Toby’s Blog
Mountain Man Olympic Race Report
In every season of racing, there’s the good (e.g., my run from Lake Stevens, finishing Ironman St. George, etc.), the bad (e.g., missing Half-Ironman World Championships at Ironman Boise 70.3 by two minutes), and the ugly (e.g., the weather at just a few of my races this year, Mountain Man Olympic bike leg). Often, you can find a few factors that likely played into those determinations, like 40mphs winds at Ironman St. George or shivering and freezing for 56 miles at Ironman Oceanside 70.3. However, and annoyingly, sometimes you just have to...
read moreBadwater Ultramarathon Report
Death Valley… it is an aptly named place but maybe a little undeserving of some of the images the name conjures. Yes, it is a very harsh and unforgiving place, with seemingly a near total absence of significant life. You can see evidence of plants here and there, but overall, it is bleak. Yet, in spite of all that, there’s an eerie beauty to the place. The rock formations and colors range from interesting to captivating. Standing in Badwater, the lowest point in the lower 48 states (and the start of the Badwater...
read moreIronman Lake Stevens 70.3 Race Report
I could actually taste dirt in my mouth. And grass. How odd, I thought. Oh yeah, I’m lying face down on the side of the road. With my mouth open. Probably not the best idea. I quickly realize that most of my body hurts. That’s all thanks to the gentleman lying about 50 feet further down the road. He clipped my front tire during a steep, banking descent. I can guess why, but it doesn’t really matter. Which brings me to Decision Time: do I quit? Under the circumstances, I highly doubt anyone would have questioned my...
read moreMy HBO “Weight of the Nation” Review
I recently watched HBO’s “Weight of the Nation” documentary. Here is HBO’s “Weight of the Nation” site. The information and statistics in the show were not only terrifying and stunning, but also terribly saddening. It was filled with mystifying and dreadful stories. The tellers were all obese to morbidly obese and filled with sorrow. From never having a boyfriend or girlfriend to suffering from weight-related health issues in their 20s, the issues were extreme in their profundity. They had all tried many...
read moreLap Pool Swimming Etiquette
I don’t think I am a particularly aggressive guy. I don’t think I am a jerk. Generally, I am pretty nice and easy-going, even to people who may not deserve such treatment. I feel we all have bad days, maybe I am just catching that person on a really bad one. I figure, if I am nice to them, I’ll bank some positive karma and might pay off later. But, all that being said, there are simply times when someone is acting outside of “having a bad day” or some plausible and acceptable explanation. Let’s take my swim at the public...
read moreBoise 70.3 Ironman Race Report
Wow. I am having some truly amazing luck with races this year. Unfortunately, most of that luck ranges from bad to “worst ever” territory. Out of four races in 2012, one has had good weather. Three have had bad to dreadful weather. One has been shortened due to the weather. I have raced in (a) four to five foot swells in a LAKE, (b) 25-45 mile winds, in my face, for 25 miles of climbing, (c) rain, (d) freezing cold, and (e) rain with freezing cold with 15-25 winds. I mean, really? I literally have friends on facebook...
read moreShakeology Scam???
Ok, I try to avoid posting about things that are debatable because, well, I could be wrong. Just because you don’t share my opinion on something doesn’t make mine right and your’s wrong. That being said, I do want to address what is being called the “Shakeology Scam”. I get asked questions all the time about Shakeology and I wanted to write a post hopefully to address some fears, concerns, and myths that seem to be circling around the internet. When Shakeology launched, I was first in the skeptics’ line. I didn’t think...
read moreThe Secrets to the Flying Mount
In the world of triathlons, athletes are looking for any advantage possible. People will spend thousands of dollars on a set of aerodynamics wheels, an aerodynamic helmet, a new saddle, or a variety of other equipment all of which is purportedly going to make them faster. While I will grant that being more aerodynamic will make someone faster (simply because a lower coefficient of drag, measured in grams, is faster), I often debate whether it makes them better and more prepared to run as best they can off the bike. Because, to me,...
read moreIronman St. George 2012 Race Report
We didn’t come across the plains, foothills and valleys, climb the mountains, and sail the oceans because we are made of sugar candy – Winston Churchill Before I get to the actual race, I want to provide a few facts that will hopefully give a glimpse into how difficult IMSG 2012 truly was: Ben Hoffman won, with a time of 9:07:04 – the slowest winning time in Ironman history at any Ironman event St George is largely located on the sides of hills, leaving nearly zero flat streets 1780 were registered, of that only 1,348 toed the...
read moreTrail Running versus Road Running
Which run looks more engaging: Does it change your mind to know that the top image was a 20.5 mile run while the bottom was an 7.5 mile run? In case you can’t tell, the top image is a recent three hour trail run I did, while the bottom was an one hour aerobic run. Even though the trail run was three times as long, it seemed to pass significantly faster than the other. I don’t know about others, but I strongly prefer trail running to any other surface. I find the variety makes the run more engaging, generally leaves my legs less...
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