Author: kknnheinze@yahoo.com

One of the greatest endurance sports accomplishments is completing your very first marathon. The feeling of crossing the finish line after having run, or, survived 26.2 miles is memorable and for many, quite life-changing.

In this week’s Fitspeek Express, we hear the stories of first time marathon finishers Tiffany and Rhonda from Abbotsford. Under the sage guidance of Running Room Marathon Group Leader Zack Neufeld they were able to take on the challenge of their first (of many more) marathon.

Fitspeek is getting older and wiser…thanks to the youngster Zack Neufeld and his most recent “Between The Ears” segment on positive reframing. Our newest podcast also features an old friend, Bob Babbitt, as he tells of his times spent interviewing triathlon legends Dave Scott and Mark Allen. We also have an interview with local upstart sports nutrition company F2C. As always, we have our race results including the love in that was the Westwood Lake Triathlon, Kevin Watt’s shout outs, and our upcoming events schedule. Hear it all now, by pressing play below

It used to be, the only sports nutrition game in town was Gatorade. Times have changed. Now a growing local company out of Pitt Meadows is making a full-range of products to help out those folks who need something better. What do I mean by better? Press play below and hear the story of F2C Nutrition in this Fitspeek Express interview with Kevin Heinze and F2C founder Greg Cowan. At the end of the podcast be listening for a teaser that involves our newest partnership between F2C and Dynamic Race Events.

I’ve been swimming in Whonnock  Lake, near Maple Ridge for 13 years as part of my triathlon training. About ten years ago, Whonnock even had its own Half-Ironman distance triathlon called the “Iron Mountain.” It was one of the toughest triathlons in the province as it featured climbs up Dewdney Truck Road and that monster climb from Lougheed Highway up 272nd Street.  Even though the Iron-Mountain is now part of triathlon history, Whonnock Lake is still a busy training centre, not only for triathletes but for paddlers as well. In this Fitspeek interview, Kevin Watt and Kevin Heinze speek with Deane Hackett from the Dragon Ridge Dragon Boating training group.

To get more information about Dragonboating at Whonnock, e-mail Janice at j_gardner@shaw.ca.

In addition to our pre-boating interview, we captured some of the sounds and the voices as we were on the water and back on safe, dry land, you can hear what was going on by pressing play here.

Our highest octane show yet features nitro powered funny cars (Bruce Wenting’s coaching voice), Jedi Mind Tricks (Zack’s Fit Tip), and G-G-G girl power (thanks to Sheigh, Elle, and Deane). Prepare for the download ride of the spring! We also have the Wenting’s Word of the Week (hint: this time it’s two), episode 6 of Bob’s Bitts, and our bourgeoning upcoming events calendar. Get your fill of NytroFuel by pushing play below.

Over the weekend in Lima, Peru local triathlete Nathan Killam competed in the 70.3 Half-Ironman distance race. In a race stacked with international talent including the likes of Jessie Thomas, Ivan Rena, and Andy Potts, Nathan carved out a very respectable 3:55 clocking to place 7th overall. Needless to say his sponsors over in Pitt Meadows at F2C and us at Fitspeek are overjoyed with the good result.

By pressing play below, you can hear about Nathan’s penchant for going fast downhill on his bicycle, his triathlon heroes, and the heavy-duty (mechanic) work ethic that helped him become one of our fastest long-distance triathletes.

In this installment of Fitspeek, Kevin Watt has an interview with Para-Olympian Cycling Pilot Joanie Caron. Fitspeek’s newest member Zack Neufeld explains how stress in racing is good for us. Kevin Watt shouts out to local athletes, including Joe Crocker! Bob Babbitt returns to tell us how he founded the Challenged Athletes Foundation and about his interviews with a young Lance Armstrong.

Running this 3 ring circus is Kevin Heinze, who will also be giving you the new Wenting’s Word of The Week and the race results from the Heritage to Hatzic race (some fast times and ATC domination!).  Lend us your ears! Fitspeek 12 can be heard by pressing play below.

We are happy to announce that Zack Neufeld is the newest member of the Fitspeek Family. Zack is on the fast-track to becoming the Fraser Valley’s favourite (and quite possibly the fastest) triathlete with a solid run, improving bike (thanks Bryan), amazing swim, and a good-ole-prairie-boy work ethic.

Zack is also a Psychology major at UFV in Abbostford and the voice of our new segment called, “Between The Ears.” In the segment, Zack will be examining the mental and spiritual aspects of training and racing. Welcome to Fitspeek, Zack!

In addition to their ever-popular Wednesday night races at the Mission Speedway, the Phoenix Velo Training Group also offers newcomers an opportunity to experience the thrills and joys of cycling – all in a very safe environment.

Tuesday nights feature three distinct training opportunities. There is a) skills training for youngsters b) training and practice for adults interested in racing, and c) a session for folks who just want to cycle and perhaps do a Gran Fondo at some time.

In this feature interview, Fitspeek’s Kevin Heinze speaks with the ever-passionate Bruce Wenting about his coaching experiences, what a person can expect if they come out on a Tuesday, and of course coffee!

Multisport season has hit the Lower Mainland! And so has running season and cycling season. We have your recent race results from the UBC triathlon/duathlon, the Try Events March races, and the Escape Velocity Spring Series cycling races. All this, plus news of our new contest thanks to F2C nutrition out of Pitt Meadows, and our usual features make Fitspeek your go-to-source for fitness, wellness, and endurance sports. Hear all that is fit to print by pressing play below.