By Jason Norman-

Courtesy Bicycle Retailer and Industry Magazine

HILO, HI (BRAIN)—World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owners of the portfolio that includes Ironman, Ironman 70.3, Iron Girl and IronKids brands, has partnered with John Duke for the launch of a new tri magazine called Lava.

Duke spent 14 years as publisher of Triathlete Magazine and most recently was senior vice president of the Print Media Division for Competitor Group. He left the company at the beginning of January saying he wanted to pursue new opportunities.

“I could not imagine a better team to create the world’s leading triathlon publication,” Duke said. “Our team is excited to build a magazine for people who feel triathlon is not just a hobby, but rather a lifestyle. We are all looking forward to utilizing our first-hand racing experience, journalistic backgrounds and passion within the pages of Lava.”

Joining Duke’s team will be Susan Grant-Legacki, former editor of Inside Triathlon, along with Jay Prasuhn, who served as tech editor at Triathlete Magazine for 10 years. Creative will be led by Erica Krystek, the former art director of Inside Triathlon, who was responsible for the redesign of Inside Triathlon’s re-branding in 2008. The sales and advertising effort will be led by 11-time winner of the national track cycling championships, Sean Watkins, who was also the vice president of sales and event marketing for Triathlete Magazine. In January, Watkins launched his own sports marketing group called Wattie Ink. Heather Gordon, who started at Triathlete Magazine 11 years ago and rose to the position of associate publisher rounds out the team.

With plans to appear in late summer, the magazine will feature content for the serious and committed triathlete. Initial subscribers will be participants of domestic events within the 2010 Ironman and 70.3 Series. Digital
 subscriptions are planned for international participants.


This announcement comes on the heels of Southern California-based H3 Publications deciding to pull the plug on Tri Magazine. “It just got way too political,” said Dave House, owner of H3 Publications, on why he decided to sit on the sidelines right now. House, however, didn’t rule out the possibility of doing the magazine sometime in the future.

—Jason Norman

I normally don't like to toot my own horn, at least not with the lights on.  However, if you will indulge me for a minute, I have to share something pretty cool. Yesterday, I got hit with the big matzo ball of coolness and I wanted to share it.

Earlier this year I wrote a review about the cycling documentary Blood, Sweat and Gears, an inside look at team Garmin/Slipstream and their efforts to race clean on their journey to The Tour de France.

Today, the producers sent me the cover art for the DVD, and my review was quoted on the back cover!  How kick ass is that!

I know I should be more cool about this, but I am pretty excited and extremely flattered.  T-DOT isn't the largest triathlon site, or the sexiest, but to know that there are people out there reading and recognizing our efforts fills me full of warm fuzzies.  Click here to read the original review and here to check out the DVD.  

What a great way to start the year! Thank you to the producers, it's an amazing film and to be a part in any way is an honor.

We get reports from our editors with the numbers of readers per day. Some days there are thousands of you and some days there are dozens, but what matters is that you are there and you are reading. Thank you for reading and helping to spread the word.

And yes, get this DVD it really is worth watching.

1. You have to!:  If you want to gain fitness and race strong in 2010, you've gotta get the volume in... no matter what. Remember, while you're sleeping your competitor is outside riding somewhere on a tropical island.

2. It's safe: Ever heard of anyone getting hit by a car or having an angry motorist throw a bottle at you when down in the basement?

3. It's focused:  Get that HR monitor on or that power meter fired up and 'train with a purpose'. Indoor training eliminates the variables of outdoor riding.

4. It's convenient: It takes 15 minutes to don your tights, booties, layer up with undergarments, balaclava and claw gloves but only 2 minutes to walk down the steps (or hallway) and hop on the trainer or treadmill.

5. You can do it anytime of the day or night: Short of getting lights for your bike, you can do trainer or treadmill work at any hour, before or after work.

6. It can be social!: Ever heard of 'no drop rides'? With indoor training, you can get a bunch of your cycling buddies together for a workout and enjoy their company without the 'super stars' racing down the road and dropping slower riders.

7. It allows you to catch up on the news and movies.: Workouts that are 'aerobic' can be done while watching the news or new movies you wouldn't have the time to see otherwise.

8. Nutrition is nearby.:  No need to carry tons of food and fluids with you as the fridge is right down the hallway or up the stairs.

9. Your family gets to see more of you.: Refer to points 3, 4 and 5.

10. You have to!:  Go back to point number 1!

To get more coaching tips from Coach Troy or to check out his great line of training DVD's, click here.

Wildflower Weekend has long been the inaugural race of the triathlon season.  Not only is it a great race, but a triathlons version of Burning Man(Cliff Bars to replace acid).  Wildflower has been sold out for some time, but now you have a chance to bid on an entry on Ebay and benefit an amazing charity.

Finishline-Multisport.com and TriCaliforinia present the Wildflower Avia Blazeman Experience. All proceeds go to benefit the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in honor of the late Ironman triathlete Jon Blais who completed  the 2005 Ironman Hawaii after having been diagnosed with ALS.  Jon's courage has been an inspiration for many triathletes including 3 time winner and record holder Chrissie Wellington who honors Jon by emulating his famous log roll across the finish line.  Jon lost his battle with ALS on May 27, 2007.

Jon's impact on the sport of triathlon is one that many will never forget. In February 2007, Jon was awarded the Competitor of the Year award at the Endurance Sport Awards ceremony. Two months later, the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Edited Sports Special which Peter Henning dedicated to Jon. Less than one month after Jon's passing, the World Triathlon Corporation announced a new initiative where all domestic Ironman, Ironman 70.3, and IronGirl events will reserve race number 179, Jon's Kona number, for a special athlete, a first in the world of triathlon. Since then, many warriors have requested number 179 at various sporting events throughout the country.

Valued at over $1000, this package would make a great addition or gift to any triathlete who would like to participate in the 2010 Wildflower triathlon. Bidding will start at $750.

Click here to bid and click here to find out more about The Blazeman Foundation for ALS.

If you haven't listened to me on Chicagonow Radio, it's because I am never on.  However, I will be on The Simon Gowen Triathlon Show this Thursday at 11:00 AM.

If you are into Triathlon and want to catch up on everything that is happening in the sport, then make sure to listen in or download Simon's show every week.

It's not just me, Simon has real guests talking about everything Triathlon.  This weeks guests will be, World Winter Triathlon Champion Rebecca Dussault. Journalist Brian Brode, Ebay sensation and pro. triathlete Jenna Shoemaker and myself.

The topic?  Multisport in the media. 

As you know, I think that the local media covers endurance sports about as well as Nathan Vasher covers a wide receiver on a deep route (not good).

Earlier this year I had a few words about how the Chicago media was planning on covering The Chicago Triathlon and a few more words about Jenna, when she decided to sell herself on Ebay for charity. So this should be a fun little reunion.

So tune in or download to The Simon Gowen Triathlon Show.

This Thursday, February 18, at 2:00 PM (Eastern), 11:00 AM (Pacific).

If you have a baby, you're having a baby or know someone expecting a baby, then introduce them to BOB.

BOB isn't a nanny or a trainer, but a running stroller that looks great, is light weight, safe and can take a beating.

There is a single or a duallie version (two kids), the big wheels, hand brakes and water bottle holder (sold separately) all make BOB a practical and cool gift idea for the endurance mom or dad who want to get out and run, shop or stroll.

If you have an endurance athlete in your family or you are looking for something special for yourself, then make sure to check outT-Dot every day.

Starting today, we are going to be featuring great gift ideas for the endurance athlete. Men, women, swim, bike, run, kayak, climb, every we are featuring the cool products that keep us going.

We also went out to ask the experts what they are recommending, today a few things from Fleet Feet Sports.

Garmin Forerunner 60 (limited edition color ways) watch.

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Maya Henderson

When you workout, do you prefer a thong, boyshorts or to go commando? What do you wear when you sweat down there? I like a cotton barrier of protection between my spandex gym apparel and my lady parts, but apparently I'm in the minority.

The other day in yoga, as I watched the instructor lift her leg over her shoulder to get into Supta Kurmasana, I realized there was no way she was wearing undies beneath her short shorts. Then I took a quick glance around the room and it seemed that, although the ladies were clad in everything from barely-there bottoms to camel toe-licious leggings, no one had a visible panty line or whale tail.