Everyman Endurance Podcast

Todd Downs has been a bike mechanic for over 20 years. He knows bikes inside and out. Todd has also worked as a bike mechanic on the Tour de France and most recently he’s helped revise the book The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycling Maintenance & Repair. As triathlete we often jumped on the latest and greatest innovations in bike design but all too often we forget about maintaing our bikes. So what’s the best way to get your bike ready for your next race? And what’s it like to work as a wrench on the Tour de France? And what’s the most important and crucial tip to keeping your bike race ready? These are just some of the questions that Roman Mica asks Todd Downs in this latest show of the Everyman Endurance Podcast. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

It’s been over two dozen since Tri-California founder and long time race director Terry Davis started the original Wildflower Triathlon Festival in Northern California. Over all those years triathlon has grown from a niche sport to one that now spans the world with hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes taking on the swim, bike and run competition on a global basis. And like the sport of triathlon, Davis has built up Tri-California into a regional powerhouse that now puts on races throughout the year and throughout California. This summer Tri-California is expanding again to just outside of LA with a new multisport festival they’re calling the Trifecta which brings together the sports of triathlon, cycling and running as both individual sports as well a the traditional of combination of the sport of triathlon. Roman Mica recently had a chance to speak with Terry Davis and learn more about the new Trifecta festival, as well as chat about how triathlon has changed from the early days of Wildflower. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

Pro triathlete Jordan Rapp plans on racing, and perhaps even winning, again, Ironman Arizona later this month. But the California triathlete almost didn’t make it to the start line as he was the victim of a horrific hit and run accident. Rapp was training for a race in California when a driver slammed into as he was crossing thorough an intersection on his bike. The driver fled the scene and left Rapp by the side of the road to die. If it wasn’t for the heroic actions of a rescue of a passing Navy Seebea, Rapp would most likely have died that day. But today Rapp is back from the brink of death and getting ready to defend his title in Arizona. Join host Roman Mica, as he get’s up close and personal with Rapp, and the two discuss what it must be like to come back after such a painful and horrible accident. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

We recently received this interesting email from Larkin over at Active.com: “I’m reaching out to you about an opportunity to connect with one of America’s newest fitness role models, Ben Davis, recently seen on the Today Show and Fox News. Ben is a 24 year old from Arkansas who went from couch potato to marathoner and ironman (Louisville in August ’10) in less than two years. His 120lbs weight loss and fitness journey is captured in an inspiring Youtube video (see link below), which has gone viral and been viewed over 900,000 times. Ben was recently signed on by Active.com to be our first brand ambassador and we are making him available to a small group of reporters/bloggers.” Of course we were curious so it didn’t take long for Roman Mica to book Ben on the Everyman Endurance Podcast. After chatting with Ben we think you’ll agree that his story is fascinating. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

Jarrod Shoemaker is a professional triathlete first and a big baseball fan second. Of course as a triathlete he spends much more time in the pool, on his bike and out on the roads than he does at the ballpark. Shoemaker is one of America's most successful ITU triathletes and that means he has a grueling flight schedule traveling from country to country and race to race. Of course the one place that Jarrod really wants to be is London in 2012. He has set his sights on a repeat appearance at the Olympics, and with London just two years away it means he's got his work cut out for him. Roman Mica recently had a chance to chat with Jarrod about this current year of racing and how he plans to qualify for a ticket to London. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

Some amateur athletes dream of going to the Ironman World Championships just once in their lifetime. For Timex triathlon team amateur athlete Tim Hola that dream will come true for the 12th time in just over a week. That's right, Tim has qualified for the Ironman World Championships for 12-years and he's about to go back to Hawaii to race the big one again. Of course we couldn't help but wonder how Tim does it. So as part of our annual Ironman Kona Week coverage Roman Mica chatted with Tim today about his secrets to qualifying for the Kona Ironman World Championships twelve times. This year we're proud to announce that Timex is sponsoring our Kona coverage so we're happy to welcome them as an advertising partner. We know this partnership will mean more and better coverage not just from this year's big race but also from Kona itself as the athletes (pros and amateurs alike) get ti rumble the big Island. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

There can be little doubt that Meb Keflezghi is one of the fastest and most talented American runners racing today. He’s the first American to win the New York City Marathon since 1882, and he also brought home the silver medal from the 2004 summer Olympics games. And while Meb was born in Eritrea, he came to America as a young boy of 12 to escape the violence in his home country. He went to College in California to be an engineer, but he was just too fast. As he gets ready to defend his half marathon title from last year in San Jose, Meb is one of America’s brightest shinning starts at the half and full marathon distance. Roman Mica had a chance to chat with Meb and find out if he’s ready to race. Please don’t forget to visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news, views and reviews.

Matt Hoover (the 2005 Biggest Loser of television reality show fame) finished the Kona Ironman World Championship Triathlon but in a time of 17 hours and 3 minutes and 43 seconds. Which means that Hoover missed the midnight cut off to official finish the race in the allotted 17-hours. His race times were: Total Swim: 2.4 mile swim 1:37:43 Total Bike: 112 mile bike: 8:05:53 Total Run: 26.2 mile run: 8:05:53 Total time: 00:00:00 In other words he crossed the finish line 3:43 seconds too late to count. Ben Greenfield had a chance to catch up with Matt before the race and record this podcast. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

Can Lance Armstrong win the Tour de France? Will he win the Tour de France? Can Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador co-lead team Astana? These are just some of the questions that get answered on the latest edition of the Lanterne Rouge where host Roman Mica and his partner in cycling crime, James Raia discuss all of the action and news from the 2009 Tour de France Raia, a journalist since 1976, is co-author of Tour de France For Dummies, a contributor to many publications and the National Cycling Examiner. is currently in France providing an unique inside the tour perspective in the the day's stage. This is the eleventh time that he's had a first hand seat at the world's biggest and most popular bike race. Wikipedia defines the cycling term "The Lanterne Rouge" as: the competitor in last place in a cycling race such as the Tour de France. The phrase comes from the French "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on the caboose of a railway train, which conductors would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had become disconnected. Sometimes it must be noted that the Lanterne Rouge has the best view of the entire bike race. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

So much has happened in the last few weeks in professional cycling including plenty of crashes by the big names in the sport and of course almost three week of serous racing in Italy---but it would just take too much space to chronicle it all here. That's why you'll want to listen to this latest edition of The Lanterne Rouge where host Roman Mica and his partner in cycling crime, James Raia discuss all of the action through the Giro d’Italia. Raia, a journalist since 1976, is co-author of Tour de France For Dummies, a contributor to many publications and the National Cycling Examiner. A long-distance runner, he also rides his bike -- to nearby coffeehouses. But more importantly, James has covered the Tour de France as well as the Ironman World Championships for dozens of years. Wikipedia defines the cycling term "The Lanterne Rouge" as: the competitor in last place in a cycling race such as the Tour de France. The phrase comes from the French "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on the caboose of a railway train, which conductors would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had become disconnected. Sometimes it must be noted that the Lanterne Rouge has the best view of the entire bike race. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

Can you really make a good living as a pro triathlete? That's just one of the questions that is discussed. With the triathlon race season well underway, it seems like a great time to chat with somebody who has years of experience racing triathlons as a pro. His name is Jimmy Archer and he's the team director of the new triathlon team: Without Limits Racing. He also a professional triathlete who has spent time not only swimming, biking, and running for a living, but also covering all the other professionals. Roman Mica had a chance to sit down with Jimmy Archer and discuss the latest news from the world of triathlon including: - Dave Scott's recent car vs. bike collision - The tragic and sudden death of Steve Larsen - The up and coming new pro triathletes - The explosion of new races - Best race strategy for the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon - How to make a living as a pro triathlete - and much much more. If you are a newbie or seasoned professional you'll want to listen to this interesting show that examines all of latest triathlon and endurance sports news from an insiders perspective. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

So why exactly do you tri? Is it to lose weight? Do yo want to look good in those expensive jeans in your closet? Do you want to qualify for Kona? Do you want the ultimate control of your own body? Do you want to go fast? Do you want to be an athlete---a triathlete to be precise. So why do you do the sport of triathlon? Recently Roman Mica's guest on today's show (Ben Greenfield) posed this question on his web site HERE and on EverymanTri.com HERE and the answers and comments were as interesting as they were varied. If you are interested in the physiology behind the sport of triathlon or if you just want to listen to an interesting conversation about why people tri, you'll certainly want to listen to this episode of the Everyman Endurance Podcast. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

For almost seven years Jamie Whitmore was at the top of her game. She ruled the world of Xterra offroad racing and had a classic rivalry with Melanie McQuaid that that kept the reporters busy writing about who would win which race. Many insiders considered her the Superwomen of offroad triathlon because of her fearless, daring, and no holds barred racing style. But that all came to dramatic end about a year and a half ago when Jamie went to her doctor after finishing a respectable 3rd at the Xterra World Championships. What the doctor told her would have shaken anyone to their inner core. Jamie was diagnosed with an exceptional rare and aggressive form of cancer. She immediately had a softball sized tumor removed, only to have it grow back again. A second operation left her clinging to life by a thread and without the use of one of her legs because the doctors were forced to remove the sciatic nerve that runs down her leg, most of her glut, and part of her hip. Despite it all, Jamie remains incredibly positive and in her own words, "powered by God." Doctors said that she would never walk again let alone compete professionally, and yet she proved them wrong by walking even without the critical nerve that tells her leg to move. Today she battles on as well as coaching other triathletes. She hope to one day have a career as both a coach and a motivational speaker. While she still has several difficult choices ahead of her along with yet another serious operation she looks forward to being able to ride a bike, and perhaps even announce a race. When I spoke with her there was no hint of fear, self pity or even sadness. Simply put, Jamie is determined to beat cancer in a no holds barred way just like she did so many others she raced during her long and winning career. Please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

You probably know that a triathlon consists of three segments: swim, bike and run. But when you consider it, a triathlon really should be four parts: swim, bike, run, and eat. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in triathlon, and it could easily be argued a crucial role in the longer Iron distance races. Both of Roman Mica's guest on this week's show know a thing or two about nutrition. Dave Scott, is a six time Ironman World Champion, coach, and endurance sports writer, and speaker. He has a lifetime of experience in both the science and application of nutrition when it comes to triathlon. Jason Ash is the CEO of Pacific Health Labs which, including manufacturing such nutritional supplements as Accelerade and Endurox, has just introduce a Forze GPS---a new weight management tool designed specifically for athletes. Needless to say Ash and his company have spent countless dollars and hours doing research into the role of race and recovery nutrition for endurance athletes. In this interesting episode of the Everyman Endurance Podcast you'll learn from two of the most knowledgeable athletes and experts about what it takes to train, race, and recover for your best ever triathlon. Roman Mica also has a chance to ask both men the lightening round of questions, so if you've ever wondered if training improves or sinks your love life, you want to listen to this show. And please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a professional triathlete? Roman Mica recently spoke with two talented athletes at different ends of their careers. Justin Daerr began triathlon in college as a way to stay fit and healthy in the summer of 2000. In 2001 he completed his first Ironman in 12:55 and has improved to a current PR of 8:37 set in 2008. Justin continues to work hard in his pursuit of being one of the sport's best athletes. You may have seen Justin in some of his more famous ads. You just didn't know it was him so now is your chance to meet him. Born and raised in South Africa, Paul Shippey grew up amid the rich color and vibrancy that only life in Africa has to offer. Being exposed to the great outdoors at an early age left an indelible mark that would later serve to spark a major interest in travel and adventure. Though Shippey graduated with law and international relations degrees, he was a car nut from an early age and gravitated in that direction shortly after leaving the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. At an early age Paul showed a lot of promise in the sport of triathlon and competed professionally at the Olympic distance. But his love of cars eventually lead to a career as an automotive journalist and photographer. Today he runs a small automotive business in Denver, but he's back training and competing in the sport of triathlon. Both men love the sport of triathlon, but they just happen to bookend different parts of their careers. One (Justin Daerr) is a talented professional working hard at becoming an Ironman champion while the other (Paul Shippey) has returned to the sport of his youth to race again as a talented elite amateur. And please don’t forget to please visit http://www.everymantri.com for more podcasts and endurance sports news and views.