Free advice

During the course of the previous 12-months, I have solicited advice from as many people as I could. In nearly all cases, the information and tips they gave me has been extremely helpful. Hassan Bailey, my trainer from NYSC, played a very important role early on in this effort by giving me the confidence and motivation I needed to keep going.




However, the single most valuable supplier of free advice has been Todd, the manager of Jack Rabbit in Park Slope. I first met Todd last fall when I came into the store to buy my first pair of running shoes. He seemed like the kind of person I never wanted to associate with: an accomplished athlete who who had probably forgotten more about fitness than I would ever be learning in my lifetime. He clearly knew what he was doing. As an amateur, that's an intimidating feeling.


It wasn't until many months later, when I went to the store to get some advice about a pain in my calf, that we got to talking and I learned just how wise he is in the ways of the triathlete.

So, in tribute to Todd, who promises to be down on 4th Avenue on Sunday, here is a short list of some of the things he has taught me over the past year:

1) How to tie my shoes to relieve pain. Hard to explain but you can make and extra loop with the highest eye. It worked immediately.

2) Use a calf roller. He described it as a deep-tissue massage and it really worked to relieve pain.

3) Triathlete shorts are an excellent alternative to compressions shorts and wick water much better than bike shorts

4) Apply Body Glide to various points on the body to reduce chafing. Apparently they sell more of this stuff than any other item in the store.

5) Take the Prospect Park Track Club bus to the starting line of the NYC Marathon.

6) Perspiration is a good thing, just manage your water intake.

7) Use the Polar RS100 heart rate monitor. It's simple, inexpensive, and works.