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State-of-the-Art Training Plus Happy Hour..

Created: Wednesday, 10 November 2010 07:32

Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 November 2010 15:01

Wednesday, 10 November 2010 07:32

OptumHealth Parties Like It Is 2099

By Darin Wieneke

Have you wondered whether Kris Swarthout, Dan Cohen (photo - doing cool scientific stuff), Devon Palmer and John Shelp could throw a good party? Well, I was pondering this as I drove from my abode in St. Paul to the new OptumHealth Performance Center to attend their Open House on Saturday. I envisioned Kris and Devon watching old episodes of Star Trek in a corner and Dan and John sharing corny jokes with Jonny J nearby....

Well, that vision was blown up as I arrived at the bustling, state-of-the-art training center in Eden Prairie. Great people, activities and food were abundant. Olympian Sarah Haskins and Professional Pip Taylor were two people in attendance. Still have not heard what sort of bribery occurred to get them to attend. Are they distant cousins of Devon? Based upon conversations with them, Haskins and Taylor were impressed by the center. The new training center includes equipment to test your VO2max, resting energy expenditure, and almost everything else you can imagine to help you swim, bike and run faster and more efficiently.

Much of the training equipment was utilized during a number of activities offered, including a power-based spin class and swim clinic. I participated in the 1.5 hour swim clinic which was co-taught by Haskins and Taylor. The time flew by as we ran through a plethora of drills to improve swim technique, sighting and to make faster turns around buoys. They even taught us how to