Highlights of 2008!

Holy sh1t, i'm going to be first to comment, this is the highlight of 2008!

Surely, Chrissie Wellington has to be the tri highlight of 2008?

Yes - I am a Pommie - but national pride aside - haven't we witnessed the emergence of a phenomenal athlete.....unbeatable over Ironmman distance....incredible!

An undefeated record is always impressive but when you look at the event, the other competitors, the variables of conditions and circumstances.....absolutely sensational achievement.

The fact that she hasn't made it to the shortlisted for the UK Sport Personality of the Year says all you need to know about the sporting culture of the UK.

Bloody disgraceful!

Love your work guys, keep it coming!

Mark

Chrissie by a million miles. Not just the domination but the whole approach and deep belief in her own abilities.

To me though what is more striking was the lack of excitement in the men's side of the game. Too many races with too few "stars". Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of close races...but are there really any that stand out? Chris Mccormack tried to give us something in Germany but both Norman and Faris had issues. Then in Kona, it was Chris that had issues...I think we all would have loved to see him and Crowie duking it out in the last few miles of the marathon "Dave and Mark" style. Let's hope in 2009 the men step it up and give us some thing to talk about.

Just to keep you guys on track. We're looking for highlights of IM Talk this year not performances

Oh, in that case: the Epic camp reports, Crowie, Dave Scott and Chrissie. Oh, and the Macca Roth interview part 2. I think that was the best interview you guys have ever done...to have him REALLY open up about everything...it was great to hear that he has insecurities too...only a skilled interviewer would be able to draw that out.

Sorry to inflate Bev's ego...but he earned his cookies on that day.

Chirsse wellington winning her 2nd ironman hawai after getting a punchter, she really showed shes the best

Andy

Ok, back on track the highlights of IM talk in 2008 for me have been:

Bev asking Felix how the death of his father was (sorry Bev!)

Bev calling Dave Scott an old man (sorry again Bev!)

Macca interviews (good work Bev!)

Daily Epic Camp reports - couldn't wait to get my daily fix, almost felt I was there with you!

My mum hearing my name read out on the worlds leading IM podcast (cheers Bev!)

The introduction of 'Bring it on tampon!' into my vocabulary (damn you Bev!)

Seriously guys, you're weekly work brings a global population of like minded individuals together - you should be bloody proud of yourselves.

GOLD, SENSATIONAL, BRING IT ON TAMPON!

Best moment-- Episode ONE HUNDRED. Good work guys.

Best Interview --Emily Miazga's description of her C2C win.

Cringeworthy-- Bev asking Dick Hoyt about his wife..."She left me twelve years ago." Bev you recovered like a pro and it wasn't a big deal but I just about fell off my bike laughing.

The IMTalk pro award "virtual trophy" has to go to Chrissie Wellington for the Blazeman roll at the finish of Kona. She is a class act in everything she does.

In true IM Talk fashion I thought I'd give you my top 5:

1. The big interviews - Chrissie, Macca and Dave Scott, great interviews with some fascinating people, love the fact that you are able to get so much time from these top people and dig a bit deeper than purely the race prep and results.

2. Training Camps - hearing the regular updates from Epic Camp and Camp Kia Kaha is inspiring stuff

3. Dick Hoyt interview - good interview but I still cringe at the part where Bevan asks about his wife, classic moment!!

4. John's beginners guide - only had the first couple of instalments but as someone training up towards their first Ironman next year, this stuff is gold.

5. Keeping up with the non-Ironman aspects of Bevan & John's lives, Bevan's love life, John selling his house, the ongoing magpie attacks!

And it wouldn't be a IM Talk Hi-5 without having at leat 6 points...

6. The Ironman Talk phrasebook "BACK IT UP", "GAME ON TAMPON", "DOMINATING THE DOJO"

Highlights:

There's always been an episode waiting on Tuesday morning.

There's no more dodgy microphone issues.

The interviews are still great and getting better.

Bevan doing press-ups (p.s. last episode of Forever Fitness, Bev referred to his other podcast "Ironman Talk" - he's due 20).

The quality "no content" issues.

Epic Camp interviews - always make you want to train harder - lets hope there's a battle for yellow at NZ camp - always makes me laugh when there's monster tac-ons.

To be honest, the years are blurring, I think the highlight must be that it would seem there's enough sponsorship to key the show going strong. This is important as its a big ask for you guys to keep this going and its essentially a free entertainment service.

Big thanks

Fegan

Another vote for Bev asking Dick Hoyt about his wife!

All good stuff, you've helped me through many tedious treadmill workouts in hotels around the world. Keep it up!

Looking forward to your Hawaii coverage in '09!

Good spot Fegan - that's another 20 press-ups you owe us Bev. Anyway, my highlights in no particular order (some of these have been mentioned already).

1. John's poor eyesight - you must be able to pull together a montage of John saying "text is too small, I can't read it".

2. Sensational prediction of 33rd in Kona by John.

3. Hearing my name mentioned (including a High 5 of mine that got used).

4. Hearing the Pirates mentioned.

5. The Art of Tri top I got - it's class

6. Hooking up with Athlinks - I love this resource (can't remember if that was this year or last year).

7. Bevan calling Dave Scott old.

8. Ditto Annalise (? some women who's name begins with A anyway) - plenty more mileage left in that one as an ongoing piece of banter

9. John and Bevan's complete inability to pronounce Hywel properly.

10. Interviews with Lessing, Wellington, Macca, Rob Dellimore and the chap aiming for the most number of IMs in a year (Michael something).

11. Epic Camp reports

12. Revelation of Bevans most embarassing moment (think that was from one of the Camp Kia Kaha reports)

13. The banter between John and Bevan when (a) Newspaper mentioned Ish but not John and (b) when 'Johnny Cash' made an appearance in the IM Talk studios

14. Reaching episode 100

15. Getting my IMT bike jersey

BEVAN / JOHN - I WANTED TO SAY A HUGE PUBLIC THANK YOU FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND DEDICATION YOU PUT INTO THE PODCAST - I LOVE YOUR WORK

oops, just checked the archive - Lessing was Sept 2007, not 2008

-I forgot what episode it was specifically, but it involved Bevan shitting himself in his wetsuit during an epic camp i believe. I was forced to pause my workout and nearly fell over laughing.

-really enjoyed your race reports from roth.

OK, the first thing that comes to mind was Bevan calling Dave Scott old. The interview with Dick Hoyt was REALLY cool and down to earth, you got him to share many things. I forgot who you interviewed, might have been Macca after Roth, but it's the interview where you are outside on a porch and there is noise in the background, then you had to go because the food was ready. Anytime you guys sing Happy Days or mention TRIJUICE.com

Love the show, keep up the good work!

-nick

Add John's rants! A great addition to the show. Although I think he's holding back and really needs to let go. Come on John, get it off your chest. Let's hear what you really think about WTC...

The Kamp Kia Kaha Show. Seeing the boys work their magic in front of my eyes was breathtaking. The preparation and mental warm up before the show was a lesson in dedication. Getting the best out of the hi-tech studio (especially keeping the mic straight in the coffee mug) was also impressive. Keep it up guys.