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Podcasts: The New Triathlon Coach

Posted on 09/08/2009
8 Comments

"Social media supports the human need for social interaction, using Internet- and Web-based technologies to transform broadcast media monologues (one to many) into social media dialogues (many to many)."

The above is an exerpt from Wikipedia describing the WHAT of social media. The HOW includes examples ranging from forums, weblogs, pictures and video to wikis and podcasts. Social media applications aren't merely tools we rely on to complete a certain task (i.e. Word, Keynote or Quickbooks) – instead, they have risen to rock star status and become an integral part of how we communicate on a daily basis. Some apps such as Twitter and Facebook have made keeping in touch far easier and less expensive than a phone call or letter -- and in a lot less time. But I don't want to focus on those two – they get enough attention. Let's talk for a minute about podcasts.

In terms of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), podcasts have tremendous potential for bringing traffic to your site. If episodes are titled, described and tagged in a meaningful way, podcast entries can generate organic traffic for your site. But I don't want to talk about that either. I want to talk about the extreme potential for learning, teaching and sharing that podcasts possess.

Four weeks away from my first triathlon, I can easily say the most useful resource has been podcasts. Not only are they informative and FREE, they are easily accessible – I can listen to them while running or cycling indoors, in the car, at work in lieu of music, or milling around the house cleaning and folding laundry. That's pretty damn accessible you have to admit. What I've learned is beyond what I could take from a book. Don't get me wrong, I'm reading plenty of books too, but podcasts provide a more personal, one-on-one experience between myself and the host(s), and in some cases make me feel as though I have my own coach doling out training advice crafted for me and me alone. I am well aware that feeling isn't rooted in reality but to have someone "speak" to me instead of reading the same words in a book is far more motivating – especially at 80% humidity!

Given that my training takes place any time between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., it's hard to train with a group. Running, cycling and swimming are performed sans coach and sans training partner which is at times nice and at times lonely. Podcasts fill that void for me. Laughing at other athletes' mishaps and learning from their experiences has created a virtual training group of sorts that has spilled over into email, Facebook and Twitter. In Athens, GA I am in communication with other triathletes living in Oregon, Alabama and Illinois – sharing stories and trading advice when most likely I'll never actually meet them. In one instance, however, I've met up with a dear friend from high school in training for her first half Ironman. Her wisdom and advice on everything from clothing to transitions has been invaluable – and I haven't seen her in 20 years. It's a new kind of friendship and a new kind of team mate – it is virtual but no less powerful and inspiring.

Most of the podcasts I subscribe to have come by way of iTunes – a search for "triathlon" or "triathlon training" will yield two dozen or so options. Depending on your level of triathlon fitness you will find some of them more or less helpful. Have a particular weakness (like swimming or running?), find one that focuses on those legs of the race. Most of the podcasts will have links to transcripts or blogs – those are also useful in terms of links and resources. Here are a few of my favorites to date:

The Age Grouper
www.theagegrouper.com
Podcast available on iTunes
Twitter: theagegrouper

TriTalk
www.tri-talk.com
Podcast available on iTunes

Tri Swim Coach
www.triswimcoachonline.com
Podcast available on iTunes

Endurance Nation
www.endurancenation.com
Podcast available on iTunes
Twitter: TeamEN

There are many, many more available and I've only begun to scratch the surface. If you want to suggest others, I encourage you to do so. And if you are so inclined, give one of these a listen. Happy training!

Tagged:  social media, triathalons, triathalon training, podcasts, itunes, Twitter, facebook

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Nurture Your Child's Creativity with Athens, GA Summer Camps

Posted on 04/16/2009
13 Comments

Spring and summer in Athens offer a wealth of creative outlets for pre-school, youth and teens. If you're like me, you've probably spent the past several weeks scanning various resources for new and different activities for your little one(s). As a designer, my background has included everything from photography and painting to computer art and furniture making. And while my little man is only five, I want him to have as much creative exposure as possible -- in every medium at every opportunity.

Here are a few ideas in case you've exhausted your resources. Many of these listings offer summer camps in addition to spring and summer classes so you will need to check with them for current offerings and availability.

If you have other options you would like to recommend, please add the information in the comment section.

Music:

Theater:

Movement:

Pottery:

Art:

  • Lyndon House Arts Center
  • (706) 613-3623

Tagged:  athens georgia kids, athens summer camps, athens childrens theater

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I Dare You to...

Posted on 01/14/2009
5 Comments

Feeling a little daring in the new year? If so, I've got just the thing for you. Visit www.livestrong.com/dares/ and accept the challenge to save money, lose weight, get more sleep or spend more time with your family as part of LIVESTRONG's "Dare To" campaign. You can accept one or more suggested dares, create your own dare or dare a friend to participate.

For the record, I accepted a dare to complete a triathlon. Anyone care to join me?

LIVESTRONG.COM was created be the definitive daily health, fitness and lifestyle destination for everyone looking to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As part of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), LIVESTRONG.COM promotes health and wellness through a variety of online resources such as calorie trackers, fitness plans, articles, support groups, etc.

Those familiar with LIVESTRONG.org will be happy to know they will continue to provide survivors information about their cancer-related concerns, worksheets to organize and guide the cancer experience and stories shared by other cancer survivors.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer.

Tagged:  lance armstrong foundation, dare to campaign, livestrong

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Great resource for creating background patterns

Posted on 08/20/2008
5 Comments

Hipster and fellow Plexus designer, Andrew, sent me a link to a pretty cool pattern generator simply called BgPatterns. In a matter of minutes - seconds really - you can generate a tiled Web background with your choice of colors (two), and a small selection of textures and graphics. Your graphical options are somewhat limited but given how easy it is to use, the limitations can be overlooked.

Recently created and top rated patterns can be viewed and saved once you've signed up for an account. You can also rise to the challenge of creating and submitting a design of your own.

If you like what you see and find the generator useful, please consider donating to the cause.

Tagged:  background generator, pattern generator, patterns tiled, backgrounds

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Color Schemer Rocks my World

Posted on 08/20/2008
4 Comments

If you work in the world of digital media you are probably used to third party apps and resource sites designed to make your job easier. For all you site designers, here's one that will save you time, and in the long run, money.

ColorSchemer rocks my world. In short, it is a color scheme generator with several different avenues for creating web-safe color palettes. Need color inspiration for a new site design? Check out the Scheme Gallery with pages upon pages of pre-existing schemes uploaded by other designers. Working from photos or existing graphics? You can drag and drop your photo in the PhotoSchemer window and view an auto generated palette based on the image. How cool is that?

Print designers beware, there are no CMYK values available (for obvious reasons) but you can still generate a color palette for reference.

You will have to purchase ColorSchemer Studio for $49.99 after your 15-day trial expires but that's a small price to pay to save time and headaches.

Tagged:  color schemer, color palette, color scheme generator, colorschemer studio, colorschemer

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