Here is the link for the contest, so get over there by tomorrow and sign up.

If you are looking for a review of the Forerunner 310XT,  he does the most comprehensive review I have seen,  get it here:  Forerunner 310XT

I really love it when great local companies give back to our wonderful San Diego Community. Runningskirts is an Encinitas based company that is sponsoring a weekly fun run. Here are the details from them.

RunningSkirts weekly fun runs kickoff!

Thursdays….
6:00 p.m. @ RunninngSkirts
676 2nd Street
Encinitas, CA 92024

Calling all skirts & all paces, our fun runs are lead by our own Skirthusiasts (coaches)! We’ll take you on our favorite beachfront & coastal runs each week.

* Stroller Moms
* Expecting Moms
* Marathon Moms
* Speedy Skirts
* Newbee Skirts
* Walker Skirts

Sponsored by Utlima Replenisher!

We’ll be giving away FREE running skirts weekly and tons of gear giveaways. Join us for the kickoff tonight and receive a special goody bag! (while supplies last)!

I have finally had the opportunity to put a few miles on the new Kona Zing Deluxe that arrived at my doorstep a couple of weeks ago.  The concept of of riding a bicycle as an adult is a fairly new concept for me.  I have not ridden a traditional road bike since my days with a paper route,  and have since focused my riding time on the dirt with my well used hardtail mountain bike.  I have recently begun the process of triathlon training, so felt it was a good time to refocus my riding efforts, hence my jump into the road cycling genre.  The few miles I have ridden between rain storms on the Kona Zing Deluxe, have solidified my understanding of the passion people develop for the sport.   The act of riding out on the roads around my neighborhood and beyond are an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Kona Bicycle Company has a longstanding reputation for making high quality mountain bikes.  They describe the Zing Deluxe Road Bike as “that bike the badass Kona mountain biker would ride if they decided to get into road riding”.  This sounded good to me, as a long standing mountain biker, with no recent experience riding a road bike.  After putting a few good miles on this bike,  I can say this a pretty good description of the Kona Zing Deluxe.  The riding position of the aluminum framed, carbon forked Zing Deluxe is similar to the stance on my mountain bike.  It is more upright than some of the other road bikes I have recently test ridden.  This works for me at this point, but does provide a little more of an aerodynamic challenge when trying to go fast and far.

The components the bike comes equipped with are very solid.  The drive train in primarily Shimano 105,  with the addition of an Ultegra rear derailleur. The wheels come from Mavic, and seem solid.  The rest of the build are a combination of FSA, Mavic and Shimano making for a dependable if not a little heavy ride.  The aluminum frame is well  design and beautifully crafted, with oversized tubing, and a red and black pinstriped paint job that looks custom.

I will be riding and training on the Kona Zing deluxe for the next four months, reporting occasionally as to  how the bike performs and is holding up.   If everything goes as planned, the Zing deluxe will also join me on a Sprint Distance Triathlon this spring, and I will report to how it performed in the race report.  Stay Tuned.

The club holds a series of events each year including a Triathlon this next Saturday (Dec 12th) at Fiesta Island.  Perusing their website also reveals any number of workout opportunities each and every day.   I came into the meeting a bit apprehensive about the accessibility of these events and workouts for rank amateurs such as myself, but a good portion of the informational meeting last night was spent patiently explaining the nuances of beginning in triathlon.   It was a lot of information presented in a manageable way.

The presentation was held in a really cool bicycle shop called Hi-Tech Bikes on Clairmont Mesa Dr in Kearny Mesa.  This shop caters to Triathletes and the staff members I met last night are very friendly and very approachable.  I have no doubt they will be happy to answer my questions, and steer me to the gear that will work for me.  Currently they are sponsoring a drawing for an opportunity to participate in the Ride Strong Bike Tours Chasing the TDF – Pyrenees bike trip starting on July 18, 2010 and ending on July 25, 2010. Click here for details.

I am really excited about expanding my fitness routine from the running base I have been working hard on achieving, and including swimming and biking into the mix.  I am stoked to know there are resources available such as the Triathlon Club of San Diego, and Hi-Tech Bikes to help me achieve my goals.

I have been training to compete in a sprint distancel triathlon for about 2 months now, and while the progress has been slower than my ego has desired, I have seen a change in my fitness level. I am now looking forward to an activity that I have generally dreaded my entire life; running.  I would happily run every morning if my body would let me.  I did find out last week, after five consecutive day of running, the body (especially my untrained body) needs rest days or it revolts.  I set out on a glorious Saturday morning, with plans of adding a mile to my route (making it close to a 5K) and about one mile into the run,  I ran out of energy.  I had nothing more to keep me going, and I walked the rest of the route.  Sunday I turned around and completed a 6 mile casual hike up Iron Mountain, watching the incredible early sunset on the way down,  and took a complete rest day on Monday.  I returned to my usual 2 mile morning route this morning, and despite the unintended sprint from the skunk,  I felt strong.

I really do want to increase the mileage of my daily runs, but I think I have psyched myself out a bit about my capabilities, and it has hindered my progress.  I would love to hear what the more experienced have done to bring their running to the next level.  If you have advice, comment on this post and share it with us!

There are some great resources available online that have practical advice, and loads of information of running and triathlon training and competition.  Here are a few that have been useful for me:

Active.com- a great online community with a database of local athletic events.

Road Runner Sports- A running superstore located in Kearny Mesa

Runners World- The website that corresponds to the magazine.  Lots of great articles and videos related to running

Map My Run- A great site that incorporates Google maps to plan and track your runs.  I use it in conjunction with imapmyrun on my iPhone to track my run in real time and save it on my free account on the site.

Triathlon Club of San Diego- A great resource for events and information on Triathlon

Pulse Endurance Sports- A local Triathlon store

KT Tape

Aches pains and minor injuries are all a part or training for any kind of endurance sport.  I am feeling my share or pain in this process of change, from semi-couch potato to capable novice athlete.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity try out a product that gained some attention last summer during the Summer Olympics.  Anyone who even casually followed the Olymics was captivated by the team of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor as they dominated Women’s Beach Volleyball.  Those watching may have also noticed the unique tape that was supporting Kerri Walsh’s recently healed shoulder; KT Tape.

“Perfect for athletes, weekend warriors, and everyone with sore muscles. KT Tape™ provides muscle pain relief, increased mobility, and enhanced recovery”- Description from KT Tape

I have used the tape with decent results for a shoulder that I injured many years ago that always seams to be a little sore after use.  The extra support of KT Tape really helps keep it feeling good throughout the day.  I also used it with very limited success for minor shin splints that I was feeling after my morning run.  A new pair of shoes was ultimately the solution for this.  My wife tried the tape out during her recreational soccer game, trying to relieve the plantar fasciitis that has recently flared up.

The thing I have found with KT Tape is application is the key.  If it is not put on right, it will not provide support, and will not provide relief.  Fortunately the KT Tape website has a pretty extensive instruction set to help with effective application.  There is also a booklet that comes with the tape that provides instruction for the more common uses of KT Tape

Tech4o Accelerator Pulse Watch

One of the most valuable aids I have used to maximize the efficiency of my training has been the Tech4o Acclerator Pulse watch.  This watch which features a heart rate monitor along with all the usual stop watch features, and the regular watch features have allowed me to really get in tune with my body during aerobic training.  The watch is fairly easy to use, and I was up and functioning after just a few minutes of browsing the owners manual.

Keeping yourself in a target heart rate is critical in maximizing training.  Having a device that tells me where my heart rate is in relation to my target heart rate is critical.  Without this device, I was only guessing, and never knew where I was, and whether I was getting the most bang for my training buck.

The watch is nice, if not somewhat generic looking.  It is not too large, and the strap is made of plastic that is not affected by moisture.  The chest strap with the heart monitor is easy to take on and off, and is small enough and light enough not to stay in place while running. I have just begun using the Accelerator Pulse Watch and will report back soon as I gain experience with it.

Tech4o at REI

Training Plans for Multisport Athletes by Gale Bernhardt

Developing a an effective training plan to get myself ready for my first triathlon has been a challenge.  I have no experience with this type of planning, and would not know an effective training schedule if I tripped over it during my morning run.  Training Plans For Multisport Athletes has been a fantastic aid in educating myself, and developing a plan that works for me.  While the book is very dense with interesting information,  there are section of the book that lay out plans for your current level of conditioning, and the type of event you are planning to participate in.  These chapters lay it out plainly.  What you need to do and when.

My suggestion is that if you are new to this type of event, Like me, read a book called Your First Triathlon. This book lays the foundation to using Training Plans for Multisport Athletes, and give you the basics that one needs to know to begin competing.  I have read both books, and they have helped make me confident that I will be ready when that day comes, and I step up to the starting line.

Training Plans for Multisport Athletes at REI