In the Bitterroot Athlete Valley
March 2008

Want/Need Inspiration?

Just look at this pic…can you imagine running a marathon in New Zealand? That is what Matt Guzik just did a few days ago—3:37 in the back country. Matt took this picture on a hike near Queenstown, New Zealand. He will be talking about Destination vs. Competitive Marathon Training on March 24th along with Josh Alexander who is preparing for the Boston Marathon.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch in the Bitterroot…

We had two excellent presentations by Hillery Daily, Renee Goddard, and Doug Martin. Hillery and Renee, Homeopaths of Hamilton Natural Health Clinic, spoke about Nutrition Support for Athletes. They talked about, eating berries, proteins, energy drink mixes, colorful vegetables, drinking water, eating local and in season, how our bodies assimilate nutrition, and much, much more. Renee & Hillery both had a lot of information and we all took notes. Thank you both for lots of good nutrition ideas.

Doug Martin, physical therapist of Hamilton Physical Therapy, spoke on Athletic Injuries. He brought some interesting bone and muscle props and proceeded to tell everyone about our aches and pains and what we could do about them. It seemed like everyone there was experiencing some pain in their body. He said orthotics can correct some aches and I plan to get these orthotics in my store. He also informed us that the deep ache in the middle of hip joints—ladies-- when you feel like you ran too much or too hard is probably because your legs aren’t as strong as they should be. He said we should be able to lift our own weight with the leg press doing three sets of ten. And lunges are OK to do…as long as you do them right! Doug will be writing up some exercises for triathletes, which I will forward on. Also, working the little muscles beside the big muscles are what makes the athlete have a stronger advantage over someone just working major muscle groups—and this is light weights.

Snow Joke Results – Half Marathon @ Seeley Lake

At least seven people from our Saturday run group went to the Snow Joke that I recognize on the results page. Steve Gideon said it was the best conditions he has ever run at Seeley--a beautiful day. Here are the results: Josh Alexander 1:21:28, Matt Guzik 1:30:56, Steve Gideon 1:31:47, Alicia Arrigoni 1:47:09, Greg Bremer 2:14:52, Stan Doran 2:15:27, and Lisa Kersher 2:23:16. (Did I get everyone? Forgive me if I missed anyone.) Great job all of you!!

Annie Creighton and Tony Neaves of Valley Bike (Skate Skiing talk in Jan.) went to the Masters World Cup XC & Skate ski week in McCall, ID, www.mwc2008.com . They participated in three events each and came in with amazing times against world athletes and former Olympians. Annie came in 3rd for the USA in the 10k classic event…that is when the Olympians turn around and say, “WHO is THAT??” Just our Annie from Hamilton. Do you know how strong their abdomens and cardio systems are to race with world class athletes??!! Congratulations to you both for your hard-core athleticism and ski spirit!

Griz Triathlon Update…

Y’all training hard?? Did the Griz Masters swim last Sunday—good 1.5 hour workout. Then I ran the Kim Williams Trail. The road is closed where the Kim Williams Trail is usually accessed. Giles said it won’t be much of a change. The trail was in the shade at 12:30 and was all ice. Should be gone by April though. The hill…was more difficult for me than last year, but I did not stop. Need more hill training!! But, if you know this hill, it was only three minutes; uphill, then plateau, uphill, then plateau, uphill, and plateau again…and about one more time when you are contemplating walking, there will be a musician there so you know it is the end, turn left and then get down the best you can, it is almost over now…April 12th.

And then there are the Dedicated Saturday Runners…

Are we having fun yet? And yes, we are! Our Saturday runs have had as many as 20 people running. Everyone is so happy and smiley afterwards. I don’t know if it is the endorphins kicking in or just the fact that we get the run over and done with early, but we have fun…a true athletic camaraderie experience. We have been very fortunate with the weather being just about perfect every time…at least it seemed that way after we were done. We were so inspired after our run this last Saturday that everyone was getting excited about all the great fun runs coming up…namely, Run for the Trees-April 5th, Riverbank Run-April 26th, Bloomsday run in Spokane-May 4th (overnight carpooling+ see hotel info at bottom—call immediately!*)

Governor’s Cup Half/Marathon-June 7th, The PTA Run in June, Mountain to Meadow Lolo Pass Half Marathon-June 28th, and then the Missoula Half/Marathon-July 13th, not to mention the triathlons in between. And you have heard about the Salmon Half/Marathon in September? We have lots to train for and a few shirts to collect. What am I going to do about keeping the store open while I participate?? Could anyone recommend someone that might work Saturdays?? Or, I could be open Sundays, closed Saturdays??

Speaking of the Store…

I have some great new gear in…running and trail shoes by PearlIzumi, Racing Flats by Zoot, and biking shorts and capris by Zoot and Sugoi, including men’s bibs and compression shorts. Plus, I now have Jim’s Permalean protein powders and Hammer Nutrition. Barracuda Goggles are in and Penguin shoe products are on their way to keep your sneakers looking new. What next? Looking at logo wear…Antara Sports name on….?? …and CW-X Conditioning Wear.

Looking Down the Road…

I would like to get rock climbers together…biking on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:30 meeting-old River Bend location…swimming Lake Como (will carry wetsuits by Zoot and ???), trail run excursions, group hikes… Moonlight madness?? We have fun together. The run group would like to do more excursions together and we hope more of you will join us.

A few things I’ve learned at the store…

Don’t put your ski/run clothes in a shopping bag on the top shelf in your bathroom at work. It may be a month before you find them again.
Don’t put glass cleaner and hair spray on the same shelf.
Do not keep left over muffins/cookies at the store….
Do not stop advertising for one month!

Until Next Time, stop by the store and see what is new and what is happening and please spread the word for me to keep me going! ;-) My website will be getting a calendar up, (runners’ request) I’ll let you know when…antarasports.com….also if you want to see a cute zippy triathlete guy…go to my old website: antarasportswear.com.

An Aside…The way the “Destination marathoner thinks….” Matt said, “You want to do a bike tour?” Stan said “Yes! Where could we do one?” Matt said, “How about Viet Nam?” Stan said, “…?!?!...how about Bozeman?”

* http://www.bloomsdayrun.org/LodgingInformation.htmHotel Info…Book for May 3 to May 4 --- Hotels are full --- At least 10 rooms left at Double Tree - very nice - Ask for “Bloomsday Race Room Block…Group Rate Code BLY”--– (one block from race) – Host hotel – rate $129 + tax – (Regular rate $175++) $14 to park car (It’s the big city) – Can check on other hotel possibilities at the above address. Good luck and hope to see you there!

P.S. An amazing pic if you did not see the Lunar Eclipse…This pic was over a 3.5 hr period—sent in by Mark Rosecky. Couldn’t locate website or email of photographer.

Just another eclipsing newsletter from Antara Sports….