New Face at Jack & Adam's

Who is the new guy helping you out at Jack & Adam's on Sundays? His name is Brian Hill and we're happy to have him on board. We've asked him a few questions about himself so that we can all get to know him a little better.



What's your full time job?
4th grade teacher at Volma Overton Elementary in East Austin.

Why did you want to work at J&A's?
I love the sport of triathlon. With the summer off as a teacher, I figured this would be a fun way to learn more about the products used in the sport and help others get hooked on triathlon.

Best part about working here:
The environment at Jack and Adam's is unlike most businesses. When I was hired, Jack and Drew told me something that really stuck out. They said that I didn't have to know everything there is to know about the products we sell and that I didn't have to meet a certain quota of sales. They told me to be on time and to be friendly to customers. That's it. This allows the opportunity for a place where customers and staff build relationships instead of worrying about making a sale. A welcoming place where you come to not only buy great products, but also hang out and shoot the breeze about what's going on in your daily life. It becomes more than a store. It's kind of like a family room that happens to sell some sweet bike stuff!

Favorite bike:
I love my 2007 Felt S22, but I REALLY LIKE the yellow and black 2008 Felt B2. Definitely my dream bike...one day!

Favorite triathlon:
Not sure I have a favorite, but I'm really looking forward to doing the Austin Triathlon and the Longhorn 70.3 for the first time this year. Maybe one of them will top my list.

Favorite nutritional product:
I have to admit, I don't use nutritional products very much. I should, especially now that I work at the shop and they're all around me. I do like to use HED on my rides though.

Favorite workout:
I love the route that the Jack and Adam's group ride goes on every Sunday out from the shop, around Decker Lake, and back. It's great to follow that ride up with a nice brick run at Town Lake afterwards.

How long you've been in the sport?:
I've been doing triathlons for about 3 years now. I was injured most of last year so I've still barely scratched the surface of my triathlon journey.

If you have anything else you'd like to add, that's cool too:
The sport of triathlon is relatively young, so you're always going to have people new to the sport that have a lot of questions. I know when I was starting out I had a ton of questions and sometimes felt embarrassed to ask them. I still have questions today! Just ask Thomas or Sam at the shop...I bombard them with questions all the time. It's nice to have a place like Jack and Adam's to get those questions answered while not feeling dumb for asking them. Austinites are lucky to have a city that caters to athletes in a number of different ways. From great trails to run on, beautiful scenery and roads to ride on, and awesome places like Barton Springs to swim in. We are also lucky to have a top class shop like Jack and Adam's available to us with staff and service that can take care of any of our triathlon needs. That's pretty awesome.

*******
Be sure to stop by J&A's this summer to meet Brian in person!

New Face at Jack & Adam's

First Endurance Co-Founder to Visit Jack & Adam's

This weekend Jack & Adam's Bicycles is hosting a couple of FREE & exciting events and you're invited to both!

On Sunday, May 31st, we'll have the pleasure of welcoming Robert Kunz MS, VP of Science and Co-Founder of First Endurance Nutrition to J&A's. Robert will hand out FREE Samples of First Endurance products before the start of the shop ride at 8:30AM. After the ride, Pro Triathlete and First Endurance sponsored athlete, Amanda Lovato will join Robert to talk about nutrition/hydration for triathlon and endurance sports. The discussion will focus primarily on carbohydrate & electrolyte research for endurance sports and how that effects you. The talk starts when riders return at approximately 10:30AM. Please hang out after the ride and enjoy some tacos while Robert & Amanda talk nutrition!

I am very excited that Robert is visiting the shop. You will definitely see me out there before & after the ride so that I can get more tips on nutrition and to learn how to better utilize the First Endurance Product Line. Currently I use the EFS Fruit Punch (love the flavor), Ultragen (mixes very smoothly), and the EFS Liquid Shot (a great pick-me-up during longer training sessions). I am curious to learn more about the Pre Race Mix and the Multi Vitamin, so it will be nice to hear from the source!

To find out more about First Endurance and their products, please visit the First Endurance Website.

Also coming up on Sunday is a FREE training clinic to help get you ready for Danskin. It's presented by Tri Zones Training and here's some info it:

Sunday, May 31, 4:00pm at Jack and Adam's
TRI your best on race day
How does transition work? What gear should I bring? What are the rules on the race course? When do I pick up my packet? We'll guide you through what to expect on race weekend and how to be prepared to have the most fun on race day. Topics will include packet pickup, parking, body-marking, transitions, race day etiquette, finish line festivities and everything in between. Bring your questions - we'll get them answered!

See you at the shop!

-Angie

First Endurance Co-Founder to Visit Jack & Adam's

New Instructor for Core Class

The Jack & Adam's very popular & FREE core class has a new instructor! For the first time in the 5 year history of the class we'll have a female leader! We're happy to announce Lisa Bender from CrossFit Central for the Wednesday night 5:30 session. Here is some info on Lisa:

J&A: What is your background?

Lisa: I've always been athletic, grew up in competitive athletics, and have been involved in the Austin triathlon and running scene since I moved here 6 years ago. I was the 2008 Regional CrossFit champion and 27th in the International Crossfit Games. I ran the Boston Marathon April 2009. I have a degree from University of North Carolina in Exercise and Sport Science and currently have two certifications from Crossfit - Crossfit Endurance Certification and Crossfit Nutrition Certification.

J&A: What are the main benefits of a core class?

Lisa: The cornerstone of all athletic movements is the abdominal or core muscles. An athlete can train to increase stength, power, speed, etc but if the core muscles are weak they will be limited in the benefits of his/her hard work. A strong core will help protecct the back from potential injuries as well as help generate more power thru the hips into the legs and arms. Core stength is not only important for athletes but for anyone who wants to prevent injury from lifting simple items in everyday chores. We will be able to modify each exercise for ALL fitness levels.

J&A: What are the differences between this core class and CrossFit?

Lisa: Crossfit Central Indoor classes develop functional fitness using barbell weights, kettlebells,gymnastics moves, plyometrics. Crossfit Central's bootcamps develop cardiovascular endurance and strength using body weight, light dumbbells, and medicine balls. These classes engage the participants in a functional program that will help increase endurance, core strength, power, and help prevent injury. Jack and Adam's Core Class powered by Crossfit Central will focus on midline stabilization. All movements will be designed to develop abdominals and lower back - the foundation for all multi-sport athletes! Your body weight and light medicine balls are the only tools utilized in this class.

J&A: Will you keep the workouts the same or will you incorporate new moves?

Lisa: I am not that familiar with the former class structure but plan to combine traditional core movements with more dynamic and functional movements. In conjunction with improving core stength, all movements/exercises we perform will be designed to increase strength, coordination, and agility. We will use medicine balls and body weight to perform all exercises for the core class. This will be a dynamic class and while we will not focus on cardiovascular fitness, the class will include circuits that improve cardiovascular fitness.

New Instructor for Core Class

Athlete Survey

Share your experiences as an athlete!

A local multisport athlete who also happens to be a researcher in the field of information studies is examining the information seeking habits of runners, triathletes and duathletes, and can use your help.

Please take 10 minutes to log on to the online survey HERE.

Athlete Survey

Closed Memorial Day

Jack & Adam's Bicycles will be closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day. Since we're always closed on Tuesdays, normal business hours resume on Wednesday, May 27th.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

Closed Memorial Day

Pure Austin Splash-n-Dash fills up at 200!

Tuesday marked the second Pure Austin Splash-n-Dash at Quarry Lake for 2009.  Many would be participants were caught off guard as the event filled to capacity at 200 people about 24 hours before the start time.  It actually filled up at 150 people on Sunday night, but we opened up 50 more spots on Monday afternoon.

We took an informal survey/vote at the start of the event on Tuesday night to see what people would like us to do since the event is filling up.  The pretty much unanomous crowd asked at we keep the price at $10 and cap the event at 200.   A few last minute volunteers (as they missed the registration cut off) pointed out that my survey was a little bogus since I only asked the people who actually made it into Tuesday's event.  :)   Nonetheless, we are going to stick it out at $10 and 200 people for the rest of 2009, unless we encounter issues.  So... don't procrastinate and make sure you sign up early.  The July event already has 60 people registered.

As for the event, it was pretty much picture perfect weather and there was plenty of hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks to go round.  Two ITU boys from Brazil, Mauro and Frank, smoked the field, and Derick Williamson finally beat his wife Kelly Handel.   Also, the big news is that Run-Far is now providing chip timing and results.  Check out the May results:  http://www.mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=3681

- DC

Pure Austin Splash-n-Dash fills up at 200!

Texas Tri Series kicks off with PureSport Rookie Triathlon

New Braunfels, Texas (May 10, 2009) – The 6th annual PureSport Rookie Triathlon, held May 10th in New Braunfels, Texas, saw professional triathlete husband and wife team Brandon and Amy Marsh take first place overall for the men and women, respectively. Brandon Marsh fought off a hard charging field of pro athletes while Amy Marsh cruised to victory with a comfortable margin. Both athletes use PureSport during their training and racing. Roughly 800 participants filled the venue at the Texas Ski Ranch for fun-filled day of swimming, cycling, and running.

The gun went off at 8 AM sharp on what would turn into a very hot and humid day. As usual, the open wave included virtually all of central Texas’s male elite athletes, including Brandon Marsh, James Bonney, Jamie Cleveland, James Bales, Jason McMillian, Derrick Williamson, Patrick Evoe, Todd Gerlach, and Paul Terranova. Amy Marsh had less company in the women’s field, with Desiree Ficker and Andrea Fisher on volunteer duty for the day. The pros and age groupers laid down some speed at the super sprint distance of a 300 meter open-water swim, an 11 mile ride through the beautiful Texas countryside, and a quick 2 mile run.

Participants, volunteers, and spectators were welcomed into finish line carnival with an iced towel and recovery drink from PureSport. The goodies continued with hamburgers, fresh fruit provided by Texas Iron, Kook Kones ice cream, New Belgium Beer, free massage from Advanced Rehab, and a souvenir bike bottle from T3, and gifts from TYR, Trigger Point, Clif, Skeese Greets, and Jack & Adam’s Bicycles.

High Five Events and Jack & Adam’s Bicycles, the producers of the event, received many compliments on the successful event, including the following from a long time participant and volunteer: “I've been coming to these events for many years. After each event I think that you have pulled off the perfect race. Then, I come again next year and the event is even more perfect. I don't know how you guys do it!"

The 2010 event is tentatively scheduled for Mother Day, May 9th.

Texas Tri Series kicks off with PureSport Rookie Triathlon