Worst idea I have seen in a while....

And I'm sure they only weight 5 lbs each. 

Des Moines is Known For More Than the Hy-Vee Triathlon

I was in Des Moines to visit my parents recently.  There is a sculpture garden in downtown Des Moines that I have been wanting to visit.  Pappajohn Sculpture Garden page here. 

This allowed me a convenient opportunity to spend some time with "The Fergus."  He was probably a little sore from running Chicago, but he was still up for a little clowning around.

A sculpture garden is a great way to find some quiet time and feed your soul.  

This horse sculpture is one of two in this exhibit.  It looks like wood but it is really made of bronze.  There is one like it in front of the art museum in Chattanooga.

A view looking up.

The Fergus in front of Snowmen.

This sculpture is the shape of a kneeling person.  It is made up of letters that remind me of the graphics in The Matrix.

A view from inside.

Standing inside I felt really powerful.

Des Moines is known for something else powerful.  The Hy-Vee Triathlon is a one-of-a-kind race.  For the last three years it has been the only domestic ITU World Cup race.  In 2008 it hosted the Olympic Trials.  And on the amatuer side, it has a huge citizens race.  The community of Des Moines and the Hy-Vee Food Stores Corporation really get behind this event, and truly make it a focus of the community.  In fact, I have never seen a triathlon with this much community awareness.  It is similar to when a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is hosted in a city.

September 4, 2011
5150 Age Group Race
5150 Age Group World Championship
5150 Elite World Championship

The only race that could compare to the organization of the Hy-Vee Triathlon is the Ironman corporation(WTC.)  Iron-ically, the WTC has rolled out it's nationwide 5150 series, and Hy-Vee is affiliated.  Check out the race website, and don't forget to visit the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden when you visit.

FTP Coaching

FTP COACHING: 

Full Training Potential

FTP Coaching is Andrew Dollar and Jessica Hershberg.

Andrew is leaving the corporate world in Georgia state government to follow his passion for endurance sports aAndrew is leaving the corporate world in Georgia state government to follow his passion for endurance sports and training.  He has been dividing his time between Altlanta and Nashville, but will be here full time now.

• Six years of multisport
• Two years coaching
• Two-time Team USA World Qualifier: Long Course Duathlon 2008 and Sprint Triathlon 2011
• Two-time Ironman Finisher 11 hour (Florida and Cda)
• 35-40 races, sponsored athlete
• Background in cross country, track, football, baseball
• Speciality in utilizing HR and power to guide training
• Andrew is engaged to Jessica

Jessica has a personal story of transformation through fitness  following the birth of her children.  She has experience at extreme endurance events, but also emphasizes the importance of conditioning and nutrition.

• Seven years multisport
• Two years coaching and personal training
• 3 ironmans all Arizona (sub 12,) multiple ultramarathons
• Mother of 4
• Speciality in strength training, kettlebell/bootcamp, nutrition coaching

After an extensive search and vetting of candidates, the best possible arrangement emerged in FTP Coaching with Andrew Dollar and Jessica Herschberg.  

Why FTP Coaching? This is the ONLY endurance coaching program in Nashville that showed the desire and drive to continue the approach of:

• Team Camaraderie. Whether you are training with the group or forming a relationship with your coach, training is more than just about me-me-me.  When you have supportive team mates you will simply achieve more.

• Fun and Function.  For each person it is important to find the correct balance of fun, challenge, strategy, and technique.  This program can is fun enough to motivate you and challenging enough to keep you improving.

• Amazing Value.  Simply put, most programs charge a lot of $$$ for what you get.  FTP offers amazing value whether you train with a group or individually.

What services will FTP Coaching be offering?

The flagship program will continue to be group endurance coaching, consisting of 10-15+ training sessions offered each week in swim, bike, run, strength/stretch, and informational clinics.  

FTP Coaching will also provide various options in written training plans and on-line coaching, with the expertise to utilize Garmin, HR, GPS, and other techical training devices as adjuncts.   

FTP Coaches hold advanced certifications in Nutrition Coaching for improving your race performance and also losing some lbs if that is a goal for you.  

Where will FTP Coaching be based at?

After a previous training venue surprisingly passed on hosting the newest iteration of the well-established STtrainer Training Program, the new home for FTP Coaching will be at the Centennial Sportsplex, a world-class aquatics and fitness facility in central Nashville.  

This arrangement also allows us to partner with The NAC (Nashville Aquatics Club,) a program that has produced Olympic Trials qualifiers and currently is the choice for many of Nashville's most competitive triathletes.  This ensures that all participants are well-served, ranging from supportive novice-beginner swim instruction---up to the most competitive masters-style swim conditioning. 

What is the relation between STtrainer and FTP Coaching?

STtrainer is my life's work; It is "my baby."  After searching high and low, quite honestly Andrew and Jessica were the only coaches I felt right about working with in this transition.  The good news is I feel really really good about the approach they take toward coaching.  Stephen Taylor will continue to be a coach for FTP Coaching primarily in a training planning and advisory role.  You can still feel free to contact me directly with coaching questions and I will help you find the right fit.  In most cases, I believe this to be FTP Coaching. 

Website:  www.ftpcoaching.comBlog:  http://ftpcoaching.blogspot.comFacebook:  www.facebook.com/ftpcoaching

Danny MacAskill: "Way Back Home" Short Film

I love watching trials riding.

Nashville Sixfifteen Magazine Volume 3

My friend Kenneth Griffin is publishing Nashville Sixfifteen, and the third edition just "dropped."  I am a voracious reader, especially of local magazines such as N*Focus, Scene, Metromix, Rolling Stone, Spin, Triathlete...and on and on.  I love local coverage, and I love lifestyle writing.

Well Mr. Griffin has created a truly eye-popping publication.  Eye-popping.  If you don't believe me skim through the newest edition here. 

The other thing I like is the article I wrote.  I think if you click on this page it will re-appear in a large, readable version.  I really believe in the concept I am discussing in this article.  I look like a deer caught in headlights with a kettlebell in the picture, but it is a great article. 

Lululemon in Nashville...and Beyond

I have a new policy.  Actually I am playing a little bit of catch up.  I am going to get some product reviews up of free or discounted products I have received.  In my role as endurance coach, personal trainer, elite endurance, exercise stylist, and taste maker I receive a perk here and there.

One of those perks was a gift card for Lululemon.  I went by their *small-and-on-the-second-floor-with-no-storefront-access* Lululemon shop and it was closed--for remodeling so they could open a new, larger, awesome storefront in Green Hills.  Two weeks later I went back....and this is what it looks like:

Lululemon is a retailer and a clothing brand that focuses on yoga, running, and generally stylish apparel.  Very. Stylish. Apparel.

In this picture you can see lots of yoga mats, and also quite a bit of women's exercise apparel.

Photo: I took this shot with my camera phone, and I knew it would make an impression.  To quote my wife Susan, "Oh I think that is awesome.  I love it."  If you can't find pants that you like here...

White running shorts is a guilty pleasure...in which I indulged during this trip to Lululemon.

Okay let's talk about the gear.  Here I can talk no-nonsense as I have been an endurance athlete for 20 years.  These shorts are awesome.  The liner has a very soft feel, the elastic holds the shorts up with out being uncomfortable.  There are side pockets on each side, and one small zip pocket for key/cell phone/condom.  I also picked up a pair of yoga pants that I have worn to a corporate appointment with a shirt and tie.  In short, very stylish...and functional, and comfortable. 

The final impression I had leaving from Lululemon.  The staff express genuine interest in your goals and make sure you have an amazing experience when you are in the shop.  (I hate walking into a retailer and being ignored or condescended upon.  It happened today somewhere in Virginia.)  Lululemon is warm, friendly, helpful. I'm not going to lie...this is not a discount retailer.  But for excellent style, functionality, and customer service, you can't go wrong at Lululemon.

Imagine if this were part of a triathlon transition...

Swimwear, and Observing a Sport's Traditions

E-mail from: George

Comments: Steve,
Great site and videos on youtube.
I have a question in relation to swimwear as i saw your youtube video on choosing the correct swimwear. i have been swimming with five years (i am twenty-three)and have always worn jammers. i have a new coach for an advanced swim course and he is insisting that i wear a speedo brief. i feel it is too revealing but he says it is better than jammers. any advice 

George saw my eHow.com video on swimwear selection:


I have had people e-mail me this question before.  Traditional competitive swimming always wore brief-style suits (aka speedos.)  Less fabric = faster.  This may be a preference of your coach, although what you wear and what you are comfortable in should be ultimately up to you.  Speak with him about the issue if you are uncomfortable with the brief cut.  He should be understanding; if not consider finding a new coach. 

However, let's pause for a moment to consider why a coach would want you to wear a traditional-style suit.  In each sport there are traditions, etiquette, and techniques that have been developed over time, dozens or even hundreds of years.  Just because you have only been swimming for a year (or 5 years,) the sport has been around a long time before that.

Some other examples of "traditional" techniques?

• Cyclists wear short-sleeve jerseys, and would never be caught in a sleeveless jersey like a triathlete.  This is because it protects from road rash if you wreck, and also protects the skin on your shoulders from the sun.
• Cyclists and triathletes shave their legs for among other reasons: it is more sanitary, more aerodynamic, more aesthetic, and easier to clean in case of road rash.  Contrary to popular notion, swimmers don't shave their bodies or legs until right before the last meet of the year.  They are hairy most of the time, even the women.
• Cycling should wear a cycling jersey, not a tech t.
• Trail running and ultramarathon tends towards traditional running apparel in earth tones.  Road racing and marathon apparel tends to be more brightly colored apparel.  And tri/cycling apparel at a trail ultramarathon is tres uncool.

It's not only the clothing.  Even though a triathlon doesn't require flip turns nor does it allow riding in a cycling paceline, these are valuable techniques and skills for a triathlete to learn.  The point here is don't just learn and do the bare minimum.  Learn the intermediate-advanced techniques too.  Some of the apparel choices and skills may seem intimidating or difficult to you at first, but they have been instituted for good reason.  You may be surprised at what else you learn after that.   

To get back to George's question, I prefer to swim in a square cut drag suit.  It is a little more modest in that it is not skin tight, but it is not a tri-suit cut.  (Also if you wear a tri suit in the pool it is going to wear out very quickly.)  It is traditional swimming garb, and it actually gives you just a little extra drag in the water.  Now don't think this means it is okay to show up running shorts.  They are not the same.

I would take your coach's input to heart, but ultimately the choice is up to you what you want to wear. 

ST

Cool video about ultra trail running.