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It's Time to Get
Dirty!
...at the 2nd Annual Dirty Rock Off-Road Sprint Triathlon!
And right now you can get dirty for LESS with the code:
DROCK | |
Don't wait to register - this code is only good until May 5th! | |
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Don't Miss the Playtri Club workouts
THIS WEEKEND
May 7th - 8AM
At Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake
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Open Water Swim!
Biking!
Running!
Only $40 a workout for non-Playtri Club members! | |
See you there! |
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It's Time to
SPRINT
...over to the 4th
Annual Cooper Summer Sprint Triathlon!
Register now and get $10 off with the code:
Cooper2011 | |
Don't wait to register - this code is only good until May 5th! | |
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 Playtri Friends and Supporters,
Race season is amping up - Ironman Texas is just around the corner, and the Playtri Festival is quickly approaching as well. The Playtri Team is here to keep you informed and training smart. Read on for Ironman Texas tips and more from our coaches - and as always, remember,
Play HARD, Play Fast, PLAYTRI!
Coach Ahmed Zaher |
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Ironman Texas - Are You Ready? | |
By Coach Jeanne Jones
As those of you registered surely know, the first Ironman Texas event is rapidly approaching - in just three weeks, athletes from all over Texas (and the world) will be converging on The Woodlands for this 140.6... Read More |
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Playtri Festival: June 4th-5th | |
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Healthy Eating with Coach Lisa | |
Spring has sprung, which means it's time for fresh flavors and colorful, healthy eating. This month I have a tasty (and heart-healthy) Panzanella recipe for you that will let you use all those garden vegetable you've been craving, and a delicious pizza place with surprisingly healthy options. It's time to celebrate Spring with the flavors of the season... Read More |
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Ironman Texas - Are You Ready? |
By Coach Jeanne Jones
As those of you registered surely know, the first Ironman Texas event is rapidly approaching - in just three weeks, athletes from all over Texas (and the world) will be converging on The Woodlands for this 140.6 mile test of strength, endurance, and mental toughness. As they say - they don't call it Ironman because it's easy! Let's talk now about two aspects of this challenge that are often over-looked - knowing the course you are about to take on, and staying mentally sharp in the weeks leading up to the race.
After having spent several days on the IMTX course for the First Annual Playtri Iron Texas Camp not to mention countless recon trips and pre-camp rallies, rides and runs, we want to share with you some information on the bike and run courses. Here's what you can expect on race day:
The bike portion is a beautiful ride through The Woodlands that quickly heads northbound to Conroe and the Sam Houston National Forest before passing through the town of Richards and heading back south to the Woodlands. 
The course is a blend of flat sections and intermittant gentle rollers as you make your way north. Once athletes head back to the bike finish they will likely have to contend with substantial wind coming out of the south. Gentle rollers continue on the back half of the course, but shade is not as abundant so heat and sun could also play a factor, more so than in the first half of the course. In truth, heat, wind and humidity will be the biggest issues to manage on this course.
The run course is flat, and circles around the Market Street area. According to Ironman Texas race personnel, the loop will consist of some streets and some greenbelt paths. The path sections are well- shaded, but the street portions, unfortunately, are not. Prepare  yourself for much more street running as the paths are narrow and not conducive to a large influx of runners, or the aid stations that the course will require. A hat vs. a visor might be a better choice for the run--nothing feels better than a hat full of ice on a hot day! Three loops will make the run extremely spectator friendly, and promise for ample support and encouragement while you are out there.
All in all, the course is not significantly technical, but could easily present great challenges based on weather conditions on the day. In discussions with IM TX race personnel, a great deal of course information and greater specifics will be shared at the athlete meeting--so it is imperative that you attend.
And now, let's address a big issue that we often see with athletes leading up to a big race - we often see a dip in motivation as these goal events approach. Fatigue can kick in during heavy build weeks that can play an even bigger mental role than it does physical. The athlete knows they have to do the physical work, but they aren't having any "fun" doing it...and then they begin to question, "How will I be able to do this on race day?"
We recommend a few things when working with athletes on this:
1 ) Rest--fatigue causes a decline in mental acuity and keeps us from properly processing how we truly feel. Start by getting some additional rest, and then reassess the situation. Sometimes this makes all the difference.
2 ) Plan--often a review of where you are going, why you are doing what you are doing to get there, and what is required along the way helps to refocus the effort. It also might highlight an area of understanding or comprehension that was missing before.
3 ) Purpose--WHY are you doing this? Is it for the tshirt? The finisher's medal? The bragging rights? The overall health? Taking time to review what your driving forces are might provide some answers as to why motivation is on the decline.
As always, discuss how you are feeling with your coach, or fellow triathletes if you are self-coached. Chances are they will
have some suggestions to help get you over your hump and on the way to your goals. What you don't want to do is ignore the problem and assume it will go away by race day - it is extremely important to be physically and mentally prepared and confident going into such a big event.
We wish you all the best of luck going into our state's first Ironman race Remember to know your course, and stay mentally confident and strong in the weeks leading up to the race!
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at jeanne@playtri.com. For more information on Playtri camps, please visit our Camps Page.
Jeanne is a USAT Level II Certified Coach, and the Camps Director for Playtri. She has been coaching for Playtri for over 5 years.
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| | Playtri Festival | |
By Coach Morgan Johnson
Are you ready to celebrate all things multisport?
Then you're in luck, because it's time to register for the Annual Playtri Festival  , coming up on June 4th and 5th! With the always-fun Festival Kids Triathlon, Open Water Swim Races, and of course the My First Tri, Sprint, and RBM International Distance Triathlons, this weekend is sure to satisfy your need to TRI (at least for a couple of days, anyways).
Once again, the RBM International Distance Triathlon on June 5th will act as the Texas qualifier event for the Best of the US Amateur Triathlon Championship. We expect to welcome  exceptional amateur triathletes from all over the state as a result of this honor. Additionally, both the Sprint and RBM International Distance will feature open waves for those elite athletes who wish to compete with their peers from throughout the state and surrounding areas.
The Playtri Festival always draws a large crowd, so expect to see a lot of new talent, as well as some of your South Midwest favorites gracing the course both at the Youth and Adult events!
The Playtri Festival Expo on June 4th will feature packet pickup for the swim and adult triathlon events, local and national vendors (don't forget to pick your Sugoi Playtri apparel while you're there!), as well as free clinics and talks with Playtri coaches. This is a great opportunity to come and meet other triathletes, and learn more about our favorite sport!
Want to be right on site during race weekend? Our host hotel, the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas has an amazing nightly rate of only $79 for all race participants and their supporters!  With transition, packet pickup, Expo, and the swim start right outside the door, there is no better place to stay - we suggest that you book your room now to ensure this amazing location for you and your supporters!
Ready to register for the My First Tri, Sprint, or RBM International Distance events today? DON'T WAIT - Register today (May 2nd) a get $15 off the current price of any event with our Facebook Special Code: PFfacebook
This code is good TODAY ONLY, and you must register on Active.com to take advantage of it. (Remember to "like" us on Facebook to take advantage of ALL of our Facebook specials and offers!).
Will your kids be doing their first triathlon at the Playtri Festival  Kids Tri? Make sure you enroll them in the Playtri Festival Race Ready Program with myself, Playtri Lead Developmental Coach Morgan Johnson, to ensure a positive and FUN first-time experience! Participants can register for the Race Ready Program when they register for the event on Active.com, or via paper entry form.
Coach Morgan is a USAT Level I Certified Coach and the Lead Developmental Coach for Playtri. She lives and coaches in Dallas, TX.
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| | Healthy Eating with Coach Lisa |
Spring has sprung, which means it's time for fresh flavors and colorful, healthy eating. This month I have a tasty (and heart-healthy) Panzanella recipe for you that will let you use all those garden vegetable you've been craving, and a delicious pizza place with surprisingly healthy options. It's time to celebrate Spring with the flavors of the season!
This Panzanella recipe is a cool, fresh choice that features nutrient-packed raw vegetables in every color of the rainbow. These veggies and other ingredients pack a triple whammy for your health with onions to boost your immune system, olive oil to support a healthy heart, and tomatoes and fresh peppers brimming with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients like vitamin C and lycopene (perfect for endurance athletes!). The crusty, whole wheat french bread is the perfect complement to all of those crisp veggies. Pair this delicious salad with a grilled chicken breast for a lean, healthy meal!
When having to consider other people's food wishes, you may not  always get to choose what type of food you get to eat. What you can do is pick a restaurant where you know there are healthy options to satisfy everyone's cravings. For a carry out pizza restaurant, Papa Murphy's is the way to go, with grilled chicken if you are looking for an additional protein source with less fat, or the Veggie deLITE or Herb Chicken Mediterranean deLITE. You can choose you favorite vegetable toppings and order little or even no cheese, if that pizza crust is what you're really craving.
Check out these further suggestions on what to eat and what to avoid, so you can enjoy a tasty pizza without any of the usual guilt! First, order thin-crust pizza, or pizza made with whole-grain
crust, if available. Another easy way to save big on calories (and fat) is to ask for a pie with half the cheese. Or better yet, order a slice with no cheese; instead, have it topped with veggies and sauce, and when you get your order, sprinkle it with some Parmesan cheese (fresh, if they have it!). A little Parmesan goes a long way, so it can
help you cut back on extra fat and calories. (About a quarter of a 12-inch pizza is usually a reasonable portion.) Stay clear of extra cheese or meat toppings, such as pepperoni and sausage and double-stuffed crust pizzas, all of which are loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat. Also stay away from alfredo and other cream-based sauces. Stick to the tomato sauce.
Feeling extra virtuous? Eating a salad with your pizza will load you up on extra healthy carbs and good nutrients, while providing a crisp, cool compliment to that yummy slice of pizza.
As always, good luck at the races, and happy eating!
If you have questions, or want to set up a nutrition consultation, please email Coach Lisa at lisa@playtri.com, or visit our Nutrition Coaching page.
Coach Lisa is a USAT Level I Certified Coach and physical therapist. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in sports nutrition, and offers nutritional consultation and coaching through Playtri.
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Thanks for reading - we'll see you at the races!
Sincerely,
The Playtri Team
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