Running for Gold

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:03:13 -0600

Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine ever since I was eight years old. When I was a kid, I wore a hat that read, “Goin’ for Gold!” In 1995, it was announced that triathlon was going to appear in the Olympics in 2000. It was at this time, I knew that my Olympic dream could become reality.

The running portion of triathlon in the Olympics has become the most important segment of the race. Because the Olympics is draft legal and we cycle in packs, most of the races come down to a run. The saying in our sport has now become “running for gold.”

Here are few tips to help improve your run:

#1 - It is very important that you have a high cadence, or quick leg turnover, when you run. When cycling you need to have a cadence of 90 rpms or higher, the same goes for running. Even when you go for a slow jog, it is important to try and maintain 90 rpms. It is not a coincidence that the fastest marathoners in the world have the fastest leg turnover.

#2 - Run on the balls of your feet. You should never heel-toe run. The longer your foot is on the ground the slower your turnover will be. A good way to experience the proper way to strike the ground is to practice by running barefoot on hard pavement for a short distance. When you run barefoot on a sidewalk, I guarantee that you will run on the balls of your feet because it is painful to strike the pavement with your heel. Make slow improvements with your foot strike because your calves will be very sore at first if you are doing this correctly.

#3 - Relax your shoulders. A lot of runners begin to tighten their shoulders and this takes up a lot of energy. Every couple of minutes give yourself a mental reminder to relax your upper body.

In order to win a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games I will have to produce one of the fastest run splits in the race. The dream I had as an eight year old has not changed and I hope that I can “run for gold” in 2012.

Be Safe in the Sun!

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:17:21 -0600

People often make comments to me throughout the season as to how pale I look out on the race course. My wife Val actually likes it because it makes it easier for her to spot me amongst the other competitors. My job is to swim, bike, and run, and I spend 75% of my days outside. If you look at the majority of triathletes, you will notice that most will have dark tan skin; but not me, I find it necessary to protect my skin every single day.

Most people don’t know that my wife Val has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma two different times. At the end of 1999, just before we met at the Olympic Training Center she found a mole that appeared to be irregular and had it removed. She came to find out that the mole was malignant and she had to undergo surgery to have a large area of skin removed as well as some lymph nodes to make sure that it hadn’t spread anywhere else. Thankfully, the cancer had not spread and she didn’t need to undergo any further treatment. As soon as I heard her story, I immediately had my skin checked and took extra precautions in the sun. She had a recurrence of the melanoma again at the beginning of 2007 and thankfully that too was contained and the doctors were able to remove all the cancer. Skin cancer definitely changed Val’s life and she is now the one that makes sure everyone in the family has their sunscreen on before we go outside.

With all this being said, skin cancer can be very serious and protecting yourself from the sun is vital to living a long and healthy life. Here are some tips to protect yourself from skin cancer:

1. Apply sunscreen (SPF 15+) at the beginning of every day. I highly recommend waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen. I personally use Mission Skincare Suncreen spray with an SPF 30. It’s not greasy, it feels light on your skin, it is waterproof and sweatproof, and most importantly it protect my skin 100%. Mission Skincare is made by athletes for athletes.
2. Wear clothing with a tight weave to protect your skin in the sun
3. Wear a hat in the sun
4. Wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of the UVA sunlight
5. Check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer
6. If you see any kind of change in your skin, ask a doctor about it

Signs of skin cancer ABCDE rule
A for asymmetry: A mole that, when divided in half, doesn't look the same on both sides

B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged

C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray

D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter

E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface

Tan skin is not healthy skin. Protecting your skin every day will help prevent skin cancer and keep you looking younger longer. May is skin cancer awareness month, it’s a good time start getting smarter in the sun and take a close look at your skin for anything irregular.

Race for a Cause - It Feels so Good!

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:41:13 -0700

Two years ago I met Dave and Mary Veldink and learned that two of their children, Kate and Olivia, had been diagnosed with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). A-T is a fatal genetic disease that attacks children causing loss of muscle control, immune system problems, and a strikingly high rate of cancer, particularly leukemia and lymphoma. Children struggling with A-T are usually wheelchair bound by the age of ten and their life expectancy is tremendously reduced.

After meeting the Veldinks, along with a large group of their friends, I was quickly invited to join them in Florida to run the Disney Half Marathon. I didn’t initially commit because it was my off-season, I was out of shape, and I typically only like to race when I know that I can win. The story of Kate and Olivia touched my heart and in January 2008 I ran the Disney Half Marathon for A-T Children’s Project. This was the first time I had ever experienced the joy of racing for a cause. During that weekend at Disney, I was met many other families and kids that struggle with A-T. My heart was changed and my motivation to race changed as well.

As I trained for my 3rd Olympic Games in Beijing, Kate and Olivia were with me every step of the way. The hope and perseverance they show as they fight such a horrible disease every day was an inspiration to me. I was hoping to come back from Beijing with a medal, not just for me, but also for Kate and Olivia. Although I didn’t bring home a medal, I realized that we don’t have to win medals to make a difference. We all have the opportunity to help others in need just by racing for a cause.

You may have a friend, relative, or classmate in school that struggles with a disabling disease. Did you know that by competing in a triathlon, you too could make a difference in the life of that person? You can wear something that represents the person or cause you are racing for, or you can raise money for your cause by asking people to sponsor you.
  I love the Disney World Marathon Weekend because I get to see my friends Kate and Olivia along with all my friends from the A-T Children’s Project. Most of us race to beat a certain time, to accomplish a goal, or to just finish. I race in the sport of triathlon because I love to compete against the best athletes in the world. At Disney I get to run for a group of kids who aren’t able to run for themselves. It feels rewarding to run for something, A-T Children’s Project, or for someone, Kate and Olivia, when it doesn’t matter how or where you finish. I promise that if you race for a cause, your heart will be changed forever.

Your friend,

Hunter Kemper

For more information about A-T Children’s Project you can go to atcp.org. Join Hunter’s A-T Cure Team at the Hy-Vee Triathlon on June 13 and experience the joy of racing for a cause.

Share the Gift of Triathlon

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:35:17 -0700

I was the recipient of an invitation from a friend that forever changed my life 23 years ago. In the summer of 1986, a good friend of mine asked me to compete in a youth triathlon in Clermont, FL. I said, “What is a triathlon?” They told me that a triathlon is where you compete in three different sports: swim, bike, and run. I was ten years old at the time and already knew how to swim so I thought I would give it a try. My first race took me 17 minutes to complete as I swam 100 yards, biked 3 miles, and ran a half mile. I enjoyed my first race so much that I’ve been hooked ever since.

Youth triathlons are taking place all over the United States and it’s been exciting to see the growth. When you get a very special gift for your birthday or receive the best Christmas gift ever, what is the first thing you want to do? I know that I always want to tell someone close to me and share my gift with them. The sport of triathlon is like an unwrapped gift waiting to be opened. I encourage you to share the FUN and invite a friend to your next triathlon. In 2010, share the gift of triathlon, it may change someone’s life.

Dealing With Disappointment

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 14:43:27 -0600