Sunday, July 29, 2007

NUUN. Funny name, Great Product


About a month now I've been using NUUN hydration drink. I am really happy with the results! Great flavor, unique packaging, and a very clean after taste! I highly recommend it!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Say It Ain't So Vino....


Most in the know picked him as their Tour favorite. Stage 5 we all gasped when Vino crashed and lost time. Hard work lay ahead... The time trail win by 1 minute 14 seconds was awsome! Then the next day was the first day in the Pyrenees he lost almost 29 minutes...all hope was lost for a high position in the General Classification. The next day (Tuesday) he attacks to a solo victory..it was sweet! And now the rest day brings this news...

PAU, France - Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend's time trial, prompting his Astana team to pull out of the race, a team spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The positive test of the Kazakh rider, a one-time favorite to win cycling's premier event, dealt a heavy blow to a sport already reeling from a spate of doping scandals.
"Vino has tested positive having to do with a blood transfusion and the team is leaving the Tour," team spokeswoman Corinne Druey said, using the rider's nickname.
The positive test took place after the Kazakh rider's victory in the 13th stage time trial on Saturday, L'Equipe newspaper reported on its website.

Floyd Landis's situation is still unresolved, and now this...I am really sad & mad about the sport I enjoy so much.
In anger I held my own silent protest today running in my "DOPERS SUCK" socks.

Gear Review - Garmin Forerunner 305


I received a new toy for my birthday, a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS with heart rate monitor. This thing is great! The new antenna is much stronger than my earlier version the Forerunner 201. It acquires satellite signals faster, and has yet to get the "weak gps signal" message. You can "build" speed work workouts on your computer (on the provided program/it's MAC compatible) then upload them to the wrist unit. I have nothing but good things to say about the 305. Also it can plot your course on a map after you upload it, which can be cool to check out after workouts. It also can change to Bike mode, and could take the place of a bike computer. If you do a Goggle search you can find it at a much better price than advertised.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

A strong lead out train important for sprinters...can the train be too strong?


"Ghent, Belgium, - Belgian Gert Steegmans won Monday's second stage of the 2007 Tour de France as sprint specialist Tom Boonen allowed his friend and fellow Belgian to cross the finish line first on their home turf.
A photo of the finish was needed to separate the 26-year-old Steegmans from his QuickStep teammate and confirm his first-ever Tour victory. Italian Filippo Pozzato finished third.
Steegmans is usually the so-called pilot fish for Boonen, setting a fast pace and creating a slipstream for Boonen to ride in until he can explode into the open in the final 100 meters."

As I watched the replays on Versus it looked as though Tom Boonen could not out sprint his lead out man. Gert winds it up so much, it apeared that Tom could not generate the speed before the line to come around him. A great Tour so far, as usual!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Tour de France and Airline Baggage...what do they have in common?


Tour de France starts in London!
Prologue 4.9 miles Time 8:50 Speed 33.3 mph

Pardon Fabian Cancellara if he looked a little scruffy on the winner's podium after trading his world champion's time trial rainbow stripes for the maillot jaune.

"I would love to shave but I lost my luggage while flying to London on Wednesday," Cancellara said, sporting a hint of a mustache and scruff on his chin. "I'm happy to be in the yellow jersey, but I'd love to have my luggage back!"

I guess we can't have it all...the yellow jersey and a razor. I'd take scruff and a yellow jersey...obviously the aerodynamic drag wasn't a factor!

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Macca wins in Roth and narrowly miss out on world record!


The Ironman distance world record was achieved by Luc van Lierde in 1997 at Roth in Germany with a time of 7:50:27. Chris McCormack raced on June 24, 2007 with his sites set on winning and a new world record. Macca won, but narrowly missed the world record with a time of 7:54:23. That is a FREAKN' fast Ironman! I can't wait to Kona!

The Tour starts Saturday!


It's July and that means the Tour de France is on! I was I could watch it everyday. There is always something happening, good and bad. This year is shrouded under a black cloud of doping. I am torn...I really love the sport of cycling, but hate cheaters! I will watch the Tour with a passion because I enjoy it so much. I really hope we are turning a corner with regard to doping. The teams are taking a strong stance and implamenting very comprehensive anti-doping programs of their own. The UCI's new rule of a fine of one year's salery if found guilty of doping as well as a a ban from the sport for a duration I can't remember. I hope and pray that the sport cleans up so that I may again be 110% excited about a GREAT sport. A sport with great traditions, unwriten rules that are respectful and hold so much honor.

Macca is king!


I have been following Chris McCormack for the last couple of years and how can you not like the guy. He is passionate about Triathlon, and has a great respect for the histroy and future of the sport. He often is seen as "cocky," but I think to reach the highest level you must believe in yourself. Triathlon is mostly an individual sport, yes there are coach and other supprt poeple. When the gun goes off and it's "game on" it's all up to the individual. I just recently heard a great interview on Ironman Talk podcast with Macca, and it's great insight to a guy who has the "big picture" and is putting himself in the position to win at Kona. I believe he will win Kona this year!

My Favorite Cyclists.



I would have to say I have two favorites...Dave Zaberskie and Jens Voigt. I like Dave's strong time trailing, a discipline that fasinates me. How do you get right up to a top effort, and then maintain it thoughout the distance. A fine line of victory and blowing up before the finish. I also like Dave's personality of good humor and quick wit. His wife is pretty hot too. Jen Voigt is so hardcore it's scary. He goes all out for his team, and sometime gets the spotlight for himself. He is a guy late in the stage that gets the order to "attack" and attack he does, usually leaving carnage in his wake.

Another year goes by...

Birthdays...when you are young they are the most exciting things ever! My daughter is 5 and she LOVES her birthday. I love her birthday! It's exciting, a time and sign of accomplishment. We as parents are a bit sad thought to see them grow up so fast. As you get older you start to "enjoy" them less and less. I just had a birthday and now I don't really look forward to them. What can you do...I just know I am well loved by my family and "things" aren't very important.