From a Coach to His Athletes before the Big Show: Ironman Hawaii
What do you tell your athletes when they’re about to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii? Here’s what I told my clients: Congratulations on making it to the BIG SHOW! This is it. This is the pinnacle of triathlon where the BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD come to compete. Just being there is an honor. You’re in the calm before the storm. Rest, stay off your feet and relax as much as possible. Nothing new on race day. Don’t listen to what other people are saying. They’re just trying to justify whatever they’re doing. You know what...
Read MoreMy Road Back to Kona: On Deck for 2010
When I raced at the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2002, I suffered like a dog. I left with no immediate desire to come back. Just a few weeks prior to the race, I had broken the 9-hour mark in an Ironman for the first time at the inaugural Blue Devil Triathlon in Durham, NC. I put everything I had into that race and it left my physically, mentally and emotionally drained. At the time, Kona was a simply line item on my bucket list. Something I wanted to do just so I could “check the box” and say that I had race at Kona. My motivation was low and my body, after...
Read MoreBeyer Project Success: Bill Earns His Kona slot!
Ironman Coeur d’Alene on June 21, 2009 marked the final stage in a triathlon coaching and social experiment called the “Beyer Project.” UPDATE: Download my article that appeared in the Winter 2010 issue of Tri-DC Magazine HERE. For 6 months beginning in January 2009, I was Bill Beyer’s “live-in” triathlon coach: working with Bill one-on-one, providing accountability, giving him real-time feedback and ultimately helping guide him on his quest for Kona and the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. This six month experiment was the Beyer Project. Bill crossed the...
Read MoreSo How Does One Gain Entry into Ironman Hawaii?
For those who are unfamiliar with how to gain entry into the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, here’s a brief summary of how it works: An athlete either has to: Be a celebrity, Win a slot in the Ironman Lottery or Earn a qualifying slot at another Ironman race. The Ironman Lottery Program offers the chance to win one of 150 slots for citizens of the United States or 50 slots to international competitors for a $35 fee. You can improve your chances by paying an additional $50 to join the the Ironman Passport Club. I imagine that Ironman makes a significant amount of money off...
Read MoreThe Beyer Project: Bill’s Quest for Kona
Happy New Year! How much would you give to earn a qualifying spot to the Ironman World Championships? Over the holidays, I moved out of my townhouse temporarily – I’m renting it out – and moved in with my friend and coaching client, Bill Beyer. Bill’s dream is to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman at Ironman Canada in August and I’m going to coach him towards that goal. Bill is a 47 year old age group triathlete who’s done a half dozen Ironman triathlons but has never qualified. In January 2008, he underwent foot surgery that sidelined him from running and...
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