Midwest Sprint Classics-Double RR

Pigman Sprint (.5K swim, 25K bike, 5K run)
As much as I love the super sprints, they still make me a little anxious come race morning. There’s NO room for error and its 110% effort from the start. When I checked in Saturday afternoon, I noticed Jenny Garrison from IL was on the start list. Knowing her accolades, I immediately assumed that the equalizer was between her and Daniel Bretscher. Deep down however, I held a glimmer of hope-I figured this was not a focused race for JG, so if I kept it together, there was a slim chance I could do it… It was amazing to me that despite all my years of racing, the nervous butterflies were out in full force. I hadn’t felt like that in a long time. Like I said these sprints put me over the edge. The women received ~ 9minutes head start over the elite men.

Once the race started, I took off like a madwomen to find open water. I was truly expecting JG to come out of the water with me, so when I got though T1 by myself I was stoked. I hammered the beginning of the bike in an attempt to get out of sight to those in pursuit. I know it’s much easier to turn it up another level with a target in sight. It was fun to be following the lead vehicle through the rural IA roads. There's a short out and back section towards the end of the bike about mile 12 of 15, and I noticed there was nobody close behind and the chase group (I think there were 4 or 5 pretty close together) was about 2.5 minutes back. I tried to ease up a little to get my legs ready for the run, as I really wanted to put together a strong run. The run course is an out and back on the bike course, so I had another opportunity to check in on the chase group as I started my run. I figured I had a good cushion, but I still wanted to work as hard as I could in an attempt to hold off the fast charging DB for the equalizer bonus. My legs felt pretty good initially on the run, but about 3 quarters of a mile into my run after stopping for ~30-40sec (I had a really good reason) I had a little more difficulty getting my run stride back. I tried my hardest to dig, and I didn’t feel overly slow, but got passed by DB within the last half mile-This guy made up around 4min on me in a 5K. That’s embarrassing!! I was initially disappointed with my run split, but in the end, I took away so much more from that race then what’s posted on the results page. It was a super day.


Manitou Sprint (.5mile swim, 13.5 mile bike, 3.1mile run)
Race morning conditions were PERFECT, but for some reason I could not get myself fired up to GO GO GO. I was truly in a deep fog all morning: A mix of fatigue and nerves I guess, but luckily shortly before the start I snapped out of it. Due to extremely low water levels in White Bear Lake, RDs decided on a two loop swim. This was actually quite fun for me. As always the Elite start was rough-Those boys are tough, but they also provide great drafting potential. I wanted to get on Kevin’s feet, but I lost those pretty early in the frenzy. First person to make the turn-MW obvioulsy carved his way through the weeds. Kerry as always having lots of fun out there.

I came around the 1st lap on Kevin's heels, but I managed to get through the masses a little easier (the 2nd wave had already started so we had to swim around them). I ended up coming out of the water a few steps ahead of KO, therefore I knew I was in good company. I eagerly busted through transition, jumped on my bike and started to hammer…Well I tried to hammer, but my legs and probably mostly my mind could not get it going. I had difficulty finding the right gear…caught between the big gear grind and not working hard enough. I had borrowed KO’s Zipp Power tap Disk, so I was interested to see what kind of watts I could put out in real race conditions. Well, it was not pretty folks. I have no excuse, but my race day power was almost 15 watts less than my half ironman goal wattage. I’ve been doing long rides with 3x30 at stronger wattage than what I did yesterday!! Anyways, my legs had no gusto-Simple as that! I was also feeling my right hamstring tighten so I was starting to get worried for the run. I tried to stay mellow (relatively- It’s a sprint after all) through T2, and slightly ease into the 5K. I felt pretty good at the start, I focused on my form and came though mile one around 6:09. I was pretty happy with that, and wanted to hold that pace. Again, this is an out and back run course, so I had an opportunity to check in on the race behind me (I love out and backs). I was confident I could hold my position with a strong pace though the finish, and in the end I picked up the win. Also, there’s nothing that makes a race day more enjoyable then having the opportunity to watch my favorite triathlete in action. Due to the wave structure Kerry started almost 50 minutes behind me, so I was able to see him come into T2 and I was able to cheer in multiple sections during the run. For the third race in a row, Kerry made it to the podium in his AG! AWESOME.





Now, I’ve already been told by several people that I need to work on my champagne popping skills. Maybe I never quite came out of my morning fog, but I couldn’t get the darn thing open until all the guys made it up to the podium, and the gals had taken their seats…or maybe that was planned. Spare the ladies the alcohol soak and leave the boys with the sticky clothes…hum…I like that excuse. CHEERS

I want to commend John, Dan and Kris from SCS Multisport for a super event. I also owe major photo credit to Erik and GC from Triathlete.com and Greg Fleck for all the photos. Also, for your viewing pleasure, Christine Wood takes the most amazing photos... and if you're racing with Curt, you may be lucky enough to get caught behind her lens. Check them out at her blog.

NEXT UP: Buffalo Springs 70.3 in two weeks. I’m still so intimidated by that distance, but very much looking forward to the challenge.

2009 Racing Plans

I’ve been getting so many questions about my race plans for 2009, and although the season is in full swing I still don’t have a concrete race schedule. Or better stated, “I have a plan to NOT have a plan”.

After racing 16 times in 2008, and pretty much burning up my competitive juices, I’m not sure what to expect for the upcoming season. Last winter, I had every intention to significantly scale back my racing to enjoy a larger variety of adventures… I wanted to participate in fun training camps, spend more time doing yoga, maybe the Leadville 100 Mtn bike race etc. etc.. BUT here I am, at the start of the season already registered for five triathlons, with more on the horizon. How did that happen???

It’s Simple…

I guess when it really comes down to it I love triathlon. Most importantly I love the people in the tri community, and I love how training and racing makes me feel. I believe we have the BEST local races/local clubs and it’s easy to get energized by each other’s enthusiasm…. On the flip side, it’s also easy to let pressure and expectations take away some of the enjoyment, but it’s truly how you manage that which makes the difference. Just last week I had someone come up to me and say (any I know they did not mean any harm), “Cathy, what happened at Gear West Du-I heard you almost lost”…. WHAT?!?! I came away from that race energized and feeling wonderful about what I did-And it wasn’t about the victory, but that I didn’t give up. If I finished last but believed I raced the best I could , then I’m happy. Winning races is NOT why I race-In fact, If I NEVER win another race, BUT I’m still having fun, and I’m ABLE to participate then that is MY VICTORY. I know there are so many amazing amateurs out there that could kick my butt on any given day, but that does not change anything for me-I do this for FUN.

Don’t get me wrong, I have every intention to still go out and train my butt off, and race HARD each race. I have goals to improve-That's what's FUN for me right now.

Recently, I’ve heard a lot of very tragic stories, reminding me how fragile life really is. I can’t stop thinking about Cynthia Brochman: A local athletic goddess, who one day during a training run starting coughing up blood and then spent the next 6 days in the hospital charting course for the hardest and toughest fight of her career-the fight for her life. I’ve only met ‘Broc” on a few occasions, but her story is very sad and very real. It serves as a painful reminder that ‘things’ can and do happen…Things which can drastically change your life. With these unsettling reminders, my days of worrying about the little things are over (well, as much as possible). I will not take anything for granted-especially my health. I certainly don’t want to make anyone sad with this message, rather hopefully bring forth these reminders as inspiration to make the best of what you have. Go after dreams with no regrets, but most importantly ENJOY the journey.

So with that, this is what I have on the horizon:

Pigman Sprint (series race): Although it seems strange to drive 4.5 hours for a 70 min race, there is something special about Pigman. This will be the third year for the popular equalizer format. Women get a head start and bust a lung to stay in front of the Big Boys. $750 bonus for the first person to cross the line.

Manitou Sprint (series race): This was the very first triathlon I did in MN, and holds a special place as the local tri opener. I missed this race last year because I decided to drive to IA for a big $$ race (which ended up getting cancelled on race morning), so I’m very excited to be back in 2009.

Buffalo Springs 70.3. It’s been an adjustment getting ready for a 70.3 in June, but I’m excited to go after it in Texas. I still feel so inexperienced at the half distance, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge. This race serves as a qualifier for both Kona and Clearwater, bringing out a competitive field. I’m going with two great girlfriends so it should be a super fun weekend.

Post Buffalo Springs remains unknown at this point. If I enjoy the 70.3, then I may decide to spend time working on Distance training/racing. I’ll do Pigman ½, maybe pick up another September half, or even a late season Ironman.

OR, if after BSLT I decide that I like the simplicity of OLY racing then I will shift into short/speed mode and maybe go to USAT Nationals at the end of August.

SO many great options… I am so blessed.

ENJOY THE RACES!

Twin Cities On Bike

After my four hour trans city bike tour, its not hard to understand one of the many reasons people live in the Twin Cities. If you can survive the Winter you become blessed with a beautiful playground! I had an easy ride on my plan last Saturday, and decided to do something a little different. Skip the big group ride, and simply take off on my road bike with no agenda...

Here's a few photos I took along the way. I ended up travelling through seven different cities.

Here's the view of Downtown Saint Paul from the top of the High Bridge. This was about an hour into my ride. Kerry works in the tall building in the middle.

From the same vantage point, here is a view to the West which includes the Cathedral and the High Bridge. Repeats on the high bridge=local cyclists boot camp. I skipped the bridge and took Ohio down to the River. Crossed into downtown and then took Shepherd Road towards Minneapolis.

Here's a view from the Ford Bridge. I'm crossing over the Mississippi to the Minneapolis side of the river. This is part of the Lifetime Fitness bike course.


Lower West River road getting closer to Minneapolis.

The newly rebuilt 35W Bridge.

Getting closer to downtown Minneapolis. The Beige building in the middle is where I get to spend 40+ hours a week.

Hennepin Ave Bridge from the Stone Arch Bridge.

I couldn't resist a stop at the Mill City Farmers market.




YUM...Veg dumplings

Dancers outside the Guthrie.

Heading South on East River road. This is also part of the LTF Bike course. You know you want to register...Come join me :-)

Ok-I felt a little lost here. I wanted to get over to Fort Snelling, but couldn't find the way to the pedestrian path (the road is freeway). I eventually found the stairs, and in cyclo cross style put the bike on my shoulder and went to down.

After cruising through Fort Snelling, then across the Mendota Bridge, I took Hwy 13 home to Apple Valley. A great 70 mile tour. It was such a plesant escape from the routine ride.