Orca Predator 2 and Speedsuit Sleeveless Wetsuits Now Available for 15% Off!
Yes, this goes against my philosophy of if you are going to cheat (float with rubber), you might as well cheat with wearing as much rubber as possible, including the arms. I am a firm believer of using full body Orca wetsuits. The comfort is incredible in both the P2 and the Speedsuit. However, I am realizing that many triathletes still like to wear wetsuits with no restriction for the arms. Also, unlike the pros, who can't wear wetsuits if the water temperature is above 72 degrees, amateurs can wear wetsuits if the temperature is 78 degrees or below. For many people competing on hot days as well as half IM to full IM distance races and even athletes who take upwards of 30 minutes to swim an Olympic distance race, I think the sleeveless wetsuit may be the way to go where you are still "cheating," yet keeping the body relatively cool. Go to www.weshobsonperformance.com and check out the assortment of wetsuits in the "Merchandise" area. The sleeveless wetsuits use the same Orca technology and they are less expensive without the arms!
DO YOU WANT TO SHAVE 2-5 MINUTES OFF OF YOUR RACE TIME WITHOUT EVEN GETTING OFF OF THE COUCH?
"TRIATHLON ~RACING FASTER" is available on DVD or VHS! You can purchase this link. Get all the questions you wanted to know answered about tapering, preparation, the day before the race, the morning of the race and the race itself in this 60 minute film.
Swimming and Drills 101:
The main points I stress to individuals for swimming:
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If you cross your midline upon entry, swim like a penguin with your arms feeling far apart. Visualize the appendages of a penguin as the fins are more to the side of the body. Swim like that where you "feel" like your hands are entering the water way out to the side of your body. In reality, you may be entering right by your midline!
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To help not cross the midline under the body, try to breathe as little as possible for a 25 or 50, drop the chin to the chest and watch to see if the hands are crossing the midline near your chest and belly. If they are then make the angle of your elbow larger.
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High elbows (and relaxed lower arms upon recovery), act like you are pulling your arm out of a winter coat. If you aren't used to doing high elbows, you might feel some tightness in the shoulder area. Hang from a bar or a tree limb for 20 seconds a day. This will help stretch the shoulder some. Have your hand entry into the water with fingertips first, then wrists, then elbows.
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Drills for high elbow,
a. Fingertip drill where the fingers drag along the top of the water during recovery. If you don't feel your fingertips on the water, then you aren't doing this properly.
b. Thumb up the side of the body during the recovery phase from the hip and up along past the lat muscles.
c. Thumb hesitates for one second while touching the shoulder/armpit area. This promises high elbow. You need to be patient with this drill and really hold it for a second at the shoulder. This also emphasizes rotation and lengthening of the stroke.
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One legged kicking to improve kicking up (just as cycling pedal stroke). This makes you work the upside of the kick (hamstrings) instead of just kicking down. Try to do the drill without a board. Arms in front and lift your head up when you need to breathe.
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Short little kicks. Kick a 25 fast and then a 25 slow concentrating on the feet coming minimally out of the water and also not going too deep. Make sure the toes are pointed. If not, stretching the ankle and foot area will help with this.
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Swim with your eyes closed to see what direction you go, this shows if one side of the stroke may be weaker (stronger) than the other. If you veer left, then the right arm is pulling better than the left. This is best in a pool with no lane lines. Have two people, one to your left and one to your right, about 15 meters in front of you. They will make sure you don't hit the lane lines or sides of the pool. Push off from a lane line that is marked at the bottom of the pool. Take 15 strokes with your eyes closed, stop and turn around to see if you went to the left or right of the line. No peeking!
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Head out of the water (and barking). This helps prepare you for sighting in the open water. Try to keep the head moderately still to keep the stroke even. This enhances short/little kicks and high elbows. Then begin sighting every fifth stroke. Ideally you want to be able to breathe while you sight. If not, you can sight and then turn your head to breathe all within the same stroke.
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Breathe every stroke! Yes, you may get dizzy, but this really helps you get the feel of hip rotation.
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Alternate breathe. Breathing every third or fifth stroke really helps for open water swimming. It helps to even out the stroke. Also, if wind created waves or ocean swells are coming from a certain direction in a race, you will feel comfortable breathing to one side so that you don't breathe into the ensuing wave. I didn't start alternate breathing until after college (many, many years ago J. It still takes some getting used to. Typically, in a race, I will start the race for the first 400 meters breathing to my more comfortable and dominant breathing side (right) and then as the pace mellows, I will switch to alternate breathing. This also allows me to be able to sight on both sides and to see where other swimmers are in relation to me.
Thank You Wisconsin!
Wes Hobson Performance completed three camps in four weekends. Two in Boulder, CO and one in Racine, WI. All the camps were a success and through word of mouth alone, they are guaranteed to be sold out next year. A big personal thank you to the residents of Racine, WI, home of the first running of the Dairyland Triathlon Half Ironman to be held July 27th. I biked the 56 mile course two times on a Friday and a Saturday and not one car honked at me, brushed me or gave me the "bird" during the entire rides. This is a first. I want to thank the people of that area for their patience as well as the cordial police who waved as we rode side by side on roads with no shoulders. It was a true treat to enjoy cycling.
Responses From the Olympic Camp:
Dear Wes,
I have to say that I really loved the camp while I was there, including the big hill on the bike (well, admittedly I didn't like it until I had reached the top, but then I wanted to ride up it again). Even better, though were the wonderful effects of all that I had learned sinking in. I had an Olympic race last weekend and shaved minutes off of my transition times in addition to better and more confident bike and run, and I have been putting all of the lessons on nutrition, psychology, stretching and technique to work. THANK YOU!!!!!
Tracy from Chicago, IL
Dear Wes,
I found the camp to be very educational. The feedback from the coaches was great. I learned some new techniques such as how to climb without bursting a lung (even at altitude!) and how to run more efficiently. I also met a great group of people, coaches and campers included, that have confirmed that triathlon is not only a sport, but a great community to be a part of. The combination of a thorough explanation of Periodization, solid information about race nutrition, individual technique feedback and some simple suggestions for meeting the mental challenges of tris really solidified everything for me. I am no longer intimidated by the prospect of planning my own season and adjusting it accordingly.
On a more personal note - you and Adam were really supportive and generous with your knowledge. I really appreciated the size of the group and the organization of the weekend. What can I say, everyone was really great!
Emily form Brooklyn, NY
As you know, I have been participating in multisport events for over 2 years and I have had 2 different coaches. In 4 days I learned more than either of the 2 previous years. The analysis of my abnormal running style will hopefully keep me from developing another stress fracture of the femur. I have been totally pain free since changing my running style. If this were the only benefit, camp still would have been worth much more than we paid. But there was much more I gleaned from the coaches at camp. On Sunday, during the brick workout, Adam gave me some tips on biking hills that has already proven beneficial. Paul kept me from drowning during the Stroke and Stride on Thursday and gave me pointers on relaxing when I freak during open water swims. His counsel may one day truly be a lifesaver. Tim took us on the most delightful and challenging bike ride. He is an excellent coach and one really great guy.
The lectures provided were timely and answered many questions on training for multisport events. We all enjoyed Siri's talk. Having the opportunity to hear how Siri and yourself became involved in and progressed through the sport was inspirational.
Wes, you could not have organized a better group of coaches. Adam, Paul, Kristen and Tim were all personable and very capable. Joe is obviously a legend and Bruce and Paige are becoming legends. I would not change the content of the training. I cannot imagine anyone wanting for more.
Personally, I think you should ask for more tuition for the camp. I think you have undervalued your services. Having 4 days of access to a legend (yeah, that's you) in the field of triathlon is worth much more than $400. Kelley and I enjoyed getting to know you. We feel as if we have a new friend in Boulder. You always have a place to stay if you are in the Dallas area.
Stay in touch,
Brian from Dallas, TX
Wes,
I recently had the pleasure of participating in Wes Hobson's Olympic Triathlon Camp. To say that I received an incredible amount of information, and it went beyond my expectations would be a huge understatement. Wes and his staff provided five star service, along with significant one on one time with each of us. Our group had a wide range of abilities and experience. The staff was just as willing to spend time on basic beginning triathlon questions as they were to answer questions from participants that had competed in over 50 events. For those of us dreaming of completing an Ironman, they provided a lot of valuable information.
If you are looking for techniques that will make you faster and help you go farther, I highly recommend Wes' camps. The most valuable outcome for me was the amount of support and individual attention I received from Wes and the entire staff. As a beginner in his 50's, I felt that I not only found a coach, but made a friend with a guy that had my best interests in his heart. I can assure you that you will have a similar experience. Go for it!
I sincerely admire the effort that Wes is putting into his business. I believe all his hard work will pay off in building a highly recognizable name in the area of triathlon coaching. Just keep making it fun! Wes, don't set good goals, make them unreasonable. Use the mental toughness you displayed in your competitive career to grow your best. See you on the backroads!
Mark from Carbondale, CO
Hi Wes-
Thank you again for the camp experience. I got home to Taos last night and made my family watch the "Ride" DVD and then the "Through the Eyes" DVD. The second DVD gave me a much more clearer picture of what you have personally put yourself through. It was inspiring to say the least. For your upcoming camps, I would suggest that you send that out in advance of the camp. I think that every camper would have a much greater appreciation of your own experiences.
My new challenge is to try to integrate Joe Friel's training plans with the plan that I already have, which is solely geared to getting my time down for the Chicago Marathon in October. If there is any thing that I can do to help promote your programs, please let me know as you have a dedicated follower here.
Thanks again,
Fred from Taos, NM
Ironkids Triathlon Needs Volunteers This Week For Louisville, CO
IronKids Triathlon is in its 20th year and this year's Denver event will be at the Louisville Recreation Center. The race is Sunday, July 13th. Volunteers check-in at the Louisville Rec Center between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. We'll finish around noon. Get a t-shirt, snacks and the satisfaction of supporting our future athletes. CALL JON GARSON, RACE DIRECTOR, TO SIGN UP!! 303-494-1634
