Blog

Weekend of June 7/8 – Team Z activities

EAGLEMAN DETAILS ARE IN ANOTHER E-MAIL HHPP OFFLINE RIDE: Happy Happy Pain Pain is another in of the “Soul Crushing Seven” series of rides that we have (I just made that up, but it seems appropriate). It is only for very strong, very experienced riders and only applicable if you are training for our hilliest,…

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The week of Monday, June 6 – Team Z Arlington

YES. RECOVERY WEEK IS NEXT WEEK. So you will NAIL your workouts this week. YOU WILL DO IT, and you will do it because I told you to. And you always do what your coach says, right? Please let me or your mentor know if you need any help… ================================================================ In this email: 1. Important…

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EAGLEMAN 2014 IS HERE!!

IRONMAN’S EAGLEMAN 70.3 IS HERE! LINK TO TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eagleman-2014-tickets-11831318793 TICKETS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. There is no poll for this race, everything is through out ticket system. There are free tickets to note who is racing and who is spectating. Please buy a $0 ticket if you are racing or spectating”¦ it acts…

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The week of Monday, June 2 – Team Z West

I moved the maintenance clinic to Thursday at 6:00 PM at the Bike Lane. In this email: 1. Important notes for the week 2. Overview of Team Z West events for the week 3. Overview of clinics offered this week

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Bike Tire Pressure Discussion

This from Mark Mullen – Team Z Ride Leader One question I hear a lot from newer cyclists and even from a few experienced ones is: what tire pressure should I be using?  And it is a little confusing.  Most tires give you a range (and it can often be quite wide) or simply a…

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Weekend of May 30, 2014

What up Team Z! So many choices…scoop of vanilla scoop of chocolate, don’t waste my time! ROCK HALL RACE WEEKEND DETAILS ARE IN ANOTHER E-MAIL Vote on our poll to help us plan the weekend. In this e-mail for activities NOT including the Rock Hall Race Weekend: Saturday group run ”“ 8:00 AM ”“ Vienna…

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Jeff’s Race Report

When I started triathlon, I had turned 40 and wanted something new to try for that year.   It’s difficult to make a claim on youth at 40.   Mistakes are no longer “youthful indiscretions.”   Commitments and Very Serious Things demand our attention – mortgages, memos, car payments, staff meetings. At the time, my…

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Team Z Arlington – What’s up for the Week of May 19 to May 25

* NO SWIM AT LAB SCHOOL ON THURSDAY – THE SCHOOL IS CLOSED ** Welcome New Zs! *** Hash Run Tonight – PRR Arlington at 6:30 PM (YEAH!).   Never been to one?   We have our own version that is much tamed compared to the infamous hash runs in our area.     You…

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How to Decipher the bike workouts (with an addendum for the run)

Folks ”“ if you do not understand this post after reading, please ask your questions at/before a group workout IF you can make it one. Find a ride leader, and have us help you understand the drills DURING the ride. Teaching via showing is a very easy and effective way to make sure you “Get…

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Coach Tony Stocker’s Pace Based Running FAQ for the Team Z Group Triathlon Training Program

Team Z Pace Based Training Frequently Asked Questions – by Coach Tony Stocker http://www.black-dog-racing.com coachtony@black-dog-racing.com ———————————————————————————————– What is pace-based training? Simply, it is using pre-defined running paces rather than pre-defined heart rate ranges to control exercise intensity during workouts. How does it differ from heart rate training? Other than what one uses to determine exercise…

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See the calendar & start today

Come to an information session and see what it's all about!

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Growing up, I was never even remotely athletic, a distinct liability in a sports-mad country. Moreover, I grew to associate the idea of people being “sporty” with people who were generally obnoxious, who loved to lord their athletic prowess over others.

Triathlon, therefore, was a revelation for me: very ordinary people who were able to achieve extraordinary things. Team Z is the essence of triathlon in that regard, an amazing mix of experienced athletes (who turned out to be quite nice people) and absolute beginners, all sharing their different journeys. The team is full of people who push me when I need to be pushed and who push me when I don’t think I want to be pushed. Because the team pushes me, I’ve become something I never would have believed I could become: an athlete.

Mark Mullen

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Never say never on Team Z! I never thought I would do a triathlon let alone a half Ironman. I told anyone who would listen that the only way I would ever run another marathon was if it was in an Ironman and since I was never going to do an Ironman I had nothing to worry about. Well, so much for my “never” list. With the support of Team Z, I have raced numerous short distance triathlons, several half Ironmans, raced my best injury free marathon (I beat Oprah’s time), and signed up for an Ironman.
Regardless of your experience, speed, motivation, and goals there is a place for you on Team Z. When I joined the Team in December 2011, I did not know what to expect. My old game plan was to go as fast and as hard as possible regardless of the consequences. I do not recommend this strategy. I somehow always fell to side with an injury and burned out long before I reached the start line. This all changed when I joined Team Z. With the help of the coaches and my teammates, I am learning everyday how to find balance physically, set reachable goals, listen to my body, and enjoy the experience. I have a good friend on the Team that says that all the training and hard work is the journey. Race day is the victory lap. Gotta Love Team Z!

Kathy Hsu

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In 2009 I ran the Disney Marathon with my mom, accompanying her on her first 26.2 mile adventure. I remember standing at the start next to her and saying, “just think, those Ironman people have to do this after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112”¦..freaking lunatics!.” Two years later with a couple of sprint and Olympic triathlons under my belt, and after a couple of glasses of wine, I started to wonder, “Maybe I can do an Ironman too?” So I pulled the trigger, dropped the cash, and signed up for Ironman Cozumel. This followed by immediate panic. “Oh dear God, what have I done? I haven’t the slightest clue how to train for an Ironman.” A couple months later, by chance, I ran into a Z’er outside of my work and as we started talking Triathlon, she told me about Team Z. “Why not? It can’t hurt” I thought to myself. So I joined. It didn’t take me long to realize that this team had everything I wanted: knowledgeable and supportive coaches, structured training plans for all levels and abilities, fantastic teammates, and most importantly cold beers ready for you after every race!

Scott Leary