Before she rocked Kona, Kate Major took a few minutes to show off her T-Dot pride.  Personally I would like to think it was our shirt and the groovy T-Dot message that pushed Kate to her awesome third place finish, but we will only take 49% of the credit. 

Thanks for sending us this great picture Kate, we are all proud of you.

To find out Kate's schedule, get tips from Kate or just see more cool pictures, click here or on her picture . 

We Love to get pictures of athletes from around the world showing off their "Dots." 

This one we had to post on the home page, coach, USAT board member and Ironman Barbara Kostner at the bike check in at the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

But wait there's more.  While Barb was checking in her bike Jesi stensland and the IM camera crew saw her and did an interview about the T-Dot you can check that out by following this link http://ironman.active.com .  Look for the video clip:  Bike Check-In.  Watch the last minute and get ready to be blown away!!!!  T-Dot, it's everywhere!!!!!

Thanks for your support!!!!

Brooks wants you!!!! 

 Brooks has a great new way for athlete's to test new products, give their feedback and get free stuff!!  

Lab Rats consists of 2 programs. The Biomechanics Lab Testing Program for those who live in the Seattle area and are available to come to our corporate office in Bothell , WA and the Wear Testing Program, which is available for Runner’s around the country.  

Brooks Biomechanics Lab Testing Program
Brooks conducts continuous research on runners’ biomechanics (the way you move), and the effects of running footwear on biomechanics, performance, and comfort. Our studies, conducted at our Bothell, WA headquarters, examine the effectiveness of current Brooks product in meeting runners’ needs—as compared with competitors’ products and in an effort to pioneer new technologies that enhance running efficacy and performance. The data we collect from runners in the lab directly informs the development of Brooks products. The duration of testing ranges from one to two hours, one to four times a year.

Brooks Wear Testing Program
Brooks needs your expert opinion on products in development. Your input will shape the fit, function, design and color of future footwear. Runner’s from across the country will be sent Brooks products to wear while training and fill out surveys asking your thoughts and ideas for improvement. At times, you will be able to keep the product you wear on your regular runs. However, at other times, we will call to request that you ship product back to Brooks at your own expense. Your shoes will then be tested in our lab. If we do not have to cut open your shoes, we can return them to you upon completion of our analysis.

The application for both programs can be found at: http://brooksrunning.com/corporate/testing.phtml

At almost this time last year, I was on the start line of the great St. Croix Triathlon wondering what I was doing on the start line. My job title since 1996 was professional triathlete. I was one of the lucky few triathletes who could earn a decent income racing.

I worked hard and would always become extremely upset when people labeled me as talented. Does talent train 40 hours a week? Regardless, I wanted out. I did not want the gun to go off.

Courtesy AP 

Ironman Apologizes Over Guatemalan Coffee

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) -- Officials of the Ironman Triathlon apologized to Kona coffee farmers and the Big Island community Wednesday for introducing a Guatemalan coffee as its official coffee.
The officials placed advertisements for Thursday editions of both Big Island daily newspapers and Honolulu's two dailies, saying "our lapse in judgment was not malicious."

"We truly hope that you are able to forgive us for our mistake," the ad said.

It said Ironman coffee was removed from local retail locations and promotional activities for it would end.

Ken Sheppard, president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, said he was pleased Ironman had pulled the coffee from shelves and offered the written apology.

"It's good that they've done that. They do need to apologize, and the apology will be accepted, I'm sure," Sheppard said.

Introducing the coffee five days before the Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship in the heart of Kona coffee country was seen by many to be an insult and huge public relations error in a town that essentially closes up for the race.

Blair LaHaye, Ironman communications director, acknowledged the timing of Monday's announcement was "less than ideal."

The Ironman coffee was pulled from stores "out of respect for the feelings of the coffee farmers and all the people of the Big Island," she said.

Ironman has been held in Kona since 1981, and thousands of residents volunteer for days and weeks ahead of the 140.6-mile endurance race.

In the apology, Ironman touts Kona's hospitality as "our greatest asset," and LaHaye said officials were looking forward to future ties to the community.

"Ironman officials are in discussion with organic coffee growers in Kona to introduce a Kona coffee blend," LaHaye said.

This is the article that launched it all, originally in Triathlete Magazine, March 2007.  Since this is the week on Kona, we thought we would share it with you.  We have attached a  link to the other letters and opinions that  followed this article.

I may have the wrong tattoo. No it’s not the butterfly in the small of my back (that was option #2). When I finished the Ironman, I went out and got the M-Dot on my calf (attn: Ironman North America, while I know this is a copyright infringement, I get paid zip to write these articles, so to keep us out of court, I owe you all a beer for the trouble).

 Being of a “certain age” and having avoided the Greek letters, Calvin and Hobbes, barbed wire around my arm and Chinese symbol for Spring Break anywhere on my body has always been a source of pride for me. Another source of pride is finishing the Ironman.

So when I finally bellied up to the tattoo parlor and made the conscious and sober decision to have someone permanently inject ink into my skin, to commutate an accomplishment and not Brian Bosworth, I was very excited and proud.

Stuttgart, Germany – Fabian Cancellara of Team CSC won his second World TT Championship last Thursday, but his first on FSA’s new NeoPro crankset. Fittingly, he finished at a blistering pace, a full 52 seconds ahead of second place.

This is Fabian’s second World TT title, having won in 2006, and a wonderful cap to a very successful year in which he captured the Tour de France prologue and held the yellow jersey for a full eight days, including a second stage win.

FSA’s NeoPro is a state of the art, hollow carbon crankset incorporating every possible aerodynamic subtlety, in turn shaving seconds off his time. Highly profiled arms, solid spider and chainring, friction beating ceramic bearings; the NeoPro is a crank with an appetite for speed.

With truly nothing inside, Neo Pro is a showcase for the amazing potential of composite materials. Hollow Carbon delivers the lightest, stiffest, smoothest and strongest components possible.

The cross section of the the arm is wing-shaped, and the back of each arm is partially recessed to cover the ceramic bearing BB cup. This design will become the new standard for those who demand the fastest crankset available.