Wednesday, March 11, 2009

An Excellent Resource

Check out a recently published book: Run Workouts: For Runners and Triathletes, by Bobby McGee and Marathon Plans by Mark Plaatjes. This book is ideal for athletes who wish to improve their fitness through smart training. The specific types of workouts included are track repeats, hill running, bricks, and fartlicks that will help you build strength, endurance and learn proper form.
Bobby McGee has worked with me since 2005 and helped me prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games. Since I started working with Bobby, he has greatly improved my running technique by introducing me to a variety of drills. Not only has he helped me with the physical aspect of training, but he has also helped me with my mental approach to racing. Bobby teaches athletes and coaches mental techniques that can be used to prepare athletes to compete at their best. You can check out Bobby's website at http://www.bobbymcgee.com/.
Enjoy!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Speaking

Although the past ten days I have not been able to swim, bike or run, I have been staying busy traveling to four different states and getting the opportunity to speak to many different groups of people.
On Feb. 28th, I spent the day at the YMCA Endurance Symposium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Doug Robinson put on a fantastic event and I got to meet triathletes from a wide range of levels. I had the opportunity of delivering the key note speech and answer any questions the guests had about triathlon. I got the opportunity to listen to presenters all afternoon speaking about topics ranging from nutrition, cycling power, to mental skills.
After my day was completed in Indy, I made to 4.5 hour drive to St. Louis and was able to make my grandfather's 80th birthday party on Sunday! On Tuesday I did a school presentation to K-4th grade at High Ridge Elementary and on Wednesday I delivered another key note speech at the NAIA Swimming National Championships. Craig Penrose invited me to speak last fall and I was more than honored to be part of the event. Craig Penrose was my swimming coach when I was on the Parkway Swim Club. He was one of my first coaches (from age 10-11). He is now head coach for Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Lindenwood was hosting the meet at the St. Peter's Rec Plex....I had many, many swim meets and workouts there growing up!
650 coaches and swimmers attended the dinner on Wed. night, so this was probably close to the biggest crowd I have spoken to at once! It brought back some swimming memories seeing all the collegiate swimmers tapered, shaved and ready to swim fast!
I spent the next few days in St. Louis getting to hang out with my family and attend another birthday party for my niece (she turns two on March 14th). We spend Thursday night at Chuck-E-Cheese!!! Now that definitely brought back some childhood memories...although much has changed from what I remembered. It was fun to see my niece explore all the games and I also enjoyed playing some ski ball with my brother...that game never goes out of style.
My sister chose to have Sarah's birthday early because she is 8.5 months pregnant and due on March 18th. She did not want to have the birthday party too close to the due date...besides Sarah is too young to know! We are all very anxious for the arrival of baby number two....they are expecting another baby girl.
The final portion of my week was flying out to Florida on Friday for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon event. I got the opportunity to speak at the expo and meet many participants. Lady Foot Locker was the key sponsor for this race, so I met many of the staff. I was also there representing Mission and excited to know that they are developing awesome new products....check them out at www.missionskincare.com.
Directly after the event at the expo, I had to head straight to the airport to catch a flight out to Tucson, Arizona for Tri-Fest. I was at Tri-Fest representing Speedo and spoke on Sunday from 10-11:30AM about open water swimming and my Olympic experience. Again, soon after speaking I had to head to the airport to catch a flight back home....finally! It is nice to be back home (I have only been here a couple of days the past month!!). It would have been nice to be able to spend a few more hours in Florida and Arizona, but I am glad I don't have to step on a plane for awhile...at least not till 9 more days!
Today was the first day I was cleared for swimming and cycling. Swimming went pretty well...just the normal out of shape feeling. I have yet to get on my bike, but anxious to see how the knee area feels.
It is refreshing to know that spring is around the corner!! Enjoy the changing seasons...

All Matching!

All Matching!
Some of the new 2011 TYR cycling kits matched great with my Fuji and Zipp wheels!

Run Shots!

Run Shots!
New 2011 run gear. Poor TJ was quite sore after his 70.3 the weekend prior.

Downtown Sydney

Downtown Sydney
This is taken from the 20th floor of my hotel room. You can see just to the left where we swam in near the Opera House.

Check out the Scenery

Check out the Scenery
Out training in Idaho before heading to the airport! Beautiful lake in the background.

Ready For 2024!

Ready For 2024!
My niece has my suit and Speedo backpack...ready to train (but I think she mentioned she was going to Six Flags!)

Marin Triathlon

Marin Triathlon
Becky and I hanging out at the awards post race

Seoul WCS Finish Line

Seoul WCS Finish Line
I though I had finished the race, but I forgot to cross the timing matt completely until 10 sec later!!

Holding the Cup!

Holding the Cup!
Race to the Toyota Cup winners in Dallas, Texas. The cup was heavy...and brrr it was a cold weekend in Dallas!

Post-Race

Post-Race
Matt Reed was first for the men's race

Crossing the Tape

Crossing the Tape
Always a good feeling to break the tape!

On the Bike in Minnesota

On the Bike in Minnesota
Here I am on my Blue at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon this past Saturday

LTF Swim Start

LTF Swim Start
Here we are right at the horn (I am in the Blue). Thank Paul Phillips for all the great pics more at: http://www.competitiveimage.us/tri/Sarah-Haskins/index.html

Bike Shot

Bike Shot
Out on the bike course---quickly going through my bottles!!

Flying Dive

Flying Dive
Here I am headed back into the water after the first lap.

Crossing the Finish!

Crossing the Finish!
4th place

T2

T2
I am headed into the transition area--ready to run!

Washington DC WCS #3

Washington DC WCS #3
Here is a pic of my bike pack out on the course

Ready, Set....GO!

Ready, Set....GO!
My parents came to visit me in Colorado over Memorial Day weekend (Nate was out of town). They came along to a track workout and Sarah wanted to race me!!!

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes---they have LONG tongues...

Enjoying a Popsicle!

Enjoying a Popsicle!
Maybe most is not getting in her mouth...but that's not always the point, right? Sarah and my parents are enjoying a lunch at the training center.

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes
Here is a picture of Bobby McGee's new book.

Babies are Wiped Out

Babies are Wiped Out
Megan and I are holding the sleeping girls---

Sarah, Sarah and Anna

Sarah, Sarah and Anna
Sarah (2 yrs) is getting to know her new baby sister!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!
When Sarah goes to sleep she puts the tags from her blankets on her eyelashes (she always uses the yellow one). She also thinks everyone else wants the tag when they sleep too---including her newborn sister!

Mom, Baby and Sarah

Mom, Baby and Sarah
Megan and Anna are both doing well. This picutre was the day Megan and Anna got to come home from the hospital. Sarah giving Anna some snuggels!

Michael and Meghan's Wedding

Michael and Meghan's Wedding
Nate and I are getting ready to walk down the asile for my brother's wedding.

High Powered Fans

High Powered Fans
These fans are the horsepower of the tunnel...very powerful! They can simulate speeds of 80mph.

Holding the Flower Girl!

Holding the Flower Girl!
Feb. 14th wedding day....Nate and I are holding our niece, Sarah. She did a great job walking down the asile at 23 months!

Inside the Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel
On my Triad, in my new aero position!

Last Minute Travel

Last Minute Travel
Here we are with our U-Haul...we made it safe and sound!

Wren Hollow Elementary

Wren Hollow Elementary
A couple of weeks ago I went back to my Elementary school and spoke to the kids about Triathlon, goal setting and the Olympics! They gave a wonderful welcome with signs, posters, and cheers!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning
My Mom, Sarah and I are playing with Sarah while she is enjoying her new toy. This elephant is very strong...my Dad sat on it and it held (he is 230lbs!!)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Here is Jess snuggling with her babies (Gwen and Rowan). Gwen looks a lot like Jess and Rown look like his daddy, Lucas.

Snow!

Snow!
This view is off my parents deck (the last picture showed the many colors of fall...but winter can be beautiful too!)

Post Parade

Post Parade
Busch Stadium in the background....looks different without the crowds!

On the Run in Beijing

On the Run in Beijing
Racing in the Olympics---if you wonder what the black strap is in my suit, it is my timing chip. It was falling off of my ankle on the bike and I did not want it to get stuck in my chain ring, so I ripped it off and shoved it in my suit!

Another View of Winter

Another View of Winter
Same view as earlier blog post, but with snow!

Holiday Night Out to Dinner

Holiday Night Out to Dinner
Nate and I with Tommy, Sarah (brother-in-law and his finace) and a friend of Sarah's. Tommy and Sarah are getting married October 17th.

Wedding in Minnesota

Wedding in Minnesota
Nate, my cousin Matt Beasley, his wife Lindsay and I. The wedding was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Parade

Thanksgiving Parade
Here I am ready to ride in the yellow Mazda (sponsor for the parade). It was great to see all the families and kids out to watch...

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View off my parents deck

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View from my parents deck

Lake Shot

Lake Shot
View of the pond on my parents property