Read the full article here

I came across two great articles that are well worth the time. This first article discusses the reasons behind why some people gain weight on a particular diet while others shed them like there’s no tomorrow. The article makes a great case for how you can match up to a diet that will help you specifically lose weight.

FAST Oxidizers. Oxidization rate refers to the rate at which cells convert food into energy. Some people are fast oxidizers, because they rapidly convert food into energy. In order to balance their systems, fast oxidizers need to eat heavier proteins and fats to that burn slowly, and restrict carbohydrate intake.

SLOW Oxidizers. Slow oxidizers convert food into energy at a slow rate. In order to balance their systems, it’s recommended that they eat mainly carbohydrates rather than protein and fat.

Check out the Full Article at Trifuel Here

Another great Trifuel article discussed when and what to eat during your training build up. While it is important to maintain a healthy weight, us triathletes have to be aware of how our training effects what we are eating.

Once we start thinking about food as fuel, it becomes clearer. When you are in your highest volume of training, your body needs extra fuel to give your body the energy it needs to get through your workouts. When in the offseason or a lower volume cycle, the goal should be eating clean foods and managing or losing any extra weight.

Check the full article out here.

Happy Training!
- Trihead

Quite simply, we want to cut carbohydrates from our evening meals. In order to do this we need to ensure that we are adequately fueled going into our evening training session. We need to consume carbs during this session if it is a long one and following the session we should have a SMALL carbohydrate-rich snack and then that’s it for carbs for the rest of the evening.

The evening meal should consist of protein and fat combined with a side of salad or vegetables. It is important to ensure that you get enough calories in this meal. Remember vegetables are not high-calorie foods, so the fat and protein content needs to be HIGH!

Trifuel Article by Alun Woodward

Here’s a Review of my 2009 Year to Date

New Prague Half Marathon – May 9, 2009 Finishing Strong with a nice Hawaiian Lei My first race of the Blazeman season was a half marathon in the small community of New Prague. This short 10 minute drive from my house was a great way to start the season. I really was unsure how I would do as I hadn’t done many longer training runs but I wanted to give the race a shot. It was idyllic conditions (outside of a decent wind) and I had one of the best races of my life…on my birthday nonetheless! Finishing the race in a time of 1:36 averaging 7:24/mile, was significantly faster than I was expecting. This course certainly isn’t flat and was encouraging that I may be able to drive for even faster times with the right preparation. New Prague Results

Lake Waconia Triathlon – June 28, 2009 First Triathlon Roll Across the Finishline Lake Waconia was my first major triathlon of the season (I competed in one indoor triathlon in April). The weather was miserable with 25 mph wind. The race director cut the swim in half. Unfortunately, swimming is my forte so I had to make up for it on the run and bike. The course ran along the side of the lake with the run culminating in a hill called ‘Graveyard Hill.’ While the race pushed me to my limits, I was able to finish strong and roll across my first triathlon finish line. It was a surreal moment with friends and family when I finished. Knowing that this was just the start of a battle to win this war on ALS. It was gratifying to compete and finish strong, yet daunting knowing the larger struggle of those I was representing. It was nonetheless the first step in a long journey. Waconia Results

Elysian Rookie Triathlon – July 11, 2009 Red Swim Cap to the right This was a wonderful event that we fit in while trying to find a good sprint to carry use between Waconia and St. Paul in August. Lots of interesting elements to this race (e.g. two transition zones, no bike racks, short 8 mile bike ride, etc.). I had a great race that day with a strong swim, decent bike ride and my fastest run ever (under 6:50/mile). This is one of the closer events to my house and one I will certainly consider doing again next year. Had numerous opportunities to share why I ‘roll’ and more information about ALS and the fire behind my triathlons. Elysian Results

St. Paul Triathlon – August 23, 2009 Great complete race in St. Paul Instantly one of my favorite events of my short triathlon career. This race takes place in the calm Lake Phalen just north of downtown St. Paul. While the unique multiple lap swim made for an interesting merger of heats as the race went on, I had one of my strongest swims of the season (enjoying my first race in my new Orca Wetsuit). After a strong ride and a decent run, I rolled across the finish line in Blazeman style. Two quick highlights to this race. #1) I had the wonderful opportunity to meet my first fellow Blazeman Warrior in person. Ironman Tim Smit was gracious and supportive as we both compete for a higher cause. #2) It was a wonderful spectator event where my daughters, wife, sister-in-law and parents could easily catch me multiple times on the course. Certainly helped motivate me to my strong finish. St. Paul Results

This was the first race where I was wearing Team Blazeman gear. I also rolled across the finish line in memory of Jon Blais’ and other PALS efforts to defeat ALS. I will add photos when we get them updated.

I felt the spirits of the ALS Warrior Poets today pulling me along. My best time up to today was 1:49 (a 8:22 per mile pace). My goal was to PR with a 8:00 per mile pace coming in around 1:45. With the power and strength from above and within, I completed the race in an official time in 1:36:34 (a 7:21 per mile pace).

After rolling across the finish line, many people asked me about my reasoning and was able to share the story of Team Blazeman. More people know about ALS today and that means more people can help work to fight this horrible disease.

It was an amazing birthday wish. A great cause…A great race…And a wonderful family there to cheer me on.

Love to you all,
TriHead
Joel Haugen

Please consider donating here

For more information on Team Blazeman, please visit www.waronals.com.

The word is freedom…Freedom from ALS. The goal…to Destroy ALS.

Nick’s Story

Nick with his Fantasy Football Trophy

We engaged more as the years at Luther went on. We worked together at KWLC, Luther’s radio station. We had the best work study jobs on campus as Nick was the Sports Director and I was the Production Manager. Nick would also broadcast the majority of Luther’s sports. This varied from basketball to baseball to football to soccer. It could have been Ping Pong and Nick could add his unbelievable knowledge of the sport with his detailed study of player stats and information. He kept the show flowing and was probably the only broadcaster I have ever listened to that could keep me fully engaged without a TV in front of my face.

We also had fond memories working together on a local ESPN News sports break. I still get a smile on my face as I remember Nick’s witty humor showing up on the local cable station each Sat. morning.

Nick started dating Ann, a close friend of both my wife Cathy and I, and we couldn’t be more ecstatic. We were excited to begin sharing memories as couples. Nick moved to St. Peter, MN after graduating to take a role as the Assistant Sports Information Director at Gustavus Adolphus College. Ann worked as a nurse and lived in Hudson. I can vividly remember picking Nick up on the way to the Minnesota Vikings training camp. It was an absolute blast having Nick there to provide his football insight and hilarious side comments.

Cathy and I had an amazing wedding that Nick and Ann were a part of in June 2003 (Ann was a bridesmaid). We planned another gathering soon but couldn’t swing a date that summer. Nick proposed to Ann and began preparations for a wonderful wedding.

We finally were able to connect in October of 2003 for the Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos football game. As a Broncos fan, Nick was on his game. The insults were flying prior to the weekend. Ann and Nick came up early to spend some time with us. We met at Chili’s in Burnsville, MN and I won’t forget the change in mood from going in the door to walking out of it.

Nick shared the news that he had ALS and was given three to five years to live. Cathy and I didn’t know how to respond. We cried that night…we stayed strong for Nick and Ann…and we began to deal with the fact that our time with Nick was limited.

We made the most of that weekend. Nick and I played catch while tailgating for over an hour. It is probably one of my favorite memories of Nick. It was just him and I in an empty parking lot throwing around the Pigskin and ribbing each other about whose team was about to win. ALS did not steal that experience from us.

Cathy and I did our best to see Nick and Ann over the coming years but my biggest regret is that we did not take initiative to visit them more often. We had a wonderful visit out to Colorado in 2004 where we went to Red Rock and we hiked with Nick and Ann to the top of the Continental Divide and Mountain Range there. What a wonderful trip. We went down to visit Nick and Ann a few times at their new home in Iowa. We always made sure to bring Nick’s favorite food. Chipotle. I’m sure Cathy will vividly remember when she brought a burrito without Nick’s favorite green salsa. The face Nick gave her is one I’ll never forget.

Nick’s condition worsened over the years. Our interaction began picking up as I helped him create his blog at Nick Ann Street. We shared comments about recent sporting events and kept up on the progression of this horrible disease.

There certainly were lighter notes. Nick continued to be a part of our fantasy football league. He won our inaugural year that you’ll see up above with his wonderful Bobblehead trophy. He would send his smack via e-mail and photos like the one above…always generating smiles from the league. I’ll miss that.

In early July 2008, Nick and Ann were returning home following a high school reunion when they were hit by a drunk driver. Nick broke several vertebrae in his back and was placed in a halo. While he seemed to be improving, the progression of his disease along with the injuries sustained in the accident, Nick passed away early the morning of July 19th, 2008. As his wife Ann so poignantly stated, “Nick is running with the angels.” I’m sure he is. And when he’s not running, I’m sure he’s in the press booth calling the game.

I roll for you Nick. Every race I compete in for the rest of my life will be finished in memory of you…rolling over the finish. While you may have lost your battle, you fought so others could win the war. We will win this war…in your honor.

Scott’s Story

I had the opportunity to work with Kirsten for a short time when I worked for Accenture. She was a wonderful person in our limited interaction and I have kept up as much as I can on Scott’s battle with ALS. It is striking to me the similarities in my life to Scott’s. I have a wonderful daughter born in April, a caring wife and another child on the way. But this warrior deals with these struggles on a daily basis. His humor and perseverance through this horrible disease has been inspiration. I roll for you Scott.

Jon’s Story

I first heard about Jon Blais’ struggle while watching coverage of the 2006 Ironman where Brian Breen ran in Jon’s place for the full Ironman event. With the personal touch that Nick has given me around ALS, Jon’s story touched me. When I became determined to commit my training to a noble cause, Team Blazeman was a perfect fit.

When I began exploring the possibility of joining Team Blazeman and working to build awareness, I sent an e-mail to the Blazeman organization with a few basic questions. Within hours, Bob Blais, Jon’s father, had given me a call. Bob and I talked for close to 45 minutes about Jon, about Nick and about the war that we have ahead of us to defeat this disease. Bob told me about Jon’s first love which was teaching those in need. He talked about his passion for the movie Braveheart and how he used this motivational movie as a springboard in his fight for ALS.

Jon shared several passions that I have including a love of poetry and multi-sport events. The video above shows how he used both of these to bring awareness to the disease that had so affected his life.

Jon completed a full Ironman in Hawaii in 2005, five months after he was diagnosed. This is a feat that I have not seen in my life. When the movie Gladiator ends, there is a quote that Jon’s family has shared.

What we do in life, echos in eternity.

Certainly Jon’s echo was loud and strong. Thousands of athletes like myself have begun to share his message and to continue to wage the war he so valiantly fought. I roll for you Jon.

What You Can Do
DONATE: As part of joining the Team Blazeman organization, I have agreed to raise funds that are used for a variety of ALS research and awareness activities. Bob Blais talked about the great efforts around harvesting and dispersing ALS tissue to assist ALS researchers to have the best tools to help battle this disease. I committed to raise over $1,000 in 2009 and need your help to get there.

RACE WITH ME: All you endurance athletes from 5k to marathon, from sprint triathlete to Ironman, I would love for you all to join me in this effort. You can join the Need2Tri team. Team Blazeman ranges in cost for $50 to $250 and includes a variety of gear to help you share the message. Fundraising commitment ranges from $0 to $1,000. Below is the link to the team’s site. If you do decide to join, make sure to join team Need2Tri. Please contact me at joelhaugen@gmail.com with any questions.

CHEER & PRAY
I am currently scheduled for the following events this season:
5/9 New Prague Half Marathon
6/14 Fairmont Triathlon
6/28 Lake Waconia
7/26 Chisago Lakes Sprint
8/23 St. Paul Triathlon
9/13 Burrito 10 Hour Triathlon
10/31 Monster Dash Half Marathon

Please let me know if you can attend and help cheer on the Need2Tri team and raise ALS awareness. If you are unable to attend, mark your calendars and say a few prayers and send a few thoughts my way.

Now give your eyes a rest. Thank you so much for reading through this and helping me on this journey. Don’t hesitate to e-mail me or keep an eye on my triathlon training at http://www.need2tri.com

God Bless,
TriHead
Joel Haugen

I have now lost over 40 pounds since the holidays. I know this is an extreme fat loss and I’ve been doing it by eating healthy, exercising six days a week and keeping my calories to around 1500 per day. Now that I am getting close to my goal weight I began to wonder what my calorie intake should be to increase my energy levels, fuel the strenuous workouts I continue to do and maintain my weight (or at least slow down the weight loss).

The wonders of Google had me come across this great Calorie Calculator at FreeDieting.com.

This tool should not be taken as gospel but it certainly provides a good foundation for those looking to get an understanding of the level of calories they should be consuming on a daily basis.

Take a look and let me know what you think.