Chris Legh

As a sports fan when I was a kid I still remember every single interaction I had with athletes I looked up to. I remember most of those conversations word for word. I think I still have a few basketball player's and surfer's signatures around somewhere. Nearly everyone was extremely nice and took the time to make me feel special and as a result they all were, and many remain, on the metaphorical pedestal I placed them upon. 

Until I met Chris Legh I had never met an athlete I looked up to who put me on the same level as them. We were equals. This wasn't merely because triathletes are far from rockstars and Chris was young; this was a genuine, down-to-earth personality and pride Chris had in sharing triathlon with others.

Stolen from slowtwitch.com. Chris at home in Melbs.

I've only met Chris twice; once after a small race in Melbourne in... I'm guessing 1996- and once at swimming training shortly after, but both times he was happy to answer my many inane triathlon questions, made me feel like I was on the right track, and also made me feel like I had contributed some knowledge to the conversation. I don't think there's much greater feeling of empowerment than teaching an idol something, even if 17 years of hindsight suggests he was probably aware that putting your sunnies in your helmet in transition is faster. 

With that information in his arsenal Chris won several Ironman races, and made it to the pointy end of the race in Kona before melting and inadvertently creating some of the most spectacular vision in endurance sport. He worked with the Gatorade Sport Science Institute to dial in his hydration and came back stronger. Getting through another health issue in 2006 Chris was unable to race Ironman consistently so adapted with the situation and ended up dominating 70.3 racing for years. 

It is this relentless desire to find a new way to do things that has allowed Chris to race professionally for more than 20 years and maintain long relationships with sponsors. Being instrumental in the creation of Ironman Melbourne and still wanting to go long, Chris raced IM Melbs this year, taking an incredible 5th place then backed it up with a great race at Coeur d'Alene and managed to qualify for Hawaii, where he will race his last as a professional this Saturday. 

As an outside observer of his glittering career I have the utmost respect for his ability to adapt, his understanding of the business of triathlon, and what seems like, year-round fitness! However, as an insider to that conversation in 1996 that Chris will most certainly have forgotten, I have the utmost respect for the time he took to make me feel like I could go pro if I wanted to.

First Roll of the Season

On the weekend I went for my first proper ride in so long; in fact, I don't remember the last time I rode a bike more than 20kms.  A cruisy roll along the Yarra Trails towards Eltham was all I needed.  70kms done and I was shattered.  It's at this time of the year I wonder how I'll ever get fit again.  I promise, when I get to March I'm not stopping.  No amount of exercise science can make me believe my body needs rest each year if it means starting from scratch again like this!

What's He Thinking?

Jacobs singing Crowie to sleep?

I love getting a glimpse into the mindset of athletes I respect.  Any little snippet I can get to see how they motivate, how they push harder, or how they prepare fascinates me.  This photo shows me nothing.  In fact, this photo gives me more questions than answers!

On the left is Craig Alexander, 2 time World Ironman champion and one of the best prepared athletes in the triathlon world.  When he rocks up to race you can be sure he's got the whole thing dialled.  He doesn't come unprepared.

On the right is Pete Jacobs, triathlon journey-man.  Not a novice when it comes to long distance racing but he certainly manages to fly under the radar.  In both the 2 years previous to this photo he had made the podium at Kona (I think) so he was close to the win.

This media conference was in the days before the 2012 Hawaiian Ironman, after a few months of Pete Jacobs telling anyone who would listen that he was ready to win.  Had the ever humble Crowie had enough of hearing the talk?  I think a lot of people had written him off as all talk, myself included.

Pete Jacobs ended up dominating everyone who stood in his way that day.  

Hotham

Had a great weekend at Mt Hotham with some great people.  On paper the snow was great but in reality half the mountain was closed and the other half was chopped up and full of people so it wasn't incredible but for a social weekend I'll take it!

Despite the lift queues being huge,

...the sun made an appearance for lunchtime.

Hotham Summit:

Fun group of people:

 On Sunday Carla and I went wandering to watch a sled dog race.

Despite skiing in Aus costing an absolute bomb it's still worth getting a weekend in each year.  Maybe NZ next year for half the price and better snow...

Home Before Lunch

If you're bored with your usual running route this weekend get a little creative.  Go somewhere different or do it a different way.  You can still run an epic route and be home in time for lunch...

Finding the Shot

A while ago I read an interesting study about people becoming depressed due to 'everyone else having a great life' and flaunting it on Facebook and Instagram.  Last week I read a light-hearted article discussing it.  I see how this could become a problem; afterall, people have blamed every other technical advancement for their own inadequacies- why stop now?

For anyone complaining that Facebook or Instagram is making them feel bad I'd ask the following questions:
1) Are you 12?
2) Do you think people would put up photos of themselves doing anything but amazing things? (I guess some people think photographing dinner is amazing)
3) Is this any different to people telling stories of their amazing weekend?  (great photos may even reduce embellishment...)

The people I follow on Instagram are chosen BECAUSE they put up great photos.  I like to look at photos that show people having an amazing life.  It gives me ideas, not only on how to make my life more exciting, but how to photograph my own life because it is just as exciting as most others'.

I'd suggest the majority of those who shift the blame to Facebook or Instagram are those who cannot, or don't want to see that any life can be made to look amazing in photo.  The art is in finding the shot, not setting up the subject.  But that would require hard work and self discipline...

Some of my favourite Instagram accounts:
Ashley Baxter
Caleb Farro
Clint Kimmins
David Darbyshire
Garrett Chow
Jered Gruber
Joel Parkinson

But the best by far, is Mike Escamilla

Go out and take photos of your amazing life.  Make your friends jealous.  I'll do the same.

Imaginate. Finally.

It's been a long time coming but this video blows me away.  Gotta love Danny Macaskill.



I'd like to see more Swiss Ball action at skate parks now, please...