Volunteer at the Ironman

If you're not participating in the Ironman 70.3 this season, why not consider volunteering at the event? Volunteers are an important part of the Ironman 70.3 and without them the event would not be possible. 

If you are heading down to watch or support family or friends consider volunteering for the day. Roles available include Course Marshals, Aid Station Attendants, Registration Attendants and Transition Attendants.

For more information on the event and volunteering visit the website - www.busseltonhalf.com or to register as a volunteer download the form and return to Rick Winch at admin@busseltonchambers.com.au On the day volunteers will recieve an volunteers shirt, hat and lunch.

HBF training app

If you're thinking about competing in the HBF Run for a Reason or are just looking to start running for the first time download the free HBF Run for a Reason app to use on your iPhone or Android mobile.

Including training guides, health calculations and recipe ideas, you can also map your training and find out everything you need to know about the event. This clever gizmo can also give you regular alerts so you can monitor your progress and can even play music at the same time.

A physio's inspiring story

Today we'd like you to meet Rowena Kendall, a physiotherapist at Lifecare in Cottesloe. When a friend of hers passed away last year from cystic fibrosis, Rowena decided to do the Rottnest Channel Swin solo to fundraise for CFWA. She made it to Rotto in 6 hours and 16 minutes and raised just over $32,000.

Rowena found some busy time in her schedule to chat to Sports Fever about her job, her preparation for the race and her experience. We hope you are inspired by her story as much as we were.

What do you love most about being a physio?

The interaction with so many different people every day. I physio for the WA womens hockey team (the diamonds), and its great to be able to travel with them and work with the girls and the coaching staff to get every player in the best shape possible for each game.

How did you feel in the lead up to the swim?

Very nervous! I actually went to Japan snowboarding for two weeks and only got back the week before the race, so I was pretty worried that all my training had gone down the drain. I was swimming pretty strongly before that, so I didn't want to get home and feel like I'd lost it all.

I was also really worried about the weather, as there had been a cylcone up north that was looking a bit threatening the week leading up to the race... I knew that as long as the race wasn't called off due to bad weather, I'd get to Rotto, but I was concerned that the race would be cancelled and I wouldn't get a chance to swim. Given that I had about $30,000 in donations resting on it at that stage (fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis WA), I was a bit worried I'd have to give it all back and try again next year!

How did you get ready for the event?

I was training with Kirby Swim at Christchurch, as well as Peter Tanham's squad at Challenge Stadium (Peter has done over 20 solo crossings!). I was trying to swim between 25 to 35km per week. My biggest week was about 40km. Unfortunately the 10km 'Rotto Rehearsal' swim was cancelled, so I didn't get to practice a 10km open water swim prior to the race, which was a shame. And lots of eating!

Have you ever done an event like this before?

I did the Rotto swim solo in 2009 for the first time, and vowed never to do it again after that... The fundraising for CFWA was the motivating factor this time, but I can't see myself doing it again in a hurry! I've done the swim 8 times now, 3 duos, 3 teams of 4 and 2 solos.

How did you feel when you finished?

Relief. There were a few tears at the finish line when I saw my family and Sal's family (Sal was a friend who passed away from cystic fibrosis, and was the motivation behind the swim).

Hillarys Triathlon 2011 Bikesure TriSeries

Check out the video from the Bikesure TriSeries Hillarys triathlon part two! Looks like it was a great day.

Meet David Guest

It’s time to meet another Sports Fever team member and this time the spotlight is on hockey Olympic medallist David Guest. David has been working at Sports Fever stores on and off for seven years and now manages the Subiaco store.

David says he started playing hockey at a young age. “I started playing in primary school because there was no cricket team,” David says.

David keeps his bronze medal on a shelf at home and says winning at this level was an incredible experience. “The best feeling ever,” he says. “I had always dreamt of being an Olympian so to come home with a medal was great!”

David says the hardest part about playing professional sport is staying injury free.

He says his best advice to other aspiring athletes is to have tunnel vision. “If you want it bad enough you will get there,” he says.

David says what he loves most about his job at Sports Fever is fitting customers with the best shoes for their feet. “I also have an interest in human anatomy and biomechanics so our new gait assessment lab a really useful fitting tool,” he says.

Running away from pain

If you are new to running, you may be experiencing some common ailments or injuries. According to Dave Moala from Bayswater Physiotherapy the most common runners conditions are tibial tenoperostitis (pain on the inside border of the tibia or shin bone, commonly referred to as “shin splints”), achilles tendon pain/injury and anterior knee pain (patello-femoral/knee cap pain).

The causes for these three problems are also varied, but Dave says they can be loosely grouped into three categories, musculoskeletal and biochemical factors, training regimes and footwear.

Musculoskeletal and biomechanical factors include joint stiffness or mobility, inadequate tissue length and muscle strength or poor biomechanics e.g. excessive pronation/flat feet. Your issues may also be caused by inappropriate exercise or running programs, inadequate warming up and down and over training with inadequate recovery time between sessions. If none of these ring a bell, Dave advises checking your footwear as over used, too old or incorrect shoe type and fitting can also be a culprit.

So what can you do to ensure your running is pain free? “When running for the first time it is essential to ease very slowly into the running program and to build up levels gently and appropriately, paying attention to adequate warming up and down, hydration and recovery time between sessions,” Dave advises. “It is also paramount to have appropriately and correctly fitted running shoes – a must.”

Dave says if you are experiencing problems it is worth looking at your running style. “As everyone’s running style is individual and different it is hard to determine the correct running style,” he says. “This is best assessed by the runner being observed by a running/athletics coach or by educated staff such as those at Sports Fever.”

Having realistic goals and the right footwear will also make a big difference, Dave says. “Running is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and not trying to be unrealistic with their outcomes/goals provided people are running at age and fitness appropriate levels,” he says.

“Obviously, if you are older and more unfit your running will be at an appropriately lower level and of frequency, speed, duration and intensity.

“Correct footwear is essential to prevent injury, maintain lower limb integrity, ensure maximum comfort/support and to promote maximum efficiency. Running is one of the best forms of exercise in terms of time, convenience and results. So get your shoes from Sport Fever, get motivated and get running!”

New treadmills for Subiaco

Have you ever wondered how you run? You can now find out at Sports Fever Subiaco! As you can see from this picture we've purchased some brand new treadmills and set up a great new system where we can record your running style and show it back to you.

You will be able to see up close what you do while you run and we will help you better understand what you are doing and how you can address any concerns you may have. Pop in to see us and give it a go whenever you are next in the area.

If you've already tried this system, make sure you hit comment and let us know what you thought!

Congrats on a great event

Congratulations to all competitors, spectators and volunteers for your enthusiastic participation in the 2011 iiNet Team Sprint Cup and for a tremendous afternoon of spirited rivalry, friendly competition and team work.

Sports Fever are very proud to be a sponsor of the Sprint Cup, it is fantastic to be associated with such a worthwhile event. We were excited to hear that in excess of $150,000 has been raised this year from the 2011 iiNet Team Sprint Cup, the Autism West Raffle, and the Lavan Legal Breakfast for Autism West.

Your generous donations and attendance fulfilled an aim of Autism West to increase the awareness of the challenges faced every day by families with children who are on the Autism Spectrum and the work seeking to be done by Autism West to assist these families.

The monies raised will be applied to subsidise direct services to the families who find it financially difficult to meet the costs associated with support services for their children required to cope with the lifelong condition of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

More information on the event and results are available here: www.teamsprintcup.com.

Upcoming SMA protein seminar

On Tuesday April 5, Sports Medicine Australia are holding a once off professional education seminar entitled Protein, Meat and More.

The seminar will take a look at the latest research and practical advice on protein relating to such topics as daily requirements for both the athlete and non-athlete, influence of nutrients on protein
balance, the role of protein in weight loss, body and resistance training as well as risk and the benefits of protein supplements.

Guest speakers include Boris Kazakov an Accredited Practising Dietitian and the principal of Diet Biz, a nutrition consultancy business in Subiaco. The other is Brendyn Appleby the Assistant Strength & Contitioning Coach for the Emirates Western Force.

The event will be held between 7.30pm and 9.00pm at the FJ Clarke Lecture Theatre at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands. Tickets are $22 for SMA members and $44 for non-members. Register online at www.smawa.asn.au.

HBF Freeway Bike Hike For Asthma 2011

A great video encompassing the entire HBF Freeway Bike HIke for Asthma and what it means to the participants. If you were part of it you may see yourself - if you thought about doing it but didn't, this may be the motivation you need to sign up for next year.