No longer an underdog after her 3^rd place finish in Hawaii last year, Leanda Cave is one of those athletes you root for because of her work ethic, and because she’s just plain nice. If you live in Tucson you can see her out on the roads and trails, putting in the hard work day after day, like Rocky Balboa. It’s not always the best man or woman who wins; sometimes it’s the ones who are willing to play dirty or sometimes it’s that annoying team with all the money. Leanda, however is not only one of the hardest working professional triathletes, but also one of the nicest professional triathletes I’ve had the honor of meeting.

I’ll never forget the first time I was introduced to her in the TriSports retail store, shortly after I moved to Tucson and started working here. It was my first time meeting a pro outside of a race setting. When I was introduced to her, the person introducing us mentioned that I was training for a marathon. I noticed that she seemed to be friends with everyone in the building, but figured that it was just because they had been there for so long. However, the very next time she came in, not only did she greet me by name, but she asked how my marathon training was going. Getting to know her on a few training rides and on a few social outings solidified my belief that she is a kind, down-to-earth woman.

Because of the wonderful person she is, the entire TriSports triathlon community was behind her on race day. I was, quite literally, on the edge of my seat as I watched the final miles of the marathon unfold. To be honest, I was a little worried at one point; I had never seen Mirinda Carfrae catch another athlete and not pass her. When Leanda held strong and then began pulling away, everyone in the room went wild. She made us believe, as she must have all along, that she could catch Caroline Steffen and win the race.

Sitting in the TriSports Tempe retail store is Leanda’s trophy from Ironman Arizona. At the beginning of the year our staff, along with some of our best customers and sponsored athletes, wrote resolutions for the New Year. Below is a picture of that trophy and Leanda’s resolution; that’s how the mind of a champion works, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the title Ironman World Champion. It was such a thrill watching our friend and sponsored athlete win the most important and exciting race of the year, becoming the first woman to win both the Ironman 70.3 and Ironman World Championship races in the same year. Leanda, you continue to amaze and inspire us, and we thank you for another great year. Congratulations, champ! Your win was hard earned and well deserved.

Last week I did a Kids Triathlon Clinic at Life Time Fitness in Las Vegas, NV. With over 50 kids and adults present, we went over everything from nutrition, recovery, and mindset to transition setup and training. I had a great time with the kids; it brought back great memories of working as a pediatric physiotherapist. I made sure they were up on their feet, had their brains firing and their bodies moving.

We had a great group of young triathletes!

It was a great chance to encourage others, young and old, to take up this wonderful sport and pursue their dreams. My message to all of them was to have fun and to find the passion that lies within you – whether it be triathlon or something else entirely. Never give up and don’t worry about the outcome, but rather how hard you pushed yourself individually.

I was very excited about whatever I was talking about...probably recovery (sleep)!

I hope this clinic is just one of the first of many for me. Inspiring these kids and answering their questions was a big highlight.  One of the funniest questions asked was, “do you run fast when you race…or really fast?” They also wanted to know what the reasons are to do a triathlon; there are many answers to this questions, but the most important reasons are to have fun, be healthy, and challenge yourself.

Ryan and Justin lending me a hand.

We chatted about what it takes to do your best in triathlon. I spoke about the four pieces of the pie: nutrition, training, recovery and mindset. While we talked about nutrition, the kids got to eat their tasty Beanitos, Core Power drinks and Gu gels. Ryan and Justin helped go over some key pointers for setting up a transition area. For recovery I explained a little about how to prevent injury by doing other exercise and gave ideas for strengthening their bodies. We also covered the best recovery of all…SLEEP, watching movies and hanging out with their friends. The kids had a lot of great ideas for this one!

Overall we had a great time and I couldn’t be more happy with the turnout. I’m pretty sure I saw a few upcoming triathlon stars in the mix!  A big thanks to Renee, Eddie, Justin and Ryan Carroll for their amazing help for the clinic! Ryan and Justin were my two right-hand boys and helped with the presentation. Heck, they could have done it themselves! They answered questions, chatted about their new Pearl Izumi tri kits, and explained how to set up a transition. They are future triathlon stars!

Schwag! Thanks TriSports!

A huge thank you also goes out to all the sponsors that helped out for this event. The kids were ecstatic with all the goodies they received, and everyone left with a big bag of new schwag.

Sponsors: Pearl Izumi, ISM Seats, Rudy Project, Punk Rock Racing, GU Energy,  Sable Water Optics, Bonk Breaker, Larabar, Trisports, ClifBar, Xlab, CorePower, Beanitos,

Also, a big shout out to Jayne Furman, photographer.

For more pictures from the kids clinic check out Angela’s Fan Page!

The TriSports.com Solar Open House and Commissioning Ceremony.

Seton Claggett cutting the “grand opening ribbon” with several key people from Tucson Electric Power, Pima County, Technicians for Sustainability (the folks that put in our system) and the new Mayor of Tucson (Jonathan Rothschild).

As the economy turned in south in 2008 we forged on and were able to stay focused on the first core value in our company – Sustainability.  Here are some facts on our system:

• 128 kW powered by 416 SunPower panels.
• Produces the equivalent energy of 20 average sized homes in Tucson, AZ.
• Saves about 9,000 gallons of water every month that would otherwise be used to make energy in a coal fire plant.
• The system is currently producing 120% of our power requirements (this will go down during the summer months and we should net out 90-100%) and has produced a total of 51.2 MWh of energy since we turned on the system.
• In the first three months we have saved the equivalent of:
  • 3,960 Gallon of Gasoline
  • 1.86 Tons of Methane
  • 39 Tons of Carbon Dioxide

A glimpse of the dashboard that monitors all aspects of our solar and water harvesting systems.

Swim, bike, run, powered by the sun.

]]> http://blog.tri-sports.com/2012/03/19/solar-update-4/feed/ 0 http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/30/raising-the-bar-or-seat/ http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/30/raising-the-bar-or-seat/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:16:47 +0000 Seton http://blog.tri-sports.com/?p=5417 We are once again raising the bar on what we feel a true triathlon store should offer in the way of amenities.  You must have an indoor pool (check), you must have a dedicated bike fit studio (check), and you must have a treadmill to do foot strike analysis (check).  Our newest addition – Port ‘o Potties.

Only at TriSports!

Seriously, how many of us practice using these things?  You really need to know the ins and outs of these giant plastic stink tanks. Sit or squat?  Use TP or run it a bit dirty?  Share or wait in line? These are all decisions we have to make when racing and we think it is important to practice every aspect of racing.  So, next time you are at a store that says they are a triathlon store you know what to ask them – Where is the pool, fit studio, treadmill AND Port o’ Pottie.  See you in line at the races!

Our wetsuits that keep us warm.

Our super aero bikes.

Our running shoes that help us go fast.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook on Monday for Cyber Monday deals!

Retail manager, Erik Jacobson, volunteers at the 2010 Ironman Arizona.

I have to say that we are very fortunate to work in our facility because it really does feel like the entire TriSports.com staff is behind you.  They understand when you had a hard day on the bike, a great run or a meeting in the Pain Cave.  Most of the time when you see someone dragging in this building, it is because they just tortured themselves on some epic workout.  Why?   Because we live the endurance lifestyle, it is what we do, it is who we are.  See you up in Tempe!

2011 Ironman Arizona finisher, and Team TriSports athlete Matt Grabau.

]]> http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/17/ironman-arizona-%e2%80%93-a-group-effort/feed/ 0 http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/15/fighting-for-solar/ http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/15/fighting-for-solar/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:00:07 +0000 Seton http://blog.tri-sports.com/?p=5330 There are three things in life I will fight for:

1)      My family and friends.

2)      My business.

3)      The environment.

This is a story relating to #3 on my list.

Earlier this year we made the decision to install solar on our building. By June we had selected a vendor (Technicians For Sustainability) and by early July we had started the permitting process. This also included submitting plans to our BOA (Business Owners Association – it’s like a Home Owners Association but for the area our facility is located – the Butterfield Business Park). Fast forward to October and all of the permits, structural drawings, etc. were completed, which included getting a variance from the city because one of the structures holding the solar will go a couple feet into the easement of our property. We were contacted by TFS that they were ready to begin, what an exciting time – STOP! The day before we were to start construction we were contacted by our BOA that the architectural review committee, headed up by a local architect here in Tucson, decided to decline the installation of our project.  Why? They stated a couple reasons, but mainly because you can see the solar panels from the road.

Yes, bureaucracy (and complete arrogance) at its best. Luckily the state of Arizona has a law that protects us – A.R.S. § 33-1816; however, it is a fight that I didn’t think we would have to address, especially considering the BOA had over 3 months to address the issue. Needless to say, we are proceeding with the project without the blessing of our BOA. This is for the environment, this is for my kids, this is for our future.

Maher Salah of the TriSports Tri Club (upper left), Sylain Lebreton (upper right) also of the TriSports Tri Club enjoy an autograph session with Angela Naeth, Eneko Llanos and Nico Ward of BH Bicycles at the TriSports.com Ride with the BH Pros on Saturday November 12, 2011 at TriSports.com in Tucson, Arizona.

Antonio Soto of TriSports.com’s retail staff showed exceptional form as he applied pressure over the rolling terrain of the McCain Loop on the west side of the Tucson Mountains near TriSports.com. Top BH pro Eneko Llanos (black jersey) sits second wheel.

Basque triathlete Eneko Llanos of BH Bicycles competed in the first ever Olympic triathlon in 2000 and returned to the 2004 Summer Olympics. Llanos is most remembered for his dramatic dual- and handshake- with Chris McCormack in Kona at the Ford Ironman World Triathlon Championships in 2008. Llanos is also the winner of the first ever Abu Dhabi Triathlon at the famous Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.

TriSports.com Cycling Club members joined triathletes for the ride that crossed Gates pass for some of the riders and completed a circuit of the rolling McCain Loop on the west side of Tucson. These riders show the effort of a spritely pace among the lead group.

A select group of eight riders negotiates the winding McCain Loop outside Tucson, Arizona on the TriSports.com Ride with the BH Pros on Saturday November 12, 2011. The ride covered approximately 40 miles on some of the best roads in the desert Southwest in Tucson’s “Winter Trainnig Capitol”. BH pro Eneko Llanos sits at the head of the group in this photo.

The TriSports.com Ride with the BH Pros on Saturday November 12, 2011 gave TriSports.com customers a chance to see the latest BH models including this new G5 road bike with ultra-short chainstays and unique rear end geometry for optimal climbing and handling.

Photos by Tom Demerly.