ChesapeakeMan: I Can’t Fake an Ironman...

David Glover leading Kevin Kunkel out of T2ChespeakeMan was an experiment with a sample size of one – me. I learned that I can’t fake an Ironman. This is good news for all the triathlon coaches out there (including me) – following a structured, periodized, Ironman-specific training program does make a difference! For me, there was a 2 hour difference between my 8:51 at the Quelle Challenge in Germany...

Pura Vida Adventures: Adventure Racing in a Nutshe...

Biking under Bridal Falls in NC Pura Vida Adventures: Five Day Adventure Racing Camp September 10-14, 2008: Pisgah Forest, NC Web: www.pvadventures.com Ever since the Special Operations Force Academy in April, I’ve been toying with the idea of doing some adventure races for something new and exciting beyond triathlons. “Expedition-style [multi-day] adventure racing is the closest thing that you’ll get...

Self-empowerment: Breaking out of the “I Hav...

Brad Rex, Race Announcer“There is only one thing you have to do in life.” - Brad Rex, race announcer Brad Rex, who I jokingly refer to as my “uncle from California,” dabbles in a lot of different things: cycling, rowing, race announcing, sailing, environmental restoration, etc. Since meeting him years ago at the Great Floridian Triathlon where he announced and I raced, we’ve become good...

Hiking the Swiss Alps Days 6-7 of 7: Ramslauenen t...

Dave eating a typical breakfast Day 6 of 7: July 22, 2008 After eating a typical breakfast of muesli with yogurt, coffee with steamed milk, rolls, croissants, cheeses and meats, we began our last day of real hiking. The morning was damp with dense fog. We had two options: around the side of the mountain or over the mountain. On the advice of our host from the Berghaus Ramslauenen, we chose to go around the mountain,...

Hiking the Swiss Alps Day 5 of 7: Alpiglen to Rams...

View of the valley from the Eiger TrailDay 5 of 7: July 21, 2008 My first good night’s sleep was at Alpiglen! My stomach FINALLY seems to be settling down after four days of nausea and frequent bowel movements. After a typical breakfast of rolls with butter / jam / honey, coffee with steamed milk, meats and cheeses, Dave and I leave the Berghaus to hike along the Eiger Trail along the base of the Eiger mountain. We...