by Haley on February 18, 2014
My warm outdoor training adventures continue this week in Tucson!!
That’s the pool at the University of Arizona rec center where I’ve been super lucky to swim this week. The pool is not only GORGEOUS, but it’s FILLED with fast triathletes.
Hillary Biscay, her husband Maik, and her pups Eva and Little have made the absolute BEST hosts down here in the Dirty T.
We’ve already done some amazing rides and swims, and today we’re headed up the iconic Mt. Lemmon!
Nothing like wearing SMASH and riding with the company’s co-founder!!
It’s not everyday you get to ride with the Ultraman AND Ironman World Champs! I’m soaking up my time here just as much as I’m soaking up the sun, and fingers crossed some of that championship wisdom rubs off on me!
Leanda and Hillary riding up Gates Pass
Leanda and I, check out that blue sky!!
by Haley on February 14, 2014
Happy Valentine’s Day from Arizona!! I am madly in love with these Arizona temps (80s!) and the views!
Arizona Moonrise
Arizona Sunset
And guess what? I have a treat for you!! Today’s TYR Swim Set of the Week is only 300 yards! Yes, you read that right! Three hundred yards!
Why would I post such a short set? Because this set BLEW MY MIND! I did it yesterday to finish up my workout with the Sun Devil Masters. Coach Simon called it “The Axis of Evil” and I will say the set definitely lived up to it’s name, OUCH!
Do this kick set hard enough, and you will definitely need all 30 seconds of that rest interval. Confused about my descriptions? Stick figure illustrations to the rescue!
Kick with Vertical Board
Hold the kickboard vertical so you’re facing the broad side of the board, then kick like CRAZY!
Underwater Kick
Kick underwater until you reach the other side! Bonus points if you can do a whole 25 no breath! I did streamline fly kick on my side, but you can do whatever it takes to get you to the wall!
Kick on Back With Arms Pointing At the Sky
Point those arms toward the sky and KICK! Keep those hips up, this one is much tougher than it looks!
That’s it!! Tack this set onto the end of your next workout. Just because a set it short, definitely doesn’t mean it’s easy!! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
by Haley on February 13, 2014
I’m a bit behind in my blogging this week, but for a good reason – I’m in Arizona!!
That’s the Cactus pool in Scottsdale where I’ve been swimming with the SunDevil Masters team. Outdoor swimming is always a treat, even when it’s dark outside!
This week I’m staying north of Scottsdale with my friend Drew. We’re making the most of our close escape of the Atlanta snow by enjoying the Arizona sunshine to the fullest – on two wheels!
Yesterday we rode out past the Ironman Arizona bike course turn-around and enjoyed some GORGEOUS views and fun climbs and descents.
And I get to do all this riding on my BRAND NEW BIKE!
The Illicito is riding like a dream! I couldn’t be happier with the bike, complete with SRAM Red components and a Quarq power meter. My Reynolds wheels got caught up in the ATL snow shipping halt, but that just means the bike will get even better!! Major thank you to ATL bike guru Allen Heaton for completing the AMAZING build and thanks to Brent at all3sports for helping me out with some of the final pieces!
Many more warm, sunny, dry rides to come!
by Haley on February 7, 2014
This week’s TYR Swim Set of the Week is as fresh as Japanese sushi! This was actually the last set at this morning’s Dynamo Masters workout and I thought it would be a fun one to share. Coach Maria loves spicing up the end of workouts with a little vertical kick. The key is to keep the body upright with good posture and focus on short, fast kicks coming from the hips. Try to keep your head and hands above the water (streamline is optional). Need an example? Check out this YouTube link. Have fun!!
by Haley on February 5, 2014
My dad travels a lot for work and last week he sent me this gorgeous picture of Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, underwater!
I’ve never visited Bonneville, but I’m a big fan of the movie “The World’s Fastest Indian” about a guy from New Zealand trying to break the land speed record by racing his Indian motorcycle on the salt flats (when they aren’t underwater). I love the story, love the scenery, and love seeing Anthony Hopkins in a role where he isn’t scary and eating people.
Speaking of speed records, if you haven’t watched the new footage of Felix Baumgartner’s jump from 24+ miles above the earth, STOP READING THIS AND WATCH IT NOW!
Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/02/270467575/watch-breathtaking-new-video-of-felix-baumgartners-record-jump
The video shot from GoPro cameras attached to Baumgartner is incredible!! Can you imagine falling toward Earth at more than 800 mph?!
I’m always working to increase my own speed, especially on the bike. So today I’m super happy to announce I’ll be riding Reynolds Wheels this season!!
My Quintana Roo bike equipped with Reynolds Wheels will be a force to be reckoned with!! Read more in the official announcement! Wishing everyone a well hydrated and speed record setting Wednesday!!
