Race Previews

Fast Times at Orono Junior High...

Wednesday, 18 May 2011 03:00

Race Preview - The 19th edition of the Gear West Duathlon will be staged in Orono on Sunday morning. Registration is open. LINK

The GWD, as always, kicks off the annual Midwest Multisport Series, which is arguably the most competitive amateur tri/du series in the U.S. A glance at the start list tells us that this year's field will be as studly and studettely as ever. The most competitive field of the season ...

Empathy & Mispeld Werds...

Wednesday, 11 May 2011 03:00

Going Off Course - WARNING: This post contains ridiculous generalizations.

Sympathy and empathy are not the same things. Most girls know this. Most guys don't.

What's the difference, you ask?

We found this explanation when we asked the Google Gods, "Hey Google Gods, what's the difference between sympathy and empathy:"...

A Preview, An Update, Help Wanted & A Race Report...

Friday, 06 May 2011 03:00

Race Preview - Record attendance will be on hand for Saturday's Take the Hill Triathlon in St. Peter, logo where, according to the city's website, "...History and Progress Meet." Cool slogan.

Formerly the Gustie Triathlon, the event reached its 150 participant enrollment ceiling and will not be accepting race-day registration. A glance at the start list has us suspecting that last week's UMM-Tinman winner, Jose Rosales-Yepez, should win easily and Micah Turman, whose wife Abby is totally preggers, and the effervescent Randy Quaid lookalike Paul Mollett should capture the remaining podium spots. Turman was expecting to race at COLT, but opted for Take the Hill because it's closer to home just in case the fetus inhabiting Abigail's tummy decides to try life on the outside. Mollett was ...

Existentialism & Hard & Soft Shell Tacos...

Tuesday, 03 May 2011 04:30

Race Preview - There are lotsa of groovy reasons to race, starting with the existential benefits. To quote the famous triathlete philosopher, Michellie Descartes, "I race, therefore I am." If you're a triathlete, you know whereof she speaks.

And there are the social benefits. What better way to enjoy a weekend than to go to a pastoral lake and hang out with hundreds of like-minded individuals in excessively tight, and occasionally skimpy, clothing?...

Minnesotans in the Desert...

Friday, 29 April 2011 03:00

jenny 2009 US Duathlete of the Year Kevin O'Connor and Jenny Wilcox (photo L), the woman who should have won the 2010 DOY, and thirteen other Minnesotans will be on the starting line of the USAT National Duathlon Championships tomorrow in suburban Tucson (pronounced "2-sahn," not "Tuck-sun").

On paper, Kevin and Jenny have overall (amateur) podium potential. Kevin was 6th overall at Nationals last year and felt he should have done better. This year, two of the Top 3 men are back--2009 US DOY David Slavinski (NJ) and Eneas Freyre (CT). Also, Du Nationals has a history of surprise finishes, heretofore unknowns like Kaleb VanOrt and Matt Sheeks, who have then gone on to stardom and are now pros. Still, don't be surprised if the 40-year-old O'Connor climbs the podium alongside the likes of Slavinski and Freyre, or this year's versions of them.....