Friday, October 12, 2007

Time to Get Serious and Focus



Now its time to buckle down and get focused. I say this light heartedly because I believe part of the success that I have had has been from my easy going and fun attitude. I do get focused and take my racing seriously, but I have fun doing it. I will still have fun race morning talking to people and my competitors. That is part of what keeps me relaxed before and during the race. I have realized that there is nothing I can do on race day to really improve my performance besides making the best of it. I have put in months of training for race day and I have focused and sacrificed a lot for that day. I know I have done my part and now it is time to let go of everything I have done and trust in how I have prepared and be confident that it has been the right amount with the right intensity. So I will head into the race with an attitude of knowing there is no more that I can do and give it all up to God and what he wants to happen on that day. He is control and without him nothing is possible, but with Him everything is possible.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Family is Here

Yesterday was a great day!! I woke up and got my ride in with a couple tempo efforts. As soon as we got back to our tiny studio condo Matt and I packed up as quick as we could to move on up to our new place. It is amazing and quiet. Just in time because it is getting CRAZY in town. Everyone is here and it is packed everywhere you go. You can't get far without getting stopped to catch up with old friends. It is a great time, but I also need to lay low and get my rest for the big day.
My family came in today and my son Kaiden was so excited to see me as I was to see him. He couldn't stop talking and wanting to show me new things around our place. He is full of energy and awesome to have around. After a great afternoon hanging with the family we were off to the K-Swiss party. It turned out great. It was an invite party at the Hard Rock Cafe and the turn out was great. The who's who of triathlon was there. It was a great time for K-Swiss to show off their new products that we have been working on and meet lots of industry people that they will be working with for years to come.
All in all it was a great day with friends and family and yes a little training.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

My Ride


My new TTX 9.9 SSL is such a great ride. It is slightly different than the one I have been riding for the past year. The SSL is lighter and stiff. Trek thinks everything through. This bike is stiffer than almost all other bikes and is the fastest in the tunnel. With the downtube closer to the front wheel it increases aerodynamics, and with the way the fork is designed its legs are true aero shape and spaced away from the wheel to reduce the high pressure area between the wheel and the fork legs. The crown or top of the fork is designed to mate aerodynamically with the headtube and downtube. The cables are brought in behind the stem unlike most TT bikes out there, which run the cables into the downtube negating much of their aero efforts.
I also have the new SRAM Red on my bike. It is light and strong and shifts amazing.
My complete bike weighs just under 17lbs including my PowerTap Hub. Hands down this is the fastest and best bike you can get!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Slowtwitch Interview

We had a conversation with Chris Lieto as the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii is now just days away.

ST: Chris, we have not heard much about you this year, where have you been?

Chris: This year started out well, but then I went through a period of time with no racing do to a small injury. Because of that it disturbed the rest of my schedule. My focus this year has been on this race so I didn't want to just go out and race races that would help me in my prep for this Saturday.

ST: You finished 9th in Kona last year and that gave you an automatic qualification for this years race. Did it take pressure of you not to have to qualify?

Chris: Yes, it definitely releases some pressure during the year. With the injury I didn't have to worry about cramming in an Ironman somewhere to qualify that would jeopardize my performance here.

ST: What have you done this year to get ready for Kona?

Chris: I have focused on the training as does everyone, but I have spent extra time focusing on the stuff you can do outside of the training. This includes recovery, core, and nutrition. I also spent 3 weeks in Hawaii last month. I love training in the Island and the heat and the humidity is not much of an issue for me anymore. I also did some more bike racing and did the Mount Hood Classic. The stage races have been a good fitness builder for me and I enjoy the break in the triathlon training.


ST: The legal distance for pros this year has been moved up to 10m, what are your thoughts here?

Chris: I am glad the WTC has decided to extend that distance for the pros this year. The sport is a sport of your own efforts and I think the new rule will help ensure that is more true.


ST: Are there any specific weather conditions you are hoping for or are you taking it as it comes?

Chris: The conditions won't change my approach to the day, but a tougher day may stretch the field out a little more and make it more of an individual race instead of a tactical race that it has been the last couple years. Take it as it comes.


ST: I know it is tough to make predictions, but I’ll ask you for some anyway. What is your goal for the race and who’ll have the fastest bike split?

Chris: The top 5 is wide open and so is the fastest bike split. Anyone could have a great day, and I am out there to have an overall great day. The fastest bike split could be anyone and I may or may not have the fastest bike split.

ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?

Chris: I have been blessed to find an incredible new sponsor this year, K-Swiss. K-Swiss is new to this market but they are here for the long haul and they are committed to the sport. They have been incredible to work with and it has truly been an exciting process to be part of their product development team for this market segment. Next year I will have my own shoe and I am working with them on an apparel line as well. You will start to see K-Swiss everywhere in the sport of triathlon. They are committed. They are here to stay and I am lucky to be part of that.
Astavita is an antioxidant supplement company and love their product. I am passionate about nutrition and health and the free speed you get from treating your body right. Astavita is a key part of that.
Trek has the best bike on the market. I know you expect me to say that, but it truly is the fastest and most comfortable bike I have ridden. They are interested in new developments and respond to my suggestions.
I love working with people and sponsors that want to change and have a progressive attitude and I have been blessed to be surrounded by all these great companies.

ST: Would you actually like to see a different venue for the Ironman World Championships, or is Kona the place for it?

Chris: Kona is the ultimate place for the World Champs, but it would be great to see a traveling World Champ. New location each year to where there can be a more spectator draw and media interest. I think WTC could still keep Kona as a annual Ironman and they would still get an enormous turn out. They wouldn't lose anything there, and they could add a World Champ race that was in a different place. Could you imagine a World Champ in a big city. There would be so much press and I feel a larger interest from Companies to sponsor the race and the athletes. Even if they decided to do something like this it wouldn't happen until after I am done racing, but I think it would boost the sport to a new level.

ST: Should athletes previously found positive for doping be allowed to return to Kona?

Chris: I think they are hurting themselves as much as the sport. They have served there time, but I think there needs to be more done to stop the doping before race day.

ST: It appears you have come to Kona with your family. How big of a group have you brought here?

Chris: It is a pretty big crew and I am very fortunate to have the support of my family and a group of great sponsors. My Wife Karis and son Kaiden are my biggest supporters and my mom has been here for every race I have done. Astavita, Trek, and K-Swiss have sent over 20 people to watch and experience the race. We are all looking forward to a great week.

ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Chris: I am passionate about triathlon but I am an entrepreneur at heart. I am looking forward to combining the two with the launch of my new company Base Performance Nutrition. We are launching our first product this November and you can check it out at www.baseperformance.com. In 5 years I hope to have grown the business substantially and I hope to have learned a lot along the way. I’m excited to be working with some of my mentors and I know the next 5 years is going to be about me learning as much as I can from them in the business and nutrition world.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

My New Ride - TREK TTX

Norman


This morning I headed down to DigMe beach for a morning swim. It is starting to get a little busier. The crowds are still not here yet. In a couple days I will post a video with the chaos that goes on at the pier at 7am.
This morning I ran into Norman Stadler and we got to catch up and talked about how windy it has been on the roads up to Hawi. Norman said it was blowing so strong yesterday that he couldn't get in his aero bars. I have a feeling no matter how windy it is on race day he will be in his aero bars going as fast as he can. Hopefully I will be right there with him.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Brian Boyle Inspiration!

This afternoon I went to the LifeSport camp and helped out for one of their meetings. LifeSport and Lance Watson is putting on a Kona Prep camp to give some great advice on how to conquer the course on race day. It was a great group of athletes, and I got to meet Brian Boyle. Brian Boyle is an athlete that will be competing in his first ever Ironman. His story was incredibly inspirational. He went through a horrific car accident and was in a coma for weeks and was told he wouldn't walk. Check out his story and his Q and A on www.triathletemag.com. You should see him now. He is in great shape and you would never guess by looking at him what he went through. I am excited to see him at the finish line. I wish him and all the other campers a great race on Saturday.

Checking In

Yesterday I went for an hour run with my coach, Lance Watson. It was a good run and it gave us a chance to catch up and talk about the race. We went over my race strategy and my nutrition. Breaking up the race course in segments is important. I like to break up the bike into five segments and the run into four 10k segments. It helps me focus on smaller achievements and keeps my focus and motivation high. Later in the day I went for a swim with my brother Matt. We ended up doing a simple out and back swim for about 45 minutes. The rest of the day was uneventful.

This morning I went for a 3 hour ride and had a good race pace effort for a big portion of the ride. On the way back to town I hooked up with Cameron Brown and got to catch up with him for about a half hour. I like being at the races to race, but I also enjoy seeing my competitors again. We don't get a lot of opportunities to see each other, and I enjoy the social aspect as well. I think most of the male pros get along really well and we go out of our way to support each other and hang out even though on race day we are very competitive.
Well, it was a good morning and we will see what the rest of the day has in store. I have a feeling it will be the same old laying around, taking a nap, and watching some tv.

Friday, October 5, 2007

DigMe Beach


8 days out from the race things are still quiet. This is the where the start of the race will be. Close to 2000 people will be in the water here next Saturday.

My first Kona by Scott Daubert (Trek Bikes)


I've never been to a world-class triathlon so I'm growing more and more excited about heading to Kona next week. Through my position at Trek I have learned a fair amount about the world of Tri but I'm sure there's far more to experiencing the event first-hand. I can't wait!


Trek has two new bikes in the line up for 2008, one of which will be under some of the Timex riders and Chris Lieto next week. The bike that has yet to hit the road yet is our TTX 9.0. It has all Trek's speed and OCLV knowledge but at the economic price of $3100. The other new Trek in Kona will be the TTX SSL. With SRAM Red, Aeolus wheels and a OCLV Red lay-up, the complete bike weighs just 17.1lbs.


I'll try to give you my take on things in Kona via this blog during my time at Ironman Hawaii. Stay tuned.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Lazy Day


After my run I felt a little lazy watching tv all day.

Coming this early to Kona you get to see a little of what it is like here before everyone shows up. It has been nice to stop in at Lava Java and not have to wait in a 20 minute line, or head down to the pier for a swim and only find maybe half a dozen people there swimming. This time next week it will be close to 20 times that. I am just enjoying the quietness that is still here before the storm hits.
The reason I come early is to give my body time to adjust to the climate a little more and to get settled in. Traveling takes energy and you need to give yourself some time to recover from the trip. You may feel fine and you may think a flight is not that big of a deal, but it is like a workout. You need the time to recover and adapt to the new environment. Then you need to be able to get back into your routine and your training before the big day. Now it is time to give the body rest, but at the same time keep moving and stress the body enough to stay open. If you just come and sit around you can get "flat", which means when it is time to race for some reason you can't put in the power and speed you were expecting.
So today was a day to touch into my running again and put some good longer efforts in to keep my body sharp and ready to race. The rest of the day has been mostly laying down, taking a nap, and watching some "Top Chef" marathon. It is a shame to be in such a beautiful place and not really be out side enjoying it. This is what I am here for to race to my best ability and to do that takes some sacrifice.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Todays Workout




Today was time to get down to business. I am 10 days out from the race and I always like to do some harder threshold and Vo2 max efforts to open my body up and push my threshold up a little more. 10 days out has always been a good time frame for my body to respond well and recover in plenty of time for the race. The workout started with a 2:30 bike ride with a couple 2 min Vo2 efforts and then 3 x 10 minutes at threshold effort. I got to test out my new Aeolus 6.5 wheel with the wireless 2.4 PowerTap hub. Watts were good and it was a great testing point for me and my new products. I felt good out there with the company of my brother Matt to keep me honest and motivated. The weather is warm, but I feel great in this temperature. The 3 weeks I spent here last month has definitely paid off. I followed up the bike with a 30 minute run at race pace. Overall the mornings workouts were very successful.
Later in the day we will go for a good swim in the ocean. The key to the swim will be a couple solid 800 meter efforts. I always look forward to swimming in the ocean so I know it will be a very enjoyable swim.

Monday, October 1, 2007

THE BEGINNING



I am on my way to Kona and looking forward to a great couple weeks. I am sitting on the plane with my brother Matt for the last 2 weeks before the big race. I can't wait to get back to the Island. I love Hawaii, and thrive on the warm weather and the humidity of the Island. I love swimming in the ocean everyday and just relaxing looking out to the ocean.

I had the opportuntity to spend 3 weeks in Hawaii last month training. I had a great training block and got to enjoy the islands. I came home 3 weeks ago to get my final prep done at home with some of my training partners and swim team. The lead up this year has gone great. I also got to get quality family time in. My son Kaiden had his 4th Birthday and we have been playing for days with his remote control cars and racing on his electric Formula 1 race track. He is a race car finatic and addicted to Scooby Doo.

A couple weeks ago I received my brand new Trek TTX 9.9 SSL. It rides incredible! It is lighter by a good amount and fast. I will have a blog entry in the next couple days with all the details and photos of my new ride.

I will be trying to get a blog entry in everyday so come back and see what is going on in Kona the last 2 weeks heading into the big day.