2014 IRONMAN Foundation-Newton Running Ambassador Triathlon Team

Many of you are already aware of the exciting news but I wanted to elaborate on both how humbled I am to have been selected for  as well as around the expanded mission I am now supporting for 2014.  Having been involved in various triathlon communities and clubs over the past 8 years, the sport has become one of my absolute passions that I am excited to share with others.

In addition to raising more charitable donations for IRONMAN FOUNDATION I now get the chance to personally give back through community service.  I also have the chance to act as an ambassador to the sport to help drive increased awareness of healthy lifestyles.

I'm excited to now bring all of you visibility into my kokua and sharing the positive impact everyone a part of #TriTeamForGood.com / IRONMAN FOUNDATION-NEWTON Running Ambassador Triathlon Team will bring in 2014.  Congratulations to all 25 of the new athletes and the returning 24 mentors and I look forward to serving and racing with you this year!

Official Press Release

The 2014 IRONMAN Foundation and Newton Running Team Ambassadors team consists of 49 members committed to advance the team cause of "giving back" to race communities.

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2014/02/2014-ironman-foundation-newton-running-ambassador-triathlon-team.aspx#axzz2u41O9zp1

TrainerRoad and Epic Rides

If you are a cyclist and spend any time indoors on a turbo trainer, OR if you are debating spending time on a turbo trainer--you might find this interesting.  It's not only a way to get your training in during the cold months (it is -8 degrees as I write this) but also a great way to supplement your year-round riding when you cannot get outside perhaps when it is to dark.

I'll be the first to admit spinning those pedals round and round without moving an inch can be B-O-R-I-N-G.  Music helps.  A movie maybe.  Perhaps you put your trainer next to someone else and have human entertainment.

In any case, if you haven't already tried www.trainerroad.com -- check it out.  It has a library of workouts that leverage your speed/cadence sensor or power meter to work you to the max.  If you do not have a power meter, the speed/cadence sensor paired with Trainer Road's algorithms based on your turbo trainer enable a Virtual Power (read more about how this is calculated here).

Awesome all by itself and this gives you that little extra push and keeps things interesting while you're mashing pedals for 1, 2, 3, 6? hours.

BUT--that's not all.  It also allows you to sync with videos such as The Sufferfest, Epic Rides and more.  Today I rode from Idaho Springs to the top of Mt. Evans.  I'll do this for real in a couple months--but for now this is as good as it gets.

My ride (http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/715110-Epic-Colorado-Mt.-Evans)
90 minutes at or around my FTP - CHECK!  Not sure what FTP means?  Read more about Functional Threshold Power over on Joe Friel's blog.  In short:  Functional threshold power or pace (FTP) is the highest mean average power or pace you can maintain for one hour.

The Epic Mt Evans - Preview this video here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCvbd1dAA0U

Super Bowl Sweet Spot Ride (1.5 hr)

Just finished a quick Sweet Spot ride on the trainer in advance of the Super Bowl. GO BRONCOS!

Use these to raise your Functional Threshold Power levels--think of it as base training your threshold power.  Read more here,
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/sweet-spot-training-for-cyclists-34902/

View my workout here:
TrainerRoad:  http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/705109-Eclipse
TrainingPeaks:  http://tpks.ws/o2EN