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I’ve been hesitant to write this blog because my fear is that it’ll come off as an angry rant and I want to avoid that.  Today, I read this article and it resonated with my thoughts and feelings on Kona.  AND my issues with the ever changing WTC policies – the changes that they make within the industry continue to raise the barriers to entry to the point of absurdity.  But I digress – let’s connect some dots for those of you that maybe newer to the industry.

WTC stands for World Triathlon Corporation.  WTC owns the Ironman trademark and Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.  WTC is currently owned by an equity firm that is pumping money into the sport so that it can sell for 10-fold in the next 5-7 year.  NA Sport (North America Sports), formally the owners of  the ‘classic’ Ironman races in the US were forced out of the industry by WTC (WTC payed large sums of money for the races.)  Within the past 5 years, WTC has streamlined operations.  WTC, also, owns Ironman 70.3 series, 5150, Irongirls, Ironkids and Lava magazine.

I could brush off the changes within the industry UNTIL this season.

I’ve struggled as a professional triathlete – operating at an economic loss, my own self-doubt in my athletic ability – all the while seeing progression in my racing, training, and efforts.  There has been a natural progression as I’ve taken steps within the industry.  I glamorized the industry while I was on the outside looking in – I had no idea the sacrifices I’d have to make to get to THIS point – second tier professional triathlete.

Over the past three years, WTC has changed the professional rules each season.  This year was an extra special slap in the face.  WTC created a ranking system, which will qualify 40 males and 25 females to race Kona in 2011.  The ranking system is based on points accumulated throughout the season at 70.3 and 140.6 events.  Frequency is key in this system.  The more a professional athlete races odds are in their favor that they will be higher up in the ranking.  Think of this from WTC’s standpoint, pros races more frequently means a better “show” for television coverage which will lead to better sponsorship, commercial spots, race coverage, etc.

Now, let’s jump on the other side of the table, and think about it from the perspective of the professional athlete.  The prize purse has not increased – nor does it go deeper, there is no travel assistance, no home-stay opportunities provided by the race organization, etc.  I don’t have sponsors throwing money at my feet for travel expenses – hotel, plane tickets, rental cars – time away from home means time away from work.  Most pros do not have sponsors throwing money at their feet.  Even if I thought I could realistically raise the $30,000 – $40,000 in sponsorship funds in order to afford travel/loss of work/the WTC program fee of $750, I would have a hard time justifying all that expense until I was actually operating at a profit within the industry.  In the 2 years I’ve been a professional in the sport, I’ve had 5 x top 10 Ironman finishes – 3 of which were payday’s, 1 of which I actually went home with more money than the cost of travel to event – Rev3 140.6 in Sandusky, OH.

SO I am grateful to have options.  I am excited to race the Rev3 series, support some of the local race directors – ga multisports, tri-ptc, tri4gold.org, etc.  This year, I am opting to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

My call for action – support GA multi-sport vs 5150, choose Peachtree International vs Irongirls, etc.  WTC is the walmart of triathlon charging Neiman Marcus prices and it WILL only GET WORSE before it gets better.

I’ll end with an excerpt from the article linked above – racing Kona as a professional is my goal.  ”The Good Fight is the one we Fight because our heart asks it of us.”  Kona has been my single-minded focus since my fathers passing.  It’s kept me moving forward, alive, and healthy.  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to chase my dream and to those that have helped in this journey.

“We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don’t, our soul dies.”

WARNING  - NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

hint – workout is easier if you bring christmas joy into the pool with you.  i recommend singing mental christmas carols.  it’ll be over before you know it.

on the first day of christmas, my true love gave to me -

1 x 300 easy warm up, la la la

2 x 25 fast

3 x 250s (progressive by 50 – start 250 @ moderate pace, increase speed throughout 250, finish last 50 FAST!), la la la

4 x 25s fast kick

5 x 200s (hold best pace, solid 85 – 90% effort, HOLD PACE!), la la la

6 x 25s fast kick

7 x 150s (#1 100 kick, 50 swim (focus on consistent kick), #2 50 kick, 100 swim (focus on consistent kick), #3 150 swim)

8 x 25s easy – recovery swim (mentally prep up – swim extra christmas carols)

9 x 100s (hold best pace – 85 – 90% effort – make it hurt!  HOLD PACE!)

10 x 25s kick

11 x 50s 2 easy, 1 FAST!!! (repeat 1 – 11)

12 x 25 FAST  - because its christmas – the gifts just keep coming.

your arms and legs should hurt.  if they don’t try again – you didn’t work hard enough.

stay tuned for NEWS YEARS swim workout!

ho, ho, ho!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

also known as the lake lanier sprint.  thank you to Jim Rainey and the GA multi-sport staff for putting on such a great race!!!

I was out of shape, focused on a wedding, but I wanted to do lake lanier for a couple reasons -

1.  my niece had yet to see me race.  I thought if she understood part of my profession, MAYBE it would be easier to teach her swim, bike, and run.  she is a bit resistant to the unknown (much like her aunt).

2.  I WANTED TO HAVE FUN AT A RACE!!!  this season in triathlon has been tough, intense focus for not quite as much return as I had hoped.  I made progress.  I grew in the sport in a different way than I expected.  it’s a long road to Kona as a pro – but I got a garmin this year and half the battle is navigation.  okay, that was a very bad joke – but point being – I am starting to figure it all out.  I’ll live to fight another year.

back to my love – this was for madi -

my precious darling.

pre-race group hug.

fun = all smiles, SO race goal = all smiles!

i can not remember the last time I waved in a race. miss america’s got nothing on me!!

i looked and looked for the family going into the run.  finally saw them and they got…a smile!!!

and in conclusion – this race was for my sunshine although she does not like the sunshine in her eyes.  xoxo madi.

ughh!  my 2 week ‘break’ flew by!!

not only was i busy with triathlon consults, i love helping new triathletes ease into the sport, but hosted a clinic, announced a race, hosted 2 open water swims.  I haven’t had a weekend or full day ‘off’ since mid-july!

in addition, I spent time moving into ken’s house.  it isn’t a home until the floors are clean and we have a couple pink rugs.

final task of the last couple weeks, welcoming my brother, his girlfriend, and his two daughters to georgia!  i am an aunt!

I love having the family together and being able to spend time with the girls.  madison will turn 3 in october and ellie, the baby, is 5 months old.

BUT the time is upon us, after 2 weeks of un-focused, training peaks free training, it is time to get back in the pool, on the bike, and running strong.  Rev3 cedar point is right around the corner.  I am excited to race at a place I have called home.  I graduated high school just 45 minutes south of Sandusky in Bowling Green, OH.  go bobcats!