Who to trust when it comes to your equipment...

When it comes to taking care of your triathlon equipment, most notably your bicycle, its always comforting to know that your pricey possession is in the hands of someone who would take care of it as you would. Believe me, when you have saved up on a bike, wash it after every ride to ensure its performance remains high, only to notice that after a bicycle service there are scratches on the bike - it's not a pleasant experience!


Fortunately there are many experienced professional bicycle stores with reputable mechanics out there, my suggestion is to strike up a relationship with someone who takes interest in your bike. I recently found a store, smaller in size to some of the major stores, but with a personalized touch. 

Paceline Sports are situated in the Old Bakery complex in Lakeside, Cape Town. The store is run and operated by Roland Nel, who looks over the stores day to day functions. He has experienced mechanics who spend more time than most in ensuring your "weapon of speed" is looked after and adjusted to perform at its highest level. Paceline Sports are essentially a bicycle store however, are looking into apparel, footwear amongst other accessories in developing a one-stop shop for multi-sport enthusiasts.

So the next time you are thinking of where to go to get some TLC for your bicycle, travel down to Lakeside, have a coffee and a muffin at Sistanza (in the same complex) and have a chat with an enthusiastic individual who will almost certainly win you over with his experience and useful tips regarding bicycles...

Its Triathlon Season again!

Well, from a period of pre-season training where early morning swimming in winter, afternoon runs and weekend bike rides have become the norm, I am hungry to compete again!

My first race will probably be my longest race of the season and possibly the most significant to date. I was selected to compete in the World Long Distance Tri Champs, which will be held in Henderson, Nevada, USA on the 5th November. I have previously competed in both Olympic distance triathlon and duathlon at World Champs level, but this race poses a longer if not more difficult challenge.

The distances:

The Long Distance events change from year to year based on location and event organising. This year, the distances comprise of a 4km lake swim, 120km cycle and a 30km run. In comparison with current race distances, this race would slip in between a 70.3 distance and a full ironman. My strengths have always been more suited towards sprint and Olympic distance events, so this event will be pushing my threshold of speed and endurance...

Recently, the World Tri Champs finals were held in Beijing, with some notable results from several South Africans. The team that will be competing in the US will be some what smaller than the team represented in Beijing. I decided to compete in the longer distance for a few reasons... I had never travelled to the US before and thought this would be a great opportunity to see a new part of the world. I also thought that based on my season back home, if I was to train for a race of this distance, it would certainly benefit me with the distance races I would compete in afterwards, having had a good base of distance mixed with speed in between. So the decision became a simple one and my preparations have been aimed at a competitive result in the states.

The month of September has become a very significant month for me as not only is it the month of my birthday but also now the month of many wedding anniversary's for both my wife Carole and I in the future! Carole is a talented triathlete in her own right, placing in top 3 positions for her age in 70.3's and full ironman races. She has the edge over me in the ultra distances, I like to think have the speed on her!

So with 1 month to go, my preparations have reached a significant stage in my training. I look forward to keeping notes, tips, advice received and technical info at hand and look forward to sharing it with all of you who may be interested... Should any of you also be competing on the 5 November in Henderson, look me up - I would enjoy exchanging some stories with you...

Lastly, to my sponsors... there is no way that races of this nature would be achievable had it not been for you. I look forward to the new season and hope to do you all proud!

Chat soon!

Review: Ciplaton Acti-G Ampoules

Still trying to beat those "winter blues", struggling to get out of bed early in the morning for a training session, or at the end of a day? Ciplaton Acti-G ampoules are a compacted source of instant energy with Ginseng, Guarana and Ginger extracts. These natural extracts help to lift your activity levels during intense sports sessions or when you feel you are mentally fatigued.

They are best absorbed diluted in half a glass of water or juice if you prefer. For long periods of activity, the ampoules are ideally sized for easy storage in pockets or tight-fitting clothing. Compared to the Ciplaton Maxi Boost, the Acti-G ampoules isolate the energy extracts from the multi-vitamins that the Maxi Boost provides... My advice, have both! The Maxi Boost to keep up the immune system and mental alertness, with the Acti-G as a shot of energy when needed most!

Cipla have found a very useful product that can be easily absorbed and stored for athletes and individuals alike...

Running Tips...

Ever thought of being able to improve your running? Perhaps shave off a few seconds (or minutes) off your current personal best in a 5km/10km/half and full marathon?

Fleet Foot Athlete is a website dedicated to assisting runners from all levels to increase their potential in running faster, longer and more efficiently. Dawid Visser is an acclaimed triathlete, trail runner and middle distance runner with some pedigree. He along with other trainers are advising aspiring runners how to improve their running.

Not only does Dawid discuss running techniques, but also footwear and other related topics associated with running. He has many years of track training and various running events to draw his experience from. Currently Fleet Foot Athlete is attracting a number of runners for a running course which will be held locally in Cape Town...

Check out his site and get tips from a current classy runner...

Jellyfish have arms?

A bizaar topic to write a few lines on but until this morning, I would never have believed such a statement! I managed to prove this theory correct after an hour of my first swim set back after a 6 week break... Feeling tentative about jumping in the water with the air temp outside at a fresh 10deg C, I was welcomed by some training mates and good friends with a few smiles, the odd joke about how I was to fare after such a break and a comfortable 25 deg water temperature to look forward to...

The first two sets of warm up's went fine but as soon as the main set of 1500m and 15 x 100 sunk in, the jellyfish started to take shape! If I had to describe the feeling of getting back into a swimming routine after a significant break, it would best be described as trying to swim whilst wrapped up in a net... you get the picture I'm sure!

The good side of all this is that these early sessions are normal and it generally takes a week for the jellfyfish syndrome to make way for the type of form and technique that one would associate a swimmer with...

I say bring it on, I am on my way, my season has begun!

Newsflash!

Last month we did an article on one of South Africa's up and coming triathlete's, Richard Murray. On the weekend he won his first major triathlon in Braaschaat, Germany...

Results

We all know how good Richard's run leg is, definitely his main strength with his cycling. He ended up blitzing the field with a 29min 54sec run leg to win by 17sec over second placed Pierre le Corre from France...

What an awesome result Rich! He will be spending the next few months in Europe before the world championship final in Beijing on the 10 September 2011. We will follow his progress and hope he is able to accumulate enough points to qualify him for the Olympics in London 2012...

Watch this space for further updates on his progress!

Saucony A4

Ideal for Triathlons...

The Saucony A4 was specifically designed with triathlons in mind, special vents underneath the sole designed to release moisture to keep your feet dry. This shoe would suit lighter runners looking for a performance racer, especially for the sprint/olympic and half ironman races.

Another advantage is the inner sock lining built into the shoe so as to protect your feet without socks - most common with triathletes looking for quick transitioning and racing without socks on the run leg... (video link on the Tri Bren site only - click here)