Sunday, August 26, 2012

Race Result: 2012 Kiwanis Kids Triathlon

Event: 2012 Kiwanis Kids Triathlon (non USAT)
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Location: Whipple Beach Park, in Baxter, MN
Weather: 74F, overcast with showers
Official Results: Overall Results

Podium Boy's Personal Results Actual: 30:18
Overall: 1st in 12 yo AG (12 total)

He is nicknamed Podium Boy for a Reason
We used this event as a warm-up for IronKids Nationals in Des Moines on September 1. Our other choice would have been a 10-hour RT round trip to Madison. Since this was a 4-hour RT road trip, I think we made the right choice.

The race venue is fab. This is also the site of an adult event the following day and we may have to consider a family double in 2013. The lake and beach are superb. The kids race was fairly flat, although I cannot speak for what the adult course might hold.

We knew going in the swim would be a 'joke' in that it is a 50-yard parallel to the shore splash and dash. So we placed zero consideration in that element other than come out alive as it was a true running-swimming-washing-machine comedy.

Swam was from buoy to buoy and back. Yep, I know.


The Course Map
The weather was a bit humid. It also misted, then had showers, then it poured right at the end. But compared to weather in January, it was beautiful.

We got our race packet and set up in transition where PB practiced his T1 and T2 as it had been a few weeks since our last event at Iron Kids Rochester.


Shout out to Tim Carroll with the Aggies shirt!

 
Swim - 50 yards (lake swim)

Official Time - 1:39 (water plus approx 75-yard run up the beach)); 5th in AG (12 total)

I'll just let the video speak for itself. PB is in neon green swim cap. (PS - Why do women always yell "wooooo-wooooo"? Can they think of perhaps adding encouragement or advice?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17bUFuGWb8

T1

Unofficial Time - 1:00

We discussed setting up by bike exit or by run exit. PB felt he wanted to be by run exit. So that's what we did. No issues here. Zip laces certainly was the big, and welcome, change from our previous tri's this summer.

Bike - 4 miles
Official Time - 13:51; 6th in AG (12 total)

This seemed to be a nice course. PB stated it was full of false flats and that he seemed to be climbing all the time. Me thinks he was just being whiny. He said his tummy was upset on the bike so we will need to review nutrition plan. I think he is suffering from mild sinus issues and we'll pop him a Sudafed before the next race to alleviate sinus drainage.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFPEYJCD1Q8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYvIA-8h6EM



T2

Unofficial Time - 0:29

Have said it before and say it again: PB transitions better than I do. Man, he is quick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wncuwfSc6_4


Run - 2 miles
Official Time - 13:20 - 6:40 per mile pace; 1st in AG (12 total)

I figure he came out of T2 about a minute down and a couple of other 12-yo's so he had work to do. But remember PB is running XC and his run is his strong element right now behind swim (on swim team) and bike.

This was a 2-lap 1mile run course. So I got to see him come around. He was closing the gap on the leading 12-yo males. I told him who to catch (as you'll hear in the videos). As he neared the finish, one 12-yo male was hanging right on his shoulder. PB and I had been discussing this very tactic as part of his XC training. So he knew what to do, which was to explode a 100-yards from the finish in order to not allow the hanger-on the opportunity to sprint by. Worked like a charm.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wncuwfSc6_4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_icRkqpljVw


Awards

This was PB's first AG victory of the season, coming after 3 consecutive third place finishes. It felt sweet for him. For me, I guess I was so excited I didn't even notice I had the iPad turned the wrong way as I taped him getting his award. Dad = dork.

http://youtu.be/wv9WN03wGUc


Up Next

Aug 28, 2012 - St. Cloud Early Bird Cross Country Meet
September 1, 2012 - Hy-Vee IronKids National Championship - Des Moines
 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Looking Ahead to 2013

As I haven't posted as of late (other than Podium Boy's results), I figured I would give a quick update on the tibial stress fracture and also share my initial thoughts for the 2013 racing season.

I'm a little over four months removed from the severe injury suffered (OK, worsened), during my 10K race in London on April 1. Much of the pain has subsided to the point that it almost feels akin to having a ligament pull...if that makes sense. The tibia no longer has the severe pain that caused me to walk with a limp and favor one leg. I can walk normally, it just feels 'tight'. I have tried jogging a few yards, and can feel some slight nagging pain that indicates it is not 100% healed. But progress has been made.

I've been walking the dogs at least 3-4 times a week. The tibia is a little sore the day after, so I allow it to rest. Super Mario Minelli will be pleased to know I am wearing the Vibrams. I figure this will help to strengthen the feet and maybe that will also strengthen the muscles around the tibia. At this rate, I am hoping that I can slowly start to run around September 1.

So, I have already begun to think ahead to 2013. I'll be coming off a major injury. And I'm not about to repeat that. It will take some time to work back into shape in order to once again visit the 50-54 podium as I have frequently done the last several years. So, 2013 will be low key. I am going to try to keep to unusual, untested (not competed in before) races as well for a change of pace. Focus will be more on running events over multi-sport events so that I can start to build up my speed. For now, I am leaving the calendar with some open dates so I can jump into a race on short notice or rest and recover as required. So, for the time being, the 2013 calendar may look like this:

 
  • Feb 2 - Hamel 5K - Hamel, MN
  • Feb 16 - Sweetheart Run 5K or 10K - Mahtomedi, MN
  • Mar 9 - Becker Community Center Chase a Leprechaun 5K Fun Run/Walk
  • Mar 16 - St. Patrick's Day 5K (Fargo)
  • May 4 - Chain of Lakes Triathlon (Alexandria)
  • May 11 - Central Lakes Duathlon (Fergus Falls)
  • May 18 - 1st annual Blaine Triathlon (Blaine) OR May 18 – Fargo Half-Marathon or 10K
  • Jun 1 – Dewey Kvidt Duathlon (Grand Forks)
  • Jun 8 - Lindenwood 10K (Fargo)
  • Jun 22 – Graniteman Kids Tri St. Cloud
  • Jun 23 – Graniteman Tri St. Cloud
  • June 29 - Average Jo Triathlon (Perham, MN)
  • Jul 6 - Hy-Vee IronKids Waterloo
  • Jul 13 – Graniteman Tri Clearwater
  • Jul 20 - Hy-Vee IronKids - Rochester
  • Jul 28 - Hoot Lake Triathlon (Fergus Falls)
  • Aug 3 – Graniteman Tri Big Lake
  • Aug 31 - Red River Run 15K (Fargo) OR Aug 31 – Hy-Vee Iron Kids Nationals (Des Moines)
  • Sep 14 – Bismarck Marathon or Half-Marathon or 5K
  • Oct 26 - Trick or Trot 5K (Fargo)
  • Nov 16 - Turkey Trot 5Mile (Fargo)
 If you have an race favorite that I should consider for 2013, leave a comment below and let me know.