Augusta Sports Council President Frank Gibbs, Jr. is training for his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Frank will compete in the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta on September 26, 2010. In his weekly blog, “Ironman Frank” will share his experiences leading up to his first competition, as well as basic guidelines and training tips for other first-time triathletes.

An Ironman 70.3 encompasses 70.3 total miles of racing – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. For more information about the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta, visit IronmanAugusta.com.

Hello fellow athletes, last week I traveled to Atlanta in search of a wetsuit at a store named All 3 Sports. When I got there it was totally packed with athletes picking up their race packages for an Atlanta Tri. Well, talk about being intimidated I was a fish out of water, really I was. When a sales associate asked me if she could help me I told her my request was a wetsuit she said,"Are you an experienced swimmer or beginner?"  I said, "newbie!" She called for the reinforcements.

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I’m starting to work on my swimming and with the swimming section of the Ironman being 1.2 miles I know I have a long way to go. I’ve found some helpful tips and swim plan at Beginnertriathlete.com. It gives a plan for endurance and pacing focused work outs. I have to be realistic and know that I can not do swim everyday so I am setting a goal of three times a week. I plan to start this week off right and getting into the pool to start working on form and technique and then hopefully work my way up to speed and endurance, beucase I've heard that this is the best way for a beginner to train. Do you have any other suggestions or quick tips that could help me on my swimming?

As always I’d like to thank my sponsors, Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, Augusta Pet Crematory, Augusta Swim Supply, Rick’s Paint & Body and Trucks & Moore.

Augusta Sports Council President Frank Gibbs, Jr. is training for his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Frank will compete in the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta on September 26, 2010. In his weekly blog, “Ironman Frank” will share his experiences leading up to his first competition, as well as basic guidelines and training tips for other first-time triathletes.

An Ironman 70.3 encompasses 70.3 total miles of racing – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. For more information about the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta, visit IronmanAugusta.com.

Well, it was 95 degrees when we started at the boathouse downtown and went over to Jackson, SC then through SRS and over to Williston and back .On the way back I couldn`t keep the pace with the girls (did I fail to mention that one of the girls is the spin instructor at the Augusta Country Club, talk about being in shape).I quickly realized my limit and told them to go ahead and that I would find my way home. Wrong idea, I traveled into SRS 3 miles before I realized that I was on the wrong path, so I turned around and finally found my way out through the turn. My little 56 mile ride turned into a 62 mile adventure. This was by far was the hardest thing I have ever done! I weighed 175 before the ride and 170 after. Yes, I lost 5 pounds in just one ride. This ride did more for me than any nutrition plan has, though it is not my choice of weight loss techniques.

I believe that I will start on some shorter rides and do some running this week so I can enjoy this sport a little more until I build up more stamina. I have a little more than three months left so I hope to continue to keep up my work, though maybe I will take smaller steps towards accomplishing them.

As always I’d like to thank my sponsors, Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, Augusta Pet Crematory, Augusta Swim Supply, Rick’s Paint & Body and Trucks & Moore.

Saturday, June 19^th the ASA Big-Air Triples will take place at the James Brown Arena .The ASA Big-Air is the first of its kind, combining the best of BMX Dirt Jumping, Box Jumping and Park Course disciplines into a unique head-to-head competition.

This event will have some of the world’s top BMX and skateboarding pros like Mike Spinner, Scotty Cranmer, and Dennis Enarson . There will also be some of the top skateboarders such as Pierre Luc Gagon and Rob Loriface.

The doors will open at 1 pm with two shows starting at 3 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $18. To purchase tickets click here or call  1.877.4AUGTIX.

Previous ASA- Big Air Triple Competition

The Katherine M. York Adaptive Aquatic Center opens Wednesday, June 2, 2010 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 am. Tours of the facility and festival activities will continue until 4:00 pm. Activities are free and open to the public.

The new pool, commonly known as Katie's Pool, will feature a 34' by 60' swimming pool. The temperature will be 88-90 degrees, the optimal temperature for individuals with blood pressure and joint issues. It will feature a 42-foot ramp into the shallow end of the pool. The new facility will provide handicap accessible changing rooms, including a lift system that will enable a wheelchair-bound individual to be more easily assisted within the changing room. The facility will also include therapy rooms and office space.

For more information, click here or contact The Family Y at 706.922.9622.

Augusta Sports Council President Frank Gibbs, Jr. is training for his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Frank will compete in the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta on September 26, 2010. In his weekly blog, “Ironman Frank” will share his experiences leading up to his first competition, as well as basic guidelines and training tips for other first-time triathletes.

An Ironman 70.3 encompasses 70.3 total miles of racing – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. For more information about the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta, visit IronmanAugusta.com.

There’s an old saying in the biking world: When it comes to crashes, it’s not “IF,” it’s “WHEN.” Well, last Sunday was my “when” moment. My personal cycling expert, Randy DuTeau, took me on my first 10-mile bike ride. It was my longest ride to date, but in Randy’s capable hands, I had no worries. Unfortunately, I was wrong!

We started our ride with a couple of warm-up laps around Lake Olmstead, and then headed out to Beech Island. The trouble started when we pulled to a stop sign and I couldn’t get my locked foot out of the pedal. Before I knew it, I had dumped my brand new bike on the ground. Thanks to my gloves, the only thing I hurt was my pride, but after that I made sure to unlock my foot prior to stopping. I found out the hard way that practicing stopping and starting would have been a good idea!

Tune in next week for more of my training trials and tribulations! Thanks as always to my sponsors, Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, Augusta Pet Crematory, Augusta Swim Supply, Rick’s Paint & Body and Trucks & Moore.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly constructed bicycle “pump track” will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 at 6:00 pm at North Augusta’s Riverview Park. Festivities will include bike demos, music and free organic hot dogs courtesy of Applegate Farms. The pump track is located at the old Riverview Park campgrounds, next to the water works.

Immediately following the grand opening, at 7:00 pm, “Wheel Impact” will host a group ride from the pump track into downtown Augusta, finishing at the International Mountain Bike Association World Summit Expo. Located at 9^th Street and Riverwalk, the Expo will feature bike demos, outdoor gear, apparel and more.  The Expo is open from 1:00-8:00 pm on Friday.

All events are free and anyone who enjoys riding a bike is encouraged to attend. However, all group ride participants must wear helmets.

About Wheel Impact
Wheel Impact is a local committee of cycling advocates who seek to combine resources to better promote Augusta as a cycling destination. Working with the Augusta Sports Council, the coalition assists organizations with event promotion and venue development. They also seek to work with city leaders to incorporate bike lanes into long term city planning.

Augusta Sports Council President Frank Gibbs, Jr. is training for his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Frank will compete in the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta on September 26, 2010. In his weekly blog, “Ironman Frank” will share his experiences leading up to his first competition, as well as basic guidelines and training tips for other first-time triathletes.

An Ironman 70.3 encompasses 70.3 total miles of racing – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. For more information about the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta, visit IronmanAugusta.com.

Hello fellow athletes! This week I`ve worked mostly on upper body strength and also took a long run.  Sunday I ran 9 miles mixed with a little higher elevation for leg strength with a run time of 1hr and 21 min.  And according to the Garmin GPS I burned 1651 calories!  The exercises this week consisted of benching, curling and sit ups on an incline bench while holding a 12lb ball.  I don`t think my abs like me anymore after that, so this week I`ll work on leg and back strength. 

Here are a couple of things to look out for if you think that you’re over-reaching or over-training that I found on Active.com:

1. Too much too soon, such as a 10 to 20 percent increase in training volume over a three- to four-week period

2. Frequently combining two harder variables in one training session (i.e. combining a long run with challenging hills or a tempo session with speed work)

3. Two or three high-intensity workouts in one week on either the bike or run

4. Not allowing two days of easier sessions between the challenging workouts described in 2 and 3 above

5. Overload in psychological or emotional stress in other facets of your life

6. Lack of sleep

7. Poor nutritional habits before, during or immediately after workouts

8. Loading up your racing season with too many events

Remember, injury prevention is key!  Only 150 days away until Ironman!

If you have additional any tips for me please e-mail me! As always, thank you to my sponsors: Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse, Augusta Pet Crematory, Rick's Paint & Body and Trucks and Moore. See you next week!

The GAMES Awards Banquet will also feature special guest Cal Ripken, Jr.  Ripken is first and foremost known for his many achievements in baseball which span 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.  Since being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, Ripken has gone on to add the title of author, philanthropist, and Chairman and CEO of Ripken Baseball Inc. to his name.

The GAMES Awards banquet is open to the public.  Check-in and a social hour will open at 6:30 PM, with dinner and program beginning promptly at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $45 for Sports Council members and $50 for non-members.  Tables of 8 are also available. Please call 706.722.8326 x 231 for reservations.

The Augusta Sports Council will award the 19th annual Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports (GAMES Awards) at our sports awards banquet on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites in Downtown Augusta.

The ceremony will also feature special guest Cal Ripken, Jr.  Ripken is first and foremost known for his many achievements in baseball which span 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.  Since being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, Ripken has gone on to add the title of author, philanthropist, and Chairman and CEO of Ripken Baseball Inc. to his name.

The GAMES Awards have been presented since 1992. The annual program was created to highlight the outstanding amateur athletes that represent a broad spectrum of sports disciplines in the CSRA. Awards are presented to high school athletes in the categories of All-Around Athlete, Outstanding Athlete, Rising Star and Outstanding Team.  Special recognition is also paid to outstanding high school coaches, in addition to club sport, collegiate and adaptive athletes.

The GAMES Awards banquet is open to the public.  Check-in and a social hour will open at 6:30 PM, with dinner and program beginning promptly at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $45 for Sports Council members and $50 for non-members.  Tables of 8 are also available. Please call 706.722.8326 x 231 for reservations.