FLUID RECOVERY GIVEAWAY - April 2011

It's that time! I mentioned a while ago about another giveaway and now I have the time to put it together!

What's at stake?

1. Giro Hat
2. 10 mini-packs of GU chomps
3. 2 pairs of white Verge socks
4. 2 regular water bottles
5. 1 HTFU thermal water bottle
6. 1 HTFU sticker
7. K-Edge chain stay protector
8. 1 canister of chocolate FLUID recovery drink!

It doesn't get much better than that!  Well, maybe if there were some ZIPP wheels and a new tri bike in there... but I don't have that kind of budget, sorry.  =)

But, recall my review on FLUID recovery this week.  It's good stuff!

What do you have to do in order to get your hands on these fantastic items!?

By doing each of the following, you get 1 entry each:

1. Post a comment on this post with some way to identify you and list what you did for each entry and total entries.
2. Subscribe to my Examiner.com feed - link to the right of my photo.
3. Submit a race report - if your race is not on the list, choose "other" in the dropdown and add the race name in the comment section.  Takes 10 minutes!
4. Tweet on twitter "I just entered the @Fluid_Recovery giveaway at http://bit.ly/mv7rPR by @Trijayhawkryan and @kccxteam kicked in some stuff, too! "
5. Bonus if you do all 4 (it also counts if you have done any of these in the past).

It's just that simple to get 5 entries!

Rules:
Only US and Canada residents can play.
Submission for entry ends Sunday, May 8th at 11:59pm Central Time.  At which point I will number all entries and draw from random.org.
Other Stuff:
I paid for all items myself or they are contributed by Midwest Triathlon Series.

It's been a long week

Since we had one weekend in the 90's about 3 weeks ago, we have barely broken 60's. While that would be perfect weather, at 4am until noon it's not ideal for riding and with some happenings on the home front, I've been inside a lot the past two weeks. While I get the workouts in, it's not the same intensity I would put in while being outside. So for now I'm gratefull for an indoor bike trainer and treadmill at home.

By the way does anyone else notice all the sad news in the am? I keep a tv on for background and some segments are a little heavy on death and destruction.

And for you guys in the midwest, this has got to be the wildest weather season ever! Alabama just got slammed with tornados yesterday. The devistation is humbling. Hope anyone reading the ole blog here is ok and safe.

This will be a shorter post since I'm doing it via phone on the trainer and my attention span wont last past a few paragraphs of typing on the phone.

Stay safe and happy training.

FLUID Recovery Drink Review

FLUID RECOVERY

Web Site - http://www.livefluid.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/LiveFluid

Twitter - http://twitter.com/Fluid_Recovery

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/thefluidchannel

Products Sold

• Clothing
• Recovery Drink
• Fluid Gear

Mission

• We earn and maintain customer loyalty by consistently delivering the highest quality products. We accomplish this with a company wide commitment to excellence in developing and marketing proven products to enhance performance, health, and general well-being.

Vision

• To harness our passion for physical fitness and nutrition and provide products that are admired throughout our industry and the athletic community.

Values

• Our values are critical to building and maintaining customer trust and go beyond putting the customer first. These include:
• Social and Environmental Responsibility
• Commitment to Excellence
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Ethical behavior

The Fluid Story

• Fluid was originally founded in San Luis Obispo by a nutritional biochemist and an exercise physiologist at Cal Poly State University. Fluid Recovery was introduced to the open market in early 2006, in an effort to answer the industries need for a superior quality recovery drink.
• Fluid founders Richard Smith and Dave Brown gained local and national attention for their research in nutritional biochemistry and their work with athletes both nationally and internationally. Today they continue their sports science research and are developing new products to diversify the Fluid line of recovery drinks.
• You can find the stylized Fluid logo sponsoring athletes across several disciplines, including Olympic Track & Field athletes, BMX world champions, AVP volleyball players, and a professional triathlon development team. For more information about NEHP, Fluid, or its founders please contact us.
• The original mission: Fluid, Everything you need, nothing you don’t.

As a sponsor of Falkee Triathlon, FLUID has generously provided their products at a discount to the tri team.  To be honest, I had not run across FLUID Recovery until on the hunt for team sponsors.  Up until that point, Gatorade Recover and Chocolate Milk had been my recovery drinks of choice.  Honestly, with everything Gatorade has been rolling out, it's hard to know what product best suits me.

While chocolate milk floats my boat for taste, Gatorade provides the nutrition I was looking for but sacrificed taste.  For some reason, the Recover from Gatorade just had a bad after taste no matter what flavor I tried.  While chocolate milk went down smooth, it provided more non-essential calories than I wanted post training.

I posted on EverymanTri.com about some comparison's of recovery drinks where I ranked FLUID number 2.  To be honest, I have tried Hammer products and while I find them affective, they fall in the Gatorade Recover category of not meeting my taste requirements.

When I fix up some FLUID (I go with chocolate), then I get the nutrients AND taste.  I'm a chocolate milk fiend and I get that kick with FLUID and you can always spice it up with some milk (I use skim) if mixing it with water isn't getting it done for you.

Out of the recovery products I have tried, I must admit FLUID hits all of the high points.

• Taste
• Nutrition
• Packaging appeal
• Ease of assembly (although you do have to be careful like all mix drinks that you shake thoroughly to get all of the clumps that cling to the sides mixed in)
• Taste - I put that in again because who wants to chug something you don't like the taste of after riding 40 or running 11 miles??

Like I added, assembly is the only draw back.  Being that it's a powder similar to chocolate milk powder, it has the tendency to clump when mixing so you have to be diligent in mixing it up or you might not get it all drank.

As I mentioned before, FLUID is a sponsor of Falkee Triathlon and provides a discount to the team.  I paid for all products and FLUID has in no way provided any compensation for a "positive" review or anything like that.  =)

Grease Monkey Wipes Shark Tank Follow-Up - THIS FRIDAY, April 22!‏

Thursday, where does the time go

Time on the trainer can draw out like a endless blade... at least when you have 40 miles in front of you. That was this morning's training plan and since it's back in the low 40's here in KC, I opted for the trainer and warmth of the basement. I don't know how you spring/early summer IM people do it riding on the trainer for 6 hours or something insane. No change of scenery and just sweating in a big puddle on the floor. Bleh.

On another note, more swimming tips:

• When you swim with paddles, don't slap and smack the water when you enter with your hand... nothing destroys the fluidity of a swim stroke like SLAPPING the water surface.  This guy would have been doing pretty good had he not been killing his momentum by flat slapping the water surface with his swim paddles.
• Rotate length ways, not sideways when swimming.  Nothing's more entertaining than seeing a swimmer bend sideways touching elbows to knees inch-worming their way down the lane.
• PLEASE PLEASE if you just came out of the steam room DO NOT dead man float in a lane where someone is lap swimming.
• For one, when I swim into you, it's not going to be any fun either us of since I didn't see you and you didn't ask if it was cool to share a lane.
• It's just nasty to work up a sweat in the steam room and come and wash off in the pool.  I gotta swim in that!

TRAINING
Got that 40 miler in today.  Plan is going well but I have to juggle a long run, swim and one more bike and run in for the week.  Not sure how that will shake out.


ARTICLES
I have published a few Examiner articles for KC events and looking at hiring a coach or self coaching.  Well, Active.com picked up my coaching article!  Check it out!


FALKEE TRIATHLON
Polly J ranked 61st in F35-39 for the 2010 tri season from USAT!  Sweet!

Swim Meister Tony And Monthly USMS Newsletter

Getting There One Stroke at a Time

• They always start with an inspiring story and this one is no different. Learning to swim as an adult? I can’t imagine having that courage. One quote in this article really struck me. “If not for the encouragement of the other swimmers I would have quit.” It is such a huge advantage to swim with a group!

Member Rewards Program Kick-off

• They are doing random drawings for small give aways, the last couple of rounds have been pretty much product samples. But, the latest round of winners includes the guy that has been the starter at KCCC swim meets, pretty much since KCCC started.

Are You Self-Coached?

• If you swim on your own, read this one! Ever go to the pool with no work out in mind? How does that turn out? Usually that means you swim about half of what you expected to, or maybe less, and you haven’t put in much quality work. Here you can get great workouts written by professional coaches. You still have to motivate yourself to get through the workouts, but with a solid plan you are certain to do much better than making it up as you go along.

SWIMMER Magazine: Wetsuit Testing Video

• l Sure to be worth the time for triathletes in the market for a wet suit. They give a pretty in depth review of each wet suit tested.

We've Got Spirit!

• And finally, my good friends Joy, Tony, Christie, and Tony are featured in this section. I wish I could have been there to see them smash 2 WORLD RECORDS! I also missed the opportunity to swim on an ‘All Tony Relay’. Oh well, maybe next year. Congrats to this exceptional group. They not only have talent coming out of their ears, they put in the work too. It’s great to see very deserving people achieve such a great feat!
• This young foursome just broke two FINA World Records at a unique relay meet where all relays and courses are swum in the same meet. Last year, this relay team broke a 19-year old USMS record, but because one of the swimmers was only 24 years old, they were not recognized by FINA. This year, despite the record getting faster by an Australian team in 2010, they broke both the 400 LCM Free and 800 SCM Free mixed relay records. Congratulations to: Joy Stover, Tony Stewart, Christine Fuchs, and Tony Diers.

Tony Rezek
Chapter President, Kansas City, MO
(913)424-7601
tonyrezek@train4autism.org
http://train4autism.org

Drained

I'm all tuckered out, and it's only Monday!

Kids kicked my butt this weekend.  School "proms", Monkey Business and Animal Farms... and that was just at home!  =)  We had a lot going on mixed in with a work event Friday night and an 11 mile run Saturday.  Where does the time go?

For the second year in a row I opted out of the Trolley Run in Kansas City.  It's a nice little 4 mile downhill run where EVERYONE sets a PR.  Just too much going on right now so I'm trying to focus on the important races and manage everything else.


TRAINING
Last week's number:
Biking : 64.5 miles - missed one ride
Running : 17.25 miles - missed one run
Swimming : 7500  yards - got my three I wanted
Total Time : 9:30 - largest week to date but wanted to break 10 hours this week.  We shall see if I can up the load with the dwindling hours in the day.  Amazing how the full time job sucks a lot of that training time up!  =)

Bike speed is still lacking.  With the family and wife working a lot of weekends, it's hard to get in on group rides as my schedule is all wompus and I go when I can.

Some online drills I'm hoping to capture in some future rides.
Active.com - http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/4-Drills-to-Improve-Pedaling-Technique.htm?cmp=306&memberid=29739212&lyrisid=21467738
Active.com - http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/3-Steps-to-a-Faster-Bike-Split.htm?cmp=306&memberid=29739212&lyrisid=21659106


EXAMINER
KC events this weekend.  Sort of slim pickings due to Easter Sunday.


COMMENT QandA
Wee Man - thanks for the comments.  We think he's a cute little guy and yes, he's only 7 months old!  He is size 9 to 12 months (we'll take any gently used baby boy clothes you have!) and growing like a weed.  He had some issues to start life and actually lost weight in the first couple months but he's making up for lost time now!

And I'm spent....

40 miles turned into 34 this morning on the bike.  Snooze got me and I didn't get out on time.  Great weather, though!  Mid 50's, cool, dry, no wind... sweet!

I did find another use for my Monk Pak.  Phone koozie so I can toss it in my back jersey/jacket pocket and not worry about my keys scratching it up or getting it too sweaty.  Worked like a charm.

As most of you triathletes out there do, we use all this training as an excuse or allowance to eat foods that aren't exactly the best for us.  I have to admit I can't resist soft serve ice cream.  I'm also afraid I have passed this trait on to my son...

8 months old and hooked on soft serve!


EXAMINER
Check out my latest postings of the Brew to Brew Relay Run survey results and the same for the Kansas City Groundhog Run.  If you ran these races, drop a survey in on the site or submit one for a race you have ran regardless of location.


GIVEAWAY
Giveaway coming soon!  Stay tuned!


NEWSLETTER
Newsletter coming soon for the month.  Make sure you are signed up!

2011 Rock the Parkway Pictures

Pictures are up from Rock the Parkway, I had to post!

Just for Steve in a Speedo - One legged Pirate.  Arrrrrrr

I'm not sure what this lady was doing.  Getting ready for a somersault?

I didn't think I yarfed at any point in the race... or maybe the pain is just too much??

Another Steve in a Speedo Dedication - One Legged Pirate Stopping the Watch

Another Steve in a Speedo Dedication - One Legged Pirate Stopping the Watch

The best shot of the lot.  Not sure I run with my arms so high but I just do.  Notice the sweet SockGuy socks!

Kids say the darndest things

Me - "Hey kiddo, please don't hit me in the head with your toy hair dryer, it hurts." Her - "Sniffle sniffle..."
Me - "Why are you upset?"
Her - "You hurt my feelings daddy..."
Me - "Huh? How did I hurt your feelings? You hurt my head."
Her - "waaaaaaaaaa"

3 years old and already playing the manipulation game, reverse psychology and guilt trips... the teenage years look to be spectacular! =)


TRAINING
It was nice getting outside for a run today! I'm aiming to get a lunch swim as trying to jam a run and long swim in the AM before work just isn't getting it done. I need more time and getting up early enough to make that happen before work isn't happening.

So, I need to manage the workload as not to overflow into lunch so I can break away and get the swim in. Time will tell...

But, I also noticed 2 issues with running outside vs on the treadmill at the gym.

1. It was nice to get a breakfast in and have time to digest on the way to the gym so I had something in my stomach before pushing the envelope.  The breakfast would be small, but something.  But, running at home I get up, get dressed, and drink some perpetuem or gatorade and hit the road.  I can't do solids and run 10 minutes later so by the end of the run, I'm STARVING!  Better than yarfing, though.
2. Treadmills give you more control over the run if you are doing intervals and hills, which are my Tuesday run workouts.  I can manage intervals but the roads and sidewalks are not flat so there are some elevation changes to take into account and I have some hills, but there's only so much elevation gain you can change and managing by time is more of a challenge when you run out of hill.
3. BONUS ISSUE - you usually don't get that nice fresh skunk smell running on the treadmill that you could get the pleasure of from running outside...

Feel the burn!

You know the season is here when you ride and run outside and you lose 7 pounds of sweat and walk away with a nice tri-top sun burn.

"Your back has an owie daddy."
"Yes... please don't rub on it any more, sweatheart."
Ya, just didn't dawn upon me I might burn.  Duh.  Need to break out the KINeSYS sunscreen!
Do as I say, not as I do.  Wear your sunscreen!

So, we had almost 90 temps Saturday, 80's on Sunday and today was high 40's in the morning with high of 67.  Friday, high of 57 and lows just around freezing.  Ok.. I'm all for warm temps to get outside and train but now we are just getting a little too wacky around here.  Is it too much to ask for consistency?

Burn, freeze, burn, freeze... I feel like a bag of chicken breasts in our freezer.  Freeze um for months and then dump them on the grill and cook immediately.


TRAINING
Biking : 61 miles
Running : 18 miles
Swimming : 2000 yards - gearing back up after ear infection.
Total Time : 7:42

It was ok but hoping for more swimming this week and I'm not sure how I'm going to balance riding with 40's in the morning.  I'm just not game for cold biking after living the high life in the 80's Saturday.  Hmmmm


EXAMINER
Bulletin for volunteering at the Oz Marathon in Olathe, KS.

90 degrees!

It's suppose to be 90 degrees here in Kansas City tomorrow!  90!!!!!!!!!!!  Hold on Mother Nature... lets not skip spring and slam into summer so fast!

Hoping for some riding and running this weekend with yard work mixed in.  90's on Saturday and storms on Sunday.  Should be interesting!


TRAINING
Thanks for all the well wishes about the ear!  Good news is that the ENT said I was fine to swim with ear plugs (I wear them anyway for my ear issues) and that ear infections have nothing to do with swimmer's ear (which I didn't have).  Somehow I got a virus that landed in my ear canal.  No damage, just plugged up and it should go away in a few more days.  Whew.

SO on to the pool this morning!  For some reason I was feeling a little unsettled in my stomach hitting the treadmill and thought I was going to have to call it early but that subsided for an epic 2000 yard swim.  Sadly I could tell I haven't been in the pool for a week.  It was like swimming in caramel like the snickers commercial.  But, I'm back in there.

We shall see what the weekend brings for weather and workouts!


EXAMINER
Latest about Grease Monkey Wipes.  It's similar to my review on the blog but has a little more info about the company.
Also, more Kansas City Events!


EVERYMANTRI
Wrote an article on my take about getting a coach.  If I had the money, I would probably entertain it, but I think I do pretty good at picking stuff up off the net and from experience, so I'm all good at the moment.  Now, if I try for an IM or try to Kona qualify, that may be something different but that's a ways down the line.


HOME
Both kids down with some nasty viruses so we may be chillin at home with Cars, Over the Hedge, Toy Story and Shrek all weekend in addition to yard work and training if they fit in.  Poor guys.  Wee Man is a mess and I have yet to see R2 today but heard she is feelin it.  Sad.

Ear Pluggage!

Bailiff: I found him like this in the bathroom, your honor. Somebody beat the hell out of him!
Judge: Who did this?
Fletcher: A mad man, your honor, a desperate fool at the end of his pitiful rope.
Judge: What did he look like?
Fletcher: About 6'2", 180lbs. big teeth, kinda gangly.

This is what dialogue goes through my head as I deal with a STILL plugged ear from swimmer's ear to ear infection to now who knows what... A PITIFUL FOOL AT THE END OF HIS ROPE!

Hope the ENT has something for me even it's a hot poker to the ear drum!

Japan Earthquake Relief

If you have never ordered from Pactimo for cycling or tri clothing, check out their latest email newsletter and the jerseys you can buy to help aid in Japan Earthquake Relief.

Here are the links:
www.pactimo.com/about
To Order CLICK HERE and enter "Japan" as your team store password.
Matt Casinelli - 303-790-4125 ext: 719 - mcasinelli@pactimo.com

Happy Thursday, oh wait, it's only Wednesday!

So much going on it feels like it should have been 4 days this week instead of only 3!

Still dealing with affects of water in the ear over a week and a half ago.  It happened a week last Saturday when I got water stuck in my right ear.  By Friday it was an ear infection.  Now... from what I have been told water trapped in your ear is external to the eardrum and should not result in an infection.  It's either amazing coincidence or I have an issue with water somehow getting in my inner ear causing problems.  Got an ENT appointment coming up so we shall see what's going on.


TRAINING
It's been a laid back week recovering from Saturday's half marathon and reverse duathlon.  It actually zapped me more than I expected.  Plus, no swimming eliminates 2 to 3 hours a week.  Hopefully this can get squared away by this weekend.

Last Week:
Biking Miles : 78.5 miles
Running : 21.1 miles
Swimming : 3000 yards - down due to ear issues


EXAMINER
Here's my examiner article on Rock the Parkway Half Marathon, 10k and 5k review.
Also, IM KS and IM Branson 70.3 have combined for a deal, bike shop demo in Lawrence, KS, and early bird pricing ending for KC Marathon in October.


MULTISPORT REVIEWS
Here's a review for the Brew to Brew relay last Sunday in Kansas City.  Only one review so far so if you ran it, please fill a survey out!


FALKEE TRIATHLON
Check out Polly and her new ISM saddle from TriLifeGear.com!
Greta Simpson went above and beyond by creating her own race kit for the year.  Check out the Falkee Tri logo!  SAAAWEET!

2011 Rock The Parkway Half Marathon, 10k & 5k Race Report - 4/2/11

No, I didn't run all the distances... =)

I did, however, run the half marathon. In 2010 I ran in the inaugural event and tried out the 10k. For some reason the half marathon didn't fit in right for that weekend and training.

I happen to work near by so it was it an interesting experience to see the surroundings I drive by every day but miss since I'm in a car wizzing by in a hurry to get home or go to work.  It was also an additional challenge since I decided to ride my bike to and from the event since I could store it and change at my employer... not to mention save around $10 in gas for the round trip.

So in reality I ran a reverse duathlon.
16.5 mile bike ride
13.1 mile run
16.5 mile bike ride
Epic...

This wasn't an A race, but I have attachment to the race and I can say I've ran it every year it's been in existence.  Also, seeing that participation went from 3500 to 6500 in one year, it will probably be around for a while.

On with the report:

WHAT : 2011 Rock the Parkway Half Marathon

WHERE : 9400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
DISTANCE : 13.1 miles

EXPERIENCE AT THIS EVENT : Ran 10k in 2010

PAST PERFORMANCE AT THIS EVENT : 10k - 2010 - 48:50

PERSONAL RECAP
After biking 16.5 miles to get there, I was definitely curious to see how my training has paid off in terms of transition from bike to run.  I was curious about endurance, speed and jello-leg factor.

Luckily Kansas City has had a few nice weather days and allowed me to get some outdoor cycling in.  My speed is not where I want it, but I've definitely got my bike legs worked back up from just trainer riding.  I knew this wasn't going to be an A race, so I was looking to go out above training pace at 8:30, but I was not looking to PR and chance over-exerting myself too soon for too long of a distance and jeopardize future races this season.

Mile one was a blessing in disguise.  I hate trying to weave in and out of traffic at the start of large races, BUT since I wasn't looking for super man speed, I was content following the crowd and setting out at 9 minutes for the first mile.  After mile one, the road opened up and I got to my comfort pace.  Notice I said comfort pace, not push it pace.  Comfort = auto pilot, Push it = going for a PR.  Important to note that!

I'll spare you the details of mile by mile, but lets say I was at 7:30 minute miles more often that I thought I was and by mile 11 I knew I had a shot at a PR even though I hadn't been shooting for one.  I even had a shot at sub 1:40... well in my mind with MY math I did but that didn't happen.

But I did get a PR at 1:41:28, better than last year's Kansas 1/2 Marathon by 1:30.  Not bad for riding an hour before running.  Gives me satisfaction in knowing that my training is yielding improvements and I can better IM KS 2009 run time (that was a suck 13.1 mile run time).

But whoa riding back home was a challenge.  Can you say jell-o legs?  It was all I could do to sit in the lowest gear and spin up a hill but I wasn't going for speed... just endurance.  =)

Here's the Garmin recap of the before and after rides.

That's still considering the fact that the half marathon race course had a fair share of ups and downs from this elevation chart.

INDIVIDUAL ASPECTS OF THE EVENT

• Registration
• Online and easy, check.
• The earlier you enter, the cheaper it was.
• Communication
• Twitter page, check.
• Facebook page, check.
• Email notifications - not too much, not too few, check.
• Website hip and stylish with all links working and informative, check.
• Packet Pickup
• Pretty standard, check.
• Vacant mall store room to run you through a gauntlet of vendors which was a little different.  You had no choice but to walk by the vendors and their tables.  Personally I didn't feel comfortable and avoided eye contact so I wouldn't get harassed by the sock people, sun glasses people or whoever else they had that I wasn't really interested in talking too.  Got the goods, waited a little long to get my t-shirt and I was out probably in 20 minutes.
• Goodie Bag - Mixed bag (pun intended) on this.
• Personally, if you are going to put anything in the bag, make sure it's quality.  Rock the Parkway's approach was quality over quantity.
• They provided a nice tech t-shirt
• $2 off road id (LINK) and you could use your race bib for a running store discount. 
• Also in the bag was probably 10 to 15 inserts for other races.
• Normally you would get a few freebies like popcorn, GU or other items.  None of that.  Maybe they figured freebies bring down quality?

• Arrival / Parking
• If you didn't get there early or have work parking around the area... prepare to park and walk.  I'm an early bird so I had no problem but some people faced a 1/2 to 3/4 mile walk to the start line.  Snooze, you lose.
• Port-a-potties
• They sported 25 to 30 johns.  There wasn't much issue that I saw since they also staggered event starts so everyone had ample time to "drop off some excess baggage".
• Course
• Aid stations no more than 2 miles apart, check.
• Port-a-potties on the course at 3 different locations, check.
• Gatorade and water options at each station, check.
• GU at stations, nope.
• Quality streets, check.
• Closed to traffic, aside from the one instance were a driver crossed the route and hacked off a runner enough for a confrontation, check.
• Accuracy of markers within 0.03 of my Garmin, check.
• Ample volunteers, check.
• Good course markings, check.
• Finish Line - The finish line structure showed timers for all 3 distances which was great to see what your time was crossing the line
• Water, check.
• BIG FAT MEDAL, check.

• Foil blankets, check.
• Someone to take your timing chip off, check.
• Ample space, check.
• Post Race Accommodations
• Food options more than bananas and bagels, check - pizza, milk, coffee and more.
• Gatorade - not that I could find.
• Tents, check.
• Post race massage area, didn't see one.
• Band belting out 80's tunes, check.
• Someplace you could hang out with friends and family and relive the race, check.
• Heaters, would have been nice at the start, but not needed at the end and lets be honest, I've never seen that at any event.
• Would I Come Back
• Yes
• Would I Recommend to a Friend
• Yes

Check out the review from www.Triathlon-Reviews.blogspot.com.  Fill one out as well if you ran any of the races!  I'm trying to get a good database going.

OVERALL
It's a great event, branded and hosted well.  They've done this right since day one and with almost a doubling of participants, as long as they don't get greedy it should be around for years to come and the sky is the limit!

And, after riding 36 miles and running 13.1, by far my biggest load, I had to hit the chocolate Fluid Recovery and relax with the kiddos at home.  I also want to mention my SockGuy socks stood the test for all of it with no blisters or hot spots!  The legs are sore today, but in a good way.  And that recovery trainer ride this morning was TOUGH.  Slogged through my 20 easy miles.  Good times!

Nice One

If you have yet to read your GU email newsletter, don't read this post!

If you have, that was a good one.  They had me going... topical GU!  That would be awesome to not worry about stomach issues and get the calories you need.  But... I've NEVER heard of ANYONE trying to come up with that and their announcement starts going off the wall.

But, it was a good April Fool's joke!