Race Coverage
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....
Sister Sherpa...
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Saturday, 11 November 2017 00:10
Hodgy Podgy Stuff....
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Saturday, 28 October 2017 19:10
Fall in Minnesota, AKA off season. Plus some mini race recaps!
By Julia Weisbecker (julia-gobiggreen.blogspot.com)
I had a dream last night that it snowed. So if i were to end this blog post in just a few sentences it would read " FALL in MN: we think every day over 60 is the last and we wait for snow. Goodbye."
When in reality that isn't true its in the back of our heads.
The leaves are at peak, a bit late, and its cold in the AM and recently gotten into the high 60's and lower 70's for about 1 hour 4-5pm:) I am not quite used to the 35 deg in the AM, but we always say that in a month or two you will wish it was that warm in the AM. So it goes. ..
Time to Set Higher Goals...
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Friday, 27 October 2017 23:10
ED. Maddy grew up in St. Cloud, and since leaving the state to attend Grinnell College she has developed into one of America's top amateur triathletes. Next year, she'll race as a professional.
By Maddy Pesch (peschmaddy.wordpress.com)
ROTTERDAM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE EPORT - I have been back from the Netherlands for a month now, and I’ve been busy reflecting on my experience there, planning for 2018, and settling into my new jobs working in the fitness and triathlon industries in Madison!
So many of my experiences this season were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but Rotterdam was the greatest of those. It is an incredible privilege to compete internationally, and I wanted to let every moment sink in and make the most of it. My trip would not have been possible without the support of all of my family and friends who believed in me and contributed to my Go Fund Me campaign to help me afford the trip.
My partner, Ben, traveled with me to the Netherlands. We began our trip with four nights in Amsterdam, visiting places such as the Anne Frank house, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum in between my training sessions. We traveled to Rotterdam a few days before the race, and I continued my race prep by familiarizing myself with the course, despite...
Ironman Closure...
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Thursday, 26 October 2017 23:10
By Angela Kidd (willtrainforcreamcheeseicing.blogspot.ca)
IRONMAN LOUISVILLE RACE REPORT - Many times on the run I had this thought: Ironman was breaking up with me and this time it was going to stick. I kept comparing Ironman to that boyfriend that keeps telling the girl that he doesn't love her and they break up and then he gets bored and feigns interest and they get back together because the girl just can't give up hope. Eventually friends and family stop supporting the girl because they see how destructive the cycle is and they don't want to be a part of it.This was my fifth attempt at Ironman and for the fifth time Ironman was telling me it didn't love me and this time the message was being delivered brutally enough that it is getting through to me.
It was the closure I needed to move on.
Leading up to the race I was physically pretty fit. I actually loved the training this summer because I got to spend a lot of time with Kelli and I joined a great masters group and was able to ride and run with friends frequently. I didn't race very often and that was because I didn't really want to. But at some point right after Chattanooga I was just over IM training. I didn't want to get up at a number that started with a 4 in front of it. I didn't want to jump in a cold pool. I didn't want to subject my crotch to more time on a bike seat. I still wanted to run but I wanted to run fresh and not ...
Lemon Toast & Playing Yo-Yo...
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Saturday, 21 October 2017 23:10
By Joe Adrieans (triadrieans.com)
Maple Grove Olympic Triathlon was the first time I have ever raced a true Olympic distance triathlon. I wasn't sure what to expect other than to just let it all hang out. Absolute red line the entire day. So that's what I did.
Lead Up
I had been building some really good bike and run fitness for Ironman 70.3 Worlds prior to this race, so I was feeling pretty good on that front. The only issue was some nagging lower back pain from ramping up the bike volume after Chisago. Thanks to Dana at Podium Sports and Dr. Michael at Premier Sports and Spine, I was able to tow the line! Thank you both so much for keeping my body race ready!
The strategy was simple: swim my arms off, bike my legs off, and hang on for dear life on the run....
