Race Coverage
"A Ginormous Confidence Boost"...
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Wednesday, 12 July 2017 19:10
By Gaby Bunten
LIFE TIME TRI - MINNEAPOLIS TRIATHLON RACE REPORT - Words still can’t describe my thoughts and feelings about Lifetime Minneapolis this past Saturday! I’m still totally surprised. Personally, the outcome of this race wasn’t made by my time, place or splits. It was truly a ginormous confidence boost in my own abilities! I find it so easy to get caught up in comparing myself to other athletes, when I know deep down, that isn’t why I do this sport. Triathlon for me has become a lifestyle, a career, a hobby, a place where I have met countless lifetime friends and my better half. The sport itself has given me a competitive outlet, post-swimming career.
This year has been a journey to say the least. I began working with my coach Leanda, back in September and she has royally kicked my butt. And, I LOVE IT! I’ve had ups and downs during training periods, like every other athlete. But, I’ve really doubted my own abilities to “breakthrough” as of late. The swim is and always will be my happy place. However, my bike and run have always lagged behind. Literally, a fish out of water… But everyone can relate to a time when everything relatively just clicks! For me, that was Saturday.
Leading up the Lifetime, I was fairly distracted. Between the fourth of July, Kris’s big 3-0 and my best friend’s bridal shower ALL that week, my mind was elsewhere. In fact, I barely realized I was racing until I picked up my packet on Friday afternoon. But hey, distraction can be good for pre-race jitters, right?! It suited me well. Friday evening was filled catching up on the TDF, cooking up a mean Bolognese and my enjoying my pre-race favorite, a glass of red wine (Rosso di Montlacino to be exact). Set my alarm for 4:45 the next morning, fell sound asleep within seconds (SUPER odd for pre-race) and before I knew it, it was race morning! WHAAT?!
Swim: ....
July 8 Racing Highlights...
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Monday, 10 July 2017 09:10
Awesome Photo by - Minneapolis Tri / Athlinks.com
MINNEAPOLIS TRIATHLON XVI - Breakout efforts highlighted last Saturday's Minneapolis Tri at Lake Nokomis. For the women, GABY BUNTEN turned in a victorious effort that will almost surely be nominated for Performance of the Year. Her remarkable 2:08:34 was a three-minute Olympic-distance PR and the 3rd fastest amateur women's time in the fourteen year history of the race. (Gaby is undefeated in three starts this season.)
Check out the stats:
Minneapolis Tri - Sub-2:10 women:
1. HEATHER LENDWAY - 2:06:21 (2014) - HL got her pro license in 2015
2. ALISSA DOEHLA (NC) - 2:08:07 (2016) - AD got her pro license earlier this year.
3. GABY BUNTEN - 2:08:34 (2017)
4. DANIELLE DINGMAN (MO) - 2:09:31 (2017) - DD has won TWO National Championship duathlons this year (Long Course and Standard Course), and blew the Minneapolis field away on the bike and run, but Gaby rocked a 19:33 swim and never looked back....
Cute Couples & Fast Masters....
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Sunday, 09 July 2017 09:10
Photo - T-Man winners / totally cute couple Jordan Roby and Christina Roberts.
TIMBERMAN XXX - On the eve of Minnesota's Premier Destination Triathlon, four-time Timberman Sprint champ TARA MAKINEN commented on the quality of the women's field that she was about to face. In effect, she said she could have her best performance ever and not finish any higher than 8th. As one who thrives on competition and self-improvement, she added that she would be totally happy with that result.
It was true. The T-Man Sprint's women's field was arguably it's deepest in the three-plus decades that the race has been in existence. In the end, though, Makinen did not finish 8th. She placed 7th, and her time was 1:06:35, making her one of an unprecedented nine women to crack 1:10.
Leading the way for the second straight year was BETTINA KEPPERS, whose winning time was 1:04:58, a mere one second off her 2016 course record. Her margin of victory over runner-up and two time sprint winner, JODY QUESNELL, was 45 seconds. Racing as a USAT 50-year-old, Jody's time was a divisional CR.
Finishing less than one-tenth of a second behind Quesnell was Canadian athlete (and total sweetheart!) KAYLA KJELLMAN. She's a nurse in Thunder Bay and has a new boyfriend.
Also rocking a divisional record was former JOY nominee, KAYTLIN GARRISON, 19. She placed 4th overall in 1:06:05. This was her third consecutive junior title at T-Man Sprint.
The men's sprint was won for the seventh time in the last eight years by ADAM HIMES, a decordated nordic skier who does one tri a tyear. This one. Happy with his sub- 1 hour (58:36) victory, Adam was actually more pleased with the performance turned-in by his 17-year-old son, SAM, who was making his tri debut. Sam finished 6th overall (2nd junior) in 1:02:21.
Also making the podium was JOSHUA KEMP, 18, whose placed in the Top 5 here in each of the last three years, and 2017 Minnesota Junior of the Year MITCHELL CLAYTON, 20....
Finally!
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Saturday, 08 July 2017 23:10
By Ted Treise (venturetri.com)
Madison 70.3 Race Report - Finally! I got my Chattanooga spot. We had one chance to get this right with the qualifying cut-off coming up fast in addition to factoring in recovery time it takes from doing these crazy races. I am happy to report I was 1st place in the U24 field, and 16thoverall, securing my spot at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, TN. In Madison on race day, the temp was a muggy 80s, the roads kept one on their toes, and the run was deceivingly hard. Let’s hope this race report is nothing less than a steamer.
The Lead-Up
After Long Course Worlds in Miami, I took some time off to not do triathlon stuff? I traveled to NYC for a week, but mostly this time ended up with me swimming, planning this year, and learning how to make a website from YouTube Videos. What great success on my goal for an off season break from things all tri, eh? Throughout this time, I ran and biked very little....
Going Through All of the Emotions...
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Saturday, 01 July 2017 23:10
By Corey Nygaard (runcoreyrun.blogspot.com)
Ironman Boulder Race Report -
Driving from Minnesota to Boulder, Co with my sister this weekend to race 140.6 miles, was a trip I will never forget. It would be the chance to see if the months of preparation and training would pay off. 1,000 miles of driving later we arrive at our home stay for the weekend, which was fantastic. Thank you Brad and Kayde for allowing us to stay in your home for the weekend, so grateful for your hospitality. We stayed about 20 miles from the race venue, which is a solid distance to cover, especially when it takes an hour to travel that far here! Being here 10 months ago, I sort of remembered how to get around... Sort of.
PRE RACE: ....
One-Eyed Biking...
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Friday, 30 June 2017 23:10
By Jenn Scudiero (from Facebook)
Duathlon Nationals Mini-Race Report - As my vacation here in Oregon comes to an end, I've been trying to figure out how to summarize my race at the Duathlon National Championships. It's hard to put some things to words, but I'll give it my best shot. If nothing else, this picture does a pretty good job...
Last year's race was only a few weeks after my accident, so finishing was a physical and mental struggle. I was determined to come back and tackle the tough course with a healthy body. This year was the same tough course and even better competition. I finished 6th overall and 3rd in my age group. It was such an amazing experience to come back feeling and racing strong....
