Half-way through this morning’s swim workout with the El Segundo Slugs I looked over and saw the man, the myth, the legend Craig Hummer putting in the laps. Naturally I was not on the same pace. For those who have only seen him behind the camera at the Tour de France or other sporting events he can hold his own with many of the same athletes he interviews and discusses. Diane Graner, our coach and legend in her own right, headed out to the rising sun and left us under his direction for the ab workout. Mine still burn. A great way to start the week off. Hope you had a similar day.

Matt Smart
Outside All Day

A few months back I introduced my good buddy Craig DeMartino to Fitz Cahall at the Dirtbag Diaries Podcast (my favorite podcasts of aall time). Craig has an incredible story that I knew Fitz would want to help retell. Below is the show info that Fitz put together. Enjoy!

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The Shorts: The Simple Joy of Moving Upward

If you plan on calling Craig DeMartino inspirational, he would prefer you wait to see if he can even drag his butt off the ground. After loosing his leg in a climbing accident, DeMartino had to retrain his body and learn his craft all over again. He hoped one day he would compete against the able-bodied, but taking on Chris Sharma in a World Cup? That was beyond dreams.

Craig DeMartino takes us to Vail and the Teva Mountain Games. Behind the bright lights, big names and massive crowds, climbing’s everyman gets his moment in the sun.

Click here for more info on this episode of the Dirtbag Diaries by Fitz Cahall.

Click here for more info on Craig. He is available for speaking engagements.
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Andy B
outsideallday.com

We are four weekends away from Scott Tinley’s Adventures Weekend and I am so excited it that I think I should get a new bike. Excitement about race = new bike. Is everyone in agreement on this? Well good. Now here are the details for you to join us at Lake Lopez in early October:

Scott Tinley’s Adventures Weekend
Saturday, October 4
On-Road International Triathlon
On-Road Sprint Triathlon
On-Road Tri-Cal Kids Triathlon

Sunday, October 5
Off-Road Sprint Triathlon
Off-Road Extreme Triathlon

Let me set the stage for you. Beautiful sunrise. Breakfast is already digesting. If you have camped at Lake Lopez – you roll out of your bag and walk over to registration. If you put yourself up at the Madonna Inn or another fine Central Coast establishment then you enjoy an amazing drive through the Big Arroyo. Mist on the SLO County Lake. Gear out on your towel. Bike tuned. You are ready to rock.

Visit the event Web site for more info: TriCalifornia.com

Matt Smart
Outside All Day

I’m not quit sure how Old Man Sellers pulled an interview like this. I think it really shows the clout that Motor Tabs and Greg have in the endurance industry. Michellie Jones is one of the greatest triathletes to ever live and I’ve respected her for years. Here 2006 Kona win was unreal. Enjoy the interview, it’s a great read.

MOTOR TABS: What would you say to the person preparing for their very first triathlon?

Michellie Jones: Find a partner to train with that way you have no excuses for not showing up to a workout. Race according to how you train, get to know the transition entry, exits and rack position, check and double check your gear, take just what you really need into transition, and most importantly, smile when you cross the finish so you get a great photo. Frame it with your race number for a great memento, it will not be your only Triathlon as it is a very addictive sport and you will be searching for your next event before you know it.

Click here to read the rest of the interview with Michellie.

Click here for more info on Motor Tabs Fluid Replacement Systems.

Greg may have great athletes on his team but they won’t be there to help him when I’m lapping him at out first cyclocross race of the season on September 21.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

“The Mother of all Relays” is by far the Nike Hood-to-Coast.  This brute of race starts from the top of Mount Hood and ends at Seaside, OR.  This is 197 miles of running.  

Team Bramley consist of myself, Andy, Anjum, Ashish, Cole, Craig, Dan, Jamie, Julie, Kendra, Karen, Kevin and Pat.  Our team was the dream team of runners.  Jamie is a track star, Dan and Karen were destroyers, Ashish was a stud, Craig was the mentor, Anjum was Miss Consistent, Julie was brought there for her skills on the hills and comedy, Kevin was the local boy, Andy was Mr. Cool, Kendra was bringing up the rear with a mouth full of gum, Cole the Team Manager and Alex “quick out the gates” Omel.

Needless to say, this was the toughest race that any of us has run.  We started the race at the top of Mount Hood at 4pm on Friday, August 22nd.  I ran the third leg of the relay.  My first leg was 3.98 miles downhill and I came out of the gates fast.  I finished my first leg in just over 25 minutes.  

This is where the race gets harder.  Each of us started at different times, I started my first leg at 5:00pm on Friday.  The 12th leg started at 12:00am on Saturday.  After each of us finished our first leg we each had to wait roughly 6-7 hours to run again.  This is why it is called the “Mother of all Relays”.  Your body gets cold, your legs get stiff and you are trying to get as much sleep as you can before the next leg of the race in the back of a minivan.  

My second leg was at 2:30am and it was the worst run of my life.  7.98 miles uphill.  It took me forever to get my legs.  Running in the middle of the night was not fun.

My third leg I was fired up, I wanted to run my heart out.  My final leg was 6.54 miles of rolling hills.  I ran hard but it was a very tough run because my legs were tired and I was ready for bed by this point.

Kendra ran the final leg of the race cross the finish line for Team Bramley in 26:33:28.

Team Bramley killed it!  We averaged 8:05 miles for 197 miles.  

Overall this race was the most difficult race I have ever run.  The stopping and starting, running at 2:30am in the dark, no sleep for 26 hours takes its toll.  This was the most grueling and most enjoyable race I have ever run.  If you are a runner this race should be on the top of your list.

Needless to say the toughest race ever…

Link to the entire gallery:
http://picasaweb.google.com/OutsideAllDay/NikeHoodToCoast2008

Alex Omel
outsideallday.com

Built in 1901 to serve as a way to get workers and materials across the Chorro falls in Spain, El Camino Del Rey is now a trail of the ghosts of both these workers and the adventurers who’ve tried to cross since – four tourists died in 1999 and 2000 alone. It has since closed, as you’ll see why in the clip. If this video doesn’t get your blood racing I’m not sure what will.

Mike Lawson
District of Columbia
outsideallday.com Contributor

Eric Barone trying to break his own speed record riding down a volcano in Nicaragua when his modified bike splits in half. He actually got the world record on this attempt when he hit 107mph.

HT The Goat for the video.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Rock N Road Cyclery is now offering a motion capture bike fit at their Irvine store.

You can read more about it on their blog at the URL below or watch the provided You Tube video.
rocknroadcyclery.blogspot.com/2008/09/bicycle-fitting-bg-motion-capture-now.html

Book mark their blog while you’re there.

A love note to Matt Ford, I would love to be a ginny pig for this…please, please, please,

In other Rock N Road news it sounds like the 2009 Specialized Roubaix road bikes are in stock. In terms of things I love it would go Julie, Carter/Landon, my Roubaix road bike, my mom, my friends, etc. Sheek and Old Man Sellers make the list but are toward the bottom.

Happy riding, running, hiking, camping, swimming and more this week!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Specialized and Team Saxo Bank Join Forces
By ID
September 1, 2008

September 1, 2008 “I am pleased to announce that the Specialized and Team Saxo Bank will join forces starting with the 2009 racing season,” said Mike Sinyard, President and Founder of Specialized. “Bjarne (Riis) and I have been talking about working together for years. It is a natural relationship based on parallel visions and values. Both Specialized and Team Saxo Bank are extremely driven and aim to be the best in our respective fields. Our cooperation will enable each of us to achieve more than ever before.”

Click here to read more and to see photos of the new team bike and shoes.

I’m curious what happened with the relationship between Cervelo Bikes and Saxo Bank. Probably just money.

Andy B
outsideallday.com