Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tyler Stewart's 4:47:59 Charity Ride


LUNA Pro Tyler Stewart announced today that on September 6, 2008, she will be leading a unique indoor cycling session as part of her efforts to raise money through the Janus Charity Challenge. Held at Endurance Performance Training Centers (PTC) in San Francisco, participants will ride with Stewart on a simulation of the Kona course for 4 hours, 47 minutes and 59 seconds – her world-record Ironman bike split time. This will serve as a key training session for Stewart and participants will get a unique behind-the-scenes look at her final preparations for the Ironman World Championships.

Stewart recorded her blazing 4:47.59 bike split at the 2007 Ironman Florida and it was at the awards ceremony for that race that she decided to participate in the Janus Charity Challenge and to dedicate her 2008 season to her stepdad, Don Zeigler, who is suffering from lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. You can learn more about Don’s story at www.tyler-stewart.com.

“I know it’s a long time to spend on a trainer but I hope to make this a fun and interactive session for everyone willing to step up for a great cause,” said Stewart. “I’m thrilled that my sponsors have been so supportive in helping me put this crazy ride together and I look forward to raising a lot of money for the Northern California Cancer Center.”

“When Tyler came to me and said she wanted to do this, I wrote the 4:47.59 session into her training schedule for Kona,” said Stewart’s coach, Matt Dixon. “If you want to see what kind of preparations someone like Tyler goes through, this is a great venue to get an insider’s perspective. And if you happen to be racing Kona or another fall Ironman, this could be a great session for your training.”

The tax deductible donation to join the ride is $447.59. All proceeds will benefit the Northern California Cancer Center. Riders can signup by emailing tyler@tyler-stewart.com or by donating exactly $447.59 on Stewart’s page at www.januscharitychallenge.com.

What participants should expect at the 4:47.59 Indoor Cycling Charity Ride on September 6th:

· A 4:47.59 session led by Tyler Stewart on a simulation of the Kona course – participants will ride on their own bikes on a Computrainer
· Commentary and coaching advice from Stewart’s coach, Matt Dixon
· A technique session with Charlie Livermore, founder of Endurance PTC and former head trainer of USA Cycling
· A behind-the-scenes look at Stewart’s training – including an interpretation of her blood lactate testing which will be done periodically during the session to help her zero in on what watt range she’ll ride in Hawaii
· A fueling and hydration talk with product from Clif Bar and LUNA Bar
· A Q&A session for any of your triathlon or cycling-related questions
· A prize package from Stewart’s generous sponsors
· 5 raffle tickets to win a complete Orbea at the post-ride fundraising party
· Great music and a lot of fun!

SPACE IS LIMITED for the 4:47.59 Indoor Cycling Charity Ride so sign up today!

If the 4:47.59 Indoor Cycling Charity Ride sounds like too long to spend on a trainer, immediately following the ride Stewart will be hosting a silent auction, raffle and fundraising party with great prizes from all of her generous sponsors including an Orbea bike, a swim lesson from LUNA teammate and 1st out of the water in Kona in 2006 and 2007, Linda Gallo, a performance consultation with Stewart’s coach, free indoor cycling classes at Endurance PTC, additional giveaways from the LUNA Pro Team and Clif Bar and more!

About the Northern California Cancer Center
The Northern California Cancer Center (NCCC) is dedicated to preventing cancer through population-based research and community education. An independent organization, NCCC is an established, nationally recognized leader in understanding who gets cancer and why, and how to improve the quality of life for individuals living with cancer.

About the Janus Charity Challenge
The Janus Charity Challenge is an innovative program designed and sponsored by the investment management firm, Janus. The program helps motivate Ironman athletes to use their race experience to raise money for charity. But unlike most other race fundraising programs, there is no pre-determined beneficiary. Each athlete has the flexibility to choose the nonprofit organization(s) that they care most about. Since the program’s inception in 2001, Janus Charity Challenge triathletes have raised over $31 million for hundreds of charities throughout the United States. Janus also makes additional contributions to the beneficiaries of the top fundraisers at each of the full distance U.S. Ironman races.

Media inquiries contact:
Diane Henry
dhenry@post.harvard.edu

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