What it Takes, Reid, CW-X, and the Music Industry

Basketball season is over (congratulations to the girls for making it to the YRAA Semi-finals—they improved so much since September) and it finally looks like I can actually get back to some training. So far this week I’ve got 6 hours under my belt. Of course as soon as things start going well I wake up this morning with a stiff neck. It’s still there tonight and I’m going to try and knock off a bike ride right after posting this. I can’t screw up what could be a good start to winter training.

What it Takes
I saw this film last week and it is outstanding. It is a must see for all fans of Multisport. There is lots of great insight into the lives of Peter Reid, Lori Bowden, Heather Fuhr, and Luke Bell. I have written a review for the next issue of Triathlon Magazine Canada so you can check out more details there. To order your own copy visit http://www.witmovie.com/ you will not be disappointed.




Peter Reid
Speaking of Peter Reid, a few months ago after Ironman Canada, I mentioned that I thought he would be an excellent coach - “Just listening to him give his tips makes me believe that he would be an incredible coach. We will see if that is where his future lies.” Well Peter has now officially entered the coaching arena. He is taking applications right now and I can only imagine how much it will cost. It may be well worth it though. Check out the details here http://www.peterreid.com/coaching.htm

CW-X
Thanks to the folks at Running Free, I have been given the opportunity to test out the CW-X Insulator Expert Tights. Other than making me feel a bit like Spiderman, they perform quite differently than any other tights out there. The funky Conditioning Web patterns not only look unique but they perform the function of holding/supporting the muscles and ligaments together to stabilize areas such as the knee joint. Particularly useful to me is the extra support I get in the hamstrings and regions behind the knee (I snapped my hammy playing football just before my first Ironman in 1999 --- it still clicks today when I straighten it). Due to the web patterns, running in the tights actually feels assisted because you definitely feel the extra support, especially at the knee joint. The Auto Sensor material in the Insulator version of the tights does a great job in maintaining warmth and dryness. I have not felt the need to double layer. I like the science and philosophy behind this product and I will now check out some of CW-X’s tops and shorts. I only hope that they are coming out with a bike short. Check out their cool stiff at http://cw-x.com/ss/introduction



Music
This is not really sports related but since we all likely listen to music while we are training I think it is appropriate. After watching the American Music Awards a few nights ago I must say that today’s music industry absolutely putrid! I can’t believe the crud they are trying to pass off as music. Case in point, the Pussycat Dolls. I didn’t know lap-dancing skills qualified you to be singers. I did enjoy the performances of Beyonce and Nelly Furtado though. They actually have talent, can sing, and they look classy and beautiful. However, for some real music with some thoughtful lyrics, there are 2 excellent CDs out there right now. Tom Cochrane – No Stranger, and The Tragically Hip – World Container.



That’s enough from me. Enjoy your early winter training.

Hoss

PS: Happy Birthday Doreen! By the way you are not the "DL". I know this because I see the real "DL" every morning.

Raid the Hammer

This past weekend a few friends (Marie & Angus) and I took part in the Raid the Hammer 25 km Running Adventure Race. Yup, I'm still kinda sore from the whole thing. We had a ton of fun doing it, but we just have to learn how to navigate. Thanks go out to Running Free who awarded our rookie team with the entry to the race.

Below is the race report from the big event.

Race Report
By Roger Hospedales, Team Running Free

Race: Raid the Hammer

Date: Sunday November 12, 2006.

Location: Highland High School, Hamilton, Ontario

Description: 25 km Adventure Run

Sport: Adventure Trail Run

Website: www.dontgetlost.ca

At the 2006 edition of the Raid the Hammer race our team may have done some raiding, but the course surely hammered us in return. Despite that beating, our team had a wonderful experience.

You know it is not a good sign of things to come when you get lost on the way the to an adventure race, but that is how our day started (mapquest sent me in the opposite direction). Our Running Free Team consisted of Angus Kim, Marie McGrath, and myself. Considering that we all had very limited navigation skills, we did fairly well finding all of the early checkpoints fairly easily. On the physical challenge side of things, you will get your fill on this course. The terrain is varied, and there is nothing but climbing, climbing, and more climbing.

We managed to make the first cut-off time of 1 pm, but due to some navigation misadventures, we missed the second cut-off time of 3 pm by just 10 minutes. To be quite honest, we were just about done at that point and welcomed the fact that we were forced to take the short cut back to the finish. Upon finishing the race, we (and all of the teams) picked up some swag (portable chair, carabiner key chain with compass and light) and went indoors to get warm and enjoy some pop and hot pizza. This post-race meal gave us the opportunity to reminisce about the previous hours of “fun”. It was also a nice time to chat with a lot of the other teams we saw out on the course.

With more race experience and maybe a taking a course in navigation we could have done much better on the results side of things but it would not have had much of an impact on changing our overall enjoyment. We did a total of 7 hours of racing, a combination of running, climbing, bushwhacking, mud trekking and walking. While we were hurting near the end of the race, it did not feel like 7 hours had gone by. We enjoyed each other’s company and met a lot of cool people along the way.

I can easily recommend this race to anyone. You can get by without any navigation experience (as our team proved), but if you wish to finish high on the final results it definitely helps to know how to navigate. This event truly is a very challenging, fun and satisfying way to spend a day with a few buddies, no matter what time it takes you to complete it. This was one of the most demanding races I’ve ever experienced and with some improved navigation skills, along with my team mates Marie and Angus (won’t do it without you guys), I look forward to tackling this event again next year.

HSBC Awards Day, Brunch, Lance, Dean & Argos!!!

On Saturday, Multisport Canada held their annual awards day at Endurosport. I was fortunate to pick up a nice award picture and plaque courtesy of Multisport Canada and Mike Cheliak. It was nice to see some familiar faces once again before the long wait until the start of the race season in 2007. To bad I won nothing in the season ending draw (but I won a Tri All 3 Bike Box last year so I can't complain).

John Salt and Jason Vurma outlined their plans for next year and I can't wait. The Welland race is coming back but to a new location, Bala Falls and the Toronto Island Tri/Du have been added. Lots of other cool plans in store too. These guys run the best race series out there and it is only getting better. I'd like to thank them for running such top notch races because I don't what I'd be doing with my weekends. In fact, I'm going through major withdrawal right now. Check them out at www.multisportcanada.com

I spent most of the time getting the "Rookie" set up with all of her necessary equipment that she will need to compete in Ironman Canada next year. The "Rookie" is a friend of mine that I've known for about 15 years now. She has never done a triathlon before but I somehow conned her into doing Ironman Canada. Yup, she is probably crazier than I am.

Sunday, had a massive brunch at the Hilton Suites hotel with "Goose". Lobster, crab, prime rib, you name it. 4 jammed packed plates later....and I'm stuffed. Oh yeah, toss in dessert too.

And what a great day for sports. My beloved Argos beat Winnipeg to advance to the Eastern Final vs Montreal. Lance Armstrong completed the New York Marathon in 2:59:35, and Dean Karnazes finished his 50th Marathon today in 3:00:36. But here is the kicker, he did 50 marathons in 50 days, and in 50 different states. Now that is nuts. So running 3 hrs in that last one is absolutely incredible.

Maybe one day, hmmm...........

Later
Hoss

Oh yes, congratulations to Scott Curry and Jodi Miller who competed at Ironman Florida yesterday. Scott finished 5th overall (8:45), and Jodi (HSBS Tri Series Announcer) finished the race in 12:45. Great work and enjoy your recovery with some nice pig out sessions.