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Almost Perfect!
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Thursday, 16 November 2017 23:10
By Anne Wagner (ywcampls.org/our_voices)
Pretty Close to Perfection
I don't believe in perfection. But I have to say the experience of the YWCA Minneapolis Women's Triathlon came pretty close to perfect. And for me it was a culmination of a year and a half of living life differently, as well as a catapult into a lifetime of prioritizing health, empowering others and building community.
Could I Complete a Triathlon?
Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would train for and complete a triathlon. I never considered myself an athlete and had not been able to find a positive, fun way of incorporating regular exercise into my life. For much of my life I've struggled with self-esteem and weight maintenance, and after having my first child I struggled with postpartum depression....
Why Diane?
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Wednesday, 15 November 2017 23:10
2017 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS – The next category needing explanation is female MASTER OF THE YEAR, which was won by DIANE HANKEE (40, Lino Lakes). Her challengers were Christel Kippenhan (52, Bemidji), Andrea Myers (41, Plymouth) and Julia Weisbecker (51, Mendota Heights).
Let's compare the resumes:
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CHRISTEL KIPPENHAN – This was Christel's third MOY nomination. Her highlights included an overall women's win in Masters record time at Superior Man 41.5 and a overall 3rd at Brewhouse Sprint. Her loss to fellow nominee Julia at Liberty Olympic didn't help her chances here.
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ANDREA MYERS – Another excellent year; another MOY nomination. Finishing 12th in the Team Minnesota voting made her the clear runner-up for the award this year. Her resume featured two outright wins (Liberty Olympic and Hopkins Royal), plus overall women's podiums at Timberman and Green Lake Olympic, and a Top 5 at Heart of the Lakes. She excelled in dus, as well as tris.
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JULIA WEISBECKER – Like Myers, Julia also was an MOY nominee in 2016. Based on racing volume, the former Dartmouth tennis star appeared to be out of the running for a nomination. She announced after her Masters record effort at Superior Man Half that her tri season was over, but changed her mind and entered the Square Lake Triathlon two week later, where she finished 2nd overall. Check out her final resume: 2nd overall woman @ Liberty Olympic, 2nd overall woman @ Square Lake, 5th woman @ Superior Man - MR, 7th woman - 1st Master - @ Minneapolis. Very nomination-worthy stuff....
"What an Experience!"
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Tuesday, 14 November 2017 23:10
JA Race Report: Ironman 70.3 World Championship
By Joe Adriaens (triad. triadriaens.com)
I qualified for this race back in June at Madison 70.3. With that being said, I was super pumped for this race! I get the opportunity to race against the best 70.3 athletes in the world, what an honor! Based on this race being on US soil, Emma and I decided that I had to do it. It caused quite a bit of race shifting (ultimately moving my full ironman scheduled in the fall from Louisville to Florida), but more on that later.
Lead Up
Emma and I decided to get into Chattanooga a few days early as we were road tripping there. We left on Wednesday morning to break up the drive over two days and arrived in Chattanooga on Thursday afternoon.
Emma and I both brought I trainers with in order to get the last key bike session in at the hotel on Wednesday night. No rest for the wicked!
For destination races in the future, I don't think we will be driving. I had a pretty stiff back and legs all week leading to race day. At any rate, I got checked in and we settled back in the hotel....
Fat Bike Ironman...
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Tuesday, 14 November 2017 00:10
By Susan Lacke (triathlete.com)
A challenge from a training buddy turned into an epic race for Vicki Ostendorf.
Ask Vicki Ostendorf why she did an Ironman on a fat bike, and she’ll pause thoughtfully before answering. “Well,” Ostendorf deadpans, “I don’t know how to ride a unicycle.”
It’s probably a joke, but then again, it’s hard to tell with Ostendorf. After all, the 53 year-old age-group triathlete completed the 112-mile bike ride at the 2017 Ironman Florida triathlon on a 9:Zero:7 Fatbike. The bike, which weighs about six pounds more than a typical triathlon bike, also features wheels that are 4.5 inches wide— far less aerodynamic than a 23mm rubber of her competition.
Ostendorf did it for the challenge. A four-time Ironman finisher, the Minnesota resident has a reputation in her training circle for her adventurous spirit. She was knocking around ideas with her friend and training partner, Dave Cossack, when Cossack brought up the idea of doing the race on a fat bike....
Why Matt?
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Monday, 13 November 2017 00:10
2017 MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS - Today we talk about why MATTHEW PAYNE (40, Golden Valley) won the men's MASTER OF THE YEAR AWARD; what, in the minds of the Selectors, gave him the edge over fellow nominees: Brooks Grossinger (40, Mayer), David Holden (47, Hudson, WI), Tony Schiller (59, Eden Prairie) and Chris Tatton (41, Blaine)....
