TRAINING NEVER STOPS

With triathlon in so many times zones around the world it's as if triathlon training never stops. There is always someone with an Ironman race coming up in the near future it seems.

Finished my book signings for the year with a great 3 day signing event at Market Mall. I set a target of 50 books total for the three days and that was a stretch as my tri books require just the right type of person to walk by my table. A novel for instance, would appeal to a much more diverse dynamic.

It was really pretty funny. I was at 48 books with 15 minutes to go on my last day and began to pack up because another author was scheduled to show up and take over the table. Patsy the manager said, "well you might as well keep going until he shows up". At five to three(my end time)I sold book 49 with no other author in sight.

"You might as well stay for a while longer" she said and at 3:10 I sold book #50.

I had made an appointment for 4p.m. expecting the other scheduled author to be there on time, but when I left at about 3:20 he was nowhere to be found. Too bad I had made that appointment. No telling how many more books I could have sold if I had stuck around.

My newest book "TRIATHLETE IN TRANISION" has done very well and is being well-received. At the same time people are still buying Ironstruck. My Ironstruck books have begun selling by word of mouth now that I have a few thousand copies out there.

Don't forget to visit Total Immersion if you need to get your tri swimming on track. Total Immersion is the perfect swim technique for triathletes as it conserves energy be helping swimmers stay relaxed and prevents the heart-rate from sky-rocketing and burning much needed energy in the process.

DO YOU NEED SWIMMING HELP?

TOTAL IMMERSION....Simply one of the best swimming techniques in the world today for triathletes of any level.

TOTAL IMMERSION is offering all ironstruck visitors a 10% discount on Books, DVD's, and all other TI teaching tools.

Simply click on this linktotalimmersion.net/store/go to the store page and type ironstruck(all small case)into the shopping cart coupon box and you receive your 10% discount automatically.

If you have your own website or blog and wish to increase the amount of your unique visitors, you might give these guys a try. They really seem to know that they are doing and in the first week or so they have already sent around 100 new visitors to my site and several have listed Ironstuck as one of their favorites. Increasing the monetization of your site or just trying to share more of your passion with the World Wide Web is just one simple click of a flashing button away.

Remember that my tri books are also available as downloads on Mindset Triathlon. Currently my two Ironstruck books are among the top ten in the top 100 list.

By the way, if you are looking for one of the best resources ever for triathlon and running books, be sure to visit Mindset Triathlon. You will save 30% by downloading books plus there are never any shipping charges to worry about. This is a great alternative for runners, beginner triathletes, or the novice Ironman. You will also find both of my Ironstruck books on Mindset. Currently, "Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey" is ranked among the best.

MINDSET TRIATHLON: The ultimate online book resource center that will help you achieve your triathlon goals.

Have a great Holiday season and rest up for another triathlon season that will be in full swing in another 5 or 6 months.

MARKET MALL(CALGARY)BOOK SIGNINGS

Well it's been a hectic time at Market Mall with Christmas book signings for Ironstruck. It looks like quite a few people will be unwrapping copies of Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey, "Ironstruck? 500 Ironman Triathlon Questions and Answers, and my newest book "Triathlete In Transition" on Christmas morning.

Thanks to all of you who have supported Ironstruck and helped me realize a new record for a book-signing today at Market Mall. I will be back again tomorrow...Wednesday December 23rd for my final signing of the year.

It is a sure sign of the popularity of triathlon in Calgary when I encounter so many people in my Calgary signings over the year who are interested in taking up the sport of triathlon or know someone who is. There is just so much enthusiasm in this city and it's no wonder we were awarded the Ironman 70.3 last year.

With the organizers doing such a great job in the inaugural 2009 event, you can be sure that 2010 will be even better and will most likely sell out. Entries are open now for next year so don't leave it too long.

Best of the season to any visitors who happen to be reading this and I hope with all sincerity that you realize all your dreams and goals for the upcoming year.

A NEW SEASON AHEAD

Soon after the holidays are over those who are preparing for a Spring or Summer 2010 Ironman or perhaps their very first triathlon will begin to take their preparation and training more seriously. This is how it always has been over the years. This is especially true in Canada once Ironman Canada is in the books pretty well marking the end of the Canadian tri season for the year.

I have spent the last couple of months updating my website---Ironstruck.ca---to prepare it for the coming year. Almost 200 pages of content on the site now and hope you have a chance to visit.

It was a busy Summer season for Ironstruck as I did book-signings at many major events including the Great White North triathlon, Kelowna Apple, Ironman Calgary 70.3, the Calgary Marathon, Melissa's Road Race, and of course Ironman Canada.

I also released my fourth book called "Triathlete In Transition" for the very beginner triathlete and pleased to say that Steve King..The Voice of Ironman Canada, and Terry Laughlin...creator of the Total Immersion swim technique have submitted to this book.

You can find it at Lulu.com and at Coles in Market Mall, TD Square, tri it multi-sport, The Bike Shop, and Chinook Chapters (all in Calgary), and also Spirit Indigo Banff and if you prefer a less expensive download with no shipping costs....Mindset Triathlon has it on site.

Best of luck as a new year in the great sport of triathlon is about to begin.

Triathlon Bike Training Tips

Hopefully I can give you a few Triathlon bike training tips that will help you prepare for your first Ironman Triathlon.

I'll repeat what I said in the triathlon bike equipment page. Be sure when you purchase I bike that it is the proper frame size for you. Also make sure that experienced bike outlet personal fit you to that bike. That's most likely one of the more important tips to remember.



Another important triathlon bike training tip to remember is if you are really stretch at the bottom of the pedal stroke, the bike is not set up properly. If you are all scrunched up and are not extending your legs far enough, the bike is not set up properly. Something as simple as raising or lowering the seat can make a huge difference to your pedal stroke. It's important to make use of all the big muscles. This will make your triathlon bike training more productive and enjoyable at the same time.

You'll find that Triathlon bike training involves much more than biking itself. Something as simple as having the bike set up properly will make your transition into the run a lot less painful.

When it comes to actually getting out on the road and beginning their triathlon bike training, many first time Ironman hopefuls have the wrong idea. You don't have to go out and cycle hundreds and hundreds of miles. Maybe one day if you decide to really go for it and try and place in your age group you might want to look at more intense training. For your first attempt at an Ironman just remember. You're not going out to set a new record for the bike split. You want to FINISH this thing and gear your triathon bike training with that in mind!

I would recommend doing one 6-8 hour ride about 8 weeks from Ironman day. Go out with a couple of people. Pack lots of food and water and plan to be gone for the day. Don't worry about how MANY miles. All you are doing is getting an idea of what it will be like to be on the bike for that long.

For the rest of the triathlon bike training year, try and bike 3 or 4 times a week. You can do 1 or 2 of those rides on a wind-trainer or at a gym on one of their exercise bikes. As your season progresses, try and plan for one longer ride of 2 or 3 hours once a week. Don't worry about how many miles. Pay more attention to actual time on the bike and finding a cadence and speed that you're comfortable with. I strongly recommend heart-monitor use on the bike.(see section on heart-monitor training). Try and stay at or below your target heart rate and your fitness level will continue to improve over time.

Be sure to try different fluid supplements and different types of solid nourishment until you find what agrees with you and then go with it. Remember that proper nourishment is an important part of your triathlon bike training. I would recommend getting used to one of the gels, because they are handy, and packed with nourishment and most likely found on every Ironman course.

As your season progresses, you should try and do one transition ride every week. The best day for this is the day you're on your wind-trainer. Ride for at least an hour and then run IMMEDIATELY after for at least half an hour. This will help you get used to the bike-run transition. Its not necessary to bike 4 or 5 hours and then run 15 miles in order to see what it feels like. Trust me, after an hour on the bike, you'll get the idea after about 4 strides into the run.

I won't kid you. There's nothing on earth that will 'truly' prepare you for what you will experience when you leave the bike transition tent and head out on your first Ironman marathon. DEAL WITH IT! YOU CAN DO THIS!

It is at about this point that you will truly be looking into the eye of the tiger. It is here that you will begin to find out what you are made of.

On a lighter note, its time to go back to Kona and tell you a bit about my first Ironman bike experience.

Its one hour before swim start. Someone said don't put air in your tires because they may burst overnight with the humidity as your bike sits in the transition zone. So here I am pumping up my tires. Being clever I had put a brand new tubes in the night before. I pumped and pumped and just like a gunshot the first tire I was pumping exploded. Like EVERYONE looked and went oh-oh. I hadn't noticed, but the tube had come right out of the tire and exploded. IT WAS THE WRONG SIZE! No problem I thought(sort of). I had a spare(one spare). I put it on. Being as I bought it at the same time as the other one, it was also THE WRONG SIZE and this time I saw it begin to bulge out of the tire. I did the only thing I could. I let air out until the tube went back into the tire and pumped the other tire up to about the same air pressure. Most likely I had about 65-70 lbs of air pressure in both my tires.

It's 4 hours later. Here I am on the King K. highway. The heat waves are massive. Its just over 100 degrees in the lava fields. Every pedal stroke I hear my tires squish into the soft asphalt. I have no spare left. My Ironman dream pretty well rests on those squishy tires. Each torrid mile merges into the next.

I feel alone. Nobody around me. I see a vision.
A beautiful Hawaiian girl in a grass skirt a few hundred meters ahead. This can't be real-- but it is. She's holding something out. My gorgeous savior. She has a sponge for me. I straighten my helmet and glide in towards her gracefully---thinking---I AM IRONMAN!--I would impress her to no end--and deftly take her precious gift from her small hand and SMASH THAT GUAVA JELLY SANDWICH ON BROWN BREAD ALL OVER THE BACK OF MY NECK!

If you're ever in Hawaii and get a chance to have lunch with a local---have a guava jelly sandwich, because they really, really pack it on.

Even to this day, I wonder what my angel in the grass skirt thought of the crazy guy on the bike. Well, it sure looked like a sponge. Give me a break.

It was such a relief when I finally reached the bike-run transition. Words can't express how the first few dozen strides into the marathon felt.

I told you a bit about my first Ironman bike for a reason....

Consider this. The furthest I ever biked in training was about 40 miles. I didn't really know how to train, how far to go or how fast I should be going. I just went until I felt tired and turned around.

I didn't really know what to eat or drink.

My bike was impossibly heavy. I had a rear tire that was missing about 40 pounds of air. I had no aero-bars---no clipless pedals. I hadn't even been on a bike for 20 years until I started training for the Ironman. My triathlon bike training was pretty well non-existent.

Yet, my bike time was 7 hours and 39 minutes. That's all you need! 7-8 hours on the bike and you are left with enough time to beat the cut-off and finish the marathon

My point is. If I could do that ride, under those circumstances than YOU CAN CERTAINLY DO THIS!! It is well within the physical limits of many people to accomplish the same feat without having to be a super athlete. If you are willing to put in the time it takes to get the most out of your triathlon bike training, and ensure that you bike is properly set up for you, most likely your first Ironman bike ride will go "way" smoother than mine did.

Don't think for a moment you need hundreds and hundreds of miles of triathlon bike training, because that's not true at all if your primary goal is to reach the Ironman finish line without worrying too much about time. There is plenty of time for that later if you decide to extend your career.

Get yourself into overall good condition and learn the basics of triathlon bike training.

--Try and bike at least two or if possible, three times a week as you start out.

--Try and do a bit longer as you get in better shape. Try one long day about 8 weeks before Ironman day.

--Get used to what you want to eat and drink on race day.

--Make sure your bike is set up properly for "you".

--Do transition bike-runs once a week.

--Keep your bike properly maintained and clean and sparkling. Just like your car it will run smoother when it's clean and you lovingly cared for it. Don't ask my why. It just does.

These are all quite easy to accomplish and extremely valuable triathlon training tips to keep in mind.

Those are my triathlon bike training tips. If a coach puts you on a program and you are happy with it, then go for it.

I'm just trying to convey that the spirit of Ironman---that amazing race day---will make you capable of more than you ever dreamed. Just being in the event, being cheered on, having prepared for this day and realizing your dream is within your grasp will more than compensate for any lack of ability or training.


ALSO, BE SURE TO VISIT MY IRONSTRUCK BOOK STORE AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE BOOKS THAT CAN GUIDE YOU AND INSPIRE YOU DURING YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY.

COCONUT OIL FOR BETTER ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

After including coconut oil as a regular part of diet, I soon realized it's benefits when it greatly enhanced my training and improved my Ironman performance and recovery.

It was almost by chance that I happened upon coconut oil and it's use as a diet supplement. I was surfing the net one day and came across an article on the subject and like many other intriguing diet ideas I've stumbled upon in the past, decided to give this interesting oil a try.

I've always believed that I had no business writing about any diet unless I had tried it myself. To my way of thinking that's the only way to pass on relevant, honest information to readers. As a result I've tried a variety of different diets and supplements over the years and this is one of them. To be quite honest, I was just blown away by the results I experienced when I incorporated coconut oil into my triathlon training diet.





First a bit of science behind the coconut diet:


Coconut oil is comprised of fatty acids called "medium chain triglycerides" or MCT'S. In nature, coconut oil has the largest concentration of these MCT'S outside of human breast milk. Vegetable oils, on the other hand, are made up primarily of "long chain fatty acids" or LCT'S. For quite some time now scientific literature has claimed that LCT'S tend to produce fat in the body, while MCT'S promote what is called "thermogenesis". Thermogenesis increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.


This has been common knowledge in the animal feed business for years. It you feed animals vegetable oil, they gain weight and produce more fatty meat. If you feed them coconut oil, they will be very lean. Tests on rats published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" concluded that MCT rats gained 15% less weight than rats fed LCT'S. The conclusion:

MCT diets result in decreased body fat related to increased metabolic rate and thermogenesis. Similar tests were conducted on humans at Vanderbilt University in 1989 with the same basic results.

Regardless of scientific study result, I prefer to try these things on my own and see the results first hand.

Over twenty years of competition and numerous diets, the LEAST I ever weighed was 150-151 pounds. This was my competition weight. If I were to weigh myself on any given race morning, my weight would be in this range, give or take a pound. That all changed when I included coconut oil in my diet.


I weighed myself on the first day of the diet as I always did when I tried something new, and wouldn't step on a scale again for one month. I live by this rule when trying something different in my diet. My start weight was as usual, 151 lbs.

I added 5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day to my meals. Usually when you buy coconut oil it will be solidified. I just leave mine at room temperature and in few days the whole container is liquified. I don't store it in the fridge because it will solidify again. If it is solid, its easy enough to melt down into liquid form if you're in a hurry.

I added it to my oatmeal in the morning, to my pasta, and used it in smoothies. I always use olive oil in my salads and started adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to every salad. It's an amazingly versatile product. You can easily come up with your own cooking uses for it.

When you use it in food its not an unpleasant taste and most of the time you won't even know its there. Combine it with your food anyway you like, but aim for at least 5 tablespoons a day and stick with it. Like any diet, there's really not much point even starting unless you're committed to it.

Well, I did this for exactly one month. Then I stepped back on the scale. WOW! 142 pounds!

I was 10 pounds lower than I had been over the past 20 years! I "could not" believe it. Remember that for the month I used coconut oil, I was in full Ironman training. Any diet you ever try should be done in conjunction with a fitness regimen. So I believe this is an ideal addition to any Ironman's diet. Or ANY physically active person's diet for that matter.

A few things I noticed:

Along with losing weight, my energy level increased.

Even though I lost 10 pounds, I seemed to have the same amount of over-all strength. This is crucial to an athlete. What makes some athletes so amazing is their strength to weight ratio. In other words, you can be a 120 pound woman, but be very strong for that weight. Take it a step further and imagine the consequences if you become 110 lbs and don't lose any strength and have increased energy.


Imagine yourself running a marathon carrying a 10 pound bag of potatoes on your back. Now imagine running the same marathon without the bag of potatoes and more energy.

A perfect example of what I mean by strength to weight ratio is Lance Armstrong.


When he was fighting cancer he lost tons of weight of course, but when he won that battle and became healthy, he never did gain back all of the weight that he originally had. Yet, he became stronger. In other words, his strength to weight ratio changed big time. It seems that his body chemistry changed for the better.

When I watched him climb those endless mountain passes in the Tour, it was just amazing how strong he was and how high his energy and endurance levels were.

Of course we can't all be the exceptional athlete Lance was at his peak, but I truly believe that incorporating coconut oil into ones diet can have a profound effect on any athlete's training and racing results, and can also help any person burn off excess fat as long as they are active on a regular basis while they are using coconut oil in their daily diet.

I have been searching all over the internet in order to find the best source of high quality, competitively-priced coconut oil that could be shipped to all my Ironstruck visitors, no matter what country they happen to live in.

Coconut Oil Supreme™ is in a class by itself when it comes to quality, and in fact there is only one facility in the world which has both the equipment and proprietary knowledge required to produce it. It is the original "centrifuged" coconut oil which is extracted from fresh coconut milk. Although many companies now claim that their oil is produced using a centrifuge process they are not the same as Coconut Oil Supreme­™. Although the quality of the oil is unsurpassed it is also considerably more expensive than generic virgin coconut oils.

By realizing a lower profit margin and finding the least expensive shipping method, Coconut Oil Supreme has managed to keep the price of their product low enough that people can afford to use it on a daily basis.

Coconut Oil Supreme currently ships all over the world using International Priority Mail and they also use special packaging which allows them to ship up to 3 lbs of oil in a flat-rate envelope for only US$13 in postage. This is a considerable savings from traditional shipping alternatives.

Coconut Oil Supreme is offering all Ironstruck visitors 10% off the retail price of all their products. Enter the discount code "ironstruck" during the checkout process. .

Visit Coconut oil Supreme and have a look at their quality coconut oil products.

MELISSA'S ROAD RACE 2009 PICTURES

It was a good (but windy) time at Melissa's doing book signings in the Banff Recreational site as the 30th annual edition of this amazing race took place.

It was always one of my favorites when I was doing a 10km race almost every weekend somewhere in Alberta during the race season back in the racing days.

I picked Melissa's to release my newest book "TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION" and quite a few people picked up a copy or plan to in the near future. I pretty well knew going in that most runner's don't bring money to race sites with them, but I was really more interested in getting the "Ironstruck" and "Triathlete In Transition" name out there for people to at least see.

I hope to have National distribution for "Triathlete In Transition" set up soon because there are many people making the transition from running to triathlons and there are very few "beginner" tri books out there written my Canadian authors.


All three of my triathlon books are available online as downloads on the site Mindset Triathlon. Currently of the 3000 triathlon titles they have available, my Ironstruck books are ranked 4th and 6th. Triathlete In Transition was just added a few days ago..You can visit Mindset by clicking the link below. A hard copy of the book can be purchased at Lulu.com>>>>Triathlete In Transition


If you are thinking about giving triathlon a try, you should take to the time to visit my website Ironstruck.ca

In the average month I usually have visitors from 65 or 70 countries. There seems to be few places on the web to get really good information that's actually "free", and I think that's why Ironstruck has gotten so popular over the past few years.

Melissa's Road Race

Sure looking forward to Melissa's Road Race 2009 in Banff, Alberta. I have a spot in the infield expo and hope to have my new book "Triathlete In Transition" in print in time for the race. It's a book for the "very beginner" triathlete and is sure to help many people as they introduce triathlon into their lives.

However it's in the hands of the printer for now and still not sure if the first printing will be done in time for the Melissa's race on the last Saturday in September. If not, I will still be at the event with my two "Ironstruck" books. Triathlete In Transition will be available at Tri It multi sport in Calgary as soon as it's off the presses and in my hands.

Of course it's another sell-out for Melissa's again as the race is much-loved and takes place in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. At last report somewhere between 6 or 7 thousand runners and spectators are expected to be in Banff for the race.

Good luck and "have fun" to everyone who is taking part in Melissa's 2009!

If you want to be one of the very first to read Triathlete In Transition" you will find it available at Mindset Triathlon as a download. You will also find both of my "Ironstruck" books in the top ten of the best-seller list.

NEW BOOK FOR THE BEGINNER TRIATHLETE

TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION IS A BOOK FOR THE VERY "BEGINNER TRIATHLETE."

There's a reason why triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. It has captured the imagination of so many because it's a sport that has changed the lives of ordinary "extraordinary" people all over the world

It does not require you to have the perfect athletic body or to be a highly skilled swimmer, biker, or runner. As a matter of fact, many people can't swim a stroke or have not run or biked for years, yet still take up the challenge of triathlon.

In the process they learn new skills, improve fitness levels, make new friends, and attain an improved level of over-all health and well-being.

The focus of "Triathlete In Transition" is to guide and inspire new triathletes as they begin their triathlon journey.

Much like my two "Ironstruck" books, Triathlete In Transition is not just another triathlon training book. Yes it will guide you as you work your way toward your first triathlon, but more than that, it is intended to inspire and motivate you to become more than you ever thought possible. Regardless of your fitness level or athletic ability as you start on your amazing journey, TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION has the potential to help change the course of your life forever.

In order to cover as many important components of your preparation as possible, I have invited along seven guest writers to share their wisdom and knowledge with you.

The guest experts include...

Derek Cook--Naturopathic Doctor

Grant Molyneux--Top Triathlon Coach

Kevan MacNaughton-- Over 25 years as a Bike Shop Owner

Jeff Thomlinson-Yoga Expert

Shelley MacGregor--Massage Therapist

and Triathlete In Transition is proud to introduce...

Steve King--The voice of Ironman Canada

and..

Terry Laughlin--The creator of the TOTAL IMMERSION swim concept

as contributors to TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION.

We share in a common goal of doing all we can to make your triathlon journey a rewarding and exciting experience.

This new book is available on Mindset Triathlon as a download. The cost is $18 for an instant download purchase and you "never" have to pay shipping costs.

Visit Mindset Triathlon and be one of the very first people in the world to read TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION.

IRONMAN CANADA REST

Well, it's not quite two weeks since Ironman Canada 2009 happened in Penticton and after talking to many people about it, it appears that it was one tough day out there for many of you.

Lots of stories of the swim being crowded and the bike being not bad up to Osoyoos and then the wind, heat, and smoke all becoming a factor in the mid to late stages of the bike. Of course that meant a marathon from Hell for most people as they were in pretty bad shape getting off the bike.

Some people seem very disappointed in their times, yet often it's not always fair to yourself to judge an Ironman day by your finish time, when actually it's how you fared in the conditions of the "the day" that are should be considered.

As triathletes it sometimes gets lost in the mix that the average person can't run to the end of their street. We seem to forget that even if there are 3000 people entered in an Ironman race, it's only a tiny, tiny percentage of the population of the world that could ever make it to the start line.

However your race turned out, I hope you are resting up. Even if you seem to feel not too bad, it can be a month or even two before the chemical balance in your body gets back to normal.

Penticton Ironman pictures

Well another Ironman has come and gone and once again the Penticton Ironman course was an extreme test for triathletes from around the world. 2600 starters finished the swim and tackled the hot and windy bike course that is no doubt one of the most spectacular and challenging in the world of Ironman.

Age-groupers and pros alike dropped out of the race and still there were spectacular performances on both the men's and women's side.

I was in front of the book store on Main street doing signings for most of the week and it was great to meet so many amazing people who were in Penticton to take part in or to watch the Ironman.

When I wasn't doing book-signings, I was working on book four that has now been completed and in the final stages of editing and developing a cover.

TRIATHLETE IN TRANSITION should be in print near the end of the month and hopefully I will be introducing it in person at Melissa's Road Race in Banff on the last Saturday in September.

Kelowna Apple Triathlon

Arrived in Lovely Kelowna late Friday night and caught some sleep before setting up early at the Apple Triathlon for book signings....My Ironstruck T-shirts were a resounding success and many of the teen racers bought them.

You know, I was watching the 8 and 9 year olds and it is simply amazing how talented these kids are and what a passion they have for the sport of triathlon.

It is just such a cool sport because they can all participate and have a great time regardless of how new they are to athletics. I could see many kids who could also be champions in 10 or 12 years if they stick with the sport and decide to reach for the stars. The Kids of Steel program is a marvel and it's no wonder all these races across the country fill so fast.

All those kids who competed today should be so proud of themselves and I hope they embrace fitness as a way of life forever.

Tomorrow we will be treated to watching the likes of Simon Whitfield and Jordan Brydon competing in the Nationals here at the Apple.

Hey! What do you know! Simon Whitfield started out as a kid of steel.

TOTAL IMMERSION

TOTAL IMMERSION Is easily one of the best swimming techniques for triathletes of all levels. Since I created ironstruck almost 5 years ago I have been in contact with thousands of people who have been captivated by the Ironman. They may have visited this website, read one of my books, emailed me, or just stopped by to chat while I was doing a book signing at a race. Most of the time the contact is initiated because most of them are compelled or "Ironstruck" by some unseen force to embark on their own Ironman journey and are in search of answers. Answers that will get them to the Ironman finish line one day.

It might mean getting on a road bike for the first time, dusting off the running shoes, or learning how to swim from the very beginning so they can enter the world of triathlon and eventually join a few thousand others one day at the swim start of their very first Ironman. This is where TOTAL IMMERSION can become a very important factor.

I can say with a certainty that the biggest stumbling block for most of the newly Ironstruck is learning how to swim or learning how to swim better. It certainly was for me as I couldn't swim a stroke when I decided I wanted to be an Ironman. Unfortunately, back then the swimming techniques provided by TOTAL IMMERSION were not available. It took me about year to be able to swim two miles in a pool. It was most likely the most inefficient swim stroke a person could possibly have, but I was off to Kona to tackle Ironman Hawaii 1984.

IF YOU ARE HAVING CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS WITH
YOUR SWIM TRAINING AND SWIM TECHNIQUE FOR AN
UPCOMING TRI OF ANY DISTANCE, CONSIDER TOTAL
IMMERSION. I WAS ALWAYS A CRAPPY SWIMMER AND
THE TOTAL IMMERSION TECHNIQUE MADE THE
IRONMAN SWIM ENJOYABLE AND WORRY-FREE FOR ME.
I ALSO CAME OUT OF THE WATER MORE RELAXED AND
HAD FAR MORE ENERGY LEFT THEN I NORMALLY DID
WITH MY OLD STROKE. THIS WAS A HUGE
DIFFERENCE GOING INTO THE BIKE AND MARATHON.

TOTAL IMMERSION is offering all ironstruck
visitors a 10% discount on Books, DVD's, and
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ersion.net/store/ and go to the store
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My strategy was simple. I just moved my arms as fast as I could for about an hour and forty minutes until I reached dry land. I didn't want to stop moving my arms because I was afraid I would sink. I had such poor body position, that as soon as I slowed down my legs would sink. Well, they sank anyway and dragged along behind me, but the slower I went the faster they seemed to sink.

I incorporated this same strategy in the first 10 of the 14 Ironman races I entered over the years. In all of those Ironman swims I came out of the water exhausted and with my heart-rate racing and out of control.

The energy that is lost that early in the race is unrecoverable.

Most of my problems were caused by having terrible swim technique and also because I never had a swim plan and was routinely getting clobbered in the swim from the flailing mass of bodies that are part of every Ironman swim.

Then one day after another hour spent at the local pool reinforcing my poor swim stroke, a fellow triathlete asked me if I had ever heard of TOTAL IMMERSION? He had been swimming beside me and I think he knew I really needed help. I was a 1:25 Ironman swimmer at this stage and he was just about breaking 60 minutes.

I told him I had never heard of it, so he reached in his gym bag and pulled out a copy of the book TOTAL IMMERSION. He told me to take it home and read it. In my 25 year involvement with triathlon, that was without a doubt the best piece of advice I was ever given. I read the whole book that night and although I had my doubts at first because it virtually meant learning to swim all over again, I took it to heart and put TOTAL IMMERSION to the test the very next day.

I kicked off from the side of the pool and did exactly what was suggested in the book for attaining better buoyancy and body positioning in the water. Without exaggeration, I took about five strokes and for the first time in almost twenty years felt my heels break the surface of the water behind me. It's the first time I actually had anything even close to good form in the water and I hadn't even reached the other side of the pool.

I was ecstatic and over the following months did the drills that slowly rid my muscle memory of all my bad habits and helped me develop a long, smooth stroke that is "perfect" for any triathlete who wants to become a confident, efficient swimmer and save tons of energy for the later stages of their triathlon.

I took my new improved stroke to my next Ironman and because I wanted to make the most of it, decided to swim on the edge of the mass of swimmers so I would be away from the mayhem and be able to maintain the long, smooth stroke that TOTAL IMMERSION had taught me. I felt that I would most likely swim further, but it would be well worth it to have an enjoyable swim that conserved energy.

My mantra during my swim training using the TOTAL IMMERSION method was "not how fast I got to the other end of the pool, but how I got to the other end of the pool." I held that thought and took it to the Ironman and put it to the test.

When I came out of the water I couldn't believe how great I felt. For the first time my heart-rate was in control and the entire swim had been enjoyable and not the usual part of the Ironman that I always dreaded. I stayed out of trouble and maintained the same long, smooth stroke for the entire race.

I was astounded when my swim time was a personal best by almost 5 minutes. It was so surprising because never once did I consciously try and "swim fast."

I TRIED TO SWIM SMOOTH.

If you are concerned about your swimming or if you think the Ironman is beyond your reach because the swim seems overwhelming, then TOTAL IMMERSION could very well be your ticket to the Ironman finish line.

Even if you have done several Ironman races and struggle through the swim much like I did for almost ten years, the TOTAL IMMERSION swim system will change the way you look at swimming forever and you will begin to look forward to the Ironman swim and not dread it.

If you are just beginning your triathlon career, TOTAL IMMERSION is the perfect system to incorporate into your swim training as your career develops. If you are completely new to swimming, then you have the advantage of developing a great stroke from the very beginning without having to break bad swimming habits.


TOTAL IMMERSION is offering all ironstruck visitors a 10% discount on Books, DVD's, and all other TI teaching tools.

Simply click on this link
totalimmersion.net/store/go to the store page and type ironstruck(all small case)into the shopping cart coupon box and you receive your 10% discount automatically.

IRONMAN SPECTATOR

I played the part of ironman spectator as I took the "Ironstruck" road-show to the last two editions of Ironman Canada in Penticton in August. Everybody has a story and it was great meeting people and talking triathlon with them. I also met people I had talked to online, but never before met. Many had bought my Ironstruck books and were using Ironstruck as their sense of direction and inspiration to get them through their first Ironman.

I'll be leaving in a few weeks to once again be part of the Kelowna apple expo followed by Ironman Canada 2009.

I sure wasn't used to being a spectator along a course that I had raced on 10 times over the years. It was a course I had left so much of myself on over the years.

I learned quite a lot from spending the day, and much of the night on the course cheering on the competitors. I saw the race from a different viewpoint and was able to see how others reacted to the race and how they supported everyone.

Many spectators are usually up an hour before the start gun in order to land a prime viewing spot to witness one of the biggest mass swim starts in Ironman history.

Then while the runners were out on the bike course, people were writing out chalk messages up and down the run course in recognition of their favorite triathletes. All the restaurants were full along main street as the bikers began coming back into town hours later and from that moment on, the procession of bikers and runners would go on late into the night.

It was amazing to see just how much support the spectators provided for 'all' the participants. It was also special to see how they stayed out there hour after hour to cheer everyone on.

I'm glad I had a chance to see the race from another point of view, and came to a major conclusion.

You have to be 'tough' to be an Ironman spectator.


Especially the ones who spent the entire 17 hours out there. It's quite an emotional and physical drain.

I think for the first time I really appreciate just how important the families, friends, volunteers, and even strangers who are ironman spectators are to an individuals success in the Ironman.

If you are uncertain about taking your own run at the Ironman, consider taking in Ironman Canada or an Ironman near you and it will be sure to inspire you...


Currently my Ironstruck books are available on Mindset Triathlon. They have inspired many people to take on their first Ironman successfully. Currently they are both in the top ten of the top 100 list of the more than 3000 titles on mindset. Buy the download version of both Ironstruck books at a great price and you never pay any shipping and will have instant access to information that will help you reach the Ironman finish line. Visit mindset here...........

RIGHT TO PLAY

As long as I can remember I have been a huge fan of the Olympic Games. It was during the Olympics that I first became aware of "Right to Play," an organization that is dedicated to giving children all over the world the opportunity to "just be kids."

It was such a pleasure to meet Olympian Beckie Scott at the recent Calgary Ironman 70.3 expo. Beckie is a strong supporter of "Right To Play" and I had the opportunity to learn more about the organization. I'm excited to be able to help raise awareness and to aid Beckie in her goal of giving children everywhere the opportunity to play and grow in a healthy, happy, and stable environment through the charitable organization "Right To Play."

As athletes, we are blessed with the opportunity to be able to participate in a sport like triathlon and to experience the fun, excitement, and overall healthy lifestyle that being active provides for us.

Here is what some of the most amazing athletes in the world have to say about "Right To Play."



"This is one of the greatest causes I have ever seen! Right To Play is using the incredible power of sport and play to help children who are affected in refugee camps, affected by war and orphaned by HIV/AIDS."
Wayne Gretzky, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Hockey Great

"Sport has influenced the path my life has taken. It has given me the ability to focus, create vision, understand differences and persevere through adversity. Going into the field in Africa brought home the reality that many children do not have the opportunity to engage in sport or to play. I had believed that these benefits were available to every child. In the refugee camps in Sudan I saw children whose days were void of anything but intense boredom. To these children, Right to Play and our partners bring play, and with play the opportunity to learn and grow and develop their potential. Play is not a luxury; it is an essential element to a child’s development. Organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Health Organizations (WHO) are partnering with Right to Play because they recognize the power of sport to help children of disadvantage. I am proud that my experience as an athlete and my passion for sport can benefit the lives of these children."
Silken Laumann, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and three-time Olympic Medalist (Rowing)

“Sport for Development programs are harnessing the power of sport and play to put children on a healthier development path. As my personal experiences have shown, sport has the power to change and heal lives, to build self-esteem, confidence and leadership and to create extraordinary possibilities. Sport and play are not luxuries but important and necessary building blocks. Please join Right To Play in helping to ensure every child’s right to play.”
Lance Armstrong, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and seven-time Tour de France winner

"I believe in the power of sport and play to change lives."
Catriona Le May Doan, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (Speed Skating)

"As an American and an Olympian we are given so many opportunities. We sometimes take for granted how fortunate we are. Working with Right to Play has given me the chance to give back to those children who don't know the joys of sports and recreation. I think it's so important for every child to have the right to play because sports can shape an individual's confidence, self-esteem, morals, strength, and physical and mental well being. With some children already going through such devastation in their lives, depriving them the right to play could deprive them of a chance to truly live a fulfilled life. Thinking of the smile that I can help put on the face of a small child, makes every effort worthwhile."
Nikki Stone, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Olympic Gold Medalist (Aerials)

"Since I was a child, sport has been a powerful, positive force in my life. I believe every child has the right to play."
Dikembe Mutombo, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and NBA Basketball star

“Being an athlete has influenced so many aspects of my life. For that reason I am always looking to find a way to give back to my sport and to give children the opportunities that I had when I was young. Right to Play gives athletes an easy and effective way to do that - to bring the joy and love of sports to children all over the world.”
Emily Cook, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Olympian (Aerials)

"There are parts in the world where few opportunities exist for kids to be kids. Sport and play provide that chance. Right To Play provides that chance."
Steve Podborski, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Olympic Bronze Medalist (Skiing)

“Having been at the Olympics made me feel very happy and special. Not too many people ever get that chance and I am fully aware that we as athletes have a much higher responsibility than to just win or go for records... We are role models, opinion makers, and credible idols for children and youth, so it is my pleasure and urgent drive to fulfill that great chance that I got through my career.”
Oliver Stamm, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Olympian (Beach Volleyball)

“It is my privilege to work with Right To Play as an Athlete Ambassador. As someone who has already been able to realize so many dreams in my lifetime, I was immediately drawn to this worthy organization. Right To Play recognizes that all children are special and beautiful, and deserves the right to enjoy their childhood. I can’t think of anything better than that.”
Bonnie Blair, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, five-time Olympic Gold Medallist, 1 Bronze (Speed Skating)

"I am excited about Olympic Aid [now known as Right To Play] because it gives kids a chance to discover through sports the very things that have made such a tremendous difference in my life over the years. Sports,, although such a small part of life teaches so many valuable lessons: a sense of fair play and integrity, teamwork and cooperation. The biggest thing that I've learnt though is that through hard work and perseverance you can achieve and you can do all of this while having fun.”
Devon Harris, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, Olympian (Bobsled)

"Right To Play allows us as athletes, the chance to give back using the skills that come naturally: leadership, sport, dedication and passion."
Simon Whitfield, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist (Triathlon)

"The wonderful thing about being part of an organization like Right To Play is that it gives athletes a very unique and powerful opportunity to use their successes in sport to help promote the underlying values of sport: fun, fairplay, healthy competition, sportsmanship and most importantly peace, with children in their own communities and in areas of the world where war and conflict have torn people apart. If I can contribute in some small way, to help children, in my community and in other parts of the world, to share and experience the joy of sport with one another, then I feel as though I have made a difference."
Kristina Groves, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, Olympian (Speed Skating)


Take just a minute to visit the "Right To Play" website and perhaps be a part of giving children who are not quite as fortunate as ourselves an opportunity to play and develop in a healthy environment of fun and fitness.


RIGHT TO PLAY

IRONMAN CALGARY 70.3 PICTURES +EARLY RESULTS

IMAGES OF THE IRONMAN CALGARY 70.3.

It was a great day for the inaugural Calgary Ironman 70.3 and although I was not able to take in the swim start, there was plenty of action in the bike to run transition and finish line area.

Organizers did a great job of making the finish area and run course spectator friendly, the weather was great, and for an inaugural race the organization appeared to be nothing short of spectacular.

Despite the absence of Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, the quality of the field was excellent.

I arrived at the finish line just in time to find out that Timothy O'Donnell had won the race.




The picture at the top of the page is of Dan Ouimet who did an outstanding job of spear-heading the organization of Ironman Calgary 70.3. The triathlon community of Calgary owes Dan and his crew a big vote of thanks as this race will most likely be one of those Ironman races that will fill very early in the coming years thanks to their efforts in this race, the inaugural Calgary 70.3.


Triathlon is truly a family event and it was great to see so many family's out cheering on their favorite triathletes.






It was great to run into so many people who are a big part of the triathlon scene in Calgary. This is a picture of Cal Zarisky who is one of the country's best coaches and Rose Serpico who is co-owner of Tri it, the best tri store in the country.







I don't believe I have ever seem so many people who have gone out of their way to be a cheer-leading squad for the triathletes. They even dressed up as cheer-leaders and spent hours cheering people on. I know how much it used to mean to me in my racing days to have spectator support, and I'm sure it did as well to the entries in this years race. Great job and Thanks! to the cheer-leaders of Ironman Calgary 70.3.

IRONMAN CALGARY 70.3 EXPO

I'm happy to announce that Ironstruck will have a booth at the upcoming expo for Ironman Calgary 70.3. The expo will be taking place at the Calgary Westin Hotel on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the Sunday August 2nd race.

I'm also pleased to announce that I will be selling my latest book "Lifestruck...A Better Way For Today's Youth" for ten dollars a copy and every cent will be going to the "RIGHT TO PLAY" organization.

It's a great opportunity for triathletes to join with many Olympians who champion this cause and help kids in depressed countries. Help them to...just be kids.

I wrote Lifestruck for pre-teens and teens to encourage them to enjoy a healthy diet and adopt fitness as a way of life. So if there is a youth in your life who might enjoy this book, come on down and pick up a signed copy and at the same time help kids everywhere to be kids.

I will also be selling and signing copies of my two Ironstruck books. Hope to see you there and if you are racing, Godspeed and have fun.

IRONMAN CALGARY 70.3---NOT RACING? BE A SPECTATOR

If you are not quite ready to race yourself and want to see what all the excitement is about, consider being a spectator for a triathlon near you. Live in the Calgary area? Sunday August 2nd is the fast appoaching date for the first annual Ironman Calgary 70.3 that will kick off in Ghost Lake.

Or perhaps take in Ironman Canada in Penticton on the last Sunday in August.

I've been a spectator myself at Ironman Canada the past few years and wasn't sure how much I would enjoy being a spectator along a course that I had raced on 10 times in the past.


I learned quite a lot from spending the day, and much of the night on the course cheering on the competitors. I saw the race from a different viewpoint and was able to see how others reacted to the race and how they supported everyone.

Many spectators were up an hour before the start gun in order to land a prime viewing spot for what was to be the biggest mass swim start in Ironman history.

Then while the runners were out on the bike course, people were writing out chalk messages up and down the run course in recognition of their favorite triathletes. All the restaurants were full along main street as the bikers began coming back into town hours later and from that moment on, the procession of bikers and runners would go on late into the night.

It was amazing to see just how much support the spectators provided for 'all' the participants. It was also special to see how they stayed out there hour after hour to cheer everyone on. I'm glad I had a chance to see the race from another point of view, and came to a major conclusion.

You have to be 'tough' to be an Ironman spectator. You might have to be tough as well to take in the Ironman Calgary 70.3 because it has two separate transition areas and will take some planning on the spectators part.

The very first time I was a spectator I really began to understand the importance of spectator support to the athletes and just how much they appreciate the families, friends, volunteers, and even strangers who urge them on through a difficult and challenging day.



HERE IS SOME COURSE INFORMATION TO HELP YOU ALONG:



SWIM - 1.9km (1.2 miles) - 1 loop


The swim starts and finishes at the boat ramp located at the mouth of the Ghost River in Ghost Lake. The course is one loop and begins heading directly away from the boat ramp before turning left (north) under the Highway 1A bridge and into the narrow. The swim will head north for approximately 850 meters before turning to the right for 25 meters then right again now heading south. Shortly after passing under the bridge the course turns right again heading back towards the boat ramp. The swim course exits the water on the left hand side of the boat ramp. Transition 1 is located in the parking lot adjacent to the boat ramp.


BIKE - 90km (56 miles) - point-to-point


Exit transition traveling east on Highway 1A toward Calgary.


Turn Left (north) on Grand Valley Road


Turn right (east) on Township Road 280


Turn right (south) on Horse Creek Road


Turn left (east) on Highway 1A


Turn right (south) on Highway 22


Turn left (east) on Township Road 250


Turn right (south) on Rural Road 31


Turn left (east) on Lower Springbank Road


Turn right (south) on 69th Street


Turn left (east) on Glenmore Trail (HWY 8)


Continue past Sarcee Trail to the right on Glenmore Trail


Turn right (south) on 37th Street and proceed into North Glenmore Park to the

transition area.



RUN - 21.1km (13.1 miles) - out and back - Run map and profile info available here.



Exit Transition Area heading east through North Genmore Park toward the Canoe


Club.


Turn around and head back past transition


Follow the path through Weaselhead Natural Environment Park


Continue up to South Glenmore Park to the turn around point


Return following the same route


The finish line is adjacent to T2

CUT-OFF TIMES

Swim: 1:10 after the last wave start
Bike: 5 hours after the last wave start
Run: 8 hours after the last wave start

MELLISA'S ROAD RACE ANOTHER SELL-OUT!!

Another Melissa's Road Race just a few months away and once again the race is sold out. People just love Melissa's and I have many fond memories of the 10k course.


I took this picture yesterday, (July 21, 2009)and the race start and finish for the Melissa races is just to the left. Actually, I took the picture from the bridge that is on the run course and takes the runners into the downtown area and the "big hill" on the 10k course.

Back in the days when I was running around the 38 minute mark for the 10k distance, I knew it was only a matter of time and passing years before I would struggle to stay under 40 minutes.

Melissa's was the first 10k race where I went over the 40 minute mark. For several years I could maintain around the 38:30 mark and then go to Melissa's in the Fall and be back over the 40 minute mark.

No matter how hard I tried, that big hill early in the race would scrub off too much time and I could never make up the lost time over the rest of the course. I would be 40:20 or 40:15 or 40:32 or whatever, but never, ever did I run sub 40 on Melissa's 10k course. I think that's great in many respects, because just trying always kept me at the top of my game going into the winter.

It's important to have personal challenges to keep us motivated and Melissa's will always be special to me because of that. Just the fact that I was inspired to always go as fast as possible in any given year to try and break the 40 minute barrier at Melissa's almost always kept me on top of whatever age-group I was in.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deb(the heart and soul of Melissa's) over the past few days while working in beautiful Banff and I'm glad to report that IRONSTRUCK will have a spot in the Melissa's race expo and I will once again get to be part of Melissa's Road Race, although it will be from a different vantage point.

A BIG THANK YOU TO DEB. IT'S WHEN I MET DEB THAT I REALIZED WHY MELISSA'S IS A MUCH LOVED EVENT ON THE ALBERTA RUN CALENDAR AND WHY IT SELLS OUT EVERY SINGLE YEAR. HER SPARKLING PERSONALITY IS SPREAD THROUGH-OUT THE ENTIRE MELISSA'S WEEKEND AND NOW I KNOW THE SECRET.

Hope to meet some of you if you plan on being among the thousands who will be taking part in Melissa's 2009 edition the last Saturday in September. Come by the Ironstruck table and maybe I can convince you to take a shot at your very first Triathlon OR your very first Ironman.

Get your very own signed copy of Ironstruck or if you like you can download a copy right now at "MINDSET TRIATHLON" where both of my Ironstuck books have broken into the top ten of the several thousand titles they have on-site.

A BIG THANK YOU ALSO TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED IRONSTRUCK BOOKS ONE AND TWO AND ARE PUSHING IT TO THE TOP OF THE BEST-SELLER LIST ON MINDSET. VISIT MINDSET TRIATHLON AND HAVE A LOOK FOR YOURSELF AT THE GREAT SELECTION OF DOWNLOAD BOOKS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE.

TRIATHLETES DIET TIP-- LOSE EXCESS WEIGHT AND INCREASE ENDURANCE. INCLUDE COCONUT OIL IN YOUR DIET.

After including coconut oil as a regular part of diet, I soon realized it's benefits when it greatly enhanced my training and improved my Ironman performance and recovery.

It was almost by chance that I happened upon coconut oil and it's use as a diet supplement. I was surfing the net one day and came across an article on the subject and like many other intriguing diet ideas I've stumbled upon in the past, decided to give this interesting oil a try.

I've always believed that I had no business writing about any diet unless I had tried it myself. To my way of thinking that's the only way to pass on relevant, honest information to readers. As a result I've tried a variety of different diets and supplements over the years and this is one of them. To be quite honest, I was just blown away by the results I experienced when I incorporated coconut oil into my triathlon training diet.


First a bit of science behind the coconut diet:

Coconut oil is comprised of fatty acids called "medium chain triglycerides" or MCT'S. In nature, coconut oil has the largest concentration of these MCT'S outside of human breast milk. Vegetable oils, on the other hand, are made up primarily of "long chain fatty acids" or LCT'S. For quite some time now scientific literature has claimed that LCT'S tend to produce fat in the body, while MCT'S promote what is called "thermogenesis". Thermogenesis increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.


This has been common knowledge in the animal feed business for years. It you feed animals vegetable oil, they gain weight and produce more fatty meat. If you feed them coconut oil, they will be very lean. Tests on rats published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" concluded that MCT rats gained 15% less weight than rats fed LCT'S. The conclusion:

MCT diets result in decreased body fat related to increased metabolic rate and thermogenesis. Similar tests were conducted on humans at Vanderbilt University in 1989 with the same basic results.

Regardless of scientific study result, I prefer to try these things on my own and see the results first hand.

Over twenty years of competition and numerous diets, the LEAST I ever weighed was 150-151 pounds. This was my competition weight. If I were to weigh myself on any given race morning, my weight would be in this range, give or take a pound. That all changed when I included coconut oil in my diet.

I weighed myself on the first day of the diet as I always did when I tried something new, and wouldn't step on a scale again for one month. I live by this rule when trying something different in my diet. My start weight was as usual, 151 lbs.

I added 5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day to my meals. Usually when you buy coconut oil it will be solidified. I just leave mine at room temperature and in few days the whole container is liquefied. I don't store it in the fridge because it will solidify again. If it is solid, its easy enough to melt down into liquid form if you're in a hurry.

I added it to my oatmeal in the morning, to my pasta, and used it in smoothies. I always use olive oil in my salads and started adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to every salad. It's an amazingly versatile product. You can easily come up with your own cooking uses for it.

When you use it in food its not an unpleasant taste and most of the time you won't even know its there. Combine it with your food anyway you like, but aim for at least 5 tablespoons a day and stick with it. Like any diet, there's really not much point even starting unless you're committed to it.

Well, I did this for exactly one month. Then I stepped back on the scale. WOW! 142 pounds!

I was 10 pounds lower than I had been over the past 20 years! I "could not" believe it. Remember that for the month I used coconut oil, I was in full Ironman training. Any diet you ever try should be done in conjunction with a fitness regimen. So I believe this is an ideal addition to any Ironman's diet. Or ANY physically active person's diet for that matter.

A few things I noticed:

Along with losing weight, my energy level increased.

Even though I lost 10 pounds, I seemed to have the same amount of over-all strength. This is crucial to an athlete. What makes some athletes so amazing is their strength to weight ratio. In other words, you can be a 120 pound woman, but be very strong for that weight. Take it a step further and imagine the consequences if you become 110 lbs and don't lose any strength and have increased energy.


Imagine yourself running a marathon carrying a 10 pound bag of potatoes on your back. Now imagine running the same marathon without the bag of potatoes and more energy.

A perfect example of what I mean by strength to weight ratio is Lance Armstrong.

When he was fighting cancer he lost tons of weight of course, but when he won that battle and became healthy, he never did gain back all of the weight that he originally had. Yet, he became stronger. In other words, his strength to weight ratio changed big time. It seems that his body chemistry changed for the better.

When I watched him climb those endless mountain passes in the Tour, it was just amazing how strong he was and how high his energy and endurance levels were.

Of course we can't all be the exceptional athlete Lance was at his peak, but I truly believe that incorporating coconut oil into ones diet can have a profound effect on any athlete's training and racing results, and can also help any person burn off excess fat as long as they are active on a regular basis while they are using coconut oil in their daily diet.

VISIT MINDSET TRIATHLON WHERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD BOOKS ON ALL THINGS TRIATHLON. CURRENTLY MY FIRST BOOK "IRONSTRUCK...THE IRONMAN TRIATHLON JOURNEY IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE BEST SELLERS ON MINDSET. SAVE 30% OFF THE PRICE OF HARD COVER BOOKS AND PAY NO SHIPPING. IF IRONSTRUCK.CA OR MY BLOG HAS BEEN OF HELP TO YOU, PURCHASE A DOWNLOAD COPY OF IRONSTRUCK AT MINDSET AND HELP PUSH IRONSTRUCK TO THE TOP OF THE LIST. IRONSTRUCK HAS HELPED MANY PEOPLE REALIZE THEIR IRONMAN DREAM AND WILL HELP MANY MORE.