Oh, never mind...

Wow. Take a few days off for vacation and you can miss a lot.

First, WTC announces the Ironman Access program to guarantee entry into almost any non-qualifier IM event (like Kona). For $1,000. Plus entry fees. Who could pass that up?

A day later, under withering Kona-heat-level criticism, they pull the plug on the program with a video from Ben Fertic:


"...If you guys think we're wrong, then we're wrong. So we're gonna rescind the Ironman Access program, we'll refund the money."





All this before I could digest the odd idea of paying for the right to jump to the front of the line. Frankly, I'm tired of these types of programs and disappointed (but not surprised) that WTC jumped on this money wagon. I do give them mea culpa style points (video is better than another press release), but now that they've tried it it's only a matter of time before IMAccess 2 makes an appearance...

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For Running Shoes, It’s Fit First and Price Last

How much do you spend on running shoes? The NY Times has a thought-provoking article that stresses shoe fit, not bells & whistles.

SHARON TANENBAUM has been a serious runner for six years. The Brooklyn resident, 30, has completed three marathons and several shorter races. Each week she logs about 20 miles.

Her favorite trainers? A $25 pair of Champion shoes she bought at Target.

Read the full article here.

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USAT offers members early entry to Nautica NY Triathlon

USA Triathlon has a special offer for annual members - an exclusive opportunity to enter the 2011 Nautica New York City Triathlon before lottery registration opens on November 1.

There are two options to make sure you receive the registration link. Remember, you must be a USA Triathlon annual member to be eligible, so visit usatmembership.com to join or renew.

1. Most USAT annual members should receive an email from USAT before 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27 containing the registration link. This link will become active at 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 28, at which point you'll be able to register. If you have opted out or unsubscribed from USAT communications, you will not receive the email and should use option two. Spots are very limited and you must have a valid and active USAT annual membership number to participate.*
2. You can also log in to your membership account on usatmembership.com to view the email contents and link, which will go live at 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 28. Visit usatmembership.com, log in and visit the documents tab. Click "Fast Pass" in the documents section to download the information.
   

If you have questions about your USA Triathlon membership, email membership@usatriathlon.orgnyctri.com or email contact@nyctri.com.

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Better race performance? It could be all in your mind

What sets you apart from the elite athletes - or just the next level of local competitors? You train as hard, you know the course, you have the right equipment - but you still lose.

It could be all in your mind.

Mary Wittenberg, president and chief executive of the New York Road Runners, says that elite athletes can keep going at a level of effort that seems impossible to maintain.

“Mental tenacity — and the ability to manage and even thrive on and push through pain — is a key segregator between the mortals and immortals in running,” Ms. Wittenberg said.

Read more on the NY Times site:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/health/nutrition/19best.html

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A true Georgia Ironman

Brian Oringderff's race report from Kona. An amazing person and athlete, with a sense of gratitude that puts the race in perspective. Read it all here...

http://roadtoredemption.weebly.com/

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Cedartown resident places first in Ironman Kona Handcycle division

by Ellison Langford, Rome News-Tribune

Wheeling across the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii Saturday felt like “10 Christmases,” for Krige Schabort.

It was especially exhilarating for the Cedartown resident when it was confirmed he finished 136th out of 1,800 athletes, placing first in the handcycle division, and had beaten the previous handcycle record by more than an hour.

His time was 9 hours, 26 minutes and four seconds.

Schabort, originally from South Africa, is a bilateral above-the-knee amputee.

“I was ecstatic with my time,” Schabort said. “I knew it was possible, but I knew it was going to be very, very hard.”

Athletes must swim 2.4 miles, bicycle 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.

However, Schabort’s performs the bicycle portion in a handcycle and the running portion in a wheelchair.

“It’s definitely not a Mickey Mouse race,” Schabort said.

Schabort lost his legs while fighting for the South African army in 1987. He said his shins were blown off when a Russian bomb exploded next to him.

His rehab facility counseled him about methods of staying healthy after his injury, and Schabort said that’s how he started competing in marathons.

But it was a representative from one of his sponsors, Inva-care, who encouraged him to attempt the Ironman and promised to provide him with the best equipment.

And that is what Schabort thinks had a lot to do with his time.

“I think the reason is the previous record was set in 2002,” Schabort said. “And the equipment has improved so much since then.”

He thinks his accomplishment will help recently-injured people realize they can still achieve great things.

“It feels like a sense of anything is possible,” Schabort said. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Read more: The Fish Wrap - News, classifieds, businesses, and events in the area of Cedartown and Rockmart, GA.

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On October 5, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), best known for its worldwide Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races, announced the launch of a new global event series titled 5150. All events within the 5150 Triathlon Series include a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run. Event information, including online registration details, will be available in the coming weeks on www.5150.com.

Starting in 2011, the 5150 Series will be the largest international distance triathlon series in the world and will be the first non-drafting international race series of its kind, offering a competitive platform for professional and age group athletes. The 2011 event schedule will offer 13 domestic events as well as a handful of international races. The September 11 Lake Lanier event will be a must-do for Georgia triathletes.

The Hy-Vee Triathlon will host the 5150 U.S. Championship, offering professional athletes the opportunity to compete for $1 million in prize money. Additional international race locations in Europe and Asia-Pacific will be announced soon.

Registration is expected to begin on December 1, 2010.

2011 5150 Series (United States)

March 13 - Miami International Triathlon (Miami, Fla.)
May 1 - St. Anthony’s Triathlon (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
May 15 - 5150 New Orleans (New Orleans, La.)
May 22 - Memphis in May Triathlon (Tunica, Miss.)
June 19 - Washington D.C. Triathlon (Washington, D.C.)
June 25 - 5150 Provo (Provo, Utah)
July 10 - Boulder Peak Triathlon (Boulder, Colo.)
August 7 - Nautica New York City Triathlon (New York, N.Y.)
September 4 - Hy-Vee Triathlon/5150 U.S. Championship (Des Moines, Iowa)
September 11 - 5150 Lake Lanier (Gainesville, Ga.)
October 2 - 5150 Lake Las Vegas (Henderson, Nev.)
October 23 - 5150 Galveston (Galveston, Texas)
November 12 - 5150 Clearwater/5150 Series Finale (Clearwater, Fla.)

2011 5150 Series (International)

June 5 - 5150 Frankfurt (Frankfurt, Germany)
June 12 - 5150 Klagenfurt (Klagenfurt, Austria)
July 9 - 5150 Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland)

For information on 5150, visit www.5150.com. Athlete inquiries should be directed to AthleteServices@5150.com.

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