We talked about the equipment. We talked about the training. Now all that’s left is to do the actual race! In the final installment of our Penticton Ironman series, Jeff Glen takes on the ultimate challenge and you’re invited to go along for the ride!

In part two of three, Jeff Glen talks about the grueling training regimen necessary to conquer the most challenging race of all: The Ironman Triathlon.

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No, we’re not talking about the superhero that fights evil in theatres next month. But when you get a load of what an average Joe like Jeff Glen goes through to train for the ultimate triathlon, you’ll wonder whether he has supernatural powers!

Summer’s just around the corner so you’ve probably started to notice a lot of people out training for the marathons and triathlons that are going down all over the world in the coming months. Ever wonder what it takes to finish a race like that? Well, Jeff should know! In part one of three, he introduces the equipment necessary to conquer the most challenging race of all: The Ironman Triathlon.

Next week, we’ll take a peek at his training regimen!

Ever wonder what it takes to be an Olympic athlete?

Many people don’t know this, but the Olympics are for amateur athletes, meaning they don’t make a living doing the sport that they love (at least that’s the idea). As a result, Olympic hopefuls like Para Alpine Skier Sam Danniels are dependent on funding to be able to compete in the world arena and bring home the gold. The cost for the training, coaching, equipment and facilities that are necessary to nurture our Canadian talent is staggering and although the government does chip in, it is money from sponsors and everyday people like you and me that make the difference.

In preparation for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Own The Podium 2010 encourages all Canadians and anyone who believes in the spirit of the Games to get involved in building strong athletes. And with the new theme song “Believe” by Rock Star: INXS runner-up Suzie McNeil, they are well on their way.

All the proceeds from the online sale of Suzie’s song go straight to the athletes, bringing them closer to achieving the ultimate goal of Olympic gold. To show your support, download “Believe” by clicking here.

Unless you’ve been hibernating this past week, you’re well aware of the controversy surrounding Atlanta Falcons’ star quarterback Michael Vick. For those that need a synopsis, here’s the gist of it:

Vick faces criminal charges, a possible six years in prison and a $350,000 fine for the alleged involvement in a cruel dog fighting operation in his Virginia property. It all began to unravel in April when authorities found 54 pit bulls in Vick’s backyard. He didn’t deny the fact that he owned a kennel operation called “Bad News Kennels,” but eyebrows were raised when he claimed he had no knowledge of a dogfighting ring under his nose.

According to his indictment and some witnesses, for the past six years, Vick and his associates bought and sponsored dogs in a conspiracy that not only involved the hosting of notorious dog fights on his property, but also included the transportation of dogs across state borders for further gambling ventures.

The worst part is how he treated these animals. He would “roll” his dogs, or in other words, put them through test fights to gauge their competitive advantage and if they failed, they were killed (Vick is linked to eight counts) in brutal ways, including hanging, drowning and slamming them to the ground. If the dogs were lucky enough to pass, they would be put on the roster of suicide fights. I won’t even go into conditions they lived in.

All of this was for you guessed it, money. Purses run in the thousands of dollars and there are also side bets. One witness whose dog won a fight against one of Vick’s has told the prosecution that Vick personally paid him $23,000 as a consequence of the loss.

Only 27 and Vick has dug himself a hole that he’s unlikely ever to recover from. You’d think that with a 10-year $130 million contract, he’d have enough money to buy himself some sense, but the once highest profiled and most promising athlete in the world of pro football has seen the end of his short career.

Dog lovers and animal rights activist are in an uproar. A couple in Tampa, Fla have created a t-shirt to help raise funds for animal rights organizations. The t-shirt is black with white lettering, just like the Atlanta Falcons’ team jerseys, and the back has a large number 7 – Vick’s number – along with the word CONVICK, a twist on Vick’s last name.

Juli and Brad Bridges came up with this idea for sports fans and animal lovers. They’re selling the anti-Michael Vick shirts on www.michaelconvick.com for $20. Fifty-percent of the profits from each sale will be donated to animal charities. If you want to express your outrage, this is one clever way to do it.

Based on the funky dance that players do when they manage to advance a Football to the end of a field, everyone knows what the object is. What seems to defy explanation is everything else that happens during one of these games. Why do players only stay on the field for mere minutes before switching with other teammates? Why are there so many referees when there are only about a dozen players per team on the field at any given time? Why is it so damn hard to get that ball just ten yards down a field?!

To help me understand why so many fans voluntarily slap on the face and body paint, and why Football sends men’s testosterone levels through the roof, the man who does the play-by-plays for the BC Lions was generous enough to speak with me and give me some pointers before a home game. Team 1040‘s Rick Ball generally doesn’t have to deal with amateurs such as myself so needless to say, the introduction was much appreciated.

I don’t dare to claim that I know a heck of a lot more about the sport now but at least I’ve got the gist of it and can actually enjoy a game. I don’t know if it’s because I’m too preoccupied trying to figure out the rules to notice time passing or if I have a genuine interest in Football but I have to say, I was at the game for two hours and didn’t even notice. I had a good time and now understand why fans get so riled up whenever there’s a touchdown; they’re so rare! Read on to find out more about the game…
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