Sunday, December 23, 2007

Merry Christmas from Phil Spencer



Happy holidays everyone. Just got back from a snappy little run in lovely Duluth. Wish you all could have been here to share it. 5 below
a/ 25mph wind. I could barely see past the ice buildup on my eyes.
Makes for tasty snotsicles though. I'll bring some back for everyone!
Happy holidays!
Phil

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Cathy Christian's Seattle 1/2 Marathon Race Report

Unbelievable is the one word that describes my day. The skies were clear, blue, and sunny, the air was crisp and I was in the company of friends. What better Sunday?

I was prepared. Had my camelback secure, my abs in, my shoulderblades down, and my torso up! I ran with Angela for the the first half of the race, and that was really terrific for me. We didn't talk much, but it was nice traveling with her. I took Shaun's advice and just absorbed it all - the sights, the people, the views of Seattle I had never seen before. Amazing how wide the Danskin bike path to I-90 looked!

I had three miles to go when I heard a constant honking. I turned around to see a motorcycle cop flashing his lights. I thought someone must be hurt, so I moved a bit to the right. He passed me, and then someone brushed my left shoulder - and I watched the first marathoner (the guy who won, obviously) just breeze past me, his heels kicking to his butt. Boy, did his backside look good after running 23 miles! I briefly thought of my own feeble trot, but I just kept on going!

I had a great day. The bottoms of my feet hurt tremendously, and I think it is because this is the second season with these shoes, and they are worn out. I still don't think that I'm good enough to use up a pair of shoes, but I think I just did. I had a minor meltdown in the middle of the recovery hall, when I couldn't find food or my clothes and I was cold and I hadn't seen anyone I knew yet. So I just stood there and cried for about 30 seconds. I felt better and wandered outside and heard Shaun yell. She got my clothes for me.

And I got a really cool medal, too!

Thanks for thinking I could do this, Friends, when I sure didn't think I could!

What a helluva year for me! For all of us!!!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Elizabeth McCarty's Seattle Half Ironman Report

I’m Halfway There!

Just another 13.1 miles to go and I'll be a marathon runner! I NEVER in a million years thought I'd say THAT! I finished the Seattle Half Marathon this morning at 10:30 a.m. - right about the time a lot of people were just getting up! I beat my goal time of 3 hours by a mere 4 minutes. I had to actually sprint (well sprint by MY definition) down the last mile in order to make my goal time. I shouldn't have really put a goal time for my first attempt at long distance running, but I knew that if I didn't, I'd walk at every opportunity. I DIDN'T WALK AT ALL!!!!!!!!! Not even up the numerous hills. The route was gorgeous! PErfect weather - sunny and chilly. When we exited I-90, you could see Lake Washington with a mysterious fog resting gently on the water. Then came the magnificent homes in the Denny Blaine neighborhood in Seattle. Ahhh....to dream! The best part was the run through the arboretum and Interlaken Park. It wasn't even like we were in a city any longer - just a tranquil forest.

This was perhaps one of the coolest things I've ever done - better than bungee jumping or rock climbing! I still love triathlon.....but may have to give a full marathon a shot??! Heck Yeah!
Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes! This was really FUN!

Elizabeth

Monday, November 26, 2007

Congratulations to the Knapps.....


RTB proudly announces the birth of ANOTHER girl! This time to Dale and Ann Knapp - born November 20th. Dale joined RTB's triathlon team last year. He and his wife, Ann, both sponsored by Kona Bikes, are quite the cosmic duo at Cyclocross races all over the world and their good friend, Sean Wittmer, submits this birth announcement..... Thanks, Sean. :)
Congratulations, Ann and Dale!!


As the podium finishes of Trebon, Wicks and Simms pile up, veteran 'cross racers Dale and Ann Knapp have been busy developing a new 'cross line. Project K.I.K. has undergone refinement for the last nine months. The 18" and sub 8lb. Kallan Isabella Knapp was delivered on November 20. As we know, on-time delivery in the bike industry is rare, but Ann was determined not to let this happen. Team manager, Mark Peterson, was ecstatic and looking to secure sponsorship and contract opportunities through 2040.


Friday, November 16, 2007

Tim Smit's World Championship 70.3 Race Report


We couldn't be more proud of our local hero and former Army Ranger, Tim Smit, on his triumphant World Championship race in Clearwater last weekend. Way to go, Tim!! :) Here's his account of the whole experience:


This picture is from Tim's qualifying race at Lake Stevens. See pictures of Tim from the World Championship here. Post a comment to this blog and congratulate him!!

Monday, 5 November
9:00pm – Heading off to airport

Tues – 6 Nov – 12:40am…liftoff to Tampa

I arrived to blue skies and brilliant sunrays. I looked out my hotel room to view the official start line of the 2007 World Championship Ironman 70.3. It was right there in front of me. 200meters from my hotel, Pier 60! WhaaHoo!! I am here!

I took a stroll along the beach around 1:00pm on Tues and found out it was as cool in Clearwater Beach as it was in Seattle. Oh yeah…did I mention the wind?! Wow…windy.

Took a relaxing run along the run course to get a stretched out, plus to recon the hills on the bridge.

Wed – 8am – went down to the waters edge to swim the course….now…did I mention the wind?? There were 4-5ft swells crashing into the shoreline and making the Ironman Buoys disappear as they went below each swell. Not exactly what I was hoping for. Now, I recall a great picture of the year in one of the earlier Triathlete Magazine editions in LA where the waves were crashing in as well. Well, this was not as bad, so I figure I was lucky.
I walk into the water (water temp was warmer then the air temp). Get the nerve up and finally dive into my first swell and start swimming (Here is where I identify I have homework over the off-season – bi-lateral breathing). I breathe the right side (and yes, that is the way the waves were coming into me) and every breath I was swallowing half of the damn Gulf of Mexico!
Got to the turn around point and was so glad that I could breathe again. As I make my way back towards the beach I get flipped over (summersault) due to one of the swells….talk about wetting yourself!
Got my bearings back and started swimming…then realized I was swimming in a 45 degree angle towards the beach due to the swells. Well, trying to stay on a straight line was hopeless…I ended up 100 meters to the right of the startline. The course is a rectangle with only right turns. The gap between the turn around points is 100meters. So, basically, I swam 200m off course.
But, I did finish. (Whew!) (Now I am concerned about the swim)

Walked up towards the shower and was a dizzy as I have ever been from any amusement park ride…Dramamine anyone??

Got back to my room, and put on my biking gear and headed out on the roads with my bike.

The course is beautiful and fast. Oh, did I mention that drivers in FL are not Seattle drivers (aka – not bike friendly). Thought I was going to die three times in the first 12 miles. Not a good ratio for the day. So, I turned around and headed back through the mine field towards friendly ground (the hotel’s beach!).

Thurs – 8 Nov – 8am – Headed back out into the Gulf to see if I could learn in a day how to bilateral breath…NOPE! Not this stubborn arss. So, swam a little consuming my salt tablets ratio for the next 3 years and made it to the turnaround point again and came back. This time, I stayed on a straight(er) line in. The best part of the swim was as I was about 150 meters from shore, I got to wet myself again!! To my right I was a LARGE dark object come up and then go back down…all I could see was a damn fin!!! Wet myself darn well (and drank my next 3 years worth of salt). Once I got myself vertical, I noticed everyone on the beach and around me watching the ‘fins’. Dolphins….damn dolphins…(I recall the song by Hootie and the Blowfish that states “the Dolphins make me cry”). Yep…about cried…not sure if it was relief or cuz I am stupid!

Went for a short run after and then relaxed the rest of the morning.

I went down to the shuttle around noon to head into town to register and pick-up my packet and shop for all those IM clothes I don’t need. Ironically, I get into the shuttle…and who do I sit by…Craig Alexander. Yep, the defending champ and the same one who just finished 2d in Kona three weeks earlier. So, I got to chat with him for 15 min. I, of course, tell him that I competed against him at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis, when he won and earned $250,000 plus a car. He then proceeded to tell me I must be his lucky charm. I told him if he repeats as the champion, then I will cash in on that ‘lucky charm’ status and enter every race that he does. He laughed and said he would pay my entry fees if that became the case. (Well, we all know now that I am not his lucky charm – shoot – wanted a sugar daddy!)

Got to the expo and the first person I recognize is Heather Gollnick. She says hi (we have a history together – She is from Wisconsin and I Minnesota.) We have crossed paths many times, to include at Lake Stevens’ this past summer. We chat and she states she is just watching this year. A number of her athletes were competing and she was just relaxing and recruiting for her team.

I then see the ‘Blazeman’ shrine. That draws me right in. As I get close…I see the two familiar faces. They are the faces of the parents of Jon Blais. I introduce myself and thank them for Jon. Bob shakes my hand and I ask if I can hug Jon’s mom. She accepts. I hug her like I only hug my boys! She has tears in her eyes and we talk about ALS and Jon for a few minutes. After I have all of my information and have absorbed their power and inspiration, I look at the time…that few minutes was an hour and twelve minutes. We talked about Jon, them, me, my boys, ALS and what I can do for ALS. I accepted the challenge and the honor.
I will be carrying the ALS Blazeman banner next summer at Ironman Switzerland.

I went on to by a few shirts, hats, and vests and headed back to the hotel.
I met so many more great Ironman people and families. Just love the people who are associated with Ironman events.

Friday – 9 Nov. My parents and youngest son, Gabe, arrive in town. Go to see my inspirational lil’ man! We hang out and relax. We watch Ratatouille and fall asleep. I wake up and we head down to the bike and bag drop off.
I then meet Major David Rozelle (amputee from Iraq). I greet him with a Ranger’s Lead the Way, SIR! He smiles and returns a salute to me and then we chat Army. I told him he was an honorary Ranger by leading the way for all of the CAF members and future CAF members, while not forgetting all of the fallen soldiers he represents! A true Ironman!

Now, it is time to head to bed (6pm) and relax until morning!

Sat – 10 Nov – Race morning!!

I wake up around 3:50am. I got up and headed out on a 8 min jog and then came back up to the room…stretched, ate breakfast and showered.

Headed down to the transition area and was just living life large and looking like a rock star! The greatest triathlon event that I have participated in. Just great!

Found my parents and Gabe about 1/2hr before the swim started. Got my high fives and hugs from all of them. Then headed out to the swim gate.

‘Boom’ – here we go…whaaahoo…..just getting into the water and the professional women are already in T1.

Not nearly as much wind and much easier to swim. Whew!

Got on the bike and got going! The course was fairly flat, excluding all of the bridges we crossed. Other then that, it was great. I crossed paths with all of the pros’ as they were heading back as we were heading out…Just cool to see them flying by.

Mile 21 I pass Maj. Rozelle and tell him Ranger’s Lead the Way again! He smiled and gave me a low five.

Mile 44 a horrific bike accident….a car cut in front of a biker who hit them square on. There was so much blood and skin and other ‘matter’ on the road….the car door looked like it had hit a telephone pole. The window was smashed and completely caved in. (I don’t know the status of the biker). All I know is that the ambulances and police were on their way to be all over this intersection – too bad it was after this!

I came into T2 feeling very good about the bike, while also feeling a tad pooped from the bike. Oh well…13.1 miles to go and then I am done! Took off running and felt good for the first couple of miles and then realized my good was not good enough. I needed to go faster. I start pushing myself up the bridge and stride out down the backside of the bridge. Now I feel good. I know I can do this and keep picking up the pace. I make my first right-hand turn onto the running path and into that damn wind! Even though it was only for a few miles…I must admit…the wind was winning this time. Not good.

Even though the run wasn’t going as planned, I was smiling. So many reasons to be smiling and living in the moment versus being mad or upset with my run. I am healthy and competing in the World Championship Ironman 70.3. I keep pushing and my body starts pushing back. Not a mental thing now…now it is just a personal challenge not to slow down (too much!).

I eventually got to the finish shoot and am looking for my lil’ man!!! I find him smiling and just cheering…so I pick him up and head to the finish line with him….everyone starts clapping louder, which scares Gabe and he digs into my shoulder and neck to try to hide from everyone! We finish what we started last Feb. A great season full of new team members, support crews, and scenery. This is my first year I won my age group in an event, qualified for both the USAT National Age Group Championship and the World Championship Ironman 70.3. Very pleased with my year.

Now, 244 days until Switzerland. Oh, yeah….90 days until day 1 of training!

Gabe and I were playing on the beach on Sunday, soaking in those brilliant sun rays and he looks up at me and tells me that he will be an Ironman when he gets bigger. No asking to be one or stating he wants to be one, but stated he WILL BE an Ironman. He is 4. He is my Ironman!

Thank you, We Raise the Bar for a great year! Proud to be associated with the team and each of the members I met this year! When I saw RTB last Jan, I knew this was the team for me. RTB in the Army is the Ranger Training Brigade. So, when I yell “Go, Go, Go RTB” it has dual meanings for me!

Watch out 2008! Here we come.

Monday, November 12, 2007

RTB's Latest Delivery

Congratulations to members of the RTB family, Luis & Melissa Diaz and their son Enrique on the arrival of the latest little Diaz - Adriana!!


Monday, November 05, 2007

Win Van Pelt's Cross Country Report

Win Van Pelt is one of RTB's triathletes & great run enthusiasts. He spends his off-season running cross country and wrote a great summary and who's who of Pacific NW Cross-Country from October 28. RTB Coach Mary Hanna is included!

Twenty-seven Club members ran in the Pacific Northwest Association of USATF Cross Country meet on October 28 at Lower Woodland Park, Seattle. In the Women 14-39 6000 Meter Run, Gwen Greiner placed 3rd in 23:00.82. Becca Ward was 7th in 23:56.25, Trish Steidl 9th in 24:09.81, Devon Crosby-Helms 10th in 24:10.72, Erika Daligcon 11th in 24:25.17, and Marisa Ruhter 13th in 24:34.96. The Women's Team (top 5 runners) placed 2nd overall in the open race. In the Men 14-39 10,000 Meter Run, Uli Steidl placed 1st overall in 33:11.38. Chris Charles was 3rd in 33:38.96, Ben Haber 6th in 34:27.14, Ben Sauvage 12th in 35:14.98, James Roach 17th in 36:29.24, Brian Morrison 19th in 36:44.98, Mark Davies 23rd in 38:12.34, and Troy Scott 24th in 38:17.29. The Men's Team (top 5 runners) placed 2nd overall in the open race. Elizabeth Stahl placed 1st overall in the Women 40-44 6000 Meter Run in a time of 25:56.02. In the Men 40-44 Meter Run, Craig Layman placed 4th overall in 21:34.00. Dan Salazar was 7th in 22:19.64 and John Guza was 8th in 22:19.96. David White-Espin placed 4th overall in the Men 45-49 6000 Meter Run in a time of 21:43.53. Joe Bisignano was 6th in 22:09.01, Henry Wigglesworth 8th in 22:33.76, Win Van Pelt 16th in 24:56.00, and Mark Drongsholt 17th in 25:13.44. In the Women 45-49 6000 Meter Run, Mary Hanna placed 3rd in 25:19.23 and Claire Kindley was 4th in 26:57.03. Pete Soucy placed 5th overall in the Men 50-54 6000 Meter Run in a time of 23:56.77 and Steve Angell was 8th in 25:32.46. The Men's and Women's Masters Teams (Ages 40+) each placed 2nd overall in the their races as well.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

An open letter To Brian Guillen - Adult Onset Swimmer


Brian - as I stood on the bulkhead of the Covington Aquatic Center ready to time your 500, I had no idea how far you had come with your swim. I figured the 1:18 you led off with was probably a fluke - you'd certainly pile 15 seconds on that pace by the 2nd 100. But that was a 1:20, then a 1:21, 1:21, and 1:23. That's a 6:43. l'd like to say that I was 100% excited for you. But because there is something in me that wants to be faster than anyone else (it's an unrealistic obsession but gives me joy) I remembered back to my own timed 500 a few days earlier.....6:45.

Great - like every other man I've ever started ahead of, you are catching, and passing me. But then I remembered, it's not about the pool - we're all about the open water...

I'm counting on the fact that you will gain great confidence as a 'Pool Swimmer', and will neglect those things that will make you a kicka__ "Open Water Swimmer". These skills involve treachery, sleuthlike pre-race line-finding, constructing your own picture perfect warm-up, and uncovering YOUR best race strategy.

I suppose you'll never think to swim UNDER the turn buoys when you're caught in a pack? How about developing an obsession to leave an increasing number of swimmers in your wake until the very last stroke of the swim: (the ones that went out too hard and have settled into complacency as they found clear water).
And maybe, just maybe, you'll forget often enough between now and next June that you must tell yourself that you BELONG with the boys (or girls!) in the front. You may not think to remember that they are YOUR pack - not the pack you have to catch - that's the pack you belong in. And that would make it so.....if only you remembered to do that.

Maybe you'll start looking at your 500 pool time (as impressive as it is for someone that's only swam for what - 2 years?) and compare it to the 500 times of others you train with (a lot of very experienced swimmers) and assume you're going to exit the water behind them. Because when you think that, it will certainly come to pass. There are always factors that effect those great pool-swimmers as they move to the open water.....but you may not be aware of those, new to the sport as you are.... You won't have heard the 15-year old nickname "Wrong-way John Doe-emo".(name changed to avoid lawsuit) You might not be aware of a certain chiropractor's reputation of epic pool-swimming prowess and picture-perfect wall action that makes him a 1:10 (or less!) swimmer in the pool. But alas, no walls exist in the open water...

And sadly, you may start listening to the many many EXPERTS who have innocently spread the cancerous idea that triathletes who don't grow up swimming will never make it to the lead pack, but will have to rely instead on their biking and running to get back to the front. Ah....that is sad. Because there are triathletes among us that were not club-swimming gradeschoolers and a few of them are exiting the water in the FRONT.

As your team manager, I look forward with great anticipation to the day that you learn these lessons and have willed your way to the lead pack of swimmers, because shur as shootin' there are NOT a lot of folks out here that can catch you on the bike or the run. But as your fellow competitor in swimming (only), I will continue to fight with you for the fastest 500 time in our category: Adult-onset swimmer.
submitted by Patty Swedberg

Monday, October 22, 2007

Planning for your 2008 triathlon season?

Humbly submitted by Cheryl Iseberg....

On the heels of a fantastic discussion last week from our very own Dr. Phil (Spencer) on the subject of Off Season Training, (ladies I know we all wear Spencer Chiropractic nicely on the back of our bike shorts but I feel like I “cover” him the best) I found myself with one race left to go this year, looking forward to next year and thinking about my 2008 goals (ok after some downtime from training and a few drinks poolside).

As I started to ponder this thought, two things came to mind, one something our fearless leader Ms. Swedberg said to me at Maui training camp this year and the other coming from a book I just finished reading called “Racing the Sunset” by Scott Tinley who is a 2 time Ironman World Champion. So let’s cover these two topics.

After a day of running, swimming, biking or something, Ms. Swedberg and I found ourselves in my local Maui coffee shop. A shop I have been in a thousand times before. I see that a person in front of us has made eye contact with us and keeps looking back at us. Perhaps it was our stunning beauty that was hard to resist but I think it was probably the Ironman CDA finisher hats instead. Patty strikes up a conversation with this young man that lasted at least 15 minutes. I found it interesting how easily she connected with this young soul and asked her about it. She told me “everyone has a story” and that she enjoyed finding out what that was for people she encountered. This young man certainly had a story and not an easy one for us to comprehend. He was a former junior champion in cycling that crashed badly when he was on the National team racing in Mexico. He now rode his bike as a courier for restaurants in Maui and was homeless. I find myself “seeing” him all the time while on the island where before, I am not sure I would have noticed him. That was his “everybody has a story”.

The second topic is ST’s book. Scott writes for Triathlete magazine and you will always find his commentary on the last page of the magazine. I am a total fan and the first thing I do when I receive my monthly magazine is to turn to the last page to see what ST has to say. I learned of ST’s book from another article recently in Triathlete magazine from Shawn Skeene, someone who I talked to before Ironman CDA who wrote up an interview with me on Ironmanlive before the race. I immediately rushed out to my local bookstore (ok, went to BN.com and ordered online) and read the book in 2 days. The subject is about professional athletes and the struggle they face on how and when to retire. Scott has spent a great deal of time researching and talking with former pro athletes from baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and triathlon about their experiences.

In his book he talks about us not choosing sport but sport possibly choosing us. How professional athletes in all respects don’t know how to “retire” from the only thing they know or re-enter a normal life. I found his book fascinating and it got me thinking about a lot of things – mainly what it is that defines me.

What defines me? Triathlon, Ironman (are they different?), business owner, animal lover, friend, card carrying OCD member, or someone with MS?

What I decided on first was Ironman because it ultimately was something that I had sought since 1982 and watching Julie Moss. It literally was a dream of a lifetime that came true. So I wondered if Ironman is what defines me – what will I do without it? Will I continue my journey as a 5 time, 10 time, 20 time Ironman? Will I be the next Sister Madonna racing into my 80’s? The bigger question was not how many Ironmans but what if I couldn’t do what I loved? Scott talks about professional athletes not knowing when or how to retire. Do age-groupers have that same issue?

We all do not have the genetics that Sister Madonna has so statistics will tell us that most of us will not be racing for the next 40 years. That in the simple breakdown of our bodies over time. So what will sideline us from our future triathlon or Ironman experiences? Will it be because it is no longer a passion, or because of injury, or in my case will the disease that hangs on the outer edge in my brain someone change and STOP me?

Many of you are aware that the day before IM Canada this year I got ill and wasn’t able to race. Once we were able to get my bike out of transition and load it to drive 7 hours back to Washington, we were faced with driving on the only road out of town where all the athletes were on the course. The several hours in the truck passing athletes who were doing “my” race was one of the hardest things I have ever had to watch. The quiet tears while watching others doing what they loved as you watched unable to do the same thing was overwhelming. That was my first glimpse of perhaps not being able to do the thing I love the most.

So what do these two topics mean for your 2008 race plans? Instead of pulling out the race calendar and looking at all potential races you can do next year, sit down and do two things first. One, write 3 or 4 things down that define who you are. Then write a few paragraphs on ‘your story”. Sit and look at both of those things and I think you will find your 2008 goals might magically appear to you without much reference to the race calendar or your race/PR Excel spreadsheet.
I will see you all at the races in 2008 and hopefully proudly wearing Phil on my ass – err Spencer Chiropractic on my shorts.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Raise the Bar's First-ever Spin Class

I'd forgotten how much I like biking indoors with friends. The beauty of a spin class is that no one can ride away from you, and you can't get away from anyone....you're all just stuck in one spot trying to out-sweat each other. Yesterday I found myself between 2 people I kept a VERY close eye on last season - Kathy Morrisson and Alan Kindzerski. I keep an eye on Kathy because I've come to realize the rabid racing animal that lives behind her sweet smile and natural strawberry blonde hair.....hmmph.... Alan and I have had some VERY close race finishes this year and I am determined to try and stay ahead of him as long as possible - although in my life as a triathlete I've learned that the men that stick out the hard training will eventually have their revenge on some race course somewhere. Alan trains HARD.....his revenge, I fear, is imminent....


So it looks like I'll continue to land at the spin class on Tuesday nights and will be enjoying the company of those athletes that WILL be scary on their bikes in 2008 - no doubt about it! Come and join us!


Lisa Cantalini, one of our own team members, teaches the Tuesday night Spin Class for us at the Tahoma Athletic Club and does a terrific job. She recently sent a bio to me and here it is with her picture from Danskin (She was 149/3499 by the way, and had the 50th fastest bike split of the day. Not too shabby!!)


I am a mother of two great kids Katie 13 and Jon 11 and wife to a wonderful husband Dan. I was never a big athlete as a kid I played basketball and rode my bike but, as an adult I wanted to set new goals for myself and encourage my kids to be active by my example. I had always thought it would be a huge accomplishment to say I ran a marathon but, I could never find anyone who wanted to do it with me. So, when we moved to Ravensdale 4 years ago neighbors of mine convinced me that I could run a marathon. With a lot of long running hours I finished the Seafair marathon in the summer of 2005. I ran the half in 2006 with a co-worker from the gym. After doing all that running training I realized that it took up a lot of time in one area of fitness and I wanted to do other things outside instead like ride my bike. I thought I would try something new and attempt a triathlon. My first Tri was last year at the Danskin. I had a great race and came in 77th on the bike. That same year I did 2 duathlons, since my swimming was not my strong area, to finish out the year. That same year I started working at Tahoma Athletic Club at the front desk and taking spin classes again. I had been waiting for a club to open in Maple Valley that offered spin classes since I had not been able to take a class since we moved from West Seattle 2 years before. I love spin classes because they are such a great workout plus they give you the bike workout you need in the fall and winter months when the weather is not cooperating to ride outside. When the opportunity came up for me to get certified to be an instructor I jumped on it. I have been teaching classes at 5:30am on Wednesdays since last spring. I now teach every other Friday also. I try to simulate riding outside in my classes by working on the things that we need for improving our road rides outside while being inside a gym. I have learned a lot since I first started taking classes 8 years ago and I can tell the difference it has made in my strength on the bike at the beginning of this year’s tri season from taking the classes year round. I have had a fun time being a part of the RTB team this year. There are a lot of very supportive teammates and coaches to help you along the way.
Happy Training! Patty Swedberg

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Tina Coleman’s Black Diamond Race Report:


What a fantastic day. It started out with lots of hugs from teammates/friends, fun pictures, lots of support and just plain good energy.

I chose to do the “Tri It” race vs. a full Sprint for 2 reasons. First of all I have no love what so ever for my wetsuit; it is a 5mm thick monster and I have no fun in it at all. Not because it’s a struggle to get on, (what wetsuit isn’t?) but because it is so thick I can barely run in it and my arm movement is very restricted. Second reason is I wanted to be able to compare each leg of the race to my Cascades Edge race. My CE swim consisted of a panic attack followed by lots of doggy paddling, but not this time. I’ve learned that being mentally prepared is right up there with being physically prepared. I’m not the fastest swimmer by any means but I am consistent and I completed the ¼ mile swim without stopping, panicking or doggy paddling.

The bike was and is my most challenging leg. I always feel better on the way back then on the way out and felt good and strong after the turnaround. Just for the record Teresa didn’t catch me until the last ½ mile! I was actually getting worried about her, because I thought she would have caught me a lot sooner. She is amazing on the bike and I knew if I could stay enough ahead of her, we may be able to do the run together. Then I hear “don’t let me catch you!” as she went flying past me. I was both relieved that she was ok and motivated to keep up with her, so yes, you bet your ass I was pedaling faster. As I was rolling through the finish I saw Teresa hand someone her bike and run to the sani can, good I thought; now we can run together.

The run was short and sweet. If I hadn’t rolled my ankle ¾ of the way around loop 1, I think I would have come in under 2 hours. But thank you to Teresa for staying with me the whole time, she could have past me up and kept going but she didn’t. She told me it was her mission to get me in under 2 hours and she yelled for me to pump my arms fast and faster while walking and she even sang to me when I mentioned that there was a runner out there with her ipod on and I wish I had mine. So she sang Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’ for me and made me chime in on the chorus when I started to drag behind. Then she pushed me to sprint to the finish instead of jogging. That’s my friend, workout partner and motivator.

Seeing the look on my sweet husband’s face when I crossed that finish line was priceless, he was so proud of me and I am so glad Ron (Teresa’s husband) caught it on film. My husband (who I lovingly refer to as my sponsor) bought me a new Xterra wetsuit for next year, so no more Tri It’s or excuses for me. I actually told him I wanted a wetsuit instead of a Coach purse for my birthday, am I insane? Of course I am, I’m a tri athlete.

27 minutes and 9 seconds
That’s how much time I cut off from my first outdoor triathlon in June ’07 at Cascades Edge to the Black Diamond Tri last week. Sweet victory. For me that is huge and I am proud of myself. Did I make it in under 2 hours? No. But darn, 27 minutes and 9 seconds? I’ll take it.

The grand finale was seeing my friends and Raise the Hope teammates come across that finish line after completing their first Olympic distance. I am so proud of you all.

It was a good day to race.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Shaun Linse' Black Diamond Olympic Triathlon

The key phrase that I repeated to myself throughout the race when I started to think about what was ahead was LIVE IN THE PRESENT. It really does work. Every leg of that race was a separate race for me.

During the swim when I felt like I was going to gag twice and started to think about how much farther I had to go, I told myself just concentrate on what you're doing now, keep your head down, long and strong strokes with calm breathing. There was one annoying girl that kept hitting me and I thought this reminds me of when Jodi and I are swimming with just the two of us with no one else around and we still manage to run into each other. When I got out of the lake, I turned to talk to her and it was Jodi. I looked down at my watch and saw it was 34.21, which is my usual swim time, and told Jodi she did awesome. I usually beat her by a couple of minutes. I was happy for her but I'll have to admit I needed to beat her by two minutes in the swim and 10 minutes on the bike so she wouldn't pass me on the run. I had it all figured out and she ruined everything!!! I started spinning ahead and once again said LIVE IN THE PRESENT. This is my race. It's not about beating Jodi. I am on track.

The bike was a big milestone for me. My husband for my birthday bought me aerobars because Angela had them and I have to have what Angela has. She also proved to me how much they work by kicking my butt in sprints on Green Valley Road in the wind. It was amazing. My only problem with my new aerobars is I was afraid to use them. So basically I had a 79.99 water bottle holder. Well again starting off on the bike was extremely hard and I felt tired so I decided to LIVE IN THE PRESENT and assessed my current situation. I could either have a very expensive water bottle holder or use that equipment I had to give me the best advantage I could to have a better, faster race. So I let go of the fear and used the aerobars. The next milestone on the bike was Angela said she wanted me--miss clutch the brakes down the hill--to hit 32 miles an hour down the bigger hill on Kent-Kangley. I did for Angela and I was so proud of myself. The bike was a good experience and I did it in 131.03.

The last leg, the run, which is the hardest for me, my calves did cramp for the first time this year but I kept going and just decided to LIVE IN THE PRESENT and not think about how long I had to run but how I felt at that moment in time. I told myself this has happened before and it shall pass. I just told myself to think loose, light on your feet, and keep the cadence going. Also throughout the run I kept expecting Jodi to tap me on the shoulder and wave bye as she would swish swish by me like she did in our first triathlon together. Well, that didn't happen even though I had a very slow run time of 1:14:38 which is a 12:01 pace.

I finished in 3:26:04 which was faster than my predicted of 3:30 so I was quite pleased.

This year has been quite inspirational for me. I reached many goals that I know I wouldn't have reached without the support of Raise the Hope. I can't even put into words what all your friendship and support has meant to me. I want to thank you all!!!!

Shaun

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Teresa Moffatt's Black Diamond Triathlon

“I’m not competitive or anything…”

…but I beat 11 people in the sprint tri at Black Diamond this weekend! I am rather used to last place and was very pleasantly surprised to see that I beat 10 women and 1 guy who were all in my 40 yr old age category or in their 30’s, none of them were 12 or under J

I set out to have fun and enjoy my last triathlon of my first season in the sport and I am so happy to say “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED”! This was my first ½ mile swim during a race and although my time was a bit longer than I expected, I am not surprised because it is such a different dynamic than my ¼ swims. This was also my biggest start and I will never underestimate that again! No matter how ready I thought I was for the pounding and pushing and kicking, it still surprised me! These people are relentless! Patty S, did you go in my wave at 9:03? If so, you are welcome for my providing you such a soft landing as you jumped on me and into the water. I broke the cardinal rule and positioned myself right in front of the first buoy in the very first row and boy I won’t be doing that again J

I really felt for Ang and her extra swimming because I almost did the same thing. I rounded the second buoy and saw the swim exit right in front of me and started swimming for it and was so happy that it was a straight away. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw another buoy on my left side; “crap” I need to be on the other side of that buoy, so I started swimming sideways until I reached it, luckily I hadn’t passed it so I didn’t double back but definitely wasted time going sideways. There is a lot to be said about how the course looks from shore as opposed to in the water! From shore it was so obvious, but in the water I was pretty disoriented during this swim.

I came out of the water pretty close to mid-pack though and headed for my transition zone. I was able to have my best time during T1 and jumped on my bike feeling good but really tired. Luckily I had been practicing this bike ride for a few weeks so I knew it well and knew where to prepare and where to go fast. The bike was pretty uneventful until the end where I caught up with two boys (around 16 years old) and I was trying to keep up with them and got going faster than I ever have there. That is where I saw Tina and started yelling to her “Don’t let me catch you T”; I am not sure but I think I saw her hunker down and start pedaling a little faster!

My husband and family were waiting right before the park turn in and yelling for me which is ALWAYS awesome! I took that opportunity for a quick break at the porta potty (yes I know another no-no) but I didn’t care – I wanted to enjoy my run!

Another transition and Tina was just heading out at the same time, so we got to run together…”yea” another reason for it to be fun! We sang Madonna songs to stay motivated and just had one close call when she came down on a rock and rolled her ankle…luckily she could keep going we just slowed it down a little and tried to get an unknown onlooker to carry her piggy-back – but he wasn’t going for it.

After our finish and lot’s of kudos from our family, we changed into some dry clothes and cheered on the Olympic distance athletes who were so inspiring! But you have heard most of their great stories already!

What a fabulous day to spend with the best triathlon team on the planet! Not only did RTB cheer on their own, but I am proud to say they were the very loud cheering section for the last people coming across the finish line. Even while the event was being broken down around them, RTB was there to cheer across several people we did not know – who otherwise would have had a very quiet finish. How is that for TEAM SPIRIT!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Kelly Richard's Escape from the Gorge

Escape from the Gorge

A few seasons ago when I started doing triathlons I was inspired by a few key events. I was in awe of the strength, courage and speed others seemed to posses. One of those events was the Escape from Alcatraz. The more I read the more I was intrigued. Swimming in tough conditions, riding steep hills of San Francisco, dragging tired beaten legs up 400 sand stairs. Reading that the only way to get into this was through qualify or lottery made me nervous. To qualify I would have to work hard, race hard and especially run hard. Something I don’t do well. After two years of racing and a successful season this year I thought I would be ready to try Oregon’s Escape from the Gorge qualifier.

I headed to Oregon on my own. No kids, no husband, no friends or family. For myself, a foreign experience. A mother of four I haven’t done more than a couple hours alone in years. My husband and I lived in Portland area for years, so I wasn’t nervous about where I was going. I felt like the race was somewhat in my back yard. I left Sat. early afternoon. I wanted to get my packet on Saturday. Once I arrived in Cascade Locks I decided to find a place to stay for the night. There isn’t much in that town. I just knew I didn’t want to drive 20 miles back to Troutdale. So I choose a place about a block from Marine Park. Easy walking distance. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about parking, etc. Needless to say it has been years since I stayed somewhere so nasty. You could take a shower and use the toilet at the same time if you wanted. The bathroom was a carved out hole. Tiled large enough for a toilet and faucet. The only lamp in the room was missing a light bulb and lampshade. I had to ask a few times for an alarm clock. I was told these things were missing because they are stolen. I set out to pick up my packet and a light bulb. I could not sit in the dark. I decided my bike was safer in the auto than in the hotel. So I took it with me and got some dinner, my packet, light bulb, drove the course, and returned to my hole in the wall. Upon taking my bike out of the car I noticed I had a flat. Panic. First I had to fix the lamp so I could fix my tire. I wasn’t about to do this outside with the greasy bikers on one side and the large non- English screaming couple on the other side of me. I for some unknown reason had taken my two extra tubes out of my travel bag. I know only had one. I did have good sense to bring a spare tire. So I changed my tube and tire. The tire had a pretty good gash that went through, I didn’t want to risk riding it and getting a flat. I patched my other tube and put it in my bike bag just incase I couldn’t buy a new tube in the morning. Gathered all my gear and placed it in front of the door. Figure a good obstacle should anyone decide to try and enter. I slept with TV and light on. It helped distract the noise from the rest of the place. Amazingly I slept well.

I wasn’t groggy when I woke up. As I looked outside I was shocked that it was still pitch black. I waited and waited and decided I best go to get a good spot in the transition.
I had heard on the drive there it was expected to be a windy day. I knew I was at the Gorge. I thought I knew what wind was. I had seen the river the day before. It was breezy and fairly calm. What could change? A lot!

We lined up for the pre-race brief before boarding the Stern Wheeler. A boat I always wanted to ride while we lived in Oregon. Just never did. Now I was going to ride it and jump off it into the river. A river with huge rolling white capped waves. Splashing the rocks, spraying over the boat. The race director tried to calm our nerves with jokes about how the sighting buoys were gone. The wind and waves took them down river. The kayakers refused to come out and support us. He was waiting for someone to help with a wave runner and a boat. Finally 30 min. late we stop for the tri-it group to jump and swim to shore. I could hear others comment on how they weren’t swimming, they were being shot down stream by the waves. I finally peeked over to see them literally being shot off the boat as if going down a water slide. After watching one person being rescued by the wave runner that looked like a toy being bounced around and a boat rocking side to side I could no longer watch. I just wondered what my family would think if they were there. Would I have gotten on that boat? After 7 people rescued we were on our way. We were to be dropped somewhere up river, told stay away from little white buoys they were fishing nets. As we started out the race director got nervous and said he could not take us out 1.5 miles. He had almost no support. So we went out about ½ mile or so and this is where we were to make a small jump into the river and swim to shore.

I got in line and decided not to think about it. I just kind of shut down mentally. I thought how long it would take me and just get through it. The swim turned out to be easier than I expected. When I was lifted I coasted. Swam, a bit in the down, screamed at the crap that was burning my skin, coasted on wave, sighted, eventually saw I was headed in right direction and kept on going. Thankful to be out of the water, I know had to run .2 miles on rocky asphalt to transition. I knew the bike course was going to be hilly. I thought I was prepared for hills. I learned the Black Diamond really is a rolling hill area. Cascade was a climb up, down, up, down, and back to transition area. Next, the dreaded 8 mile run. Thankfully I have added extra running to my training plan. I very much needed it for the up down up down. Best part of run was 60 steps at the turn around. A little mental break. I had been very nervous to see I was the 8th female at that point. I saw a handful of women right behind me. Running is where I always seem to get passed. I had four miles to go. I hadn’t come all this way to get passed here. I just told myself to relax and let feet take over. I pushed as hard as I could until the finish.

I went to the result table to see where I was overall. Thought 8th female, what was my chance? It looked promising. I quickly went back to the hole in the wall to take a shower and check out. Back at the race site I watched the kids tri. They are so inspirational.
At the awards ceremony they talked about how the slots would be given out. They mentioned if you were going to Worlds in Vancouver next year it was at the same time. Through talking with others and watching others fly by I knew there were serious people there. I learned there were professional racers there too. They were not able to have the slots for Alcatraz. I don’t know how they get their slots.

Finally it came my turn. I was called up to get my award and claim my slot. The lady mentioned I looked very strong coming into the finish line and wanted to know where I got my energy. All I could think was could you please ask me my question. Do you want your slot. YES! Second place finish in age group was all I needed.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Why I Tri? A Danskin Journey by Robin Cahill-Myers


The Journey:
This, my 3rd year of participation in Danskin was to be my stellar year. After all last year I cut my first year’s time by 19 minutes and finished just under 2 hours. My plan was to train with RTB for an entire winter and spring and finish four or more triathlons in 2008.
“You will never run again but swimming is good exercise” were the words from my Orthopedic physician’s mouth early in December. I would never have guessed that a slight pain in my left groin would have such enormous impact on my life. As a family nurse practitioner I should have known I was at risk for Osteo necrosis also known as Avascular necrosis, (dead bone from lack of circulation), in my hips. It had never occurred to me the medication I had taken to reduce brain swelling after removal of a brain tumor in the Fall of 2004 and to help me breathe during my asthma attacks and my 4 month stint of pneumonia over the winter of 2005 would suddenly put me into a wheelchair.
Four days from diagnosis to surgery on my left hip to reduce pressure in the bone and promote new bone growth which would strengthen the femoral head and prevent collapse left me wondering how I was to do Danskin. I would be non-weight bearing as on the left for 3 months with minimal weight bearing on the right until surgery on it in March. Oh, well, I would figure this out later. When registration opened, I signed up.
Let me tell you, wheelchair life stinks. It is such a pleasure to walk and I will never take it for granted again. Every visit to my doctor I asked “when can I swim”. He finally and reluctantly told me the first week of March I could swim if I didn’t put weight on my left leg and if I did not kick. Off to the Renton pool I went in a wheelchair armed with a pull-buoy. I was determined to swim 3 days a week until my next surgery in three weeks.
In the hospital awaiting surgery on my right hip, I mentioned to my doctor I was doing Danskin in August. He turned around, glared and said nothing until I told him at Danskin I could use a walker if I need to, (a little lie?), then he said OK.
Another 2 1/2 months in the wheelchair and I would be walking he said, “this hip isn’t as bad”. Experienced now, I started swimming without asking. When I felt it was safe I took off in my wheelchair for the pool, no kicking. The end of May, he said I could start walking. No physical therapy or anything? Not as easy as I thought. My feet swelled the size of grapefruit and I had knee pain. As a nurse practitioner we often figure out how to get what we want, so I went to a Rheumatologist friend of mine and he ordered physical therapy. I went to a long time PT colleague and friend who helped me get to my goal of finishing Danskin in a safe manner. My thighs had reduced in size by 3 inches and my glutes were non-existent. Muscle atrophy is quick and vicious. I had 13 weeks to train. Physical therapy and Gayle Barnhart’s 12 week plan should do it I thought.
I first got on my bike for a short 7 mile spin the 2nd week of June. I started walking during my half hour lunches at work and actually managed to walk .94 miles by mid June. This was very exciting. I swam yard after yard in the pool twice weekly but the lake had to wait.
I couldn’t train with RTB I told myself. “they are way too advanced in their training than I and I wouldn’t be able to keep up”. I now had to go back to working my three 12 hour shifts a week which interfered also. I couldn’t train with Team Survivor, (the cancer survivor team I also belong to) for the same excuses / reasons I had for RTB. I continued my training in the pool and on my bike, alone and cautiously since too much “pounding” can cause femoral head collapse I was reminded. I figured all I needed to do was be able to complete the swim and bike and I could walk the rest one way or another.
The Event:
As the date for Danskin got nearer I started to get a little panicked. I had managed to get into Lake Meridian twice and each time I had difficulties swimming the distance. I had one more week. I swam in the lake two more times and finally knew I would be fine and in fact may do well.
Saturday morning, “Team Survivor” breakfast, now a 3 year tradition for me is an inspiring and supportive part of the weekend. The Expo’s new location wasn’t convenient or efficient in any way. It got so crowded I exited after purchasing a few souvenirs and off we went to drop off my bike. Security here had changed to but we managed to find our way. Experience helps here too. We looked at the course. Why did they bring the first buoy in so close? I know the course was shortened but wouldn’t it make more sense to shorten the back stretch? It would be crowded around that first turn I thought.
Sunday morning I was real nervous. I was in wave 6. They had changed the waves the cancer survivors would use. Only the “first timers” would be in the 2nd wave this year and the rest of us would be in waves 5 and 6. Had I gone in my age group I would have gone sooner. Oh, well. I arrive, set up transition and immediately took my bike to the mechanic. I needed a “chain keeper” placed since my ride the previous Sunday had “messed” with my chain a bit.
I barely made it to my swim wave in time. Things were moving very fast this year. I edged my way into the side of the group and as we walked into the water I pushed forward a little but was a little unsure of myself. This was a big mistake. As I swam there were arms and legs everywhere. People doing breast stroke and other types of flailing I didn’t recognize but the people were thick as ants on honey. Determined, I kept my head down except for a sight or two and plowed through the chaos. I actually decided to swim around one annoying person. After the first buoy I knew from previous experience it would thin out but sighting would be my enemy. I had planned on sighting on the surf boarders since my vision won’t allow me to see the 2nd buoy. It worked. I actually swam straight but I was a little tired. All the work crashing through all those bodies had taken a toll. As I rounded the 2nd buoy I knew I had to make a very sharp turn but hadn’t turned quite enough. I spotted some fins which told me I was right by a surf boarder; looking up I noticed most everyone else was off to the right. I couldn’t see the exit until I was half way in to shore but I made an adjustment to the right and swam in. No sprint to shore this time but happy I was just to be there.
Walk was my mantra. I was told over and over again, “do not run” by my physical therapist; an occasional skip would be allowed but no running. As I walked to the transition area I realized just how far it is and how long it takes.
I hadn’t practiced transitioning yet but done it before so not problem, right? Rain, plastic bag covers with puddles on top of your gear, chip falling off and a long walk with my bike to the road left me with an 8 minute transition. Must be a record. I heard my son-in-law Brad and my son Paul yelling as I rode out of the area. I couldn’t see them and they weren’t very loud but no matter, I was focused. This was my time to push. I knew I could stand and drive up the Day street ramp. I had practiced it and had done it in the past. Foiled as a person walking along the side of the ramp decided to step out in front of me and mount her bike. Emergency stop and walk to the top mumbling the whole way. Off I went again, down on my bars as fast as I could. “On your left” was my mantra this time. Into the tunnel I was reminded of the Danskin cheer as we all whooped and yelled “you go girl”. The turn around was not problem at all even with the wet roads. I pushed to the end of the bridge, no need to save my legs to run because I can’t. All I have to do is crawl across that line. Disappointment hit as were was told to get off our bikes and walk down the ramp. Someone had crashed and we were told it was too slick to ride. At the bottom got back on and pushed to dismount. Another long walk to my gear. At T2 I heard my family yelling and cheering as I more quickly this time got ready to walk. I saw Patty as I started out and felt encouraged by her support also. I tried to skip but at 55 my skipping days are long gone I think. I would power walk this thing. Hadn’t practiced it because hip pain was my frequent reminder not to “over do it”. It wasn’t hard at all. I stayed focused and had so much fun thanking the volunteers and cheering on all the RTB members passing me one way or another. It was great to be part of such a huge group who even though they didn’t know who I was cheered me on also. We were a presence out there. Many people commented to me about the team since I was walking and they could slow and chat a bit. I never slowed though. Heavy rain just made me laugh with the others next to me. We had it easy, it was the spectators who would be suffering. Erica my daughter came down the road and a quick high five felt good. No hip pain until the hill but now it was all downhill from here. My partner waited for me just like the years before at the bottom of the hill and chugged up it beside me on the sidewalk. At the top I told her to get down to the finish fast if she wants to see it because I would be there soon. I rounded the corner into the “chute” took my Team Survivor shirt our of my race belt and held it over my head as I jogged gently over the grass and across the finish line. I did it. Almost immediately I heard a voice and Erica said, “hi mom”. We found Brad and their boys and then I was told to take out my ear plugs. I had forgotten this little item during T-1 and that is why I couldn’t hear my cheer squad. I found Paul and Vickie and decided quickly I needed some more clothes. I was really wet and now cold. I walked all the way back to transition and changed clothes in a biffy. I joined the others again to get some food and then decided it was time to go before I turned completely to stone.
I think I had done just a little more than I should have but not damage. I completed Danskin a third time. No records but a phenomenal achievement. Two hours and two minutes, a bike pace only .5 mph slower than last year and a 46minute walk. My head is held high.
“There is always next year” is my mantra now. I don’t see my Orthopedist until October but I will announce proudly that I completed Danskin.
Is there another race for this year? I’m not sure. I’m being told to take it easy since it will take up to a year for the drill holes to completely fill and the dead bone to be replaced if it does at all. I am aching to get out there and do it again.
Why do I tri?
Because I am alive and I can. No excuses. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis in my spine with collapsed discs, rotator cuff tears, chronic tendonitis in many joints, brain cancer, asthma with bronchiectais and now osteo-necrosis are all little speed bumps in my journey. Giving me motivation and determination but most of all gratitude for who I am and all the people in my life who share this journey with me. Life is good.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Kathy Morrisson's Black Hill Race Report


Kathy Morrisson's race report for Black Hills Olympic on Saturday, September 8, 2007
3/4 mile swim
30 mile bike
5 mile run

I started my first triathlon season this year with Sprints and felt like I wanted to finish off the season with an Olympic. Marie Hansen was kind enough to suggest the Black Hills as a great event. I checked it out, convinced Karen Nolting that we should both do it and signed up. (Well, to set the record straight Karen signed up first after I suggested it and I figured I better sign up too or she would never run with me again). Matt and I talked the night before what my goals were for the race. I decided it was to swim hard, ride hard and hold on during the run.

I prepared all my stuff on Thursday, double checked on Friday and triple checked Saturday morning. Matt's alarm went off at 5:30 AM and so I got up a half hour earlier then I planned but it gave me extra time. I had my favorite pre-race meal of oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins and milk plus some orange juice. Matt checked my tires, gave me a good luck kiss and left to get a run in before our sleeping children woke up.

I picked up Karen at 6:45 AM and we were off to the race. We followed a Volvo with a tri bike on top and met them at the race. We had no problems finding Millersylvania State Park but did park a little early and walked about a half mile to pick up our packet. We met team member Sean Wittmer and talked with Doris Klein. After checking out the porta potties, we went back to the car and moved it up near the transition area.

Karen and I set up our stuff in transition and talked with Marie Hansen and her sister Jane. The swim is about a 1/4 mile from the transition area with a run on grass, gravel and over a wood bridge. We spent a lot of time trying to decide if we should have shoes to put on after we swam. Karen and I finally decided that we did want them. After a pre-race meeting at 9 AM, all the athletes walked to the swim. We were able to warm up in the water (I think that was the first time it seemed actually possible at a race).

Then it was time for my wave. I was in the second wave. We got into the water and sunk about a foot down into some yucky muck. It seemed like a really long 5 minutes trying not to think about what I was standing in. Finally we got the signal to go, I started on the outside toward the front of the group but soon found myself toward the inside. The start went well with very minimal pushing and shoving. I ended up behind what seemed like the front group and just kept swimming and thinking about finishing my stroke.

I came out of the water, ran to the tree where I had left my shoes, was able to say a quick hi to Marie's husband and started the long run to transition. When I got to transition, I had trouble getting one ankle of my wetsuit off and then my insole of my bike shoe folded up and I had to take that off and fix it, then one of my straps on the other shoe came all the way out. In the meantime I saw Marie and Luis Diaz moving out of transition.

Finally all together, I started biking. The course is one 30 mile loop on asphalt and chip seal roads. It has lots of rolling hills but very little car traffic. And so I just pedaled and tried to keep my speed up. I caught a few females and males and was passed by a few males. I do not have a bike computer so I had no idea where I was in the race, nor did I wear a watch. I saw the 10 mile mark and at the pre-race meeting they talked about an Auction House at around mile 22. Otherwise I just kept riding.

I finally saw a sign that indicated that we were headed towards the state park. I was glad as I was getting tired of biking. When I entered the park, I was told that I was the first female. That was a scary thing to know. So I started the run knowing that there were females out there trying to catch me.

The run is on these really great trails in the park. It would have been nice to know them before hand but each mile was marked. I felt a little tight and not super fast but just kept pushing. There were times I felt great and times I felt like I was barely moving. At one point there is a short out and back, on that part I got to see my competition and they looked really strong. I saw Marie and knew she was working to catch me. So I just kept trying to push and waiting for her to come up behind me.

I finally hit mile 4 of 5 and was so thankful. Karen and I had noticed a really cool barn that had a cones going through it while checking out the swim. We were so excited that we were going to run through the barn. So at mile 4, I was expecting to run through the barn and then to the finish. Well, we never got to the barn (it was for the kids tri) so when me and a guy I was running with came out of the woods, I asked him if this was the finish and he said he hoped so. Then I saw those end mats and was so happy to be "home". I think I even said that out loud... thank goodness we are home.

Then a few people came up to me and asked me if I was the first female. The picture guy took my picture and wanted to know my time. I do not wear a watch and really did not know if I was first so I just answered that was what I was told. I saw Marie and Luis finish soon after me. Then waited for Karen (she started in a different wave). I did finally see the results and found out I was the first female with a time of 2:29.29. I also ended up being the fastest female biker that day.

In reflection, the event was well organized, it was a beautiful, warm day and I had great teammates and triathletes to race with. I reached my goal of swimming hard, biking hard and trust me I was just trying to hold on during the run. I am amazed by my season and realize that without the support of all those people that have trained with me, listened to me, emailed me, coached me, watched my children, inspired me, no matter my success it would not have been as great. Thanks.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Rebecca Bailey's Danskin Blog


This was my second Danskin, and 11th triathlon. My good friend Jayne Williams, author of Slow Fat Triathlete (what you haven't heard me rave about Jayne and this great book? Where have you been??) was up from the SF Bay area to stay with me for the weekend and join us for Danskin again this year. A weekend with Jayne is a pure treat, she's fun, she's inspirational, and just a great person to hang with. She and I have LOTS in common, a great time. It's a real high to hang with someone all weekend when women are constantly coming up to her, hugging her and exclaiming,"OMG, You're JAYNE!! Your book changed my life, you're the reason I do triathlons!!!".....now you know I didn't write that book, I had nothing to do with it, I didn't know Jayne until last year, but it is a real high to hang out and absorb that kind of energy all weekend! She has a great fan base in the Puget Sound, and her book is now the 7th best selling triathlon book on Amazon. Cool.
Jayne has I think probably 7 (?) seasons of triathlons under her (borrowed, she forgot hers) triathlon race belt, this is only my 3rd, a relative rookie. Neither of us had ever been more wet at the end of a race than we were getting out of the water. Neither of us had ever even done a triathlon in the rain. The weather for Danskin was miserable, but sure made it a memorable race.
We arrived early and easily found a parking spot a few blocks away, sloshed into transition to add air to the tires, hit the bathroom 3-4 times, and found friends. Especially fun to hang out with Laura Monahan, friend of Jaynes, new friend of mine, and wonderful person. We had joined Laura and other fans of Jayne both this year and last for a nice carbo loading dinner Saturday after the Expo.
The swim went relatively well for me, I haven't taken the time out of my busy schedule to train very much this summer, so I hoped to meet or barely beat my time from last year. Hard to compare times when they shortened the race to 604 yards---where'd they get the 604 anyway?? What if we'd only trained for 600 yards? Would we have to stop and drown at the 600 yard mark? My swim rank was 1060 out of the 3499 finishers, and I'm sure there were more swim finishers than that who couldn't complete the whole race because of the weather conditions. I'm ok with 1060 out of 3499. Last year I was 1429 out of 3967, so I'm moving up in the world!
I have no idea why my first transition was so slow, I'm sure it had something to do with the rain and every thing being wet, sloppy and basically miserable, but I'm not sure. How could it really have taken me almost 5 minutes to get in and out of there? No idea, that's the slowest transition I think I've ever done.
I was frankly a little worried about the bike ride. In addition to Danskin last year, I've done three Seafairs, it's the same route, up that little hill to I-90, and every since the very first time when people crashed three bikes in front of me on that hill, I've been nervous about the hill. I'm a fair weather rider, a little worried about riding when it's wet, a little worried about riding with so many inexperienced riders in the rain, and I was worried about the bike ride. I had hoped I would be able to ride hard up the hill on the left. Every race since that first Seafair has been a breeze, I've been able to scamper up the little hill without incident. This year, there were many other riders on that little hill, very frustrating to have them all stop abruptly 1/3 the way up, on both the right and left sides of the narrow lane. I was clipped in and almost bit it, I had to grab onto the woman who stopped right in front of me as I climbed up her back next to her and beg for help while I clung on to her shirt and unclipped my shoes. Had to walk up the rest of the hill, which took annoying amount of time. But I had a great ride after that. I surprised myself by not worrying at all about the wet road, and I went all out. I was very excited to catch up to Patty A (yes the infamous Other Patty--a godess in my eyes who actually finished an ironwoman race at almost my age, with a almost near athena body and with lots of kids and a busy job, she's a godess!), we were kicking it hard, Patty A announced that if she kept that pace, she'd have to walk the whole run. I contemplated this for a second, and figured I had enough to ride hard and run too, so I said goodbye and kicked it harder. I was so excited to catch up to Lisa and Robyn. I'm not usually fast enough on any part of any race to keep up with Lisa and Robyn!! I knew I was doing well, and knew that Lisa was on a new bike, and probably being tentative, but I was excited to play leap frog with Lisa and Robyn anyway. Thanks to both of them by humoring me and playing with me! The three of you really made my ride!
I LOVE that tunnel at Danskin. I love that it's always quiet until I enter it and start whooping it up. "LOOOOKING GOOOOOD!!" is my favorite thing to yell at the top of my lungs in the tunnel, and I love listening to everyone join in and whoop and holler in response, the great echoing of many women's voices cheering to each other, that's cool.
Passed the halfway mark with Lisa, up and back down the hill, still kicking it really fast, about 2/3 the way across the midspan my chain suddenly slipped off, I'm pretty sure I wasn't shifting at the time, luckily I was able to quickly unclip and get off to the side. And luckily I was able to get the chain back on very quickly, pretty sure this didn't cost me more than a minute. Lisa passed me once again, checking to make sure I was ok as she flew by, she's so nice.
At the top of the dreaded little hill, they stopped us all, announced there had just been a bad accident at the bottom of the hill, someone was being taken out by ambulance and we all needed to dismount and walk down the hill. OH, I felt so bad for the poor people in that accident, and was glad they were no longer at the bottom of the hill, they were off getting help. I hate walking in bumpy awkward clip shoes on flat dry asphalt, scarier to walk down the steep little hill in the rain on wet slippery asphalt. My bike time indicates my time was a minute and 37 seconds slower than last year. But I know better. Take off 2-3 minutes for walking up the hill, a minute to put my chain back on, and 3-4 minutes to walk back down the hill, and I know I had a great ride! 919 out of the 3499, compared to last year 1130 out of the 3967, again, getting better.
Ok, so I rank in the top 1/3 in the swim and the bike, both cool. But with my old arthritic right hip, I am a very slow runner, running at barely more than a walk pace. The run was epic. It POURED down rain on us. I was in an early pool, most triathletes were probably on the bike during the downpour. I was thankful to be running, and not cycling then, and felt bad for all those women riding in the pouring down rain. I did my usual slow fat triathlete run, didn't have to walk much, so that was good. I loved cheering for the older survivors as I passed them ( I don't pass many on the run, so truthfully I love to cheer on anyone I pass!)
Overall, I beat my last year's time by 16 seconds! Ok, the swim was shorter this year, but even with that, I hadn't trained as well, the weather was horrendous, those cycling mishaps, I had hoped to meet or beat my last years time, and I succeeded.
It was a good race.
Last year Jayne and I were so pleased that we had stayed until the very end of the race. We both watched with tears rolling down our faces as the very last finisher crossed the finish line with Sally and 8 or so of the race crew, it was a spectacular inspirational moment. We so planned to stay again this year to cheer in that last finisher. We finished the race, we were wet, we were hungry, we were wetter. Sorry last finisher, she was on her own this year without us. We were disappointed to have to leave her and go home, but we were wet to the bone, and couldn't hang out another 2-3 hours, not this year, not in that weather.
Next year we'll be there for her, and hope many of my teammates will stay and cheer her in too.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Marilyn Gomez has RSVP'd



While it was raining for many of the Danskin racers, the conditions for the RSVP riders couldn't have been any better. Weather for most of the ride was warm with partly to mostly sunny skies all the way to Vancouver, B.C.. I did the RSVP because I thought it would encourage me to do more riding and help with the bike portion of a tri. However, with so many other things going on, I never got around to training for the ride. I only started training for it two weeks before, with my first century only being only 1 week before the ride. Yikes! Needless to say, I was nervous about the ride because although it's shorter than the STP, I heard it was much hillier and harder.
Well, it turns out all the hype about the hills and difficultly of the ride is just hype. The toughest part of the ride was the climb out of Woodinville on the Woodinville-Duvall road. Although, Chukanut is all up hill, it's gradual and the scenery is so beautiful you don't really notice how hard it is because it's so gorgeous.
The route is well marked all throughout the ride (however that didn't stop my friend & I from getting lost and ending up in a seriously awful road construction project detour that cost us about an hour). Unlike prior years, this year the route in Vancouver was well marked throughout.
The "party" was a bit lame. The food was so-so and the Coast Hotel is a bit old. One nice thing about the party location was that it has an outdoor grassy area that was great to lay down on and just hang out.
I don't think I'd do the ride with CBC again only because for the $175 it cost to do the ride the level of support that I'm used to on Tri's wasn' there. There was no traffic cops or signs warning drivers that there would be close to 1,300 riders on the street. And although most drivers were overly courteous, often giving us bikers the right of way when we didn't have it, there were many areas that could have used some police presence.
Nevertheless, the ride was still a lot of fun and I'm now eager to do something more challenging. Maybe do the North Cascades National Park Traverse from Newhalem to Mazama at the end of Sept, anyone interested?!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Kristine Kloepfer's Park to Park Swim


Park to Park swim across Lake Washington (1.5 miles)

I have never done an event like this before. Strickly tri's and stand alone runs in my race history. I was scheduled to do a sprint tri this weekend but with nagging knee problems I decided not to do it. I heard about this swim just in the last few days and decided it would be a good alternative for me.

Up at 5:00am as I had to be at the the finish line at 6:20 to catch the shuttle to the start. Had some coffee and some peanut butter toast. If you haven't seen the fresh peanut butter at your local health food store with the chocolate chips in it, you gotta look for it. You grind it yourself at the store. It's awesome!!!

Drive the 45 minutes from my house to catch the shuttle. Met a nice woman on the bus who also did the Lake Stevens 70.3 so we had a lot to chat about.
I saw lots of people who obviously weren't carrying wetsuits and I was wondering if they just weren't crazy.

Got to the other side of the lake where the start was and started looking for Karin (a woman from the tri club who I had never met in person but we kept in touch through email the last few days so I would have at least one friendly face there).

I was in the first wave (the slowest) and took off right at 7:30. It was overcast and very little wind so the lake looked very calm. Within the first 3 minutes I found myself out in front of everyone else from my wave. It took 20 minutes for people from the wave behind me to catch up so for 20 minutes I felt like I was winning (HaHa). But I also really felt alone out there (even with tons of boat support) and didn't really have anyone pushing me. Just got into a comfortable groove and held it. Sighting was pretty easy since there were boats on both sides and kinda made a tunnel, about 50 yards wide, to help with sighting.

My goal was to finish under an hour. I just missed it and swam it in 1:00:47. I was pretty happy with that. I will definilty do this event again and it's a great break from tri's. The post race food was awesome. Scrambled eggs, sausages, fruit, muffins, coffee, juice, etc. etc.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Team Managers Road Trippin

I love spontaneity. Can't pull it off very often these days, but on Saturday every celetial orb lined up perfectly and I ended up on the road to Ironman Canada with Kris Stolmeier, one of the managers of Team Fastt. No, we did not sign up for 2008.

Kris is the perfect traveling companion. She'll do anything....laugh at everything....go anywhere....drive anywhere......at any speed.....in my car. We didn't know each other very well before this trip, but I've got plenty of stories now to go around. Team Fastt, just email me and I'll hook you up.


I'll hit the highlights....


We left on Saturday afternoon after the Lake Sammamish Race for the 6 hour drive. We had no place to stay, but figured we'd find something. We had sleeping bags and a tent just in case, and a sparsely furnished cooler. It was dark when we got to Penticton. 2700 athletes signed up for the race and apparently brought everyone they knew with them to fill every hotel, motel, parking lot, dock, raft, sidewalk, and median. No lodging.....at all. We managed to make friends with Dan and Terry, two friendly Canadians who agreed to let us share their campsite. We pitched our tent in the pitch black and had a refreshing drink to celebrate our arrival.




My main reason for going was to see my teammates race. Cheryl Iseberg, Tim Larson, Win Van Pelt, and Sean Mabin. We learned before the start from Rob, Cheryl's husband, that she wouldn't be racing - she was sick all night. She's smiling in this picture, but her little Ironheart is broken, I assure you. Mine too.










The swim start was pretty amazing. It was really the only time of the day that I wished I was racing. This picture shows about 1/4 of the athletes, I suppose. They were endless. Tim tells me he started in this part of the crowd. He's in the black wetsuit and blue cap right there by that gal in the black wetsuit and pink cap. He beat her.
After watching the swim for awhile, we went to see the cyclists leaving.











This guy got married the day before Ironman and ended up carrying his wife (also racing) across the finish line at about 11:30 that night. Thank God he didn't drop her . I'm thinking they'll both just sleep through their honeymoon at this point...








This is Tom Price from Triumph Multisport. He's actually won this race a couple of times! Quite the famous guy out there.










And there was a crash right at the start of the bike.....it ended one guy's day, I think, but we did see him walk away from the fall.











Back at the end of the swim, these 2 gentlemen were the last guys to make the 2:20 cut-off. The crowd was crazy. They had to get to waist-deep water before time was up, and they were exhausted. And the water was shallow for a long time, so they tried to run it in.







There were a few swimmers who didn't make the cut-off....so sad to see their disappointment.

Tim Larson ended up being the only RTB athlete I saw during the race. We're still trying to figure out how we missed Win and Sean!! Tim looked great all day. I guess when you do one of these 5 times, you figure something out!




I'm pretty sure this was Tim's PR - 11:22. I'm anxiously awaiting his race report - and the others too. All the RTB guys finished and we warmly congratulate them.




And to Kris of Team Fastt.....my memory of our time together in Canada will forever haunt..... uh.....I mean forever delight me. I have since looked at our splits from the Lake Sammamish race and realize that you killed me on the bike. Absolute murder. So now I'm off to ride my bike up every hill I can find with your picture laminated to my aerobars. Hopefully the next view you see of me on the bike course will be this one, borrowed from Cheryl Iseberg.....









Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Patti Krebsbach's Bloody Danskin Report


“More Mud, More Blood, All Good” is a saying heard in the sport of Cyclocross, however in my case it sums up my 2007 Danskin race.

I start out the weekend by attending the expo with fellow RTBers Heather, Kathy, Ashley and Lindy. We have three bikes on the rack and two inside the van. Heather said “we’re going to look like a clown car when we all start piling out”. Thankfully, nobody called us clowns.

We get to the expo and grab our spot in line. Doors open right at 9:30. We quickly get body marked; pick up our packets and then head into the expo. It was nice being there so early, but my first thought was HALF the space as in the prior years.

Speedster Heather beelines to the cap and shirt pick up while the rest of us dally around. We finally catch up to her and wait in line for the rest of our race materials. Mass Mutual is giving out cute pink t-shirts with the frog on it so I pick up one of those. Kathy, Ashley and Lindy get one too. I asked where Heather was. Little Speedster once again was off and running. Note to self: Tell Heather the expo and the race are two separate events!

After grabbing some freebies and making a few purchases we head over to Genessee to rack our bikes and check out the water.

While Heather and I are getting my bike racked, she gets stung by a bee!! That was a bummer but she finds some ice to help ease the sting.

All racked up, we check out the lake. Buoys are out so we are able to gage the distance. Doesn’t look bad at all.

While discussing our parking plans for the morning, we discover that Ashley was way ahead of us on that. She actually checked out the transition area and part of the course on the Tuesday before. It paid off!! She met someone who volunteers his driveway for the day of the event. Doesn’t get much cooler than that. Our only hurdle in the morning is getting past traffic cop #2. With folded arms and a bit of a “yea, right” attitude, she buys our story and lets us pass (after the race, her arms were still folded and she had the same look on her face).

I really wasn’t quite as excited about Danskin this year. I had been nursing a hamstring injury for the past month. I just planned to take it easy and let my body do the race without causing further pain or injury to myself.

I do a pre-race warm up in the water. Great temp. I am surprised at the number of pink caps and how quickly the waves are starting. It is nice to get started and on with my race until I start catching up with the swimmers ahead of me. I even caught up to some triathletes that were several waves ahead of me. It was a very crowded swim. I focused on the orange buoys while spotting. Lots of back and breast strokers, arms and legs everywhere. I can feel panic starting to set in. For a brief second, I think about my Danskin from 2 years ago. Either I can let panic set in or I can get a grip, get my breathing down and finish the race. Luckily, option 2 takes over and I finish the swim in just over 13 minutes.

I run out of the water and start stripping off my wetsuit. As was the case last year, I pass dozens of women walking out of the water. It pays to be able to run and strip at the same time.

I’ve had the team Cervelo tri bike for the last 3 weeks and we’ve become very compatible. I get through the first half of the ride with no problem. I ride up Day Street and make it on to I-90 with little fanfare. I love picking up speed going down hill on the bridge and try my darnedest to go fast up those hills but the tri bike just isn’t made for hill climbing. Certainly isn’t me, right? I get to the end of I-90 to head back down Day Street and see quite the line up. Walking down the path isn’t mandatory yet, however due to a minor bike incident, everyone is forced to walk their bikes.

I make it down the path. I get on my bike, down a Gu and start riding like the wind! I’m going about 17 or 18 miles an hour! I’m aero! I’m hoping to beat last year’s 20 mph average. I’m passing everyone in front of me. I’m finally alone and then all of the sudden I see a wheel trying to pass me on my right. Huh? I didn’t hear anyone call out to me. There is plenty of passing room on my left. What the?!?!? Why am I turning sideways? I realize it is my back wheel trying to pass my front wheel. BAM! I hit the pavement and slide about 10 feet forward. I’m down! I scramble to get unclipped and get up. All I can think about is getting back on my bike. I have a race to finish. Two volunteers run over to me and ask if I’m OK. I start getting back on the bike and ask them to give me a little send off. My bike is in high gear and will be tough to start. I’m peddling but the bike is going nowhere. I think the chain is off but it doesn’t look like it is. Then I’m panicking. Bike problems! That CAN’T be. I hop off the bike and the volunteer starts cranking. The back wheel starts to move. YES! I hop back on and with a little help I’m on my way. At this point, I’m a little cautious. Only a couple of miles to the finish. I don’t even clip in. I ride unclipped and get it done.

I get off the bike at dismount. Look at my knee and there is a trail of blood down to my ankle. I rack my bike and continue with my transition. I look at my elbow and it is worse than my knee. I run through the next timing mat and see Patty and Bill Swedberg. They’re cheering me on and with a big smile I say “I got blood!!!” This gets a few cheers from the crowd and gets me going. I see a photographer on the road and I point to the elbow and say “you gotta get this”. He laughs and says “got it”! A few women cheerleaders offer their sympathy but I am not feeling pain at all. I give them the muscle flex and their “oh no’s” turn into “way to go”. That was awesome!

I make it to the finish. Shoes are muddy. Body is bloody. All is good.

I get my medal and am happy to be done. A near panic in the water. A bike crash on the ride. A run with a strained hamstring. A respectable top 25 finish in my age group and top 4% finish overall. I’ll take it!

I make it over to the first aid station. The ladies in the tent clean my elbow and knee. They are convinced I need stitches and tell me to get treatment within 4 hours. We wait for the several more RTBers to finish. I run to use the Honey Bucket. Pull down the shorts and see my hip and thigh. Ugh!! Sorry for the graphic description but my hip looks like hamburger. Ewww!! Back to the med tent for me. On a good note, no rips in the clothing!

On the way home, we’re talking about our next meal. I’m starting to really hurt now. I tell our faithful driver Mr. Heather (aka Mark) to drop me off at Valley and I’ll call them when I’m done. I spend 3 hours there. No stitches but I do get a few x-rays of the elbow. The doctor asked me if I was upset that I crashed and didn’t get to finish. You should have seen the look on her face when I said “Oh, I finished. NOT finishing was NEVER an option.” With disbelief in her voice, I hear her telling everyone outside my room that I got back on my bike and then ran 3.1 miles. Classic!

It has been two days since Danskin. I’m still bandaged up but the pain is fading. I’m ready to do it again…rain or shine!