KEVIN REFLECTS...

Kevin O'Connor placed 6th overall / 2nd 35-39M at Duathlon Nationals last weekend. The 2009 US Duathlete of the Year was not satisfied with these results, but as ever, kept smiling. He was philosophical about the experience. These are his comments:

"Du Nationals was run extremely well. And the people in VA are so very polite and nice. "Minnesota Nice" has to be retired.

"The course was as goofy as Worlds. Several turns per “lap”. Of course a lap was actually a loop that brought you back past transition as you then went to complete an out-and-back with a u-turn which then brought you back past transition to finish the lap. And you did that 3 times. So you actually rode by transition 6 times on the bike. With a very large disparity in riding speeds it was always a bit tricky at all of the turns. At all 27 turns I had to slow (to some exctent) for the other riders on the course. Considering I was riding a more than twice the speed of most riders going into those corners it is not the safest way to operate waves.

"I did not race all that well. I couldn’t go out until Saturday and I never got my head in the game and I did not hydrate well. In fact, I am still so sore (from racing dehydrated) that I can't quite walk down stairs yet. The first run felt good and the bike started pretty well but I never could get going and I watched my wattage fall throughout the bike. And the second run was no better. Halfway through the run I realized I was just "jogging" and I finally got my legs moving to finish the run. I know I could have go 90 seconds faster but the fact is I didn't. Not the way I wanted to race at Nationals but that is how it sometimes goes.

"I am not going to Worlds in Scotland. I don’t have the time, money, or interest to do it. I know someone will be happy to take the rolldown slot and represent the US quite well." - KO

LATER TODAY: COLT & Falls Du Highlights & Results Links.

NOTE: MTN will post results links for, hopefully, ALL Minnesota's 2010 multisport events on our Calendar Page. CALENDAR/RESULTS

COLT PREVIEW...

The 8th annual Chain of Lakes Triathlon will be staged on Saturday, May 1. MTN's Darin Wieneke asked COLT Race Director Mark Storhaug a few questions about his race, which happens to be the Tri Minnesota Series' kickoff event.

1. Could you give us a little history on your race? (i.e. when started, why started, changes in venue/courses over the year, charities involved, etc...)

MS - The COLT was started in 2001 by Alexandria biking enthusiasts that had gotten involved in Pickle Series triathlons. Charities included the Alex Swim Club and Lakes Area Recreation, both provide programming for youth in the area.

2. How did you become involved in this race?

MS - I first became involved as a participant in the triathlon but was also one of the coaches of the Alex Swim Club. My team provided lap counters for the swimming participants in the race.

3. What is your favorite aspect of being the race director for this race?

MS - My favorite aspect of the race is enjoying the fruits of the labor involved in putting on a big competition and hearing about the successes of the athletes involved

3. What do you believe is the most interesting feature of your race? (i.e. tough hill, some visual item, etc...)

MS - The most interesting aspect of the COLT is that it includes a pool swim instead of a lake portion. We also seem to have a variety of weather that never fails to surprise us as this race is the first in the Series (running the first weekend of May)

4. Are there any differences in the race from last year to this year?

MS - None

5. Any key racing or safety tips that you would like to share with participants? (i.e. particular corner to be wary of, hill to expect, wave conditions, etc...)

MS - Since the COLT includes a pool swim, there is less anxiety about that leg among many of the inexperienced racers

6. Any recommendations for post-race restaurant, beverage spot, or landmark to visit?

MS - Alexandria has many great little shops downtown and popular restaurants for post-race participants to enjoy.

Looking for a great pizza in Alex? We recommend the Depot Express at 1907 Burlington Train Station - 320-763-7712)

COURSE RECORDS: Matt Payne - 53:44 (2009) & Jen Lenarz (photo) - 1:04:29 (2009)

COMMENT: Before 2009, when Payne and Lenarz obliterated the old CRs, the men's race winners typically covered the sprint course in 56-57 minutes and the fastest woman went 1:06-1:07. Neither Payne nor Lenarz are on this year's start list. PREDICTION: 2009 Tri Minnesota Series champs Steve Sander and Brooke Larsen will win the race. Steve's time could flirt with Payne's CR; we suspect he'll pop a very respectable 54 or 55. Larsen's bike split will need to improve dramatically if she is going to challenge Lenarz's '09 time. We suspect she'll win with a 1:06 and change. Brooke should be one to watch this season. There may be room for her on Team Minnesota at season's end if she plays her cards right.

Forecast for Alexandria on May 1: Hi - 65, Low - 45; 30% chance of rain.

MSU TRIATHLON RESULTS

MSU Triathlon 2010
Name	Type	Total Time	Run Split	Bike Split	Swim Split
Schalk, Neil	Male Student	1:19:03	0:25:00	0:40:43	0:13:20
Cullen, Mike	Male Student	1:19:40	0:28:02	0:40:30	0:11:08
Johansson, Sven	Male Student	1:20:40	0:30:20	0:40:30	0:10:55
Felt, Dan	Male Student	1:23:53	0:29:57	0:44:43	0:09:13
Crocker, Chris	Male Nonstudent	1:26:53	0:27:17	0:43:58	0:15:38
Friedman, LeMair	Team	1:27:17	0:24:37	0:47:40	0:15:00
Steinberg, Terence	Male Student	1:27:57	0:28:22	0:46:18	0:13:17
Oman, Nik	Male Student	1:28:28	0:28:26	0:46:34	0:13:28
Busch, Rachel	Female Student	1:30:20	0:32:20	0:48:10	0:09:50
Busch, Wade	Male Nonstudent	1:30:37	0:31:22	0:46:55	0:12:20
Kemp, Craig	Male Nonstudent	1:32:09	0:30:20	0:46:37	0:15:12
Sehe, Jim	Male Nonstudent	1:32:09	0:30:16	0:49:02	0:12:51
Bangert, Christian	Male Student	1:32:30	0:28:52	0:52:25	0:11:13
Essler, Desiree	Female Nonstudent	1:32:46	0:22:38	0:54:10	0:15:58
Roberts, Ethan	Male Student	1:33:00	0:26:37	0:50:43	0:15:40
Nack, Jim	Male Nonstudent	1:33:38	0:31:43	0:49:24	0:12:31
McGahey, Peter	Male Nonstudent	1:34:05	0:29:48	0:51:24	0:12:53
Fausch, Ryan	Male Nonstudent	1:35:39	0:29:17	0:49:09	0:17:03
Cossalter, Garvey	Team	1:37:26	0:29:32	0:51:46	0:16:08
Jones, Brian	Male Nonstudent	1:39:29	0:29:14	0:53:36	0:16:39
Rome, Teresa	Female Nonstudent	1:39:37	0:31:57	0:54:25	0:13:15
Kaler, Dan	Male Student	1:39:56	0:32:37	0:53:29	0:13:50
Boegel, Neal	Male Student	1:40:17	0:30:19	0:57:20	0:12:38
Yard, Chris	Male Nonstudent	1:41:43	0:33:45	0:51:23	0:16:35
Frederick, Chris	Male Student	1:44:37	0:30:49	0:53:47	0:20:01
Kemp, Kathryn	Female Student	1:45:39	0:37:29	0:53:23	0:14:47
Colby, Gagnon, Sweeny	Team	1:45:54	0:24:22	1:02:58	0:18:34
Griep, Katie	Female Nonstudent	1:46:56	0:33:50	0:58:08	0:14:58
Julian, Brett	Male Nonstudent	1:49:58	0:29:08	1:06:33	0:14:17
Bauer, Andrew	Male Nonstudent	1:50:08	0:38:13	1:06:33	0:11:22
Prescher, Chris	Male Nonstudent	1:50:14	0:41:16	0:48:25	0:20:33
McCarty, Ahlstrom, Veldkamp	Team	1:51:27	0:38:01	0:58:08	0:15:18
Cooper, Gina	Female Nonstudent	1:51:47	missed you!!		0:17:40
Ingenthron, Cody	Male Student	1:51:47	0:33:35	0:59:09	0:18:43
Johnson, Amy	Female Student	1:51:48	0:38:58	1:00:02	0:12:48
Zick, Courtney	Female Nonstudent	1:53:26	0:39:17	0:57:44	0:16:25
Glaser, Jared	Male Student	1:57:56	0:33:16	1:06:07	0:18:33
Cooney, Amy	Female Nonstudent	1:58:03	0:33:51	1:06:30	0:17:42
Dobratz, Paul	Male Nonstudent	1:59:03	0:41:48	0:54:28	0:23:09
Wallace, Samie	Female Student	2:00:42	0:37:02	1:03:38	0:20:02
Grant, Callie	Female Student	2:01:42	0:31:54	1:09:33	0:20:15
Crocker, Shari	Female Nonstudent	2:03:29	0:49:44	0:58:22	0:15:23
McGahey, Dawn	Female Nonstudent	2:05:31	0:40:21	1:08:05	0:17:05
Bowman, Emily	Female Student	2:11:48	0:38:37	1:14:57	0:18:14
Vail, Stephanie	Female Student	2:11:57	0:38:51	1:21:57	0:11:09
Schlangen, Brittany	Female Student	2:15:26	0:39:17	1:16:06	0:20:03
Stelken, Katrina	Female Student	2:15:26	0:39:17	1:16:06	0:19:09
Larson, Brittany	Female Student	2:21:54	0:35:25	1:27:57	0:18:32
Prescher, Kay	Female Nonstudent	2:28:22	0:53:00	1:15:02	0:19:59
Weir, Good, Ramberg	Team	flat tire	0:22:17	DNF	0:13:48

MSU TRIATHLON - LADY GAGA & LITTLE DEBBIES...

Via E-mail, MSU Intramural Triathlon's exuberant Director Jennifer Myers tells us about her 6-year old resurrected event. Sunday's race is full.

Dear MTN Readers,

Our triathlon is a great first timer triathlon! Every year I get a range of people; some bike at 25 miles per hour and some ride their brother’s old Huffy mountain bike with the tires only aired up halfway. I advertise this as a low key event because the race itself is low key as well. We use a stopwatch (no fancy chip timing here!), the finish line is marked off by a few cones, and the swag bags leave a bit to be desired. However, people love competing because of the challenge of the course – two big hills to tackle – the feeling of camaraderie with other first-timers and the great music at the finish (including the theme from St. Elmo’s Fire and Lady Gaga this year!).

We aren’t fancy. We give out the same shirt every year, just a different color. Our refreshments aren’t healthy… fruit snacks, Little Debbies and freezepops… but people come back because of the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

The men’s, women’s and team champions are crowned “MSU Intramural Champions”. There are no ribbons or medals, but we do have a raffle for some sweet prizes like a free VO2 max test, bike gear and old school triathlon shirts. When the weather is nice, finishers will lounge on the grass and cheer on the other competitors.Our race is limited to 60 people since we swim in the pool. The youngest competitor this year is 19 years old and the oldest is 53. We have dads and daughters competing. We have people from the swim team, the track team and our own MSU Triathlon Club competing. 75% of our participants are MSU students or staff, but we always welcome Mankato residents and people from all over Minnesota. We have a few competitors from Macalester College in St. Paul making their way down.

Thoughts have been tossed around about a potential end of the season triathlon on the same course – that way participants could compare their times in May (this might be the first of the season for lots of them) with their times in September. If that’s the case, watch our website.

Mankato offers lots of the recreation enthusiast. We have bicycle trails on all sides of town. The Red Jacket Trail trail takes you south of town to Rapidan and the Rapidan Dam, where you can enjoy a piece of pie at the Dam Store. Of course you then have to bike back to your car after the pie!

Mankato features all the eateries that you see in larger cities. We have a Chipotle, Noodles and Cold Stone right next to the university and finish line. People looking for a greasy, yet delicious, breakfast after the race should head to the Wagon Wheel.

Need some caffeine for the drive home? Try the Coffee Hag.

Mankato also has parks along the river which are perfect for a picnic or a game of Frisbee golf. (Land of Memories or Sibley Park – Sibley has a small zoo!)


Jennifer Myers
Fitness & Wellness Coordinator
Campus Recreation Department

Editor: Best wishes for a great event, Jennifer! More races should offer Little Debbies!

FALLS DU PREVIEW...GREAT VENUE & COFFEE, TOO...

The 2nd annual Falls Duathlon will be contested on Saturday (May 1) at Cannon Falls' beauteous Hannah's Bend Park. Sign-ups have significantly surpassed last year's and registration will remain open until shortly before race time. Weather should be accommodating with morning temps around 60 degrees. Yes, there's a small chance of rain (30%) statewide this weekend, but let's assume that we won't see any wet stuff until later in the day, if at all.

Jesse Nelson's course record on this scenic 2 mile-14 mile-3 mile route is a solid 1:04:57. Winner of five races in '09, Nelson is hoping to kick off his 2010 season with a successful defense at Falls. Expect him to better his CR, though it may not be enough to win the race. On paper, the man to beat is Chad Millner, who has long been one of Minnesota's premier run-bike-runners. Via e-mail, Chad outlined his strategy for Saturday and his plans for 2010:

".....Goals: I'm taking a year off from swimming to concentrate on getting my run back to where it was in my college days. Not there yet but getting better. So my goal at Falls Du is to have a solid first run, strong bike and really work the second run. My second runs have been slower than others hence the focus on that.

"I'm doing the Falls Du, Oakdale, GearWest, Apple, Mpls, and maybe the fall duathlons also. Also doing some off road mtn bike races such as Ragnarok 105 (a couple weeks ago in Red Wing) and the Dirty Benjamin (gravel road race / ride out of Chaska in June)." - CM

If Chad shows any sign of weakness on Saturday, Jesse will pounce on the opportunity. PREDICTION: Historically, both Chad and Jesse are fast starters, i.e. they race well in the early season. Both men will be fast in Cannon Falls, each breaking 1:04. Chad should win with a finish time in the 1:03:40 range.

For the women, Canadian transplant Diane Hankee, winner of three races in 2009, two of them dus, should rip Gracia Folkeringa's soft CR, which is 1:19:42. Diane should finish approximately 10 minutes after the male winner, which would take the old mark down by 6-7 minutes. Rochester's Johanna Hall will keep Hankee honest and break 1:15 in the process. Hall, a decorated nordic skier, won two multis in 2009.

Hankee just missed landing a spot on Team Minnesota last season, placing 12th in the polling. We expect her to make the Team this year.

There's lots a great things to say about this event. Great venue. Produced by Final Stretch, etc. Add to this the fact that the Burly Coffee Company in downtown Cannon Falls (1108 5th Street) is one of the best coffee shops you'll find anywhere. And that includes Seattle! In the post-race mood for great food and a world class latte, cappuccino or dark roast (etc.), we wholeheartedly recommend Burly.

MAJOR UPDATE: We have a new favorite in the women's contest. We have just learned that national class multisporter Julie Hull, winner in '09 at Oakdale, Treadman and most significantly, Iron Girl, has registered. If Hull, who ranked #2 on Team Minnesota in 2008, is fit, she should pop a 1:11-1:12 this weekend.

UPDATE: Super Mario Minelli sent us the following astute observations:

"I read the Falls Du post, but might have to disagree with one thing: the winning time could be a bit longer than last years, rather than faster, only because of the bike course. Last year we had some cross winds on the bike, but it wasn't too bad. The bike course is an out-n-back that goes north 7 miles, then back 7. Tomorrow, on the bike, we're going to be greeted by 20+ mph winds from the SW. We may be able to take advantage of that on the way out, but not sure how much time can be made-up before hand. We'll see.

I do agree that Burly Coffee is a great place!

`Take Care... MM

Good stuff! Thanks, Mario. - Ed.