Category Archives: Triathlon Central

I Hate To Run

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Al

In the New York Times today, an opinion piece appeared entitled “I Hate Running. I Trick My Brain Into Doing It Anyway.” That’s me! I had to comment: I’m glad I’m not alone. I started running at age 50 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Triathlon Central | Leave a comment

I Can See Clearly Now – IV

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Al

For medical school, we were told to buy a microscope. With my thrifty father, raised in eastern Montana during the Great Depression, I headed downtown to a store specializing in lab equipment. He steers me to the “Used” section, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on I Can See Clearly Now – IV

Another Kona Quester

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Al

An EN athlete who raced @ Kona last month via one of the super-slots from Lake Placid last year asks how he can drop his time by one hour after a slightly disappointing race in Florida two weeks ago. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Another Kona Quester

The Last Ironman

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Al

Ten o’clock now, and a waxing gibbous moon faintly illuminates the Queen Ka’ahumanu highway 6 miles from the pier in downtown Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I left the relative bustle of the Energy Lab flats behind a hour ago, and the yellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on The Last Ironman

Advice On Injury Coverage

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Al

Yesterday, an EN athlete who is qualified for Kona this October fell while cycling, breaking his pelvis. He asked for advice from the team. My response: Rule #1: The Outcome is not pre-ordained, but it IS within your control. (If … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Recovery, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Advice On Injury Coverage

Fairness in Sport: Are Trans-Women the Same as PED Users?

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Al

The issue of trans women competing in sports is a current hot topic. A dozen states have passed laws circumscribing their participation in scholastic events. The Biden administration is set to publish Title IX regulations which prohibit discrimination against them … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics, Triathlon Central, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fairness in Sport: Are Trans-Women the Same as PED Users?

Volume As A Training Tool

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Al

Outside of the 8-12 weeks prior to an A race, I believe the life-long athlete, specifically the aspiring successful triathlete, should integrate several non race-specific activities. Variety (including trying new sports), weight-training for general strength improvement, skill drills to improve … Continue reading →

Posted in Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Volume As A Training Tool

Zwift Racing: Alternative to Structured Workouts

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Al

I discovered the value of structured high intensity cycling workouts about five years into my triathlon career. Prior to that, I did not know what “work” was – I simply went out and commuted by bike, went for rides on … Continue reading →

Posted in Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Zwift Racing: Alternative to Structured Workouts

WEEK SIX, HIM Training

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Al

With the shorter, colder days and loss of outdoor mountain rides, I’ve looked for a substitute on Zwift to build the same sort of cycling strength. Last three weekends, I’ve used several races/rides, all of which were in the range … Continue reading →

Posted in Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on WEEK SIX, HIM Training

Week 1: Indian Wells 70.3 Build

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Al

This is my first week of 12 for HIM prep>>La Quinta 70.3 After three weeks of transition from the Kona Kancel and the bladder surgery, I am back training, and my CTL is now where it was when I started … Continue reading →

Posted in Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Week 1: Indian Wells 70.3 Build