Happy 4th of July

Last weekend of June was the ITU Hy-Vee Triathlon Elite Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. I managed to watch the majority of this race on Triathlontv.org and it was awesome! It was rebroadcasted on NBC July 5th. This race had almost all the top triathetes competing for a $200,000 first place check, the biggest prize purse offered in triathlon. The womens race was predictable with the same finish as the week befores race in Washington DC with the Aussies Emma Moffat 1st and Emma Snowsil 2nd. The mens race was really exciting. It came down to a grueling sprint finish between 6 guys. Simon Witefield of Canada took 1st. The first Team traithlon championship was held the next day in hopes the team sport can be added to the 2012 London Games. Very exciting and fun race to watch. Team racing definately brings another level to triathlon, not only for athletes, but mainly for the fans. I love it and hope to involve myself in some team races in the future. Anyways, the Swiss team took 1st, USA was 4th. Here are some pictures from that race: http://www.triathlon.org/zpg/zimgs-slide.php?tp=evt&id=1385&xback=1&title=Large+picture
The past 2 weeks had been very fun and exciting for us Olympic Triathlon geeks with the ITU World Series in DC then the Hy-Vee Elite Championships the week after. Really looking forward to the rest of the year!

Okay so July 4th weekend, some of the family came out here to the beach for some fun in the sun. Mom, Eileen & Thom, Conner and Amy stayed at my house. They got to hear the family of loud baby birds living in the bottom of my chimney. I think we watched the movie Up like 3 times. Jean, Fritz and Margie + family stayed in the Military beach front hotel a couple minutes down the road from me. We spent a good amount of time at the beach on the base. I'm officially calling that beach seaweed beach. "Seaweed beach" is a couple minutes down the road from me, although I'm not allowed in alone because it's a military base and I don't have clearance. Thanks to Hank for getting us in and spending July 4th weekend in there. We went out to dinner at Crocs Eco Bistro then went down to the beach to watch the fireworks show. Not as cool as watching fireworks from a rooftop in Brooklyn, but it was fun. Pictures from the visit should be up soon...

As usual I took major advantage of the weekend and beautiful weather with my training. I had all day Friday - Sunday to train. I normally put in monster milage on the bike and run on these days. In hopes of doing this while having the family visit the plan was to start my training really early in the morning so I could have the rest of the day to hang out with everyone. Friday included a long brick (transition) workout of a 65 mile bike with race efforts then a 8 mile run at marathon pace. I was also able to fit in a short ocean swim. Saturday, I had a short fast run then went on a easy 50 mile bike ride with Thom. I always enjoy showing non locals the awesome cycling routes we have here. Sunday included a 16 mile run at a unplanned slow pace. Really felt sluggish and was just dragging ass for 2 hours. It is always difficult to get the training in I want when family visits because I want to have energy afterwards to hang out. Training over July 4th weekend didnt go as well as I would have liked, intesity should have been a lot higher, but hey I have all week to make up for it. I have one full month left to get in all the proper training in possible to prepare me for my August, September and October races. I will be focusing more on swim and run training 5 times a week over the next month. Nutrition and eating habits will need to get more strict the next month as well. I just loaded up on a Summers supply of Nutrition at performancebike.com, it should last me till late september.. well maybe late august. Also loaded up on some Vittoria pro slick race tires I was able to get a 50% off. Easily the best tires i've ever used.

The 4th of July, also marked the first day of the Tour De France. With Lance (arguably the greatest athlete ever on the face of the planet) in it for one last time this year it should be very fun and exciting to follow. BTW great article in the August Bicycling Magazine about Mr. Armstrong. He will be riding 2nd to the team leader Alberto Contador, so his chances of winning are slim, but Lance's team has an excellent shot of winning and he has an good shot of winning a stage or two as well. I will be following live coverage everyday at work!
Finally had a chance to watch the Wimbelton final, I missed the "greatest match" last year, but this years was great. Andy Roddick did awesome! but Federer is too amazing and captured his record breaking 15th title.
Javier Gomez of Spain reclaimed the #1 spot on the ITU circuit after beating phenom Alister Brownlee of Great Britain at Holten ETU Championships. Gomez has finished 2nd , 6th and 1st in the past three weeks. Its absolutley amazing he can race three weeks in a row and race on the highest level still. He is obviously the best athlete on the ITU circuit right now as he has been for the past few years. Pictures from that race here http://www.triathlon.org/zpg/zimgs-slide.php?tp=prog&id=3317&xback=1&title=Large+picture