IRONMITCH Part II - Memoirs of an Ironman

Swimmers Warned After Shark Spotted Near La Jolla

2008-01-07T23:41:00.000-08:00

photo example of shark size: great white shark (note: this photo is real, but was not in La Jolla) - image courtesy white shark trust (click here for more images)

In December, a large shark spotted by a kayaker near La Jolla Cove has triathletes and swimmers on alert. (more)

CBS reports that lifeguards received the report of a possible shark sighting around noon. They sent a boat out to warn swimmers and offer them a lift back to shore as a precaution.

The kayaker described the shark as being more than 20 feet in length. It is not known what species was spotted.

Lifeguards say at that size, it may have been a great white shark.

------

I have often said that the city's decision to kick the children off the beach at children's pool in order to let the seals to take up residence would invite some great white's to take up residence nearby. They kicked McDonalds out of downtown La Jolla years ago, only to open McShark. I do love the seals, but I think they would be more happy in Pt. Loma, away from the largest no boat no boat human swimming area in the country - the La Jolla Cove.

Here is a quote from a summer report from a diving web site chat room:

"The seals at La Jolla children’s pool have finally attracted a mid sized white shark. I get reports of a 15 to 17 ft great white shark in La Jolla every other day. He buzzes free divers, steals tuna from fishermen, he cruses the inside and outside of the kelp forest, and he likes to eat seals. He is acting just like white sharks from Isla Guadalupe. Well we finally have our shark. I predict a local shark attack on a human within two years, because of the dumb seals.

I heard these reports last night. Two free divers were buzzed in the kelp hospital point, the got out of the water. A large white was munching hooked yellow tail from the charter boats on the outer edge of the La Jolla Kelp, a mid sized seal bit was bobbing in the kelp.
I am used to diving with man-eaters, (Ano Nuevo, point Reyes, Samona…..) no problem, but this one bothers me.
Be careful out there." -freediver7

As Freediver said, Be careful triathletes.

My Holiday Wish - Heal Fast Tony Pedeferri!

2007-12-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

Photo: Mitch Thrower, David Gonzales, Tony Pedeferri

I received this letter today from my great friend David Gonzales (middle of the photo above) and my Holiday wish is now for Tony Pedeferri, (on the right in the photo above) to heal fast and to be ready for next year's Ironman Hawaii. You can do it Tony! Here is the letter Dave sent me...
-Mitch
-----------------------

Hello Everyone,

Please forgive this mass mailing, but I need your help. A friend of mine, CHP Officer Tony Pedeferri, assigned out of the Ventura (CA) office, was severely injured in an accident on Wednesday evening (12/19). He is in critical condition, on a ventilator, and as I write this is experiencing paralysis from the chest down due to major trauma to his neck and thoracic spine.

The good news is that his spinal cord was not severed, and the doctors hope that the paralysis will be temporary, due to post-surgical swelling and bruising, but it is too early to tell. Tony is a three time finisher of Ironman Hawaii, having competed there just last October. He is only 36 years old, married, and the father of two young children.

I've known Tony for many years, and he is a stellar family man, officer and triathlete. He was injured after he made a traffic stop on the highway, and the car he stopped was struck from behind by an impaired driver, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The force of the collision killed the person Tony had stopped, and propelled Tony nearly 80 feet into the bushes.

I am asking for your help, large or small. As you can imagine, Tony's family is experiencing financial hardship with expenses not covered by insurance or worker's compensation. His family has come to his bedside to be with him and his wife Carrie at this most difficult time. Please consider making a donation to the fund set up by the Ventura Office of the California Highway Patrol.

You can mail your check, payable to "765 Squad," with the notation "Ofc. Pedefferi Fund" in the memo line to:

California Highway Patrol
Ventura Office
Attention: Officer Matt Winter
4656 Valentine Road
Ventura, CA 93003

I know that money is tight at this time of year, but please consider making a donation. Please keep Tony and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

With Appreciation,
Dave G

A Meaningful Letter

2007-12-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

I received this letter today. Sometimes I wonder if my writing is helping people stay motivated - it's a very special thing for me when I receive letters that affirm that I am helping people.
Train Smart!
-Mitch

--------
Hey Mitch-

I just wanted to thank you for your continued consistent, honest, exciting, fun about showing all of us the true meaning of being a athlete/Ironman. I have been living in Minneapolis for 3.5 years now after moving from San Diego. I continue to pursue my goal of doing an Ironman every year, so far so good. I am constantly asked why and how do you do it? I always give them my best and honest answer but if they want more, I give them a copy of one of your Starting Lines articles to give the best answer about what it takes and how enjoyable it is.
Thanks Mitch, for helping teach me and others about how truly inspiring and life-changing this sport is. It has helped/saved me and I can't wait to train tomorrow!

Best,
Johnny Surprise
Dir. of Sports & Entertainment Marketing ASI Communications www.a-s-i.com

Dolphins Save Surfer From Becoming Shark’s Bait

2007-11-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

Triathletes do ponder sharks when they are swimming, and shark attacks are rare, but they do happen. Here is an incredible story...

A pod of bottlenose dolphins helped protect the severely injured boarder. Article from the Today show - By Mike Celizic

Surfer Todd Endris needed a miracle. The shark — a monster great white that came out of nowhere — had hit him three times, peeling the skin off his back and mauling his right leg to the bone.

That’s when a pod of bottlenose dolphins intervened, forming a protective ring around Endris, allowing him to get to shore, where quick first aid provided by a friend saved his life.

“Truly a miracle,” Endris told TODAY’s Natalie Morales on Thursday. To read the entire article click here.~

San Diego Air Quailty Forecast And More

2007-10-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Triathletes across San Diego are wondering how much ash and particulate matter is in the air and when is it safe to start to work out.

You can check the air quality in San Diego here. After scanning the information about the air quality, I am going to wait until Monday before I start working out again. I've used air filters for a decade, and I recommend Bionaire air filters for your home, even when there are no fires - check them out here. You can check the tides in San Diego, here, the weather here, and the time of sunrise and sunset (and moonrise and set) in San Diego here. Of course, you can always check traffic here.~

The Event Bib Black Market?

2007-10-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

We knew the day would come, but perhaps not this soon. The marathon and triathlon ticket scalpers are here. Today, you can actually go to ebay to bid and purchase from a scalper a bib for normal race participation in a Marathon. This year, there are several marathon bib registration scalpers that are selling Houston Marathon bibs online.

With marathons, triathlons, acquathlons and even some biking events selling out so far in advance, there is now a market of people desperate to be in the event. Some events are very clever and add a lottery for those that want to register after registration has closed, which allows potential participants to feel like there is still a chance, and allows the event to make more money or raise more for charity by charging a nominal fee for lottery entrants.

But scalpers? I wonder if we will soon see guys in trench coats on race morning, whispering, "Anyone need Bibs, race bibs. Psssst. Any one want a bib to race? Just $1,000, cash only."

Ironman has been selling slots on ebay for the big show in Kona every year to support charity and one slot in the Ironman can cost over $35,000, (they have raised close to 2 million from this auction over the last few years) 100,000 people around the world attempt to get to the starting line in Kona.

In today's online world, marathon bibs that normally would cost $85 are now going for up to $700 on ebay and Craigslist!

The Houston Marathon sells registration bibs, and allows transference of the bibs, but for other races, the existence of registration scalpers raises all kinds of questions, e.g. are people illegally registering for some races under their name then selling their bib to other people for a big fat markup? Will we still see a victorious finisher with his arms in the air, only to be quickly handcuffed, carted off and banned from future races? Stay tuned...

California Wildfires (Witch Fire & Harris Fire) - San Diego Update

2007-10-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

Satellite photo of the San Diego Fires courtesy seaspace.com

It is hard to believe your eyes, but the fact that they burn as quickly as you blink the smoke in makes it a little easier. This is real, devastating and burning Armageddon type stuff. I drove through some of it today and it is a war zone, with the war is still going on (luckily I have an air filter in my car). It is strange to travel through shopping plazas and office parks that are completely absent of any human presence.

At one point in a very deserted area, I was shocked to see that the only car in one particular evacuated area was a FedEx truck that was still attempting to deliver packages to empty offices. Amazing, even surreal. At another point during the day, I drove up on a women looking kind of lost, parked in front of an empty office building. "Are you OK?" I asked. She looked back, pointing to a wall of dense black smoke behind the office building. "That's my house and this is my office, everyone is gone, I don't have anywhere to go." she said as she broke into tears. After I spent some time talking to her, she went to a shelter, but her tears were from a crisis beyond measure.

I drove safely back to La Jolla, which has, until this point been a point of refuge with relatively clear air and hints of bizarre normalcy, with people surfing and even mountain biking along the roads. But if you are paying attention, something inside drives you to want to help and to prepare in case the fire takes a bizarre twist and comes your way. Everyone I talk to wants to contribute because just miles up the road, people are losing everything they own right now.

I drove to the top of Mt. Soledad where you can see hilltops of the Harris fire burning, and where the smoke and soot from the Witch fire fill the air. There is an ever-present smell similar to a campfire, but the normal warm feeling that the smell of a campfire would invoke is non-existent because you realize what the smell is coming from - the burning of people's homes, lives, animals and the beautiful foliage that made up North Eastern San Diego.

News is still sporadic here and there is no one central clearing house of good information. Cable TV went out for a while, power went out for a while, but both are back. Cell phones continue to drop calls. Text messages from friends in San Diego and around the world are coming in. The simple words are, "You still OK?"

One of the best news sites for the crisis is www.signonsandiego.com, and they have a very good blog with immediate updates on the fire which is located here - but their servers are having a tough time with the load. They posted the following:

7:32 PM The Witch Fire is now 145,000 acres and 0 % contained. The cause is under investigation. 600 structures have been destroyed (500 residences, 50 outbuildings and 100 commercial properties). 300 structures have been damaged (250 residences, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings)

8:20 PM tonight as the fire rages onward toward the coast. Del Mar city officials are reporting that the fire has moved into the Fairbanks Ranch area. Residents in Del Mar are being told to evacuate. Evacuees are being sent north to El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way in Lake Forest, Orange County. Residents unable to self evacuate can call 858-704-3694 At the moment, the Del Mar Fairgrounds is not able to receive any more individuals with special needs because the grounds are at full capacity.~

San Diego Wildfires & The Sinkhole

2007-10-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Click Play above to see the wall of smoke.

Now back in San Diego after Ironman Hawaii -- the land of perfect weather and training for Triathlon is also, unfortunately, the land of natural disasters. One of my favorite cycling routes between Ramona and San Pasqual is engulfed in flames. (see this slidshow)

But forget cycling, my prayers and thoughts are with those that are in the line of fire. Godspeed to those affected - and remember, the most important thing you have is your life. San Diego is in a really bad way today, and it's hard to imagine how many people will lose their homes in the next 48 hours from this fire.

The Emergency Management web site even crashed due to traffic and there are many people wandering around wondering what to do. I'm getting text messages from friends "Just got evacuated, stuck in traffic in smoke." They'll call, then their phone goes dead.

Are we, as a country, prepared for natural disasters? If the government can do reverse 911 calls to people's homes in a time when the land line is nearly extinct, why can they not do reverse 911 calls to the cell phones in a certain area? Why don't we have more fire trucks?

Ash is falling from the sky, and Del Mar and Solana Beach are getting evacuated. Alexis Siler and I ventured as close to the fire lines as it was safe, given the winds and smoke so we could catch these photos and video.

Dark Smoke blows west.

Emergency Personnel direct traffic away from the danger zone.

Road Closures.

Wind is not our friend.

At noon in Rancho Bernardo, the sky turned black.
------------
After returning from the front lines of the fires (they were closing the roads behind us--as we left we were the only car on the 15 south) - we headed back to La Jolla, past the sinkhole and stopped by to get some video and photos of the sinkhole, on another great biking road that I used to do hill repeats on before the collapse.

About 15 homes were affected by the sinkhole
(compared to the thousands of homes that will be affected by the fire)

Hard hat area.

The sinkhole in La Jolla.

Click Play in the window below to see the sinkhole.

Why Blog from Kona? - Mitch Thrower

2007-10-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Photo: Mitch Thrower, by Dave Gonzales

Why take all the time to photograph, crop, post, video, upload and write about this race? There is enough to think about this week in preparation, and with the race week activities. But blog I must, because this race has changed my life and I hope it will change yours too.

It was my 12th Ironman Hawaii last Saturday - and every year, my compass has been re-set, my fitness calibration has been re-adjusted and the lava has taken me someplace deepin side the core of my being, and I like that place.

This may sound like one of those greeting cards labeled "deep thoughts," but it is a real pleasure for me to open up this small window for you into the world of Kona on Ironman week, so that you can virtually be in Kona, at least for through a few photos and videos.

Through this small window, let Kona in. If Kona is calling you, listen.
Find your way here to watch or to race.
Aloha,

-Mitch

Ironman Hawaii, The Monday After - Final Photo Gallery

2007-10-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Swimming in Kona, skilled triathlete & Triathlete Magazine board member Matt Barger who came to watch this year's Ironman.

The photo above, looks like a holiday card, e.g. "Happy Holidays from the Ironmeamea's," with Mark Rothbaum & Mia at the Palace on Ali'i drive. This year, Mark did not finish, because he had the same thing Normann, Michellie and Ferris had - that stomach and digestive issue that caused them all to drop out.

Insider Tip: if the water in Kailua Kona is murky after a long rain the night before, then don't swim that day - I always swim at the Kona pool the morning after a rainstorm, rather than at Dig Me Beach. Remember after a big rainstorm, to wait until after two tide cycles before you swim, because the runoff can cause stomach issues or strep throat. Also, clean your cuts, and always apply neosporin on any open wounds after you swim in any Hawaiian waters to avoid a staph infection.

News

Ironwristbands Power.... activate!

Mark Mckee, Mitch Thrower and Matt Barger before a final Kona Swim.

The water was very clear on the last day in Kona.

Linsay Corbin on the Monday swim - she pulled a muscle and had to drop out this year, but she'll be back next year...

Book your condo NOW for next year's Ironman Hawaii!

2007-10-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

A record number of spectators attended this year's Ford Ironman World Championships and accommodations for next year are booking up fast, with many people already booking their hotels, condos and flights for next year - a year in advance. If you can get a condo, then you'll have a kitchen, refrigerator and the most important appliance for a triathlete - a laundry machine. Insiders tip: Susan McKay is a Property Manager for Property Network, Ltd. (she can be reached at (800)358-7977) and she may be able to find you a place for next year's Ironweek, (or for Lavaman, or for Honu). A small deposit is required. Click here to e-mail her: mailto:%20susanm@hawaii-kona.com - Their web site that lists some great rental properties is http://www.hawaii-kona.com/

Awards and Triathlete Magazine Party

2007-10-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

The Triathlete Magazin e Party

Katya Myers & Jessi Stensland.

Magdalena Jackow, David Haym (who did a 54 min swim) & Lil Royale

Iron-legends Greg Welch & Wendy Ingraham

A world record length speech, but no one noticed because the speech was really, really well done!

Ironrockettes.

Noreen Cary, The Normanns & Paul Thomas

San Diego-based writer Don Norcross with the amazing editor of Triathlete Magazine, TJ Murphy, and Tim Mantoani (one of the best photographers in the world - click here for Tim's web site, and click here for his Myspace page.~

Ironman Coverage - What the writers read

2007-10-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

Lee Gruenfeld is one of the best writers on the topic of the Ironman, bringing humor, insight and intelligence to our triathlon perspective. You can catch all of Lee's Ironwritings by clicking here. ~

Race Day Coverage from www.ironmanlive.com!

2007-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

For more Ironman Race Day Coverage from IronmanLive click here.~

Ironman Race Day Photo Gallery

2007-10-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Push Play in the screen below to see the photo gallery...

Inside Ironman Hawaii 2007 - IRONMITCH Video Blog

2007-10-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

For Ironmitch Video Coverage of Ironman 2007, just push play and then move your mouse over the screen to select one of the mini-episodes of the daily video coverage from Kona, Hawaii.

Push the play arrow then ove your mouse over the screen above to scroll through mini-episodes.
- or -
Click here to watch full screen version of this TV channel.

Videos are added daily - so check back here - or you can bookmark this link.

~

For more photos and coverage of Ironman 2007, click here or scroll down.

Lt. Andy Baldwin, MD, Ironman

2007-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Truth was heard overheard from the finish line announcer: “And here he is, Number 1549, Andy Baldwin, the Bachelor, and he’s still a bachelor.”

Yep, Andy and Tessa have decided to split up and see where things are when he returns from the Persian Gulf. So, it’s true, and that means Andy has now become the most eligible triathlete in the sport. Andy raced sick after a 102 fever the day before, and still finished in a rapid 10 hours and 17 minutes. Good luck on your deployment Andy, from the entire Triathlon community, and thanks for bringing the sport into the worldwide spotlight!

Friday - The Race is Tomorrow - Photo Gallery

2007-10-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Almost ready...

Move this.

Got Chalk?

Go Mexico!

Surf's up.

A baby jogger with a TV?

The Pier.

Lost in Transition.

Carbo Loading Dinner & Thursday Night Lights

2007-10-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

Kupau Ceremony

Ageless.

A sea of faces that are about to get slapped and kicked in a sea of faces.

The beginning.

Building the finish line for over 1800 dreams.

Katya Meyers with her poster (see her interview later today on the Triathlete Magazine Video Ironman Coverage at this link)

From the Triathlete Magazine Team, photoed here: Cameron Elford with Jessica Kirkwood, an aspiring (and talented) writer in journalism school, and TJ Murphy.

Pier pressure of a different kind...

From Philadelphia Insurance, it's Tim Maguire and his sister, Susie Maguire, Den Sutton, Carly Sutton, Ryan Sutton, Haley Sutton and Linda Short.

Ironman Live Crew! Race Goes Live at Ironman.com @ 5:30 a.m. Hawaii Time on Saturday

2007-10-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Photo: Kevin Mackinnon, Greg Welch, Paul Huddle, Paula Newby Fraser and Josh Tinson, who keeps everyone connected.

Official Ironman merchandise sold here. (King Kam)

Can you hear me? The walkie talkie crew gets ready.

Swim, Bike, Run.

One of the bloggers on Ironman.com, Lynne Smith, who just swam the Channel on August 20th. She also has a fantastic blog of her ow at this link.

The Underwear Run Has Its Biggest Field Ever!

2007-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Underwear Run.

Wendy Ingraham, John Duke, and Dave Alberga, the CEO of Active.com

Dig Me Beach Thursday a.m.

Two of the founders of the underwear run.

What size are you wearing?

What does Team Nice #$@ raise money for? Forget Waldo - Find Greg Welch in this photo.

Apt.

Got Gu?

The Ironman VIP Party: Sponsors & Media

2007-10-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Bob Babbit from Competitor magazine, Heidi Janzen , Don Norcross (San Diego Union Tribune writer extraordinaire - click here to read his work), Lauren McVey and Peter from the Amazing Race.

Triathlete Magazine's Heather Gordon, John Duke and Lisa Bilotti

Graham Fraser, one of Triathlon's most successful event directors and businessmen, and the great Michael Greer.

Don Ryder (announcer and writer) and Triathlete superstar photographers and journalists, John Segesta, and Jay Jay Prasuhn

Jessica W, Peter Henning and Jenetter from Ironman. Peter is the Emmy Award-winning producer of the Ironman TV coverage on NBC.

Zoot's Superstar, Eli Carson and John Duke, Publisher of Triathlete Magazine (click here for Triathlete magazine's coverage of Ironman 2007)

Now that's an M-dot.

Wednesday Morning Piervision from Kona

2007-10-10T19:18:00.001-07:00

This is my great friend and triathlete, actress & model Paige Dunn, here this year to watch the race. Paige counsels and educates athletes on the mental component of athletic experience through her private practice, Xcel Sports. Paige teaches various Sport Psychology methods: goal setting, motivation, imagery, confidence, relaxation, focus & concentration, effective team communication, and more.

The swim was more crowded than usual - the red sail on the right is the espresso bar - set up in the ocean.

I need one of those wind socks for my cell phone headset, does anyone make one? If not, please do.

Love the name.

Full suits rule Kona this year.

Tuesday Night at the K-Swiss Party - Photo Gallery

2007-10-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

K-Swiss is coming to Triathlon... The secret designs are in the background of the photo with Eric from K-Swiss and Jessi Stensland.

Katya Meyers

Vinu, Anne and Jasmine Malik (The Fuel Belt Family)

Parade of Nations & Ironman Village Photo Gallery

2007-10-10T01:58:00.000-07:00

There is something so very special about the pure support of children for their parents. The words "Go Daddy!" or "Go Mommy!" are enough to choke you up on race day, or even on race week.

You can now control your Ipod from your Timex watch!

Go Natasha!

Ben Fertic and Paula Newby-Fraser at the Ironman Village.

Got baby? Scott and Susie Wollard do.

Someone is only 8 weeks old and she was due 4 days before Lake Placid. Scott and Susie made special contingency plans with the medical crew at Ironman Lake Placid, so he could still race, and qualify, but with a medical crew standing by in case the baby decided to come.

Ford is an amazing company.

Mom and Daughter watch dad try the pool where you swim and don't go anywhere as the sun sets in Kailua-Kona.

Signs of support.

Japan.

Ironman Athletes, This is Dillon.

2007-10-10T00:22:00.001-07:00

Dillon is a hero, and a gentleman. He's retired to Kona and he has a routine. Read most of the day, talk to friends, go to the pool, talk to some more friends and at sunset, go to the front of the apartment building to sit and watch the sunset every night. He's owned a business before, saved some people's lives before, and he's seen quite a few things change. He watched early Ironman races, which, as he says happened "Before the Germans got here and made it such a serious thing."

If you're passing by Dillon - he's on the right up four sidewalk stairs just after Lava Java at sunset every night - yell out to him a big "Hello Dillon!" It will mean the world to him. If you're walking by, stop by and introduce yourself. Life is short, we now we run, we now bike, we now swim - we are doing an Ironman on Saturday - but someday we all may need help just to walk, and we may find ourselves in a routine of sunsets. Give him some encouragement as you pass by. You are his aid station.~

Pier Pressure - Kona Pier on Tuesday

2007-10-09T14:46:00.003-07:00

Greg Welch, Ironman World Champion and host for IRONMAN Live.

Click here for coverage from Ironman live!

This guy took his dog to the first orange buoy and back.

Mitch Thrower with Santa Barbara Police Department Lieutenant & Ironman Dave Gonzales, and California Highway Patrol officer Tony Pecteferri.

Got Gatorade? This is Tom Prochaska, Julie Mason, Amy Berner and Rob Jendrysik. I asked them the name of the first person they every kissed, Tom, "snoopy" - Julie, "My mom, oh wait, David Percheski" - Amy "Rob Jendrysik" - Rob "Julie, I don't remember her last name..."

Paul Thomas, Steve Tarpinian and crew.

A Banner Day.

Mitch Thrower and Mike Reilly - Mike is working on a book. Mike has inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world. I'm going to buy the first copy of his book.

Daniel Avant, the 5th ranked triathlete from the Netherlands, who has an 8:44 Ironman under his belt. A super nice guy, Daniel is very fast, and looks fit going in to this year's race.~

The Shameless Butt Blog for Ironman 2007

2007-10-09T14:28:00.001-07:00

Kona, Hawaii, Tuesday, October 9th. Kailua Pier - where the world goes to check out each other's butts. The people on the wall are watching the butts of Kona go by. For years, photographers tried to sneak butt shots, but I thought, why not be shameless. Triathletes have great butts - so here it is, back by popular demand (last butt blog was in 2005)

To see the butt blog from the Hawaiian Ironman 2007...

Just move your mouse over the photo gallery below to scroll through the butt shots.~

Triathlete Magazine Menu - Now Served at Lava Java!

2007-10-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

They say the most popular item is the John Duke Breakfast

Dig Me Beach Photo Gallery - Monday Morning in Kona

2007-10-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

The sun is strong, even early in the morning in Kona. It is the basis of almost all life on earth. (except those funny things they found at the bottom of the ocean near the volcanic vents)

Ok, hold on a second. The underwear run is not today? It looks like he is going to train for the underwear run in a few days? That's funny. The underwear run was founded because there were cultures from around the world that went everywhere in Kona in their speedos. Will we soon see people everywhere in their underwear?

Ironman Canada Athletes Karen & Murray Frank with their daughter Lexi. They are from Vancouver and after four Ironman Canada races, Murry is doing Kona next Saturday. The first thing I heard Lexi say when she and her dad were heading to the pool? "My dad's an Ironman, and I'm going to learn how to snorkel" She was opening the packaging on the new snorkel gear, smiling.

Paul Huddle and Mitch Thrower.

Family Pier.

zeeeze are my quads. ya.

They are standing in the same pose.

Andy Baldwin before the 2.4 mile swim "pratice."

got an itch?

Mia waits for Mark

Sunday Dinner with Blair - the International Expert PR Director for Ironman

2007-10-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

If you don't know Blair yet, you should - and if you see her around be sure to thank her - she will sleep for no more than 20 hours in the next 7 days. She's the Director of Communications for the World Triathlon Corporation, and she sends out the press releases and is responsible for the IRONcommunications that you have likely read. She is photographed here with her husband, Philip Lahaye, who is an Ironman Triathlete and the bike and run course director for many of the WTC events. So from all the athletes - GO BLAIR!

The world famous marketing manager Keith Meyer from Timex (got a watch?) and Jessica Weidensall from the WTC.

The founding members of the Blair Lahaye fan club, Mitch Thrower, Phil Lahaye, Matt Miller, Andy Baldwin, Kai Baumgartner, Charlie Plaskon and Scott Rigsby.

Lava Ramp - A Bike Ride With Steve Gintowt

2007-10-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

One of my greatest friends and business partners, and one of the board members for Triathlete Magazine, Steve Gintowt, made it to Kona to watch this year's Ironman. Steve raced in the Hawaiian Ironman in 1993 and is back, scoping out the course with the hope of making it back to the lava in 2008.

The lava road to Kona.

Inside Ironman Video Blog - Are You Ready to Go to Kona?

2007-10-07T15:13:00.001-07:00

For Ironmitch Video Coverage of Ironman 2007, just push play and then move your mouse over the screen to select one of the mini-episodes of the daily video coverage from Kona, Hawaii.

Push the play arrow, then move your mouse over the screen above to scroll through mini-episodes.
- or -
Click here to watch full screen version of this TV channel.

Videos are added daily - so check back here - or you can bookmark this link.

For more photos and coverage of Ironman 2007, click here.

A Real Hero, Scott Johnson: Double Lung Transplant, Now Time For an IRONMAN

2007-10-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

Photo: Scott Johnson, who had a double lung transplant and is getting ready to race in the Ironman, and his fiancee, Leanne, are to be married three days after the race.

Photo Gallery from The Pier & The Kona PATH 5k & 10K Runs

2007-10-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

Cruise control.

Piervision.

Thirsty.

I can only imagine what it would be like to grow up knowing what Ironman is from an early age.

Ironfamily - Ruben, Elizabeth and Kai Figueres from Chicago.

Mark Battistella, who is creating a new bike called the Stella (pictured here).

This man can weave anything with palm. Amazing.

Jim Lovell teaches his daughter Kristi Lovell how to stretch. They are from Kona Hawaii, and Kristi came in second!

Publisher of Triathlete Magazine and experienced triathlete, John Duke.

Brown Bear and his great friend. I raced within a few hundred yards of these two it was a long & hot last mile.

Sponsorship and Product Gurus Andy Giancola & Bill Potts

Michellie Jones on her way to breakfast. Her advise to the athletes: discover and embrace why you are racing.

Ironman Spotlight - The Scene at Lava Java & More!

2007-10-06T20:16:00.001-07:00

Aussie Ironfriends. Can you pick the three age grouper world champions?

"A brand so strong, people tatoo it on their bodies." - Ben Fertic

The Kona Sun is strong--check out this bike-inspired tan line.

Pictured here, above, racing in this year's race, this is Charlie Plaskon, the 64 year old Grandfather, who has been blind since birth, Scott Rigsby, who is trying for a world record as the first person to do the Ironman as a double amputee, and Matt Miller, who will act as Charlie's eyes, racing alongside him for the entire day.

Lavalove... Should there be an Ironman dating agency? Forget the finishers t-shirts, what about just having a mixer? This is the top age grouper from last year, Max Longrée (racing pro this year) and his girlfriend.

Tatiana Vertiz is one of the youngest athletes in this year's Ironman, and you can also find the 19-year-old super-fast college sophomore from Texas camped out at Lava Java. Her Lava Java drink of choice? A chocolate milkshake.

Photo: Linsay Corbin

Hit by a car and thrown through the windshield just five weeks before Kona '06, an accident that shattered her collarbone and ripped the skin on her arm--Linsay Corbin still raced.

She placed 23rd, with an admittedly a painful and "slow" (1:07) swim. This year she's back, and has an eye on the prize. She won the Baja Half, and she's ready for Kona.

Normann training on the Queen K.
Photo courtesy 3athlon.

A Bike Ride with Ben Fertic, President of WTC and King Arthur of the Ironempire

2007-10-06T16:44:00.001-07:00

I went for a bike ride with Ben Fertic, the president of the WTC today - we biked to Waikaloa and back. On the way out, we were hitting top speeds well north of 40mph--we had quite a tailwind. The trip back to town was, um, challenging.

On the way out of town, we stopped by the Ironman Wherehouse - I was amazed at the amount of stuff. Floor to ceiling - tables, water, coolers, soda. Ben reminded me that there are no highways to Hawaii - everything has to be shipped in.

The aid station tables.

Hydration.

Ford.

The transition area before it is the transition area.

Ben gets ready for the opportunity to pass one of Kona's characters.

Ben Fertic, here on the left, is the skilled executive who sits on top of the Ironempire. They now have 64 races worldwide, and counting. Ben competed in the Cancun half this past year at a blistering pace.

Saturday Morning at Dig Me Beach - Photo Gallery

2007-10-06T16:33:00.001-07:00

Chilly water today...

Both of the women on the right were walking into the water, one forwards, one backwards with fins on.

With more traffic, it is very important to keep your head up to avoid smacking into oncoming swimmers.

The magic of Kona.

Friday Night Sunset Ride

2007-10-06T01:34:00.000-07:00

On a bike ride at sunset today, I passed the Natural Energy Lab, that special place in the Ironman that is considered the toughest part of the course. The arrow in this photo points to the sun, and it really made me think...

This photo is a "Biking-back-to-town-handheld-self-portrit-with-a-Kona-Sunset"
October 5th, 2007

Ironman’s Amazing Event Director – Diana Bertsch

2007-10-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Photo: Diana Bertsch in her office in Kailua Kona

What attracted Diana Bertsch to the role as the Hawaiian Ironman Event Director as the organization was preparing to make dramatic changes? The challenge.

I caught up with Diana today and she gave me a tour of the Ironman (on island) office.

Diana is an immediately likable person. Attractive, kind, smart and motivated, you can tell she loves what she does. She’s a hard worker and not afraid to tell you what she thinks. When I asked her what she likes to do after the event is over, she commented, “I like to ask my son William what he wants to do after race week, and then use that time to spend more quality time with him.” You can see a sparkle in her eye when she talks about her son (who has not yet caught the triathlon bug).

Photo: Got plans for a pier?

Diana has seen some major changes for sure, and she has personally carried some out through the complicated process of change in a longstanding global brand on an island that loves tradition, even if it’s not the most effective tradition.

In an event that is not easy to change, she's clearly been successful. Some of the changes? Making the race more spectator-friendly at the pier, a different swim exit (if the tide and waves are right) and incorporating the local touch into the event, to name just a few.

Hawaii is a special place, and people talk about the Aloha spirit, the lava and the warmth of the people here, and so it was important for Diana to incorporate more of this warm aloha into the event. Working with a local firm, Island Breeze, the Ironman and the WTC now pick a theme for every Ironman. Last year it was Lokahi – Unity. And the Ironman organization, with its one week balloon swell of volunteers at races around the country, most certainly involves unity. Athletes also need to be operating from a place of unity in their lives to get to the finish line or the starting line of any Ironman.

This year, the theme for the 2007 Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championships is Kupau – Completion. It seems to be a perfect theme, after all, getting into the Ironman is the first completion in a several act show, the last of which is the finish line on Ali'i drive.

There are 7 attributes to the concept of Kupau: Strength, Wisdom, Inspiration, Understanding, Endurance, Knowledge, Authority - each is intricately related to the lives of everyone involved in Ironman. This is the Kapau logo.
For Diana, Kupau has significant meaning. At the conclusion of Ironman week, which actually ends after the Ironman Volunteer party that happens on Monday night after the race, she will have successfully orchestrated one of the worlds most complex, most inspiring and most amazing sporting events. She is sitting on the top of quite an operational orchestra – just think: registration, medical, swim, bike, run, aid stations, transitions, timing, warehouse support, construction, communication, finish line, post race, marshals, security, special events. Welcome to Diana’s world, and she’s on top of things. She has 15 directors who run the divisions, and the volunteer force (army) is 5,000 strong to support the just over 1800 athletes.

When I asked what Diana would like to say to the volunteers and athletes, she replied, “For the volunteers, I am not sure that there are words that can express the gratitude this organization, the athletes and the world of people whose lives have been changed by Ironman feel for the thousands of volunteers every year that change lives. They give themselves, one second at a time during the race week – our hearts feel so much more than a simple ‘thank you’ and even more than ‘aloha.’ The volunteer support is a real gift.”

“For the athletes… I would want them to fondly remember how much they did to get here and that the journey to Ironman is a big part of why this race is so special. Getting to the starting line is a significant achievement, and they should remember that and feel the confidence that just getting here should inspire. The cannon will go off, but so much has taken place before the cannon. Anything can happen on race day – the athletes should enjoy the completion of this day, of this journey.”

And her favorite part of Ironman? The people. “I believe that we are where we are in life to meet and work with people that surround us. I love the people I’ve met and that I work with in this job. Ironman is a great extended family. Ironman has given me many gifts, most of which are the people I’ve met on this journey

Our hat is off to you Diana, good luck this week. This is your day, your race. Thanks for your hard work on behalf of the athletes, volunteers, and the millions of lives around the world that are touched by this event. And, hey, look up - there, that's the finish line, just ahead.

-Mitch Thrower

Kona Underwater & Dig Me Beach Photo Gallery Part II

2007-10-05T12:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning, Sarah Berndt lost her watch in the water at the pier and Nico Pfitzenmaier found it. Quantum or Orange mechanics?

Yesterday I brought an underwater disposable camera with me on the swim - here are some great shots.

Stroke work.

The halfway buoy is distinguished by the coral growing on the cord.

Another world.

Drafting Rules.
Kai Baumgartner on a full course swim.

Sunrise in Kona, October 5th, 2007

Good morning.

Normann is very fit this year.

Christian and Charlotte get ready.

The water was a bit chilly today, but about 40 dolphins came very close to the swimmers and the pier at around 9a.m.

HP Bikeworks - Please Fix My Bike

2007-10-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

I went to HP Bikeworks today to have my biked tuned up.

They gave me this free "loaner" bike to ride around town while my bike is in surgery. I must admit, my bike needed some help. I've not been on it much since Kona 2005... Tomorrow I get to turn in the loaner bike and return to the rocket.~

The Kona Germ(an) Free Handshake: How Not to Get Sick in Hawaii

2007-10-03T23:48:00.001-07:00

Sunset in Kona, October 3rd, 2007

Tonight at Lava Java on Ali'i drive, we ran into Graham Crocker (doing his 3^rd Ironman next Saturday) who is pictured here with his wife, Sue Crocker, the school teacher & triathlon super support crew. Graham is a former Olympic-distance world champion - and a very fast swimmer.

Sue is "shaking hands" with another Aussie Triathlete, Michelle Downs, who is doing her second Hawaiian Ironman this year (4^th Ironman in total) - out of only 8 total triathlons. Last year in Hawaii, she applied the brakes a bit too hard as she entered the bike-to-run transition and went end over end on her bike, fracturing her collar bone - but she still finished the race with the gravel and blood (fifth place in the in 18-25 age group).

This is the official Ironman "Germ-Free" handshake and you'll see many people shaking hands fist to fist because no one wants to get sick the week before the Ironman.~

Are you coming to Kona? Here Is Packing List - What to Bring to Kona

2007-10-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

You feel like the Mars rover when you are cycling in Kona, or like leftovers in a microwave oven that burned something really badly.

Andreas was doing 20 min sprints.

Melanie's first Kona - she's most concerned about the swim...

On my bike ride today, met Andreas and Melanie (photos above) - great cyclists from Switzerland. Andreas passed me so fast, I thought I was standing still. As I was riding back to town, I passed the airport and some cars with bike cases stuck out of the half-open trunks. I thought I should make a checklist with some things you will want to make sure to bring with you to Kona...

KONA IRONMAN PACKING LIST:

1. An alarm clock that is battery operated. There have been two power failures in my condo complex within 24 hours. You really do want to wake up race morning so bring a battery operated alarm clock - and a new battery for it.
2. Lights for your bike, clip on front and rear lights - the cheap ones so they don't get stolen (also a bike lock with a combination).
3. Baby Shampoo for your goggles -one drop, rinse twice, no fog, no tears.
4. Your vitamins - they may not have your specific brand, and you don't want to change your nutrition now.
5. Extra tires and tubes. Last year the bike stores ran out of many tires and tubes and this year, likely the same thing will happen again. There is construction on the Queen K, and the stuff they are using for the "fill" in the construction zones is razor sharp lava rocks. There is also a great deal of glass, plastic, and truck-tire-wire on the road between Kona and the Mauna Kea. Today I did not get very far (4 miles) before I had to replace two tires. Not just the tubes, but the tires, as well, as I ran through some gravel, and it ripped my tires to shreds. This year - you should race with two tires or tubes, not just one. I'm predicting more flats than normal, unless they get a street sweeper in action to clean up the junk.
6. Patience. Pack this for sure, especially because traffic in Kona is now worse than San Diego in Race Track season - and even worse than Los Angeles on a Friday at 4pm. If you're driving the 8 miles from the airport to town, it can now take up to one full hour, because its' one road, and 40,000 people trying to use it every moment. If you are staying outside of town, plan extra travel time or you could miss some of the events race week.
7. Your pillow. Yes it's goofy, and perhaps even silly. But trust me, if you bring your pillow, the one you like to sleep on, it will help when you are trying to get that pre-race rest you need.
8. Sunblock that you are not allergic to (without PABA, and tear free, e.g. kids stuff so it does not burn your eyes).
9. Money, you will need something to make you faster, more comfortable or just because -- and that something almost always involves cash.
10. Something that reminds you of why you're racing. It could be a photo of someone you love, or a small gift from someone. Whatever inspires you, put it in your bag, and take it on this journey with you.

Safe flight!

-Mitch

Kona Pier Photo Gallery - October 3rd - Clear Blue Water

2007-10-03T13:43:00.001-07:00

Sunrise in Kona

Brent Lockridge brought his kids Claire and Palmer this year. The last time he raced, they were 3 and 4, and don't remember much. This year will be unforgettable.

Cruise Ships filled with tourists are ferried to the dock and look with a curious eye upon triathletes in the ocean.

This year, full suits (speed suits) are everywhere - they are flying off the shelves in the local stores - the ocean will be filled with them on Oct 13th.

Winner of last year's Ironman Florida, Jan Raphael with Rebecca

The sands of Dig Me Beach.

IRONMAN HAWAII COVERAGE WITH RACE TIPS & SECRETS STARTS TOMORROW - BOOKMARK IRONMITCH II FOR DAILY COVERAGE!

2007-10-03T01:19:00.000-07:00

The eagle has landed in Kona, Hawaii, to cover the 2007 Ironman. It's a beautiful sunny day today. I love the burst of warm air as the airplane door opens, air filled with the smell of baking lava and flowers. Ahhhhhhh. Kona, I'm back.

Tomorrow I'll start daily coverage of the events and happenings on the Island of Hawaii surrounding the 2007 Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championships.

I'll also be posting over 100 tips and secrets for a better Ironman and a more enjoyable time on the island - so check back here for more...

Triathlete.tv - Triathlete Magazine's TV Channel Launches

2007-09-28T18:14:00.001-07:00

Push play below to check out the the Nautica Malibu Triathlon broadcast of Episode 1 from Triathlete.TV! In this 15 minute mini-series, Triathlete Magazine takes you on a journey to Malibu Beach with host Mitch Thrower, where you will meet many celebrity triathletes including Andy Baldwin & David Duchovny. The Nautica Malibu Triathlon benefits the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.

Push play in the screen above and then you can just move your mouse over the screen to select a show, or click here to watch more shows from Triathlete Magazine's Triathlete.tv

A WORD OF CAUTION FOR TRIATHLETES SWIMMING IN LAKES - There is a Killer Amoeba out there... "Naegleria fowleri"

2007-09-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

PHOENIX (AP) - (by Chris Kahn) It sounds like science fiction but it's true: A killer amoeba living in lakes enters the body through the nose and attacks the brain where it feeds until you die.

Even though encounters with the microscopic bug are extraordinarily rare, it's killed six boys and young men this year. The spike in cases has health officials concerned, and they are predicting more cases in the future.

"This is definitely something we need to track," said Michael Beach, a specialist in recreational waterborne illnesses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This is a heat-loving amoeba. As water temperatures go up, it does better," Beach said. "In future decades, as temperatures rise, we'd expect to see more cases."

According to the CDC, the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (nuh-GLEER-ee-uh FOWL'-erh-eye) killed 23 people in the United States, from 1995 to 2004. This year health officials noticed a spike with six cases - three in Florida, two in Texas and one in Arizona. The CDC knows of only several hundred cases worldwide since its discovery in Australia in the 1960s.

In Arizona, David Evans said... (to read the rest of the article click here)

A Crash Course - Matt Barger Finishes Race after Massive Crash

2007-09-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things about Monday is reading the race reports online and exchanging e-mails with my friends in triathlon about their weekend adventures. My good friend and business partner Matt Barger (a very fast triathlete with tremendous cycling expertiese who could easily complete the Tour de France) had quite a race. Here is his report...

"Lead story: Matt Barger falls for first time in a race (in fact, first time ever on a road bike). Despite falling in a two man collision on a tight curve and denting his helmet and breaking his glasses, Matt courageously (stupidly?) gets up from his fall, determines that his bike is still in one piece (thank god for titanium), and rides off.

Despite being stopped by an EMT in t2, who politely insists on cleaning up the blood on his face to examine his cuts, Matt rushes out onto the course and runs hard (although unfortunately not fast as his hip hurts from the fall), averaging somewhere around the high end of L3 for the run. In a fog, he passes another 50 year old with two miles to go who tells him he is in third in the age group.

There is no worse news because that means that he has to hold his painful pace for another 14 minutes. It all briefly seems worthwhile when he sees his name third on the preliminary results; unfortunately, Steven Chavez, who is also 50 and maybe weighs 150 pounds soaking wet, has been somehow erroneously listed as a Clydesdale and will ultimately be correctly listed, bumping me to fourth and out of the podium.

On the good news front, I had a decent swim in somewhat choppy conditions and did the bike in 1:05:54. That time compares to my previous best there of 1:03 (without a fall, a stop to put a chain back on, and another stop to check if my bike really was ok after the fall). The run was comparable at 45 minutes. Overall time of 2:23 was five minutes slower than my all time best there but maybe three minutes could be attributed to the fall.

I am quite sore today; head, ribs, hip, and finger are all bruised, and I have cuts or road rash on my head, elbow, hip and back. I feel like I have had the opposite of a chiropractic manipulation.

Aren’t triathlons great…"

Secrets of KONAMANJARO

2007-09-22T20:32:00.001-07:00

I took this photo in Sunny San Diego, at the La Jolla Masters swim practice at the High School Pool - (Coggan Family Aquatic Complex) in the village of La Jolla.

Joining a Masters Swimming program is a way to forever change your swimming and triathlon career. Especially if you're planning on racing in Ironman Hawaii, which I am hereby nick-naming KONAMANJARO. (I'm sure someone will make t-shirts - if you do - please send me one.)

In Kona, I believe that every minute faster out of the swim, is a minute faster in your arrival time to the hurricane force winds of Hawi - and this single minute advantage has the potential to lower your finish time by 5 minutes.

The secret? Each minute faster to the Hawi headwinds/tailwinds actually reduces the amount of time you're in the headwind by 2.5 minutes, and increases the time you get to ride the tailwind by 2.5 minutes, if the island heats up as it typically does.

Have you found a comfortable seat? If not, find one. I'm a fan of the saddle above. Find that (and goggles that don't leak) and your triathlon experience will be much more enjoyable.

One Event, One Team = $235,000 Raised: Congrats Team Disney!

2007-09-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

In the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Team Disney raised over $235,000 for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. They had 300 athletes across all business units. Tom Staggs, CFO of The Walt Disney Company, was on a relay team and had one of the fastest cycling times for Team Disney. We won the celebrity division with the top three finishers (Andy Baldwin, Alec Musser and David Ono).

The very inspired Nabil Kazi is pictured here in the upper left corner, after the swim.

Photos by Scott Bringegar

Nautica Malibu Triathlon Race Report and Photo Gallery

2007-09-18T09:12:00.001-07:00

NAUTICA MALIBU TRIATHLON PRESENTED BY TOYOTA RAISES $718,000
FOR CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES
PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH

Andy Baldwin, Pamela Conley Ulich, Mayor Pro-Tiem of Malibu Win Race’s Celebrity Division

Malibu, CA (Malibu, CA (September 16, 2007) – This morning, over three thousand athletes from around the country gathered on Zuma Beach to participate in the 21st Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Toyota. This year’s event raised over $718,000 for Children's Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Cancer Research.

Malibu residents and visitors look forward to this truly inspirational event every summer as it brings together people from all walks of life and from around the world. Thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer on their favorite athletes as they began the race at 7:15AM. Racers navigated a course that began with a ½ mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, followed by an 18-mile bike ride along Pacific Coast Highway and ended with a 4-mile run along Zuma Beach.

The triathlon ended a weekend of fun which kicked off on Saturday, September 15th with events that included a Sand Castle Demonstration, Beach Expo with Interactive Booths, Bike Demonstrations and Specialty Clinics. Additional events taking place today included the Nautica Tot Trot and Kids Race, which brought out hundreds of children in a race to see who was the fastest tot on the beach.

The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is one of the largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs in the nation. Physician-scientists integrate their laboratory experience with their clinical expertise in an approach to medical problem-solving that enables them to move effectively from bench to bedside. Breakthroughs in the treatment of childhood cancer, many pioneered at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, offer children, teenagers and young adults the most advanced treatment available anywhere.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles treats 62,000 patients a year in its emergency department. It admits more than 11,000 children a year to the hospital, with almost 50 percent of those admissions children under four years of age. There are more than 287,000 visits a year to its 29 outpatient clinics and nearly 5,000 visits at community sites through its Division of Adolescent Medicine. Children's Hospital Los Angeles is able to offer the optimum in multidisciplinary care, with more than 100 pediatric subspecialty services.

Photo: Race Director Michael Epstein

Prizes were also awarded to Team Disney and Team Amgen for raising the most money for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Team Disney who won in the Entertainment Industry Division raised $235,000, while Team Amgen raised $60,000 to take home top honors in the Corporate Division.

Adding to the excitement of this year’s event, the race was honored to have several Primetime Emmy nominees compete for top prize in the triathlon including Jon Cryer, nominated for Outstanding Comedy Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Alan Harper in Two and a Half Men, and Felicity Huffman, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Lynette Scavo on Desperate Housewives. Singer Debra Gibson kicked off the race with an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem.

Photo: Chris Foster and Macca

FINAL RESULTS AT A GLANCE

Elite Male Chris Foster 1:15:32.0 Elite Female Anissa Sequin 1:30:06.7

Celebrity Individual Male Andy Baldwin 1:28.07.0

Celebrity Individual Female Pamela Conley Ulich 1:55:39.1

Celebrity Relay Male Team Nautica 1:19:22.3

Celebrity Relay Female Team Superbad 1:47:46.6

Celebrity Relay Coed Team Amanda Beard 1:22:53.0 Team Nautica Members: Randy Eickhoff, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Elton Lewis

Photo: Mitch Thrower, Scott Tinley and Tony Richardson at the Malibu Triathlon

Other high-profile competitors who came out to compete and support Children's Hospital Los Angeles included David Duchovny, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Amanda Beard (Olympic Swimmer), Eric Close (Without a Trace), Debra Gibson, Taylor Kitsch, Carl Lewis (Olympic Runner), Esai Morales, Missi Pyle (Heroes), David Chokachi (Beyond the Beak), David James Elliot (Close to Home), Pamela Conley Ulich (Mayor of Malibu), Rocco Dispirito (Celebrity Chef), Sheriff Lee Baca, Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie).

Photo: Athlete Mark Mckee interviewed by Mitch Thrower from Triathlete.TV. Mark has completed more than 200 triathlons.

Photo: Paul Hekimian, the President & Founder, LA Tri Club with Liz Oakes, the Managing Director and Mitch Thrower.

Photo: David Duchovny comments on the Triathlon: "I'm just going to try to beat Baldwin."

Photos: David Duchovny and Andy Baldwin at the Swim Start

Photo: Macca at the Elite Start

Photo: Lifeguards ready their talents.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR - NAUTICA: Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand with products ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica® products are styled in timeless design and premium quality that enhance our consumer’s energetic lifestyle, yet recognize their desire for balance. In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation, a world leader in branded apparel including jeanswear, sportswear, outdoor products and workwear. Its principal brands include Lee®, Wrangler®, John Varvatos®, Jansport®, Eastpak®, The North Face®, Vans®, Napapijri®, Kipling® and Reef®. For additional information, please go to http://www.nautica.com/.

Photo: This spectator had "No comment."

NOTE: Check back here for the links to the Nautica Malibu Triathlon video coverage on the Triathlete.TV Show. Coming Soon!

Photo: Malibu Triathlon Spectators, with Los Angeles Style.

Nautica Malibu Triathlon VIP Opening Ceremony

2007-09-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Driving to Malibu last night with my friend Summer - on the phone, as I typically am...

A Summer Smile

Wendy Ingraham, Andy Baldiwin, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the genius behind the Malibu Triathlon, Michael Epstein.

All skilled Ironman Triathletes and long term great friends, Wendy Ingraham, Andy Baldwin and Maxine Bahns, who has three films in post-production this year! Go Max!

Stellina Blue (2008) (post-production) .... Kathy
Steam (2007) (post-production) .... Susan
Conjurer (2007) (post-production) .... Helen Burnett

NAUTICA MALIBU TRIATHLON TOMORROW

2007-09-15T10:08:00.001-07:00

NAUTICA MALIBU TRIATHLON PRESENTED BY TOYOTA

CELEBRATES 21^ST YEAR

Portion of the Proceeds to Benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Who: Andy Baldwin, Jon Cryer, David Duchovny, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Paul Walker, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Amanda Beard (Olympic Swimmer), Anthony Azizi (Desperate Housewives), Eric Close (Without a Trace), Carl Lewis (Olympic Runner), Esai Morales, Missi Pyle (Heroes), Nicholas Gonzalez (Ugly Betty), David Chokachi (Beyond the Beak), David James Elliot (Close to Home), Pamela Conley Ulich (Mayor of Malibu), Rocco Dispirito (Celebrity Chef), Sheriff Lee Baca, Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie).

WHAT: The Nautica Malibu Triathlon brings together professional athletes, celebrities and triathlon enthusiasts to test their strength and stamina. A portion of the proceeds from this years race will be donated directly to Childrens Hospitals Los Angeles’ Pediatric Cancer Research Program. Thousands of spectators will line the route to cheer on their favorite athletes as they navigate a course that begins with a ½ mile ocean swim, followed by an 18-mile bike ride and ends with a 4-mile run along Pacific Coast Highway.

Participants can race as individuals or relay teams and nearly half the participants will compete in either the Entertainment Challenge or Corporate Challenge. The Entertainment Industry Challenge brings together the top studios, production companies and talent agencies to compete for the Studio Cup, which is awarded to the fastest team in this category. The Corporate Challenge offers non-entertainment companies the same chance to compete.

Adding to the fun of the weekend, a spectator festival will be held the day before the race on Saturday, September 15, 2007. Events will include a Sand Castle Demo, Beach Expo with Interactive Booths, Bike Demonstrations and Specialty Clinics. ~

A Very Close Call With a Truck in a Construction Zone...

2007-09-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

I’ve been scared a relatively few times when cycling, Saturday was one of them. In the past, I’ve crashed, almost crashed, and seen many crashes, but trucks are what really get me.

On Saturday, on a bike ride up a long hill on my way to Valley Center, CA, I entered a construction zone and could not get out. It all seemed normal until I suddenly entered an area where the construction crew had put the dividers dangerously close together--in fact, I’m not sure how most cars fit through.

I glanced back around as I found myself in this narrow pass, and sure enough a series of pick up trucks, vans, and a large semi was heading towards me - not slowing down.

Now, educated drivers, when entering a construction zone would see a biker and slow down, realizing that there was not enough room for a bike and a car. Unfortunately, the cars behind me were not of this same cloth. They were on their way home to mamma and a martini.

I thought quickly and saw a place about 100 yards ahead where I would be able to stop, but as the trucks passed me one by one at speeds of close to 60mph, I was shocked that they continued to blaze past me, narrowly missing me each time.

People driving cars really have no idea how dangerous their actions are to bikers. As I neared the ‘safe zone,’ a truck with a grudge nudged me, either from sheer lack of depth perception and spatial skills, or from his Bud Light for lunch, or because he was simply one of those drivers who enjoy causing bike crashes – we all know the type – the same people who hurl their glass bottles out their car window trying to hit the passing signs, and same guys who like to yell loudly from their window to try to scare bikers as they pass.

This black, jacked-up truck brushed my left shoulder pushing me to the right. Holding on tightly to my handle bars, my adrenaline went into full release mode and I leaned back into the truck, as he jammed into me, pushing my leg to scrape into the guard rail.

I then reached out and punched his car, which made a loud noise – and he backed away. He drove away and I made it to the safe area where I could dismount my bike and walk the rest of the way in the dirt, to then safely turn around - and leave the construction area. Luckily, I got out of this one with nothing more than a mild abrasion.

WARNING to California Cyclists. Avoid the Construction Zone between Escondido and Valley Center. It is a bicyclist’s death trap. In fact, avoid all construction zones if possible. Remember to keep your cool and your balance if you are attacked by a rogue driver or passenger that has watched “Mad Max” one too many times. Focus on safety.

-Mitch

Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championships Now a Finalist on the Ballot to Become the Worlds Best Sporting Event

2007-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

NEWSFLASH
The Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championships is on the ballot to become the world's best sporting event. You can help the Ironman and the sport of Triathlon by clicking the link below and voting for the Ironman.

The Ford Ironman World Championships is a nominee to become both the World's best Sporting Event and the Worlds Best Professional Sporting Event.

It’s a really quick process--click here to vote.

Click here to vote now and help Triathlon take the spotlight in the sporting world!

PLEASE NOTE: Fill out the entire ballot, and remember to vote for Ironman in two places: in the bullet box, and also at the bottom in the drop down menu.

Here are the critera…

Voting Criteria: Based on your knowledge of these sporting events, please vote for the event in each category that you believe is deserving of recognition based on the following criteria:

* The organization of and attendance at the event, series or circuit was superior.
* The event, series or circuit provided a superior experience for competitors and/or spectators.
* The site(s) or venue(s) of the event, series or circuit enhanced the event, series or circuit.

How to vote: Fill out the form at this link and just click "Submit." Readers may vote for one event under each category. Each reader may cast only one ballot. Voting is open now through September 15, 2007. So vote today!

Announcement of Winners: The 2007 SportsTravel Awards will be presented at the TEAMS 2007 Conference & Expo, October 23–27, 2007, in Louisville.

The Ironman is owned by the World Triathlon Corporation, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 43 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, Dell, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world.

Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception nearly 29 years ago and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Each year, more than 80,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, FL. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.

Go Ironman!

Swimming in the La Jolla Cove - Video & Photo Gallery

2007-09-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Push play above - there is a slight delay - Here is a video interview of endurance athlete Graham Cooper, father of two, husband, workaholic, winner of the Western States 100,and Ironman finisher. Push play in the window above. For the full Graham Cooper Story from a previous blog post, click here.

The video above was filmed by triathlete Beth Gerdes, a super-fit runner gone Triathlete - she also let me borrow her goggles, which actually did not leak! To learn more about Beth, check out her profile by clicking here.

One of my favorite things about La Jolla, CA is that it's a place where there is NO SMOKING ALLOWED. I've actually seen the police giving out $1000 tickets to those who light up. It's so nice to live in a place where you are not obliged smell the toxins from someone else's bad habit.

This tree, looking over the La Jolla Cove, made it into some of the Dr. Seuss Books.

I swam today at the cove, which was filled with people. The water was clear, and now free of the rare jellyfish visit that haunted San Diego earlier in the month. Water Temp - 73 degrees.

Forget Baywatch. It's Covewatch.

For James P. Gills, One Passion Has Never Been Enough

2007-08-25T17:41:00.001-07:00

More than meets the eye: Ophthalmologist, writer, philanthropist, triathlete, man of science, man of faith. For James P. Gills, one passion has never been enough.

By John Barry, Times Staff Writer
Published July 29, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - The blue-masked man bends forward in his rolling chair, back stiff, eyes pressed to microscope. On his surgical table lies a woman wrapped in blue like a package, except for naked right eye, lid peeled back, pupil widely dilated, bathed in light. He is busy with two slender instruments. One obliterates a lens, opaque as butter. The other suctions out milky debris. He slips a tube into the same incision and deposits a folded thing that spreads like the wing of a moth. The folded thing becomes a clear lens. It all takes five minutes. The woman sees again. The blue man is on his feet, hobbling away on severely damaged legs. He stops in the hall for 10 sit-ups, still masked. Time for 10 more cataract surgeries, time to celebrate with patients, to praise the Lord, to sign book No. 27, to pet his Labrador retriever - even time to once more Indian-wrestle his old nemesis, Darwin. He is Christian guru, joke collector and Ironman Triathlon legend. He is millionaire philanthropist and West Virginia ol' boy. He is honored medical innovator who, among his colleagues in science, stands on the lonely nay side of evolution. What DNA composition produced James P. Gills, M.D., 72-year-old blue-masked cataract surgeon? "A question like that can't be answered," says Gills' son Pit, now his partner ophthalmologist. "Some people have a fire for life. That's just part of it."

James P. Gills built the ophthalmology clinic on U.S. 19 in Tarpon Springs that's about the size of a minor United Arab Emirates palace. It's the one with the electric billboard as big as a drive-in screen. He calls it St. Luke's. He gets there by bicycle every day. His usual ritual is to rise at 5, read the Bible aloud, read his joke books "a man's thing," his wife says, mystified, board bicycle and tear down the Pinellas Trail, arriving at work in shorts and helmet.

He used to run to work. He no longer can.

It's one of those stories his wife, Heather, tells with a wince. About 10 years ago, Jim broke his leg in a... click here to read the full story.

Click here to purchase books by James P. Gills from Amazon.

The High Heels Run - Next Triathlon Idea? The Fashion Triathlon?

2007-08-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

High Heels Run (source SPEGEL.DE)
One hundred German women braved broken heels and sprained ankles in Saturday's second annual "Stiletto Run" 100-meter race in Berlin.

The distance was 100 meters. The field was 100 women. The prize was €10,000. The setting was Berlin. And the shoes were stilettos.

With a time of 14.7 seconds, Berliner Denise Hanitzsch beat out 99 fellow heel-wearers Saturday to take the prize in the second annual "Stiletto Run," held in West Berlin near the upscale Kurfürstendamm shopping district.

The run, sponsored by the women's fashion magazine Glamour and held in connection with Berlin's "Global Fashions Festival," had only two rules for its reader-contestants: the stiletto heels had to be at least 7 centimeters (2.75 inches) high and no more than 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) wide at the tip.

The 24-year-old office worker claims to not have trained specifically for the event, but apparently she didn't have to. "I have to run around every day with high heels on, and I've always been a good runner," Hanitzsch told the German tabloid Bild.

Asked about her technique, Hanitzsch told Bild: "Make your strides as big as possible and never let your foot roll back onto the heel."

Victory will be particularly sweet for Hanitzsch, who was held to second place in last year's race after one of her heels broke.

Asked how she would spend her prize -- a €10,000 ($13,500) gift certificate for Berlin's upscale KaDeWe department store -- Hanitzsch told Bild: "On shoes! What else?"

The Playing Field of Triathlon

2007-08-20T22:00:00.001-07:00

Cooling down on the track after a run today,I was struck by an image. Granted, I had taken my camera with me on my run in search of images for this blog posting...

This image below really struck me.

What is it about this image that carried such philosophical clout?

It's the pipe that runs down the length of the field, separating the stands from the field, the spectators from the participants.

Growing up, we have all played and watched high sports in places like this.

Triathlon - in a way - is just a playing field where we can participate in something wonderful, a place to find a goal and then pursue it with the passion and happiness of a dog chasing a Frisbee.

Training for triathlon affords us the opportunity to live in the present moment – breathing deeply as we swim, bike, or run - experiencing the now.

And like the numbers across the line in the photo above, in a race, we may stand at the starting line in approximately the same place when the gun goes off or when our wave starts - yet we all will end up at very different places in the finisher’s rankings. But often these rankings don’t carry the same weight as our own internal ranking system that we use when judging our performance.

Triathlon is one of the most unique and wonderful sports on earth because in order to win, we simply must finish. Each athlete and every triathlon is unique. The circumstances that we each face on the road to a race can only be truly known deep within each individual.

When we “play” triathlon, we’re on the playing field of our lives. And on this field, our perspective on our existence as human beings is enhanced by the pounding oxygen, endorphins, and nutrients flowing through our bodies.

Are you going to stand on the sidelines, or are you going to lace up your running shoes and run on to the playing field of life?

Swim Practice with Mitch Thrower

2007-08-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

A picture-perfect morning in San Diego - press play in the screen above and turn up your volume to learn how to do a deck change.

On my way to the pool this morning, I took this photo of the back of my car. I'm in the market for a back-of-the-suv organizer. Does anyone have a favorite? If so, send me an e-mail by clicking here to email me.

A Day in San Diego - Photo Gallery

2007-08-16T23:38:00.001-07:00

Tonight, a few of my friends gathered in San Diego's Balboa Park, where The Museum of Photographic Arts was having a reception. The park was lit up with the life and lights of a summer night in a city.

Sometimes when we find ourselves in moments we are not used to, e.g. as a workaholic, getting out to enjoy the night is not the norm - but when this happened, I was suddenly reminded of all the things that are going on that don't involve the keyboard on my laptop.

A distant sliver of the moon crested over Balboa Park as I saw about 15 runners speed through the park at around 9:00p.m. I smiled.

My wonderful friend, top supermodel Emily Nesselroad (recently engaged) and I on the way to Balboa Park to meet the crew.

Arriving in the park, the City Ballet was dancing at the open air theatre, the museums were alive with tourists, and they were showing an old Audry Hepburn movie "How to Steal a Million." The grass was lined with picnics - people watching the outdoor summer movie series. Another great thing about coastal San Diego? No mosquitoes.

The sunset from Balboa Park

It's would be easy to spend every free moment training, but it's important to make sure to get out once and a while to see what this wonderful world has to offer.

Earlier - when out for a short bike ride, I came across a set of ambulances and police cars as I descended the Torry Pines hill on my way to Del Mar, CA. I stopped to overhear the interview.

Apparently, this truck lost control when driving down Torry Pines road too fast, ran of the cliff, rolled over a few times then landed in the marshland. Both people in the truck survived, and I watched as they pulled away in the ambulance.

Safety... my dear triathlete friends.

Remember to worry about the cars around you - pay hyper-attention to them, listen, look, sense. If you sense something dangerous - slow down or stop. If you hear a tractor-trailer coming from behind you and you're not sure if he can make it past you, pull off to the side. You just may be trading a few seconds for an entire lifetime.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to view the most common Bike Accidents and Collisions - and HOW TO AVOID THEM.

Around 44,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year.
About 1 in 54 is a bicyclist.

Safety first.
~

Pray for Triathlete Tameka Day

2007-08-15T23:04:00.000-07:00

"The condition of champion Geelong triathlete Tameka Day has stabilized following her bike crash in France last weekend.

Day has been joined by husband Leigh Newberry, who arrived in Lyon yesterday morning. He was met by Warrnambool triathlete Kris McCartney and drove to Gap, where Day is in hospital. Gap is in the southeast of France, near the French Pyrenees.

Day is in a medically-induced coma following her race accident, in which she received a fractured skull, other severe injuries and abrasions. She was taken by helicopter to Gap and was conscious, on arrival but her condition worsened overnight and she was put in the coma. Day had been descending a hill during the bike leg of the Embrun triathlon last Sunday when the accident occurred. It is still not known what caused the crash. Her bike was broken in two on impact."

Source: Geelong Advertiser
---------------------------

Be careful out there - when decending, when riding, when running, when driving, when living.

Life does not need any help to be short.

NYC to Kennedy Airport? Take the Chopper.

2007-08-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

In early August, I was able to avoid a massive traffic jam on the way to Kennedy Airport for my return flight to San Diego by taking the NYC-Kennedy Airport (7 min) Helicopter service directly from 34th street (they also have service from downtown). The view was fantastic, and I was able to catch my flight.

Triathletes love to save time and US Helicopter offers thirteen, 8-minute, round-trip flights each business day between Delta’s New York-Kennedy Terminal 3 and Manhattan. It's the only scheduled Helicopter service in the United States. This trip would normally take 1 to 2 hours in traffic and cost $65 in a shock-absorber-free-with-non-working-air-conditioner-taxi, or $120 with a car service. With US Helicopter, the price is $150 and the trip is 7 to 10 minutes. And you clear Airport Security at the helicopter terminal in NYC with only about 8 other people rather than at the airport with only thousands, saving another one to two hours.

With US Helicopter shuttle flights to Delta's New York-Kennedy, Terminal 3, you can:

Check bags to your final domestic or international destination.
Obtain boarding passes for Delta and US Helicopter flights.
Pass through TSA security clearance prior to boarding the helicopter and avoid further security screening at New York-Kennedy airport.
Retrieve your bags immediately upon your arrival.

Video Coverage - The New York City Triathlon Underwear Run

2007-07-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Click Play above and turn up your volume to watch the exclusive coverage of the New York City Triathlon's Underwear Run in Central Park.

NYC Triathlon - Photo Gallery - RACE DAY!

2007-07-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Swim Finish

Fast

In the air...

Craig Walton

Help up
Skylight

People on the Hudson

Ramp
Catch me if you can

Go!
Thanks
Iron-Ramp

Soulja - a true inspiraiton.

Run towards the light...

Caroline smiles at the "wall."

zoom

you can never drop your shadow.

"Hey, slow down - 30 mph Speed limit!"

Water

Team
a nap above the finish

Mark Mckee nears the finish.

NYC

72nd Street

The emotion of the sport.

Mark and Sunny Mckee - the power Tri-couple

Sunny Mckee's Finish.

Beep.

Mitchell Wolf,, one of my heros - this year is the third Anniversary of his Heart Attack, and major life change to the healthy lifestyle of Triathlon.

Jenny and Sam
Karin, Jenny and Sam.

John Korff, Race Director

SBR Rocks

Bob Mitchell and his support crew raised the bar.

The NYC Triathlon Underwear Run - Photo Gallery

2007-07-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Underwear Run has come a long way from Kona - this was the most organized underwear run I have ever seen.

The "Raising Heartrates" Triathlon Calender girls, and the Naked Cowboy.

Mike, Marie-Pierre, and Jacob and Sarah all participated.

Supermodel and Triathlete Magazine swimsuit issue participant getting body marked for the underwear run.

Super-underwear

A Letter From Dorette L. Sommer, Run and Triathlon Coach

2007-07-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Photo: Dorette L. Sommer

Dear Mitch,

You and your photographers nailed it head on and I am completely moved by your acknowledgement of “The Power of Thought”…I was so moved, it brought me to tears. I am Dorette Sommer, the woman on Page 16 of the August issue of Triathlete Magazine. Your story speaks volumes and brings validity to the values I hold on mindful training/racing, something that can not be measured by a power tap, heart rate monitor or calorimeter. If a random photo of myself could be partnered with any athletic article, this is the exact message I hope that this photo could bring. Here I am at the California ½, bonking and facing my first DNF, a very, very difficult day.

I consider myself one of those Upper-Middle-Class-Age-Group racers: sometimes in the top ten and sometimes in the top twenty. My annual “Annual Training Plan” goal is to be faster and stronger (or more specifically, to have a :34 min ½ mi. swim or sub 1:50 ½ marathon). I have an exceptional coach and training plan, but the question for me on race day is “how well can I hold it together? What will I reach for or fall back on when my body or mental toughness begins to fall apart? How do I keep it together when I’m heading for top 10 or PR?” Mindfulness. I tell my athletes to “Hold their line,” a tool taught to me by my meditation teacher prior to my second Ironman distance race, where I nailed 1st in division and 3rd overall, shaving 1:28 off my previous time. Mindfulness.

Between my boyfriend (Duane Franks) and I, we as coaches teach our athletes the physical and spiritual in training/racing. Duane, an age group winner and Kona Finisher as well, has an exceptional background in with a Master's in Kinesiology, leading such age group greats at Kathy Winker and Jeri Howland, and I, completing my BS in Dietetics, a compelling background in meditation and spirit.

Thank you. THANK YOU, Mitch. Your message reached hundreds of thousands of athletes while hitting home for me and calling true to what I long to share with other endurance athletes. It’s a great honor to be the photo girl in your story.

Namaste,

Dorette L. Sommer

Run and Triathlon Coach

USAT Level 1 & USATF Certified

East Peak Sports