Great Athlete Interviews & Insight - Part 1

Running Free Haiti Fundraiser

This is just a reminder that the Training for Solidarity happens TOMORROW.

Visit here fore more details.

I will be a 5:30/km pacer. The chill in the air might make me go faster.


By the way, make sure to see Race Across the Sky. There is one more showing in the Toronto and surrounding area. It reminds me of another great film.

WIcked Cycling Insight

http://www.versus.com/shows/winning-with-johan/

I couldn't embed the videos but check out this site for some cool behind the scenes look at pro tour cycling with the guru Johan Bruyneel.

A Great Way to Help Haiti

Click on the banner above for more details.

Haiti needs us now more then ever...

On Saturday, January 16th, 2010 a Canadian team of volunteers was to hold the second annual Marathon de la Soliderite road race in Haiti. This unique project was to bring a day of celebration to Cap Haitians in an effort to bolster community pride and awareness back home on the plight of the Haiti people. Hours before our team was to descend on Cap Haitian, the earthquake hit. Communications were spotty at first and we were asked to continue with our journey. As the news worsened we decided we would not fly in. We thought we would only deplete the limited resources available to Haitians by being there. Now is the time when international emergence forces are needed most to deliver immediate needs. Our team has decided to push forward with our long term sustainability projects because now more then ever Haiti needs our help.

Running Free and Runners Den, two independent southern Ontario running shops have decided to unite for our Haitian neighbours. On Saturday, January 30th we both will be holding simultaneous events in Toronto and Hamilton in an effort to raise funds for long term projects in Haiti. We are naming the event after what was to have been the Marathon de la Soliderite. HAITI – TRAINING FOR SOLIDARITY will be a day the running community to come together for an up to 20km training run in support of our friends in Haiti. This will be a “pay what you can” event. Running Free and Runners Den will provide the venue, commemorative bib’s, food and support on the course. Pace bunnies will be available to guide 10- 20km training runs at paces from 4:30/km up to 6:00/km. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy a paced training run and support this very worth while cause. Let show our neighbours to the south we are thinking of them in this time of need.

All donors will receive a commemorative bib #, sponsor goodies, coffee, refreshments and snacks. This is a “pay what you can” event. Donations can also be made by calling our Running Free Markham location at 905.477.7871.

Toronto Event
Saturday January 30, 2010 – 9:00am registration
# Palais Royal
# 1601 Lake Shore Boulevard West
# Toronto, Ontario, M6K 3C1
# www.palaisroyale.ca
(The Palais Royal has graciously donated their beautiful facility for this event without hesitation - We thank them for this incredibly honourable gesture)

Training run will take place on Toronto’s waterfront trail. Please email Nick Capra at missionhaiti@runningfree.com for more information.

Hamilton Event
Saturday January 30, 2010 – 9:00am registration
# Westdale High School (Main & Longwood)

Contador's Press Conference Today

Free Videos by Ustream.TV

SLS3, Cujo, and 80 on 8

Sorry for the tardiness. Busy with lots of magazine and newsletter stuff.

Here are a few things to check out.

1. My review of the SLS3 Compression Sleeves.


2. Cujo Retires
A great goalie, a great guy, and I still have and wear my Leafs - Cujo toque. It is my typical Ironman race morning and post race hat.


3. An 80 year old Canadian just ran 38 minutes and change at a 8km race. Is that wicked or what? That is my goal, being able to move that fast at 80. Heck at would love to go at that pace at an Ironman.

Til next time.

H

The Soloist - the real dudes

Just finally watched the film The Soloist.
Great performances by Downey Jr. and Foxx.
Catch it if you can.

Here are the real guys:


Watch CBS Videos Online

The Cove

See the film, and get moved to do something.
A truly incredible documentary.





As the film states at the end, this slaughter will continue "Unless We Stop It."

Text DOLPHIN to 44144

Check out these sites for more information:

TakePart.com/TheCove

http://www.thecovemovie.com/

It will be hard to top this post for the rest of 2010.

A glimpse into bike building

This is more of the paint and decal process.
Quite impressive how much work goes in just for this.

Team Canada - Men's Hockey Roster

The initial roster for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver was announced a little while ago.

13 Forwards: Patrice Bergeron, Sidney Crosby (Alternate Captain), Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla (Alternate Captain), Patrick Marleau, Brendan Morrow, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton, Jonathan Toews.

7 Defenceman: Dan Boyle, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer (Captain), Chris Pronger (Alternate Captain), Brent Seabrook, Shea Weber.

3 Goalies: Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury, Roberto Luongo.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I hope you all had a great Christmas and wonderful family time. I also wish you all the best in 2010. May you achieve all your goals.

I decided to type this out as I sit on the couch and continue to gain weight, but get some much needed rest and relaxation. However, all of this sleep and inactivity is sure making me listless.

This was also a down week of training for me (I think I did 6 hrs), but I am right back at it tomorrow with a 90 minute bike ride.

By the way, go check out Avatar in 3D. It is one heck of a cinematic experience.

Finally, I just want to send a few quick thank you’s to some people and organizations that made this year my best ever.

In no particular order: My wife, family and friends (you Markham Tri crew dudes have taken things to a whole new level), Running Free (great store, great support, even better owners), John Salt & MultiSport Canada (the best race series period), Kevin Mackinnon (Triathlon Magazine Canada & Ironman.com) – huge influence and truly a super guy, Tony at Physiobility (got me back to racing after my Achilles surgery), Acid Zapper (give it a try it really works), Mike Cheliak - I don’t know what possessed you to give me a column on your site but I certainly appreciate it.

And of course all of you that regularly visit this blog. I hope still provide some entertainment and useful information. If not, you can always email me and ask questions (hosspro at hotmail dot com).

By the way, my coaching client list is quickly filling for 2010. If you wish to have me work with you please contact me ASAP. To make sure I give you the attention and services you need, I only work with a limited number of athletes each year.

Til 2010,

H

Macca on Lance

I can't totally disagree, but this is what will make Kona 2011 interesting for sure. I am sure the pro men will step up their game even more to make sure they are not embarassed.

MultiSport Canada 2009 Video

The MultiSport Canada 2009 - End of Year Video
By the Great Mike Cheliak


Find more videos like this on MultiSport Canada


I am in there somewhere.

Invictus

Saw the film Invictus earlier today. It is another excellent Clint Eastwood flim, and some great performances were turned in by Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. It made me appreciate Nelson Mandela a whole lot more. It gives a great glimpse into what was going on in South Africa during that time, and from an interesting perspective (rugby).

Make sure to see it.

This poem played a role in providing inspiration in the film, and sections of it are quoted several times. I've included it below.

I think I will consult it from time to time for extra motivation.


Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Fictional/Real Race Report

A funny look at a race report. It is scary how truthful it is though. Take note some of you. Race wheels and other items are not the answer to solve all problems. Work on the engine first then add the extra frills if you can afford them.

I don't want to give away all my secrets but for the cost of $0.00, you can practice your transitions and save a chunk of time -- likely more than you would with race wheels, aero helmet, etc. Race wheels are nice but per dollar spent, not the best value. Remember, work that engine first.

So just do the training, and have no excuses. Go hard or go home!

Enjoy!

2010 Training has begun

Last week, Ian at IMFIT.ca ran me through my start-up bike and bike fitness assessments. The numbers were fairly decent given I had used Sept-Nov. to gain weight, enjoy food and drink, and rarely engage in activities that resemble exercise. My VO2 max numbers were not outstanding (affected by increased body weight), but my aerobic base was good - pretty close to my best ever test numbers in May of 2008 (just days before my Achilles tendon rupture).

So with my training zones determined, on Monday, I officially started training for the 2010 season. I will be working with Ian this season, a relationship that goes back to 2005, but I took last year off took take a more relaxed approach to training.

OK! Relaxed meant taking it fairly easy and pain free - something I wanted to do as I returned from my Achilles surgery and subsequent recovery.

I knew things would be different this time around and in this first week, I can tell you that there are no wasted minutes in my training. It is so important to have the proper zones and thanks to my good aerobic base , my zones are making me work hard. For example, a zone 2 aerobic run for me would be 150-160. There is no coasting going on here.

So I am a bit sore right now and I haven't felt this since after my last race in mid-September. Training with a purpose and some kind of intensity will do that. I will also start back on Acid Zapper in a few weeks to test once again how the body feels. I regularly used it for 3 months and it worked well. I will confirm those finding again soon to see if I feel less soreness and if I experience performance improvements like increased bike wattage.

I still intend on posting here at least once each week - not promises though - but you are guaranteed to catch a weekly blog post here: http://mysportsshooter.com/category/rogers-world

Until next time
Happy training!
H

And there's more.....
A few hours after posting the above entry, I found this funny but real cause created by Ben Stiller. Check it out. Brilliant stuff.

Hello Kitty

Surprised Kitty @ Yahoo! Video

Nicely Done!

Just a few congratulations to send out.

At the Philly Marathon today, a buddy of mine rocked a 3:09:13. Another Boston appearance for 2011. Way to go Jason! Now only if you had some Beer Mile skills. Honourable mentions to others in the entourage (Ed-3:29, Willen-3:49, Gibson-4:21, Alison-2:02)-- hope I didn't miss anyone.

Also, Sam McGlone served notice today that she is not done and is still a threat to win any Ironman (despite her Achilles woes--I know all about that). Sam won Ironman Arizona a little while ago, setting the course record, even though she walked through the finish chute to soak up the glory of a great comeback win. Jordan Rapp won the men's event.

Join the MultiSport Canada Community

Click on this website, join, and have fun.

http://www.msccommunity.com/

Lest We Forget

I love Canada and tomorrow is an especially special day to remember all of those who have sacrificed to make this country as great as it is.