BSTT Blog- Episode 1- June 2020

Welcome to the new BayState Tri Team Blog!

From Your President, Jack Wagon:

Here, we will share news and information that pertains to our sport(s), training, nutrition, deals, races, events and all that other fun stuff... and the Awesome BSTT Board of Directors will also each have their part in the monthly blog (see below)!

I am always trying to find new and innovative ways to communicate- with the blog, users can see posts in chronological order, and don't have to go looking for the last newsletter to find info.  Also, viewers can comment (if logged in) and check out links to sites right from here.  This blog works with the BSTT Gmail account, so it's super user friendly and we will be using it from here to the end of the calendar year- and then would love to get your feedback!

So, let's begin!

In The News This Month:

• Races: See the info below from Mark and Tim!
• Training: From Joe Rich of QT2/Cycle Life/OutRival:
  1. Top team with most entrants for NEVT getting $100 kickback
  2. Studio now opening for outdoor spin/strength classes
  3. We’ve got lots of newer content on all blogs (ORR, CLS, QT2) as well as webinars (that are FREE for coaches athletes, usually $20 for everyone else. That might be nice for folks to know!
  4. QT2 virtual race series is expanded to all! This is a series that’s separate from NEVT. That’s on qt2 website.

Keezer's Corner: All the online order product will be in this week and we plan on shipping by end of week.  The Team tees will also be in- if you ordered gear from the Keezer Sport Online Store, your BSTT team tee will be shipped to you (if you chose to have your order shipped).  If you did not order gear from the Keezer Online Store, your BSTT team tee will be at BikeBarn for you to pick up, probably by next week (check with Kevin first if you have a long drive!).

Hilary's Hang Out: With extra time on my hands these past weeks I found myself with the luxury of having the space in my day to read more. Here are some of my favorite triathlon reads/resources.

1. Iron War; Dave Scott, Mark Allen the greatest race ever run

        Author: Matt Fitzgerald.

This is a real page turner describing one of the most intense rivalries in sports. Well written, Fitzgerald recounts in gripping detail the 1989 Iron Man race where these two legends battle neck and neck for the World Championship title. Filled with photos from the era it also describes how each of the champions battled personal setbacks and demons to rise to the height of triathlon. A must read for any triathlete.

2. A life without limits: A World Champions Journey.

Author: Chrissy Wellington

A perfect book for the recovery beach day! An easy read describing how Chrissy Wellington “accidentally” became a professional triathlete at the age of thirty and how she won the Iron Man World Championships in her first attempt at an Iron Man distance in 2007. She went on to win again in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

3. You (only faster)

Author: Greg McMillan

This book helps you design your own running training plan for any distance in 6 steps. Are you an enduromonster or a speedster? The author helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses and create a plan that is unique to you.

4. Roar

Author: Stacy Sims

A must read for any female athlete! Sims describes the many differences between male and female athletes and how that is translated into training and performance. Women tend to have more GI issues, she explains why that is so, women should also lift heavier weights (to help bone density) and avoid IMF. An excellent resource.

5. Racing Weight: How to get lean for peak performance

Author: Matt Fitzgerald

In this book Fitzgerald outlines his five step plan for endurance athletes of all types, he explains the scientific priniciples behind how weight affects performance and is a believer in “ what gets measured gets managed” His book contains a formula on how to calculate your ideal ‘race weight’. Let’s just say I’m still working on this one ☺

-Happy Reading!

Sue's Quick Bite: With the 2020 race season pretty much nonexistent, our end of the season awards party is going to be a little different. We will celebrate our team members and their amazingly creative spirit, sponsors and race directors. We will recognize those who have come up with creative ways to keep training and (virtually) racing. Stay tuned for information about our Baystate Training day coming soon to a body of water near (or far from) you. 

Darcey's Roost: 2020 - a year to remember or forget? What a bust!  Well is it a bust?  Maybe not.  On one hand, would I like to have gone through the training and been within reach of my first Ironman and have it over with?  Hell ya.  (Didn't really want to be doing this another year...)  It might be for the best though.  I've been battling a foot injury that would have made it really tricky to properly train.  Resting now so I can run later seems like just what Dr. Fauci ordered.  As I was driving home from the pond this morning after my swim, I caught the tail end of Katy Perry's new song "Daisies" and it immediately caught my ear.  Following the song, there was a snippet of an interview with the radio host and Perry and I was pleasantly surprised with the discussion.  Every once in a while a celebrity will make you stop and take note when you would normally just dismiss them. Like the time ACDC was outspoken about education and I thought, wow, they aren't just a bunch of hard rock meatheads after all.  Or the time I heard Selena Gomez speak and was so poised that I started researching her more based on the way she handled the interview.  Katy Perry is another that surprised me today.  I mean, come on, weirdo...riding unicorns and roaring through the jungle?  But today she talked about her struggle with mental health and being so depressed she couldn't get out of bed for months.  She has become very vocal for mental health awareness, which I did not know and it struck a nerve.  Whether you have mild anxiety, extreme ADD, OCD, depression or whatever, it impacts more people than you can probably ever imagine.  Most go undocumented but struggle in silence.  Others have very public breakdowns and it's plastered all over the news.  Then there are those that are in the middle.  Somewhere on the scale are all of us.  Maybe we use triathlon as an outlet or perhaps it could be a barrier that we try to overcome.  I think I fall into both categories.  I use my training as an escape.  I'm not ashamed to say an escape from life.  When I swim, my mind shuts off.  I concentrate on my breathing, my stroke, and how my hand is slightly cramping from cupping the water too much.  When I bike, I zone out.  Sometimes the ride is hard and it's all I can do to keep the pace and survive and other times it's pure camaraderie with who is there.  Learning about them, their lives and sharing moments of my life.  When you ride with people, which I hope people do, you get some of your best free therapy sessions.  I cannot remember a time where I got off my bike and didn't feel better.  Running, well, we won't go there.  That's just a sufferfest and I typically complain in my mind the entire time, but hey! I don't think about too much else, which is probably for the best.  I will admit there are times when I do have a decent stretch while running where I feel each step I take to the beat of the music.  I am a creature of habit and I do tend to run along the beach and will stop, sometimes at the exact same portion of the guardrail where "Zoe and Mark" are scraped in and then reflect.  I'm grateful.  Sometimes not as much as I should be, but I try to use that stop for fresh air, gather strength, wonder what really is out there on the horizon and to feel the impact exercise has on my life.  I race however, to get that high that everyone talks about.  There is nothing like it.  You may sink to the depths of hell during that race, but there is nothing like crossing that finish line in the end and seeing your friends, family and hearing "Darcey Fahey from Scituate!"

As I mentioned, I find solace in music and really listen to the meaning in the words.  If they resonate, they are with me for a very long time and I use them for fuel almost as equally as a Gu or sports drink.  To tie this back into 2020, this stupid year from hell, listen to Katy Perry's new song "Daisies".  Some of the lyrics really make sense.  Have you ever told someone you do triathlon and you are training for an Ironman?  You'll understand what I'm saying.  "You're crazy!"  "Can you even do that?"  Well, maybe I'm the only one that hears that.  Maybe they aren't really saying that but it's what I think I hear.  Whatever the case, we all are striving for something right?  Something to work towards, something to overcome, something that no one thinks we can do.  Unfortunately it's not going to be this year, but on the bright side, I've got one more year to train, mentally prepare, spend more time enjoying each swim, each ride and making the best of each run is only going to make me stronger.  Next year I won't hear those voices anymore.  At least I hope not.  I won't be saying "can you believe I'm doing an Ironman?"  Instead, I'll be ROARing with Katy Perry, screaming "I'M DOING AN IRONMAN!"  Are you with me?  Here is the Daisies Link.

SWEENEY’S WORKOUT WORLD:

SWIM: 

Luckily the weather has warmed up so we are able to get outside to swim in a pond, lake or ocean.  If not, you can checkout YouTube for some dryland drills and exercises to work your swimming muscles.

BIKE:

Great time to get outside on your bike and checkout some relatively safe routes in Myles Standish or the new Patriot course.  If you’re not able to get outside on your own, consider buying a basic trainer to use indoors while watching TV with the AC on.  You can find the bike trainers on for sale on FB marketplace or Craig’s List.

RUN:

While practicing safe distancing you can run in your neighborhood, trails or local track. I hope you have a wonderful and safe summer.

Amy and Deb's Deals: Xterra wetsuits currently offering weekly specials. Visit www.xterrawetsuits.com. Be sure to use BSTT discount code found on the team website.

Use your 15% team discount code and keep up your run pace this summer with some new kicks from Marathon Sports. All stores are now open or schedule a virtual fit at www.marathonsports.com. Follow Marathon Sports on FB to see all of the fun virtual events they are offering.
Visit http://QT2Systems.com/Covid-19-resource-hub resource hub for recorded workouts, recipes and more.
Get your virtual fitness on at Old Colony YMCA. Sign up for their FB page for free classes.
Fuel your workouts with Powerbar! 30% discount applied with the BSTT discount code.

Kevin's (Bike) Barnyard: It's been super BUSY at BikeBarn!  Overwhelming, but in a GOOD WAY.  Everyone has figured out that riding a bike is FUN!

Shanimal's Words of Wisdom: When it's obvious that the goals we've set cannot be reached, especially during this difficult time.  Our motivation tends to take a step backwards.  I know mine has.

So Instead of adjusting my goals, I adjusted my actions.
I stepped away my training plan, and became more in tune with my body, and the sport that I fell in love with after doing my first Triathlon in 1991.

"Swim with your arms.  Bike with your legs.  Run with your heart."

Words that we're spoken to me over 12years ago from a friend.
My motivation is back.  I'm loving my bike rides, and have been putting in some serious miles.  My body is more relaxed.

So next time you're heading out to do a swim, bike, or run.
Have fun, enjoy the sun 

And from your Race Directors:

Mark Walter: You may have heard that I have partnered with Tim, Bill Burnett (Streamline Events), Kathleee Walker (New England Endurance Events) and Tim Snow (QT2 Systems) to put together the New England Virtual Triathlon (NEVT). It was Tim Snow's brainchild... he approached me, Tim, Kathleen and Bill and we all pretty quickly came to, "let's do it!".

   We all know virtual races aren't the same, but it's all we've got right now and we felt, given the circumstances, a big virtual event for all the region's triathletes would be pretty cool. The event kicks off next weekend and I wanted to reach out to personally invite members of the Bay State Tri Team to participate and to highlight two important things...

1. The current price of reg is valid through this Sun, 6/21, at 11:59pm EST and then increases to $40. 
2. We're awarding $100 to the tri team/club that registers the most members in the event; for team members to be included in the team member count they must include the name of their team when registering.

Please share this email with other members of the team.

Complete details on the NEVT event can be found here: https://newenglandvirtualtriathlon.com/

Tim Richmond: Mark has said it all here from race updates to the NEVT. We are looking forward to Harvest, Hopkinson and Buzzards but ultimately are relying on the governor for guidance. 

Let’s hope for a great turnout at the Virtual Triathlon!  

Kathleen Walker (NEEE): At this time, we don’t have any changes to our schedule.

S2S is still planned (albeit with alterations) for July 25.

Hyannis 2 and Gut Check are still on the schedule and we hope they stay that way.

Falmouth has a virtual option (July 6 - 12)  - https://www.neeevents.com/falmouth-triathlon/

Also, we’re excited to be a part of the New England Virtual Triathlon (June 28 - July 5) - https://www.newenglandvirtualtriathlon.com/ 

And, from Cycle Life/QT2/Out Rival.. Joe Rich:

Hope all are enjoying the heat and sunshine – and staying hydrated, too!
Wanted to remind folks about the New England Virtual Triathlon that starts next weekend! QT2 (and ORR) are part of the event hosts with all your favorite local race directors – Sun Multisport, Max Performance, Streamline Events, and New England Endurance Events! This event is a no brainer – I know, this sounds biased, but hear me out! (ALSO – A REMINDER: YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO THIS VIA ZWIFT OR INSIDE).
- You automatically get to select what discount you want from local retailers (yes, you participate, you win. That simple). You can see those grab bag items here: https://newenglandvirtualtriathlon.com/event-supporters

- You get entered into a raffle for race entries, OR Hyperice massage gun, OR Normatec Recovery boots, OR Nutrition Plans with the Core Diet.
- You support your favorite race directors, who are all feeling effects of not hosting their races, and receive a $20 voucher to a live race event.

The Competitive class may not be for you – if you’re not into the whole “virtual race” scene, don’t have zwift, or want to be swimming, then you would sign of the Participatory category, where literally all you need to do is complete the distances (and show proof), and you win! You’re ALREADY TRAINING – why not do it as part of the race, where you will automatically receive $45 worth of prizes (via race voucher and discount to retailer)?! You can find out more about how it works here: https://newenglandvirtualtriathlon.com/how-does-it-work-

Last thing is you can upgrade your entry for $25 and get the NEVT commemorative T-Shirt, designed by our friend Bob Keezer, to show that we are “raced” together during these weird times.

OK – that’s my sales pitch for the day – BACK TO TRAINING.
Some folks have races that SEEM to be on the docket! Lubbock looks like a go next week, IMLP has a new date, and our September events look like they may happen. If your schedule is looking a little empty, don’t fret. As I’ve said before, this is an AMAZING time to build up a fantastic foundation while not burning through races. Focus on weaknesses – return from run injury, get back into the water, build up bike endurance, or reintegrate strength work. This is the time, folks!
Happy Summer Solstice – keep at it!

Jackie's Finish Line: So, to wrap it up, the thinking/theme for the month lies around the question of what happens when the usual "motivators" are removed (such as races/competitions)?  Our focus has to shift from training for a goal tied to a race, to training for growth, and improvement (whether mental, physical or both).  This always resonates with me as the difference between internal and external motivators- this season has taught us to lean toward intrinsic discipline versus external motivation.  And this year will put that guiding principle to the test.  How will you do?  That's up to you...  ;)

Thanks everyone, and GO BAYSTATE!

-Jackie