In this week’s How Much Does It Cost section, we’re going to do the cost analysis of Kona, the Ironman World Championships.  If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined our sport as it came of [...]]]>

In this week’s How Much Does It Cost section, we’re going to do the cost analysis of Kona, the Ironman World Championships.  If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined our sport as it came of age, and continues to be the defining race in our sport for any avid triathlete.

To get to the starting line in Kona, you must either be very lucky and get yourself a spot through the lottery, or very talented, and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world.  Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,800 succeeded.

That means 1,800 “lucky” people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer … 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain (taken from IM website).

So first things first, you can qualify the legitimate way which is to win your age group at one of the many Ironman races or, do the corporate sponsorship way.  Both are going to require a dip into your savings account.

Easiest way is a company forks over some cash for an entry into Kona.  Unfortunately, I cannot find any info on qualifying this way.  My guess is it isn’t cheap.  Nor will your company do it for you.  Qualifying it is!

That leaves qualifying through racing.  Kona is typically reserved for athletes finishing atop their respected age groups.  Top 3-5 usually gain the ability to pay for an entry.  There is a lottery which is a whole other story (you do an Ironman race and then pay for a ticket and if they draw yours you get to go).

Picking an event that allows you to qualify is by far the most challenging.  A lot of people fly to events where the competition is much less.  Ironman Florida is a good example of this because it’s flat and in Pensacola (yeehaw Pensacola!).

So what race suits your abilities?  Do you like hills?  Flats?  Heat?  Early morning start?  A good vacation destination?  Whatever the case may be the entry fee to an Ironman is usually $500-$600 (US).

Race = $600

Let’s say you’re like the people here in Ottawa and have the luxury of driving to an event like Ironman Lake Placid.  That’s going to save you a fair chunk of change.

Drive = $125

Housing = $80 x 3 nights = $240

Food = 3 days x 3 meals x $20 = $120

So a quick trip, a great event, and you qualify!  Now, I think I heard the entry fee is similar to any other Ironman, $600 but I could be wrong.

Entry fee = $600

Luckily, Kona is in the fall which makes getting to Hawaii a little cheaper.  I’m assuming if you’re going to this race than you’re going to take some time to enjoy it.  A 10 day holiday of pain in the lava fields.

Flight = $1100 (per person)

Housing = 10 nights x $100 = $1000

Food = 10 days x 3 meals x $20 = $600

Car Rental = $200

Shwag = $100

Additional funds = $150

Well they didn’t say it was going to be easy…  Let’s see what the tally for an event like this is: $3750 (for Kona), $1085 (to qualify).  Total of = $4835

Yup, you should have taken up a cheaper sport. Like online chess.  Stupid.

But it’s all about the adventure.  You can’t put a cost on that can you?  In this case I just did though…  And $5K really hurts the bank account.  Well, I’m going to have a chess match!  Tootles!

LMS

May 2-4 weekend, myself (Cliff Worden-Rogers) and my blood brother (TJ Worden-Rogers) are going to be riding/running to help end hunger in Ottawa.  We will be competing on a team called “Bytown 171″.  This team will be riding 100K then running in the 10K on Saturday, then waking up and doing another 40K [...]]]>

May 2-4 weekend, myself (Cliff Worden-Rogers) and my blood brother (TJ Worden-Rogers) are going to be riding/running to help end hunger in Ottawa.  We will be competing on a team called “Bytown 171″.  This team will be riding 100K then running in the 10K on Saturday, then waking up and doing another 40K ride following that up with a half marathon (100K + 10K + 40K + 21K = 171).  The goal of this group is to help raise money for the Ottawa Food Bank.

For the past 25 years, the Ottawa Food Bank has been working diligently to fight community hunger. But we can’t do it alone. Together with a stellar group of community leaders, we are calling on the entire community to join the Heroes Fighting Hunger campaign.

How can you become a hero? Take the 25 for $25 challenge: explore the heroes, join one of their teams and make a donation in any increment of $25. Then invite 25 of your friends to join your team and become a hero too! The campaign wraps up on May 25.

Now more than ever, hunger needs a hero.

If you’d like to help us out, please donate.  Were only looking for $200 (which I’ll make up the difference).  If you’d like to donate to our cause please go here.

Thanks for your support!  It should be a fun (albeit hard) weekend!

LMS

Lance's New Livestrong Madone 6.9

By James Huang, from Cyclingnews.com

Seven-time [...]]]> Check out Lance’s new wheels he’s gonna debut in Australia later this month…not too shabby. Check out that killer custom LiveStrong paint job! Here’s an article from Cyclingnews.com and there are more pics here.

Lance's New Livestrong Madone 6.9

One-off machine marks Lance Armstrong’s Australian debut

By James Huang, from Cyclingnews.com

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will mark his official return to professional road racing with Johan Bruyneel’s Astana team at the upcoming Tour Down Under aboard a one-off Trek Madone 6.9 draped in his trademark Livestrong livery.

In contrast to the blue and white rigs piloted by the rest of his teammates, Armstrong’s bike is a decidedly more somber black and grey punctuated by a bright yellow ‘Livestrong’ logo and band on the top tube. Littered throughout the graphics are a number of “hidden messages” though we’ll have to wait until the rest of the bike is unveiled in Australia to see exactly what they are. According to Trek road bike marketing manager Scott Daubert, lying beneath the custom finish is a fully standard 58cm Madone 6.9 frame pulled directly off the production line.

Daubert added that the special paint job required thirty hours of labor to complete – in spite of the complicated graphics, there are no decals and each detail was applied solely with careful paint and masking work. As a result, other production in Trek’s Project One division was essentially shut down in the meantime as nearly the entire staff was involved, including graphic artist Mike Pfalzgraff, ‘paint department maestro’ Bob Seibel, and paint cell leader Brian Yuker among others.

Armstrong’s frame still has a long journey ahead before it is complete, though. In the coming days, team liaison Ben Coates will reportedly fly to Trek headquarters in Wisconsin from Austin, Texas to take delivery of the one-of-a-kind creation. From there, he will then hand carry it directly to Australia where he will pass it on to Astana team mechanics for assembly.

According to Daubert, Armstrong will use the standard team build kit consisting of SRAM Red and Bontrager wheels and cockpit components. Almost assuredly, the bike will also be topped with Armstrong’s signature Selle San Marco Concor Lite saddle.

Armstrong has stated on multiple occasions that the main purpose of his comeback was “to take the global epidemic of cancer really to a much bigger stage,” and the bright finish, which should be easily distinguishable from others in the peloton, will undoubtedly draw attention to his cause. It is still unclear, though, what kit he will be wearing.

A similarly distinctive black-and-yellow kit would naturally draw even more attention but UCI rules clearly mandate that “Each team may have only a single design for clothing (colours and layout) which may not be altered for the duration of the calendar year,” and that “Riders’ clothing shall always be identical to the specimen lodged.”

However, that hasn’t stopped other riders in the past who have been more than willing to pay a hefty fine in order to don some special duds. For now, Daubert says the team has supplied Armstrong with official Astana kit though we’ll have to wait a little longer to see what he actually uses.

For more information, visit the official Trek company blog.

The Terry Fox Foundation Looking for Candidates Willing to Go the Distance

Dear Terry Foxer:

In the three decades since the Marathon of Hope, many different writers have tried to explain, to an increasingly jaded world, how a young man would be willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. Terry’s compassion, [...]]]>

The Terry Fox Foundation
Looking for Candidates Willing to Go the Distance

Dear Terry Foxer:

In the three decades since the Marathon of Hope, many different writers have tried to explain, to an increasingly jaded world, how a young man would be willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. Terry’s compassion, his integrity, his benevolence, his focus, made him a truly unique individual. And so it is understandable that the focus would be on Terry as a person, his desire to alleviate the suffering of so many, and the remarkable legacy that continues to this very day.

Yet often overlooked is his almost superhuman capacity to run, on one good leg, a marathon a day for 143 days. Terry’s remarkable humanitarian effort was matched by an athletic accomplishment that has never been repeated.

A Symbolic Journey

With this in mind The Terry Fox Foundation is presently considering a proposal that would illustrate in detail what Terry accomplished in 1980.

The event will reacquaint new and existing generations with Terry’s example of athleticism, determination and self-sacrifice. It is only an idea at the moment and has a number of “subject to” clauses.

More Information
About the Foundation
Proposed Plan
Do You Have What It Takes?
Deadline: January 8th, 2009
Proposed Plan

The plan at this time is to have two teams of twelve runners start in St. Johns and Victoria on April 12th. Each participant will attempt to run 3,339 miles in 143 days, matching Terry’s daily mileage, meeting in Thunder Bay on Labour Day weekend.

There will be a one hour casting special to air in April in CBC primetime where the participants will be introduced, the stakes will be set for the run and Terry’s enduring and building legacy will be highlighted. This will be followed by a feature that would appear weekly on the National or CBC News Sunday that would provide an update on the runners and their fundraising efforts. There would also be a one hour (or more) special on Labour Day.

A website will be created that would present the diaries of the runners, offer up to date features and allow a click through to our website for online donations.
Do You Have What It Takes to Go the Distance?
The participants will be chosen based on the following:

1. You have been inspired by Terry’s story and have a history of supporting Terry’s vision and principles
2. You are willing and able to undertake fundraising for the Foundation
3. You believe in your ability to physically complete the challenge – and can prove it!
4. You are willing and able to put aside work/other commitments for 4.5 or more months

Now Is Your Time to Convince Us!

2006logoIf you would like to participate as a runner in this historic event, please reply to marathonofhope2009@gmail.com, sending us your contact information and telling us why you are the ideal candidate for the show. We want to get a sense of who you are and what motivates you to apply for this kind of challenge.

In addition, we ask that you please create a 3-5 minute video so we can see you in action. Your video should include: Your name, age, hometown and why you want to be a participant in the Marathon of Hope 2009. Please upload your video to YouTube.

Please notify us immediately by sending the URL when you’ve uploaded your video. We look forward to hearing from you!

Deadline for applications: January 8, 2009
Need extra help uploading your video?

Sincerely,

Darrell Fox
National Director
The Terry Fox Foundation