The encyclopedia defines the word “Barbarian” as a “noble savage”, often represented as “lone warriors”. Several characteristics commonly shared: * Extreme physical prowess * Unmatched fighting skill * An appetite for, and the ability to attract women (or men in the case of female barbarians) * Meat eating * An appetite for large amounts of alcohol * A blending of British, Germanic, Slavic, and nomadic Turco-Mongol cultures * A strong sorcery element that is almost never used by the barbarian character * A violent temper * A robust tolerance for pain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kain Performance Santa Barbara Training Weekend would have its own version of “Barbarian” and it was not far off the fantasy version. 8 Workouts in 3 days. Coach Kain had set up the challenge to all heading down to SB. Finish all workouts and be crowned “Santa Barbarian”!

The folks who completed all of the workouts showed extreme physical prowess, a very robust tolerance for pain, at times a violent temper when confronted with extreme cold water, meat eating while socializing with attractive men and women at an incredible BBQ with large quantities of alcohol. They weren't’t confronted, so did not need to show off their fighting skills, but were ready if given the chance. These Santa Barbarians were tough, were not fazed by the hours of brutality they would endure while swimming in frigid water, cycling for hours on end and being forced to run on tired legs! These Barbarians went about their business with smiles and laughter and had an absolute BLAST!

 

 

 

We finally hit Santa Barbara on a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L weekend! The last two years have been a bit wet and cold, so we made up for those in a big way! The weather was just the start of what was a great weekend of training for the KP members who made the trek to SB!

After Coach Kain’s email with the challenge of becoming a “Santa Barbarian”, the first workout of the weekend on Friday had its best attendance ever, with 20+ “eager and ready” triathletes! We started with a nice 40 minute endurance paced run along the coast. It was a great start to the weekend. We then went right over to the Los Banos pool and jumped in with the Santa Barbara Masters Swim workout. It’s a great 50 meter pool right on the beach. We swam for just over an hour and got in some good “quality” with some speed sets! We swam between 1,500-3200 meters. Then most of the group went over to Brophy Bros. and had dinner and some drinks! Check Ahmed in the photo’s! That’s an Oyster Shooter! Yikes! It was an early evening with an ocean swim planned for 8:00am the next morning.

We woke up to a beautiful day, with sunny skies! It made getting in the 53 degree water a bit more bearable. The “Barbarian” group had grown overnight to about 35 strong! I guess a few people had to work on Friday! ALMOST everyone took the plunge into the Pacific and swam out to a buoy and up the coast for 20-30 minutes. A great way to start any day, but it was COLD! We thawed out and had a great breakfast and then it was on the bikes for our annual 70 mile ride around Lake Casitas.

The weather was spectacular and the pace line heading down the coast was a solid 35 strong. We hit the 101 South and things got a bit frantic with every man for himself. A group with Coach Randy, Jason C., Aron C. and Coach Pete got away until the Seacliff Exit. We stopped in Ventura for a quick drink break, then headed out toward the Lake. This ride is tough, as most of the climbing is during the final 30 miles, not the first 30. The group stayed together until the climbs, then spread out and regrouped before the final descent. A small group led by Wes “Come Party at my House Later” Meyer, Jason “I’m getting married in a week” Cavillo, Ahmed “Should not have had that Oyster Shooter” Hassan and Ryan “I’ll take ‘em on the climb” Reed got away from the main pack and led to the finish back at East Beach. The main pack came in shortly after, then onto the run. Once off the bike it was on to a "flat and as fast as you wanted to run" 3 miles to Stearns Wharf and back.

After a short hot tub and a shower we all headed down to Wes’s parents place on the water in Carpinteria. To say this place is unbelievable would be an understatement. Wes and his parents welcomed all of the KP Team into their home for an incredible BBQ of Tri Tip and Chicken, as well as “large amounts of alcohol”. Being steps from the beach, we would have a nice bonfire after dinner with everyone swapping funny stories.

The next morning we woke up to yet another frigid ocean swim at 8:00am. Not quite as big a group for this swim, but still over 20 strong taking the plunge! After the swim it was onto the flat and scenic longer run along the coast. We did about 11 miles, with Coach Kain and Ahmed leading the charge along the coast. It was another beautiful day on the beach. Everyone had a great run, then after a quick soak in the ice cold ocean, it was onto another “wheat germ pancake” breakfast! The final workout of the weekend was a good 20+ mile spin up the coast and through Hope Ranch. The “Santa Barbarian” group was looking a bit tired by now, but still charging ahead! We made it back in time to get a hot shower before hitting the road for home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all who made the KP Santa Barbara Training Weekend a success! We got in some great training, met some new people and had a blast! A BIG THANK YOU to Wes Meyer and his parents for opening their house to us for a memorable evening. Thank you to Jody Gold for being the best event coordinator around! You are great and now a “Santa Barbarian” too!

Here is the list of those who completed every workout, our Santa Barbarians!!!

Workouts completed:

Friday, 3/2/07

• Run – 40 minutes – (4-6 miles)
• Swim – SB Masters Swim - up to 3,200 meters

Saturday, 3/3/07

• Swim – 20-30 minutes – Ocean swim (very cold!)
• Bike - 65 - 80 miles – Lake Casitas loop
• Run – 20-30 minutes (3 miles)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, 3/4/07

• Swim – 20 minute – Ocean swim (Chilly willy!)
• Run – 1 hour-1.5 hours (up to 11 miles)
• Bike – 23 miles

Totals:(roughly)

3 swim workouts, 2 bike workouts, 3 run workouts - 8

Total Swim – 2 – 3.5 miles Bike – 90 - 105 miles Run – up to 20 miles

KP Santa Barbarians: They did it all!!! This group is tough!

Female Barbarians: (note: there are more female Barbarians, than male)

Jody "I’m coming back" Gold
Joanne "I showed Coach Kain" Wicker
Lori "is that all" Bradford
Sarah "downward dog" Sawulski
Jill "tough bum" Stevenson
Suzanne "The Zanninator" Slivkoff
Melody "what’s next" Davila
Kim "2-time Barbarian" Potter
Caroline "Can’t weed me out" Lee
Coach "are we having fun yet" Sharoo

Male Barbarians:

Aron "Placid will be cake" Cooperman Ahmed "Oyster Shooter" Hassan Bo "ain’t no Chavez" Perez Ryan "The Mountain Goat" Reed Jason "The Bachelor – NOT" Calvillo Eric "Back with a vengeance" Ventry Steve "I'm commin" Murphy Mike "I love salt" Graham Coach "Who’s idea was this anyway" Kain

 

Honorable Mention Barbarians:

Jana "that was awesome" Crane – missed Friday swim
Carol "The water looks good, I'm in" Fredrickson – missed Friday swim
Josh "enough is enough" Mader – missed final ride
Coach "I’m no shark bait" Randy – missed the ocean swims. DID make the Friday swim though!

The "let's not forget" Barbarians:

Tami "I'm getting married" Richardson Rob "Vegas baby" Dickins Judy "No excuses" DeSherlia Wes "Check my watts" Meyer Rob "Taper week" Pennell Kim "Gone Shopping" Hammett Lydia "Malibu Gossip" Graham Jeff "what speed wabbles?" Potts Bridget "Ironwoman" Potts Jason "When do we surf" Balough Donna "another workout"? Schooley Rob "I'll catch up" DiNapoli Beth "One hit wonder" Stern

Great job to all who made it to SB! Can’t wait for next year! Put it on your schedule now! I'm sure the odds maker in Vegas will re-think the odds of making "Barbarian" status for next year. Do you have what it takes???