TriSports.com Blog

Size Comparison: Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS.

I love watches, and I love global positioning systems- two of my favorite training tools. I’ve also been a Timex fan since the days of John Cameron Swayze and his Timex commercials with the famous tag line, “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!”

Since Timex’s new Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS arrived I’ve been stoked putting it through its paces. The watch is swimmable with water resistance to 50 meters (no GPS when submerged though), is compatible with Training Peaks Software through the Timex portal, features an optional heart rate strap and has a unique multisport specific mode that automatically times your swim, T1 time, bike split, T2 time and your run split with attendant pace data for all three.
I’ve worn the watch and explored the features and how it works and it is truly competitive with other GPS watches and heart rate monitors but with some unique features and benefits.

One of the questions we have about the new Timex GPS is, “What is the size compared to other sport watches?”
Enough people asked that we decided to run some photos from our photo shoot for our upcoming complete review so you can see a good comparison of the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS and other popular Timex watches as well as a standard analog dive watch.

Here are the photos for comparison- look for the complete review on TriSports.com University soon!

Yoga for Triathletes – New Class In-Store

Experienced Yogi doing an advanced pose.

To some triathlon as just swim, bike, and run…for a really long time for those who like to hurt themselves. To some yoga is a just a girly, wimpy, poor excuse for exercise, a way get a good stretch, or only for those who can bend themselves into pretzels. Unfortunately, those who view triathlon and yoga in this light completely miss the essence of what each truly are. Both are a way of life and are holistic practices. In order to be a triathlete one must eat, sleep, train, and focus the mind, body and even the spirit. Similarly, being a yogi entails the same holistic practice. Although Yoga alone will not make one a triathlete, integrating yoga into the traiathlet’s training routine to utilize its holistic benefits will allow one to tap into his/her full potential as a triathlete. Swami Vishnu-devanada defines the five foundation principles of the yogic lifestyle as, “Proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking (deep Philosophy) and meditation” (Vishnu-devananda xi). These fountain principles can be translated to the triathlete lifestyle.

Proper Posture:

 If one neglects to have the proper posture, one will most likely develop or cause an injury while practicing yoga. Similarly, in triathlon training, if the proper position or technique is not observed during practice can result in injuries. Observation of proper posture through yoga will promote proper posturing during triathlon training and racing which will prevent injury and increase efficiency of each of the disciplines.

 Proper Breathing:

 Proper breathing is one of the vital functions of one’s body during an athletic performance, just as it is essential for yoga practice. The breath supplies the muscles with the oxygen. “If you’re out of breath, it’s not because you aren’t breathing in enough, it’s because you aren’t breathing out enough,” (Yoga for Marathoners). In addition to providing oxygen to the body, the breath serves as a method of relaxation.

 Proper Relaxation:

 If proper relaxation is not practiced by the yogi or athlete, physical, mental and emotional fatigue will result consequently, causing injury to the body, and/or mind. Relaxation is essential not only for the sake of relaxation, but also for efficiency, recovery, and rejuvenation. In order for the athlete to become stronger, (s)he must allow him/herself sufficient time to rest in order to recover in order to perform his/her full potential as an athlete.

 Proper Diet:

 “The body needs food for two purposes: as fuel to supply energy and to repair body tissues” (Vishnu-devananda 204). The triathlete needs to be especially aware of his/her nutrition during training, but also during his/her everyday life. The teachings of yoga show us that caring for the body as whole rather than independent systems is vital to one’s health which can be translated to one’s performance as a triathlete.

 Meditation/Positive Thinking:

 Yoga is the key and path by which one can achieve a positive state of mind as well as control over his/her thoughts especially during training and racing. Being positive, keeping your mind fresh, appreciating the world around you as well as yourself are all aspects of positive thinking which yoga teaches.

 …more to come

 Biography:

 Vishnu-devananda, Swami. The Complete Illustrated Bood of Yoga. New York: Three Rivers, 1960.

“Yoga For Marathoners Seven tips to boost your body and mind so you can go the distance.” Runner’s World. 01/08/2008, 08 Jan. 2008. Web. <http://www.runnersworld.com/article/printer/1,7124,s6-238-409–12407-0,00.html>.

Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS with ANT+ HRM

The much anticipated Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS with ANT+ Heart Rate Monitor is finally here! Efficient triathlon training begins with the SiRFstarIII GPS technology.  Requiring no calibration, the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS calculates pace, speed, and distance in real time.  Capable of measuring location with Altitude Ascent and Descent distances along with rate.  Can record up to 100 location waypoints to track back and create new routes and can recall up to 50 custom routes for pace tracking.

Customizable displays show up to four data windows of information at a time or can be switched to one large display.  Other key features include Workout Memory with dated summary recording, Chronograph with interval and countdown timers,  Elapsed Time recording, calories burned, and performance data for each lap.  Multisport Event Mode is capable of recording transition times or activities.

Adding the optional Timex Ironman Global Trainer Cadence Sensor to your Trainer will allow you to monitor your pedaling cadence in real time as well as track your pedaling strokes per minute. 

The Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS is available with or without the ANT+ Heart Rate Monitor. 

Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS with ANT+ Heart Rate Monitor

Mike Montoya wins the Socorro Chile Harves Triathlon, AGAIN!

To say I want to do well in my home town race is a huge understatement. I had brothers, cousins, sisters, kids, my mom, my grandma, and my wife in attendance (many raced). Not to mention I won the first ever Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon in 1996, and again in 1999, and 2006. The morning began for the Montoya crew at 4 am with coffee at my grandma’s house. We rode to my youngest brother’s house and then off to transition. Half way there I got a flat in the front sew up! I quickly borrowed a regular wheel from my buddy and continued to the race start. Once in transition, I pumped a Vittoria tire sealant into my flat tire, worried, and hoped it would hold on the technical bike course.

Mike Montoya coming out of T1

The race director started the serpentine swim line up at 6:40. 370+ racers were ready to jump in and start the 400 meter swim 20 yards apart. I knew most of the players and came up with a game plan… Go Hard! Vic Perini, a former pro, who has raced along the likes of Tim Deboom, Mike Pigg, and Macca had my attention as well as a young gun (and fellow TriSports.com team mate) by the name of Rance Irvin. These starts are always hard to gauge who is where and time gaps. I knew there was an All American runner from The University of Colorado who started behind me. My youngest brother, sis, and good buddy were in the mix as well and we had little side bets going. The swim went well, not too crowded, off to T2 where my steed awaited. I knew my shot was on the bike, feeling recovered and pretty fresh I needed to make it move! I pushed pretty hard and came off the bike with a 2 minute lead on the field. I started the bike in 9th, Vic was 6th, and Rance was 8th.

Mike Montoya and Rance Irvin battle it out on the run. Only 8 seconds seperated their final times.

My other bro was on the course giving me splits so I figured I would run accordingly…wrong! I had to dig deep to hold off a couple hard charging 17 minute 5k’ers. Damn, I couldn’t believe how fast they were moving but on that Saturday in my home town with my grandma there, I decided it was mine to win or lose, and I won. My hats off to Rance Irvin, this is a young guy with a bright future in the sport. All in all it was a fabulous weekend and the city of Socorro put on yet another great race.

Aqua Sphere Kayenne – Make a Splash!

Widen your view (literally) with the Aqua Sphere Kayenne triathlon goggle.  Equipped with oversized, patented Plexisol curved lenses to expand your field of vision 180-degrees without distortion.  This open water goggle has a one-touch Quick-Fit Buckle for simple adjustment – even on the fly.  Aqua Sphere’s stabilizing nose bridge and super slim microframe keeps the goggle close and comfortably secure against the face.  As if that wasn’t enough, these goggles have an anti-fog, scratch resistant, UV lens treatment for long lasting clarity.  The Aqua Sphere Kayenne is the ultimate  performance swim goggle – get a pair for your next race!

Aqua Sphere Kayenne Open Water Swim Goggle

Speedfil Hydration System

The Speedfil Hydration system is one of those products that you see  someone else using and think to yourself ‘why am I not using one of those?’   Consisting of a frame mounted cage, bottle, drink tube, and an optional Speedfil Speedsok, the Speedfil system is perfectly matched for those who seek a hydration system that is aerodynamic and functional. 

The Speedfil Hydration system can hold 40 ounces of you favorite endurance fluid, such as the new PowerBar Ironman Perform Ready to Drink fluid.  To keep your endurance fluid cold on those long summer rides, Speedfil offers the Speedsok Silver Edition, which utilizes a silver heat reflective material to keep fluids cold.

Speedfil Hydration System

The Speedfil Hydration System is gear that gets used!

Brooks Cascadia 5

The Brooks Cascadia 5 has been on the market for a while, but has only recently been adopted by a lot of my trail running friends. We went to Wasson Peak for a run this past weekend and three of us were wearing the Cascadia 5 trail shoes. The route to Wasson is a great “runnable” trail with some challenging steeper sections. The reward is one of the best views in Tucson since this is the high point of the Tucson Mountains. The trail is a bit rocky, so having a solid shoe with a good rock guard is really a must. Not only are the soles very durable, but both the toe box and sole keep your foot snug and protected.

Where these shoes really shine though are on the downhill sections. The traction is superb, even on the damp rocks, due to the widely spaced lugs on the outsole and the precise fitting “arch capture” that provides excellent underfoot control.

They are light enough to not feel sloppy when good footwork is needed to navigate the trail over some of the rockier sections.

The Brooks Cascadia 5 is the enhanced version of the venerable Cascadia 4, a Runner’s World Magazine top “Editor’s Choice” winner in both 2008 and 2009. Little has changed about the shoe from the V.4 to the V.5 and that’s good.
Another great feature is the radiused outsole at the heel that provides a nice transition at the beginning of footstrike and prevents getting a heel caught at an inopportune time on a descent- which could produce an awkward stumble. No worries on the Cascadia 5- it rides beautifully from heel to toe even on lose footing.
Stop by and try on the Cascadia 5 or Saucony Xodus, which is on sale for 79.97 while supplies last. If you need any help getting to any of the awesome trails here in the Tucson area, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Some of the staff members run every weekend on these trails.

Time iCLiC Pedals – Clic, Clic, BOOM (Review)

I have been riding Time pedals since the day I started using clipless pedals some 20 years ago.  I have always used Time pedals – why?  I don’t know, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it I guess.  I have had no reason to leave them so that is what I have used.  I have been on the Time Impact pedals for several years now (the predesssor to the RXS pedal).  I didn’t go to the RXS because I didn’t see a huge benefit.  In February I got to see the new Time iCLiC pedal and I couldn’t wait to get a set. 

Why the excitement over a pedal?  It’s the iCLiC technology.  Basically they have built a “mouse trap” mechanism that “catches” the cleat.  When you click out of the pedal this mouse trap is reset.  This technology translates to getting into the pedal about 50-70% easier than most pedals. 

Time iCLiC Pedal

In fact, the Time ICLIC is the only pedal system I have ever seen where you can hold the pedal in your hand and easily engage the cleat.  Exiting the pedal requires the standard exit force on most pedals.  These pedals are great for intermediate to expert riders in cycling/triathlon as they are so easy to clip into. 

TIME iCLiC Cleat - new composite material saves on weight.

However, and this is a big HOWEVER.  After using these for several weeks I have come to learn that the “mouse trap” works almost too well.  It is extremely easy to mis-clip into these pedals.  Mis clip?  Yes, if you don’t get your toe into the front of the pedal immediately the rear cleat gets engaged first leaving the toe of the cleat on top of the pedal.  Yes, this is user error, but after using Time pedals for over 20-years and tens of thousands of miles I don’t think it is completely user error.  Regardless, once you know the pedal system will do this it is easy to look out for.  If you don’t hear the crisp sound of the “Clic” (hence IClic) then you didn’t engage properly.  You would think it would be easy to notice a mis clip but to the untrained rider it is very difficult to tell that the toe is not engaged.

Time iCLiC Pedal properly engaged.

Time iCLiC pedal system mis clip

Would I buy these again?  Yes, once you are clipped in the pedals are awesome.  The cleats provide a high degree of adjustment and the system is incredibly light.

These pedals come in three flavors:

• Time ICLIC Road Pedal - $140: Entry Level/Intermediate pedal.
• Time ICLIC Carbon Road Pedal – $250: Just like the Titan carbon but has a hollow steel axle.
• Time ICLIC Titan Carbon Road Pedal – $450: The lightest pedal system on the market.  It has a Titanium axle so there is a weight limit of 90kg (198 lbs).

If you’re interested in a more in-depth review of the Time iCLIC Pedals, check out the review on TriSports University.