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Does beet juice actually improve endurance performance?
We have all heard about the health benefits of beets for years. Simply, the concentrated beet juice increases blood nitrates. Many athletes have been experiencing improved athletic performances and reduce blood pressure for years using the products.
I figured why not test out this theory of improved endurance and see if it really impacts performance. Most of the hype started from the cycling performance study at the University of Exeter, in England.
“A study was done at the University of Exeter’s School of Sport and Health Sciences, using beet juice. The study looked at eight male cyclists consuming half a liter (500ml) of beet juice (approx. 2 cups), containing nearly 700 mg of naturally occurring nitrate, for six days. The control group with the placebo drank 500 ml of black currant cordial containing very minimal nitrates for the same amount of time. The overall results after placebo testing showed the athletes in the beet juice group were able to go 16% longer, thus being able to improve performance with the same power but less energy. Also, athletes used about 3% less oxygen during the workout while taking the beet juice.” Exeter July 1, 2011
Additional studies:
1. “In another study, Australian researchers gave five professional female kayakers two 70 ml (2.4 ounces) shots of beet juice, each containing about 300 mg of nitrate, two hours before a test involving kayaking one-third of a mile. Compared with a placebo, the rowers who drank beet juice improved their performance by 1.7 percent.” Washington Post
2. “After many such experiments, mainly in runners and cyclists, researchers have concluded that nitrate supplementation lowers the oxygen demand of exercise and improves performance in endurance sports. They find that beet juice is most effective when drank two to three hours before exercise, and, in general, that 300 to 500 milligrams (500 mg is a bit more than two cups) of inorganic nitrate is enough to provide a 1 to 3 percent improvement in performance — significant enough to give a serious athlete a competitive edge. Solid vegetables, although they’re not generally used in such studies, can be effective, too; beetroot and spinach contain about 250 mg of nitrate per 3.5 ounces of produce.” Washington Post
Recently, I received another spam email ad about beet juice and finally decided to purchase one of the products that is being advertised quite heavily to the endurance racing space. I planned on doing my own tests over several weeks with and without beet juice. The product I have been using is called beetelite (black cherry flavor) – I am sure many of you might of heard of it as their marketing is everywhere. There are plenty of beet juice products on the market and most advocate taking a serving from 30 minutes to up to 2-3 hours prior to the workout. My testing would just be for cycling – 2 small scoops in 6 oz of water 30 minutes prior to the workout. Surprisingly it tastes good!
From the outset, I assumed that there was a significant placebo affect and my mind knew it was helping me. I decided to test it over 4 weeks (with and without beet juice) especially with harder cycling efforts – hill climb repeats (2x a week seated only hill repeat workout at 50 RPM’s).
Overall the results were quite surprising and it clearly improves performance from my experience. Like every other nutritional drink or food touting amazing benefits, I was quite skeptical but it clearly worked well. I would assume results differ for each individual. What I noticed clearly with recording heart rate and overall climbing pace is that my heart rate was lower and my climbing times were slightly faster by taking the beet juice. The most important item: I was able to perform many more repeats and never experienced the fatigue factor that normally comes after the first set of climbs. It was comfortable climbing just under lactic threshold and the HR stayed about 5-6 beats lower on average when compared to the days of not taking the beet juice.
The downside with many of the products is the cost, they are a bit expensive. The only other option would be to consume a significant amount of beets or spinach! There are many statistical analysis online that you can check out to see the various results with athletes.
I am a believer and suggest you give it a personal test!
The Top 7 Ultra Cycling Injuries and Issues
This is for those of you who are considering ultra distance cycling. Injuries and health issues that may come up when doing and ultra distance cycling particularly a self-supported one.
Quick Breakdown:
1. Saddle Sores
2. Hand Numbness
3. Knee Pain
4. Neck Issues – Shermer’s Neck
5. Road Rashes/Crashes
6. Achilles Tendon
7. Sun Burn
Listed to the audio to learn my recommendations on how to avoid and incorporate solutions/options to these Ultra Cycling Injuries and Issues.
TOP 6 EXTREME MENTAL TRAINING TIPS – ULTRA ENDURANCE ATHLETES
Mental training is a topic that we hear continuously in racing, but it continues to be a “hole” in many training plans. It’s one thing to talk about mental training and completely different to actually build a mental training plan and practice it DAILY – just like a physical training plan.
Who Is In Your Corner? A Birthday Wish to my Greek Queen – Evania
Happy Birthday, Evania! Most know my wife as Jan or Janice, however, the root of her Greek name means Goodness and Peaceful.
1263 Training Hours Top 10 Ideas for Tracking in 2020
“What gets measured gets managed.” Peter Drucker
15 Creative Ways to Enhance Gratefulness
“When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” -Lao Tzu
It’s interesting to see what buzz words trend in business and life from time to time. The current trending work of being grateful seems to be everywhere. There are more book and blogs coming out daily about being grateful and thankful. Remember, being grateful is expressing appreciation outwardly and being thankful is more inward.
2016 Calendar Tour in 4 Steps Adjust, Revamp, Retool for 2017
As we all roll into the New Year, consider taking a tour of your 2016 calendar and build a +- Review Sheet. It may offer insights to what to do more of and less of in 2017 to keep your emotions in check.
2016 – Fearless Exploration and Accountability Goals
We all know it’s that time of the year as everyone is talking about 2016 and new goals, challenges, etc. Consider spending some time over the next few days to examine what went according to plan and what did not.
5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Scrubbing Your CRM System
The almighty CRM (customer relationship management) system is the hub of client and prospect information for most businesses. There are numerous CRM systems used by individuals and organizations including SalesForce, Infusionsoft, Hubspot, Insightly, Zoho, Pipedrive, PipelineDeals, etc. The number of CRM systems continues to trend upward especially with inbound marketing becoming more and more prevalent.
5 Results of Controversy in Your Business for 2016
Creating controversy in your business, passions, life, and impact on the world will get you noticed – that’s a certainty. There are advantages and disadvantages but speaking your voice and asking the question “Why?” may offer breakthroughs in your business and thinking mindset.
5 Tips for Preparing for the DECAMANUSA – 1 Ironman per day format
The challenges in the 1×10 and 1×5 DECA have well been documented by athletes over the years that have finished this event. The format of one Ironman per day with a 24 hour time cutoff on the surface does not sound that bad.
A Reading Life Thanks Mom – Books on my 2019 Starting List
A big thanks to my Mom for instilling the power of books into my life from an early age. I remember vividly all the trips to the library and then to the bookstores when shopping malls were the rage. Spending hours in Dalton, Walden, Borders and a host of small independent bookstores were memories that will not be forgotten. An ongoing joke between my Greek wife (Jan) and me is this: I went to bookstores/libraries as a child and Jan went to grocery stores and farmers markets!
Achieving Goals: It’s Never Too Late To Get Started
It’s March, how are your new year’s resolutions coming along?
Are Your Business Sales Lagging? Evaluate your Questions
How is your year coming along with regards to your top line revenue? If you are a business owner or sales professional and your sales are dragging, consider what questions you are asking. More important, have you perfected the “pause” while listening.
ARE YOUR BUSINESS SALES LAGGING? EVALUATE YOUR QUESTIONS
How were your business sales last year? If you are a business owner or sales professional and your sales are dragging, consider what questions you are asking. More important, have you perfected the “pause” while listening.
The Branding Pyramid and 21 Brand Monitoring Ideas
The Branding Pyramid and 21 Brand Monitoring Ideas
Career Insurance – Multiple Income Sources
With the changing marketplace that seems to move in multiple directions by the minute in our 24/7 consumer driven marketplace, considering career insurance just like any other insurance should be part of your life risk management plan. Career insurance comes down to having a contingency plan and specific additional income stream(s), (3-6 months of emergency cash on hand as well) to protect in the event of a loss of employment. Don’t get caught in a panic state, in the event of a job loss. Consider the pros and cons of a side business that “ you own”, compared to your employer owning you. Jack Welch’s famous quote states it perfectly, “Control Your Own Destiny or Someone Else Will”.
CLASSIC DECA TRAINING TOP 3 TIPS EXCERPTS FROM “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DECA”
“There is no typical week. Every week is an interesting challenge to fit in as much training as I can into a packed schedule that gives top priority to work and family. Nowadays, I can afford only an average of 9 hours per week for training. I used to train up to an average of 15 hours per week. To make those fewer hours count, I had to drastically modify my training intensity and periodization in order to get the most out of the meager time I can afford.” Harm Wei
COKEFFEE – THE GO TO DRINK TO GET OUT OF THE WORST CLASSIC DECA BONK
PERSONAL STORY & EXCERPT FROM THE NUTRITION CHAPTER OF “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DECA”
Be Concise with your Next Speech and Procrastinate
If you have an upcoming presentation, investor pitch, platform talk or round table, consider redrafting your talk to make it much shorter and concise. Yes this is common sense, but it’s very difficult to do. If your allotted speaking time is for 10 minutes, draft your presentation to be completed in 4 minutes.
Control Obsessed Entrepreneurs – Delegate or Die
If you are a business owner or manage teams have you thought about what you will do for growth of your business and team this year? After reading a book titled Bluefishing by Steve Sims, the following resonated and might with you.
Creativity, Passion Won’t Pay The Rent – 5 Business Tips for Creative Folks
The concept of transforming a creative idea toward a real business is the goal for so many up and coming entrepreneurs and dreamers. Creativity is defined as, the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. Creativity, while a key asset in a business does not necessarily guarantee success.
Dale Carnegie’s Sales Idea – It Works
Dale Carnegie was considered the authority in building relationships when he originally wrote How To Win Friends & Influence People in 1936. It has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and a book that I read every single year in January. My copy is well read to say the least – if anything it’s a common sense reminder to focus on building “real” two-way relationships and sincerely being interested in other people.
Did You DARE Yourself in 2016? 21 Books & 10 Podcasts – Happy Holidays!
As the year of 2016 comes to a close and you are perhaps doing a bit of self- reflecting, ask yourself: did you DARE yourself with action or just dream about it? I wonder how many new entrepreneurs started to launch their ideas into a real business with sales as I wrote about December, 2015.
DECA Budget Estimator – Plan for the financial cost of the DECA ahead of time
Like any event, the overall DECA race costs should be evaluated and consolidated into a budget. Many times, the race excitement overtakes the financial reality and rough estimates of the cost to participate in a long event like the DECA. Over the years, coaching and advising athletes with respect to the DECA, one of the major missteps is that athletes don’t fully understand what everything will cost with the DECA. The DECA is significantly less expensive compared to races like Ultraman, Race Across America, climbing Mt. Everest, swimming the English Channel and other multi-day events.
DECA IRON – 1X10 Format – Can you finish it?
The DECA Iron 1×10 race (Ironman per day format – 10 days in a row) is completely different event than the classic (continuous) DECA with respect to what it takes to finish. On the surface, it does not seem difficult to make a 24 hour cutoff time for each Ironman for 10 days. However it’s surprising how quickly the time limit goes by when you experience a day when everything does not go according to plan (sickness, injury, exhaustion, mental fatigue lap after lap). Several consecutive 17 hour days will leave the athlete with 4 hours or less of actual sleep time.
Do You REALLY Know Who Your Best Customers Are?
It’s the question, we all think we can pinpoint in a second, my best customer is?
Does beet juice actually improve endurance performance?
We have all heard about the health benefits of beets for years. Simply, the concentrated beet juice increases blood nitrates. Many athletes have been experiencing improved athletic performances and reduce blood pressure for years using the products.
I figured why not test out this theory of improved endurance and see if it really impacts performance. Most of the hype started from the cycling performance study at the University of Exeter, in England.
“A study was done at the University of Exeter’s School of Sport and Health Sciences, using beet juice. The study looked at eight male cyclists consuming half a liter (500ml) of beet juice (approx. 2 cups), containing nearly 700 mg of naturally occurring nitrate, for six days. The control group with the placebo drank 500 ml of black currant cordial containing very minimal nitrates for the same amount of time. The overall results after placebo testing showed the athletes in the beet juice group were able to go 16% longer, thus being able to improve performance with the same power but less energy. Also, athletes used about 3% less oxygen during the workout while taking the beet juice.” Exeter July 1, 2011
Additional studies:
1. “In another study, Australian researchers gave five professional female kayakers two 70 ml (2.4 ounces) shots of beet juice, each containing about 300 mg of nitrate, two hours before a test involving kayaking one-third of a mile. Compared with a placebo, the rowers who drank beet juice improved their performance by 1.7 percent.” Washington Post
2. “After many such experiments, mainly in runners and cyclists, researchers have concluded that nitrate supplementation lowers the oxygen demand of exercise and improves performance in endurance sports. They find that beet juice is most effective when drank two to three hours before exercise, and, in general, that 300 to 500 milligrams (500 mg is a bit more than two cups) of inorganic nitrate is enough to provide a 1 to 3 percent improvement in performance — significant enough to give a serious athlete a competitive edge. Solid vegetables, although they’re not generally used in such studies, can be effective, too; beetroot and spinach contain about 250 mg of nitrate per 3.5 ounces of produce.” Washington Post
Recently, I received another spam email ad about beet juice and finally decided to purchase one of the products that is being advertised quite heavily to the endurance racing space. I planned on doing my own tests over several weeks with and without beet juice. The product I have been using is called beetelite (black cherry flavor) – I am sure many of you might of heard of it as their marketing is everywhere. There are plenty of beet juice products on the market and most advocate taking a serving from 30 minutes to up to 2-3 hours prior to the workout. My testing would just be for cycling – 2 small scoops in 6 oz of water 30 minutes prior to the workout. Surprisingly it tastes good!
From the outset, I assumed that there was a significant placebo affect and my mind knew it was helping me. I decided to test it over 4 weeks (with and without beet juice) especially with harder cycling efforts – hill climb repeats (2x a week seated only hill repeat workout at 50 RPM’s).
Overall the results were quite surprising and it clearly improves performance from my experience. Like every other nutritional drink or food touting amazing benefits, I was quite skeptical but it clearly worked well. I would assume results differ for each individual. What I noticed clearly with recording heart rate and overall climbing pace is that my heart rate was lower and my climbing times were slightly faster by taking the beet juice. The most important item: I was able to perform many more repeats and never experienced the fatigue factor that normally comes after the first set of climbs. It was comfortable climbing just under lactic threshold and the HR stayed about 5-6 beats lower on average when compared to the days of not taking the beet juice.
The downside with many of the products is the cost, they are a bit expensive. The only other option would be to consume a significant amount of beets or spinach! There are many statistical analysis online that you can check out to see the various results with athletes.
I am a believer and suggest you give it a personal test!
Eight Ultra Athletes Obtain Guinness World Record After Completing Italy’s 30 x Ironman
On September 8, 2013, 21 competitors from 12 countries toed the line to compete in one of the world’s most epic experiences. So epic, according […]
Entrepreneurial Leaders, Share Your Own Words
If you are a business owner, one of the challenges is ensuring continuity of communications from leaders to the team and clients. A content messaging challenge for many business owners that I have worked with is having only team members (or outsourcing partners) write all the content for the company.
Entrepreneurs have you read The Fountainhead lately?
The classic book by Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead written in 1943 offers many insights to entrepreneurship through it’s main character – the brilliant architect, Howard Roark. If you have not read it, consider adding to your reading list. Fair warning, it’s a big book in size (similar to Atlas Shrugged).
Entrepreneurs – Weekend – What’s That? Top 5 Entrepreneurship Reminders
Recently, I was speaking with a good friend who was considering leaving his long-term employer (financial services industry) and starting a business around his life passion of wine. He has become quite the expert in the space and has a unique idea centered on education and an online inventory platform. From a 10,000-foot viewpoint his concept appears to offer value to the market and he has a following of fans that love his content within this wide space of the wine industry.
EverEST Bike Challenge Perspectives
The Everesting Challenge is an intriguing idea for those of you who want to do “your own” long endurance event. The history of the idea and rules can all be found at http://www.everesting.cc/the-rules/. The rules are quite simple, find a hill and ride up and down it for as long as it takes to complete 29,029 feet or 8,848 meters of elevation gain.
Failure and the Path to Success
Guest blog post by Jim Harshaw.
In the fall of 2012, I pulled the plug on my business.
I labored at it for years but it was now clear that it would fail. It was a terrible feeling. Like years of time and money have been wasted.
I’ve felt that feeling before.
It was March 20, 1998. In front of 14,000 fans at the Convocation Center in Cleveland Ohio, I failed to reach my goal of becoming a Division I All American. Years of time and money that had been invested felt like they’d been wasted. I found myself in the locker room, my face buried in a towel in tears wondering why I can’t do this. “What’s wrong with me?,” I thought. “I couldn’t possibly have worked any harder. I couldn’t have run more miles or lifted more weights or watched more film. There weren’t enough hours in the day.”
What’s Your Accountant Doing for Your Company? – Top 10 Questions to Discuss With the Up Coming Sept. 15th Tax Filing Deadline
September 15th is the time of the year that US corporate tax payers rush to get the final numbers to their accountants for the filing deadline (assuming they extended the returns with the automatic 6 month extension – IRS form 7004). It’s similar to the stress of April 15th individual tax filing deadlines. In many cases owners never fully analyze and disseminate the information from the corporate P&L and the corresponding tax return.
Final Qtr. 2017 – Top 5 ITEMS for Fall Business Planning
As we start the final quarter of the year, it’s the fall and for many business owners this is a busy time of the year for the final year end push. Maybe your business is seasonal with respect to your revenue flows – ex: tax consulting company, landscape business, medicare health insurance broker and retail establishments which all have extremely busy times then relax and recover syndrome may occur for many business owners. As you come to your “winter” or slower season what you have done in the fall (or prior season) will have impact during your lower revenue months. One thing is certain in any business – Winter Always Comes.
Finishing the DECA Ironman is Similar to Being an Entrepreneur
The DECA Ironman is a race, journey and experience similar to the daily, weekly and yearly grind of being an entrepreneur. For clarification, the DECA Ironman (my favorite endurance sporting event) is an ultra distance triathlon consisting of 10 Ironman races. The length of each of the 3 triathlon disciplines is as follows: 24 mile swim, 1120 mile bike, 262 mile run – the equivalent of 10 Ironman races.
Guiness World Record Triathlon race report: 30 Ironman races in a row
“A little more than two weeks ago, I finished the Triple DECA Ironman race in Lake Garda, Italy,( first time it was ever held and […]
Heat Acclimation, 6 Tips and Strategies– Ultra Endurance Races
How do you get ready for the extreme dry heat of the desert or intense humidity in a multiple day ultra endurance race? This type of training is extreme and make sure you start short, maybe 5 minutes! Please implement a process of gradual progression all of these techniques.
Home Office – Top 5 Simple Tips for Productivity
Do you have a home office? It does not matter if you are an entrepreneur, work in your pajamas technology employee or 1099 subcontractor, setting up your home office correctly is important, but making sure that the home office does not run your life in many cases, is the bigger challenge.
How To Shake-Up Your Career
Unlike 30-40 years ago, as our parents and grandparents stayed at one job forever, the trends have clearly changed especially with the new exciting creativity and disruption mentality of so many millennial. When was the last time you looked at your career path and did a deep dive evaluation? It’s just like looking down a road or path.
How to taper for a Multi Day Race simply
One thing that’s guaranteed in the world of multi sport endurance racing is that there is no single taper that works for everyone. There are so many theories on tapering for an event and personally I have tried at least 10 different approaches to tapering over the last 30 years.
Athletes, Business leaders, Consultants, Teachers, and Entrepreneurs How To Write Your Book & Actually Sell To Make a Profit
There is a big difference of writing a book, selling it and making a profit vs. just selling and earning top-line income. I have learned through writing my three books a myriad of lessons – good and bad. I have experienced many ups and downs from publishers, editors, marketing, PR firms, hybrid, printers, graphic design companies, lawyers, web developers, etc.
I Don’t Train” Trend in Ultra Endurance Racing”
Wow, have things changed since the days of training intensely to building to a key ultra endurance race. As I hear over and over again, many athletes just winging it and sign up for ultra events with no training, I still wonder why? Save the entry fee, travel and race budget and just do it on your own. However, the missing ingredient with the “do it on your own journeys”, there is no personal interaction and hyped up race environment. Clearly the personal interaction from the ultra family space of a race atmosphere attracts many athletes and maybe it’s because of our lack of face to face connection in the world we live in.
If You Want to Be Your Own Boss, Go Outside on a 30 Day Journey – Top 5 Business Lesson Takeaways
Over the past 15 years, I have consulted and coached new entrepreneurs, who were considering leaving the paycheck comfort of a salary job to becoming […]
It’s All About The Deca – Personal Learning Lessons of DecA #1 – Book Excerpts
One key goal in my 4th upcoming book was to share some of my personal stories, learning experiences and lessons from other athletes. All of my past insane stories are covered in live presentations, but I have often forgot to include in the books. The books have been centered around the race, history and the athletes and not a personal day by day account of my race. However, there will be plenty in It’s All About The Deca. You will love the The DECA Tool Kit in the book.
Live Like A Hobo
One of the great life benefits of doing a long journey on your own without the assistance friends or family, is that you learn to improvise and build resourcefulness that will cross over to your entire life. Living like a hobo (which requires work while traveling to a destination) is what happens when you go on an unsupported journey with the least amount of resources available (hopefully minus the begging!)
Local Man Competes In Triathlon Every Day For 30 Days
(Photo Credit: Brenda Waters/KDKA)
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) –A local man has completed a sports event that most of us get winded just thinking about.
He competed in a triathlon every day for 30 days.
This is a story about a man, an iron man, three times over. For 46-year-old Wayne Kurtz, it happened in Lake Garda, Italy. It began Sunday Sept. 8 and ended Monday Oct. 7.
KDKA’s Brenda Waters: “You swam 2.4 miles every day for 30 days? Correct? You biked 112 miles every day for 30 days? Right? And you ran a marathon every day for 30 days? Correct?”
It sounds impossible. A triathlon every day for 30 days, but Kurtz, an investment company executive, did just that.
“Every day at 7:45 a.m. we showed up at the pool. The gun fired, the race lasted anywhere between 11 hours for the day up to over 20 hours for the day, depending on what happened,” said Kurtz.
A lot happened – bruises, blisters, shin injuries, soreness and don’t forget the bike crashes.
Kurtz, who is in great physical shape and works out daily, says the race was 30 percent physical and 70 percent mental.
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The key was to stay in the moment, focusing on one event and one day at a time.
“My mantra going in was there was no option of not finishing,” Kurtz said.
And finish he did.
Twenty men and one woman began the race, eight men finished. Kurtz was the sixth to cross the finish line.
He was about 30 pounds thinner, and there was no prize money; just the gratification of knowing he did it.
This was a first event and it has already been submitted for the Guinness Book of World Records.
Man Commits To Running On Treadmill Upon Start Of Pittsburgh Marathon
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A local man may be exhausted before he even begins this Sunday’s Pittsburgh Marathon. That’s because Wayne Kurtz of Wexford is running […]
Man to Run 48 Hours, Then do Pittsburgh Marathon
Few runners will be more warmed up, or rather, exhausted, at the starting line of the Pittsburgh Marathon than Wayne Kurtz. At 6:30 a.m. race […]
McCandless athlete Wayne Kurtz: more than 300 triathlons and other races in 27 years
The world’s most celebrated triathlon is the Ironman in Hawaii — a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon run (26.2 […]
Mindfulness is the key to staying in the present
I have read a few books on Mindfulness and seen that there are potential solution for keeping a balance to my hectic life. While perusing through the magazine rack at Whole Foods, I came across a new magazine titled Mindfulness. It’s well worth checking out and offers content rich articles related to techniques, examples and building a personal mindfulness practice.
MULTI DAY ENDURANCE RACING DRAMA ATHLETES, KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME
As we approach the year-end ultra triathlon-racing season with DECAMANUSA (along with all the other major ultra endurance events), one thing we can guarantee that will happen, is DRAMA. Each athlete deals with adversity and corresponding DRAMA differently, but make sure your event does not end like a Greek tragedy.
Need To Feel Better – Start a Gratitude Journal Top 20 Ideas
The concept of keeping a regular gratitude journal has been around a long time, so it’s nothing that new, but have you considered a regular practice into your normal daily routine. The one benefit by keeping a Gratitude Journal is that you will become more positive.
Personally, when things don’t go according to plan and I feel down, get stuck, too much negative noise, I go back to adding journal entries related to gratitude. Gratitude journaling improves my mood and relaxes my mind.
Nothing Better Than A First Time Event – Inagural Bike Non Stop US 3400 mile bike race
When our friend Nathan Jones (Race Director of the Trans Am Bike Race) sent out an email early this year about a new route including gravel across the US, my mind immediately went to planning stage. The attractions were it was a new route, riding across the US meeting amazing Americans in small town USA and specifically joining along for the inaugural race.
Be An Owner of Something Vs. Being Owned By Someone Grinding and Gigging
In the past two weeks, three close colleagues in the “big” corporate world sent the dreaded email to me – “Wayne, I wanted to reach out to see how you might be able to help with my next job search and contacts as my job was just eliminated?” Their roles were Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and VP Sales (Pharma, Manufacturing and Banking industries). Downsizing, slow business growth and wage costs were the reasons for their new job searches.
Persistence Equals Personal Change
The one trait that can have immediate impact on your business and personal life is building in your mind, the drive of continuous persistence. As we have all heard, the mind can accomplish extraordinary things. Close the loop by building persistence into your daily routine.
Personalized Participation Awards in Endurance Sports
Times have surely changed in this constant connection, self-promotion world that has evolved during the rapid growth of endurance racing. There is a positive aspect, making your race goal public will help with personal accountability (yes it adds pressure). However, the other side is a constant barrage of personal participation award related information.
Post Season Reflections– Best Race Experience 2019 Part I 714 Miles of Bliss Across South Dakota
As the winter off-season training season begins, have you taken some time to think about the single best race experience you had during 2019? I did not say the best race performance, but race experience (they may be synonymous). Also, what excites you for 2020? Is there one race that you can’t wait to do? This will be covered in the Part II post.
Post Season Reflections– Most Excited Races for 2020 Part II The Brutal Quintuple in Wales
Following up to the previous blog last week, regarding the best race experience reflection you had in 2019, now consider a pivot to what’s on your schedule for 2020. Which event stands out from the all the others. It may be the A race or a secondary event, but what uniqueness or experience are you looking forward to above all the events or adventures.
PRELIMINARY RACE SCHEDULE UPDATES – DECAMANUSA EVENTS
We are happy to announce some of the exciting news of events that are in the works for the ultra endurance world.
Quintuple Iron – Sleep Tactics
As a follow up to the Quintuple Iron training tips many of you have asked for specific advice related to sleep strategies for the race. The following guidelines might assist with your race planning.
Quintuple Tips and Ideas
To all our quintuple athletes for DECAMAN USA, here are some race tips and ideas!
Race Planning – Trans Am Tri 28-Days: Ideas and Plan
Similar to any race with a time cutoff, it’s helpful to craft a plan by breaking it down to the specific time targets and distances needed per day to make the cutoff. It’s a common sense, right?
Read Faster and Retain More – 7 Quick Steps for Speed
If you read 100 -150 books in a year and it will change your life. I read typically 100 books a year and plan on 150 this year, which is a stretch goal for sure. Include a mix of topics, genres and if you are a non-fiction only reader consider deep diving into a novel and you might be surprised.
Read What You Want Not What Your Supposed to 21 Book Favorites of 2017
It’s the time of the year for the best books to read and must read lists are published everywhere. How many times have you read a New York Times best seller and were disappointed and wondered how could the book be so loved by everyone.
Salary Comfort vs. Ownership: 10 Considerations To Jumping to the Entrepreneur World
The great business philosopher, Jim Rohn said it best, “Profits are better than wages. Wages make you a living. Profits make you a fortune.”
Sign Up for the Release Information of “It’s All About the DECA”
One key goal in my 4th upcoming book was to share some of my personal stories, learning experiences and lessons from other athletes. All of my past insane stories are covered in live presentations, but I have often forgot to include in the books. The books have been centered around the race, history and the athletes and not a personal day by day account of my race. However, there will be plenty in It’s All About The Deca. You will love the The DECA Tool Kit in the book.
Sleep Deprivation for the DECA or multi day race – You Don’t Need as Much as You Think
Sleep deprivation and staying in the “safe-zone” is always a concern with athletes completing in long multi-day (5+ days and longer) events. How often do we hear that it’s a fine line – if you go to far into a sleep deprived state, its very difficult to recover and keep pushing throughout the race before a meltdown.
Become a Better Presenter, Writer, Salesperson by STANDING UP
As the business world has evolved to more discussions around the health benefits of standing with the stand up desk station and sitting in front of the computer classified as the “New Smoking”, have you considered how standing up can help your presentations, writing and sales results, beyond the health benefits? “New research from Texas A&M University showed a 46% increase in worker productivity by standing up.”, IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors. They looked at two control groups for 6 months and productivity was measured by how many successful calls each group made from stand up desks vs. sitting.
The Age Challenge – 1 X Per Month
This was a birthday challenge that I did this year and it was challenging and fun. It might be an intriguing challenge to consider or do 1 x per month. This could be something you test out on your birthday or any other day based upon your age.
The Power of A Hand Gesture – Wave Hello For 30 Days
As we roll into the fall here in the US, it’s always of time for the last push toward year end with the kids back in school, vacations ending and a refocus of getting business results finalized before year end. Something you might notice in your community is that with everyone back to the normal routine (post vacation/summer) many individuals are walking their pups, biking (more concentrated rush hour traffic) and enjoying the cooler fall weather outside.
The Power of H2O
As athletes, moms, dads and driven focused personalities we often forget the benefits of daily water intake. Yes, it’s repetition of a message we hear all the time “drink more water during the day and you will feel better.
The Top 7 Ultra Cycling Injuries and Issues
This is for those of you who are considering ultra distance cycling. Injuries and health issues that may come up when doing and ultra distance cycling particularly a self-supported one.
Quick Breakdown:
1. Saddle Sores
2. Hand Numbness
3. Knee Pain
4. Neck Issues – Shermer’s Neck
5. Road Rashes/Crashes
6. Achilles Tendon
7. Sun Burn
Listed to the audio to learn my recommendations on how to avoid and incorporate solutions/options to these Ultra Cycling Injuries and Issues.
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Run For Books
Great Leaders are Great Speakers and Great Readers Children’s Program – Coming soon…Read More
