The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The old adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” will hold true for TriHive in ’08. After two great years of keeping Utah’s triathletes informed, we’ve decided to make a few changes for the future.

The first change, and most noticeable to readers will be our quarterly distribution. No longer will we publish seven issues a year. Resources are limited in creating TriHive, and the six back-to-back summer issues is an incredibly tough order to fulfill, especially when you weigh the work involved against the benefits. Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys! However, the extra breathing room between issues will be welcome, especially as I try to have a tri life of my own.

Second on the plate of changes is our increased distribution. We’ll now cover triathlon in the mountain west. This means Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. And, TriHive will be distributed in bike shops, running shops and swimming shops in these regional states. This will create more opportunities for more writers and more exposure to regional races.

The regional expansion was a “no brainer,” as we’ve covered regional events since our inaugural year. The annual exodus of Utah triathletes leaving the Beehive State to Burley, Idaho cannot be ignored. Silverman Triathlon’s Frank Lowery quickly became friends with TriHive and we offered unique Web coverage of the Silverman ’06 event. In ’07 BBSC Endurance Sports joined the Utah tri scene and TriHive became more aware of its Nevada events. Throw Vikingman and the new Boise 70.3 into the mix. There’s no doubt Utah triathletes will support these events. Add the sparse Wyoming events in for good measure.

I’m sure you’re well aware of all of the events that have invaded our region. You’re likely to have already registered for a race or two out of state. It’s time to share the TriHive love with our neighbors!

We welcome stories from our neighboring states, and look forward to sharing triathlon with you. For Utahn’s, things will likely feel the same. However, more is changing.

Yours in Tri,

Alex McKinley

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Click on the pics above to get a larger version. One is Burke, Scofields RD and I. The other is the sign announcing the Scofield Tri to everyone entering the reservoir area. The last pic is of the long course swim for 2008. They plan on ferrying athletes to the island. The swim will be a straight shot back to the boat harbor.

Kennedy and I went up to Scofield Reservoir on Saturday for their annual Pre Course Preview day. It was nice to see the turnout for the pre-race event. Kennedy and I arrived as the swimmers headed to the first bouyee (sp?). Burke picked us up from the dock and we followed the swimmers around. Pro triathlete, Marcel Vifian was swimming with the group, offering open water swim advice.

After the swim, the athletes rode the Olympic bike course. Kennedy and I choose to run the run course. The temps were mild in the mid afternoon, making for a nice run. The run course is pretty flat. There is some very mild ascending/descending. Not a false flat but not a grueling climb either.

Burke then had athletes head back to his cabin for some post training food. It made for a good day.

Thanks to Burke and his crew for the invite. I look forward to his long course event in 2008. The 2007 Scofield Tri is filling up. It’s nice to see him have success!

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Editor’s Note from the June issue.

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It has been long over due for us to have a Half Iron event back in Utah. Two years have passed since the last Half, TriUtah’s Echo Challenge Half came and went. TriUtah has unsuccessfully tried to keep the distance in town for several years, beginning with the Kokopelli Half. The events never had the athlete attendance needed to keep a race of its magnitude in town. Half’s require more volunteers to stand in the sun for hours on end, more roads to navigate athletes through and a lot of time, especially on race day. Some would say that there are not enough long-course-minded athletes in Utah to support the events. Maybe TriUtah was ahead of their time. At least they tried.

Fast forward to 2007 and we welcome the VikingMan and Utah Half. While not in Utah, the VikingMan is now the closest regional Half for Utahn’s to attend. Plus, if you are not a strong swimmer you know that nothing beats swimming down the fast moving current of the Snake River. Burley, Idaho is officially a triathlon town. 350 athletes signed up for the inaugural VikingMan event, forcing the race director to close registration well before race day. Burley’s Spudman Tri, a favorite for Utahn’s sold out in a day (over 1,000 athletes). VikingMan’s inaugural event went off without a hitch, and has momentum heading into 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised if they doubled their attendance next year.

The Utah Half has been looked at with some doubts. As the raced was announced last winter, many wondered if organizers had permits and/or the support of the city. And, athletes have to ask, “what makes Utah Lake safe to swim in now?” Ironman Utah and Half Ironman Utah failed due to two consecutive canceled swims in Utah Lake. As it turns out, co-race director Travis Snyder has assured TriHive that a recently built jetty will protect swimmers from the waves that caused Ironman to pack its bags in 2002.

Interestingly enough, TriUtah announced a Half Iron distance event for August of 2008. The race was announced when their 2007 triathlon schedule was unveiled this past winter. It seems race directors are noticing that Utah athletes are ready to take on new challenges. Maybe we’ve always been ready, if the venue and time was right.

Now, if all three of the Half’s stick around for 2008, we’d be approaching the saturation point. One Half is great. Two is a luxury. Three are more then enough. Recent rumors state that two more Half Iron distance events may pop up in 2008. Yes, there MAY be five Half’s in our area in 2008. When it rains it pours. Better late then never, I guess. Where was the enthusiasm to put on a Half last year? Does my bitterness show? In my ideal world, these race directors would work together and produce one amazing event, attracting a national audience. Ego and money won’t allow such a thing to happen.

Let’s hope that one of these Half’s will survive the competition, and give long course triathletes a race to look forward to year-after-year. It would be a tragedy if they end up sinking each other. VikingMan looks to be the one that could survive the flood. They’ve already beat everyone to the punch and hit a home run in its first year. Also, land lovers looking to jump up to a longer event will appreciate the Snake’s current. Can the Utah Half generate similar enthusiasm? Will we see three more Half’s in 2008? Time will tell. Just keep one going!

Alex McKinley

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Peter Reid
(World Champion Triathlete)
vs.
Rod Wayman
(Viewmont High School Band Director/Formerly of Roy High)

Seems like an unfair match, doesn’t it? My hypothetical scenario puts them neck-and-neck through the lava fields of Kona. However, Rod Wayman chose music education as his path, but I’d like to think that he would put “the hurt” on the three-time Ironman World Champion if he had focused his efforts on athletics. At the very least, he’d crush the best of the Utah triathlon scene. This is because Rod Wayman has the “commitment factor.”

I entered Roy High School in 1990, where Rod Wayman, a motivated rookie educator took the helm of the school’s musicians. Mr. Wayman was committed to creating great music and great musicians. He had no problem with asking students to come to school early or to stay late for rehearsals. Mr. Wayman expected his students to go beyond their limits and be their best. There were times when this caused tension with the students (and even some parents), and it became obvious that few were as dedicated as Mr. Wayman in excellence. Some students seemed programmed to “walk through” band, expecting to receive an easy “A.”

Mr. Wayman has what I call the “commitment factor.” He pushed his students all year long, understanding that each performance represented the school and reflected the school’s commitment to education. And, with performances lined up for 11 months out of the year, there was always something to prepare for. Three years of Mr. Wayman’s band classes were my “commitment boot camp.”

Long-term focus is not something that has been natural for me. Throughout my life, I have often jumped from one hobby or idea to the next. Yes, there have been a few things that I’ve clung on to, like when I obsessed over replacing Tommy Lee in Motley Crue. This dream went on for years and years, and my poor parents had to suffer through it. I’m sure the constant banging to Dr. Feelgood grew tiresome. For me, it came easy. But, what about the things that I knew I should give long term commitment to, like my fitness? Throughout my endurance athletics life I have often started a workout program enthusiastically but would frequently fade in and out of commitment as the year progressed. I’ve seen improvement over the years, but I wanted to be on a different level. Getting to another level may take years of commitment.

I have begun a new triathlon journey in 2007. There are no excuses and my lovely wife, Glenna, has given me her support. It’s nice to know that she will push me out the door when my motivation is low. And thank goodness for the baby jogger. I think our little girl, Kennedy, enjoys our running excursions just as much as I do. My commitment to triathlon has become a family goal. It’s amazing to see what a support system will do. They understand where I want to be, and are probably just as eager as I am to get there. It’s just as much of a journey for them as it is for me.

Discovery can be a lot of fun, especially as I finally learn to link my past commitment experiences with the present. It has made the journey more rewarding and has given me a lot of confidence as I head into new territory. I know I’m on my way to a personal best in many areas in my life as I focus on commitment. My “commitment factor” is there, and I’m ready for the triathlon season.

Commitment – Peter Reid’s got it. Rod Wayman’s got it. Do you?

Alex McKinley
Managing Editor
editor@trihive.com

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Athletes often give me hard time because they think I put unflattering pictures of them in TriHive. Here you go. We’re even!

It’s the sports nut in me that refuses to miss the Jazz revival in the NBA playoffs. The spectator in me just cannot walk away from the drama of AK47’s mental breakdowns or Boozer’s power dunks over Yao Ming. Last nights game six victory worked out well because the game started so early. I snuck in an hour run right after the final buzzer sounded.

I want the Jazz to go far in the playoff’s, but a part of me doesn’t like the idea. Basket could derail my commitment to training and I’d personally benefit if they’d just lose! However, I think the root of the issue goes much deeper.

Since my return from a 2.5 week illness I’ve struggled to find my groove. It hasn’t helped to be swamped at my day job, Universal Accounting Center or that I’ve been scrambling to get the latest issue of TriHive to your house. The May issue is one of the toughest to date–mostly due to our feature on Richard Barnum-Reece. He’s a complex guy and I’ve been working with a friend of his, Lorraine Slattery, trying to nail down the most appropriate picture of him. Some of you dearly love Richard, and some of you spite him. I think we pulled it off.

Anyway, I’m going into SG Tri a little bit undercooked and I’ve got some work to do before Vikingman. My fitness is not a lost cause and I need to remember the season is just beginning. I need to find the enthusiasm again. It seems that my last bought with a cold wiped it out.

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Have you ever waken up for an early morning swim, bike or run and wondered what you were doing? I had a moment like this on Monday. It actually felt like a race morning, when I sometimes am filled with anxiety and realize I’m about to punish myself. I got over it quickly and headed to the South Davis Rec. Center where coach Kris pumped me up for a solid swim session.

Change of topics……

The latest issue of TriHive finally made it to the printers and should be in your mailbox in the next day or two. In it is a feature about Utah triathlon pioneer Richard Barnum-Reece. Since I began triathlon in 2000, I’ve wondered why he doesn’t take his race series to another level. He seemed poised to expand with the Utah triathlon community. However, he chose to stick with his pool series and relatively small attendance. My research for the story showed me that Richard never cared to have big races. He was good with what he had going.

I also find it interesting to get so many emails from his loyalists. There are athletes out there that absolutly loved Richard. Why does this surprise me? Because, over the years I’ve heard far more complaints about Richard then praise. The praise that I have heard has come in his defense, when an occasional forum poster would “dis” his events. Some of these loyalists that I received emails from realize that he was a stubborn man, and wished his guard would have been let down for more people. I regret that I didn’t make more of an effort to know Richard. I could never complain about the man. He always treated me well.

One more note…….

If you are a Utah triathlete and would like to exchange blog links with me, just shoot me an email at editor@trihive.com.

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