It has been quite some time since I have sent out my last newsletter. A lot of new developments have occurred the past year. Most importantly, I have a new addition to my family. Many of you have met her first hand. Malene LeeAnn Petersen was born January 6 of this year.

A decision had to be made at the start of the 2008 triathlon season. I could either race; which would potentially affect my family and coaching commitments, or I could focus on family and coaching. My coaching is always prioritized ahead of my own racing endeavors. Being able to race well would not make me a better coach.

Forsaking my race season gave me additional time to
expand my educational background. For example, this summer I completed an externship in the cardiology department of Mercy hospital (both non-invasive and non-invasive cardiology) to gain valuable experience in clinical exercise physiology. This experience has given me many new perspectives that will prove invaluable to my athletes.

Athlete Results

Now that things are starting to settle, I am making a concerted effort to send newsletters more consistently that will contain topics of interest to you. Furthermore, I will be offering more clinics to make you a more knowledgeable and faster athlete. Before I talk about the upcoming clinic (to be held on November 22), I would like to post some of the awesome race results from this past year of athletes that I have either provided coaching, consultation, and/or performance testing to.

Sprint Distance
Scott Schmeiser Lake Mills 1:07 (Second in age group)
Jennifer Schmitt Tower Tri 1:14 (Six minute PR)
Jonathan Schmitt Tower Tri 1:05 (Eight minute PR)
Laura Waringo Rock Cut 1:20 (1st place overall)

Olympic Distance
James Kueffner Hy-Vee 2:15 (Second in age group)
Glenn Larson Pleasant Prairie 2:21 (Thirteen minute PR)
Chris Parker Pleasant Prairie 2:15 (Five minute PR)
Scott Schmeiser Pleasant Prairie 2:09 (Second in age group, 10 minute PR)
Jonathan Schmitt Pleasant Prairie 2:21 (Nine minute PR)
Richard Swor Age Group Nationals 1:56 (6th overall)
Richard Swor Course records for Tri Del Sol, Motor City Triathlon, Prairie View Triathlon, and Big Fish Triathlon

Half Ironman
Jessica Niekrasz Great Illini 6:23 (1st place Clydesdale)
Scott Schmeiser Spirit of Racine 4:40 (Twenty minute PR)

Ironman
D'Arcy Dawson Hawaii 11:26 (D'Arcy says "my best bike leg ever, even in the worst winds ever")
Steve Janowiak Louisville 13:16
Steve Janowiak Wisconsin 11:38 (Sixty-eight minute PR just one week after Ironman Louisville.)
Chris Parker Coeur d'Alene 11:24 (Forty-two minute PR)
Scott Schmeiser Wisconsin 10:47 (1st IM distance race)
Karen Zenisek Wisconsin 12:39 (Top 20% age group)

Duathlon
Guy Petruzzelli USAT Mideast Duathlon Series Champion
Richard Swor Course records at Steelcase Duathlon and Willow Duathlon

November 22 Clinic - Off-Season Power and Strength Training

As a coach, I have seen improved performance from athletes that focus on improving power and strength in the off-season.

I am offering a fall clinic that will focus on off-season power and strength training. This is a two-part clinic. This clinic will test:
1. Body composition
2. Waist circumference measurement
3. Vertical jump (to measure power)
4. Maximal squat and bench press strength
5. Muscular endurance (lower and upper body)
6. Flexibility measurements
vertical jump
Part I will take place on Nov. 22 (8:00 a.m to approximately noon) and will include all the above baseline measurements to be used as a reference for Part II in April.

It is my professional opinion that athletes should be focusing on power and strength training in the off-season (my athletes are) the two-part clinic provides a baseline for this as well as quantifiable results in April based on a solid off-season plan. On April 11, Part II will take place and we will meet to retest for post-baseline measurements of all of these tests to assess the improvement that has occurred in body composition, power, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Part II will also include a 1.5 mile test run to measure base-line aerobic capacity as athletes enter into the 2009 racing season.

The total cost for both sessions in $105. This includes the battery of performance tests in November and April, as well as the aerobic test in April.

Space is limited to 6 athletes. This program will allow you to perform the tests correctly and objectively assess your off-season training program. Please RSVP by Nov. 12 if you can attend this clinic.

Sincerely,

Brett Petersen, MS Exercise Physiology
Appointed USAT Mideast Team Elite Performance Coach
USA Triathlon Level II Coach
USA Cycling Level II Coach