Q&A with Andy Hersam
The former Runners World Media Group Publisher is taking the reins of the Competitor Group print titles – including Triathlete and Inside Triathlon – from long term publisher John Duke.

Despite not going very fast during a 5 hour ride on January 2nd, Chrissie Wellington crashed quite hard and fractured her arm, wrist, hand and a couple of fingers. She checked in with slowtwitch.

John Duke, the man who brought Triathlete magazine from the near-dead to a dominating position in the marketplace, is out after 14 years. Former Runners World exec Andy Hersam is now in charge of Competitor Group’s magazines, including IT and Triathlete.

Sal Ruibal has been with USA Today for over 22 years and as a sports reporter for that paper covers cycling, the Olympics and various other sports. He spent time with slowtwitch to share some of his experiences.

Today we noticed a few mid-priced cross-country, marathon, XTERRA bikes. Cannondale Flash Carbon 29er, Focus Raven Expert, Jamis Dakar XCR Race, Giant Anthem X2, Trek Fuel EX 9 and Lynskey Performance Ridgeline 29.

While the brevity is the soul of wit, Timothy Carlson found great one-liners and admirable sound bites from a variety of Pros, industry folks and even some age groupers. Enjoy Carlson’s favorite quotes of the year 2009.

Performance increases are not straight-line, rather, they’re like the stock market: lots of ups, a fair share of downs, but up over the long haul Well, maybe that’s a bad analogy considering the past decade.

It’s Chrissie’s bike, and Mirinda’s, and it can be yours too for a paltry sum, as bikes go. Among those selling complete all-carbon tri bikes, Cannondale joins Felt and QR in the circa-$2000 club.

Jeff Henderson, RD of the Musselman Tri, authored an insightful newbie race director’s diary in 2003. He begins a new set of installments: A chronicle of what he’s learned in the intervening 7 years.

If you’re a Newton fan, but, feel more like an ice skater than a runner when you contact wet or icy surfaces, there’s good news for you: The Newton Running All Weather shoe.

This is the K-Swiss Ultra-Natural Run II Ironman, a very lightweight shoe considering it’s got “ultra” in it’s title. And no, it’s not the same as the K-Ona.

To close out the decade, fun loving triathletes and multisport masters gathered for the 4th annual Boulder Beer Mile. Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson

The life of a professional sports photographer appears absolutely thrilling and exciting and we spent time with Rich Cruse to find out what it is really like to be in the middle of the action at various historical triathlon events.

Chrissie Wellington’s record-smashing and Alistair Brownlee’s perfection gave 2009 some of its bright shining greatness. But there were clearly more amazing triathlon items in 2009.

We have noticed a few high-end mountain bikes which would certainly make great XTERRA, XC or marathon racing rigs. Look closer at the Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL, Santa Cruz Blur XC, Specialized S-Works Epic, Niner Air 9 C, Pivot Mach 429 and Scott Scale RC.

Triathlon execs gain Olympic-related posts, USAT Hall of Fame athletes still all women, 16-year-old triathlete wins Foot Locker XC Nationals, Challenge Wanaka sells out, Vegas ‘burb gains ITU LD Worlds, IMG postpones San Diego debut

In August age grouper Wim Van De Wielle lost his wife Kristel in a terrible hit and run accident and his life was turned upside down. A few months later Van De Wielle won his age group at Ford Ironman Florida and finished 13th overall.

Saturday the race site needs to rise from the earth, and each athlete has approximately thirty questions they would like to ask, preferably now. But as my wife often tells me, I signed up for the job.

I’m always drawn to that place in a company’s lineup where the company’s bean counters wince as they look at how much money they’re not making. Here’s the bean-counter’s nightmare.

You’re nearing the end. You’re probably ready to race now. So, it’s mostly a case of hitting your taper, not getting injured, improving here and there, and staying enthused.

This 2010 Seduza is a singular example of this American company with a Mexican name’s resurgence. It’s a full-carbon monocoque chassis with all the sex features.

Headed for greatness after five Ironman distance wins in her first two years as a professional, the part time Christchurch Symphony violinist endured some rough times in 2009.

Do you still need any last minute gift ideas of friends and family? We noticed SRAM R2C shifters, Garmin 500 Edge computer, Craft hat, Trigger Point Grid roller, Coffees of Hawaii gift tin, CEP compression socks, Asics running gloves and a Trix Gear t-shirt.

The Day 3 double marathon takes runners from Hawi to the old Airport at Kailua-Kona. Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson