New Uniforms & Training Gear

Due to popular demand I am excited to announce new uniforms and training gear for Midwest Triathlon Coaching athletes. I have been working the past few months with talented artist and good friend Arch Fuston to put together a great design. Through Arch's work at active.com he has been introduced to a custom cycling clothing company from San Diego called BLP that is developing a new line of high quality cycling and triathlon clothing called ZOCA. MTC will be one of the first groups in the US to be wearing these items.
In addition to cycling and tri jerseys pictured above we will have cycling and tri shorts, and tech tee's available. The best part of this whole package is the gear is being provided to MTC athletes at below cost due to the support of three MTC athletes that agreed to be jersey sponsors:

1. Davis Ketchmark & McCreight
2. Sullivan, Bautista, Morgan, Allen & Chronic, and
3. ACT Dental Practice Coaching

Deadline for the gear order was January 31st but thanks to some flexiblity on the part of the manufacturer the new top secret, extra special double extended deadline is now Thursday, Feb 11th. So to place your order click here.

If you have any questions about the gear please contact me at kwelsh1@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing lots of MTC athletes sporting the new gear in 2010!

New Year's Day Resolution Run

Please join us for the New Year's Day Resolution Run.

Which IM to do?

Few weeks ago I added to a discussion on the KC Multisport site regarding which Ironman to do. Have heard some feedback about it so thought it would be worth posting up here too.

Let me add to the debate as someone who has done 8 IMs and coached another 20+ people to successful finishes as well.

For a KC based athlete I would NOT recommend IM AZ or Cozumel. Too late in the year to peak, days are short, weather is cool/cold then you suddenly have to deal with hot or humid conditions. You are setting yourself up for potential failure. Even trying to peak for KONA in October has been tough for me. Florida would be a similar situation though it usually isn't as hot.We train in the heat and the hills of Kansas, so for your IM, especially if it is your first IM, do a race that will provide you terrain and conditions you are accustomed to and where you can drive instead of dealing with the hassles of flying - IM Louisville or IM Wisconsin.

If you can't get in this year then wait and sign up next year. If you have to do it this year (not sure why?) but the regular spots are sold out then donate the extra money and get a Community Fund slot. Doing that is still cheaper and will make for a much better experience than trying to do an Ironman in Mexico. If you want to drink margaritas then take a trip after your IM.

If you are an experienced Ironman athlete who is interested in collecting T shirts from all the races then go do Arizona or Mexico, they are fine events. But if you are a "virgin" or are wanting to really do well then there are better choices.

Article in KC Business Magazine

Very honored to be featured in the September issue of KC Business magazine. It is a wonderful article about how I started Midwest Triathlon Coaching and some "business" lessons I have learned along the way. Bit intimidating to be on the cover of a magazine that features stories about top CEO's and others who are running huge companies. Thank you the staff and my friends at Anthem Media for all their support in the past and now. To read the full article click here.

70.3 World Championships & Jackson County

I am proud to announce that a third MTC athlete has qualified for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater. Maggie B earned her spot at the Timberman 70.3 over the weekend. She joins Kelly D & Aimee W (all ladies, wonder if that is a coincidence?) who have also qualified.

Some serious PR's this past weekend at the Jackson County Triathlon, wonder if the cooler weather had anything to do with it? Jason F finished 3rd overall and Jason T won the Clydesdale division of the short course while Todd D & John O set PR's and Susan O finished second in her AG on the long course.

Few short days and we'll be off to watch the KC crew at Ironman Canada including Ellie's "Uncle Glen". Please join me in wishing Rob S the best of luck at his first Ironman in Penticton. Also this weekend Emily K will be sporting a new "zebra-striped" outfit while doing her first Ironman in Louisville.

Nutritional Information Video

An athlete sent this YouTube clip through to me. It has some interesting nutitional information that I thought would be worth posting here. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yoz4jAhrQ

The Fall Performance Program & Some Updates

With the days getting shorter and the neighborhood kids going back to school this week a lot of us are thinking about plans for the Fall. So I am happy to announce a new group strength & run technique training series we are calling "The Performance Program." For this series I am partnering with good friend Sheryl Hammontree who runs the Fit Pit.

"The Program" will start Sept 22nd and run 10 Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 8:30p. I am really excited about the plan Sheryl and I have put together with a balance of education & training in the areas of nutrition (that's all Sheryl), running technique, strength and flexbility. More info and registration is now available on the Camps/Clinics page.

A lot of great performances have been taking place over the last few weeks so I wanted to send out a huge congratulations to a few athletes that are breaking new ground:

1. Jim D (of MTC's NYC Chapter) set a HUGE PR at IM Lake Placid taking 90 minutes off his time. Jim worked very hard and the results speak from themselves.
2. Aimee W set her 70.3 PR at Steelhead and earned a trip to the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater in November. Two World Championships in two years, not too shabby.
3. Jason F is also off to a World Championships, but in his case it is as a representative of the USA at the Short Course World's in Brisbane, Australia on September 13th. Jason went up against the very best short course athletes in the country at the Pacific Coast Tri in southern California to earn his spot. I told Jason about the hidden clause in his Athlete Agreement that reads "any athlete qualifying for a World Championships on their first attempt must take their Coach along for the trip." He's not buying it...
4. Finally a collective pat on the back to the athletes that suffered alongside their coach at the UltraMax 50. Tim O & Mike M both won the "Beat the Coach" competition while others battled it out on a long hot day. Special recognition goes to Alan W as this is his first year competing in triathlons and UltraMax 50 was by far the longest race he has ever done.

It has been a great season so far with lots of racing still to do - Timberman 70.3 & Jackson County Tri this weekend, IMC next weekend (I am excited to be going up to cheer), IM Wisconsin, Redman etc.