Checking in with some news...

Well, I am definitely overdue on a post, and there is plenty of news to report. I will not give away all the news in one post, as there needs to be a reason for readers to check back in!

The first announcement of news is I am entered and training for Ironman Wisconsin on September 9th. I am excited about this race, as I have heard amazing things about the community and it's support of the event, as well as how cool Madison is. I haven't been to Madison in years, and I am looking forward to it!

The obvious question most people are asking right now is, "What about Kona?" Well, I am still going to Kona. Yes, I know they are 5 weeks apart, but after Coeur d'Alene, it was clear I needed to get another good Ironman performance to secure things for me next year, with regard to sponsorship, and Wisconsin provides a chance to possibly WIN an Ironman race in the US. The possibility of winning Kona, or even cracking the top 10 this October, are much tougher accomplishments. If I can get another podium at Ironman Wisconsin, that is a great accomplishment for 2007!

I will be in the water at Kona, but I will treat this year's race as an entirely fun, and learning experience, with the hopes of coming back in 2008, (hopefully after earning my 2008 slot at Wisconsin), ready to make a charge for the top 10.

My training is coming along, as this past weekend was:

Saturday - 100 mile ride, with the Swami's long loop, and then a 5 mile run off the bike, which turned out to be more of a death march! I've been limiting calories, and it was hot as heck this past weekend!

Sunday - Solana Beach Sprint Triathlon, (400 meter - 9 mile - 3 mile). Finished 3rd, but couldn't have been more than 5 seconds out of 1st. It was a close finish, so not bad for an Ironman guy coming off Saturday! After the race, went for a longer run of 90 mins. Did I mention it was hot as heck this weekend???

So that is the first bit of news for now. More big announcements to follow soon! Train safe!

Vance - 2007 NFA

Free swim/beach entry seminar and clinic tomorrow!

Sunday is the Carlsbad Triathlon, and I won't be participating. If it still had prize money, I would definitely be on that start line! But instead, I now use it as an opportunity to help out and participate in a different way. It also helps for people to see my coaching ability firsthand.

Here's the post I made on the San Diego Tri Club's message board:

If you are competing and picking up your race packet, stop by at the following times to hear club members Steve Tally and Jim Vance speak on topics which will help your race.

10:30 AM - at the Ficus Tree Stage at the expo
Steve Tally - Triathlon Prep Seminar

Steve will be discussing various topics, from transitions and set-up, how to make sure you have avoid problems in the race, to answering any questions you may have.


11:45 AM - at the Ficus Tree Stage at the expo
Jim Vance - Swim/Beach Entry Seminar

Jim will be discussing the swim course, and key information on how to handle rough surf, get thru the swim, and ease fears.


2:00 PM - Carlsbad Beach, Tower 36
Jim Vance - Swim/Beach Entry Clinic

This is where Jim will be teaching the skills he discussed in the seminar, for handling surf and waves. This clinic will be located 400 yards north of Tamarack Ave, at Tower 36 on the beach.


All these clinics are free to the public. Come out and learn, and enjoy yourself. You don't have to be entered in the event to enjoy the seminars and clinics.

Hope to see you all there!

If you're struggling with surf entries, come to this event. If you've heard good things about my swim clinics, but haven't been able to make it to one, come out and get a brief session to see what they entail.

Vance - 2007 NFA

July 1st, a special date...

July 1st is a special date to me. First off, it's my boy JT's birthday, so happy birthday JT! I know you'll love the gift a bunch of threw in together for, a new pair of Mavic Cross Max SLR disc mountain bike wheels!

JT is one of the Navy Seal boys, and we all threw in together, with some other friends of his as well. He loves his Specialized Epic, and riding it. It'll be good to do some long MTB rides together when he begins his training for Ironman Florida. (By long, I mean 6-8 hours on the mountain bike! YEAH BABY!)

JT is doing the RAGBRAI soon, which stands for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Long name, for what could just be the Tour de Iowa. It will take him about a week to ride across with this big event. He's from Iowa originally, so it's a type of homecoming.

JT is doing the event to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides college scholarship grants, based on need, along with financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel who were killed in an operational mission or training accident.

If you would like to help donate to JT's cause, here's the site to help him:
http://www.firstgiving.com/jttumilson

Happy birthday JT, and I hope you enjoy the event!

The other significance of July 1 is that it's the anniversary of my arrival to San Diego. I arrived in San Diego on July 1, 2001. It's been 6 years here, and boy, have things in my life changed. I was exposed to the sport of triathlon when I got here, found my wife, and live a life which is tough to beat. I get to enjoy the lifestyle of training and fitness, the beach, sun and ocean, all year long.

July 1 feels almost like a birthday to me, or a rebirth, because life really changed for the better when I arrived here.

Vance - 2007 NFA