Jens Voigt, Mr. "Shut Up Legs" for the Win!

Big win today in the US Pro Cycling Challenge by Jens Voigt! Following yesterday's big win by Tommy D. This has been an incredible week of cycling out in Colorado.

Mo Farah Runs Away from Things!!

Mo! Running away from things!! This post needs more exclamation points!!!!!

A hilarious website composed entirely of double-gold Olympian Mo Farah running away from things. Absolutely love it.

External link:  http://mofarahrunningawayfromthings.tumblr.com

Click to enlarge.

Marathon Training in Full Force

Warm up a Ric Flair "wooooo!" because it's time to kick marathon training in gear as the fall racing season approaches. Last year my body broke down with incredibly bad timing; I picked up a major hip injury six weeks out from the marathon, and didn't run for a few weeks before. My marathon time was decent, but well below my expectations.

This year I'm cutting back training in an effort to hit the fall season as healthy as possible. Last year's marathon training consisted of 20 weeks of training, three weeks over 50 miles, and running the Army Ten Miler two weeks out. This year I'm cutting back to 15 intense weeks, only one week touching 50 miles, and I sadly had to drop the Army Ten Miler from the racing plan.

My mantra for this year's Marine Corps Marathon: Forget 2011.  
(but it's usually yelled more like "F--- 2011!" in the middle of a hill repeat)

Here's how the training plan stacks up for 2012; I'm currently in the middle of week 5. You'll have to click the image to enlarge to an actually legible size:

Click thumbnail for full size.

2012 Olympics - Mens Marathon

Good morning in London for a marathon, and what a marathon viewers received. Though the pace wasn't blistering, the tactics and attacks throughout made for a very interesting race, especially when Kiprotich of Uganda took off and left the Kenyans behind. The first three positions weren't even that close.

But the real story for me was in 4th place. After the American runners with faster "paper PRs" pulled out of the race, Meb Keflezighi was keeping things respectable at 37 years old. And then, something started happening in the last 5 miles; Meb moved from the mid-teens in positioning and kept on overtaking runners. Here was the old man of the marathon, using his determination and running his race, slowly picking off the best runners in the world. When the dust settled, Marathon Meb rolled in with a 4th place finish, an amazing accomplishment and a great time for an American.

"When the gun goes off, it’s all about what’s in your heart."  - Meb   

What I loved most was in the final stretch he wasn't bummed about finishing just off the podium. Rather he was looking for an American flag, and after he found one to grab he proudly waved it through the finish line. Rather than showing a bitter face like we've seen from so many non-medal athletes in London, Meb was celebrating like he won. That's pure joy (and a little maturity and perspective as well - teenage gymnasts take note). His interviews were mostly positive as well; he's a fantastic ambassador for America.

His family and father should be proud, raising 11 kids (incl lawyer, doctor, MBA) and being as proud of their country as any born here.

Sad that Meb is so often overlooked in the events he runs. Sure, he will never be the fastest American, and his PR is usually 5+ minutes off the fastest guy on paper, but he shows up when it counts. For all the articles written about "faster" runners, Meb has the hardware to show his cunning and determination; won NYC, won Trials, and medaled in the Olympics. And though no one expected him to medal today, his fourth place was a triumph all the same. His story will be overshadowed by the millionaires playing basketball today, and that's too bad, but Meb will still be smiling.

Long may you run, Meb!

“Everybody works hard to accomplish such a thing and I am very proud of myself
and our country to finish fourth. It’s not where you want to be sometimes, but
fourth place at my last Olympics – I’ll take it anytime.” - Meb

Genuine Innovations Cartridge Cross

After I purchased and installed my XLAB rear wing and accessories, I figured it was time to upgrade the wife as well. She doesn't need to be sitting on the side of the road using a mini frame pump for a half hour to inflate a tire, so I got her (or the generous passerby who helps her) an XLAB Nanoflator and an integrated CO2 carrier.

I was originally looking for the XLAB X-Strike, but was too impatient to order online. My local triathlon store didn't have it, but they did have the Genuine Innovations Cartridge Cross, which is literally the same product (Genuine Innovations makes the XLAB CO2 accessories). Install was just two screws in the frame and tossing the Nanoflator in her bike bag.

The Cartridge Cross mounts on the frame's water bottle brackets and holds up to four CO2 cartridges. It has an anti-reverse feature to keep the cartridges secured on the road and also included a reusable rubber sleeve to make holding cold cartridges easier during use.

Just two screws and the wife is now carrying two 16 gram cartridges.

The Cartridge Cross sits out of the way along the frame.

Stock photo courtesy of www.genuineinnovations.com.

2012 Olympics - Women's Triathlon

I'd say the battle for triathlon gold medal was a wee bit close this morning.

External Link: Spirig Takes Photo-Finish Triathlon Gold  (Official London 2012 website)