May 17th to 20th Race/Event Rundown
Our members fanned out across at least three states this weekend participating in a variety of events. If you look closely and look back at the Stay out of the Sun report (also this weekend) you'll see that a couple of members raced three times! So, lots of results to go over. Ready? Here we go:
Medtronic Twin Cities 1 Mile - May 17, 2012
Andy Becker 5:45
Jen Schrandt 6:32
Adam Aslakson 8:55
Amber Aslakson 9:15
Blaine Triathon May 19, 2012
New this year and taking over as the earliest MN Tri with an outdoor (by one day) the Blaine Triathlon consists of a 0.3 mile swim, 16.7 mile bike, and a 3.5 mile run
Josh Weigel 3rd AG/ 15th overall
Root River Tri May 19, 2012
Kayak 6.5 Mile Kayak, 8 Mile Bike, 3 Mile Run
Andrew Galbus - 5/43 overall, and 3/6 AG - Kayak 1:18:54 bike (fastest overall) 26:43 run 24:02 overall 2:09:38
Fargo Marathon May 19, 2012
In 2010 Runner’s World magazine rated Fargo the “best value” marathon in America and the 8th best overall. This race features bands at every mile and a concert at the end. In its 8th year, it is a Midwest favorite. http://www.fargomarathon.com/
Judy Weller 4:34:03
Brute Challenge, Arcadia WI 19 May
by Paige Reeves
“Brute” – of or relating to beasts. Yep! The Arcadia Brute Challenge ride is the first of three WI Triple Crown cycling events - best reserved for those who are willing to go a little savage and let the inner brute out to play. Riders can tackle 50, 100, 150, or 200k rides on this one. I opted for the 100k, but the gadgets read 65.5 miles at the finish line. The local high school served as a spacious venue with plenty of parking, locker room showers, and cool cafeteria dining post-ride; welcome amenities on a repressive hot day that had some riders working 12 plus hours. The course is well marked and the field friendly. Misery loves company and there is plenty to go around. The course winds through rural Wisconsin and riders enjoy post-card scenery in between feats of strength. The climbs are relentless in both grade and length. We tried to audit the spray-painted percentages on “Hip Breaker” against our gadgets but by then our eyes were glossed over with imagery of some soft cool place to land while we fell into a primal rhythm of breath – push – pull – breath. When you climb with all you can muster for a full five minutes and realize you are but 1/3 to the top of an ascent, the acceptance of partially walking some hills becomes an easy pill to swallow. Rest stops were well stocked and staffed, and helpful SAG wagons appeared throughout the day to offer support. I recommend the ride for anyone who wants a crazy fun adventure – like climbing 10,433 feet over 132 miles like TriRoch animals Joe Moyer, Dan Harke and Mike Ewen did. With ride time averages between 12 – 15 mph, it’s best to go into this one without pace goals and a brave heart. Glad to have survived it. Jersey Earned.
Paige Reeves- 100k
Marie Harke- 150k
Ann Moyer- 150k
Joe Moyer- 150k
Dan Harke- 200k
Mike Ewen- 200k
http://www.spreetouring.com/index.php
Land Between the Lakes Triathlon May 20, 2012
0.25 Mile Swim, 14 Mile Bike, 4 Mile Run
http://www.finalstretch.com/triathlon-events/land-between-the-lakes/info/
by Matt Hangge
On Sunday, May 20th, I took part in the “Land Between the Lakes Triathlon” in Albert Lea, MN. My Grandparents still live in Albert Lea, so this was a great opportunity to go and visit/stay with them, and get an early season race in.
During the week, Final Stretch sent out an email that the water temp was measured at 70 degrees, and this did not change when it was checked again on the morning of the race. After temps in the upper 80s on both Friday and Saturday accompanied by winds close to 30 mph, things were much milder on Sunday morning. The conditions at race start were temps in the upper 50s with the wind out of the NW at 10-15 mph. The water was actually pretty comfortable when you were in it and moving around.
The swim was a counter-clockwise triangle. When looking straight out from the shoreline, the water was moving almost perfectly right to left. The longest segment of the triangle which ran parallel with the shore was swum entirely with the current. I’ll take that any day, as I need all the help I can get. The other segments of the swim route weren’t too bad. The current wasn’t overly strong, and the surface wasn’t very choppy at all.
The bike was a square lollipop route where we headed north for a few miles (crossing I-90), did a clockwise square, and came back the way we came. The roads were completely dry and smooth, and all of the turns appeared to have been swept clean fairly recently. The wind was a slight factor for about the first half of the ride (on the north and west bound roads), but coming back with the wind behind you was really fast. The temperature was perfect on the bike, neither too hot nor too cold the entire time.
The run was 4 miles that were fairly flat on a mix of pavement and gravel. The gravel roads were not loose at all, and I had no issues with footing. The route was very windy with a lot of blind turns as it followed the lake shore for the first half. I think I only saw 4 or 5 people the entire time I was running until I was closing in on the finish line, and there were long stretches where I couldn’t see anyone else.
It was starting to mist lightly towards the end of my run. By the time I had my things collected and was walking to my truck, it was what I can only describe as a “heavy mist”, if there is such a thing. As I was walking, I overheard Mark from Final Stretch on the radio saying that the last biker was on Mile 12, so everyone managed to stay dry at least through most of the bike. I packed my truck, walked back to the nice shelter area at the park, and swung through the food line. I stood around for a bit watching awards while I ate some crackers, fruit, and a tiny little hamburger.
Overall, I was pretty happy with how this race went. As always, Final Stretch did a great job of keeping things organized and on time. There were plenty of volunteers throughout the course managing traffic and directing/cheering on participants. Everyone was very friendly and energetic. It was also nice to see that they listened to feedback from last year and addressed the transition area situation in a fairly creative way. I would definitely do this race again if it works with my schedule and would recommend it for anyone that is looking for an early season and/or smaller event to kick off their TRI season.
Gear West Duathlon May 20, 2012
2.83 Mile Run, 28K Bike, 2.51 Mile Run
http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results12/gwest12b.html
10/263 1/20 Ruth Brennan-Morrey run 16:06- bike 45:19- run 14:49 overall 1:17:52
138/263 21/27 Mark Morrey run 22:26- bike 53:44 19.0- run 22:08 overall 1:40:29
258/263 20/20 Dawn Johnson run 37:30- bike 1:10:18- run 35:18 overall 2:26:19
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AND... Dawn won a set of new wheels from the GW give-a-ways! She was beaming of course! :)