Monday, June 23, was the deadline to accept the invitation to join Team USA and register for the age group Duathlon World Championship. So I wouldn't lose my spot, I registered for the race. I can withdraw and forfeit some of the registration fee, but right now the plan is to be racing in Rimini come September.
I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
26:51
What is that number...?
Our son, Jace (age 7), ran in his first 5k yesterday when he raced in the MacAttack 5k at Silver Lake in Rochester. He ran an 8:39 pace for a 26:51 finish. I didn't race, but ran with the little guy. Just two weeks prior to school ending he had to run the mile and he did that in 8:08. He has been asking us almost daily if there are running only races. We've entered him in a du and a tri (he won the HyVee Kids Tri), but has been itching to do some running only events so I looked up the Rochester Track Club's Youth Grand Prix schedule and decided to get him into some of those. I ran with him yesterday to make sure he stopped and/or walked when he needed to--we didn't need him going out as hard as he could then quitting and feeling bad and mad about it. We did the first mile in 8:14--I tried to slow him down after that and we actually stopped for water once about 2/3's in then kept going. When he was about 100 yards from the finish he sped up and ran all the way thru the finish line.
The youngest age group was 10 and under. We were absolutely NOT looking to place. This was a 'see if you can complete the whole thing, walking, jogging, or running.' However, he wasn't far behind the top 3 as he was about 1 minute out of 3rd place. The results aren't posted yet, but I think he was 4th or 5th with everyone in front of him in the 10 and unders being 9 or 10 years old.
They had great post race fuel at the MacAttack. I was happy to see Jace take advantage of this. He drank a bottle of water and a little more, had some apple slices (McDonalds Dippers), and a giant chunk of Great Harvest wheat bread. Then we went to Fazoli's and he took down a plate of penne pasta, a couple breadsticks, and on the way home he had almost a whole Snickers Marathon bar before he finally said he was "full". Nice work.
Our son, Jace (age 7), ran in his first 5k yesterday when he raced in the MacAttack 5k at Silver Lake in Rochester. He ran an 8:39 pace for a 26:51 finish. I didn't race, but ran with the little guy. Just two weeks prior to school ending he had to run the mile and he did that in 8:08. He has been asking us almost daily if there are running only races. We've entered him in a du and a tri (he won the HyVee Kids Tri), but has been itching to do some running only events so I looked up the Rochester Track Club's Youth Grand Prix schedule and decided to get him into some of those. I ran with him yesterday to make sure he stopped and/or walked when he needed to--we didn't need him going out as hard as he could then quitting and feeling bad and mad about it. We did the first mile in 8:14--I tried to slow him down after that and we actually stopped for water once about 2/3's in then kept going. When he was about 100 yards from the finish he sped up and ran all the way thru the finish line.
The youngest age group was 10 and under. We were absolutely NOT looking to place. This was a 'see if you can complete the whole thing, walking, jogging, or running.' However, he wasn't far behind the top 3 as he was about 1 minute out of 3rd place. The results aren't posted yet, but I think he was 4th or 5th with everyone in front of him in the 10 and unders being 9 or 10 years old.
They had great post race fuel at the MacAttack. I was happy to see Jace take advantage of this. He drank a bottle of water and a little more, had some apple slices (McDonalds Dippers), and a giant chunk of Great Harvest wheat bread. Then we went to Fazoli's and he took down a plate of penne pasta, a couple breadsticks, and on the way home he had almost a whole Snickers Marathon bar before he finally said he was "full". Nice work.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Team USA
I still don't know what to do about racing in the Duathlon World Championships (WC)... After the qualifier I didn't even give it a second thought: I was not going to go to Italy for a race. To my surprise, Carin, my wife, really wanted me to. Then it got me thinking about giving it a shot. Now that I received the invite, figuring the time away from home & family, doing the math for how much it will cost, the time off, etc, is it worth it? A couple other people have said 'You have to do it. Think of what that will mean to Jace--he'll know his dad competed in something like this.' Here is a portion of the email I received from Team USA (I had to block out the links to the sign up site):
[Congratulations! You are being contacted because you have earned a spot on Team USA for the 2008 Short Course Duathlon World Championships because of your outstanding performance at the 2008 Apple Duathlon. The 2008 World Championships are set to take place September 27-28 in Rimini, Italy. For more information about the World Championships please visit the Team USA website (I had to block this).
In order to register for the team, you MUST go to the following link on the Active.com website NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE BUSINESS DAY ON MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008: (again, I had to block this link). If you fail to register by MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008, your spot will be given to the next person on the roll-down list.]
After doing some homework regarding pacing for my age group at past WC's, I think I can be competitive. They barely make under an hour on a completely flat 40k course--I've done 1:03:15 on my road bike on our local hilly/windy 40k course. Granted, that was without a run prior to it. Their running is around 36 to 40 minutes for a 10k on a flat course (I've done 41 on a hilly course). My 5k would suffer at the end, but still be around 20 min. But is going there based on whether I can be competitive or not? Is it about the experience, representing the USA...
I have a few more days to decide. I could register, then decide against it and lose a bit of the reg fee.
I'll have to think about it over the weekend.
[Congratulations! You are being contacted because you have earned a spot on Team USA for the 2008 Short Course Duathlon World Championships because of your outstanding performance at the 2008 Apple Duathlon. The 2008 World Championships are set to take place September 27-28 in Rimini, Italy. For more information about the World Championships please visit the Team USA website (I had to block this).
In order to register for the team, you MUST go to the following link on the Active.com website NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE BUSINESS DAY ON MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008: (again, I had to block this link). If you fail to register by MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008, your spot will be given to the next person on the roll-down list.]
After doing some homework regarding pacing for my age group at past WC's, I think I can be competitive. They barely make under an hour on a completely flat 40k course--I've done 1:03:15 on my road bike on our local hilly/windy 40k course. Granted, that was without a run prior to it. Their running is around 36 to 40 minutes for a 10k on a flat course (I've done 41 on a hilly course). My 5k would suffer at the end, but still be around 20 min. But is going there based on whether I can be competitive or not? Is it about the experience, representing the USA...
I have a few more days to decide. I could register, then decide against it and lose a bit of the reg fee.
I'll have to think about it over the weekend.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Quick Update
I have been without computer access for over a week--and loved it. The family went to 'the cabin' on Fox Lake in Sherburn, MN (just call it Fairmont). We did some fishing, the kids played in the water a bit, I brought the cross bike and rode around the lake (10-12 miles around?), went to an amusement park in Okaboji for the day, and just chilled out. While on the last day there I did a tri in Fairmont. In 2007 I watched the tri and decided I might have to try one some day. After doing that one yesterday, I have done 4 tri's to date. Below is a little recap of the last two tri's I did. They went well as I did not need to be rescued from the water by paramedics. I am still swimming slow, but making it back to the beach.
Manitou Tri in White Bear Lake, June 8 (.5 mi swim, 13.5 mi bike, 3.1 mi run): 6th in age group (of 32 participants), 70th overall (of 449 men, women, elites). My swim was 320th overall, 24th in age group, but in my age group I scored 1st on the bike and 2nd on the run.
Fairmont Sprint Tri , June 15 ( .45 mi swim, 12.5 mi bike, 3.1 mi run): 1st age group, 2nd overall. I got out of the water and was at 42nd overall. The bike section was an out and back so it was easy to tell what position I was in about half way thru. By the time I got to the turn around I had gained back quite a few spots. At the turn around there were about 10 still in front of me--we crossed each other on-coming as there was about a 3 mile stretch to the turning point. By the time I reached T2 I was in 3rd overall. The guy that was first in the swim was still first overall out on the run course. However, he was caught by 3 of us--thus proving once again, as tri writers and coaches always point out, that a tri is not won in the water. However, it can be lost in the water. I out paced the eventual winner on the bike by over 2 mph (just about 3 minutes) and in the run by a slighly faster pace. I was just about 4 minutes behind him in the swim. Swimming is getting better though.
Yesterday was week six in a row of racing. It was the 8th weekend race in the last 9 weeks. I am feeling it. This weekend I am NOT racing (well, maybe a 5k or something). Then the RochesterFest Tri on June 29th. Nothing planned after that for almost a month. Racing is great, but your body needs a break--as well as the mind.
Ok, this was just emailed to me this morning. It's totally recockulous--check out the overall for the Midwest Multisport Series: http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results08/mms2008.html
Shut up...so I am the only one in the top 10 that has done all four races so far. I am still living out my 15 minutes...
Manitou Tri in White Bear Lake, June 8 (.5 mi swim, 13.5 mi bike, 3.1 mi run): 6th in age group (of 32 participants), 70th overall (of 449 men, women, elites). My swim was 320th overall, 24th in age group, but in my age group I scored 1st on the bike and 2nd on the run.
Fairmont Sprint Tri , June 15 ( .45 mi swim, 12.5 mi bike, 3.1 mi run): 1st age group, 2nd overall. I got out of the water and was at 42nd overall. The bike section was an out and back so it was easy to tell what position I was in about half way thru. By the time I got to the turn around I had gained back quite a few spots. At the turn around there were about 10 still in front of me--we crossed each other on-coming as there was about a 3 mile stretch to the turning point. By the time I reached T2 I was in 3rd overall. The guy that was first in the swim was still first overall out on the run course. However, he was caught by 3 of us--thus proving once again, as tri writers and coaches always point out, that a tri is not won in the water. However, it can be lost in the water. I out paced the eventual winner on the bike by over 2 mph (just about 3 minutes) and in the run by a slighly faster pace. I was just about 4 minutes behind him in the swim. Swimming is getting better though.
Yesterday was week six in a row of racing. It was the 8th weekend race in the last 9 weeks. I am feeling it. This weekend I am NOT racing (well, maybe a 5k or something). Then the RochesterFest Tri on June 29th. Nothing planned after that for almost a month. Racing is great, but your body needs a break--as well as the mind.
Ok, this was just emailed to me this morning. It's totally recockulous--check out the overall for the Midwest Multisport Series: http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results08/mms2008.html
Shut up...so I am the only one in the top 10 that has done all four races so far. I am still living out my 15 minutes...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
I HAVE TO POST THIS!
Ok, this is the only time in my life that this has and will probably ever happen. Currently, I am ranked 3rd overall in the Midwest Multisport Series--I am within the ranks of PROFESSIONALS. Ok, so there are only 5 of us who have done all 3 races in the series so far. This will be short lived, I know, but please don't ruin the fantasy with reality.
Rank-Name------------------age-City,State-------Race 1-Race2-Race3=Total Pts
1 David Thompson......30 Saint Paul, MN 1000, 1000, 1000=3000
2 John Shelp.................36 Maple Plain, MN 984, 958, 946=2888
3 Mario Minelli.............38 Kasson, MN 883, 871, 833=2587
4 Rodney Pratt.............47 Stillwater, MN 808, 786, 749=2343
5 Chris Hawes...............34 Saint Paul, MN 768, 748, 728=2244
6 Dan Cohen..................34 Eden Prairie, MN 980, 959=1939
7 Brian Bich...................42 Duluth, MN 970, 963=1933
8 Dennis Dane...............29 Golden Valley, MN 973, 952=1925
9 Brooks Grossinger.....31 Mayer, MN 975, 948=1923
10 Chad Millner............32 Eden Prairie, MN 965, 945=1910
http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results08/mms2008.html
Rank-Name------------------age-City,State-------Race 1-Race2-Race3=Total Pts
1 David Thompson......30 Saint Paul, MN 1000, 1000, 1000=3000
2 John Shelp.................36 Maple Plain, MN 984, 958, 946=2888
3 Mario Minelli.............38 Kasson, MN 883, 871, 833=2587
4 Rodney Pratt.............47 Stillwater, MN 808, 786, 749=2343
5 Chris Hawes...............34 Saint Paul, MN 768, 748, 728=2244
6 Dan Cohen..................34 Eden Prairie, MN 980, 959=1939
7 Brian Bich...................42 Duluth, MN 970, 963=1933
8 Dennis Dane...............29 Golden Valley, MN 973, 952=1925
9 Brooks Grossinger.....31 Mayer, MN 975, 948=1923
10 Chad Millner............32 Eden Prairie, MN 965, 945=1910
http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results08/mms2008.html
Monday, June 2, 2008
First Tri's for Jace and I
Well, my son Jace and I both did our first official tri’s over the weekend. Jace did his first du last week (The Apple Kid Du) and placed 3rd in the 8 year old division--this week he did the HyVee Kids Tri in Rochester and took first overall for the 7-8 year olds! It was quite a thrill! 2008 Olympic Triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker was signing Wheaties boxes there too so Jace got one of those. http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_plain_text.php?race_id=7462
For myself, it was a different experience. I was thinking, while struggling in the shockingly chilling water, "Why did I go all the way to Palo, Iowa for my first triathlon?" Once we started, the first 50 yards were great—digging deep and moving right along. Then I found myself gasping for air. There were people (first timers?) calling for help, getting pulled out left and right. I think it was the cold water—I felt so constricted and my head felt numb. I just wanted to make it back to the beach and finish the dang thing. But when I got on the bike, my mind cleared and I wanted top 5 in my age group. I made up a lot of time out of the water and scored 6th in my age group in the end. I am greatful, thankful, and happy with that! Of all 606 individual participants that finished, including elites, my swim was 337th overall (not good), bike was 14th overall, run was 23rd overall which placed me 33rd overall—talk about lop-sided. Of the 59 in my age group (35-39) I was 44th in the water (again, not good), but on the bike I was 2nd, and for the run I was 2nd as well. Among non-elite men I was 226th in the water (you know, not good), 4th on the bike, and 10th on the run for 18th overall among non-elite men. You have to go down to the 68th guy for find a slower swim time! No offense to him, I'm just trying to show how tilted my result was. At least that guy was consistent. He was probably one of the guys just having fun doing the back stroke while humming and whistling. Piggy results here: http://www.pigmantri.com/pig108b.html
Its the Manitou Sprint Tri next week http://www.manitoutri.com/. I was only in the lake for about 5 minutes prior to the start yesterday morning so I am going to warm-up a lot more IN THE WATER next week and hopefully it won't be such a shock to the system.
Ride On!
Mario
For myself, it was a different experience. I was thinking, while struggling in the shockingly chilling water, "Why did I go all the way to Palo, Iowa for my first triathlon?" Once we started, the first 50 yards were great—digging deep and moving right along. Then I found myself gasping for air. There were people (first timers?) calling for help, getting pulled out left and right. I think it was the cold water—I felt so constricted and my head felt numb. I just wanted to make it back to the beach and finish the dang thing. But when I got on the bike, my mind cleared and I wanted top 5 in my age group. I made up a lot of time out of the water and scored 6th in my age group in the end. I am greatful, thankful, and happy with that! Of all 606 individual participants that finished, including elites, my swim was 337th overall (not good), bike was 14th overall, run was 23rd overall which placed me 33rd overall—talk about lop-sided. Of the 59 in my age group (35-39) I was 44th in the water (again, not good), but on the bike I was 2nd, and for the run I was 2nd as well. Among non-elite men I was 226th in the water (you know, not good), 4th on the bike, and 10th on the run for 18th overall among non-elite men. You have to go down to the 68th guy for find a slower swim time! No offense to him, I'm just trying to show how tilted my result was. At least that guy was consistent. He was probably one of the guys just having fun doing the back stroke while humming and whistling. Piggy results here: http://www.pigmantri.com/pig108b.html
Its the Manitou Sprint Tri next week http://www.manitoutri.com/. I was only in the lake for about 5 minutes prior to the start yesterday morning so I am going to warm-up a lot more IN THE WATER next week and hopefully it won't be such a shock to the system.
Ride On!
Mario
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