SWBKRUN MENTOR GROUP - OPEN (Page 23)

I wasn't going to race this weekend, but our Team Director called me and convinced me to throw my bike into the ring for State Criterium Championships.  I rode really strong and really smart and picked up some hardware.  2nd overall in the race and State Criterium Champion for my age group. (45+).   

Makes up a little bit for finishing off the podium last weekend.  Add another jersey for the wardrobe!  Nice to have 2 State Champs jerseys hanging in the basement in the same year!   

(State Crit Medals.jpg)

Much more exciting than last year. The speeds they get to on the flats are amazing, 40 mph coming into the final town - notice how I used mph for all you Americans!

ARRGGGHHH.   I have to vent.  Many have you have heard part or all of this, so forgive me.

On June 16, my youngest (Zach, 17) raced an Oly (so did I, but he did it much faster!).  He won his age group, and this qualified him for AG Nationals.  THIS WAS HIS GOAL.  We talked to the RD that day, and he told us that there shouldn't be an issue, adn that Zach should plan on having a blast in WI!  Couple of days go by, and I look at the USAT site - Nats are filling up fast.  I call the RD, he tells me that they are allowed 30 days to make results final, and he'll do the best he can but it may be a while. WHAT?!?  This was a small (350+) race, with chips, and he KNOWS that there are people (not just Zach) waiting on this. 

So, I call USAT.  Friendly, and tell me it's 15 days - business days - and they can't do anything until then. They suggest that I push the RD (hard when he's not answering email or calls) and that I enter Zach into the Sprint (which doesn't require qualification).  So....here we go.  figuring it'll be any day now - the 5th was day 15 - we've got the airline tickets, the hotel room, the reservation for TriBikeTransport.....and still - no results.

Got another e-mail (Monday) from USAT, they will pursue fines, sanctions, and maybe not allow him to put on events.  They can't MAKE him hand over results, but they are working on it.

Today I talk to a diffferent person at USAT (I think they are all VERY youmg, BTW) She was super helpful, and really annoyed by the whole way this has been handled.  She's promised to personally follow up with the RD today.

This is SO annoying.  We paid the race fee - $80, for an OLY, followed all of the rules, the kid crushed the course......and the RD can't get his act together.  He's got another event on tonight.  Really?  Finish one, first.  I've been a RD for USA swimming (as a volunteer!) and my results were always in within days - and if I had kids waiting, I did them that night.

whew.  Rant over.  Zach is going to Milwaukee, it just may be for the sprint, which isn't his race.  Dang.

Big hugs, Linda!! I know your Mama Bear Claws are out and you are doing everything you can to get Zach into that Oly. (And I know you're doing it with a bit of classy aggressiveness and assertive politeness!) The RD sounds like a ..... I'll bite my tongue. This sucks. Hope it turns around and has a happy ending, including Zach crushing the OLY course in WI!!!

HUGS.

We've had a few days in the 80's... So yeah, we're trying to train in the cooler parts of the day, drinking lots of water and electrolytes, wearing arm-coolers, etc.

Ha ha. I joke. Not about the 80's -- we've seen that a few times. We are blessed to live in an incredible climate (if you groove on rain, which I do). Hang in there, hot peeps!!!

No racing. Just up and down the pool deck judging one of the last summer swim team meets of the season!!

Doing a sprint in a little town about an hour away from Minocqua.    Swimming in a river that is dark brown from the tannins, biking on a nice rolling course and then doing a cross country run that isn't always fun to navigate.  Goal is to have fun and nothing more.

I train through the heat, because that's what we race in.  More electrolytes and more H20 and run more by RPEis about all I do differently.

Yup, agreeing with Kim - Vineman's gonna be HOT.  Jeff really lucked out, he's going off at 7:06.  I'm at 7:48.  Problem is - the marine layer - it's gonna be flippin COLD (45?) at the bike start, and then warming up fast to make the run blazing (93?).

Ah, well.  I start 40ish minutes ahead of Kim.  My NEW goal is to not let her pass me!!!

I'll be waiting with hugs, Kim!!!  That, or you'll need to call the paramedics for me.......

Why is there such a difference in start times for you and Kim?  Same AG, no?

Good luck girls!!  You two are such ringers.   Not sure who is playing it best.

PS.  Good luck to Bruce and Jayne racing their hearts out in my home turf!

NO..........Kim is a Baby...!!!!

Even though I am NOT 50.....yet......I'll have that number on my calf, and race with the 50+ women.  Old Lady wave!  Kim goes off with the middle-age women 42 minutes later.  She won't be as cold to start the bike, but the run will be warmer.  she beat me by 10+minutes last time, I think......giving her more this year.  I need to put down my wine glass and pack my tri-bag.  Hopefully I will still be alive when she crosses, I'll need to give her a hug!!!