The Ironbaby has begun!

The race really begins when you start getting your gear together and
start getting a little anxious. Professor Erich has given me his garmin
301 and I will be using it's heart rate monitor on the bike and the
distance measuring tool as a backup for my notoriously shifty bike
computer. On the run, I will use my own garmin to measure distance,
since his battery probably won't last through both events. I'm driving
to a sketchy part of the bike course tonight to check on a bridge that's
out. I have to determine if that section is crossable on foot or if it
is too muddy. Also, I've picked up a very sore throat and am feeling a
tad under the weather. Tonight, I have to finish putting all my gear
together and prepare my nutrition. Breakfast is going to be oatmeal,
bagels, and coffee. Unfortunately, it is probably a 20 minute drive
between transition points. I'll have two different race times because
of that. still have to calculate how many swim laps and how often to go
by the truck when I'm biking. I'm thinking every 30 miles will do.
More later...
--thirdcoast

Small Error Corrected

If you're using iTunes to get the show, most of you would have noticed by now that there was an error on the latest download. I fixed it and you should get an all-new download containing the correct podcast. Sorry about the error. Blame the vast number of tags that iTunes requires us to put into a show. It enevitably leads to the occasional screw-up. Thanks to Erik for letting me know it was broken!

Interview with Andrea Fisher

Hey there all you tri-geeks! This show contains a great interview with pro triathlete Andrea Fisher. Professor Erich and I ask her about what kind of training we should be doing right now for preperation for next year and we also learn a few tricks of the trade. This is one of those moments when you realize how great a sport triathlon is because the pros are so accessable. Don't forget that Andrea does personalized coaching in person and over the internet, so you can contact her at www.texasiron.net.

After the interview, I take you with me on a below-freezing run after an ice storm. It was at night and the ice was beautiful.

I also talk about using Videora to convert videos to email-friendly size. Check it out here. It's free!

Lastly, I mention that people surf on the Great Lakes. Here are some links -
Michigan Law School Surfing Club
Cleveland Surfing
Surfing Magazine write up on Wisconsin (great pics)

"We like it cold," Stack says. It's on rare winter days that the break at Stony Point, Minn., gets so large and "clean" that -- for a few hours -- it can rival any wave on Hawaii's famed North Shore. And it's on days when it's snowing sideways and Chicago's O'Hare Airport is closed that a dedicated Great Lakes surfer might drive half a day for three hours of bliss on a board.

On the road!

I bought the splitters for the interview last night at radioshack. We
are on the road to Gonzales, TX with 2 laptops, half a gig of podcasts,
and working on projects... Got an email from somebody saying that a
reporter from the LA times is looking for me. ;)
--thirdcoast

Pizza Bricks

Wow, I've posted two podcasts and only just now caught up with the blog. You can download podcasts "Brick" and "Triathlete Pizza" by clicking on their titles.

On "Brick", I take you with me on a very early morning (partially night) brick workout. I talk about how we will be having a virtual triathlon on the weekend of December 17th and 18th. Just do a personal triathlon workout and post your times and experience on the comments section of the blog. You'll be suprised what you learn doing one all on your own!

Listen to "Triathlete Pizza" to catch the scoop about my new voice line and when the interview with Andrea Fisher will happen. You can now call me at (512) CRY-FDIC to leave me a voice mail to be played on the show. Just give it a try! Cav, the Wonder from Down Under, drops in and reads his latest blog posting about how you might know if you're a serious triathlete. Ok, so what's up with all the crazy audio at the end? Record yourself with an internet echo machine and see if you do any better. I love being my own radioland boss. Dodge Ram. Heh heh.

Here's the articles about stretching that will probably rock your face off. Check them out at your own risk!

http://www.brocawblazers.org/coaching%20education/Does%20Stretching%20Prevent%20Injuries.html

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20040505/Feature1.asp