Summer Update

How is it that so many weeks can pass by before I have a moment to update here? Feel like I need a "web updater" who can keep my all my "networks" up to date - this blog, Facebook, Athlinks, Linked In (don't even think about Twitter or any of the others - too much!)

In any case plenty has been going on and some great things to come. Athletes doing a lot of great stuff, here are some highlights of what has happened since June 4th -

• 22 0f 22 MTC athletes racing at the Kansas 70.3 set PR's! I am sure the ideal weather had something to do with it but as the coach I am happy to take some credit as well. Of all the "rookies" I didn't see anyone cross the finish line that wasn't thrilled with their results. Special congratulations to Kelly D who was one of only three local athletes to pick up a slot at the World Championships in Clearwater after winning her Age Group.


• On the same day Jim D also set a huge PR at Eagleman 70.3.


• Tim O crushed his Ironman PR by over an hour and Mackenzie M successfully completed her first 140.6 at IM CDA. Congratulations to both.


• Maggie B set her Half PR @ the Rhode Island 70.3 and became the second MTC athlete to miss a Clearwater spot by 2 minutes (Sandy C had the same bad luck at KS).


• Susan O rocked on a very hot day at the most competitive Half in the world - Vineman 70.3.

As for me, I had the pleasure of spending 5 days in Boulder with Gordo Byrn and the athletes & coaches of Endurance Corner. The camp was a learning experience (allowed me to pick up a bunch of the CEUs that I am required to earn in order to keep my USAT certification) AND I was able to do some really cool training. Training highlight was a 28 mile climb to the top of Mt. Evans - the highest paved road in the USA at over 14,100 feet. Learning highlights were time spent with running coach and sports psychlogist Bobbie McGee and the chances to talk with Gordo about the "business". Very worthwhile experience and one I hope to repeat next year.

Next up - This weekend will be very busy with athletes competing from coast to coast - Jim D at IM LP, Sandy & Norbert are doing the NYC Olympic and Jason F is racing Short Course Nationals in SoCal. There is also a group training run scheduled from Leawood Park on Sunday for those of us in town and available - all are welcome. I am trying to keep up the training to avoid being embarrassed at UltraMax 50 on August 9th. I have put out a challenge to all MTC athletes to come "beat the coach"; the staff of Elite Cycling have even offered a gift certifcate to any athlete that can do it! Should be fun...

Local Sprint/Olympic Distance Races

Had an athlete recently ask me about the options for local events. Thought it was a good question and worth posting the reply here as well -

The "local" races are -
Topeka Tinman - mid June (used to be my favorite local event but in the past years it hasn't been run as well as it once was)
Shawnee Mission Tri - early July (biggest local event, pretty well run, challenging looped bike course, always lots of fun)
Midwest Mayhem - mid July (KLM has their challenges with running quality events but some people really like it, challenging course that I like)
OctoMax (part of UltraMax 50) - 500 yard swim – 18 mile bike – 3 mile run August 9th out at Hillsdale Lake near Paola, KS (this is a new event run as a partnership between Sherpa Sports - the RD of Kansas 70.3 and UltraMax Events - who do the TriZou Tri and other quality events for years. I know both those guys and am 100% confident that it will be a great event) I am planning on doing the longer UltraMax 50 on the same day.
Jackson County Tri - late August - same swim beach and transition area as the KC Triathlon - different bike course that some people do not like. Well attended, long running event.
Redman Tri - Oklahoma City, mid Sept. A bunch of options are available here - Full Iron Distance, Half Iron Distance and an Olympic distance event. Well run, athlete-oriented. My understanding is quite a group from KC is going to be going down there. Could be a great finish to your season.
US Open Tri - Dallas, mid October. If you really want to cap off the season with a "bang" this would be another great option. Very high quality event!

KC Triathlon and other stuff

Wow what a time the last week has been! Finally getting an opportunity to sit down and update recent developments in the world of Midwest Triathlon Coaching. Being on the race committee for the KC Tri was a great experience that I was happy to be part of while at the same time happy to be finished with.

Putting on a race is a HECK of a lot of work!!!!

We had a solid group of knowledgeable, committed and hard working people all contributing to the success of this event by doing a lot of what they did best - Sheryl designed, Sandy sold, Mark organized, Ben and Joel worked tirelessly etc etc etc. I had the opportunity to design and then take care of the bike and run courses and I was very happy with the way they turned out. Highlights included scrapping road kill into the ditch in the poring rain at 4:30a and "stealing" my wife's car from the VIP parking lot to race water coolers up to the run aid stations as they were about to run out of water... I have always thought I appreciated the effort Race Directors put into hosting good events but in case I was forgetting, this experience has reminded me how much work goes into putting on a quality event.

As proud as I am of the event we put on I am even more proud of the results of all 25 MTC athletes that participated! From Kelly D who was the overall winner of the Women's Olympic event to Alan W who won an AG award at his first ever triathlon, seven MTC athletes were up on the stage picking up plaques - very impressive performances all around. I was busy taking down the bike racks when the awards were being handed out but I had to keep stopping and rushing over to the stage every time I heard another name being called - felt like a proud father watching his kids succeed.

I was also happy to see so many athletes wearing the new MTC visors and shirts. I love "stuff we all get" (SWAG) so I like giving it out and seeing people using it. (For my part my wife has told me I'm not to wear more than one thing with an MTC logo on it at a time, something about looking like a dork?) Did get a nice compliment from a friend about how much the business has grown - its cool to see the progress / impact my little company is having.

This week is a lighter schedule then next weekend will be another big event in the local triathlon scene - the Kansas 70.3. 22 MTC athletes will be toeing the line and although I won't be racing I will probably be more excited and nervous about watching them than if I was.

New Postcard

New postcards just arrived. Think they look great and appreciate Arch's help with the design and slogan. Will be stuffing them into the bags for the KC Triathlon.

Maggie Wins!

Congratulations to Philadelphia based MTC athlete Maggie B for her recent victory at the Upper Main Line YMCA Triathlon.

Maggie nearly didn't enter this event because she "isn't a sprint distance athlete" but decided to do so on a whim. Maggie's abilities as a great runner have never been in question but at this event she was not only the fastest woman (by a huge margin) but she also posted the 4th fastest bike split of all racers - male & female! Impressive.

Way to go Maggie, keep up the great work.

Group Ride

All MTC athletes & guests are invited to join the group ride leaving from Leawood Park at noon on Sunday, May 3rd. The ride is for all levels of cyclists. The route will be a simple out and back so distances will vary from 30 to 60 miles. Click here to see the map. If you have any questions please let me know.

Kansas 70.3 Training Event

Rode the new Kansas 70.3 route this weekend as part of the training event put on by Ryan Robinson, the RD. It was my first time over the new course and I liked it. Believe it is quite a bit faster than last year's course and should lend itself to some good times. As I was riding with a client and on my 16 year old Trek (with downtube shifters) I wasn't exactly tearing up the course but it was still nice to get out for a 5o+ mile ride. Also great to see so many friends, clients and associates out there as well.
Funny thing about a training event like this -

"Why do people want to train with their race wheels and aero helmets?"

The purpose of race wheels and aero helmets is to be faster on race day than you are while training. If you are constantly riding on race wheels you don't get the added boost from putting them on for the race. I am in the process of getting a new bike and I told Jeff at Elite Cycling I wanted the heaviest, most durable wheels he could give me for training. The heavier and less aero the better. My progress is judged by how I do on race day not at a training event. I tease athletes I coach about training with race wheels but the point is a serious one, the harder you train the easier you race.