The tension and excitement in the triathlon world is beginning to build. We are a week away from the Hawaii Ironman. The World Championships of Ironman racing and a course that provides a huge challenge to any athlete lucky enough to be starting. In order to excel on this course an athlete needs optimal preparation, great tactical execution, a lot of courage, and a little dose of luck.

So here it goes, it has been 2 full years since I started an Ironman and 4 years since my first and fastest at IM CDA in 2004. So I had a lot that I wanted to improve upon, and a bit of nerves since it had been so long since I had done the distance. These nerves where unnecessary due to the great training I had put into this race, so beneath my anxiousness was a new found confidence that would serve me well.

Jet Lag, it's a term we hear a lot, but what exactly is it and how can travelers limit the impact that it's going to have once they have arrived at their new location? Here I will explain some of the strategies that the modern traveler can use to help limit the impact and jet ahead.

Most of you know the race doesn't really begin the morning you enter the water with 2,000+ other athletes. That is the beginning of the final chapter in the journey to Ironman. I won't bore you with all the details leading up to the final day of the Ironman Florida journey, but I will share some details leading into the race.

I am back at home in Danville, and starting to unwind from all the travel. Kona was great this year. The whole experience was awesome starting with training in Hawaii in September to the 2 weeks before the race training in Kona.

So it is race day morning in Kona, 1:30 A.M. Yes, you read it right 1:30, the race doesn't even start for another 5 hours, and I am up do to nerves. I swear The funny thing is i am not even racing!! Matt Lieto here, brother of Mr. Trifuel, and race day favorite Chris Lieto, checking in before the madness hits.

I recently received an email from an athlete asking if it was “normal” to break up with her boyfriend during her race weeks. Although this is not indicative of a particularly strong relationship, race week stress levels do run very high. It is important not only for the athlete to recognize this, but their spouse or significant other as well.

It felt great to back racing an Ironman 70.3 event again. Vineman is one of my favorite races because of the people and the terrain. The course is a good course for me. Challenging and technical.

After six years of not participating in Triathlons, I recently signed up for a 1/2 ironman race. If you are going to jump in, well jump in big. After 5 ironman races, I figure some time off was well worth it. Getting out of my car I stood speechless.

Baja 70.3 Champion, Linsey Corbin, sends in her race report. Buenos Noches! I am fresh of my first (of hopefully many) 70.3 win and I couldn’t be happier. I made my first trip down to Baja, Mexico this past weekend and raced my hardest to come away with the win on a challenging course.