Race Previews

KONA NEWS & NOTES...Udated...

Saturday, 11 October 2014 00:10

HAWAIIAN IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - We wished we knew the names of every Minnesotan who is racing today in Kona. During the day we hope to learn who all of them are so we can post news on their progress and their finishing times.

There's a "Rule of Thumb" formula for predicting IM finishing times, that is, if all goes well and if conditions and/or course difficulty aren't extreme. It goes like this: take one's best half IM time, double it and add one hour. This formula has been around for decades and may be outdated. It certainly does not apply to pros or the Top Elite Amateurs.

As an example, East Gull Lake's Michelle Andres' half IM PR is 4:37:47, which if doubled and have an hour added to it, would suggest that she was capable of a 10:15:32. Andres has significantly beaten that time twice, going 10:05:30 in a victorious effort at Ironman Wisconsin in 2012, then popping a 9:50:23 at Kona in '13.

For giggles, let's apply the original formula, and the "Michelle Andres Formula" (1/2 IM x 2 + 40 min.*) to some of the Minnesotans who are racing today:

A Great Race With Convenient Parking...

Wednesday, 10 September 2014 04:10

ONE LAST TRI PREVIEWETTE - OLT Race Director Jane Deppert sent us an early list of registrants and we almost wet ourselves. The event will feature its deepest field yet and boast what is sure to be a record turnout....

What Are You Doing on October 12?

Sunday, 07 September 2014 00:10

By Gretchen Sage-Martinson

The 9th Annual CROIXATHLON is a DUATHLON!! What? Yes, a duathlon! Join us for a 1.5-mile trail run, 15-mile rolling hill bike, followed by 3-mile trail run race held on the grounds of beautiful grounds of YMCA Camp St. Croix on October 12.

This event offers an unparalleled venue; a private wooded YMCA camp nestled on the bluffs of the St. Croix River, a spacious and secure transition area in the heart of the camp, a bike route with pastoral views and rolling hills, and run routes on trails and paths that overlook the stunning river gorge. Though not certified, the course is set in accordance with USAT guidelines.

In addition to beautiful and challenging course, you can expect a supportive atmosphere and homespun charm. The race directors want you to enjoy some of the joy of camp that inspired this race in the first place, so prepare to chuckle, cheer and hand out some high-fives....

74 Newbies & Captain Upright...

Friday, 29 August 2014 00:10

ED. Last weekend we asked Hopkins Royal Triathlon Founder/Director Doobie Kurus if we could peak at his entrants list so we could post a race preview. The race is next Saurday (August 30) at Shady Oak Park. This was the Doobster's reply:

A couple of interesting notes: The race sold out back in July at 315 people. Devon Palmer and Kortney Haag are our guest emcee/announcers. Over 60% of the field are women. The oldest competitor is 84 (John Markham) and the youngest is 12. We have 15 each competing as Clydesdales and Athenas. We have 74 trying the Newbies distance. We have 4 sisters, daughters of retired triathlete, Charles "Bud" McJilton (over 90 years old now) in the field, one coming from Seattle, WA. We have a Chaska school teacher, Josh Sell, who is doing triathlons to raise awareness and money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation for kids w/ cancer.

The best story yet is Heather Nistler (photo L), a school nurse from McGregor, MN. She had reconstructive shoulder surgery, and her doctors told her she might never swim again. Early on her road back to recovery, she couldn't even swim one length in the pool without stopping to reach for the wall in pain. She trained all summer, and finally built up to a 1/2 mile swim...

The "Fun Size" Equalizer...

Thursday, 21 August 2014 00:10

LIFE TIME TRI - MAPLE GROVE - According to Gaby Bunten's Facebook page, Kris Spoth (pronounced "Spoath") is like the best boyfriend ever.

We'll take her word for it because we've met him and he seems to be a great guy. Besides, we really like the shirt he's wearing in the photo (L).

And what are those long things sticking out of their tropical drinkie-poohs? Back scratchers?

We digress.

Kris is a two-time winner of the Maple Grove Triathlon's Collegiate competition. On one of those occasions (2012), he won the race outright. His 2:03:07 is the fastest amateur time at MGO.

Gaby (pronounced "Gabby") is also a past collegiate champ here.

Because the Maple Grove Olympic Triathlon is the third and final event in Life Time's Minnesota Series, we thought it would be totally cool to employ a Life Time-esque "Equalizer" to determine if the boyfriend outraced the girlfriend ...

Another Superior Experience...

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 00:10

SUPERIOR MAN III - The MTN Guys are giddy with excitement about next Sunday's Superior Man races. A companion event, the "41.5" has been added and we love its bike-heavy distances: .5 mile swim - 35.4 mile bike - 5.6 mile run. The format is reminiscent of the short-lived, yet awesome, TriStar event that used to be associated with the Maple Grove Triathlon.

Before we make some predictions about the half IM, which was named "Triathletes Choice Race of the Year" in 2013, we will say that our picks to win the "41.5", based on last week's list of entrants, are YWCA Women's Tri director Nicole Cueno and Kiwi transplant David Phillips.

A decorated distance runner, Cueno is a parttime triathlete who tends to win or place highly every time she shows up, which is rarely more than once a year. In 2014, however, she has already raced twice, winning on both occasions with fast times....

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