4 Aussies made quite an impression in Kona with their 4 musketeers theme, and they actually backed it up with some fine performances. We chatted with head musketeer John Mergler to learn more.

Many of us have thought about packing up, leaving the rat race and moving to a warmer climate, but for most of us that is just a pipe dream. Random age grouper Kathy Smith made this dream a reality and now lives in Mexico.

It’s an off-road version and feels more like the Cadence, without the softer lateral side. What really makes this a trail shoe is its outsole design and an upper that is more durable.

This shoe is similar to the Brooks Flow: Natural running shoes with more cushioning. The difference? This shoe is made for the runner who needs a little more stability.

The 2011 Ironman Arizona is in the books and we now share another race day gallery. Kerry Yndestad was also on site for slowtwitch in Tempe to capture the action.

The Flow has more midsole thickness than the Brooks Connect. Look at this if you like the idea of a lower ramp and a minimal shoe, but aren’t quite ready for take the ultimate “natural” plunge.

Amidst the cacti, Eneko Llanos set a race record, broke 8 hours and outdueled duathlon king Paul Amey; Leanda Cave and Linsey Corbin went 1-2 while smashing the 9 hour barrier. Photo gallery by Timothy Carlson.

This is the Pure Project model that comes closest to a minimalist shoe, but the sole is still too cushioned to fit squarely into the minimalist category. It’s natural running with a bit more cushion.

This week we came across new shades from Assos, a Norseman book, a camp with Eduardo Sturla, a survival blanket and coasters made from race bibs.

He’s America’s other junior who runs like the wind, with a hard-to-spell last name. Tony Smoragiewicz talks to Slowtwitch about choosing between single- and triple-sport, about his post-HS plans, and his views on talent ID and development.

Spaniard Eneko Llanos had a superb race in Tempe, Arizona and broke the North American Ironman record in a time of 7:59:38. Brit Leanda Cave took the women’s race and finally added an Ironman title to her impressive resume.

Kris Gemmell led a a Kiwi one-two finish at the ITU World Cup in Auckland New Zealand after a brave attack on the bike. Kiwi Andrea Hewitt took the women’s title a bit earlier in the day.

Emma-Kate Lidbury of Oxford, England had a breakthrough year in 2011 with wins at 70.3 races in Mallorca, UK, and Augusta. Her introduction to the sport came on a 2005 assignment for the Oxford Mail and Times – and she’s still a working journalist!

German age grouper Beate Görtz was the top female amateuer in Kona and finished 15th overall. Quite impressive when considering that she has been involved with triathlon only for a few years.

The most popular article in the Washington Post this week is an account of triathlon’s deaths in the water. But this is not an aberrant year. It’s much like 2008. We interview David Brown, the Post article’s author.

Chris McCormack swims, bikes, runs… and writes for a living. In his first ST interview since becoming an ink slinger, it’s a reflective Macca on writing, on his home country, his reputation for outspokenness, and, on training.

After a short break we continue with our random age group interviews. Mike Lorenzen is from Chicago and he became part of our random interviews when he became slowtwitch Facebook fan 11,111 on 11/11/11.

Lukas Verzbicas’ wheels are touching down in Colorado Springs. He reunites with hometown coaches (including his step-father), and team members heavily populated by his home tri club. Cause for concern?

Updates to Jordan Rapp’s Ironman Arizona Charity Challenge including more prizes from Simon Whitfield, Chris Macca McCormack, Chrissie Wellington, Michellie Jones, Speedplay, RoadID, Mammoth Mountain, Timex, SpiderTech, and more!

An inspired Lukas Vercbicas stormed to the win at the 2011 Junior ITU World Championships before shipping off to Oregon to run track for said University. Now Verzbicas has announced that he is returning to his first love – triathlon.

Leon Griffin won it with a race-best 1:15:01 half marathon and Samantha Warriner back came from a 5-minute deficit after the bike to win Ironman 70.3 Shepparton Sunday.

She’s part of a wave of great British women long course triathletes. After winning the ITU Long Distance World Championship, Rachel Joyce is coming into her own. An interview by Timothy Carlson.

After a small hiatus we are back with a new issue of What We Have Noticed. This week we look at the Brooks Pure Connect, GU Mint Chocolate gel, Trix baby bibs and hat set, the No Drop Zone book and our sub site We Noticed.

Jordan Rapp talked with Timothy Carlson about winning his first world title, the 2011 ITU Long Distance World Championships, which occurred on Saturday in Henderson, Nevada.