Samantha Moske at a recent triathlon ...

T Minus 7 Days and getting excited

Just 7 days till I depart for Greenland and I'm getting excited ... my team, Team POLAR/Feed The Machine, is the only one representing America. We will be racing the SIKU EXTREME ARCTIC CHALLENGE.

The SIKU EXTREME ARCTIC CHALLENGE is 5-day combined stage and expedition race takes teams through a distance of about 250 km and climbs 9,000+ vertical metres in the magnificent and wild beauty of Ammassalik Island, Greenland. The race is always held in July, as this month unfolds, the Arctic summer reaches its very height with long sunny days and just a few hours of twilight. The average temperature during daytime is between 10 - 15 degrees celsius.

The SIKU EXTREME ARCTIC CHALLENGE consists of the following stages:

Mountain Biking

The bike sections have received the best reviews from very prominent mountain bikers. Very demanding routes both physically and technically. The routes are laid out on a mixture of gravel roads, paved roads, dirt tracks and "no tracks at all".

Mountain Trekking

Navigating through mountainous terrain, with very few - if any - defined tracks. Cols, culoirs, peaks and rivers need to be crossed with a lot of loose rocks and some easy scrambling. On one of the stages we might incorporate actual climbing, but this will be done with the timing on hold, to make this experience accessible for all racers, including those without any previous climbing experience.

Glacier Trekking

Several glaciers will be travelled. This requires full glacier gear (crampons, harnesses, ropes, ice axes) and the requisite knowledge to use this equipment. There will be crevasses on the glaciers, but generally the crevasses are easy to navigate - though in bad visibility difficulties can arise.

Ice Fjord Paddling

The Canoe venue is a unique experience on the ice-filled waters of the Sermilik Icefjord. Paddling among the huge icebergs is an awesome experience and not to be found anywhere else. Our Grabner Adventure inflatable canoes have proved their value - they are stable (very safe) and carry the whole team. Safety on this venue is a main issue and security boats are at all times close to the racers.

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Below are a few pictures from previous years races. You can watch a short clip from last year's race here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agdpq2y1oM0

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Team Saab Salomon on the Mittivakkat Glacier


Part of the base camp


Race start


Team Tscherning, canoe sprint


Stunning Arctic vista


Team Inu:IT on the Mittivakkat Glacier


MTB route in the streets of Tasiilaq


Team Peak Performance


Polhems Fjeld

Jeff Vicario

Cool Breeze Century Anyone ???

Cool Breeze Century

Saturday, August 18

Are there any other Polar members riding in Cool Breeze? It's a great course with plenty of rest stops providing fresh fruit, cookies, bagels, sandwich fixins' and they even pass out popsicles at the last rest stop in Carpinteria at the Rincon Point Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The Cool Breeze route follows the coast from Ventura to Santa Barbara. The weather is generally in the low 70's - perfect summer cycling weather. The route is fairly flat to rolling terrain. You can sign up at Active or for more information go to http://www.cibike.org/

Vince Mattera

Ironman CdA 07

Sunday June 24th, Race Day and the strong trade winds from the south and cool temperatures returned. 30 minutes prior to the start Ironman announced that the swim, due to the conditions on Lake Coeur d’Alene, would be optional. Those opting not to swim could compete as duathletes and would start after all of the triathletes exited T1 and were already biking (estimated 930am). The swells were big considering it was a lake. The water had warmed to a pleasant 64 deg, warmer than the 42 deg air temperature on race morning. 7am and the cannon fires; 2400 athletes head in unison into the unforgiving water. Many would not make the swim cutoff. The swells and unusual current spread everyone apart so there was much less hand to hand combat than I was expecting. Of course the swim times were affected and mine was 9 mins off from where I had hoped I’d be.

Out of the water in & out of T1 and I was on the bike. The wind made it difficult to warm after swimming for an hour plus. The new bike course was beautiful though challenging. There were a few dangerous turns, near 180’s, but they were well marked. In comparison to the old course, this one was by far hillier. After analyzing the data from my POLAR CS400 I am still amazed at all the data it captures. I was able to take XXX off my bike split and there is no other reasons other than I was able to train more intelligently with my POLAR computer. I didn’t train more, just smarter.

Ok, so as I pull into T2 I quickly throw on my running gear and head out. Shortly into the run the battery dies on my RS400sd foot POD. I should have known better and replaced the battery but still it would be great to have a low battery indicator on the watch. I ended up running the marathon using Heart Rate and perceived ex ertion and felt great. I am lucky I have my nutrition nailed down. The only deviation was after mile 19. I became addicted to oranges on cola and walked each time I saw them. Still I pulled out a 4 hr marathon and shaved over an hour off my previous Ironman time.

After the race I was not terribly sore and friends tell me I didn’t push hard enough. I know they are right and I am already looking to set a new PR next year and shatter my current time.

-- Jeff

Ventura Breath of Life Triathlon

Theses are a few pics from the Ventura Breath of Life Triathlon June 24th. The water was a lovely brown color and very choppy. Not good for the stomach on the ride. It was a nice flat 25 mile bike ride and 10K run.
- Samantha Moske

Recovery

Three separate studies analyzed the best way to recover from a hard workout or race!

It's not resting, lying in bed, or icing down; it's working out passively. Here is an About-dot-Com article regarding the reasons and the research. From the article:

One study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise found that active recovery immediately after the event encourages recovery and reduces muscle lactate levels faster than complete rest. After hard intervals, one group rested completely while a second group exercised at 30 percent intensity between intervals.

The active group reduced blood lactate levels faster and could achieve a higher power output throughout the workout.

Three studies are are cited with links within the article [Link]

2007 Ironman World Championship Slot

So you want in huh?

This may be your last shot for 2007

Click --> HERE <-- for details

Are you as active as you think?

Polar Celebrates 30 Years Of Innovation with
Launch of Activity Watch to U.S. Market

Revolutionary Watch Helps People Understand How Increasing Their Active Steps Contributes To a Healthier Lifestyle.

Lake Success, N.Y. (May 2007) - Polar, the leader in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technology, today announced the debut of the new Activity Watch. The Activity Watch tracks the quality and quantity of daily activity in the form of a sleek and stylish wrist watch.

This newest innovation from Polar expands the company's 30-year heritage outside the heart rate monitoring category to encompass the 86 million people (source: Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, 2007) who identify themselves as walkers and is designed to substantially increase their level of physical activity. The Activity Watch accomplishes this by helping users understand how increasing their active steps contributes to a healthier lifestyle.

"Whether you are taking a stroll in the park, walking to work or keeping up with your children, people may not realize that their daily life activities really do count toward achieving physical fitness," said Jeff Padovan, president of Polar. "By understanding that it all counts, the Activity Watch will help Americans get the most out of existing routines and inspire them to take the next step toward greater personal fitness."

How the Polar Activity Watch Differs From a Pedometer
The Activity Watch provides a higher level of value than a pedometer because it measures movement and caloric consumption based on personalized settings to inspire, motivate and guide people to get the most from their daily activities. The new technology features a custom calorie counter, a timed active step sensor and gauges five levels of activity ranging from slow walking, jogging and running - all in an intuitive display that is easy for anyone to use and understand.

The Activity Watch's accelerometer specifically measures forward motion and allows for the precise measurement of everyday physical activities such as choosing the stairs versus the escalator or walking the dog. It then combines personalized information including height, weight and age to provide accurate and useful output throughout each active period. The Activity Watch also features a built-in altimeter and barometer to measure both altitude and weather conditions for a more informed experience.

The Activity Watch, which is unisex in its styling to appeal to both men and women, has a steel frame and crystal face. This convenient and compact technology, which is worn on the wrist without a separate chest transmitter, is due to arrive at authorized retail locations across the country by late spring and is priced at $199.95.

GOT PICS?

GOT PICS?

Its time for the Annual Team Polar Photo Contest with $500 going to the Team that submits the best assortment and quantity of digital photos (as individuals and as a team) wearing the Team Polar apparel.

Feel free to make multiple submissions throughout the duration of the contest. The winning team will be announced in the June eNews.

Don't delay! Contest ends Monday, June 11th!

Click à HERE ß to log on & submit your pics

Also … the POLAR reps. Say that they should have all the details by early June regarding monitor upgrades. They asked me to remind you that monitors you want to upgrade should be un-used & in new condition. More details soon.

POLAR LA teammates pose for a quick pic at LA Tri Series

POLAR LA teammates Vince Mattera, Stephanie Pillard and Leah Hoyer pose for a quick pic at LA Tri Series in Bonelli Park.

POLAR LA - all over WF07

WF07

Wildflower Recap – Jeff Vicario

It was great to see so many familiar faces out there this year at Wildflower. Many fellow POLAR athletes were in attendance from other markets (San Francisco, LA, San Diego, etc…). The whole wildflower experience was great and this race is a must if you have not experienced it at least once. Anyway, my race did not go exactly as planned.

The day started with warm conditions and steady winds. Yes, there would be a strong head wind on the bike, just one more challenge to add to the already notoriously difficult course. The water was a reported 65 degrees so that was a pleasant surprise however the wind created a chop that was unexpected. As a result my swim was a bit slower that I had hoped.

Ok out of the water and on to T1. So far so good, until … Just three pedal strokes out of T1, I flatten my rear tire. Having changed many tires I whipped out my gear and had a new tube in and was on my way in no time. Rick shouted to me as I was changing the tire. I had hoped not to see him since I started in an earlier wave then him. Still only a few feet from transition there were many people cheering and the adrenalin was high. I hammered to try to make up for lost time and soon started the climb out of the park then into the wind. Using the CS400 I monitored my heart rate, speed, and cadence and could not understand why I was constantly being passed. Even when I encountered familiar faces on the course, people I train and ride with all the time, I was not able to keep up. Was I not prepared for the hills and wind? Maybe I didn’t sleep the night before? Was I getting sick?

I continued to monitor my heart rate and speed for the next 30 miles as the endless parade of athletes passed. My legs were burning and I know that the CS400 was not lying when it said my HR was averaging in the 150BPM range. I decided to chalk it up as I was not prepared to race until … mile 31. I hear, again, POP! The rear tire is flat.

The day is just not going right for me but I play the cards as they are dealt to me and pull out my last tube and CO2 and as I pull of the wheel notice that the brake calipers were rubbing the rim the whole time! I was riding with the brakes on!!! No wonder I could not keep up with anyone. In my haste to fix the first flat I pushed the calipers down too quickly and shifted the whole brake off skew. Well, I thought, it is what it is. As I continued to repair my next flat I noticed that the tube burst right throw the tire itself. As if that was not bad enough the location was on the sidewall where the tire bead meets the wheel rim. There was no chance to repair the damage. My race was over!

Left to walk for the next hour toward the next aid station, some 5 miles ahead, athletes continued to pass. Many, including fellow POLAR athletes, asked if I needed anything as they went by. There was nothing anyone could do; I needed a whole new tire. Finally, I got a ride back to the park from someone racing the Olympic course on Sunday. I’m not sure what happened to the SAG support for the injured / disabled athletes but I never saw them.

The venue was still a good one and I am looking forward to next year when I hope to have some better luck.

Wildflower Weekend

Wildflower – It’s All Good

This year’s event, like prior years, was a celebration of fitness.   It’s amazing to see thousands of athletes gathered in one area to  participate in such a challenging race.  The transition area is  bigger than a K Mart parking lot and is packed with race gear. In the  campground you can feel the  anticipation building throughout the day  as competitors prepare for their event.

Sometimes, no matter how much preparation we do, mechanical failures  will get in our way.  I experienced a flat as I was leaving T-1.   Jeff Vicaro also had the misfortune of changing a tube and later was  left stranded on the bike course when his tire exploded.  I now  consider myself fortunate, as I was able to finish the bike and run  without further complication.

It was great to see team members Rick Crump and Stephanie Pillard  racing the long course on Saturday.  Rick looked strong at mile 12 of  the run and finished in under five hours!  Great job Rick.

There were lots of Team Polar shirts on the course and I spoke with a  few Bay Area members during the weekend.  Stephanie and I bumped into  each other on Saturday evening at a post-race gathering and she  shared her race day experience.

Deer were visible all over the campground and at one time during the  race decided to cut across the course.  Luckily the runners saw them  coming. The cyclists didn’t see them, but fortunately the deer made  it safely across.  Another sighting worth mentioning (maybe not) was  a parade through the campground of college students in their birthday  suits.  Wearing nothing but what God gave them, a group of about 25  men and women jogged through at sunset.


Vince Mattera

Multivitamin - 10% off wholesale for Team POLAR

Hi all,

I want to share with you incredible vitamin product my friend (Richelle Lund) turned me on to a while back. She is a trainer for NBA and WNBA players as well as Olympic athletes. She also works with Dr Ray Strand.

As athletes, we should be taking some kind of multi-vitamin supplement. May as well take the best. These are all pharmaceutical grade supplements (meaning what is on the label is in the bottle, nothing more or less). Highly marketed supplements like Centrum, Geritol, etc.. are not regulated and have been proven through scientific tests not to have the potency they say and they have other miscellaneous ingredients not on the label.

USANA is the only company to offer a million dollar guarantee to professional athletes that they will never test positive for banned substance due to the use of their supplements. No other nutritional supplement company will do this because they know they add miscellaneous filler ingredients to their products.

I have been taking the essential daily vitamins for almost 2 years now along with the glucosomine for my knees. Their protein powders and nutritional shakes and bars are awesome as well.

If you are interested in contacting her about them, her email  is r-lund@comcast.net.  She will be able to offer us 10% off wholesale. I have a book that compares the top vitamin products. If you want to send me the exact brand and name you use, I can tell you how it compares to other brands. USANA happens to have ranked #1 for the last 4 years.

Thanks and happy training!
Samantha Moske - Team POLAR

 

 

 

Desert Sprint Triathlon RR

Race Date: April 22nd, 2007

I had a great season opener at the Desert Sprint Triathlon in La Quinta, CA this past weekend. My time was 1:08 whick put me in 3rd place in the 30-34 age group and 16th overall out of 440 participants. I’ve been training for longer distances so I haven’t really had to go “into the red” much lately. It felt great to hammer it out and watch my HR stay around 170bpm the whole time. It was a great practice race for Wildflower Long coming up in 2 weeks!

I was able to piece together this short little video recap for your viewing pleasure! hahaha

Results
http://www.y-events.com/07desspt.htm

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntUo1X7jhX4

Aaron Brougher

Competitors begin the swim portion of the Toyota Desert Triathlon held Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta, Calif. Klein and Clark Sports, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., put on the event. Nearly 1,100 athletes, ranging in age from 11 to 84, participated in the swim-bike-run challenge. The triathlon offered two distances, the sprint and the international. The sprint distance included a 500-meter swim, 14-mile bicycle ride and three-mile run. The international distance included a 3Ú4-mile swim, 24-mile bicycle ride and six-mile run.



Competitors move in and out of the transition area at the Toyota Desert Triathlon held Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta, Calif. Klein and Clark Sports, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., put on the event. Nearly 1,100 athletes, ranging in age from 11 to 84, participated in the swim-bike-run challenge. The triathlon offered two distances, the sprint and the international. The sprint distance included a 500-meter swim, 14-mile bicycle ride and three-mile run. The international distance included a 3Ú4-mile swim, 24-mile bicycle ride and six-mile run.



Athletes run along the lakeshore at the Toyota Desert Triathlon held Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta, Calif. Klein and Clark Sports, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., put on the event. Nearly 1,100 athletes, ranging in age from 11 to 84, participated in the swim-bike-run challenge. The triathlon offered two distances, the sprint and the international. The sprint distance included a 500-meter swim, 14-mile bicycle ride and three-mile run. The international distance included a 3Ú4-mile swim, 24-mile bicycle ride and six-mile run.