The Traverse City Cherry Triathlon was held at the Greilick Outdoor Recreation Center just outside of Traverse City. Greilick Outdoor Recreation Center offered camping on site to athletes and their families for the weekend, this makes for a great race experience. Wake up on race morning with your bike already racked and ready to go, just roll out of bed and get ready to swim! 3-Disciplines and Greilick want to make this race into a festival of triathlons much like Wildflower is on the west coast. Continue reading “Headed North – Kevin & Katie’s Traverse City Cherry Triathlon Race Reports”
A Very Hot and Humid Half Marathon in Battle Creek
Well, al I can say was that it was hot and humid. When I woke up it was already almost 80 and I had decided to run in the 8 minute pace group instead of the 730 group. I figured if I still felt ok after 10 I could ramp it up and have a similar time. That did not happen. After the airport loop one of our pacers started to walk/run and most of the group had dropped back.
I ended up running a steady 8 or so for a while and then the heat started taking a toll. Around the 11 mile mark I met up with a friend who was not feeling great and we just decided to run in together. A little slower than I wanted but I finished – second in my age group. About 20 minutes slower than the last two years. Given I almost tapped out I was very happy with it.
~Danny
Kevin and Danny’s Seahorse Triathlon Race Reports
I raced the Olympic distance at Seahorse this year, the water was the warmest I have ever swam in at this event. Normally Seahorse is a cold swim, but this year the water was close to 70 degrees. The run was also warmer than usual, 3-D did a great job and provided cold wet towels on the run course.
Last year I raced this event and had a hard time on the run, so this year I was looking forward to improving my time with added run training. In 2017 I finished in 5th place in my age group with a time of 2:50:21, this year I was 4th in my age group with a time of 2:50:22. Continue reading “Kevin and Danny’s Seahorse Triathlon Race Reports”
The Circus Runs Sometimes
The Trail: Kal Haven
The Tunes: Tool
The Fuel: Espresso and Espresso
The Distance: 5k
The Result: PR and 2nd place overall
~Dan
Barry Roubaix Welcomes Spring
Barry Roubaix signals the official start of spring for many riders. The largest gravel road race within a stone’s throw of Battle Creek is a local favorite. Race day weather could not have been better and riders were treated with glimpses of the long awaited sunshine.
Dan opted for the 36 miler. After grinding up “The Wall” he saw someone offering neutral support on the side of the road. The trunk of their 90s era sedan was popped open with a sign that read Water, Beer, Tire Pump.
He existentially reflected on these offerings for the remainder of the race realizing that those are the only things a person really needs. A simple life is a happy life.
The 2018 “Dusty” edition Barry Roubaix is in the books as race Number 3 of the Michigan Gravel Race Series for Dan and he crossed the line after 36 miles 20/49 in his age group with a time of 2 hours and 2 minutes.
May signals a transition from gravel to multi-sport.
Matt, Nikki and Katie all raced the 22 miler. Matt finished 20 out of 73 in his age group and spent his time post-race at the after party and the after-after party for food and beverages at a Hastings staple, The Walldorff Brewpub.
Katie and Nikki lined up in the 2nd to last wave of the day with the women’s 22 miler group. It was Nikki’s first experience being on the racing side of the fence, after being a spectator at the event for many years. The two decided early on they would most likely stick together, and that they did. While it may not have been racing speed, the hills were no joke and the effort was there. Katie had a minor bike fiasco which put her on a “single speed” for about 3/4 of the ride and the poor guy helping her lost a contact in the dirt. Nikki may have needed to take a quick bathroom break at THE ONLY port-a-john on the course. Or maybe it was just a reason to rest the legs after the mountain climbing (but really, when you gotta pee, you gotta pee).
The best advice for the newcomer that was offered, “You WILL walk, just get off your bike and get back on at the top and keep going. It happens to the best of us.” The best of us may be better off staying away from the three sisters. You know what they say about them.
All-in-all it was a great day to ride a bike.
