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Tour de France Tour de Facts

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:42 -0700

This week we say cheers to Wimbledon and bonjour to the Tour de France, the famed French cycling road race. All eyes are on American cyclist Lance Armstrong's return to racing this year, but what else do you know about the action? Warm up by taking this tour de facts quiz.

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Have You Heard of Cyclo-cross?

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

At the recent bike industry convention in Las Vegas, Lance Armstrong made a not so stunning return to bike racing.

Granted he was a little out of his element. He was racing in a cyclo-cross event. The seven time winner of the Tour de France came in 22nd place, but this isn't a yellow jersey, multi-stage event; cyclo-cross races consist of multiple laps on a short but crazy course and generally last between 30 minutes and an hour.

Cyclo-cross race courses contain many elements and riding surfaces. Cyclists ride over pavement, through wooded trails, on grass, up steep hills and must also maneuver around obstacles that often require riders to hop off their bikes and carry them to the next challenge. Although, I have just learned about this kind of race, they have been popular in Europe since the 1940s. As cycling becomes more popular in the US, the variety of races held in the States grow as well.

After battling through tough press conference with a barrage of questions posed by three time Tour winner Greg LeMond on the subject of doping, I think Lance found cyclo-cross a little daunting. Armstrong did say it felt good to ride, race and compete, but chances of becoming an elite cyclo-cross competitor next season are small. I, however, would love to ride in one of these races as well as hear a little more about LeMond's allegation about Armstrong's doping. What about you?

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How Do You Feel About Lance Armstrong's Return to Professional Cycling?

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

It looks like running the NYC marathon in under three hours just isn't enough for Lance Armstrong, who will turn 37 next week. Yesterday, the seven-time winner of the Tour de France announced that he has decided to return to professional bike racing to "raise awareness of the global cancer burden" with the ultimate goal of winning an eighth Tour next Summer. His return to cycling could be the boost the sport needs.

Armstrong's reputation is slightly tarnished by circumstantial evidence suggesting he used a banned substance to help win all those tours, so could this comeback be an attempt to polish his reputation? Lance has registered with the Anti-Doping agency a while back so he will be cleared to race in the Tour de California in February.

While Armstrong has been in the news a lot lately, mostly for his penchant for blond starlets, I think it is great to see him promoting his LiveStrong foundation and cycling. He will provide more details on his comeback at the Clinton Global Initiative and begin the hard physical work of training for upcoming races.

Tell me . . .

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Words That Move You

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Sometimes all it takes are a few good words to get you moving.

”Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
-Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France

Need more motivation? Check out all my motivational quotes.

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Why Lance Runs

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

The prestigious and tough Boston Marathon is a week from today. And my man Lance (who seems to be everywhere these days – is there a product he isn't the spokesperson for?) will be running in it.

When you're an elite athlete, other elite athletes give you advice. Winner of the 2007 NYC marathon Paula Radcliffe told Lance to practice his on-the-run hydration to help keep his finishing time low; but Lance replied that he was just hoping to finish the race. Oh Lance, we have so much in common, because I would respond the same way to any advice on running a marathon.

So why does Lance run after winning the ultimate cycling endurance race seven times? To find out read more.

For starters, he feels retirement shouldn't exclude fitness, since fitness is part of a healthy and enjoyable life. And running is more efficient way to workout compared to cycling, which is why Lance started running. You get the same benefits from running with a shorter time commitment. Plus running doesn't require much gear unlike cycling, and this makes running a great form of exercise if you are traveling a lot like Mr. Armstrong. He finds it easier to fit in a run than to fit in a ride.

The question remains, why compete in marathons during retirement? Lance explained it to Runner's World like this:

I have to have something that essentially forces me out the door. I can sit around for a year and do a 10k, no problem, even a half-marathon. But the marathon is scary and intimidating enough that you can't just phone that in. You have to train.

Once again, I must say, "Oh Lance, we are so much alike." But to be honest, the races that get me out the door are considerably shorter than 26.2 miles. I must say, I do like the reasons he runs.

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Running With Lance

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

We would all like a personal trainer. Who wouldn't want a fitness coach that pushes us along and tells us when to sprint and how long to recover. What about having two coaches in your ears, a duo with proven training strategies?

Well right now, until November 22 you can download for free two podcast running workouts lead by Lance Armstrong and his coach Chris Carmichael. Each audio podcast workout is about an hour long and peppered with product placements for Power Bar, who sponsored the free audio workouts. The workouts are valued at $9.99 a pod cast, but having Lance Armstrong talking in your ear – priceless.

Head on over to Power Bar to begin downloading these two free podcasts. All you need to do is fill out a short form that takes about 37 seconds.

The offer expires on Thanksgiving, so don't be a turkey and do it now. Then you'll have some serious motivation to get off the coach and go for an interval run T-day!

Lance Armstrong Finishes Strong

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:30:00 -0800

Lance Armstrong tried his hand at the NYC Marathon for the second time on Sunday. He came in at 2:46:42, which was just under his goal of 2:50. The top male runner finished in 2:09:04, which is unbelievable.

When asked if he is returning to pro sports, he replied, "I do this stuff for fun. ... I'm a dad. I'm a cancer advocate ... but pro sports are done for me." With all these dads and moms running (and winning) the marathon, I am inspired.

Congratulations again to everyone who finished the race!

(I love his "I'm pooped" face, but what is going on with the guy running to the left of him?)

View 6 Photos ›

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Words That Move You...

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Sometimes all it takes are a few good words to get you moving...

"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell."

-Lance Armstrong

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Are you following the Tour de France?

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since today is Bastille Day, I thought it would be a good time to ask you about your feelings on the Tour de France. With Lance retired and the Floyd Landis doping scandal still lingering, it seems like people might have lost interest.

If you are interested in keeping up with the daily doings of the Tour check out the schedule of coverage of the race on VersusTV.

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Today is LIVESTRONG Day

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

In case you haven't heard of him, Lance Armstrong is the amazing cyclist who won the Tour de France 7 times in a row, and he beat Stage IV testicular cancer. Armstrong's athletic successes and dramatic recovery from cancer inspired him to establish the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 known as LIVESTRONG. Lance is a symbol of hope for cancer survival and today is LIVESTRONG Day.

LIVESTRONG is taking bold steps to make cancer research and awareness a national priority. Today Armstrong and 200 advocates from all 50 states, will walk the halls of Congress demanding that our Senators and Representatives do more to support the fight against cancer.

They are urging Congress to support The Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007 introduced today. This bill is aimed at offering early detection and treatment services, reducing cancer mortality rates, and improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with cancer.

Want to know how you can help? Then read more

Thousands of people are participating in local LIVESTRONG Day events - even the Empire State building is going yellow. You can find an event in your area by checking out this map or list of events.

You could also shop at the LIVESTRONG store, where all the proceeds go to help the Lance Armstrong Foundation. If you are looking to sport one of those LIVESTRONG yellow wristbands, this is the place to buy it.

Fit's Tips: Don't forget about the LIVESTRONG Challenge (the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event). This annual series of cycling, running and walking events takes place in the following cities this year:

Philadelphia, PA - August 25-26
Portland, OR - September 29-30
Austin, TX - October 12-14