So why shave?

The first reason to eliminate those pesky hairs on your legs is because of the inevitable crash and it's resulting road rash. Having no hair will allow for a faster, cleaner healing of the skin.

Imagine if you laid your carbon wonder bike down even at 20 mph what kind of a rash you'd end up with up your legs now imagine it trying to heal with your matted man hair all caught up in it, holding in dirt, pulling on the scabs with every move. Ouch, right?

A second and lesser known reason for shaving your legs (and arms, chest, and even your head) is because it's cool. Not "cool" like the Fonz (am I dating myself here?), but in it will help you keep cool during a race, not to mention it won't hurt when you are tearing off your wetsuit heading into T1. I sweat buckets when I race I mean I look like a salt pillar when I come across the finish line. Needless to say, I sweat very easily so staying cool is a priority for me. By experience, by eliminating the hair, even the slightest breeze will raise goose bumps on a hot day and help you feel cooler.

Dogs pant when they are hot this is how they are designed to cool themselves on hot days. We don't pant (well, okay, some of my friends do!), but we sweat when we are hot. And when we sweat, we are losing fluids, electrolytes, etc. so it is important to try to minimize our sweating however we can*. The human body cools itself by an evaporative process; sweat makes your skin wet, the air passes over it, the water evaporates off of your skin, thus cooling the surface temperature your body.

Now if you look like Chewbacca rockin' the tri course. Guess what? All that hair on your arms, legs and even head is trapping a thin layer of air next to your skin impeding the evaporative effect, thus making you feel hotter! The "hair effect" even applies to your skin that is not directly exposed to the air. The fabric in cycling, running, and triathlon gear is designed to wick sweat away from your skin and let it evaporate into the air thus helping you stay cool. If there is a layer of hair in between your skin tight cycling jersey or tri top and your skin guess what? Hair can trap moisture next to your skin and can impede the fabric assisted evaporative process on those areas as well!

Last on a more "sensitive" line of discussions regarding hair let's touch on the dreaded subject of CHAFE. That hair in between your fabric and your skin, compressed by your body weight on the saddle of your bike can act like sandpaper over a long ride. As a marathon runner knows, even a loose fitting shirt with a seemingly innocuous seam can leave a bleeding chafe mark after 26.2 miles. Imagine what your hair can do to your delicate skin with repetitive motion friction on a century ride, half or full Ironman triathlon? Ouch! So grab your Bic, man up, and don't be embarrassed, and have at it - you be the coolest guy in your age group!

If you are looking for tips, tricks, methods, or simply need some advice, I'd be happy to help you out. For all of you first time shavers out there with particularly dense hair on your legs, there is a step by step process that is advisable to follow to prevent unwanted and needless bleeding and pain we get enough of that while training! Coach Eric Petersen, the author of this article, can be reached by visiting http://www.pacificfit.net, or by e-mailing ericp@pacificfit.net.

This is just a small study but the results indeed indicate that training for a marathon can be bad for your heart.

“The cardiovascular system is like a sports car engine,” said lead researcher Despina Kardara of the Athens Medical School and Hippokration Hospital in Athens in a statement released with the study. ”If you do not use it, it will decay, but if you run it too fast for too long, you might burn out.”

According to the New York Daily News:

"To prepare for the 26.2-mile race, the 49 marathon runners in the study trained about 10 to 19 hours a week over periods ranging from two to 20 years. They were compared to a group of 46 people of similar age, height and risk factors who weren't endurance athletes.

Researchers measured stiffness in the runners' aortas using pulse wave velocity, and found that marathon runners had higher than average wave velocity, indicating an increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

"Stiffening simply means that when the heart contracts your blood pressure goes up more than it would in someone with less stiff arteries," Paul D. Thompson, M.D., the director of cardiology at Hartford Hospital, told AOL Health."

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World Triathlon Corporation, in association with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, announces that Ironman Australia - one the longest-running Ironman events on the circuit - will continue to take place in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, through 2013, with a two-year performance based extension available.

Both events in 2011 will see many race enhancements, aiming to improve the pre-race and race day experience. Those enhancements include moving the race action closer to accommodation centers in the heart of Port Macquarie as well as the following:

- A completely redesigned finish line in the Town Green precinct - between the Rydges Hotel and Hastings

“The new event-design offers a major upgrade to the athlete experience and provides a more deserving showcase for Port Macquarie and New South Wales. It also lays the foundation for a larger, more vibrant event in the future. We appreciate the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for understanding and embracing our new event vision.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Director of Corporate and Business Services, Tony Leahy, believes the event will further cement Port Macquarie’s reputation as a leader in event based tourism.

“We have worked closely with WTC to plan a race of global standard and are really excited about this announcement. A combined Ironman Australia and Ironman 70.3 has the potential to inject more than $10 million into our local economy and put Port Macquarie on a world tourism stage,” said Mr. Leahy.

Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie
In a first for Australia, Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie will take place on the same day and course as Ironman Australia. With individual and relay entries available, the newest Ironman 70.3 race in the southern hemisphere will be strategically integrated into Ironman Australia, commencing in wave starts.

Formerly the Port Macquarie Half Ironman, Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie is the first Ironman 70.3 event announced for Australia in 2011, with more events to be unveiled in the coming months.

Qualification
Ironman Australia will offer 40 qualifying slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie will be a qualifier for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, held in Phuket, Thailand. Validation for Australian residents at Ironman Australia is no longer required.

Registration for the 2011 Ironman Australia and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie events will open on a date to be announced at IronmanAustralia.com and is expected to reach capacity. The Ironman Australia entry fee will be $675 AUD, with Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie entry $270 AUD.

For more information on Ironman Australia and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie, please visit IronmanAustralia.com (from March 29) or e-mail Australia@ironman.com. For more information on the complete Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Event Series, visit www.ironman.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — With the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship set for Saturday, April 17, the nation's top college triathletes are just one month away from returning to Lubbock, Texas, for a shot at a national title.   

Triathlete Chris Bennett’s job as a civil engineer with World Bank meant he was travelling  around so much there was no way he could take his regular bike (cervelo P3) with him to train on, so he decided to do something no-one had ever done before..........Ironman Switzerland on a Folding Bike!

After doing a lot of research on the internet, Chris finally came across a new bike called a “Reach Road”. Designed to replicate the geometry of a road bike, it came well equipped with Shimano components including Sti shifters and best off all fitted in a  standard suitcase, So no Excess baggage charges.

After replacing the pedals , tires and clamping on some Profile aerobars, it was time to take to the road.

So how does it ride?According to Chris Bennett on his  Training Blog (http://triduffer.wordpress.com)
“surprisingly well. It is a little bit more ’skittish’ than a regular bike, due I suspect to the 20″ wheels, and this is amplified when you are down in the aero position. However, most people would not notice it. The biggest thing you notice is that it is such a head turner: it elicits comments wherever you go.

The only gripe that I have is with the gearing, but that is an artifact of having 20” wheels. The cluster goes from 9-26 which is a huge range. This leads to a discontinuity in the middle gears where it is difficult to find the ‘comfortable’ gear to be in under some conditions, however, I don’t know how to get around it since the 9 is required when going downhill and the 26 when going up. It’s something which you somewhat get used to, and compared to the advantages a minor bother.

In summary, if you close your eyes you wouldn’t know that you are on a folding bike.”
On the day of Ironman Switzerland the race started in  cold wet conditions, not ideal to try and control those small  wheels, and after a modest swim it was out on the bike. The problem was though, as Chris describes

 “Usually I don’t mind hills, but I found it exceptionally hard work. Even though I had a good cadence I just couldn’t make good time up the hills. I felt like I was standing still at times – in part because of my small wheels. For the same gear and cadence each revolution moved me 20 inches compared to some 27 for regular bikes. Anyway, no other option but to persevere and put your head down and spin the pedals.”

After a  bike leg of  6:50 and finishing in 14:23 would The Reach be doing any more Ironmans in the future Chris?

“Good question! The bike worked OK for an Olympic distance race but when I did Ironman Switzerland it took too much effort.. The long distance, and hills, took a lot out of me. There is also the weight issue. There is a clear reason why nobody does Ironman on a folding bike!”

C-level executives will have a tough choice to make for the weekend of May 1 & 2.   Do they sign up for the CEO Challenge hosted by two-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander at his favorite race location in St. Croix?   Or do they accompany Simon Lessing to the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon – an event he has won four times, and where he still holds the course record?

Life can be cruel…

CEO Challenges is thrilled to announce they will be co-hosting an event at the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 with the world’s number one triathlete, and most recognized person in our sport, Craig Alexander.  Craig will offer his advice, guidance and support to C-level executives (CEO, CFO, COO, President, Owner) as they prepare to tackle the Beast on triathlon’s most famous bike course.    The package includes entry to the race, 5 days at the stunning Buccaneer Resort, lots of special functions, and race-day hosting for spouses and friends of the CEO Challenge competitors.

Clear across the Country on the same weekend, five-time world triathlon champion Simon Lessing will host C-level executives as they tackle triathlon’s most famous swim course – one-mile in the Bay from Alcatraz to San Francisco.    There is no one better than the 4-time Escape champion to help CEO Challenge competitors with questions related to what to wear in the frigid water, how to handle the long ‘transition run’ to T1, gearing for the challenging bike course, and how to conserve energy on the sand ladder to ensure a strong finish.   The package includes entry to the completely sold out race, race-day VIP passes for family and friends of the competitors, and fantastic networking functions for C-level execs.

To see more information, including how to register for the CEO Challenge at the St. Croix Ironman 70.3, please click here.

For more information and to register for the CEO Challenge at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, click here.

Please feel free to send questions to Ted@ceochallenges.com, or call 720-222-3043.

Editor's Note: Our friend Joanna Zeiger is not only a world champion triathlete, but also a working scientist. Now she can also add talented blogger to her resume. Joanna recently posted this interesting story on her new blog Fast at Forty. We liked it so much that we though you'd enjoy it as well.

My work at the University of Colorado entails finding causes for drug addiction and other drug use behaviors. I am in the process of writing a grant and in the course of my research I happened upon an article dealing with another type of addiction, exercise addiction. I eagerly read the article to determine if my self-diagnosed exercise addiction is indeed a clinical condition.

Of course, it is easy to explain away the hours of exercise as “training” for the next big event, but, truly, wouldn’t I be out there logging miles anyway?

Without a doubt, exercise makes me happy and if I have to miss a workout due to injury, illness, tiredness, lack of time or any other reason for that matter, I become grouchy. I suppose at the next race we can have a support group for exercise addiction. The topics would include: how to lessen the importance of exercise in our lives, how to better balance our addiction with other life obligations, and finding alternative methods for mood improvement. The pre-race meeting would be a perfect time to hold this summit since just about everybody entered in the race would receive a pathological number on this quiz.

Rahsaan Bahati became visibly choked up on the Club Nokia stage announcing his excitement for the launch of the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team. The pro cyclist was seeing his brainchild come to fruition at the March 12 event, which drew more than 1,000 guests to the Los Angeles venue to celebrate the new team and accompanying nonprofit foundation. Bahati will be joined by 20 cyclists, including Floyd Landis, who’s making a return to pro cycling and was just announced as the team’s newest member last week.

Tawnee Prazak is a triathlete, USAT coach, writer, personal trainer and grad student. Find out more at www.tritawn.blogspot.com.

Rahsaan Bahati stands with his family at the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team Launch Party on March 12

Among the guests were the four members of the newly formed RAHA Sports Women’s Triathlon Team. [photo: L-R: Lauren Chiodini, Tatiana Vertiz, Sara Davis and Tawnee Prazak.]

Americans and many other countries love their coffee. First thing in the morning, before a shower or even patting the family dog on the head gotta have that cup of Joe! There are others who have either heard that coffee is bad for you or simply don't like the flavor, and drink tea instead. Others will grab a soda or even an energy drink to get their morning going.

Then the common pattern at work is a few more cups of coffee (or tea, energy drink, diet soda, etc.) to perk up the morning rush, then maybe another after lunch to fight off the effects of a hurried simple carbohydrate based or overly processed microwave meal. You may even be nursing a warm cup of coffee while you read this. We often hear stories of the benefits of coffee, or even tea anything from assisting in weight loss to reducing the risk of diabetes. However, a bigger, less know effect of coffee, tea, energy drinks, sodas, and other drinks is that they all lower your body's pH levels. pH is a scale that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is.

The scale ranges from 1 to 14 with 1 being very acid, 7 neutral and 14 very alkaline. So what does pH have to do with you and your blood? Well, the pH of your blood is extremely important. The ideal pH level for your blood is right around 7.35 and your body goes to enormous lengths to maintain this level.

Why? Because if your blood pH were to vary 1 or 2 points in either direction, it would change the electrical chemistry in your body, there would be no electrical power and in short order you would drop dead. As you can see, maintaining the right pH level in your blood is pretty important!! Inadequate mineral intake, the sweat-induced loss of calcium and magnesium, stress (both physical and psychological) and the intake of acidic beverages (including coffee, tea, soda, juice milk and energy drinks) disrupt the body's blood chemistry, making it more acidic.

When the body is too acidic, it will extract essential minerals from bones and tissues in an effort to restore alkalinity. This, in turn, dramatically increases the risk of bone loss for both men and women. When your cells and tissues are overly acidic, you are more likely to:

-Fatigue more quickly and recover from exercise more slowly.
-Find it difficult to concentrate and feel pessimistic.
-Have difficulty setting and working toward goals.
-Suffer from frequent colds, flu, allergies or respiratory problems.
-Experience chronic muscle soreness or joint pain and stiffness.

These are only a few of the more serious effects of low (acidic) blood pH levels, and when you think of a developing teenager gulping down energy drinks, the greater concerns become obvious. Sitting at your desk at work drinking more and more coffee to keep alert and energy levels up is only making the problem worse over time.

So, is drinking coffee bad for you? I advise my clients to reduce or eliminate caffeine (except before an endurance event), sodas, energy drinks, etc. depending on their goals. One client who was training for an endurance event was a Œlifetime¹ coffee drinker and after quitting the habit he found that after two weeks he was more alert at work, able to get up on the first alarm without effort, and had far more energy to devote to his workouts. The proof is in the results.

However, like with any stimulant, a proper tapering off of your drink of choice is required in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms, non-coffee headaches, or even relapse.

At Pacific Elite Fitness, our nutritionally trained coaches can put you in touch with one of our trusted resources, and help you discover how you should be custom fueling your body. Coach Eric Petersen, the author of this article, can be reached by visiting http://www.pacificfit.net, or by e-mailing ericp@pacificfit.net.

As you may well be aware extra weight is the enemy of endurance sports, but many endurance athletes would certainly think twice before undergoing surgery to lose weight.

However that many not be the case with the British public because according to the British Newspaper the Telegraph:

"Asked how they would like to lose excess weight, liposuction was the most popular with women (34 per cent), followed by gastric bypass (26 per cent) and cutting calories (14 per cent).

Eight per cent would opt for a tummy tuck while just 2 per cent said they would exercise more and 6 per cent would combine diet and exercise.

Overall, 26 per cent of women said they never exercise and would rather endure the discomfort of surgery than visit a gym once a week.

The survey was carried out among 1,305 members of the public on behalf of the website www.goodsurgeonguide.co.uk"

Meanwhile many Bristish men regarded surgery as the "lazy option" according to the Telegraph story.

Most men (63 per cent) regarded surgery as ''the lazy option'' but just 7 per cent would cut calories to drop excess pounds, with only 7 per cent combining diet and exercise.

''The nation certainly needs to get healthier; however we also need to get fitter," said Christiana Clogg, owner of The Good Surgeon Guide

''Surgery may be a quick fix and give great results, but it doesn't always improve underlying health or psychological issues, she added. 

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At the core of REV3 Triathlon is our commitment to delivering quality at every turn.  We are confident that AVIA will provide first rate products and services to our athletes at each of the Rev3 Race Venues.  We respect AVIA’s passion and commitment to the sport of Triathlon and look forward to working together to enhance our athlete’s race experience." said L.J. White, Director of Communications, Rev3 Triathlon

Additionally, in an effort to enhance everyone’s race day experience REV3 Triathlon will offer GPS athlete tracking, an interactive internet experience featuring six screens of “live” race day action, commentary, blog, chat room, race day photos and the ability for athletes to re-live their unique race day experience at any time following the race through our dynamic website. 

For additional information log on to www.REV3tri.com or submit questions to: info@REV3tri.com

Alberto Contador proved that he's the man to beat this year by winning the Paris-Nice race on Sunday.

"I am more mature," Contador said after the race. "The gaps are very small, there is lot of tension on this race, that is tough to control," Contador he added. "It is like a mini Tour de France, with a lot of crazy stages."

The Two American Team RadioShack riders in the race came didn't place in the top ten.

Levi Leipheimer finished 23rd and Chris Horner came in a distant 50th.

Meanwhile their famous American teammate, Lance Armstrong, was racing in South Africa.

According to the New York Times:

"Lance Armstrong finished ninth in the 68-mile Cape Argus race in Cape Town after helping his Team RadioShack teammate Daryl Impey get a podium finish. Armstrong was in a breakaway group that attacked near the end to set up a sprint for Impey, but a strong headwind slowed the attack and Impey ended up third behind the winner, Malcolm Lange of South Africa."

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Paris-Nice Top Ten Final Standings

1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana, 28:35:35       
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne, 11 seconds behind.
3. Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne, :25      
4. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo, :26      
5. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi     0:00:30      
6. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank, :35      
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha, :37      
8. Reine Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne, :07      
9. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Omega Pharma-Lotto, 1:16      
10. Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Saur-Sojasun, 1:17    

The American Olympic distance racer was the only women to average a sub six-minute pace on the run to take the podium away from follow American Jillian Petersen.

On the men's side Matt Chrabot didn't have the fastest swim, bike or run but he did have the fastest overall race time to beat out Chris Lieto by just under two minutes for the win.

Click HERE for complete results.

Miami International Triathlon

1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run

The Men

1. Matt Chrabot (USA) 1:46:29
2. Chris Lieto (USA) 1:48:00
3. Matty Reed (USA) 1:48:14
4. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:48:34
5. Andrew Yoder (USA) 1:48:47

The Women

1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 1:58:16
2. Jillian Petersen (USA) 2:00:00
3. Sara McLarty (USA) 2:02:13
4. Hayley Peirsol (USA) 2:02:32
5. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 2:04:38

Australian Luke McKenzie and American Amy Marsh overcame both heat and wind to win the race in Haikou, China.

Early race favorite Australian Chris McCormack never played a factor in the race as he dropped out early with stomach issues that had been plaguing him even before the start of the race.

Luke McKenzie's winning time of  8:41:15 was over 10-minutes ahead of second place finisher Jozsef Major while in the women's race American Amy Marsh finished the bike portion of the race with a substantial lead and never looked back on the run.

Click HERE for complete results of the race

2010 Ironman China Top 5 results

The Men

1. Luke McKenzie (AUS) 8:41:15
2. Jozsef Major (HUN) 8:52:29
3. Jens Groenbek (DEN) 9:17:06
4. Shingo Tani (JPN) 9:19:01
5. Mike Schifferle (SUI) 9:30:16


The Women

1. Amy Marsh (USA) 9:52:45
2. Nicole Leder (GER) 10:02:58
3. Heidi Jesberger (GER 10:08:52
4. Maki Nishiuchi (JPN) 10:21:52
5. Shiao Yu Li (TWN) 10:48:26

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The off-road Xterra champs (Eneko Llanos and Julie Dibens) had what it took to win the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. At the end of a long and hot race race Eneko Llanos and Julie Dibens stood on the top podium in Abu Dhabi.

Both are the current XTERRA World Champions and now of course they are also now the newly minted Abu Dhabi International Champs.

Dibens overcame a flat tire to win the race in a time of 7:08:25.

Click HERE to watch Dibens defeat Chrissie Wellington in Boulder, Colorado last year.

“I am very, very happy and exhausted! The course was great but the distance was too long for me really, which combined with the heat, made things a little bit difficult. The organization of the race was great and I am definitely looking forward to coming back next year,” Dibens said after winning the race.

In the men's side Spaniard Eneko Llanos took charge of the race on the run and never looked back to win in a time of 6:34:37.

“This is my first time here and everything along the course was stunning from the Emirates Palace to the Yas Marina Circuit. The distance was a big challenge and I can’t believe I am here today in first place. I will be coming back next year for sure,” Llanos said.

Abu Dhabi International Triathlon consist of a 3km swim, 200km bike, and a 20km run.

2010 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon top 5 results

The Men's Results
1. Eneko Llanos (ESP)
2. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 6:35:30
3. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 6:36:07
4. Fraser Cartmell (GBR) 6:36:12
5. Frederik Van Lierde (BEL) 6:36:31

The Women's Results
1. Julie Dibens (GBR) 7:08:25
2. Leanda Cave (GBR) 7:12:23
3. Virginia Berasategui (ESP) 7:18:23
4. Caroline Steffen (SUI) 7:21:01
5. Carrie Lester (AUS) 7:23:04

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SAIPAN, CNMI (March 13, 2010)

It’s the sixth straight Saipan victory for Bucher and her 20th career XTERRA championship since winning her first one here back in 2005. Bucher had the fastest bike and run splits and crossed the line in 2:58:19, nearly nine minutes ahead of runner-up Shonny Vanlandingham.

Local pro and reigning XTERRA Japan Champ Mieko Carey finished third, followed by a pair of first-year pros from Great Britain – Emma Smith, the 2008 XTERRA World Champ in the 25-29 division, and Daz Parker, the reigning XTERRA amateur World Champion.

In the men’s race Gardner caught and passed Mike Vine (who won the inaugural race here in Saipan in 2002) about halfway through the bike then held off the hard-charging Canadian on the run. His time of 2:34:03 was just 43 seconds better than Vine.

Jason Chalker (the 2003 Saipan Champ) came in third despite a hard crash on the bike that left a sizeable gash in his arm requiring five stitches.  Chalker's crashes in Saipan through the years have been stuff of legend, highlighted by the time a boonie dog jumped in front of his front tire at top speed during the Tagaman road tri years back.  "It never has stopped him from having a great time though," smiled "Kahuna Dave" Nicholas.

Takahiro Ogasawara was fourth and finished in the top five here for the third straight year while Michael Hiscott placed fifth in just his first-ever XTERRA.   Juergen Feherenback of Titisee, Germany, who was honored as the "XTERRA Warrior” award winner in 2009, said 'You have not done an XTERRA until you have done this one."

The race consisted of a 1.5-kilometer ocean swim, a 30k mountain bike that climbed 1,500 feet to the highest point on the island, and an epic 12k trail run that took participants through heavy jungle and into caves used during World War II and along beautiful white sand beaches (like the one Kevin Carey is running on just before the finish line here).

The race served as an important XTERRA World Championship qualifier, as the top age group athletes in each division earned their place at the start line in Maui by virtue of their performance today.  The top overall amateur male was David Spelger of Guam with a time of 3:20:07 and the top amateur female was Caroline Colonna of New Mexico in 3:35:03.

There was also an XTERRA Sport race comprised of a 750-meter swim, 20km-mountain bike, and 5km trail run. For the second straight year the overall male winner was Kieran Daly, the General Manager at the host hotel – the Pacific Islands Club, while Emma Viotto won the women’s race.

From left to right, Shonny Vanlandingham, Mike Vine, Renata Bucher, Sam Gardner, Jason Chalker, Mieko Carey and dozens of others will stay in Saipan for another week to race in the Tagaman and chase the epic PIC Double award, which goes to the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman time.  Tagaman is a road triathlon held next Saturday, March 20.  Winners receive $500 cash, seven nights’ accommodation and a complimentary Gold Card (three meals a day in a choice of three restaurants) at the Pacific Islands Club.  In between the two races are a whole slate of self-improvement clinics and fun activities for the family.  After Tagaman, most will take an inter-island flight and race in XTERRA Guam on March 27.

For complete results visit www.xterraplanet.com.