Have I got news for you…

Biggest, fattest apologies ladies and gentlemen of this tri blog parish. I was out there, spreading the good word of triathlon on a regular, almost-daily basis for the past few weeks and then, like an unreliable shepherd with a booze problem, I once again neglected my flock in favour of other endeavours.

And even this here blog will serve as little recompense, lacking, as it is, any real mental sustenance or edifying value. In fact, all I’m here to say is that there’s going to be some BIG NEWS about my blog coming soon.

Obviously, everything has a context and this will be BIG NEWS (see how I write it in caps to show how big it is! Clever, huh?) in the relatively localised and niche context of my blog, not BIG NEWS in a more global sense, such as pan-Arabian peace talks, or scientists discovering an unlimited, clean and easily stored energy source, or Britney Spears and Wayne Rooney having a baby together.

Anyways, while I’m busy working on this BIG NEWS over the next few days, I’ll not be posting so much so I hope you’ll forgive me and not find comfort in the arms of another blog. Honestly, I think we can work through this, I’m doing this BIG NEWS for you guys, I’ve been thinking of you while I’ve been with the BIG NEWS, I just know we can make this work if you’ll give me one more try…

Anyways, stay posted for more details about the BI.. uh you get it.... 

The Monday list: ten twits to follow

Each Monday from now on (well, whenever possible, at least) I’ll be doing a top five or top ten list to start the week. This week, I’m starting nice and easy with my ten fave people, companies or websites to follow on Twitter, with a brief explanation as to why. This list is aimed at those with an interest in triathlon and related subjects, but does not include pro triathletes (ten triathletes who tweet well will be a future list). If you have any comments, recommendations or additions, I’d love to hear them:

1. @ThirdBrownlee – An irreverent look at the world of triathlon from Alistair and Jonathan’s “little brother”
2. @TrainingPeaks – lots of great information and technical training articles, even if you don’t use the TP programme for training
3. @BeginnerTriathlete – loads of advice and features for intermediate as well as beginner multisporters
4. @dcrainmakerblog – plenty of triathlon information but also the best and most complete reviews of all tri-related technology
5. @TriathleteEurope – good source of news and interviews
6. @purplepatch – Purple Patch head coach, Matt Dixon, is a top tri mind with lots of ideas that could be of benefit to age groupers
7. @trifuel – links to interesting studies, sessions, slideshows, news and reviews
8. @Doctor_Hutch – as well as being a brilliant writer (if you’ve not already, read his book The Hour), Michael Hutchinson is a great source of cycling-related news and opinions
9. @BenGreenfield – top triathlete who is also a huge nutrition mind, with loads of links, opinions, videos and podcasts relating to health, wellbeing and sports performance
10. @slowtwitch – a place where all tri junkies can really geek out  

This list is, of course, in no way exhaustive and tries to include a little of everything but, if you’re a triathlete just getting into Twitter or a member of the Twitterati just getting into triathlon, you won’t go far wrong if you follow these ten handles to start.

A blog post that saves lives and money

There are a lot of things to consider when you move countries and continents. And you can get so caught up with unimportant stuff, like packing, closing and opening bank accounts, new apartment to live in yadda, yadda, yadda, that it becomes easy to overlook the truly important training-related to-dos.

Last week, almost three months since I made the move to Amsterdam, I finally got around to what should be - no, seriously, it should - one of the first things an athlete needs to do when they make such a move: order my new Road ID.

If you don't know what a Road ID is, it's this:

Essentially, a velcro bracelet that you wear for all your activities, containing vital information and contact numbers.  On mine, for example, it says my name, the year I was born, my girlfriend and parents' contact numbers (obviously, they're not blurred out on the real thing!), that I have no known allergies, asthma and have AB+ blood type, and there's even room for a little motivational message to read when you look down during a hard session. Many people have "don't quit" or "pain doesn't exist" type slogans but I prefer the last line of The Streets' great tune, Turn The Page, which is my pre-race anthem.

As many of my triathlon buddies back in Dubai have witnessed of late, in the terrible case of an accident while out biking or running, you could be left unconscious and this type of information - who you are, blood type, allergies etc - could well be critical. As could the support of your loved ones. It's almost irresponsible to train without one of these bad boys on your wrist.

They're only pretty cheap - less than US$20 - plus, if you use the code ThanksMatt22236291 you'll get a dollar off. Can't say fairer than that. This isn't a sales pitch, I'm not sponsored by Road ID, or anything like that... I just think that, as cyclists, runners or triathletes, we sometimes take safety for granted. This is just one of a couple of very simple and cheap steps we can take to limit the risks of racing and training, as going out in a group or run buddy isn't always possible.