Can you explain the concept of Sweat365? To me, it seems like the website is set up specifically for athletes to record workout procedures and times, is that accurate?
It was created as a social networking blog side for logging your workouts and connecting with other athletes. I use it as a place to log all of my workouts, but once is a while post something as well.
Have you made any friends through Sweat365?
Quite a few actually. I have become quite good friends with those that live near me (other triathletes), but have also created a few friends where we follow each other’s workouts and keep motivating as we go along.
I noticed on the right hand side of your page you have a counter that keeps track of the distances you have run, biked and swam? Did that come with the website?
This is controlled by what is referred to as Side Bar Widgets. You can get to those but going to your Dashboard, click on Advanced Setting, then “dragging” the Logbook 2” widget to the Main Side Bar. Then all of your distances will show up. Logbook 2 is what I have, but there is also a Logbook 1 that shows slightly different data.
How about the countdown watch to the Vancouver Half Marathon or to Ironman Coeur d’Alene?
The countdown timers are part of the options under Sweat365. If you navigate to you Dashboard, then click on Advanced Settings and look for Sidebar Widgets. Under Available Widgets, you should see the Countdown Clock 1-4. Simply drag one of them to the Main Side Bar Menu. From there, click on the little box/lines that are next to it, page up to see the information and add in the URL, dates, etc for your event. Then click on Save Changes and there ya go!
What has been your most rewarding experience through your blog so far?
Being able to meet friends who live near me, and become “virtual friends” with others around the world. That is way cool. Finding stories like yours are very inspiring too.
Do you have any tips or ideas for a new running blogger?
Just start writing, with no holding back.
What type of posts do you get the most feedback from?
Typically the most feedback comes after I have done an ironman (or other triathlon) and write about how the event went. There are a few Sweat365 friends (that I only know through S365) that comment frequently too. It really depends on the topic; for instance, my wife also has a blog and wrote one time (titled A Girls Guide to the Farmer Flow) about being able to finally “farmer blow” while running, as a girl. It was absolutely hilarious, and got a ton of comments.
What was your inspiration for starting the blog?
Has your vision changed since you started it? I know the owners of the website, and at the same time I was training for my first ironman. So I wanted a way to track what I was doing. This was the perfect entry into that! If anything blogging has become a daily thing for me now.
What has been your most rewarding experience since you started training?
I have completed 3 Ironman Canada events, and signed up for a 4th in Idaho. Crossing those finish lines is such an amazing feeling. In 2007 my wife and I trained for my first event (she competed and finished as well) and it was one of my most favorite moments in my life to not only finish, but to be able to run down the finish line chute with my wife and son.
Why do you keep doing them?
I love the training aspect, and it has really become a social event for me too.. Almost every Friday morning there are 3 of us that head over the YMCA for a swim, and then go to coffee ( I work from home on Fridays).
What do you enjoy most about training? The least?
I love how I feel after completing my goal (half marathon, ironman, whatever it is). Least? Sometimes it does take away from other things that I would love to do instead, but your finish time is what you put into it; slack off, and you are going to suffer; put the time in to train properly and you will achieve your goal.
Any recommendations for someone who is just starting out their training?
Find a plan and stick with it. Again you get out what you put in. Listen to others about what they are doing for training; listen to your body; if you are constantly tired or sore, something is going on that you need to pay attention too before it becomes worse. And most of all DON’T SUFFER…don’t be a victim. There are some many folks that I know of that sign up for an event and then complain about it. If you are going to sign up, then experience the event, all of it… the training, the mental and physical side, and the joy of completing on your goal
What is something that you did that you think everone should do at least once in their lifetime?
Travel to Europe, London, Paris, southern France, Italy, anywhere in Ireland, see what it is like to experience “history”. Love as if you will never get hurt. Go Gluten Free for two weeks and see what the difference is. When at the grocery store, only shop on the outsides and leave the frozen pizzas out of the cart. But my guess is that you are more interested in swim/bike/run J… sign up for something, anything, whether it be for a 5k, 10k, marathon, ironman, and train full out. You will never know until you go all in what might change in your life. I have a friend who was nearly 320lbs, ended up losing 140lbs through healthy diet and exercise, and is now a triathlete I (and a very good friend of mine). His life’s turnaround is very inspiring to me and am happy to be part of his life.
What are you most passionate about?
Being with my family, Washington Huskies, week long bike rides with friends, training with my wife (we have turned this into date nights and days), going for beers with the guys, running across the finish line of any ironman event (it’s a huge adrenaline rush!), anything with my son (cooking, golfing, road trips to university, traveling to Europe). There’s a lot of passion in my life, so to limit is to “the most” is really tough.
What is something you would do differently in your training or your blogging if you could do it all over again?
Well, for the training side, it really following my plans. When I followed it to the T during the first ironman, I had such a rewarding experience. When I slacked off the plans the last two years, I paid a real price, including a trip to the medical tent in 2010… not a good feeling.
If you would like more information about Mitch Roberts, visit his blog, www.mitchr.sweat365.com.