Run On Your Toes vs. Running On Your Heels

So the verdict is out. Ask yourself this: What is your running form? Are you the casual weekender that gets in a good 8k on the weekends, or are you the competitive racer trying to gain speed? Either or, running on your toes will keep you injury free.

As a triathlete you are always wanting to go faster, and one way to achieve this is by converting your running form from a heel to toe form to really getting up on your toes. What I mean by this, is that you always want to be striking the ground with forefoot of your foot. This is especially true if you are a racer trying to gain speed. Its easy to think about. Take, for a example, a sprint runner: from the moment he/she leaves those starting blocks, they are on the balls of their feet. Take spiked shoes: you never see sprinter's spikes with spikes on the arch or heel of the shoe. They are always on the forefront of the shoe.

Now lets break the form down. As the runner lengthens their stride, he/she will reach with the forefoot of their foot, striking the ground with the outer edge of their foot, rolling the foot ever so slightly to the ball of their foot. From this motion, the runner will gain propulsion from pushing off the ball of the foot. The heel has little to no impact to the ground, as the arch and heel just absorb the force from striking the ground.

Now I understand this form isn't for everyone, but it is a way to increase speed and have faster times as mentioned. For long distance runners, emphasis on landing on the forefoot is crucial and having that less impact will save you in the last miles. This form will cause less injury to your achilles, knees, heels, and reduce the effects of plantar fasciitis. So try to convert today!

ITU World Championship Series is in Sydney this Weekend!

The Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series officially starts this weekend.  This olympic distance race series  attracts the most competitive triathletes from around the world. Most of which will be trying to represent their countries at the upcoming 2011 London Olympics. These Races are draft legal allowing elite athletes to sit on the back of fast riders and block some winds, increasing the packs speed. 

Australia's Harbour City will be be the starting location for these top 10 triathletes.  The 1.5 km swim will start in the beautiful Farm Cove just adjacent to the Sydney Opera House, then will proceed to the bike course of 40 km on Macquarie Street where these elite athletes will make the turnaround loop at College Street where they will conclude the run section of 10 km on the same loop. I am sure most of the athletes are not impressed with the run course overlapping the bike course but the route will be a fast one. Top athletes to watch in Sydney are Javier Gomez, Alistair Brownlee, and Jan Frodeno. But the two favorites will be Gomez (Reigning World Champion) and Frodeno, as Frodeno is looking to take the World Champion position for 2011. Really could be anyone's race. 

"It’s a ten out of ten in the men’s field, with each of the top-10 men from last year’s World Series on the Sydney start list. It’s also the first time since last year’s Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final Budapest that Javier Gomez, Alistair Brownlee and Jan Frodeno will meet. In that race, Frodeno was in contention for the podium but finished a disappointing 41st, missing the podium for the second straight season. It’s always an intriguing battle between the 2010 world champion, 2009 world champion and 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist, and it’s also rare to have it so early in the season. Reigning World Champion Gomez has already started his 2011 triathlon season in Australia, at the Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup, but didn’t quite sweep the field like most were predicting and finished fifth. Instead Brad Kahlefeldt led rising Australian Brendan Sexton and Frenchman David Hauss to the line. Sven Riederer and Courtney Atkinson also raced in Mooloolaba, and it will be interesting to see whether those that did will be better for the hit-out or are outpaced by fresh legs. For Hauss, it could have only increased his confidence in Australia, he made it onto the podium in the Sydney race last year."

Weather should be ideal racing conditions with temperatures in the mid 70s and will bring out some fast racing.  My predictions on who will bring out the win lean towards Jan Frodeno as he seems to be out for blood against Gomez.  But don't leave out local favorites, Courtney Atkinson or Brendan Sexton.  Sexton, coming off of a runner-up finish in Mooloolaba, will definitely be in contention.  Check out the ITU Triathlon website for more details about the series and races.  ITU TRIATHLON

2011 ITU Triathlon Championship Series Begins April 18th!!

Who Will Take the Crown this Year?

Donate A Bike Today!

Thanks to my sister, I will be pushing on with my volunteer work for the "Working Bikes Cooperative".

Come and sign up and start donating fellow bike enthusiasts! Great cause, definitely like their style.

Check them out here at:


http://workingbikes.org/

Race Kit!!!

Finally Came 2011 Race Kit! Sponsors check it out!!!

February Living

Well, February has come and gone, and can be forgotten.  On February 17th I was traveling to Colorado from Chicago to get in some training in with my coach and to ski with some buddies, when I was 30 miles from Denver and fell asleep at the wheel. By far, the biggest scare of my life.

I had left Chicago at 1:30 am in route to Colorado. I was in somewhat of a time crunch, as I was trying to get in a training session with my coach, and to make a work pick up in Colorado Springs, which is why I had left so early. I made it to Colorado around Noon and was a bit drained as I had stop about 5 times to rest and nap, but this obviously was not enough. I made one final stop to fill up on gas and about 30 minutes later I found myself facing traffic with all airbags blown in the vehicle. I had been traveling west bound on I-76 at 85 mph when I fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the highway median. I remember minutes before striking the median, that I was dreaming I was going off the road into an obstruction. I woke instantly and was heading straight for an iron and cable median. The car spun 2 or 3 times before coming to a stop on the opposite side of the street. I was facing traffic as cars came to a halt and witnesses got out. Crawling out of the car, I noticed the entire front drivers' side was destroyed and missing only showing the axel of the car. On my feet in shock, a woman approached me, seeing the whole accident, and was astonished I only had minor burns on me. (Burns from the airbags rapid force). I had never been in car accident where airbags deployed, but was never hit in the face, and or neck by them.  Thank god! Police and fire rescue were on the scene in minutes inspecting the car reck and my vitals. After giving me the okay that I was fine, I was off in a squad car to be taken to the towns nearest service station. Calling my coach, family, and friends letting them know what happened, they were all in shock that I was ok. The training and skiing that weekend would be put on hold as I would travel right back home to Chicago that night.

So to say the least, February had been an up and down battle of mixed emotions. Looking back on the entire situation, there are a million things that I could have done to prevent this accident, but even more important is that I wasn't hurt and I didn't hurt anyone else. I could have killed, not only myself, but many others. I have been really fortunate, and there is some other power at be keeping me here on earth for a reason.

To my readers and followers: what I want you to take from this is, do not let life pass you by. Live every second to its fullest, because anything could happen. Do not have regret and push yourself to achieve everything possible.  I know this upcoming season I certainly will. Ride On!  

Olympic Fever!!!

Well, the Olympics are definitely getting close. There is nothing more amazing then an event that collaborates multiple sporting events in 16-17 days of competition! I live for the Olympics, as I love the fact that I can start my day with my favorite sporting events or even an event that I know little about. Its an endless couple of weeks of sports! Unfortunately, I will not be participating in the 2012 London Olympics as I hope to make the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but will definitely be there in support for all my USA athletes. This post is mostly a reminder that 2012 London Olympic tickets go on sale March 15, 2011, with events starting from $25 - $750.  So log on and secure your lottery drawing today!

Click to register!
http://www.london2012.com/