As we countdown to the Lifetime Chicago Triathlon weekend, we are going to spend a little extra time sharing reviews and information that you may need as we head towards the big race on the big lake.

Before we get into the stuff you may need for the Lifetime Chicago Triathlon, our first review is about the stuff that holds the stuff you need to race, I'm talking about transition or gear bags.

People new to the sport, quickly realize that it is much more than just "swimming, biking and running."  Each discipline requires stuff and that stuff comes in all types of shapes and sizes, before you know it, you have a helmet, bike shoes, running shoes, running socks, wet suit, goggles, Body Glide for your wet suit, chamois cream for your privates, sun glasses, extra socks, a towel, nutrition and something dry to wear before the race and more!

Transporting all of this stuff, along with your bike can be a daunting and clumsy task.  TYR has developed a transition bag that puts other bags we have tested to shame.

The TYR Convoy Transition Backpack is a beauty and a beast.  It looks great, but is tougher than hell and can carry just about anything you can think up.

The TYR website says "Designed to make life easier and more organized for triathletes, the LTRX showcases a 30" x 15" x 15" design and metal frame construction for rugged durability." Which sounds great, but we wanted to see what kind of a beating it could actually take, so we ran it through a few tests.

Test#1- The Airport Test-We packed it full of stuff, took it to O'Hare, curb side checked it and let it go through a round trip flight to NYC and back.  Not only did the bag hold enough for the trip, but it withstood the beating from the baggage handlers in both cities.  Just to make sure the bag got "the royal treatment" we made sure not to tip anyone at either airports!

Test #2. The Toddler test- My two year old son has the ability to break something in the blink of an eye: phones, the dog, a remote, my laptop, all victims to the natural destructive force known as Boy Toddler.  After an hour of dragging, kicking, throwing, beating the dog, throwing in the toilet, jumping inside and generally abusing the hell out of the bag, it remained unscratched.

The bag is tough. It's also comfortable to carry. That's because padding throughout the lower back, mid back, shoulders and obliques helps to distribute weight, while padded waist buckles provide accessible storage.  It is easy to ride a bike and carry your gear on your back without feeling lopsided or like the bag is going to slip off.

As far as carrying actual triathlon gear, The Convoy Transition Backpack does it all. It opens like a tool box so you don't have to spend time digging.  Three internal mesh dividers separate swim, bike and run gear, and multiple internal pockets allow for custom gear configurations.  A removable wetsuit bag keeps your gear dry, while two external water bottle pockets and zippered compartments keep nutrition and hydration at your finger tips.  It also has front stretch mesh helmet compartment that can hold just about any helmet.

At $180 the TYR  Convoy Transition Backpack is the kind of rugged, well designed, good looking bag that will protect your stuff as you travel to a race and help keep you organized while you are racing and then dry and well organized while you are heading home.

Britain’s top triathletes were under starter’s orders at London’s ExCeL Centre on Sunday(July 30) for the Virgin Active London Triathlon.

In the Men’s Elite race, a strong run from Ritchie Nicholls saw the Scotsman over the line first in a time of 01.45.09, ahead of Adam Bowden (01.46.09) and Matthew Sharp (01.46.18).

Jodie Stimpson took top spot in the Women’s Elite race – finishing in 01.56.48 – with Liz Blatchford (01.58.13) and Lois Rosindale (02.00.01) joining her on the podium.

In warm sunshine, Nicholls, 24, completed the 1,500m swim in 00.19.22, then followed with a solid ride of 00.53.24 – but still faced a 25 second deficit on leaders Richard Stannard and Connor Murphy exiting T2.

But Nicholls chased down the leaders before opening up a comfortable gap to finish 32 seconds ahead of Bowden.

Nicholls said: “It feels like a breakthrough performance. I had some really good races a few years ago, but since then I’ve struggled to get back. Hopefully this is a new start.

“Things have been a bit on and off with illnesses. I was actually sick on Friday so I wasn’t going to come down here. I’m glad I did now.”

In the Women’s Elite race, Stimpson, Blatchford and Abbie Thorrington exerted pressure on the field from the outset, and maintained a healthy gap with a lead of almost two minutes entering T2.

But Stimpson pulled away during the run – completing the final stage in 00.35.12 – and crossing the line with a comfortable lead of more than 90 seconds.

After the race, she said: “I’ve been a lot more consistent this season, working really hard on several things with [coach] Michelle [Dillon]. I’m delighted to take my first victory of the season. Hopefully I’ll get some more before the year is out.”

More than 60 athletes took part in the Elite races – in addition to the 14,000 amateur competitors who travelled to London’s Docklands over the weekend.

The Wire star Dominic West and TV chef John-Christophe Novelli were part of the field on Sunday  – following in the footsteps of Sir Richard Branson, Melanie C, Stacey Solomon and Ortise Williams, who all took part on Saturday.

Sir Richard said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic Virgin Active London Triathlon, and we expect to see everyone take part again next year.”

Highlights of the Virgin Active London Triathlon will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7am on Sunday August 14th. A YouTube featurette of the races will be live online at www.YouTube.com/LondonTri  from 9am on Monday August 1st.

Entries for the 2012 Virgin Active London Triathlon open at 9am on Monday August 1st. For more information, visit www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk

The Virgin Active London Triathlon is proudly supported by Virgin Active, Asics, Crowne Plaza, Gatorade, Maxifuel, Speedo and Timex.

Click here to check out a great video clip from the race.

Are you are a distance runner? Can you handle high elevations? Then you may have what it takes to run with world renowned distance runner, Dean Karnazes.

No, you won't have to run across the country like Dean, but WL Gore & Associates is offering a Dream Run, giving two selected runners the opportunity to Run a Day with Dean at the 2011 GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run.


The GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run challenges runners to overcome distance, altitude and a wide variety of trail obstacles. The rewards of the TransRockies Run are just as exceptional: spectacular mountain scenery along the Continental Divide, aspen forests and high alpine meadows; camaraderie created by the unique team multi-day format; and fantastic full-spectrum race support from one of the foremost event organizations in the world.

You have to be able to get yourself to the race and back, but if you can swing the travel or live in the area this is the challenge and the opportunity of a lifetime.

The winner of Run a Day with Dean will be announced on August 15, 2011.
Applications should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than August 12, 2011 and have the subject line “Run a Day with Dean”.

Click here to learn how to get qualified to Run a Day with Dean.

Kristin McQueen knows what it's like to face pain, to struggle, to reach for a goal and never stop.  McQueen is a veteran endurance athlete with 15 marathons, 4 Ironman, in her impressive resume.

None of that holds a candle to the battle Kristin has had with cancer.   Diagnosed with cancer in 2003 she is currently recovering from her 11th surgery, never one to look at the cup half empty, Kristin remains strong, shifting her focus on helping others. 

Kristin says, "The tornado that is cancer barged in and turned my life upside down on June 27, 2003. Throughout my experience of 4 neck surgeries, 2 rounds of radiation, 7 brain surgeries and countless complications, I have taken great satisfaction in doing the best I can to keep training and racing to raise funds for the ACS because it's what I love to do. "

Since 2003, she has raised over $100,000 for the ACS and is hoping to raise an additional $70,000 this year but needs your help.  Why 70,000?   "There are 70,000 of us that will find out we have cancer this year and our survival rates remain the same as they were a decade ago.  My goal is ultimately to raise another $70,000, which would be $1 for every fellow young adult who will be diagnosed with cancer this year."

Kristin is holding a fundraiser all weekend at Jimmy John's in Naperville, Illinois (roughly rt 59 and Diehl road).  15% of all sales raised by A.C.S. & Jimmy John's supporters will be donated back to the A.C.S!  In order for purchases to qualify for the fundraiser, participants must make a purchase and leave their receipt in the designated bowl!

Since her last brain surgery, Kristin had complications that have resulted in her vision being significantly compromised.  None of this has stopped her resolve to raise money and help others.  Her motto is simple, "suck it cancer!"

We don't ask this much, but help spread this with Facebook, Twitter, and any other way you can and help her hit her goal.  If you can't make it Jimmy John's in Illinois, then click here to read more about this amazing lady and her massive heart. 

We all know someone who has been affected by this horrible disease, one dollar can go a long way.

On the eve of Craig Alexander's 38th birthday, he checks in on dealing with injury and what's next for the Ironman champion.

To read more about Craig and keep up to date with his season, click here.

As you all know, I had to withdraw from Ironman Australia due to a nasty viral infection that took up residence in my lungs/upper respiratory tract. I had so looked forward to racing on home soil and being back at the venue where I raced my first ever Ironman. I was also excited to get my Kona-qualifier requirement out of the way early enough in the season that I could race with my usual frequency in the latter months of 2011. But illness is illness, and health is priority #1, so obviously that plan had to be changed.

I rested up back home in Cronulla, then got back to training with my doctor’s approval. I was coming quite good actually, with all that Ironman training in the bank and some extra time at home to focus on core and strength work, rather than airplane hopping. When we finally headed to the US, a full month later than our normal schedule, I felt ready and excited to race at Alcatraz.

Unfortunately, the virus was still lingering a bit in my body. I had also coughed so much and so hard that I had strained my intercostal muscles, which basically feels the same as cracked ribs.  Between long-haul travel, the craziness of getting myself and my family back into the Boulder groove, and the immediate travel to rainy and cold San Francisco, everything flared up again. It is healing, and I think the virus has finally fully run it’s course, but the decision to pull out of the Eagleman 70.3 was necessary, given my less than ideal condition.

So as you can well imagine, for someone who loves to race, my season thus far has been frustrating. The positives, however, are where I need to focus. My plan – which is to be confirmed as my rib/intercostal muscles continue to heal – is to race Ironman Coeur D’Alene on June 26. I’ll have a great support crew on hand - my manager Franko Vatterott and my training advisor and Retul bike fit guru Mat Steinmetz, who will support both me and fellow pro Julie Dibens. Plus I always love a new race venue, and I hear the scenery in Idaho is brilliant.Looks like I have fallen on my feet again with my homestay family. They sound fabulous, come highly recommended by a few other pro’s and I can’t wait to meet them.

So for now, I want to say a huge thank you to my family, friends,sponsors and all the people who have sent me well wishes.   

Take care and I’ll see you at the races.

Craig

Eat Something

There are so many factors that go into a great race day performance that I won’t pretend I can cover them all. First, of course, is the preparation. We all know how important it is to do your homework. On race day, there are things you know you’re going to need:
•    a solid swim/bike/run
•    quick, simple transitions
•    nailing your nutrition
•    tuned-up, functional equipment.

The longer the race, the more you need just one more thing. No, not salt, or a porta-potty, though both come in handy sometimes. The final key is adaptation. Something is going to go wrong. And you’re going to have two choices: adapt and move on, or get flustered and blow your race.

In a recent ten-hour race, I launched two bike bottles, 100% of my nutrition for the next 2.5 hours, on a very steep descent. The next aid wasn’t for another 12 miles up the road, and all they were handing out anyway was a sport drink that makes me puke. I didn’t have water or calories. It was 90+ degrees out. This was not the race day situation I had planned for! Everything was supposed to go perfectly. I had ridden and run the course in practice multiple times. I had nailed the swim! This was going to be the year I performed at the level I really knew I had in me! And then, I had no calories, and everything changed

.
I had a decision to make. I could struggle back up the hill into a crowd of triathletes, famous for our disastrous bike-handling skills, racing at me at 40+ mph to search for my long-lost bottles. Or I could mope about my crap luck, decide today was not my day, and start thinking about what a stupid sport triathlon is and how I should take up bikram yoga. Or I could shake my head and laugh, pedal harder to get there sooner, and ask a fellow competitors along the way for any calories they might have to spare. I have to admit, my first instinct was to mope/get grumpy. Then I told myself to shut up, shook my head, laughed, and started bumming calories off the guys around me. I not only PR’d that course that day, I also discovered I could stomach all kinds of food on race day and still manage a solid run off the bike.

My coach told me once that if you get grumpy, and start to think you can’t do something, it’s time to eat something. He meant in racing, but I’ve noticed that it works in real life, too. My race day mottos now, once all the homework is done, the equipment is ready, and I’m prepared, are suck it up, sister and eat something.
Rachel Ross
www.runlikeamother.com

If you have an endurance dad, live in Chicago, then this weekend is a great opportunity to take him out, treat him right and get him a pretty cool gift all in the same place.

Saturday, June 18th in the Soldier Field South parking lot, Nike is going to be hosting a 26.2 Preview party as a kickoff for the journey to the Bank Of American Chicago Marathon.  Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein as well as Chicago Bear Earl Bennett will be out there to answer questions, show off the latest Nike gear and lead a group run.

Nike had a preview party for us media types earlier this week, where we able to test out the Nike Plus Sports Watch with GPS, these will be on sale at the Nike party and make a great gift for your pace pushing pop.  

Nike has bridged the gap between a technical running watch and something stylish to wear without looking like a total nerd. The Nike Plus Sports Watch with GPS is powered by Tom Tom, has everything from GPS to heart rate, it looks great and unlike the Garmin 405, it's very easy to use, with features that are runner friendly.  There are many cool features, but one that really stands out is the "lap button."  To mark a lap on the Nike Plus Sports Watch with GPS, you don't need to fumble around for a small button to hit, or mess with a beezle, all you need to do is hit the face of the watch, and it marks your lap. 

The watch also sends you a "friendly" reminder to get out and run, if it has been more than 5 days since your last run.  Simple and smart. 

Once you are done with your run, you can upload your workout directly to the Nike online community, which will keep progress of all your runs etc.  There are plenty of online stats trackers out there, but again, Nike has taken this to another level by adding a personal cheering section for you while you are running to Heat Maps, places that highlight popular running spots around the country.  If you travel, this is a great way to find a good place to run and at the same time, see how your time compares to the fastest people on this course, a little friendly virtual competition to keep things fun.

The Nike Plus Sports Watch with GPS costs about $200, it works with GPS and the footpod that fits into a Nike running shoe, which helps you track your progress even more accurately..  You don't have to have Nike shoes to use the watch.  It does work on a bike, but not in the water.  

Finally they will be on sale along with other Nike running stuff at the Nike Kickoff on Saturday.  Click here to find out more information on the party. 

October 9th may seem far away, but if you are training for the marathon, the runs are getting longer and the number of days to the big race, fewer.  This is a great way to say "thank you" to dad, have a little fun, talk to some experts and get in a run.

When: Saturday, June 18
Group runs begin at 6:30 a.m.; event continues until 4 p.m.
Earl Bennett appearance scheduled for 11 a.m.
Where: Soldier Field South Lot

In 2010, Matt Chrabot won the Miami International Triathlon and became the number one ranked American. His reward in 2011 is a multi-year endorsement deal with TYR Sport Inc.

The deal runs through the 2012 Olympic Games and TYR has said they plan to feature Chrabot in their Olympic marketing campaign.

"I’m very excited to be part of the TYR family,” Chrabot said in a statement released by TYR.“I’ve always been impressed with their suits and performance technology. I am fortunate to have TYR’s support leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games."

Just days after the announcement and wearing TYR’s Gray/Black Carbon Race Kit, Chrabot won the 2011 Miami International Triathlon. The race was the first in this year’s 5i50 series. Chrabot took the lead on the run to finish in 1:44:04. He won by less than 30 seconds over New Zealand’s Bevan Doherty.

Have you heard of the Ragnar Relay?

Ragnar Relay is a 194-mile race that begins in Madison and ends in Lincoln Park. Along the way runners get to check out some of the best scenery that the Midwest has to offer as they make their way South to the Windy City.

Each leg of the Ragnar Relay varies in difficulty so elite and novice runners can run together in teams. Each team is responsible for providing two support vehicles, with six runners in each vehicle. The first vehicle drops off the first runner and drives ahead to the first exchange point. Teams repeat this pattern for six legs until they hand off to their second vehicle. This leapfrogging pattern continues day and night all the way to the much anticipated finish line.

This year the Ragnar Relay has teamed up with Back on My Feet to offer their support to this amazing charity.

Have you heard of Back on My Feet?

Back on My Feet, which launched in Philadelphia in 2007, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running to build strength, confidence and self-esteem.