have become Mr. Bike Trainer Guy. I am stuck riding my trainer in the little chainring and slowly moving up into the higher gearing of the big chainring getting my legs nices and warmed up. I rode last night and would guess just based on my high cadence work I only rode 16 miles instead of my usually estimated 20 miles.

Oh well, its all good.

FCA-Endurance

A few months ago I joined a group called FCA-Endurance. FCA stands for Fellow Christian Athletes. I have a link on my sidebar.

This group has been just another of a long string of blessings in my life. First off it costs nothing to join. Its a body of athletes who train in triathlon or other endurance sports and follow a code. Now whether your a Christian or Muslim, Jew or Athesist, at least you can appreciate community. This 'code' happens to be racing and training with biblical principals. Its called the Competitors Creed. I already followed these principals based on my faith, so it was nothing to link up with them except for one more way to recieve encouragement and motivation from like minded triathletes.

I spoke on the phone recently with the President of FCA-E, Chris (a midwest guy, he is from Minna-So-Cold) because he wanted me to know all the wonderful things going on at IMAZ this week. Some Ironman expo's have an event called IronPrayer. I went to this last year. Heather Gollnick was the main speaker then and this year as well. I think I recently posted that Barb Lindquist recently became a Ministry Partner with FCA-E.

If your a Christian I say, "Sign Up!" You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If your not a Christian, thanks for reading this far and being a fair and open-minded person. Regardless of your position 'Favor' will find you.

Smooth As Silk

Well the weather is getting to the point that 'diapers' aka running shorts are replacing most clothes for everyday wear. Its going to be almost 90 degrees today.

That being said I want to write a bit about how to keep the chaffing down to a minimum. I recommend two products, BodyGlide and BlisterShield.

I hate chaffing. Nothing bothers me more in a run than feeling the after effects of constant friction, in my case, along the inside of my upper thighs. The crotch to be specific. I Occassionally I get friction on the inside of my arms if my sleeveless jersey rubs against the skin. know women whom often complain that their bra straps create friction. We are all susceptable to this happening.

BodyGlide is the ubiquitous stick seen pretty much anywhere outdoor products are sold. This product is sanctioned by USAT and also sold at all Ironman and USAT races. I like this product. I have two or three around the house or in my bags incase of emergancy need. Its a fairly thick coating, thicker than deodorant. In my use of the product a couple of swipes and I am chaff free for two or three hours. The drawback if you live in extreme temperatures like say Phoenix, is that if BodyGlide is left in your workout bag, which is left in your car during a hot day, it will melt down. Not exactly what you want to have occur to your clothing.

I prefer BlisterShield in roll-on form. There is also a powdered form for feet or other body parts. It is a specialty product and more difficult to find. I would look at running stores first or online for sure. Now this product uses a different chemical that applys like a slick, teflon feeling. Thats not to say that it 'feels' weird, quite the opposite. I think it feels great, since it creates a frictionless surface that the skin glides across. It is non-staining to clothes as well. The roll on is a liquid quality so it will not melt in the heat, another big plus.

Of the two products I recommend BlisterShield over BodyGlide. Its a better frictionless product and easier to use.

Saturday

Off to the pool for some drills. Probably a short day of 2500 yards. Then Mighty Mo and I will be going to Ice Age 2 before his nap. Then this afternoon a one hour run.

Have Fun. Spring is here and for those of you with Daylight Savings time, "What are you going to do with your extra hour?"

Scottsdale Triathlon Photos