Lake Chapparal Triathlon 2010 Images

Despite the cloudy skies and rain showers the 2010 Lake Chapparal Triathlon was another resounding success and as usual there were some very inspiring performances from many people who are fairly new to the sport. It bodes well for the sport of triathlon in Calgary in coming years.

I hope you enjoy these random pictures I took during the event and thanks to those who took the time to purchase a pair of Ironstruck socks, a cool  t-shirt, or one of my triathlon books.

As usual it was great to talk triathlon with so many people at yet another book signing. The next stop is a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. book signing at Coles Market Mall next Saturday August 15.

After that it will be time to get things organized for the annual Ironstruck journey to the Kelowna Apple tri expo during race weekend followed closely by book signings on Main Street  in Penticton in front of the used Book Shop beside Tim Horton's during Ironman week.

Come by and say hello if you plan on being there. If you are racing, rumor has it that Ironstruck socks have special powers that will propel you to the finish line.

2010 Ironman Calgary70.3 images

Rose from tri it

 It was a wet and cloudy beginning to the 2010 Ironman Calgary70.3 event, but by the time most of the athletes were in the run the weather had settled down.

 Unfortunately, this was the day the mosquitoes decided to spring into action and many athletes were virtually swarmed out on the bike course if they had to stop for a flat or any other reason. The secret was to keep moving and then the pests were not that much of a factor.

As usual there was great fan support as there was for the inaugural race. Other than the weather the race itself went off very well and the finishers I talked to seemed to like the changes to the run course.

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I write for many article sites on the internet. It helps me to continue to hone my writing skills.

I was told by a very accomplished writer many years ago that "writing requires daily practice and just like training for an athletic event, a writer should write for at least an hour or so every day".

It makes sense, because every time I write about triathlon or anything for that matter, my articles are often checked by others or by spell check and it all helps me become better at what I love to do.

Most of the time I write for free to my own website or blog or to ezine sites with the only payment being a link to my website. However the other day I came across a site that will pay for well written articles........

"ON ANY SUBJECT"

Wow! A great opportunity to be compensated for sharing what I know.

If you are interested in writing, do yourself a favor and visit this site and see what you think...

Write and earn at Fortitude

Ironman Canada a Month Away

It sure does have a way of sneaking up on you. I remember when I was entered in IMC year after year and how the days would drag by. This was especially true once the Christmas season was over.

Maybe it's because in Calgary we often get our worst weather in February and March and it seemed like Spring would never come and we would never be getting outside on our bikes.

Once summer arrived it was always a different story. June and July seemed to go by in about a week.

Then it was August 1st and the taper was on for the big race. Actually one of my favorite experiences from those ten runs at IMC was my ritual of leaving town about 4 a.m.

I would be hitting Rogers Pass just after dawn and often it was just me and the truckers out on #1.

I always stopped at Three Valley Gap for breakfast. I always sat at the same table by the window so I could keep an eye on my bike. Well, you know how attached we can get to our bikes.

Sicamous, Mara Lake, Grindrod and down to Vernon and Kelowna.

As soon as I got within 50 miles of Penticton I would begin to spot obvious Ironmen who were out on the road hammering on their bikes and burning themselves out in preparation for the big race.

Go figure.

Actually, I can't really talk, because when I was new to the sport I did the same thing. It took a lot of years to figure out that I should be resting and not getting all beat up and dehydrated just days before one of the toughest races in the world.

I had my trip down to a science. Taking into account my stop for breakfast, I would get to Penticton about 1 p.m. or so, just in time to check in at my motel.

You simply are not going to believe this, but in the late 1980's I usually had a fully equipped kitchenette on Lakeshore for about 40 bucks a night.

Now a kitchenette with a knife, one bent spoon and a cracked plate is about $180 plus tax down on Lakeshore.

I know because I inquired just two months ago when I stopped in Penticton on the way back home from the Vancouver Marathon expo where I had a booth.

I talked to the guy at the Black Forest and he said they were $180 and they didn't believe in gouging for Ironman.

If that's the case, it does not bode well for what the others on the strip are charging during Ironman week.

By the way, I could have had a room at that same Black Forest Motes for about 55 bucks the day I stopped by in May. All the rooms were empty. I probably could have talked him down to 1984 prices.

So if it's $55 in May and $180 on Ironman week where does the "we don't believe in gouging for Ironman" come into play?

If you like camping, there are a fair number of campsites around Penticton. I stayed at one two years ago on Skaha Lake. It was great. I payed for a tent site and put all my stuff in the tent and slept in my Honda Element. It was $35 a night.

Of course I wasn't racing and was in town for book signings. I really think you have to get excellent sleep on Ironman week if you are entered and a real bed is the only way to go.


I just read that "KINDLE" outsold hard copy books last month for the first time.

In the event that you would like a less expensive option for my three triathlon books they can be found at Kobo.com in Kindle format.

Ironstruck(book 1) is selling for $8.50 as is "Triathlete In Transition(for the new triathlete) and Ironstruck (book2 Q+A book) is about $9.50 as it's over 100 pages longer.

If you want to hold the actual book in your hand you can find the two Ironstruck books on Amazon and Lulu.com. Triathlete In Transition for the beginner triathlete is on Lulu only(or on Kobo as a download)

Sylvan Lake Half Triathlon Cancelled

The Sylvan Lake Half has been canceled for apparent issues with road closures resulting in problems with the logistics of the event.

It's unfortunate for all those who have been training for this race.

I would imagine this will create a bit of an influx in entries in the Ironman Calgary70.3 if it in fact is not already full.

I just pulled this from their site (Thursday evening 07/22/10) so it seems it is not too late to register for this great race.



Viterra Ironman 70.3 Calgary
August 1, 2010
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
http://www.ironmancalgary.com
Registration Status:
Accepting Applications


Another race to consider is the upcoming race in Banff this Fall. It will most likely become one of those destination races that will one day fill very quickly.



Subaru Banff Triathlon
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Banff, Alberta, Canada


ENTRY FEES Until August 31st September 1-8
Individual Olympic $125 $150
2 person Team Relay Olympic $145 $175
3 person Team Relay Olympic $165 $195
Individual Sprint $95 $110
2 person Team Relay Sprint $115 $130
3 person Team Relay Sprint $135 $150

* Online registration will close at midnight on September 8th, 2010,
or sooner when the race limit of 750 is reached.

http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/subaru_banff_tri/(copy and paste)


Whatever events you decide to take in, best of luck.




If you are in Kelowna for the Apple Tri or in Penticton for Ironman Canada the following weekend, drop by and say hello. I will be doing book signings at the event in Kelowna and on Main Street in Penticton(by Tim Horton's) during Ironman week.