Category Archives: ATHLETE UPDATES
Mendel Lopez joins The Next Step Tri Roster of Athletes
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=821155&publicationSubCategoryId=110
CEBU, Philippines – Many-time Ironman campaigner Dan Brown has volunteered to help multi-titled Cebuano runner turned triathlete Mendel Lopez in his training especially for the upcoming IronmanPhilippines slated on August 5 at the Shangri-La Resort and Spa in MactanIsland.
Lopez had a very promising performance during the Tabuelan 111 Triathlon two weeks ago and it wasn’t left unnoticed by Brown and Philippine Team member Arland Macasieb among others.
Lopez crossed the finish line first only to be disqualified by the organizers due to technicalities. Lopez, accordingly, missed a loop during the bike portion of the three-in-one race.
“I wasn’t expecting that I would do well in Tabuelan actually. It was also the reason why I was just going easy and didn’t attend the race briefing. I learned my lessons well and I want to focus now on my preparations for the Ironman,” said Lopez.
Brown, who already gave Lopez a training program which he started doing yesterday, will be in Cebu a few weeks before the highly-anticipated Ironman to put up the final phase of his training along with Lopez and other Cebuanos under Team Fish18 and Vellum.
Lopez, whose Ironman campaign is supported by Caltex and Rudy Project, is entered under the Filipinoelite category.
Posted in ATHLETE UPDATES, INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES
Tagged Mendel Lopez Filipino Elite
Tri United 1 RACE REPORT
TriUnited 1, Playa Laiya, Batangas, Philippines. April 14, 15 2012
1k-30k-7k
Tri United 1 is the first race of a three race series including a long distance race at the beginning of April. The series is staged by the people behind Unilab Active Health, who really are supporting the running and triathlon scene here in the Philippines and helping to raise the bar of these sports to professional standards. The races contained about 250 people including around 10 teams and was set over the friendly distance of 10-30-7.
I raced in the mens race on the Sunday and it was a very fun day out. The weather cooperated well with a clear, warm morning and little wind. My goal for the race was to get a hard bike in and have a good lead so I could have an easier run so I could spend time encouraging others and have a relaxed day out. Things went well to plan. I tried to swim with super Olympian swimmer Guy Concepcion and it worked for about 200 metres! Before I worked my way into 3rd position swimming by myself keeping a steady tempo focusing on keeping my core engaged and keeping my body position nice and high in the water.
I came out feeling good and after a long t-run I had a good transition and got set for the 30k bike leg. The Playa Laiya bike leg was 2 loops out and back and pretty fast and I reeled in the 2 guys in front within the first few k’s and put the hammer down for the remainder of leg. The goal here was to push a big gear and keep the power consistent and rpm @ around 75 or so. I have had more chances to put in some big k’s on the new Vellum TT bike and it is turning out to be a real advantage for me which is awesome. On the second lap I noticed I had a 4 minute lead so was set to enjoy the rest of the race. Only problem was that I ate lots of toxic fumes from the lead bike and police escort! The course was pretty fast as my average speed was around 40kph.
The run leg was fun with plenty of shade and time to say hi and some encouragement to other friends out there on the course. The Quicky blades as usual were feeling light and dependable throughout. I kept my position well and finished 1st overall in 1.36.
All in all it was a great weekend and if you are a lover of an organised professional race with lots of added touches including roaming Enervon HP recovery drinks and hydration, a stretching tent, great sponsor products like Times Watches etc., then this is for you.
Congrats to Next Step Athletes out there on course also: Clinton Hess, Mike Vaca, Marge Buot, August Benedicto, Carlo Pedregoza, Team Greentennial Relay and Ani De Leon Brown. Fantastic job guys and great start to the year also!
Thanks and see you at the races soon.
Dan
Sponsors and Partners:
Unilab Active Health, Vellum, K Swiss, Rudy Project, Detec, Timex, Hed, Hammer Nutrition, Pico De Loro Beach Club and Resort.
Posted in ATHLETE UPDATES, RACE REPORT, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS, Triathlon
THE BULL RUNNER INTERVIEWS COACH DAN BROWN
There was a time when I would interview runners regularly for this blog (click HERE to read past interviews). Recently, I decided to start doing them again. We all can learn a thing or two from the experience of other runners and draw inspiration from their achievements.
This week, I interviewed 15-time Ironman and 8th place Ultraman World Champ Dan Brown. Read on…
http://thebullrunner.com/2011/12/16/runners-interview-dan-brown/
THE NEXT STEP TRI COACHING UPDATES, JUNE 16
The Next Step Tri Camp has just landed in Bacolod for the Next Step Tri Series Camp 3. We are looking forward to a full 3 days of training and lectures for our triathlon friends here in Bacolod. The first 2 camps have been a success and we hope to continue the growth of these events.
Details and testimonials of the camps etc. can be found @ www.thenextsteptricamp.com
The Next Step Tri Series Camp 4 will be in Subic on July 8, 9 and 10 and the focus will be on Camsur IM 70.3 and the specific training needed to achieve your goals for the event. The camp will likely be a sellout so we all look forward to a great camp then!
Next Step coaching welcomes team Hammer and Team Tribe for coaching in Subic Bay in the coming weeks as many of the athletes prepare for The Triking Long Course Event on July 17.
Philippine National Team athletes will begin their preparations for Singapore ITU Asian Cup race on May 30.
All the best to Next Step athletes competing in the next few weeks:
Australian athletes Simon MacDonald and Lauren Edwards will compete in the Gold Coast marathon.
Singapore athlete Andy Lordianto will tackle the Ironman Korea.
All the best to these athletes!
THE NEXT STEP TRI IS NOW ON TWITTER!
Please follow us at: http://twitter.com/#!/thenextsteptri
Posted in ATHLETE UPDATES
