Podcast - Interview with Ben Greenfield about Using Numbers Vs. Feel.

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We are very lucky to have fitness expert Ben Greenfield join us for this episode.  We discuss the hot topic of whether or not to use heart rate monitors, bike computers, and power meters while training and racing.  The answer?  Sometimes.  Listen in to get all the details!

Also, we have Zen Thoughts, This Week in Awesome, and the always killer Training Log.  Hop on in, the water's perfect!

Link to The Honey Badger One Hour Workout.

This Week in Awesome Links:

Hector Picard Ironmans with no arms!

Layout of Alcatraz swim.

Click here to download or listen.

Compression Gear

He should try a compression scarf next.

I was recently asked if I use compression gear.  My answer is, "No, but I would."  

Compression gear has several purposes.  1. It helps channel blood flow you get the good stuff in and the bad stuff out faster.  Old people use it to improve circulation.  2. It reduces vibration, which in turn causes fatigue.  3. It can protect you from UV rays, so you don't get sunburned.

All around it's good stuff.  I had some compression socks, but my feet are so ginormous that they hurt.  I'm a little more inclined to try some of the ones that go from your ankles to your knees instead.

So that's really about it.  And make sure to check out the Epic5 going on right now!

Hump-day Update (Humpdate?)

Man, I should post on here more often, just as a "brain dump" to help process things and let everybody know what's going on.

Let's see, what's the latest...

• Angela Naeth got second at St. Croix.
• I had to take a couple of days off from training.  I was getting pooped!
• "The Honey Badger" workout is now posted for $1.99.  It's awesome!
• Coaching client Tom made a suggestion that I should contact my athletes within a day of their race to help with any questions.  DUH!  I shoulda thought of that.  I'm all about communication and customer service, so I'd going to be stoked to do it.
• I've been swimming with the Swimsense watch.  Holy crap, it's awesome.
• I managed to run a sub 8' pace in zone 2.  That's nuts!  Let's hope it's for real.
• The local bike race got cancelled due to fussiness of local roadies (Surprise!).
• There's a two hour "swim-a-thon" weekend after next.  I'm going to try to get into that.
• I owe H2O Audio an unboxing video of their contact headphones (I LOVE THEM) and a waterproof arm band.

Ok, that's it for now.  Stay solid!

Podcast - Interview with Angela Naeth

Click Here to Listen to the Show!

This episode of the ZenTri Podcast features an interview with pro triathlete Angela Naeth.  We talk about our recent race, nutrition and equipment, and training techniques of the pros.  

We also do a This Week in Awesome, Training Log, and much more!  

Next show features an interview with Ben Greenfield about HR monitors and power meters, so stay tuned!

And here's your This Week in Awesome - 

Click here to listen or download!

New Wheels: When Is It Time to Upgrade and How Much Do I Spend?

Today's post is an article written by Charlotte Baxter in Tuscaloosa.  Thanks Charlotte!

One of the things that has caused me a lot of stress as I have developed into a more serious Triathlete is meeting “the group” for rides and seeing the wide variety of wheels everyone sports—seemingly all much lighter, faster, and more amazing than my own. It’s easy to spiral into feelings of self-doubt and envy, but in truth it’s not necessary to spend tons of cash outfitting yourself to be an age group competitive Triathlete. Forget everybody else, when do you need to upgrade? And how much do you need to spend?

So that you can contextualize my recommendations, I’ll give you an idea of my ability. (Note: If you are looking to find yourself in Tuscaloosa or jockeying for a prize purse, or if you recently won the lottery, then have a field day with your Zip wheels and velociraptor helmets, this article is not for you.) I tackled my first sprint Tri three years ago and currently compete in approximately four of those per year, 1-2 Olympics, and one Half Iron. In the smaller regional races I can win my age group and I remain competitive when the field gets bigger (for example, in April’s Nautica South Beach Tri, a national event, I placed 5^th in my age group). So I’m good but not great. In other words, probably a lot like many of you.

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