EUROPEAN CROSS COUNTRY 8K

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Generally I try to stay away from the State of Illinois unless 1. I have to drive through it to get to somewhere cool or 2. I'm going to Great America. After this past weekend, I can add a third to my list. That would be the Gilberts Illinois Cross Country Challenge 8k.




This is an annual event that takes place just across the Wisconsin border and may be the most fun run I have ever particpated in. The website intructs people to duct tape their shoes on and that you will get wet.

The race takes place on a large farm area with every type of terrain you can imagine. Runners pick up their number and t-shirt in a huge barn.

The weather was about 25 degrees. Before the race start about 500 runners walk a half mile or so to the start which is a very large wide field with tall grass. It would be a nice place to live if you were a pheasant.

The start is cross country style with runners stretched out very wide and no path or specific route, everyone just aims for the large hill about 1/4 mile ahead.

I started near the front and in the middle. There is about a 2 foot drop that we eventually had to run over which was a sign of things to come. Everyone's feet got soaked within the first couple blocks of running.

As we ran up the first of many steep hills, everyone started to string out some but were still about 4-5 wide going into a woods type area. There were a bunch of ups and downs and turns followed by a large downhill. By this point we reached some single track and people had to run single file. This made the race interesting and similar to a bike race. You could rest behind people during the single track and then pass in between.

Along the way we ran over and across several streams varying from knee high to waist high water. The race directors chopped the ice ahead of time in some places to open up the water. I did notice a runner at the finish bleeding from the upper thigh area that looked like he might have been sliced by the ice.

I felt good running and was having fun. So much fun that I didn't notice my pack of about 8 was all by itself. I realized this fact when a man with a British accent yelled from behind- hey are we still on the right path? After the leaders did not respond, he became agitated and with his British Accent yelled again, "Hey you motherf****ing C**t, I'm talking to you-do you see any runners in front of you. Still no response. At this point several people behind me started yelling that we were lost and no one was in front or behind us. Someone noticed a large pack way off to our right. The people we were following never broke stride and took us thorough a bunch of water, high weeds, over logs and we got back in behind the main pack.

As I was pondering how odd it was to be racing with multiple routes, I noticed a runner two in front of me trip and fall forward. Then the person one in front of me tripped on the same thing which was ankle high. Turns out it was just a little barbed wire.

After our adventures crossing multple streams and other obstacles, (the best was when a runner stopped at the edge to contemplate the best way across and a man from behind yelled stop thinking about it and just cross you pansy)we made our way to another large field and eventually to the gravel road leading to the finish.

It was an interesting finish to say the least. I have never seen so many muddy and bloody people from a run. As I was standing around, I heard someone say, "hey did you guys hit the barbed wire?" and heard the response "Oh yeah" no other comment-like it was normal. Also saw a few people with mud on faces, and heard of two people falling face first into the streams and getting soaked from head to toe. Also saw several people lose their shoes it the mud. Unfortunately one of our runners sprained her ankle 20 mins in and had to walk the rest of the race including through the water.

This race was a serous blast. Imagine running with 500 friends thorough knee high grass with pot holes, up hills, down hills, single track, barbed wire, water crossings, slippery logs, and ice. I forgot to mention one of the more amazing stories that would have made a really cool video. Turns out one runner slipped on some ice flew backward in the air landed on the ice breaking it and fell into some shallow water.

This is a fun race! I finished at 34:30 which put me in 35 place of 583 although my chip didn't register because I duct taped it onto my ankle as instructed by the race directors.

P.S. Large Metal Spikes help a lot on ice but narrow track shoes are not good for this type of course because of uneven footing.

TYRANENA BEER RUN

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Weather-unseasonably hot
Distance-half marathon
Best part- trail running
Worst part- undertrained

Recently a group of us ran the Tyanena beer run. Although not regestered, I filled in for Lauren who was out with an injury. Lauren signed up for the half which meant I had to run the half. Sports Management Timers were nice enough to change over the names ahead of time.

The weather was unbelievable. November in Wisconsin is not known for 70's. We took the Race Day Events van with 5 of us.







I hadn't been running long distances so I decided to go out at a smart pace. I spent the entire first 4 miles coasting behind (drafting) other runners. Some seemed confused and gave me looks as if drafting in running is illegal or something. Apparently they haven't watched much running on t.v. lately.

The course goes around Lake Mills which is bigger than I thought. A few nice climbs and very nice roads with little to no traffic. Several miles are on a gravel path that is wonderful for running and has trees on both sides so no wind.

Race was a lot of fun but the last several miles were very difficult as I haven't been running much more than 5 miles for training.

Got to beat Ryan, Kevin, and a few other friends and got beat by Jim near the end.

In the girls race-local legend Julie won it very easily.

My overall time was 1:33 which is o.k. for no long distance training. Great day. Lot's of nice people, good food and beer, and weather could not have been better.

This was my second year in a row at Tyranena and I will be back. This is a good race for all abilities.

UW- LA CROSSE ALUMNI SWIM MEET

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Every October is the alumni swim meet at UWL. It's an open meet so anyone can swim including non-alumni.

Usually everyone meets across the street at the Eagle's nest for food and beverages throughout the meet and diving breaks.

This year I decided to go back and swim. I couldn't talk any of my friends into swimming although a few were with me to hang out. I swam the 200 I.M. Although I have been doing a lot of triathlons and such, I haven't been in the pool in a couple months


The 200 i.m. is a fun event and occurs before lunch so I thought that would be the one to do.

I dove in off blocks (which I haven't done in a several years) and felt good because I thought I had a good reaction to the buzzer. Then I looked over and noticed all the college guys about 1/2 body length ahead of me. As my friend Matt told me, "It was all downhill after the start."

First 50 fly felt good and then I started swimming back and started to feel it. After about 25 back I was breathing quite hard and going numb in the arms and legs. Forgot what it feels like to swim short distances.

When I got to breastroke I couldn't breath very well and pushed off without doing any pullouts. Pretty certain I would have passed out had I tried a pullout.

Got to Freestyle and new I could hang in there and finish although still numb. Was breathing every stroke and working hard.

Finished in 2:30. Not a bad time for an old guy with a drag suit and no swim practice for several months. Got smoked by all the college guys as expected but it was fun to get back out there and do a short fast race. I.M. is still my favorite.

Now I can wait about 10 years again before going back!

P.S. You know you are not in college anymore when everyone goes out to party and you have dinner, ice cream and go to bed at about 9.

LAPHAM PEAK CYCLOCROSS

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I raced my first cyclocross at Lapham peak in Delefield. I was a little nervous when I first got there. Luckily, after getting my number and things together I met Chris and Billy who were really friendly and told me about the course and what to expect. I also ran into some guys from Mad City Velo who I know from the practices and a few other friends. Mad City Velo and Crono Metro were very well represented at the race. Also saw some IS Corp and Geargrinder.

Although I planned to ride the course prior to race start, time ran out and instead I chose to run it as a warmup. The course is scenic with several hills on the corners and a big low spot in the middle. Most of the turns were fine to take with speed except the a few spots on the back end made especially tight and the turn at the start which was about 180.

The start was congested with about 60 riders next to each other and all having to thin out within about a half block and then make a right corner. A few people seemed nervous and quiet before the start and you could see on some people's faces they were a little scared. I knew the right side was really bumpy (when we were standing around a rider endoed and everyone started clapping)so I tried to stay left as much as possible.

Although it wasn't too cold, the combination of nerves and not moving for the 10 mintutes or so before the start was making me shiver. The race started and the front hammered. My main goal was to get clipped in and not slow anyone up behind me. It worked. I did get to bump one guy on my ride who sort of swerved into me-he didn't seem to mind.

Although the front went off fast, the rest of us were forced to start slow because of the narrow path ahead. We had decent speed going up the first hill to the barriers when a group of about 4 guys all went down pretty much blocking the path. At the same time I saw them all falling into eachother I heard "down, down, down.!" We all clipped out, ran by them jumped the barriers and started going hard again. It was a fun start and got my heart pumping.

I settled into a small group and got going. Passing and cyclocross are so fun because you have to really pay attention and are always on edge. One thing I found is that a lot of single riders ahead will slow up when not drafting and you can burst by them on the straight sections. This was especially fun as you go off the main dirt rut and really have no idea what is on the ground ahead of you.

As time went by, I continued passing a few riders per lap and didn't get passed by any (not too hard when you start fairly far back in the beginning). The hill didn't seem to bad, our cat 4 group would ride the hill then take a right over a few bumps and everyone I saw would clip out and run the steep section. Don't know if the leaders in cat 4 rode it but in cat 3 a lot of guys were riding the whole hill.

Interestingly, the hill feels fine the 1st lap, then slightly hard, then like someone is tugging on your jersey and finally I got the piano on my back. After hearing last lap, I wanted to pass one more rider slightly up ahead. I got on his wheel in the straight fast section before the hill and sat and rested planning on passing him up the hill. Just as we started climbing he stoppped (might have slipped out of pedal) which forced me to stop. Instead of clipping back in, I decided to run the whole hill. Stupid. Felt very slow at top.

After top, got passed by UWM rider. After nice downhill pulled up on left and we were racing. He didn't want me to pass and we were speeding alongside each other both pedaling hard and going into a turn. I managed to pull ahead and in and coasted down the hill to start and 180 turn. I knew he was behind me and gunning for me. Got to uphill barrier and could barely get my thighs off the ground. The barriers were quite high and by the last lap were tough. UWM rider passes me on barrier and takes off to be me at the finish. I came in feeling good but noticed my lungs and throat were burning hot for about 15 mins after stopping. UWM guy was cool and commented that he saw me get shafted by guy stopping in front of me on hill.

Race was so much fun. I loved every part. Ended up 39 of 58 or so. O.k. for first race but could have done better-I learned some good tips in this race so watch out Cat 4's.

Cyclocross is awesome because there is always someone just ahead to catch and pass or someone coming for you and the constant turns and hills keep you on your toes. Felt like I was bouncing and skidding around the whole race especially on the fast sections. Hope to do many more races and hope to move up in place! Got some nice pics of Cat 3 race that went off after mine.

WISCONSIN IRONMAN 2009

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Madison just hosted its 7th annual Ironman. The weather was nice for spectating, about 80 and sunny-maybe a little too hot for the racers though especially because it warmed up late afternoon.

Best part to watch-the swim. Watching a mass start of 2000+ people at sunrise is a beautiful thing. One nice thing for me (I spectated) was being able to get around very easily on my bike. I felt sorry for all the people who had to drive from spot to spot or walk long distances from parking spots at each area.

Besides the swim, my favorite is watching the finish. Crowds line up on both sides of the street and you get to see a lot of true emotion on the atheletes faces.

My brother Ryan raced, (his 7th ironman in a row) and had a very good race-PR.

For anyone who hasn't seen the race or anyone considering racing here in Madison, check out the pictures below. From what I hear, this is the best Ironman to do besides Hawaii because of the fun crowd support, scenery, and challenge.

Good spots to watch your friend or loved one include the swim-you can watch from up above on the Terrace and then catch swimmers as they run up the winding road to their bikes, Main Street in Verona is a fun and busy place to watch bikers, Stadium bar on the run course is good because runners pass by four times, and anywhere near the capitol is good to watch transitions and running.

TRYING FOR CHILDREN'S TRIATHLON

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Check out those sweet white tires.

Ottowa Lake at Sunset-after I finished setting the swim course.
Me and my friend Matt volunteering nearby the tri to raise school

supplies for kids. I was the hot dog.
Me with my replacement Brewer sausages.
Setting the swim course.
Saturday before the kid's race.

I did not race this event which takes place late July near Occonomowoc, Wisconsin. Instead, I helped Race Day Events produce the race.

Trying for Children's is a unique race because it has a separate kids race on Sat. and a super sprint, sprint, and olympic on Sunday for adults.

The kids race is really neat and fun to watch. There are kids racing from age 4 to 14. The bike racks look hilarious with bikes with training wheels on them. All the kids seem to have a very fun time and seemed to get very into the race.

The adults race on Sunday was big with about 600 people participating. If I remember correctly there were about 22 heats of swimmers. There is an elite wave and the race is USAT sanctioned so there were about 4 draft marshalls on the course riding on the back of local Harleys. From the results, there were a lot of draft penalties which I was pleased to see because I personally feel that drafting is really starting to ruin the sport of triathlon.

By helping put on this event and working Thursday through Sunday night, I found out that putting on a race is actually much harder than racing one-at least for this distance.

In terms of results, Geargrinder had a great presence and took the top 3 in Mens and Womens for the Oly. Nice work Geargrinder.

If you haven't done this race before, I would reccomend getting a campsite at Ottowa Lakes Campground (where the race takes place). It was really nice to stay only a short walk from the race and not have to worry about driving around, parking, traffic etc.

Trying for Children's is a good race to do because of the wonderful scenery on the bike, including a blue barn, a very clear and fast swim, and a run that takes you by specatactors several times.

Hope to see you there next year!

Aquathlon July

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This aquathlon had a new addition in the form of chicken wings. Thanks to Quaker Steak and Lube, athletes could choose to eat up to three chicken wings after the swim and before the run. Each wing eaten gave the runner a 30 second time bonus. About 1/2 of the 100 or so athletes chose to eat at least one wing. I waited until after the race.

The weather before the race was extremely windy. The wind was coming across the lake and creating a lot of chop on the water. It made it very hard to set up the swim buoys for the course.

Fortunately, the wind died down before the race and the waves calmed some also. The swim was very bunched up in the beginning. It seemed as though the waves that remained, made it hard for swimmers to see eachother and as a result, the usual string of swimmers didn't start until after the first buoy.

I stayed behind a few swimmers and felt good on the swim. I came out about 6th or so and was onto the run. Because I had a fast transition and didn't eat any wings I think I was running third after the transition. Mark Harms and another fast person were way up ahead.

I got passed about 1/2 mile into the run and then got passed by another at about the one mile. I was hoping to stay in 5th. I felt good and was running pretty fast. At the last hill (with about 1/2 mile to go) Ben (puker) passed me and I could see wing sauce all over his face. I tried to stay behind him and kept it pretty close. I knew Steve was also right behind me. Steve passed me and we both sped up and ran side by side for a while. On the last stretch Steve pulled ahead and ended up beating me. This is the worst way to finish a race-getting beat at the end. It was frustrating to get passed at the end, but I am still happy overall that I had a good swim and run and had a lot of fun racing.

The post race wings were great and went fast. Someone also showed up with a big box of cookies that were delish.

Can't wait for the next one.

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Pardeeville Triathon

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Yesterday was the Pardeville tri. This race is very cool because it has a small town feel, the bike and run are quite flat, and there is great support on the run. Capital City Multisport had a good showing with three members bringing home hardware.

This was my first time racing here. I had a nice swim and came out first-then slow tranish and was second on the bike. I passed the first biker and was riding first until my bro passed me. Then I got passed by a few legit riders and eventually some drafters.

The ride was fast and flat except for a few sections of tailwind. Ryan had a great bike and averaged about 23.8 or so for the whole 15.

My run was uneventful because I had about 1 min ahead and behind me. Ryan was right in the middle of a group on the run and had a nice run and finished 6th overall. I ended up 12th overall.
It was a fun race. Jenny from Wistri series does a great job (I think she raced this tri and won the female group).

I would reccomend this race to anyone who is looking for a fast, fun, race and looking for a smaller hometown fee.

Congrats to Ryan G who finsihed 6th overall with a great swim,bike and run. (without drafting).

Also congrats to Chris Lopez who is a newly minted triathlete. He has been training for long distance races but decided to check his endurance. He had a great first sprint, finishing 20th overall with a fast bike and run. Nice job Lopez. Watch out for this guy when IM Moo comes around! He is a powerful biker and has a solid run.

VERONA TO PLATTEVILLE AND BACK

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Lunch Time! We left all our bikes unlocked and no one was worried.

Downtown Blanchardville Wisconsin

I had to get a picture of the remington 7 mag license plate- I grew up with a love of guns.

Some of the beautiful scenery we experienced

Ryan G- Thank you for orgainizing this great ride

Half way- Stop for some burgers, soda/beer and viewing of the tour. The people at this Platteville bar were super friendly and turned the tour on for us as soon as we walked it.

Tell me this doesn't make you want to ride your bike

This was the 4th annual Verona to Platteville and back ride. It was my first. The ride is nice for people training for Ironman Moo because of the hills and similarity of terrain. We rode a total of about 140 miles with Steph deciding to do a large hill session on her own.

We left about 7:20 a.m. from Fireman's Park in Verona. This was a great ride because the pace is fairly easy with full sag support from the Race Day Events Van.

Kitty from Fleet Feet Madison drove the first 70 miles and did a great job. She drove with hazards on and would double beep the horn every time a car was approaching.

The group spaced out pretty good with most people choosing to ride with two to three people rather than the whole group.

The route was truly pleasurable with very little traffic, enough hills to keep it interesting, and some wonderful scenery. This was my longest ride ever and my plan was to ride it and see what happened. I felt alright the whole way and was fortunate to finish the whole ride with no problems.

Everyone on the ride was very friendly and we all had an excellent time. Even though it took all day, everyone kept a positive attitude and enjoyed themselves along the way.

I would reccomend this ride to anyone for next year.