Mirinda Carfrea is the current Ironman World Champion. In March 2001, Carfrae took second place at Ironman New Zealand and on April 2, 2011 Carfrae wins California 70.3.

FLMSTri: Back in March you raced Ironman New Zealand, where a flat prevented you from capturing the championship title. Did you have some carryover in our fitness?

Mirinda Carfrae: Yes, I think the fitness from an Ironman carries over. All in all I do not think I am in the same shape I was in last year when I raced here. This off season has been a lot differently than years past. I have stayed in the United States, done some photo shots, I have traveled from Boulder to California numerous times.

FLMSTri: Has this hampered your race preperation?

Mirinda Carfrae: I think so, it definitely takes a lot out of you.

FLMSTri: How did you feel coming into the 2011 California 70.3?

Mirinda Cafrea: I felt a bit nervous coming into this race but as you can see Ironman New Zealand must have overflowed into this race. I didn't think I was inshape to pull off a 1:18 half marathon, I don't know where I pulled that from.

FLMSTri: After Ironman New Zealand, what did you do to prepare for this race?

Mirinda Carfrae: Nothing! I had a week off and then I had a real easy week. I returned to the United States and ended up getting sick so I had to take a few more days off and I just started to get back into training.

FLMSTri: Do you think you recovered well after Ironman New Zealand?

Mirinda Carfrae: After an Ironman it is very important to look after your body. This early in the season I would rather be under done vs over done. I have some training to do now.

FLMSTri: How would you some up this race?

Mirinda Carfrae: I am vary pleased. To come up with the win I am super stoked. I am pretty disappointed with my bike but I knew something would suffer with my fitness a litle subpar for me at this stage of the year. I am really please with my swim and I was pleased with my run. To top it off I made my final decision to race in Oceanside a week before the race.

FLMSTri: Congratulations on a great race.

Mirinda Carfrae: Thank you and thank you for all your support.

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Have you ever wondered what triathlon Pros get paid for placing top 5 in a race? Here is your chance to take a look at what a professional triathlete makes when racing Ironman 70.3, Ironman 140.6, Lifetime Fitness and ITU World Championship Series in 2011. Bonuses and premiums are not reflected in this scale. Bonuses and premiums are usually race specific, mainly associated with championship races.

Here are some other ways professional triathletes make money: they may keep a full time job, charge appearance fees, coach, get sponsorship agreements, be an entrepreneur or write articles/books. Pro triathletes, like teachers, police officers, fire fighters or charity coordinators do it because they have a passion and a love for what they are doing. Ask any pro triathlee why they do it and you will see the passion in their eyes and they will tell you its for the love of the sport.

There are other race series out there that pay pro prize purses: Rev3, Tri California, Challenge, Tri Star, Xterra Triathlon & Run, 5150 and USA Triathlon Elite Race Series; to list a few. There are also individual races that offer large prize purses for pro triathletes. Abu Dhabi International Triathlon and HyVee Triathlon are two races that have very generous prize purses. At the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, the top 5 pro triathletes won: 1st $50,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $15,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $7,5000. Later this season at the 2011 HyVee Triathlon, the top 5 pros will win: 1st $151,500, 2nd $75,000, 3rd $50,000, 4th $25,000 and 5th $20,000.

Chart below outlines prize money for 70.3, Ironman, Lifetime and Dextro ITU World Championship Series

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Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and the demand for good coaches is growing. Below is a list of things that can help you hire the right coach. One of the biggest mistakes an athlete can make when picking a coach, is to be mesmerized by accomplishments of the person they are considering as a coach. Podium finishes, winning a gold metal or multiple world championship titles does not validate a person’s knowledge of a sport or ability to coach. There are multiple examples of this in other professional sports outside of triathlon. Maybe that is why someone coined the phrase “Those who can’t do, coach!” Finding a good and qualified coach, should be a process. Here are a few things to consider when trying to find a the right coach: Take the time to talk to fellow triathletes, set personal goals, and interview multiple coaches. -Talking to fellow triathletes is a great way to get the ball rolling. It will allow you to get a feel for the coach before meeting him/her. If the triathlete “really” likes their coach; ask why. If the triathlete is “disappointed” in their coach, really, ask why. Remember to keep an open mind when talking to people about their coach, as what worked/didn’t work for them could be different for you. We all have our own individual needs. -By setting your goals before interviewing a coach, you will be able to paint a better picture of what you want to accomplish. It also helps the coach design your program. You will be able to ask the right questions, especially if you are trying to find a coach who can help you finish your first triathlon or qualify for a world championship. -When interviewing coaches, remember to keep an open mind. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
 
Here is a list of items that can help you during the interview:
1. Cost of coaching
2. Is it an online, one on one or group coaching plan?
3. Types of communication. This is very important, as some coaches only allow a certain amount of texts, emails and phone calls per month. 4. Will you need to pay for any extras: Powertap, SRM, and Training Peaks etc?
5. Coaching qualifications: nutrition, USAT Coaching Level I, II or III, anatomy, sports psychology, kinesiology, exercise science or just a good athlete (multiple gold metals and world championship titles). 6. How long has the coach been coaching and in the sport? 7. What have they accomplished in triathlon?
8. Know and be honest about your fitness level. 9. Does he/she analyze your training: by speed, heart rate, watts or perceived exertion?
10. How many athletes do they coach? Before the interview, you may want to check and see if the coach has a website. If they do, the website may offer answers to some of your questions.

Take your time and find the best coach for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for certifications and references. Getting the right a coach, can make or brake your triathlon journey. Finding a Triathlon Coach

 Twitter: @finishlinenews

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They are friends. They love to compete against each other. They have wars on Twitter.

Mirinda Carfrae, from Australia, is the current IMWC Champion (2010) and is the current marathon record holder in Kona. Carfrae won the 70.3 World Championships in 2008. Known for her running prowess, Mirinda has proven to be a strong force in all three sports (swim, bike & run). Carfrae is coached by the ITU Champion and Triathlon Legend Siri Lindley.

Julie Dibens, from Great Britain, is a 3X Xterra World Champion. In 2009 Dibens won booth, the 70.3 World Champion and Xterra World Championship titles. This Brit is an amazing swimmer. While attending LSU, Dibens was honored with multiple swimming awards. In the triathlon world, Julie is known for her lethal swim/bike combination. Dibens made her Ironman debut at the 2010 IMWC, Kona where she placed 3rd.

On April 2, 2011 these to champions will go head to head in Oceanside, California the California 70.3. It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out. Carfrae will be racing the Ironman New Zealand on March 5th and Dibens will be defending last year's victory at the 2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on March 12th.

In New Zealand, Carfrae will have to swim 2.4-miles, bike 112-mils and run 26.2-miles (total 140.6-miles). And Abu Dhabi, Dibens will swim 1.85-miles, bike 124.25-miles and run 12.4-miles (total 138.75-miles). Who will have the advantage?

We compared the two, by selecting five 70.3 races and averaged their results. According to our records these two have only raced each other at two 70.3 races, both being the 70.3 World Championships; 2007 and 2008. Carfrae won the title in 2007 and Dibens in 2009. After crunching some numbers the data shows that Dibens is a monster in the water and on the bike but Carfrae owns the run.

This early season meeting between Carfrae and Dibens could turn into a classic dual being decided by a sprint finish. So, the million dollar question is, who will win on April 2, 2011?

Stay Tuned by following us: @triprotalk or @finishlinenews

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When you think race tactics one of the first names that should come to mind is the two times and reigning Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack.

In 2010 Macca taught the speculators a lot, when he answered the question "Can Chris McCormack win another title in Kona?" The word on the street was McCormack is too old to win another Ironman World Championship and the younger and faster ITU guys like Raelert are the future of long distance triathlon.

According to "Science and critics" Macca wasn't supposed to win his first one either. Critics of the sport claimed he was too big and that his body would not be able to handle the distance. McCormack has been showing the triathlon world that he can win at any distance from Sprint to Ironman.

After winning, over two hundred triathlons, you would think history has shown the folks in the triathlon world; that if you are on the starting line with Chris, you better not take him lightly. Chris is a fierce competitor who thrives on pressure, big races and he knows how to get in his competitions head.

Chris may use tactics that other athletes may not agree with but at the end of the day it's all about wins and looses. Take a minute and talk race tactics with Macca and you would think you are talking to an NFL coach or player. In the NFL coaches and players will spend countless hours studying their opponents every move and breaking down game films, leaving no stone unturned before the big game. It is no secret that McCormack studies and keeps an eye on the men he is racing.

Like him or not Macca is very good for the sport. Let's hope McCormack can keep performing at this level for many more years.

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In the sport of triathlon there are two types of athletes, competitors and completers. Which one are you?

The dictionary offers these definitions (Verbs):

Compete: to strive to outdo another for acknowledgment, a prize, supremacy, profit, etc.; engage in a contest; vie: to compete in a race; to compete in business.

Complete: to make whole or entire, to make perfect, to bring to an end; finish, to execute successfully.

In 2001, I was introduced to the sport of triathlon through friends and charity. After a few months of training for my first triathlon, the LA Triathlon, I knew where I ranked and I was able to figure out my goals in this amazing sport. I wanted to make new friends, make a complete lifestyle change, inspire/motivate others and complete every race I start.

Going into the 2006 season I decided I was going to do IM Wisconsin. So, I trained, trained and trained, like you are supposed for an Ironman. On race morning I lined up on the starting line cocky (i.e. Today I'm gonna be a competitor), loosing sight of the goals that I had set back in 2001. And on this day, I was going to pay for my actions "karma baby!"

When the cannon sounded, to send the athletes off onto their 140.6; I was overly confident. That quickly changed when I got onto the bike course. [Jump forward] 75% of the way through the bike course and I am done. I received my first DNF!

These three letters (DNF) on my triathlon resume has grounded me and put me in my place. It is now 2011 and I have completed every race I have started including 2 Ironman races because I stay focus on my triathlon goals.

I know my place in this sport, I am a complete(r).

It doesn't matter which type of triathlete you are. Having fun, making friends, inspire/motivate others and living a positive and healthy lifestyle is the most important thing.

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It's crazy to think that we are only in January and people are already talking about this year's men to watch in Kona. If you had to pick the early season favorite; most of the votes would go to the Raelert brothers, Andreas and Michael.

Next vote, which brother will win?

Andreas finished second at the 2010 Ironman World Championship. Andreas had a classic battle with Chris McCormack (2X IMWC). These two giants, of the triathlon world, clashed on their way back into town; just outside of the Energy Lab.

Earlier in the 2010 season, Raelert and McCormack raced each other in Germany (Raelert's home country). Andreas took the victory and he did it convincingly.

Michael, who is yet to race an Ironman distance triathlon, is the current 70.3 World Champion. Raelert has won this title in 2009 & 2010. When it comes to the 70.3 distance, Michael is darn near untouchable. This Raelert has the ability to lead the race to victory as he is strong in all three disciplines. Some, triathlon critics, may say Micheal is the complete triathlete at this distance.

Michael is the younger brother of Andreas, four years separate the brothers. Andreas is also Michaels coach. Rumor has it; Michael is the faster of these two men. We will see in Kona come October 8, 2011; where both Raelert brothers plan on racing the 2011 Ironman World Championships.

It is a long season as October is 9-months away. A lot can happen between now and then. So, all we can do now is sit back and watch to see how the season unfolds.

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