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Rockin' With His "Tri Mates"...
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Friday, 14 August 2015 00:10
By Brad Mitchell
USAT NATIONALS SPRINT REPORT!
Water was much colder than last year! I lined up on the pier with the other 112 dudes in my age group wave (the nasty 40-44 boys, largest wave at nationals) and 109 of them jumped in with their wetsuits and did the usual power swimming/posturing (us 3 idiots without wetsuits did various arm flapping, push ups and chicken dance maneuvers--thank you Patrick Parish and Dani Fischer...) and felt quite pleased with ourselves. The countdown began, and we were told to get in.
Kevin O'Connor, who got 2nd in age group and 18th overall, (he is a legend, and yes, I am a fan boy!) happened to be two swimmers away and gave me a supportive wave. I wished at that moment I could bet a months wages that he would be top 3.
So, off we went and it felt good... as soon as I could feel my arms. Apart from some bloke doing backstroke and slapping me, it was a good swim, 69/113 out of water smile emoticon Had a really fast run to...
Stellar Field Set for Big Pig XVIII...Updated...
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Thursday, 13 August 2015 00:10
18th Annual PIGMAN HALF - The MTN Guys nearly soiled ourselves when we looked at next weekend's Big Pig start list. It will arguably be the most competitive Pigman ever. Here's a few of the names on the Elite roster:
Men:
David Thompson (P - MN) - 9 x Pigman Champ. A win would be the 100th of his storied career. (photo on page 2.)
Daniel Bretscher (P - IA) - 2007 US Athlete of the Year
Tom Gerlach (P -WI) - Successful long course veteran
Eric Engel (WI) - Reigning Toughman Minnesota champion
Kevin O'Connor (MN) - Reigning Pigman Masters CR-holder. PR - 4:02 (MN State amateur Half IM record)...
Another Busy Weekend Ahead...
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Tuesday, 11 August 2015 06:10
This weekend's racing schedule is as insane as last week's. There are seven events for the Minnesota triathlete to choose from, if you'll excuse our ending a phrase with a preposition....
Performance Highlights...
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Monday, 10 August 2015 07:10
Great Photo - Diane Hankee and Suzie Fox at Sprint Nationals.
Here are the Minnesotans who earned medals and cracked the overall Top 100 at Nationals, the most competitive amateur triathlons in the world:
OLYMPIC NATIONALS -
- Tony Schiller - 1st 55-59 (1st/ 126 finishers) (Tony's 12th National Champion title - His margin of victory was 5:34!)
- Lisa Lendway - 2nd 30-34 (2nd / 150 finishers) - Lisa placed 19th overall
- Matthew Payne - 2nd 35-39 (2nd / 167 finishers) - Matt placed 12th overall.
- Kevin O'Connor - 2nd 40-44 (2nd / 180 finishers)
- Neil King - 2nd 65-69 (2nd / 47 finishers)
- Gaby Bunten - 2nd 20-24 (2nd / 61 finishers)
- Cheryl Zitur - 3rd 50-54 (3rd / 120 finishers) ...
Beautiful Moments...
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Monday, 10 August 2015 06:10
Beautiful Photo - Lisa Lendway with her daughter Hadley. Or is it Adeline?
By Norm Deplume
AGE GROUP NATIONALS - I got excited when I first saw last Saturday's Wave Start List. The 30-34 men would launch in the first wave and the 30-34 women would go next. Because the wave intervals were wide and the fact that the 60+ men were slated for wave #3, I knew that some of our most decorated Minnesota triathletes would enjoy the luxury of being among the first to cross the finish line. We were anxious to see how BENNETT ISABELLA, 32, would fare, as well as LISA LENDWAY, 34, and JESS ROSSING, 30, and several others.
As predicted, former US Athlete of the Year Adam Webber led the 30-34 men out of the lagoon and carried his lead all the way to the finish line, for which he received a champion's welcome. Though he would ultimately place 5th overall, he was, as they say in the golf world, the leader in the clubhouse for almost 80 minutes.
The cheering din had not subsided when the BENNETT ISABELLA sped triumphantly to the finish line. He was the 5th man across. His time was 1:59:43. I couldn't have been happier.
Or could I? ...
