Some of you may or may not know that Grasky Endurance Coaching is a sponsor of the Tucson Triathlon Club here in Tucson, Arizona. The TTC has started a new program called the Time2Tri program, which is directed at folks that have had a desire to do a triathlon but needed a little direction. The club started signing up athletes in March at TriFest and received a lot of interest in the program. TTC accepted 20 individuals into the program with many more hoping to get in next year. The program will consist of kickoff meeting, run clinic, bike clinic, swim clinic, a 12-week training program, and group workouts. The ultimate goal is to compete in the Tinfoilman Triathlon at the University of Arizona.
On July 5th the program kicked off at the Firecracker Triathlon here in Tucson. Participants in the program attended the race as spectators so they could see first hand what they are getting into. The participants checked out the transition, swim, bike, and run as GEC coaches Brian Grasky and myself along with mentors from TTC answered questions for the participants. Watching the event got the participants pretty excited to be training and ultimately racing in their first triathlon!
The next day we met as a group at TriSports.com retail store for the official kickoff meeting. The kickoff meeting was used to introduce the participants to all the essential gear for training and ultimately competing in a triathlon. It was a great start to the program.
The past few weeks we have had a running, biking, and swimming clinics. The run clinic was held at Fleet Feet where Jeanne Snell spoke to the group. She discussed everything from selecting the proper running shoe to injury prevention and everything in between.
The bike clinic was held at TriSports.com retail store. Since most of the participants are new to cycling we had a lot to cover! We talked about basic bike needs, group riding etiquette, rules of the road, basic bike maintenance, and how to change a flat. I am pretty good at changing flats but when you put me in front of a crowd it got a little more difficult! By the time I was done most of them were ready to buy a can of pit stop…lol.
Day one of a two-day swim clinic was held last Sunday with Geoff Glaser of Dolphins of the Desert. For most of the participants this was the first time any of them received formal swim instruction so there was a lot of excitement throughout the clinic and are all looking forward to day two this Sunday.
Over the course of the program I will be blogging about the experience so check back for updates on how participants are doing!
Brian Nath
Grasky Endurance Coach
Triathlon and Endurance Sports Coaching; Multisport camps, training, and racing in Arizona.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
GEC Breakthrough!
Funny that GEC really grew after my crash 2 years ago, but this weekend (after Jill's crash) GEC had a significant breakthrough in our coaching with both the men's and women's overall wins in a race...
From GEC Coach Brian Nath:
Grasky Endurance was well represented this weekend at the 25th running of the Mountain Man Triathlon in Flagstaff, AZ. The race takes place at 7000 feet at Lake Mary just outside of Flagstaff. In the Olympic distance Leo Carrillo and Kathy Rakel both won 1st overall male and female. This was Leo’s second win in two weeks and he is on track to have a terrific race in Tuscaloosa at USAT Age Group Nationals in a few weeks. Kathy continues to add to her trophy case and will also be racing the the win at Age Group Nationals. Beth Andresen took home second place in her age group in the Olympic--Beth has now placed in her last two races. Jarreu Jones who is a recent addition to GEC competed in his first Olympic distance race and will be competing in his first 1/2 Ironman at SOMA in October. Brian Nath PR’d his Olympic distance time by six minutes, Caryn Nath was 2nd in her AG.
Brian G's note: Leo's SMOKIN time of 58:low was the fastest I've seen on that course in a long time aside from top pros, and Kathy crushed it in a last minute decision to race after a move and new job. I'm impressed!
Congratulations to everyone!
From GEC Coach Brian Nath:
Grasky Endurance was well represented this weekend at the 25th running of the Mountain Man Triathlon in Flagstaff, AZ. The race takes place at 7000 feet at Lake Mary just outside of Flagstaff. In the Olympic distance Leo Carrillo and Kathy Rakel both won 1st overall male and female. This was Leo’s second win in two weeks and he is on track to have a terrific race in Tuscaloosa at USAT Age Group Nationals in a few weeks. Kathy continues to add to her trophy case and will also be racing the the win at Age Group Nationals. Beth Andresen took home second place in her age group in the Olympic--Beth has now placed in her last two races. Jarreu Jones who is a recent addition to GEC competed in his first Olympic distance race and will be competing in his first 1/2 Ironman at SOMA in October. Brian Nath PR’d his Olympic distance time by six minutes, Caryn Nath was 2nd in her AG.
Brian G's note: Leo's SMOKIN time of 58:low was the fastest I've seen on that course in a long time aside from top pros, and Kathy crushed it in a last minute decision to race after a move and new job. I'm impressed!
Congratulations to everyone!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Exploring San Diego by bike…sort of
We spent the first few days in San Diego playing (working) on Coronado and riding down the strand. Then on Sunday we moved up north to Miramar, from where we were able to ride to and up on the coast highway, through La Jolla and the Torrey Pines area. Beautiful areas and great riding!
On Tuesday after my flight, Jill and I were riding along the coast highway in Carlsbad. I’d ridden from the base while Jill had met me up the road. We were having a great ride and enjoying the perfect afternoon weather (while back home in Tucson it was 110 degrees!). All of a sudden I heard a yelp and looked over to see Jill flying sideways through the air while her bike was diving into the pavement. Not good.
**As you recall, two years ago I was in SoCal when I attempted to separate my foot form my leg. Apparently, SoCal is not the place for the Graskys to take their bikes.
It turns out that Jill’s front wheel had gotten caught in a rut between the pavement and the gutter, and as she pulled it out it over-corrected and turned hard right. The bike dove and she fell and twisted. The problem was the electrical junction box and water valve that were in line with her direction of travel. She hit them both, stopping her cold. A 911 call, 2 lifeguards, an army of paramedics, and an ambulance ride later we find she’d broken 2 ribs, lacerated her spleen and punctured her lung. Owwie.
Meanwhile I have the added worry about the several mortgage payments worth of bikes I’d just left with a lifeguard to throw in the back of his pickup, and not knowing how I was going to get them or my truck. Hmm. Back to the task at hand.
When they found the spleen damage, they decide Jill needed better care, so she got a ride in a helicopter to Scripps Trauma Center. Now I’m jealous. Sort of.
Turns out they didn’t need to operate, thankfully, but she won 3 nights in the hospital and a lot of attention with more blood draws, x-rays and CT scans than I could count. I was able to miss the rest of the week of work and stay with her there. On Friday she was able to go home, and we left San Diego on Saturday.
She’s doing better now, but is quite a bit beat up and sore. This one will take a while to heal, and she’ll be sore for weeks. The worst part will be trying to keep her off her bike until the docs allow it.
Thanks to all of you who prayed and continue to pray for her healing, comfort, and quick recovery.
Oh, and I got the bikes. Not a scratch! Wish I could say that for Jill.
Brian
On Tuesday after my flight, Jill and I were riding along the coast highway in Carlsbad. I’d ridden from the base while Jill had met me up the road. We were having a great ride and enjoying the perfect afternoon weather (while back home in Tucson it was 110 degrees!). All of a sudden I heard a yelp and looked over to see Jill flying sideways through the air while her bike was diving into the pavement. Not good.
**As you recall, two years ago I was in SoCal when I attempted to separate my foot form my leg. Apparently, SoCal is not the place for the Graskys to take their bikes.
It turns out that Jill’s front wheel had gotten caught in a rut between the pavement and the gutter, and as she pulled it out it over-corrected and turned hard right. The bike dove and she fell and twisted. The problem was the electrical junction box and water valve that were in line with her direction of travel. She hit them both, stopping her cold. A 911 call, 2 lifeguards, an army of paramedics, and an ambulance ride later we find she’d broken 2 ribs, lacerated her spleen and punctured her lung. Owwie.
Meanwhile I have the added worry about the several mortgage payments worth of bikes I’d just left with a lifeguard to throw in the back of his pickup, and not knowing how I was going to get them or my truck. Hmm. Back to the task at hand.
When they found the spleen damage, they decide Jill needed better care, so she got a ride in a helicopter to Scripps Trauma Center. Now I’m jealous. Sort of.
Turns out they didn’t need to operate, thankfully, but she won 3 nights in the hospital and a lot of attention with more blood draws, x-rays and CT scans than I could count. I was able to miss the rest of the week of work and stay with her there. On Friday she was able to go home, and we left San Diego on Saturday.
She’s doing better now, but is quite a bit beat up and sore. This one will take a while to heal, and she’ll be sore for weeks. The worst part will be trying to keep her off her bike until the docs allow it.
Thanks to all of you who prayed and continue to pray for her healing, comfort, and quick recovery.
Oh, and I got the bikes. Not a scratch! Wish I could say that for Jill.
Brian
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Getting into Fights at work
Tuesday started out well. I am in San Diego with the squadron flying against Marine Corps F-18s and was scheduled to fly 1 vs. 1 against one of the Hornets. We met in the airspace and had fuel for 2 engagements. It’s good to fight something other than the standard student-flown F-16, and a combat qualified pilot flying an F-18 is a worthy adversary.
We started the fights nose-to-nose at 500mph each. This type of fighting is a great opportunity to know and practice tactics—to capitalize on your strengths and exploit the adversary’s weaknesses. The Hornet’s strength is slow speed fighting as it can move its nose around quite at will. My strength is to stay fast and use a different style of fighting. He who drives the fight toward his strength will win.
The fight went all over…9 Gs level, then into the vertical, then back to level, …. It was exciting to see the F-18 ‘across the circle,’ or canopy to canopy, him doing everything to take shots on me, me doing everything to take shots at him. Simulated missile shots were taken, but the engagement was only ended and a “kill” was called on a simulated gun hit. Trying to hit a jinking and jiving bandit at ¼ mile away is not the easiest thing to do.
But I won. Did you ever doubt? :)
I learned after the fight that the pilot I was fighting is prepping to head over to the Middle East. I know that no matter what is thrown at him, he’s capable and will handle it with success. Good luck Marine, and may God be with you.
Brian
We started the fights nose-to-nose at 500mph each. This type of fighting is a great opportunity to know and practice tactics—to capitalize on your strengths and exploit the adversary’s weaknesses. The Hornet’s strength is slow speed fighting as it can move its nose around quite at will. My strength is to stay fast and use a different style of fighting. He who drives the fight toward his strength will win.
The fight went all over…9 Gs level, then into the vertical, then back to level, …. It was exciting to see the F-18 ‘across the circle,’ or canopy to canopy, him doing everything to take shots on me, me doing everything to take shots at him. Simulated missile shots were taken, but the engagement was only ended and a “kill” was called on a simulated gun hit. Trying to hit a jinking and jiving bandit at ¼ mile away is not the easiest thing to do.
But I won. Did you ever doubt? :)
I learned after the fight that the pilot I was fighting is prepping to head over to the Middle East. I know that no matter what is thrown at him, he’s capable and will handle it with success. Good luck Marine, and may God be with you.
Brian
Monday, July 6, 2009
GEC Elite Team
So far, the inaugural year of the Grasky Endurance Coaching Elite Team is shaping up well. With GEC, Zoot, Trisports.com, Cycleops, Genuine Innovations, and Rudy Project as sponsors, the Elite Team is set up well and flying fast in GEC colors.
The ultimate question, of course, is how are we doing?
Kathy Rakel is our short-course queen. She started out by winning a local trail race series, then won the TX Best of the US Championship and will be representing her second state in the BoUS National Championship this fall. After that she was top 5 in St Anthony’s in FL and qualified for her pro card a few weeks later at . Just last week, Kathy won her age group and qualified for Clearwater and the Ironman 70.3 World Championship at Buffalo Springs Lake Tri.
Brian Barrett is burning up the XTERRA circuit with an overall win at Deuces Wild and an age group 2nd at the West Cup in Las Vegas. He is sitting in 2nd in the 30-34 age group in XTERRA points, just one race out of first. In a rare road triathlon appearance, Brian finished 2nd overall. Not bad for a fat tire guy.
Brad Hendron has been solid. He was 6th overall at Tempe International as a ‘B’ race, then he finished 2nd overall at Deuces Wild Half Ironman. That qualified him for the HalkMax Championships. But that’s not good enough. He went on to finish 5th in his age group and qualify for Ironman 70.3 Worlds at Buffalo Springs Lake Tri. (He missed a Kona slot by only 5 minutes! Grr!)
I’m cycling now, and won the AZ State Road Race champs. It’s a different type of sport, that’s for sure!
These athletes each represent a different aspect of triathlon and sport and life in general. But what do these athletes have in common? Lots. An intense drive and desire for success (podium slots); a desire to inspire others to greatness; and fervor for life in their quests.
Thanks to all the sponsors and their wonderful help. Look for these and all the GEC athletes flying in Green and Black at the local races near you. They’ll be easy to spot…they’ll be on the ones on the podium.
Brian
The ultimate question, of course, is how are we doing?
Kathy Rakel is our short-course queen. She started out by winning a local trail race series, then won the TX Best of the US Championship and will be representing her second state in the BoUS National Championship this fall. After that she was top 5 in St Anthony’s in FL and qualified for her pro card a few weeks later at . Just last week, Kathy won her age group and qualified for Clearwater and the Ironman 70.3 World Championship at Buffalo Springs Lake Tri.
Brian Barrett is burning up the XTERRA circuit with an overall win at Deuces Wild and an age group 2nd at the West Cup in Las Vegas. He is sitting in 2nd in the 30-34 age group in XTERRA points, just one race out of first. In a rare road triathlon appearance, Brian finished 2nd overall. Not bad for a fat tire guy.
Brad Hendron has been solid. He was 6th overall at Tempe International as a ‘B’ race, then he finished 2nd overall at Deuces Wild Half Ironman. That qualified him for the HalkMax Championships. But that’s not good enough. He went on to finish 5th in his age group and qualify for Ironman 70.3 Worlds at Buffalo Springs Lake Tri. (He missed a Kona slot by only 5 minutes! Grr!)
I’m cycling now, and won the AZ State Road Race champs. It’s a different type of sport, that’s for sure!
These athletes each represent a different aspect of triathlon and sport and life in general. But what do these athletes have in common? Lots. An intense drive and desire for success (podium slots); a desire to inspire others to greatness; and fervor for life in their quests.
Thanks to all the sponsors and their wonderful help. Look for these and all the GEC athletes flying in Green and Black at the local races near you. They’ll be easy to spot…they’ll be on the ones on the podium.
Brian
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