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Mike's Season...

Saturday, 12 October 2019 23:10

ED. The MTN Guys encourage athletes to send us stories and comments about their 2019 tri / du training and racing seasons. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

By Mike Buenting (mikebuenting.wordpress.com)

My 2019 race season is over, well maybe some late fall half marathon will appear? But my multi-sport season looks to be finished for 2019 and I have been enjoying what I call the “off-season” which I’m not sure how much of an “off” season it is considering I can’t recall my last rest day. But the focus of the off season is to stay fit, and to take each day as it comes with no rigid plan just what feels good.

Now back to my 2019 season reflection, this is something that happens on my morning runs, reflection, and looks into the future.

2019 kicked off for me with a “A” race one I wanted to be ready for, but with the harsh Minnesota winter I’m not sure I was really in peak shape.
Race #1 was USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships in lovely Greenville, SC

Race morning was anything but nice, we had rain, we had storms, we had wet roads, we had humidity, and we had heat. For my first outdoor bike ride of the season this was not ideal but such is life. The race started with a 10k and it was a brutal fast pace as the field was loaded with the fastest dudes around...

including a Brit who has won a couple gold medals at Worlds over the last couple years. I went for it and pushed my limits and I suppose performed about how I expected I would be considering my condition. I ended up 4th place on the podium and qualifying for Team USA and ITU World Championships 2020.

Race #2 I believe this was Apple Duathlon? Which served as USA Triathlon regional championships.

I love this race, and have raced here many times over the years with a lot of success. 2019 I finished 7th overall and won my 45-49 division. I felt I had a strong bike this day and quality runs just not my fastest runs on this course. My run was still a thing in progress.   READ MORE