THE FINISH LINE - St Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
THE FINISH LINE
Linda Osmundson
Mad Dog #2799
In Memoriam
Please see page 13
Join Us For A Fun Run
Every Wednesday Night @
Bayboro Tavern 6:30
Like us on Facebook!
Training Calendar - Page 3
New Mad Dogs Page 4
Mad Dog News Page 5
Upcoming Races - Page 6
Race Results Page 7
Birthdays Page 8
Mad Dog Pix Pages 9 - 11
Articles & Reports - Pages 12 - 24
Advertisements Pages 25 - 29
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
Established on November 6, 1993, the St Pete
Mad Dogs Triathlon Club is a not for profit
organization designed to promote the sport of
triathlon. The club is comprised of fun loving
triathletes who train, race and howl together,
with members of all levels of experience and
expertise.
The Finish Line is a medium for communicating
the latest club news, as well as an informal
source for what’s happening in the sport of
triathlon as it affects us. Articles published in
The Finish Line may contain opinions of the
author, not necessarily the club.
ST. PETE MAD DOGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
[email protected]
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT/MEMBERSHIP
TREASURER
SECRETARY
EDITOR
SPECIAL EVENTS
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
AMBASSADOR
AMBASSADOR
TIM HUDSON
CAROLYN KIPER
DAVE PROFFITT
BOB MACDONALD
CHUCK LOHMAN
GINA BARDECKI
ALLEN JERNIGAN
PEPIR JERNIGAN
JIM CUNNINGHAM
GAIL LOHMAN
RUE MORGAN
KATHY MORGAN
Club Contact Information:
Website: www.stpetemaddogs.com E-mail:
[email protected]
EDITOR’S
Articles, or photos may be submitted to the Editor
@ [email protected]. Items should be
sent by the 15th of the month preceding the issue.
COLUMN
Advertising requests should be submitted to
Chuck Lohman @
[email protected]. For questions,
please e-mail him.
Advertising rates are as follows:
Space
1/2 page
Full Page
Width x Height
7 1/2” x 5”
7 1/2” x 10”
Cost per Issue
$30
$50
Advertising checks should be mailed to: St Pete
Mad Dog Triathlon Club, P.O. Box 635 St
Petersburg, FL 33731-0635. Please make check
payable to St Pete Mad Dogs.
Note: Payment is due on the 15th of the month
prior to publication. Payment for five
consecutive issues of advertising entitles the
advertiser to a FREE sixth month.
We attended a very touching Celebration
of the Life of Mad Dog Linda Osmundson
on the 22nd of January. Many Mad Dogs,
led by Kathy Morgan and Tim Hudson,
were present to honor Linda and her
numerous significant accomplishments; as
were local dignitaries and community
leaders. Many in the audience rose to
relate stories about Linda — some funny,
others poignant. She made a huge
difference in the lives of abused spouses
and children, and will be sorely missed.
Please read the many tributes to Linda
beginning on page 13.
(Please go to page 4)
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
TRAINING CALENDAR
Upcoming Training Sessions (all show and go)
SWIMMING
Local Bike Shop Events
Every Tuesday & Thursday 6:30 - 8PM
Northshore Pool w/ Coach Joe Biondi $9 per session
Every Friday 8AM Group Swim at Sunset Beach.
Meet at Larry and JackieYost’s, 143 91st Ave S (727) 367-2504
Every Sunday 9AM Group Swim at Pass-a-Grill led
by Jack Shuten
From the Central Ave. Store (727) 345-5391 Every
Saturday 8AM Women only ride. 10-30 miles
Also: www.stpetemasters.org for Masters Swimming
BIKING
see www.stpetecycling.com for daily rides
Mon - Fri 8:00AM
Group Ride from USFSP crosswalk 16 miles at 20-21 MPH
Wed is official Mad Dog ride - wear your colors!
From the Palm Harbor Store (727) 786-6889
Every Saturday 8AM - 3 ability groups - about 40
miles
Every Saturday 8:30AM
Group Rides based on speed from Northshore Pool South
Parking Lot
Every Sunday 8:30AM
St Pete Library Advanced Training Ride 9th Ave N and 37th
RUNNING
Every Monday 6PM
Individual/Partnered Run (6 miles) Northshore Pool South
Parking Lot
1st and 3rd Thursday 7:30 AM
Running Drills at Field south of Northshore Pool (45-55
min)https://www.facebook.com/groups/254578011396466/ led by Ben Carlson
Every Wednesday 6PM
Fun run and social @ The Tavern at Bayboro
120 6th Avenue South St. Pete
From the Clearwater Store (727) 723-2453 Every
Friday - 5:30 AM 17 mile Clearwater Bridge Ride.
Group #1 at 20-22 MPH. Group #2 at 22-25 MPH.
Lights required.
From the Tampa Store (813) 831-1414 Tuesday and
Thursday - 5:00 AM Training Bike Ride about 90
minutes at 22-30 MPH. Lights required.
Saturday - 7:30 AM 20 mile no drop bike ride at
15-20 MPH depending on abilities. Some instruction
provided.
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
WELCOME NEW MAD DOGS!
#3697 - Joseph Szarko - Wesley Chapel, Florida
#3698 - Grace Szarko - Wesley Chapel, Florida
#3699 - Rachel Diny - Tampa, Florida
#3700 - Valerie Leggett - St. Petersburg, Florida
FROM THE EDITOR
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)
We recently enjoyed a well run HITS race in Naples, Fl under tough weather
conditions. Through negotiations with the HITS organizers, we negotiated a 50%
discount off of the base (final) price for Mad Dogs entering the race in Ocala April
2nd and 3rd. Please see the HITS advertisement in this issue for details.
Finally, we were saddened to hear of MD #9 Roger Burke’s passing on Jan 27th.
He was an unselfish mentor to new triathletes and a spirited friend to all. Coach
Roger will be missed by the Mad Dogs. I will include a more detailed article in his
honor in next month’s issue of The Finish Line. His funeral is scheduled for
February 3rd at Calvary Cemetery following 10 AM Mass at Blessed Sacrament
Church.
Chuck Lohman, Editor
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
MAD DOG NEWS
— Tom Petty’s advice and best wishes to Mad Dogs for the 2016
race season (From Mary Jane’s Last Dance)
“Well I don’t know, but I’ve been told
You never slow down, you never grow old.”
— CONGRATULATIONS TO MAD DOG 2015 ALL AMERICANS
John Atkins
Don Ardell (5th OA)
Celia Dubey
David Frazer
Art Halttunen
Claudia Junqueira
Amy Keener
Roger Little (1st OA)
John Macedo
Reva Moeller
Linda Musante (9th OA)
— Please note the Mad Dog sponsors who list ads in the
newsletter, and show them some love!
— It’s that time of the year again! Carolyn Kiper is leading the
Homestay Project looking for homes for visiting pro triathletes
during the St. Anthonys Triathlon festivities centered around the 24
April 16 race. The athletes will be delivered and picked up from
your residence. Her article is on page 12. If you have room please
contact Carolyn at [email protected].
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
UPCOMING RACES
7 Feb - Chilly Willy Duathlon
5k/10mi/5k
Ft. DeSoto
www.chillywilly.racehawk.com
19/21 Feb 16 - Gasparilla Classic
5k to Half Marathon
Tampa, FL
www.tampabayrun.com
20 Mar 16 IM 70.3 Puerto Rico
Half Iron
San Juan, P.R.
www.ironman.com
6 Mar 16 - Lake Manatee Tri
Olympic Distance
Bradenton, FL
www.raceroster.com/events
12 Mar 16 - Wildman Tri Festival
Olympic/Sprint/Duathlon
Orlando, FL
www.epicsportsmarketing.com
19 Mar 16 - Florida Challenge
Sprint/Half/Aqua bike
Clermont, FL
www.sommersports.com
2-3 Apr 16 - HITS Ocala
Sprint to Full
Ocala, FL
www.hitstriathlonseries.com
16 April - Escape from Ft. DeSoto
Sprint
Ft. DeSoto
www.escapetriathlon.racehawk.com
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FEB - 2016
Race Results
PHILADELPHIA MARATHON - 20 NOV
Finishers John Allen
Betsy Banks
MANATEE RIVER 5 - MILER - 26 DEC
1st Place - Don Ardell
JACKSONVILLE MARATHON - 3 JAN
Finishers Diane Berberian (Boston Qualifier)
Natalie Davis
Carolyn Kiper
Clare Kelley (1st Marathon)
HITS NAPLES TRIATHLON - 10 JAN
Olympic
2nd Place Brittany Pierce (OA)
Sprint
1st Place Gail Lohman
Chuck Lohman
Open (Super Sprint)
2nd Place Bo Webster
FROGMAN SWIM - 17 JAN
Cancelled
ST. PETE BEACH CLASSIC - 16 - 17 JAN
Results unsearchable
CLEARWATER DIST. CHAL - 17 JAN
5 Miler
1st Place Jessica Parrish
Half Marathon
2nd Place Patricia Junqueira (G. Masters)
4th Place Bob Ranta
Jill Voorhis
GOOFY CHALLENGE - 9/10 JAN
(MARATHON + HALF MARATHON)
Finishers Carolyn Kiper
Keith Nelson
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Vance M. Eaddy
Jack Helinger
David Smith
Larry Yost
Lu Dore
Ben Broadwater
Gem Runyan
Wayne Shriver
Tom Bell
Doris Evans
Carol McKenna
Logan Carr
Lisa Pesta
Debra Ryder
Joseph Szarko
1st
2nd
2nd
6th
12th
13th
17th
17th
18th
19th
19th
20th
20th
23th
24th
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FEB - 2016
MAD DOG PICTURES
Natalie Davis, diane Berberian, and
Carolyn Kiper @ Jacksonville Marathon
The Vallants @ Lightning Game
Gail Lohman
Don Ardell w/friends
@ Powerman Florida
Betsy Banks and
John Allen
Natalie Elwood Davis,
Diane Barbarian &
Coach Rene “Shut
up Legs” Vallant
Steve Sexauer a few years ago
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Linda Musante, Gail Lohman, Kitty Myers and Pepir Jernigan
VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
MAD DOG PICTURES
Bill and Debbie Riley with Santa
Pepir and Allen Jernigan
Yova and Ben Carlson
Hair of the Dog swim start courtesy of Kathy Morgan
Kyah Morgan @ Hair of the Dog
Jackie Yost and Annette Frisch
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
FEB - 2016
MAD DOG PICTURES
Right to bear
arms
Jenn Olvedy (L) and friends on a cold
ride
Kip & Carol Jean Vosburgh
Roger
Coach Leo joins the
Jernigans as the Tide rolls
Linda Osmundson
Fred Rzymek
and Sally Smith
Linda Musante w/
husband, Lynn
Barbara and Roger Burke
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
Some the professional triathletes who have
participated in the homestay program.
FEB - 2016
Host a Pro Triathlete
St. Anthony’s Triathlon will take place on Sunday, April 24
and will feature professional triathletes from around the
world. St. Anthony’s has one of the best-known homestay
programs in the world! This program is designed to
match the professional triathlete with an individual or
family in the local area willing to host the triathlete during
their stay.
Most of the triathletes arrive on Friday and depart on
Sunday after the race or some time on Monday. However,
we do have some triathletes looking for a longer stay (2
weeks) in order to continue training and then go to
another nearby race.
Above: Craig Alexander and Julie Dibens
Below: Mirinda Carfrae and Rene Vallant
We are currently looking for anyone interested in hosting
a professional triathlete.
This is your opportunity to make new friends, even life
long friends! I, myself, have been hosting these athletes
for over 15 years and many of them are now like family!
Many of you may have met Rene Vallant, who first came
through our homestay program in 2003. He had such a
great experience and loves our triathlon community - so
much that he has been here every year for 13 years!
If you are interested in hosting an athlete, please contact
me - Carolyn Kiper. You can send me an email at
[email protected] or give me a call at 727-459-8064.
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FEB - 2016
Linda Osmundson MD #2799 — In Memoriam
Linda with Davida Johns
Linda with the VP
Linda and Maurice
We've lost our friend Linda Osmundson. She
was a fellow cyclist and swimmer. She was
an incredible advocate and mentor for
women. She was a pillar in the community.
But most important to me - she was the loving
wife of our dear friend Maurice Kurtz. Those
of us who gather at the picnic table following
the Saturday morning bike ride witnessed first
hand the budding romance of Linda and
Maurice. It all started with Bianchi bikes,
Celeste color, to be specific! Paul and I were
privileged to attend Linda and Maurice's
wedding 4 1/2 years ago. Linda was radiant.
Maurice looked at her with such great love
and it was the most touching ceremony I'd
ever attended. It's so sad that Linda has been
taken away so soon, but wonderful that they
found each other. Rest in peace Linda.
Maurice, you are in our thoughts. Helen
Harris.
Key to St. Petersburg presented to Linda
I will miss my friend Linda Osmundson .
She demonstrated the meaning of true
commitment and grace. For our visits
once she was no longer able to be out
and about, She'd make sure I'd bring her
news of all the latest "going ons" in St
Petersburg. She never lost her desire to
continue to help others and make her
voice heard. She derived joy and
satisfaction with the stories of CASA's
continued growth. To paraphrase my
friend, she is absolutely her perfect self.
Awilda Harrington
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The state of Florida and the Domestic Violence Movement as a whole lost
a beautiful soul last night. She was an icon to our work and will be deeply
missed. She was my mentor & friend. She worked tirelessly to have the
voice of survivors be heard and their rights respected. She was a visionary
who did not stop until the vision became a reality. She will live on in all of
us that she shared her passion with, so if you are one of those people, let's
make her proud as we continue the legacy of her life, love & passion. Rest
peacefully my friend. Sherrie Schwab
Maurice and Linda on
2012 Kenya honeymoon
“In her 50s, Osmundson got back on
her bicycle and tore up the roads, touring in many states and even
daring to cycle a 52-day odyssey from the Pacific to the Atlantic in
2006. Cycling brought her to the love of her life - Maurice Kurtz III whom she met in 2005 and married in 2011. Their years together
were short, but their adventures were long. They cycled thousands of
miles together and traveled throughout the U.S. and to Kenya and the
Netherlands.”
Tampa Bay Times - 13 Jan 2016 page 6B
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RACE REPORT - HITS NAPLES
As most of you know, my 2015 race season came to a premature end last
July with a melanoma diagnosis. Three months off from running and
biking, and four months out of the pool left a lot of work to accomplish in
December. Nevertheless, Gail and I decided to enter the Naples HITS race
(sprint distance) on the 10th of January. The HITS races have a unique
schedule, with Full and Half distance competitions on Saturday, and
Olympic, Sprint and Open (mini-sprint) races on Sunday. The drive to
Naples is a reasonable 2 and 1/2 hours, but beware of the price at the race
hotels. The closest two were $342 and $800 a night! There are several
more reasonably priced inns 8 to 10 miles north.
While picking up race packets we ran into Mad Dogs Bo Webster and
Karen Hasque. The Expo was decent; better than many local races. Park
Alsop was also participating in the race and invited us to join his gang for
supper at The Crust — yummy pizza! During supper we also ran into Mad
Dog Dave Orlowski. Dave was feeling good enough to complete in a 5k
race that morning — really good news! We thought it was a thoughtful
gesture from KLR, responding to our invitation to participate in the Hair of
the Dog with the Mad Dogs last week. Could this be the start of
cooperation and mutual support between triathlon clubs for the greater
good of the sport? Stay tuned…..
That evening the rains began. At 4 AM a large thunderstorm passed by. At
5 AM transition opened. We discovered that the middle of the transition
area was under water; thought we had entered a “Muddy Buddy” race by
mistake. The officials decided to forgo the assigned bike racks and begin
assigning competitors to the dry end in order of arrival to get as many
triathletes as possible out of the mud pit. Almost everyone cooperated.
This is when we met the Princess in Pink (PIP). PIP started whining to the
official that she had trained really hard for the race and had gotten there
early — therefor she should have gotten an end spot. The official calmly
told her that everyone trained hard and that the triathletes already in
position had arrived even earlier than she had. It was, like, just so totally
unfair to her! More about PIP later.
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The swim started on time and was very choppy with breakers, and the long
axis was into a strong current. Some competitors lost chips during the
swim — that’s why we recommend always putting a safety pin through the
strap. Additionally, there was a 400 meter run to the timing mat at T1, so
no one really knew their actual swim time. The bike and run were well
managed and relatively uneventful….until Gail turned the final corner into
the finish chute. PIP reappeared, shoved Gail out of the way and raced to
the finish line in glory. Afterward, Gail said, “How about being careful, you
almost knocked me down.” PIP apologized by saying, “If I really wanted to
knock you down, I would have!” Are you kidding me? I will refrain from
identifying this 34 year old female who beat Gail by a few seconds. Please
don’t be that triathlete.
We were able to pack up and load our gear in the Toyota Highlander before
the next deluge arrived. I really felt sorry for the Olympic competitors as
they slogged through the competition and returned to their soaking wet
gear in transition that weighed about 30 pounds more than when they left.
Congrats to Brittany Pierce who placed 2nd in the longer competition.
If any of you haven’t ever competed in a HITS race I would strongly
suggest that you consider this race in the future, or the Ocala race in early
April. They are well done and relatively inexpensive. (See page 24
advertisement for discount code).
Mad Dogs rule in Naples (Florida, not Italy),
Chuck Lohman
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Hair of the Dog 2016
The 2016 version of the Hair of the Dog was blessed with unusually warm
weather — the swim was probably not even wet suit legal. I counted
twenty-six intrepid swimmers braving the intimidating half inch surf in the
lagoon. Kennedy Law Racing was invited to join us for the event and
enthusiastically participated. It was good to share the day with our
brothers and sisters from another club. Tom Kennedy told me that his
group had so much fun that he would encourage them to join the Mad
Dogs. I was very gratified, and think this is the true tri-spirit.
Some highlights….
— Mad Dog #1, Rue Morgan joined us and participated.
— Mad Dog #9, Roger Burke and his wife Barbara attended during his
convalescence.
— Jan Thompson and Danny Hicks attended for the first time in a number
of years. It was great to see them again.
— At least six new triathletes competed to qualify for Mad Dog
membership.
— Many thanks to Gina and Michael Bardecki for bringing condiments,
charcoal, hot dogs and buns for the party. Gina also contributed a
certificate for a free massage at Alternative Therapy Center as the prize
for the t-shirt drawing. Finally, she volunteered to be the Mad Dog Event
Coordinator for 2016! Talk about stepping up to the plate!
Mad Dogs Rule on New Years Day! Chuck Lohman
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FEB - 2016
The Following Article was submitted by Terry
Laughlin of Total Immersion Who will be presenting a
clinic at the Northshore Pool 5-6 March 2016
Swimming in Triathlon: More Effort or Smarter Choices?
You can’t get around it; the idea of swimming faster is undeniably sexy. And
triathletes are regularly exposed to blogs, articles, and exhortations expressing
urgency about swimming faster. In this article, I’ll present the opposite case: I.E.
That the way to have your best full race is to swim as easily as possible—saving
energy to work harder . . . longer on the bike and run.
Let me be clear: I’m not advocating you swim slowly. Rather that you find ways to
swim your current pace with far more ease. When you do, you’ll swim faster
automatically. And doing so should help you cycle and run stronger and faster.
Insights from Olympians
Olympic triathlon coaches face a unique challenge. Other sports select their teams
from athletes with many years of experience. National triathlon coaches must
identify inexperienced, but promising, athletes and bring them to the elite level in
just a few years.
Because swimming is the most technical of the three disciplines, USA Triathlon used
to recruit accomplished college swimmers who could also run well. But the evolution
of the sport forced them to reverse course. They now look to recruit near-elite
college runners—ideally with some competitive swimming experience in their youth.
While the swim paces of Olympic triathlon medalists probably strike you as quite
fast--in comparison to elite swimmers--they’re relatively slow. Their running is a
different story, achieving run paces stunningly close to those of elite 10k runners.
The 1500m swim and 10K run splits from the 2012 Olympic Triathlon illustrate this.
The mens’ medalists swam 1500m in 17:04—which is 17 percent slower than Sun
Yang’s 1500m gold medal time of 14:31. But the 10K run split of 29:07 was only 5
percent above the gold medal track 10K time of 27:39.
The women’s medalists swam 20:04--30 percent slower than Katie Ledecky’s
1500m time of 15:36—of gold medalist Katie Ledecky. The run differential--33:40
in triathlon, 30:26 on the track—was only 10 percent.
For both men and women, the swim-pace differential was 300 percent greater than
that in running.
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Because running performance is determined 70% to 80% by aerobic fitness, a
prospective triathlon medalist must come into the sport with a runner’s engine
already tuned to a very high level from years of fast running.
In contrast, swim performance is determined 70% to 80% by efficiency. The
coaches found that a good athlete can acquire the requisite efficiency skills much
more quickly than it takes to develop a high-revving aerobic engine.
What does this mean to you? Elites can pursue training as a full-time job--and
have inherent athletic advantages. You must fit in training with work and family
responsibilities. So realizing your personal potential as efficiently as possible is at
least as important for the mid-packer as for the Olympic medalist. A smart strategy
can help.
The ‘Oxygen Cost’ of Speed
[The following data comes from Michael Joyner MD, head of exercise research at
the famed Mayo Clinic, and one of the world’s top athletic performance researchers.
Mike’s a pretty good athlete too. He ran a 2:25 marathon in med school and was
nationally ranked as a Masters swimmer for 1500 meters in his 40s. Today, at 58,
he’s a novice triathlete.]
Swimming at a pace of 2 mph; running at 8 mph; and cycling at 20mph should all
require about the same amount of energy. But to go 10% faster in each, you must
increase oxygen consumption by:
Running
+ 10%
Cycling
+ 20 to 25%
Swimming + 60% to 80%
I.E. To run a little faster, you need only run a little harder. To swim a little faster,
you must swim a LOT harder. Thus the smartest strategy is to spend as little as
possible of your ‘oxygen budget’ in the water. Save it for the bike and run, where a
little oxygen goes a long way in improving speed. Thus, it’s clear that you shouldn’t
think about swimming speed in isolation.
Smart Choices in the Race
While you can’t ‘win’ a triathlon during the swim, you can very easily lose it by
‘chasing’ speed. The smartest choice is to swim at a very comfortable, steady pace
and avoid racing or chasing other swimmers. If you’re relatively new to triathlon we
strongly suggest you err on the side of caution.
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What’s the risk of swimming a little too easily? Virtually nil. Just as you have to
work a lot harder to swim a little faster, going a little easier will cost you very little
speed. And you might well swim faster by stroking more effectively. And the little
time you may lose in the swim (to those working harder) you should regain many
times over by feeling fresh and strong on land.
Smart Choices in Training
When your goal is to finish the swim leg feeling fresh, the rationale for training hard
disappears. In place of working harder to take a few ticks off the pace clock, focus
instead on learning to swim the same speed . . . easier.
E.G. If you currently swim 2:00 per 100 meters at a 90% effort, learn to reduce the
effort it takes to 80%. Then 70%. When you do, a sub-2:00 pace will just happen
rather than requiring a grinding effort. Make it your goal to be pulled to a faster
time, rather than pushing to make it happen.
In training for the bike and run—where more miles and more effort are the most
dependable prescription for improvement—your focus will be precisely the opposite
of what you do in swimming: Train yourself to sustain stronger efforts for longer.
Another benefit of training as we suggest is that, by focusing on ease and avoiding
wasteful exertion, your swim sessions will boost recovery allowing you to train
better on land.
Smart Choices in Technique
How can you swim faster . . . easier? By focusing more on streamlining and less on
pulling and kicking. This is because drag increases exponentially with speed. If you
currently swim 100 yards or meters in, say, 1:40, to improve to 1:38 (2%), you
have to overcome 4% more drag. To swim 1:35 (5%), you have to overcome 25%
more drag. To swim 1:30, you have to overcome 100% more drag! But if you
create less resistance at 1:40, the same amount of power or energy will move you
much faster.
School for Streamlining
In your next practice, try the following. First swim a short distance (25 or 50) at
about 75% effort. Count your strokes and take your time. Then repeat with any of
the following focal points to learn how stroke count, time, and effort are effected. If
any of these focal points show promise, use them regularly. And possibly in your
next race
1. Release your head’s weight until you feel it resting on a ‘cushion’ of water.
2. Imagine yourself being towed by a line at the top of your head.
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3. Kick as easily as possible. Focus on having your legs ‘draft behind’ your upper
body.
4. Rethink Freestyle: Focus on Streamline Right Side, then Streamline Left Side
instead of pull and kick.
5. Minimize noise, bubbles, splash—especially when trying to go faster. All are
evidence of your energy being diverted into something other than locomotion.
Terry Laughlin and fellow TI Coaches will teach workshops at North Shore Pool in
St. Petersburg on March 5 and 6. Info at http://www.totalimmersion.net/get-coached/workshops.
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This is an article by Jessica Parish (nee Mundie) published 16 years ago. I
know “senior” Mad Dogs remember Ralph and Katie Perry, but I thought
younger Mad Dogs should also be aware of some of their famous
predecessors. Jessica is @ [email protected].
Tribute to a coach, mentor and best friend in
the world
By JESSICA A. MUNDIE
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 29, 1999
Christmas came and went without St. Petersburg Ironman triathlete
Ralph Perry, who died on Dec. 16 at the end of his toughest battle -- the
one with prostate cancer. He will never dominate that 70-74 age group in
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, like he told me he would.
Ralph Perry was my coach, my mentor, my best friend in the world.
Meeting him and his world-class wife, Katie Knight-Perry, elevated my
coverage of the sport of triathlon to another level back in 1993. The two
newly retired professionals -- he was one of the heads of construction at
New York City's World Trade Center as a civil engineer and she was
among the students' favorite nursing professors at Cornell and Columbia
universities -- adopted me as I had no family in the bay area at the time.
Holidays would be at their waterfront home, which Ralph christened
"Perry's Paradise." I can still hear the yelling and partying as dozens of
St. Pete Mad Dogs gathered around several tables in their dining room.
They all loved life, and the celebrations went on and on.
Most never suspected that Ralph was undergoing various cancer
treatments. He never complained, although some noticed that his
triathlon splits were slipping. He tried to keep it from everyone -- even
me.
As a worker in the media center in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1995, '96
and '97, those three Ironman triathlons are forever in my memory. I
already knew these two were international celebrities and no strangers to
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national and world podiums, but the magnitude of their celebrity was
shown on Alii Drive, where Japanese, German and Australian triathletes
would rush for the autographs of Katie and Ralph. Paula Newby-Fraser,
dubbed "Kona's Queen," lined up to receive one of Katie's well-known
hugs.
I smiled as I watched NBC film crews plan how to capture my Kona
roommates out on the Ironman course. That was easy -- just look for a
husband and wife with Florida tans racing side by side in St. Pete Mad
Dog uniforms.
Ralph's kindness, warmth and humor drew people closer to him. He
would advise me about racing, writing, contact lenses he talked me into,
and my hilarious love life. Ralph had the ability to laugh at everything.
Ralph and Katie coaxed me into running my first 10-miler to Gulfport,
and as the miles flew by, we would laugh and joke the entire way,
wearing our matching Mad Dog singlets with those bright red mittens on
cold Thursday mornings.
They would talk me into running the New York City Marathon the same
way -- run, laugh, and go in and out of those fabulous delis to get pizza
on the way. It was amazing how easy it was. It was a blast.
The Italian background Ralph proudly claimed was very similar to my
Greek heritage, and the homemade gourmet meals the Perrys hosted
brought back fond childhood memories from the melting pot of Chicago.
Being invited to their home was an honor. Katie's beautiful tables were
loaded with veggie lasagna, homemade salad and bread, ziti, focaccio,
grilled chicken and more. Imported olive oil and fresh garlic ruled
supreme. The famous house guests came and went: national
championship race director Rob Vigorito; world champion Bill Riley;
USA Triathlon executive director Steve Locke; Ironman's Rob Perry;
professionals Wes Hobson, Sue Latshaw, Martha Sorensen, Gail
Laurence, Kirsten Ames, and their best friend -- world champion Judy
Flannery of Chevy Chase, Md., who was killed on a bicycle training ride
by an unlicensed teenage motorist and his drunk father a few days after
we raced at Powerman Alabama Duathlon in 1997.
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Losing her was a major blow for Ralph and Katie as well as the triathlon
community. I headed into their kitchen that night and got the news as
they hung up the phone. Flannery's photo remains taped to Katie's new
computer. It's a photo of the three of them at Mrs. T's Triathlon in
Chicago, laughing in a rainstorm before the race, all three wearing black
plastic trash bags over their Team USA swim suits.
At a recent "Celebration of Life" held at the home of Bill and Gemma
Castleman in Ralph's honor, Katie said that Ralph and Judy were
together, and that Judy was probably telling Ralph they better get a
workout in today.
To contribute to the Ralph Perry Scholarship Fund, call the Mad Dog
hotline at (727) 582-1910, or check the Web site at
www.cyberscapes.com/maddog.
WEDDING NEWS: Congratulations to the following newlyweds (all
good friends of Ralph and Katie Knight-Perry), who took their wedding
vows during the Christmas weekend: triathletes Joyce and Marv Norin
of Longboat Key, and bicycle racers Julie and David Holt of Palmetto.
NEWEST MAD DOG: Photos just arrived from Susan Kropko-Doel and
Kevin Doel of their daughter Annaklara, who was born last month in
Ohio. Susan, an Ironman Triathlon champion from Budapest, Hungary,
is the sister of Ironman Japan winner Peter Kropko.
Ralph and
Katie Perry on
the flanks.
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FEB - 2016
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FEB - 2016
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
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VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2
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