The miles aren't going to do themselves

I have been logging pretty consistent hours the past week or so. Yesterday I rode 170k, almost to the Georgia State line ( from Gainesville). I really wanted to cross the state line. but knew it I'd be getting back too late after nightfall if I had kept ongoing. turns out I turned around 6 miles from the border. Bummer. I will likely make another attempt this week.

While I would like to brag about doing it all alone, with zero drafting, I must admit that I appreciated the old lady who was going 30mph for over a mile after making a right turn. Made for a nice break from the steady winds that accompanied me all day.

Last week saw a total of 620k of saddle time. This week's should be a little lower, with a tad more speed work. A great way to end 2008 and welcome the new year, if you ask me.

Ichetucknee Open Water Swim

North Central Florida is known for some amazing springs. One of them is the Ichetucknee Springs. The water is always 72F. I had a terrific swim there this afternoon after a great 2-hour ride. I am feeling pretty beat up from the training load, but once I get going I actually feel better.

Gainesville, FL is a terrific choice for a winter training camp. There are thousands of possible routes, and the large majority with shoulders nearly half as wide as the road. The weather is perfect - the past few days have been 81F with a low of 58F. Hard to beat for 'winter'.

Below is a photo of what Ichetucknee looks like. The current is pretty strong, so you have to move at 1:25 or better/100m. in order to make any forward progress at all. In some areas, to make progress, the swimmer is required to swim 1:15/100m or faster, though only for a few short meters. To swim 800m up it takes about 21minutes. It takes less than 8 to swim down the same distance. I guess that's what Michael Phelps feels like when he is swimming!

Hours-wise this week will likely yield 26 hs. I am hoping next week will be near 30, and that my knees can handle the pressure after being on a treadmill for most of the past semester. Law School had me crunched for time so I did a lot of training indoors. This semester I have a far better schedule since the dean allowed me to choose my classes and times, so it will be far better, and much more conducive to triathlon training.

Training Camp well underway

The training camp here in Florida is well underway. I have been here for 4 days and have had a couple of 5 and 6 hour days that have really been great. The weather is cooperating. The roads are great. All is going according to plan.

Aside from that, not a lot to report.

Merry Christmas!

Gastrocnemius strain

Since ramping up training again in preparation for the '09 season, I have had a minor setback in the form of a gastrocnemius strain on my right calf.

Also known as 'tennis leg', this minor injury had prevented me from logging as many running miles as I should be, but since its initial flare up on Sunday, it has come a long way. I am now at 75%, and hoping it will be 100% by Sunday. On the 19th I begin the annual training camp in Florida, where I'll stay until Jan 11.

I will update more often when I am down there. I have been swamped these days trying to get organized for the 3-week long camp.

2009 Promotional Video

The 2009 Promo video is finally ready. Editing certainly took a lot of hours, but it was worth it.

You can see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiFmWuWUv4Q

For best viewing, click the " Watch it in High Quality" link immediately below the image.

Ciao,

FB

'Off' Season

I am trying some new this year: no real down time. My schedule with Law School was a little crazy this semester, so I took the opportunity to try something different and new.

I usually took 2-3 weeks completely off during this time of the year, then slowly built back up. This time I will instead train through, Greg Welch style. I won't be doing a typical slow, base period. I will maintain interval work as part of my schedule, and am also trying something else new. Weights. I have been against them in the past, but after doing some research I found out it is a vital part of many top end guys ( namely Crowie), and if it worked for him ( hey, you cannot argue with an Ironman World Championship) it may work for myself as well.

So there you have it. if I am burned out by May, you will know why! :-) I am of course just kidding ( sort of), as i will make other adaptations so as to not be a January star: burning bright early on, but dull in the summer, when things really heat up so to speak.

I have also scheduled a training camp in sunny, beautiful, warm Florida for Dec. 19 - Jan 11, which will likely end with an Olympic Distance race, on the very last day of the trip.

2008

2008 was a great year for me, both professionally and personally. My fiancée and I really settled into our new home in the suburbs of Birmingham, AL, and I got accepted into the University Of Alabama School Of Law, where I currently attend Law classes and hope to earn a J.D. by 2011 ( or 2012 f it gets in the way of training/racing), while maintaining a career as a professional triathlete.

My initial thoughts were that Law School would slow me down some, but I have found the opposite. It made me streamline my life, simplify things, and as a result, I ended up getting faster. I hope to be able to keep the trend through 2009.

Here is a quick recap of the year:

January:
Florida Training Camp
March:
Miami International Triathlon – DNF (flat tire on km 4)
Training Camp in El Paso, TX
April:
Dallas, TX Half Ironman – 5th
May:
Alabama State Champion
Tri-America New Orleans (Course Record) – 2nd
Rock 'N Roll Man – South East Long Course Championship – 2nd
June:
Buster Britton Triathlon – 2nd
Alabama State Games – Gold (new course record)
July:
Riverboat Triathlon – 1st (new course record)
August:
Lake Chaparral Olympic Triathlon (Canada) – 2nd
Callaway Gardens Triathlon – 1st
September:
Weiss Lake Triathlon – 1st (new course record)

Totals:

Wins: 4
Podiums (Top 5): 10
Pieces of luggage lost/delayed: 2
Miles traveled to and from events: 19,000+
Injuries: 0
Times sick: 0
Rides with former Tour de France winners: 1

Solid Day

Although I should have spent at least some time catching up on my contracts class, I spent the day training with the 'Bama Triathletes.

After a solid mid day long run on Saturday ( gotta get acclimatized) that took me through the heart of Tuscaloosa on game day, I woke up today feeling ready to tackle the long day we had planned.

5 of us did about 40 minutes of open water swimming right down from the dam at the Black Warrior River. Then 3 of us then jumped on our bikes for 110k through the rolling hills of Tuscaloosa and Pickens County. Once off the bike, we did a transition run with some speed thrown in to keep ourselves honest.

All in all, a very solid Sunday.

Lake Weiss Triathlon Race Report

I was excited to race this event again this year after winning it last year while preparing for Ironman Florida. I really wanted to use the event as a gauge of my 2008 fitness vs. 2007, and was pleased at the end when I stopped the clock at 1:10:20, over 90 seconds than the course record I set last year.

Thanks goes to Morgan Ramey who showed up and kept me honest all day. He started in the wave behind mine, and was in the virtual lead ( I was actually at the front, but he lead as he begun the race in a wave 2 minutes down from mine) for a good portion of the race.

He is quite a speedy rider and his bike split was nearly 2 minutes faster than mine on the rolling hills of Northern Alabama/Georgia. Luckily my swim and run were faster than his, and with a couple of miles at ~5:30 I was able to secure the win and set a new course record.

Overall, I had a great time. The RD's were so kind to put me up in a very nice cabin, right on the water. I wish I had stayed longer.

Riding with Floyd

I had the chance to ride with Floyed Landis recently. Dude is really down to earth, very easy to talk to, and told a lot of very interesting stories about training and racing in the pro peloton.

In 2006, Floyd won the inaugural Tour of California, the Paris-Nice stage race, the Tour de Georgia.

The ride was social in nature, but he turned on the jets a couple of times just to let us experience the speed. It was quite outstanding. I was behind him on a small hill and really was within less than 10 seconds of a blow up when we crested and thankfully, he let up.

9/11

I would like to ask we all take a moment this morning to acknowledge the fallen victims of the attack on our nation on 9-11-01.

We can never forget.

Groove

After what has been one of the busiest summers of my life, I am finally settling into a nice groove again. Law School is still taking up considerable amounts of time and energy. However, I have come up with a training plan that still allows me to improve while putting in a high academic workload and learning the law.

Maintaining a career as a pro athlete and law student at the same time is tough, but I am enjoying the challenge. For me, it’s only fun if it is challenging!

I only have one class on Fridays, so I get to drive home and stay there until Monday morning. It’s a bit crazy having 2 homes and spending time equally each week at both, but it is the set up I found that will best allow me to maintain both edges of the knife as sharp as possible. It’s working thus far, so I plan on staying with it.

Callaway Gardens Triathlon

Yesterday I my celebrated 31st overall career win at the nationally acclaimed Callaway Gardens Triathlon, America’s oldest ongoing continental triathlon. The event, held over Labor Day weekend, is older than I am - it has been going on since 1980! The Callaway Gardens Triathlon has been one of the “Top Ten Races” to do in the USA multiple times over the past 28 years, and I wanted to race it and pay my dues at one of the nation’s oldest triathlon.

Crossing the finish line in a time of 1:29:50, I led the race from start to finish, eventually stopping the race clock 28 seconds ahead of my nearest competitor. The race temperature never got above 82°F and a light breeze made the 30k bike course and 8k run course easier on myself and all of the other 290 athletes on the race course.

This has certainly been a great season – this is my 4th win and 7th Top 3 podium – and I still have a couple more races before I shut down the season, so I am going to try to get 10 podiums, which would be a first for me. With the help of some of my sponsors, I have changed my diet this year, and it really shows in the results. I always pushed the envelope and that often meant weakening my immune system, but I have not been sick this year at all, which is also a first for me.

My fiancee was there getting some video footage for the 2009 promo video, and it was nice to get footage of the finish line celebration to add to it.

Ciao,

Felipe

Lake Chaparral Triathlon - Calgary, Canada

In what turned out to be more like a day in a Caribbean island than in The Great White North, I ended up 2nd at the Lake Chaparral Triathlon in Calgary, Canada this past Sunday.

I had a below par swim and bike. The 5-lap course turned out to be quite crowded and even a little bit dangerous, and my decision to play it safe made me lose at least 2 minutes in the downhills and turns, especially when behind more novice athletes. I wanted to make sure I was not going to meet asphalt, so I was extra careful when around others.

My run was great, though, and in a course that was actually 11km I ended up with one of the fastest splits.

The race went well, and although my swim and bike were sub par for me, I had a great run and was able to make up the lost ground on the previous 2 legs. It surprised me that Calgary can be so hot and windy, it felt more like a race in the tropics than in the land of frozen tundra. I was quite pleased that my body did so well in the 92F ( 33C) heat, and it really let me know my preparation is on track to finish the season as strongly as I started it.

I brought my Edge 1-68 tubulars and they turned out to be the perfect choice for the 5-lap course. it was windy and had a long, but not too steep climb, and my Edges definitely helped me finish at the pointy end of the race.

I am now preparing for the Callaway Gardens Triathlon ( where I spend 4 days earlier this summer training), and the the Weiss Lake Triathlon, which I won last year. I am hoping for both another win and to break my own course record.

Calgary is a very nice place

I've been here in the heart of the new west since Friday evening. Luckily my bag made it here today after being lost. This was the first tkime my luggage was lost, so I was getting aprehensive, but now I am all set to race.

Alberta itself is gorgeous, and Calgary is such an active city. People exercising everywhere, riding, canoeing, running, you name it. Definitely a place I'd live if it was 50 degrees warmer in the winter!

Jeol from Niklas Group and his wife have a lovely home, very modern, and that is where I am staying. You can find out more about their business on http://www.niklasgroup.com/.

The race start is at 9 am local time. I will update from the airport if I can get a connection, or from home when I arrive ( 12 pm local time - Calgary is pretty far west!)

Calgary

I am off to Calgary this weekend to race the Lake Chaparral Triathlon. Currently I am stuck in Chicago's O'Hare airport, but if all goes well I should make it to Calgary mid afternoon. I will update once I am actually there.

Felipe

Vellum

My bike sponsor in 2008, Vellum, is based in Asia. They are quickly setting up distributorships worldwide, and have recently done so here in the USA. This means that their suberb bikes will now be available to everyone.

I have been aboard their TT/Tri bike, the Uno, since early in the year, and train on their Elemente road frame. The stiffness on the road frame is something I value a lot, and this frame delivers. So far aboard the Uno I have had 7 Top 5 finishes, 3 of those being victories with new course records. Needless to say, the Uno has a lot to do with my increased performance this season even though my training load has diminished somewhat due to the rigors of law school. Below, the Uno:

In any case, below is a link where you may get a frame directly from the new Vellum distributor in the USA ( based in California):

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZaa6zi

You can check out their website at: http://www.vellumcycles.com/.

There is also a video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAYRpH2VA4

I highly recommend the brand!

Riverboat Triathlon

This past weekend I raced the innaugural Riverboat Triathlon. Leland and I decided to drive up race morning and watch Batman on Friday evening. It was a lot of fun!

We got to the race, I got my packet and begun to warm up. I wasn't feeling especially frisky ( I did not taper and was quite sore, to be honest), so I took the swim a bit slower than usual. I had a small lead at the turnaround, and worked a bit harder on the way back to increase it a bit so I'd start the ride alone. I got out first and sprinted through transition as quickly as I could.

Onto the bike, I started out fast, but eventually settled into a more manageable pace, especially toward the end of the 20 mile ride as my sore legs begun to complain. I wanted to save something for the run, especially as the Alabama heat was starting to get to me. I had forgotten how quickly 95F and 90% humidity can slow someone down. :-)

My plan for the run was to start at a manageable pace, and build into a stronger rhythm. Coming from a short course background I always have a hard time doing this, but I was able to run about 25 seconds faster on the 2-mile stretch back toward the finish. I was pleased by that. It means that if I had to keep pushing a hard pace, I would be able to do so.

I crossed the line in 1:21 and change, and was glad to be done. After the race, held at the Alabama Belle, some of us went to the pool and hang out waiting for awards. It felt nice as the temps were soaring! I then held a quick Q&A, gave away some PowerBar nutrition Cds and got some good bbq chicken sandwiches, before driving back. In the end, I am glad to have been a part of the event - it was a really nice local race, and I definitely hope to be back next year!

Another race weekend ahead

I know it's been nearly 3 weeks since I last wrote anything up here. I hzve been trying hard to manage life as a student of law and as a professional athlete. Needless to say, both activities are quite time consuming. When you mix both, it becomes a recipe for busy times and little desire/energy for much else. Hence the lack of updates.

This weekend I am off to the Riverboat Triathlon. It is a first year race in the heart of Dixie Country, and being a good Southern boy, I am very much looking forward to it - will do my best to write something here quickly after the race is over.

I am not tapering much for this race. To be honest, tonight's run had a 1 hour set at 1/2 marathon pace in rolling terrain. I am sure I will still be feeling my quads come race morning, but I have a few bigger races coming up, so as part of the preparation, I will be doing the riverboat triathlon on little to no taper.

Alabama State Games: Gold Medal!

This is my first ever State Games title and I am thrilled! It's one I have wanted and chased for quite some time. Following last week's 14 second loss at the Buster Britton Triathlon ( in the pouring rain) this time the sun was high, and the temps as well. I took advantage of this and really put the hurt down.

I ended up cracking the hour barrier ( which had never been done at the Games before) and setting a new course record as well as the fastest time in all 3 disciplines. the run was 2 laps in the woods, totally XTerra like, and it really was an advantage as gteh trails were very similar to the conditions I train under at home - lots of ups and downs, roots, etc...

The race happened at a summer camp YMCA, so after the awards ceremony and some grilled burgers, we all went into the lake and played on the water trampolin, rock climbking icebern with slide as well as other amazing water toys. I am defintiely coming back next year!

I will now have a few weeks focusing on regaining fitness ( racing means a lot of tapering and less training than normal) to prepare for the Fall races.

Buster Britton Triathlon

Under pouring rain conditions for the swim and bike, as well as a 30+ minute delay due to lightining, the Buster Britton Triathlon got underway. I had an ok swim, but knowing the bike course I made sure I took the twisty turns safely.

While I was behind Omar ( a local stud and former NCAA swimmer) early in the race, he took the turn (way) too fast and crashed badly right in front of me - the lead motorcycle almost hit him. It took me some time to go around the motorcycle, and then go around his bike, and them around him. After the race I realized that those 20-something seconds cost me the race.

Tennessee's Bruce Gennari ended up first. While I hate being second, it's ok that the guy in front of me was him. he is super strong, and an all around nice guy. When we stepped onto the podium together we just chatted for a few minutes while the awards were presented. That's how easy to get along with Bruce is.

With the Black Warrior Triathlon cancelled, and my summer scheduled completely messed up due to Law School starting in the summer for me, my race schedule is being re-arranged. I'll post more details after this weekend's State Games.

Rock&RollMan Southeast Long Course Championship

Exactly six days after winning the TriAmerica New Orleans event, I found myself lining aup against the Deep South's very best at today's Rock&RollMan.

This is my 4th time at the event, and I really wanted to finish better than 3rd, which is what I have gotten in year's past. I was feeling "on" this morning, and after leading the swim, I started the bike strong to hold off Dan Moss, a friend and fellow pro who has won this race the past 3 years, all of them with a killer bike ride. I led the race to mile 11, when he passed me. I followed him for a couple of minutes and decided to repass him. He is clearly a stronger cyclist than I am, and my only goal in doing this was to break his spirit. He followed me for about a minute and then really passed me. Within 3 miles, he was 45 seconds up the road.

I ended the hilly and windy bike ride in 4th place, 2:35 down from 2nd and 3rd. I started the run on a mission and found myself in 3rd place by mile 5. Before mile 8, I was in 2nd.

From then onward, my main focus became to maintain my gap and to survive the remainder of the blazin' hot run, the remainder of the scalding hot 13.1 mile run. Right before the line I reached for my brazilian flag, but had too little energy to wave it, and only carried it over the line. I was in a deep hole. 2 IV's layter and I was functional again.

I ended up 4:50 down from first which is the closest I have ever been to the winner. I was only 54 seconds ahead of Chris Olson's 3rd place finish, a tight finsih. He had a terrific race this year and really made me fight hard for 2nd. I am looking forward t a little break this coming week, as my body is pretty nuked from the past week's efforts.

RESULTS:http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_results&id=938

Win in New Orleans!

I am just back from New Orleans and am ecstatic I was able to hve such a great day. I exited the water with a sizeable lead and pushed the pace to entend my lead to nearly 28 min at the end of the day. The 2k/60k/15k distance really suits me, but the heat at the end took its tool on all the athletes I think.

I finished in 3:00:42, and while I tried to break 3 hours, at the end I was just glad to be done and cross the line in one piece.

Results can be found here: http://www.championchiptiming.com/images/files/static/238Male.htm

I will post the press release soon. Pretty tired right now. i just realized the hole I dug during the race was my own grave. I am nuked!

FB

Snakes and open water swimming

As part of preparing for the Tri-America New Orleans ( as well as Kansas Ironman 70.3), I swim in open water. I like being prepared, so ever since I started swimming at the Oak Mountain Double Oak Lake I have researched what animals may live there. After living in Florida for 7+ years - where any large bodies of wate rmay have alligators or sharks - it's a nice change to be in water where I may be the largest animal.

Well, so I thought. I found out a while back that water moccassin snakes ( also known as cottonmouths) live in the area. There is only one venomous water snake in North America, and the aforementioned snake is it. Unfortunately, it is also one of the very few aggressive reptiles that will stand its ground or even approach an intruder! Their bite is highly hemotoxic.

Today, right before getting in the water, I saw one. It was my first sighting of a snake in the water ( I have seen countless while trail running, including coral snakes and timber rattlesnakes, also highly poisonous.) This particular snake was about 3 ft. long, and it was right there in the usual spot I use to enter the lake. It was clear that we both knew of each other's presence, as she was staring right at me, and would move anytime I moved closer. Now I know that is not a very large snake, but I am sure it is large enough to do some damage, especially if I am to get bitten in the middle of the lake.

As I walked closer and closer ( fascinated and scared!) she decided she had had enough and left, hiding in the rock wall. I decided to make a lot of noise while entering the water ( using an alternate location) to warn other animals around of my presence and my size. I also made sure I stayed in the middle of the lake, where, contrary to my instincts, that's where I am least likely to encounter another one.

Even though I was wearing my Blue Seventy Helix wetsuit, making me feel a bit more protected against other snakes, it was still an adrenaline-packed 70+ minutes. Sometimes swimming can be scarier than riding on SUV infested roads!

Alabama State Championships

I just got back from the Alabama Coastal "Triathlon", which served at the State Championships for the State of Alabama. After chasing the title of Alabama State Champion last year and losing it in the run, I decided I would go back this year for a shot at it.

Race morning came, and my alarm did not go off. I woke up 30 minutes late and got to the race site with only 30 minutes to get my gear ready and warm up. While getting set up, I heard the Race Director state the swim would be cancelled due to rough ocean waves and currents. personally, I believe that it being a State Championship, the race management should have let those in contention for the prize purse or state championship do the 1,000 yd. ocean swim. Instead, we were instructed to ready for a 1 mile run instead, thus effectively turning the race into a Duathlon ( 1 mile run/ 19.5 mile bike /4.5 miles run).

The swim is where I can separate myself from the majority of my competition, so I was upset, but only for a second. I knew there was nothing I could do but to begin preparing to the race start.

The first run started slow for me ( I am not a great runner unless I am running off the bike), so I was in 5th place. I had a very speedy T1 and got onto the bike in 2nd place, only seconds away from first. I had a worse than normal bike ride and lost a few too many positions, but got stronger near the end and picked off some of those who had passed me early on. With a 4.5 mile run to go, I was in 2nd for the State Champs. I was running sub 6min/miles early on, but decided to turn on the afterburners at miles 2 and 3 in order to take 4th overall, but first in the State Champ title by 20 seconds.

After the race I went out for a 2 mile jog and to cheer on those who were still tackling the course. I a now back home and will enjoy an easy evening before I begin preparing for the Tri-America New Orleans race. I really want to do well there, so I will be putting the hammer down starting tomorrow.

University of Alabama Law

I'm in. Class of 2011.

Play Tri Half Ironman: Irving, TX - Race Report

It had been quite a long while since I did a Half Ironman, so I was very much looking forward to this race. I felt like I had forgotten the intensity at which to race a Half IM, so I was very fearful of blowing up too early. The weather forecast was calling for 25 mph winds and 38F at the start. Awesome! Fortunately, though, the temp was in the low 50's, which was much more manageable. The winds, however, were beginning to howl.

I exited the water in 4th place after what felt like an easy swim, most of it done with a small group of 3 others. At the turnaround they put on a surge and I was dropped. I definitely need to work on my "snappiness" in the water. I exited 2 min down on the leaders, and 40 seconds on the group I swam with. Unusual for me to be so far behind, but I was more focused on doing my race than on being in the mix, so 4th was ok by me. I had gloves and a jacket by my bike, but skipped it all and just went out as quickly as possible. I was cold for the first 10 minutes, but warmed up pretty quickly.

I rode alone for about 30 minutes, when Justin Daerr passed me. I tried going with him, but within a couple of minutes I realized I was pushing 15% higher watts to keep up with him, so I backed off. He went on to have the day's best ride - he was on fire! I stayed in 5th place for the remainder of the bike, riding alone.

The winds REALLY picked up on the second loop of this truly urban race course. It was difficult at times to be on the aerobars.

On the run, I lost my gels when leaving transition ( flask fell and broke) so I had to count on the on-course nutrition - unfortunately, not all aid stations had gels, and my 38-someting minutes first lap was all in vain, as the pace crumbled for the second lap. With 4 miles to go I saw that was securely in 5th pace, and just jogged home to save myself for the week of training ahead.

I think the quick pace of the first lap was too much on my body as have been having a foot problem all week. I can barely walk on it, and am hoping it will go away quickly.

My many thanks go out to my super supportive sponsors, without whom I would not be able to race for a living. I'd also like to thanks RaceShots.net for the photos provided for this blog and for my website - they really know how to place themselves in the race course for some amazing shots. And also thanks to the Clines family who so graciously made me very very much at home for the short time I spent in the Dallas Metroplex.

It was a good start of the year for me, and I am looking forward to the next races: The Alabama Coastal Triathlon (May3) and the Tri-America New Orleans race (May 24).

Maine Natural Health

Maine Natural Health specializes in products for healthy living. Making products for humans and pets, you can see at the forefront of their line of products two lines:

1) Whey Protein: In various flavors as well as various mixes, including a formula developed for Endurance athletes ( a whey protein supplement that contains high doses of ribose), one for weight control, and one for powersports.

2) Omega 3 Fish Oils: Also in various flavors (natural, lemon, mint, vanilla or tangerine), MNH make sthe highest quality and highest potency pharmaceutical grade natural oils in the market.

Ever since I begun working with them, I have increased my whey protein consumption slowly, and am up to 4-5 servings a day. My favorite recipe is a miz of almond and hazelnut milks with 1 scoop of the Post Workout formula and one scoop of the CaveMan Formula. In the morning, before a workout, I use the Pre Workout Formula.

Check them out for yourself: http://www.mainenaturalhealth.com/

Niklas Group

Niklas Group is the newest one of my sponsors. The company, based in Calgary, Canada, specializes in building high quality homes that are modern, and yet, very comfortable.

Since 2000, Niklas Group has been active in the building and development of sleek, modern, urban oriented homes. Niklas Group strives to exceed client expectations by focusing on quality, style, location, and unique features in each and every one of our developments.

You can find out more at http://www.niklasgroup.com/

GHC (Global Healing Center)

I begun working with Dr. Group mid 2007. Using his expert advice and a combination of products GHC makes ( including the famous Oxy-Powder), I have been healthier this season than ever before.

Dr. Group is incredibly knowledgeable about the human body and has helped me open my eyes to healthier ways of living that can make me a better athlete and a healthier person overall.

GHC has a vast line of products available, and I would highly recommend any of the products that are available on the website. I have tried a number of them, and there is nothing I dislike about any of them.

To find out more, please visit: http://www.ghchealth.com/

Yankz!

The surest way to speed out of transition, Yankz! come in a vast array of colors. I have been a fan and a loyal user since 2001, both of my training shoes and my runners.

You can find out more about Yankz! here: www.yankz.com

AquaVee

AquaVee is a product that allows athletes to swim in virtually any pool. In less than a minute, and using the plugs that attached to the border tiles of the pool, you can be ready to perform a swim workout in a pool where you ordinarily wouldn't be able to train in.

I like mine so much, sometimes I set it up even though I have a perfectly good 50m. pool at my disposal. I love the strength workout it allows you to get, as there is no forward movement, thus increasing the resistance through the fluid medium.

The suction cups are strong enough to hold on to the tile and will simply not come off while you swim.

Whether you are a frequent traveler, have a small pool at home, or are simply looking to get in shape, this is a product you should definitely look into: http://www.aquaveeonline.com/

Northwave

Northwave makes a very nice line of cycling and triathlon shoes. My choice is their Tribal Carbon for Triathlons, the Vertigo Carbon for road, and the Raptor Carbon for MTB ( which I am slowly improving at).

Their Spring line of cycling gear is also terrific - you can see all of it at www.Northwave.com

Edge Composites

Edge Composites makes tremendous wheels. I have been incredibly satisfied with the stiffness and aerodynamics of their 68mm tubulars, and I also have a front 38mm in case the winds kick up too much.

Later in the year, there are plans for a 110mm, as well as a disc. Given how great the 68mms ride, I can barely wait to get my hands on that set.

You can find more info on Edge Composites here: http://www.edgecomposites.com/

Pyro Apparel

Pyro apparel makes custom sublimated cycling ( and now triathlon) clothing. Below is a shot of my custom cycling uniform for 2008. All of my sponsors are featured on it, so it's a great way to always make sure they are visible whenever I am on my bike.

Also, this year we did a runing top as well, and the intent was the same sponsor visibility near 100% of the time.

To find out more about Pyro Apparel, please visit: www.pyroapparel.com

Amazon Thunder

Amazon Thunder has a vast line of acai berry products that are 100% organic, unrefined, pure and natural. I have been a huge fan of acai for over a decade, but only recently this amazing little berry made its way into the USA.

Since I begun working with Amazon Thunder earlier in the year, I have been taking in some acai on a daily basis, and definitely believe it has made me a stronger, healthier athlete. I have even noticed I have not gotten sick as much this year, which is so common amongst endurance athletes. If you are serious about your health and your performance, I highly recommend you give it a try. It makes for a delicious smoothie!

You can find out more about Amazon Thunder at: www.AmazonThunder.com

Shave Secret

Shave Secret makes a shaving oil that is perfect for triathletes. It dramatically reduces dry skin, rashes, nicks, cuts, ingrown hairs and shaving bumps, for the smoothest shave ever!

It is mde of natural ingredients only, with a hint on menthol. Shaving with it lasts considerably longer than with a standard shaving cream, and it is far smoother. After shaving with it, my legs feel like the outside of a cucumber. :-)

They have different size packages so you can have small ones to pack to races, and a larger one at home.

For more info on Shave Secret, visit: http://www.shavesecret.com/

Spin Skins

I have been (nearly) flat free for quite a few years now. Every once in a while a larger-than-life piece of metal will ruin my streak, but aside from that, I can practically ride without a spare tube kit since I so rarely flat. This can only be said due to Warwick Mill's amazing Spin Skins. Their lightweight, yet strong tire liners do a tremendous job in protecting riders from being stranded on the side of the road.

In fact, I have been on a ride with other guys and everyone went through a pothole, and I was the only one not to flat, even though I was second in line. They make that much of a difference, and I highly recommend it: not only to avoid losing precious time in races, but also in training, and avoiding the headaches that come with flats.

You can find out more about them here: www.SpinSkins.com

Cahaba Cycles

The Malki family has done a tremendous job promoting cycling, health and fitness in the state of Alabama. They just opened their 4th store in Trussville, and their managers, employees and mechanics are incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. They are also all around great guys to hang out with. I always have a blast when I am there.

I am truly lucky to have their support and would highly recommend Cahaba Cycles if you are looking to buy a new bike, some cool bike gear, or if you need your bike tune up by some folks who really know their way around a bicycle.

You can find out more about them here: www.CahabaCycles.com

Kiwami

Based out of Montardon, France, Craig Watson's Kiwami is the most amazing triathlon clothing I have ever worn. I have been with the company for 3 or 4 seasons now, and each year I am more delighted to see the advancements and developments made in the racing line.

If you watch closely, the majority of the athletes in an ITU race are wearing a Kiwami suit, regardless of who their actual clothing sponsor is.

For 2008, my entire race kit will be red,black and white, and the Kiwami race kit is no exception. You can check back in the future and see for yourself on the photos I post.

You can find out more about Kiwami here: www.Kiwami.fr

Vellum

My bicycle sponsor for 2008. Although I have only raced on the Uno once, and flatted at km4, I am ecstatic about this bike. It's beautiful, it's sleek, it's stiff, and it's fast.

I can barely wait for my Elemente to arrive. You can see a poster of it on the left. More photos will come as I race more on it.

For more information, visit: www.vellumcycles.com

NRage

Nrage makes a caffeinated strip that is perfect for triathletes on the go. The taste is great ( very minty) and the caffeine jolt is nearly instantaneous. I have really been enjoying it on those early morning when my body is still half asleep.

To find out more about Nrage: www.NrageUSA.com

Schwalbe Tires

This is my first season working with Schwalbe and I am incredibly happy thus far. Schwalbe has an extensive line of terrific training and racing tires and tubes ( in some awesome colors!).

For racing, the Ultremo and Stelvio tubular are my favorites. For training, I like the Stelvio.

To find out more, visit www.SchwalbeTires.com

Skins

2008 is only my first season working with Skins, and I could not possibly be happier. I am a huge fan of literally their entire line of clothing, and my training has clearly benefited from making use of their half tights and powersox ( my personal favorites!).

You can find out about skins at www.skins.net

BlueSeventy

The 2008 season will mark my second year with BlueSeventy. I am a huge fan of their Helix wetsuit. I had a chance to wear it at Ironman Florida last year ( most other races were non wetsuit), and I was very pleased at how flexible it was, especially around the shoulder area. Swimming in a wetsuit usually requires a whole new stroke, but that is not so with the Blue Seventy Helix - and that is a good thing.

I will also be racing on their PointZero3 in 2008.

You can find out more about their complete line at: www.blueseventy.com 

TrainingPeaks.com

I have over 7 years of training carefully logged on TrainingPeaks.com, starting with the first day I moved to the USA ( it was TraningBible back then). Having access to all this information has been a tremendous aid in getting me race fit. I see enormous value in being able to use this tool in my development as an athlete, and intent to continue using it for as long as I am an athlete.

www.TrainingPeaks.com

Sole

Sole guaranteers my feet will remain in the best possible shape - their customizable insoles ( hat molded) are a sure way to provide a soft and supportive bed for one's feet. I never knew I  needed insoles until I first got my hands on a pair of their footbeds.

www.YourSole.com

PowerBar

I begun working with PowerBar in early 2006, and have just committed to the end of 2009. Owned by Nestle, PowerBar is an enormous company, but their sponsorship system is terrific. Everything is done online, and the availability of products is great. I am a big fan of the Raspberry Cream Power Gel during events, and for afterwards, their new Recovery shake is amazing. No need to mix anything, just pop it open and chug. It tastes just like chocolate milk - I love it!

Ergomo

I have been training and racing with an Ergomo powermeter ( aside from a short stint with a different brand, very short lived) since 2003. After using it for 6 months, I learned more about myself as a cyclist than I had in the previous 7 years as a triathlete. With the help of proper coaching and a close eye on my power numbers I have been able to ride a half IM in 2:11, and a 40k ( in a triathlon) in 54:09. having the Ergomo Pro certainly played a vital role in me achieving those results. I am very proud to be working with them again in 2008, and especially since Jason Goldberg of FitMulstisports.org has become involved in the distribution of the powermeters in the USA.
You can find out more about it at: www.Ergomo.net

Higher Peak

Continuing the presentation of my full roster of 2008 sponsors, I'd like to present you Higher Peak.

I began using the "sleep high, train low" technique in my training on January 4th. I started at a flimsy 4,500ft. It is now 8 weeks later, and my fiancee and i are sleeping at over 10,000 ft. I first thought convincing her would be a tough sell, as I don't believe it the thought of sleeping in a tent every single night is appealing to anyone. But surprisingly, she really doesn't mind. In fact, Leland often tells me she likes it. Besides the fact that she is getting stronger, I think she likes the cozy factor! (-:

I am very happy I am working with Higher peak. i can clearly see that sleeping in a hypoxic environment has made changes in my body that allow me to go harder for longer periods of time. Although i have not yet gotten a hematocrit, I plan on doing it within 2 weeks.

You can find out more about the company here: www.HigherPeak.com

2008 Sponsorship

I am very lucky, and very proud, to have built some amazing relationships with the best companies in the multisport world since I turned pro almost 9 years ago. This year, I will be introducing them all, one by one, here. Every 2 or 3 days, I will post about one of my sponsors.

To start things up, I will start with my longest sponsor: Rudy Project. We have been together since February of 2001, which makes it 7 years and counting.

Rudy Project, through Rudy Project USA ( North American distributor) makes the world's coolest and most technologically advanced eyewear. They also make some tremendous helmets, so I can say they help me both look cool and go faster.

In fact, in this year's cover of USA triathlon's first ever yearbook, I am seen sporting their Syton Supercomp helmet and their Ekynox SX sunglasses. You can see it here:
http://www.usatriathlon.org/sitecore/content/News/2008/January/010908_Yearbook_Preorder.aspx

You can see their 2008 line at www.RudyProjectUSA.com
For info on where to purchase them, you may go to www.e-rudy.com

Stay tuned over the next few weeks, as I will be unveiling my complete roster of sponsors.

Ciao,

Felipe bastos

In Loving Memory

of A JuJuBe Jubelee...

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die...

-Anonymous

Snow in Alabama

I have been settling into a groove training back home. The weather has been far from perfect, but still manageable. This morning it snowed. That's right, in Alabama. I don't mean flurries, but at last a couple on inches on the ground. Made for an interesting run, as I had never done it in snow. My old, boring routes were completely different, quite a sight. I took some photos and might post them later.

On a different note, I know I promised a roster of sponsors, but not everything is inked, and I will refrain from posting all of them until everything is signed. Should be soon.

Leaving Florida (soon)

Well, Leland and I were set to leave Florida on Thursday morning. Seeing as how a very cold front has taken over most of the States, we will be delaying our trip back home until Friday morning, effectively giving me another day to train in warmer temperatures ( even though it is only in the 40's here today).

The bike camp is finally over. I am quite glad to be honest, I was getting pretty sick of riding my bike for hours on end, alone, every single day. I would much rather mix it up with swimming and running. That's why I chose triathlon in the first place. I think I get bored easily with a single sport.

Aside from that, Happy New Year- I hope that Oh Eight brings you nothing but the best.