by Haley on October 10, 2013
Aloha again! Checking in from the Big Island where I’ve had a bit more time to enjoy the amazing sights, sounds, smells and TASTES of Hawaii!
No trip to Kona is complete without a stop at Lava Java! Thanks Julia!!
My Dynamo teammates Betty and Erin and I have been putting the final touches on our training. We braved the crosswinds on the road up to Hawi and were rewarded with a gorgeous (and definitely lucky) rainbow!
I also got to catch up with Michele and Jess at the TYR tent where they were giving out super cute hair ties (in Georgia red & black!) and Special Edition Kona swim caps!
This week I’ve been taking full advantage of beautiful Kailua Bay and getting in as much open water swimming as possible. I like being able to practice my sighting and check out the morning water and sun conditions to make sure I’m wearing the right goggles! This week’s TYR Swim Set of the Week is an open water workout. Try it out, and if you’re in Kona, no getting distracted by the fish!
by Haley on October 8, 2013
It’s race week, folks! My absolute favorite time of year. In the two full days I’ve spent in Kona I’ve ridden on the famous Queen K Highway, run through the infamous Energy Lab, and swam with fish and turtles!
The swim start, as seen from the seawall
The home stretch! Ali’i Drive, just before the finish line.
Race week also means reunions with friends! Today Betty and I had breakfast with a few of our favs, Team HPB superstars Alyssa and Julie!
Betty, Alyssa, Me, & Julie, after breakfast with a view!!
In case you missed it, I did a fun pre-race interview with Herbert Krabel of Slowtwitch. We talked everything from airport food to tattoos, with a bit of Kona in between! Check it out via the link below:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Interview/Kona_bound_Haley_Chura_3941.html
I also chatted with Bloomberg’s Mike Buteau about triathlon becoming an NCAA sport. Spoiler alert! I am VERY much for it! Check out the video here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/women-triathletes-seek-varsity-status-under-plan-AhM4mb00SfOjNhRmW0REaw.html
Stay tuned, because there’s still LOTS more to come from the Big Island! And as always, Mahalo for reading!!
by Haley on October 2, 2013
The only thing more exciting than meeting the reigning Ironman 70.3 World Champion is getting to meet her AND a group full of future World Champions!
The Dream Team Youth Triathlon Club invited both me and “The Champ” Mel Hauschildt to their practice and a Q&A Session in Athens, Georgia. Mel was in town racing Ironman 70.3 Augusta, and I am always looking for an excuse to visit Athens, home of my alma mater, the University of Georgia!
The kids taught Mel and I some dynamic stretches before taking off on a run around the park.
I’ve been involved with the Dream Team for about a year and must say the kids and parents are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Not only do the kids have great race results, but they seem to genuinely enjoy the sport. I think a few of them (Aidan Landrum!) are even encyclopedias of triathlon facts!
One of my favorite questions came from David Andrew. He wanted to know Aussie Mel and her husband Jared’s best “21k times.” I’m pretty sure his new half marathon goal is a 1:12!
I had the BEST time hanging out with Mel and Jared.They are two of the coolest people and I really admire the way Mel’s raised the bar with her blistering fast bike and run splits. And after doing a swim workout with her, I’m confident saying there’s still more to come!
The Dream Team parents were nice enough to let Mel and I crash their swim practice and the workout we did is this week’s TYR Swim Set of the Week! The set has a fair amount of kick, which I think feels GREAT after a long bike or run workout. Big thanks to Harvey, Kim, and the whole Dream Team for including me in such a fun event! And HUGE Congrats to Mel for her dominating win in Augusta! Fingers crossed I’ll get to see her, Jared, and the whole Dream Team at some races in 2014!!
by Haley on September 26, 2013
This week’s swim set is brought to you by the wildly famous and always entertaining, Coach Andrew Shanks!
A man of many hats (and helmets, and visors), Shanks is not only a Dynamo Multisport coach, but he’s also the guy in charge of Masters Swimming at Dynamo’s Alpharetta location and he gets to boss around the Dynamo Swim Club kiddos in their dryland workouts a couple times a week.
Shanks adapted the set below from another outstanding Dynamo Coach, Beth, who came up with the “50” themed set to celebrate the Dynamo Swim Club’s upcoming 50th Anniversary. (Yes, this team has some serious tradition!!)
Shanks was nice enough to include both an IM and more “triathlete-friendly” freestyle version. You’re even allowed to alternate and do a couple rounds of each!! Try it out, mix it up, and be sure to wish Dynamo a very happy 5-0!!
by Haley on September 24, 2013
Do I ever skip a workout?
I recently sat down with Blue Iron Coaching’s Mari Fridenmaker, where she grilled me with hard hitting questions about life and triathlon, like “what’s my favorite workout” and “do I ever skip!”
Big thanks to Mari for putting together such a fun interview. Lots of laughs and memories! You can check out the full Q&A on the Blue Iron Coaching blog linked below!
Meet Atlanta’s Own Pro Triathlete, Haley Chura!
