Stu interviews the incredible Tara Costa from the Biggest Loser Season 7.  Tara talks about the show, life, nutrition, and now triathlon and Rev3.  There is also a section where Tara and I talk about the child obesity problem in America. This is a must listen! Tara simply ROCKS!!!!

Person #1

Many people have said I get a bit too excited about who I’m interviewing. I believe that is true but I finally found someone who is just as passionate, just as in love with this sport as I am. While this person is just wickedly fast, wickedly smart, and wickedly talented, after talking to him / her (don’t want to give it away just yet), I’m more of a fan, if that is even possible. Stay tuned for the first in a series of interviews that will blow your mind. I promise you will not be disappointed. I even bet my BMC bike on it!

Any guesses who this interview might be with? Anyone????? Oh yeah, that was just the 1st of 3 I'm interviewing. Can you guess the other 2??????

That was the last question my father ever spoke to me. Ever. There were no other questions.

Ironman Wisconsin has always been special to me. It's in my home town so I guess it just seems right. This last weekend, Ironwil put on a great event called WIBA. At first she said there may be 30 people. That changed to 40, 50, 60.... The first night at dinner I stopped counting at 70. This is a special weekend. There was no charge for people to come. It was just the joy of Ironman.

With all that said, I set out on Saturday for an hour swim. It was warm already. Maybe 75. By the start of the ride it was easily in the 80's and soon it hit 90. It was also windy, so the heat did not feel all that bad, yet the heat and Stu do not mix. I try with all I have, but the heat got Stu. No question about it. I did 85 miles and came back and ran an hour. After that I was in a world of hurt. It has taken until Monday at lunch for me to finally feel better!

It was during that ride and the hours since that time that I had to dig down deep. It was time for me to put an important point back in the forefront. Never underestimate the power of Ironman. Ever! I feel that very few people in the world will ever attempt an Ironman. For those that do try - remember that sometimes the process, the education, the friendships, the team, the love of the sport make it all worth while.

During the ride, at the lowest point, something very important happened. Something unexpected. I have been having a great year. Everything has been working. That was until Saturday when I ran head on into the heat. I was in the middle of many riders all alone. I was moving forward, but not all that fast. It was one of those moments that you question everything. It was at that moment that I turned and saw Bolder. He knew. I didn't have to say a word. He stuck with me as a friend. He stayed with me while tossing his great day of riding out the window. He didn't say much. See, I was right last week when I said it was all about friends.

When I go back to the start, I got a call asking if I was ok. What a guy! I got up enough energy to do an hour run (that was not the smartest thing to do). When I came back I was in more hurt. I sat on the concrete next to my car. Some guys that I didn't even know sat with me and got me to drink and eat. They sat with me just to make sure.

So to all of you that go so far out of your way to help others I thank you!

So during this last week I was wanting SOMETHING to get me back in the game. I needed something, That "something" came today on a training run. I was still feeling the results of dehydration several days later, but was doing everything I could to get back in the game. I started on a simple run. I ran and just happened to end up on the Ironman route. I have run this 100's of times, but I started to notice freshly painted arrows. I started to follow them and noticed they must have marked the Ironman marathon route this last week. These arrows were not here last week. I saw one more arrow and smiled. I saw another. I started to run faster. I saw another and ran faster. Soon I was in a dream world. This is why I train. I train for the something as simple as this. I will be here following these arrows in 55 days. I have done the work. I have done what it takes to do this.

So I'm back. I'm back in the game because of a painted arrow on the ground. Ironman is about so many things, but when the day is over, Ironman comes from the heart. It comes from deep within. It's a journey. It 's about friendships. It's about life in general.

Stu's Lactate Test Results:

Also check out Jamie Whitmore doing some BASE training as it should be done! She rocks and does it right. Click on the picture of Jamie to visit her website. Listen the to postcast for details.

Meet the awesome Melanie McQuaid. Also, the continuation of the newbie Triathlete series with Cathryn. www.racergirl.com is a must view to learn more about Melanie.  You can also read about the Kahuna at www.trigeekdreams.com.  Melanie was the Kahuna's Tri Diva for 2006.    Also, have you ever listened to Deep Dish? Melanie caught me off gaurd with this group.  Do you think the Kahuna knows who this group is?  I can tell you that I've already done the right thing and purchased some songs from iTunes.  I can't believe that I did not know about this group. Check them out at www.deepdish.com. 

Make sure you check out Cathyrn's training plan here -> The Newbie training plan

SimplyStu Interviews: Check out this quick link to some recent Pro interviews that Stu had.  Enjoy!

Nicole and Tim DeBoom    

Andrea Fisher and Jamie Cleveland

Peter Reid

Heather Haviland

Desiree Ficker

Joanna Zeiger

Jessi Stensland

Heather Gollnick

Misc Interviews

Dr. Allen Lim (A coach of Floyd Landis) talks to Stu about Floyd after the Charges.

Take a tour of Trek World Headquarters.

You want to win a POWERTAP? How about some cool stuff from SKIRTSPORTS? Or how about a set of ROL WHEELS? Come back Tuesday for all the hype!

Stu talks with superstar couple Tim and Nicole DeBoom. Stu announces the www.rolwheels.com give away. Win a set of SL 28 Wheels. SimplyStu listeners learn how Stu fans are going to get an insider view of the Tour de France with CycleOPS. Newbie Plan. Check out Skirt Sports Web Site. You will also find question #2, what did Nicole say she looked like in a window???

The Newbie training plan

Check out the addendum to Ironman Wisconsin Swim and T1

Interview with Ironman Japan Champion Chris Lieto. Also listen to the AWESOME mother of 3, triathlete Heather Gollnick. Check out Heather's great web site You want motivation? Check out this article about Heather's daughter.

Want Power? Listen as Stu talks to the Pros about Power at CycleOps. These guys rock. You will learn how power works on the bike. Check out Stu with the Floyd Landis Magazine Cover. Also check out The Floyd Landis signed jersey. And now the best one - Stu takes a ride on the CycleOps trainer.

Visit Team World Vision

And visit The Very Cool - Race Athlete

Also welcome the wickedly cool Jessi Stensland back to the show for an encore presentation. Once is just not enough for the incredibly gifted and amazing Triathlete. Listen as Jessi talks about nutrition, the core, and other helpful topics. Jessi also gives a very interesting view on why it's not always about the "Ironman." You can thank Jessi by visiting her web page at www.gojessi.com. I also want to thank Iron Wil from "Get your Geek On"

Remember it is NOT too late to sign up for the Triathlon. Look at previous posts for all the information.

[SimplyStu Worldwide Triathlon Document in Word format. E-Mail me if you need other formats]