Triathlete vs. the Mountain

Sometimes you have to get away from it all and sometimes you have REALLY get away from it all and go live like a furry woodland creature in the mountains for a few days. Listen to this podcast and join me, John, and Marcus as we go backpacking along the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas. It is a very remote area and incredibly rough terrain, so survival is something you actually have to work at.

What makes the trip so cool is the complete removal from civilization. It's a real weird feeling getting back in your car, with all it's gauges and lights, after using logs and rocks for tools and furniture for four days straight. Not only was it extremely cold, but we had to carry all of our own shelter and food and we also had to purify water along the way.

I love going backpacking in the triathlon off-season so I can use my fitness for fun. Being in great shape makes lugging around a 50 lb. pack a lot easier and in return makes it much more fun to do all the other details involved with surviving in the woods.

There are tons of pictures and videos coming, but I only have a few available at this time. Check them out by visiting the flickr link to the right or by clicking here. There will be much more coming in the next few weeks. (I have to get the files from John.) In the meantime, listen to the podcast and enjoy the shownotes below!

• Hillbilly music is "I'm Neil Young" by The New Autonomous Folk Singers.


• Earl, Gascan, and Bulldog huddle together in the cold, ready for the next day's trek.


• Brett records the stream sounds at Salt Fork Creek.


• Brett and John eating PB&J on bagels on top of Potato Knob Mountain.


• Brett gets sappy-sentimental with his backpack heritage.


• Brett demos GPS for Backpacking.


• John yelling for motivation.


• Brett, Marcus, and John sitting on a rock in the the middle of a stream, getting ready to hang a bear bag and eat dinner.


• Buddha needs coffee!


• Giant bramble bushes.


• Putting duct tape over blisters.


• Sitting on an abandoned railroad bed on a mountaintop.


• John's knee is giving out. He can go uphill, but not down.


• Gunshots all around us.


• Adjusting Marcus's attitude.


• Brett's toenails start falling out.


• Bouldering with Marcus.


• Spent the night at Salt Fork Creek.


• Rain!


• Big animal came through camp at night.


• More rain!


• Let Marcus lead up mountain.


• Mexican food in Arkansas is weak.


• Guy commited suicide on freeway right before we drove by.


• Walking in the house after being gone six days.


• Voicemails!

Gone Backpackin’

I'm going to the Ozarks to rediscover the Real Manly Man that's been buried under too many layers of spandex and safety yellow reflectors for far too long. This will entail hauling a 50 lb. pack for four days up and down mountains as I dodge ravenous beasts and filter water from raging waterfalls. Pray for my safety as I brave freezing temperatures and...

Ok, I couldn't keep that up for long. Yeah, it's rugged and remote, but I'll be drinking coffee and gourmet snacks out of that 50 lb. pack. There's bears and drunk hunters, but that's probably safer than angry pedestrians and drunk drivers.

I really wish I could be near some sort of media so I can follow all of you studs and studdettes doing the NYC Marathon, but T-Mobile hasn't found a way to bring phone service to the marmots and porcupines of the Ozark Highlands and still make money. Apparently, "critters" have bad credit! Not only is that racist, but it might even be species-ist! I won't find out how everybody did until next Tuesday.

I talk often about using your tri-fitness to really enjoy the off-season. I'm practicing what I preach and I promise to bring back lots of photos and audio from the trip.

All you runners be careful and enjoy that 26.2 mile stroll!

Halloween Run

Roxy (my greyhound) and I go for an early morning run as I talk about a variety of topics and play music. It was hot and humid with lightning all around. Of course, the hottest topic was a phone call between myself and Stean about VAAM; an endurance formula made from Japanese Killer Hornet saliva.

• "I'll buy that for a dollar" by the Casket Salesmen.


• How to pick a dog for your morning run.


• Cody hates being put outside.


• Friends accidentally go kayaking in poop.


• What stuff do I put in IM special needs bags?


• What fuel does IM Wisconsin use on course?


• Texans don't know how to use sunscreen


• I call a friend about VAAM Japanese Killer Hornet Spit and he drops the F bomb all over the place.


• Backpacking in the Ozarks on the OHT.


• 3 mile loops are awesome.


• Recorder battery dies.


• Should we call my new heavy metal band Black Goat or Angels with Knives? (leave a comment and vote!)


• "Monsters" by Goat. Happy Halloween!

Zentri goes to Boulder, CO

I traveled to another Triathlon Mecca this weekend and recorded a podcast in Boulder, CO. I was hanging out with Bolder in Boulder, Roman, IronWil, Stu, and reps and owners from Zipp, BMC, Colorado Multisport, D3 Multisport, CycleOps (Powertap) and Boulder Center for Sports Medicine.
We were put through the same testing and fitting that the pros get and then we got the classes on how to handle their gear and prepare for coaching. I snagged some great audio as we were put through the paces and it's the kinda stuff that you'd usually only hear if you were a pro. It was just about the coolest experience I've ever had in the sport. Check out the photos here and CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

SHOWNOTES -

• Flight crew announcing landing.


• Airport security hates titanium.


• I meet Stu and Roman at Luggage.


• Chat with Stu, Roman, and IronWil in the car on the way to Boulder.


• Bike fit on a Serrota Fit Cycle with Tim and Ryan from Colorado Multisport.


• Bolder interviewing me like I'm Jan Ullrich at the Boulder Center of Sports Medicine (This is a MUST LISTEN!)


• What was in the 2XU box.


• Friday dinner with the bigwigs.


• Swimming in the snow and the BMC rep doing laps in my lane.


• Angry lady trying to hog a lane.


• Mike Ricci takes us out for a run and drills.


• Classes from the sponsors about how to use their stuff.


• Michelle from Wisconsin picked as new member.


• John from Trirunnersroost meets us at the Horny Toad.


• I drink too much Fullers ESB and talk Texan... And then lose my camera.


• Hanging out with Roman as we cruise around town and talk shop.


• Passing time with Security at Houston Intercontinental.


• Big thanks to Outwin (on Triscoop), InTransitDuo, and Greg.


• Continental loses my luggage.

Zentri Meetup in Boulder!

The biggest event in Triscoop and Zentri history will be happening this Saturday (Oct. 21st) in Boulder Colorado. We are having a Listener and Reader Meetup at The Hungry Toad where you can hang out with the likes of:

SimplyStu from SimplyStu's Triathlon Podcast
Iron Wil from Through Th3 Wall
The Kahuna from TriGeek Dreams
Brett from Zen and The Art of Triathlon (That's me!)
Roman from Everyman Triathlon
and Bold from Bolder in Boulder

We'll kick off at 6 pm, so let us know if you're coming. I'll be recording for the show, so here's your chance to be on a podcast!