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.

Athlete Q&A: Katrina Mercer Part 2

Last week we introduced you to Katrina Mercer, an elite triathlete sponsored by Sports Fever. Here's part two of our chat as Katrina shares her nutrition and training routine.

What is your nutrition like on a normal day? 

Nutrition on a normal day includes a lot of carbohydrate and protein based foods. I tend to limit saturated fat intake. I need to make sure I eat certain foods before, during and after training sessions to ensure proper recovery – especially as at the moment as I am training for the Busselton Half Ironman and a lot of the sessions are 2 – 4 hours twice a day.

The type of foods I eat include wholegrain cereals, breads, rice, lots of fruit and vegetables, red meat (for iron), fish, chicken, tofu, low fat yogurt and diary, most days will also include a treat too!

What is your training routine like? 

A typical training week will be about 12 – 14 sessions broken into 4 swims, 4 cycle sessions, 4 run sessions & some yoga/core strength work.

Swimming: each session is about 4km in duration and focuses on speed, endurance, open water swim skills.

Cycling: the sessions vary from 50km – 120km. Some will be endurance sessions, which involve rides to the hills or down the freeway. Others focus on strength & speed and will be intervals or hill climbing.

Running: varies from 10km – 25km. Some will be longer endurance runs for up to 2hours and others are focused on strength & speed. My runs are usually around Kings Park, Nedlands, Perry Lakes & Cottesloe.

I also attend two yoga classes per week and practice core strength exercises to ensure I recover well and don’t get any injuries.

Athlete Q&A: Katrina Mercer

At Sports Fever we’ve always been proud to support the local sporting industry and of course, our local athletes. Katrina Mercer is an elite triathlete and one of the athletes we sponsor.

Katrina was happy to take some time out of her busy training schedule to answer some of our questions.

How did you get into triathlon? 

I started swimming and little athletics when I was in early primary school then began competing in running events through school before following my dad and brother into triathlon when I was 15. From there I competed in National Schools Triathlon Championships & National Cross Country Championships. My parents have always been very fitness focused which lead me on the same path.

What drew you to compete in triathlon? 

Because I had competed in so many different sports when I was young, I found it hard to just focus on one and leave all the others. I was doing well in both swimming and running in high school and decided to give triathlon a go so I could pursue both of them. The challenge of getting all three disciplines going well at once is addictive.

What are your main achievements to date? 

• Triathlon Western Australia 2010 Open Female Triathlete of the Year 
• 3rd Professional – Busselton Half Ironman 2010 
• 8th World Age-Group Champs – Goldcoast 2009 
• 4th World Age-Group Champs – Vancouver 2008 
• 1st State Road Run Champs - Perth 2009 
• 1st State Sprint Triathlon Champs - Rockingham 2008 

Make sure you check back to our blog next week for part 2 of our Q&A where Katrina talks about her nutrition and training routines. 

New products in store

Need some new fitness gear? A lot of great new stock has arrived in store this week. We've got a heap of new Adidas and Nike apparel and the new Brasilfit range is now in store at Cottesloe and Subiaco.

Make sure you pop down and check it out! 

2XU Womens Triathlon 2011

Check out this great video of the 2XU Women’s Triathlon held on March 6, 2011!

Meet Nathalie Brockman

Earlier this year we introduced you to the lovely Alice Coakley, now this month we’re introducing you to Sports Fever sales assistant Nathalie Brockman.

Nathalie has been working at Sports Fever for three years and is actually well on her way to becoming a doctor! Nathalie is a fifth year medical students and says she loves combining her passion for health and medicine with her work with Sports Fever customers.

“It's very useful understanding the anatomy and underlying pathology when serving customers with complaints like pain and instability,” she explains. “It helps to apply anatomical knowledge and product-specific technologies to find the perfect fit for a customer's foot.

“It has also been particularly useful when explaining how products like Skins work. TEDS stockings are used in the hospitals and work through a similar mechanism (but they're a lot less aesthetically pleasing!). It's very easy to sell a product when its efficacy and reliability has been proven time and again.”

Nathalie says she decided to study medicine as she has always been fascinated by how the human body works and how doctors can help when it doesn’t work properly. “Things like pregnancy and birth amaze me,” she says. “I'm constantly impressed at the advances being made in medicine to improve well-being and I hope one day to be able to optimise peoples' quality of life through my practice.”

If that’s not impressive enough, Nathalie also recently worked in a mobile clinic in Kenya. “I saw some very interesting tropical medicine, made some very good friends and saw a lot of a very beautiful country,” she says.

Nathalie says one of the things she loves about both her medical studies is also one of her favourite things about working at Sports Fever – meeting new people and working as part of a team. “Our staff all seem to be very happy people and we all get along really well. It's great to work with friends.

“I also love the relationship we have with physios, podiatrists and sports doctors. I think customers appreciate that we have the backing of health professionals and are able to use our training to work with their recommendations.”

Make sure to say hi to Nathalie next time you’re in the Subiaco or Cottesloe store!

Kids Feet and Exercise

The make-up of children’s feet may discourage them from being active, a new study has shown. The study featured in the January 2011 issue of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, is the first to determine whether foot pressures generated during walking by preschool children were related to time spent in physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Results showed children who experience greater pressures on the plantar surface of the foot may suffer more pain and discomfort during weight bearing activities which in turn may act as a barrier to physical activity.

Author of the study, Karen Mickle from the Biomechanics Research Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong said further research needs to be done to reduce plantar pressures in inactive children so they can enjoy the benefits associated with participating in a more active lifestyle.

“Participation in physical activity provides numerous benefits for children including improved cardiovascular risk factors, muscular strength and endurance, skeletal health, mental health and academic performance,” she said.

“Given the health benefits of physical activity for preschool children and the proportions who do not meet recommended levels for physical activity, better understanding of the factors that influence such behaviours among young children is paramount for successful efforts and for public health promotion.

“Identifying children who have foot discomfort associated with high plantar pressures may be an important step in removing a potential barrier to these children participating in physical activity."

How to act on your child’s foot discomfort:

• Provide comfortable, well fitting shoes that reduce pressure under the foot. This may reduce foot discomfort whilst children participate in physical activity.
• Promote activities that reduce loading on the feet, such as cycling and swimming, as this may also encourage children with foot discomfort to be more physically active.

2XU Women's Triathlon this Week

Attention ladies! The 2XU Women's Triathlon is on this Sunday March 6. Online entries are still open or you can register in person this Saturday. You can choose between a number of events including the Tadpoles Triathlon, Casa Dairy Mini Triathlon, Specialised Short Course Triathlon or Long Course Triathlon. These range from 100m swim to 750m, 3km ride to 20km and 500m run to 5km run. 

Even if you have already registered online, you must attend the registration day on Saturday to collect your participants pack. The venue is the Whitfords Nodes Beach Park at Hillarys form between 1pm and 4pm. 

For more information visit the 2XU website.  

Sustainable Drinking

I am sure you’ve seen packaging marked as BPA-free. But do you know what a BPA is and why it matters?

BPA, or bisphenol A, is an organic compound often found in plastic. The Food and Drug Administration in the USA released a report in 2010 questioning the safety of BPA’s use in food packaging and in September Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance.

Here’s what Kor Water have to say about BPA:

Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, is a chemical that is commonly used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate is the most common type of plastic used in clear water bottles. BPA has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and early onset of puberty. The longer a liquid sits in a container made with BPA, the more of it leaches into that liquid. The hotter the liquid and the older the container, the faster this leaching occurs. 

The controversy over BPA has escalated in recent years as more scientific data has accumulated. While government agencies such as the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) have called for a ban on BPA, the Food and Drug Administration believes these measures are premature and that more research is required. 

As a company, we place the utmost priority on the health safety of our products. While there is still debate over the health impact of BPA, we didn't want to leave anything to chance. That's why none of our products contain BPA. 

Want to go BPA-free? You can get a Kor bottle from any Sports Fever store.

Fundraise and Ride for Free

Want to ride for free in this year's HBF Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma? Simply register for the HBF Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma, enter in all your details but do not pay for your registration. Once you have registered then set up an Everyday Hero Fundraising Page, fundraise or donate $200 or more and you will qualify to ride for free!

Two hundred dollars is an achievable target and one that will change the future for those living with asthma in WA. Please support the Asthma Foundation of WA by starting your efforts to raise $200 for Asthma by March 2011.

Your contribution will go directly towards education and support services for asthma sufferers, their parents and carers. It will also allow us to continue funding research in the hope that one day, we WILL find a cure.

For tips and hints on how to successfully fundraise email the Asthma Foundation of WA at bikehike@asthmawa.org.au and they will send through all the information you need!

HBF Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma

Start Sunday 20th March 2011 with a great ride on the Freeway. The 7th Annual HBF Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma is on and offers three fantastic and challenging events for those of all ages!

If you're a keen cyclist, then why not try the 60km ride from Kwinana Train Station? Looking for an exciting experience then try the 30km ride from Belmont Park that goes through the Graham Farmer Tunnel?

If you're just looking for something to do with the whole family then the 10km City of Joondalup Family ride is for you!

All three events finish in the City of Joondalup CBD. Entries are now available online, so please add this date in your diary and make sure you are a part of one of the largest mass participation cycling events in Australia!

All HBF Members receive a 15% discount on online entry fees. For more information, to register online or download an offline entry form at www.freewaybikehike.com.au.

Participants who enter before the 4th March will have the option to have their participant pack posted to them and save you time queuing on the day.