| Race/Training Event Report |
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Bike Nights at the National Sports Center The Minnesota winter is a long one. Bike racers are left without a lot of options for many months of the year. Some nice folks thought it would be a good idea to get people together to do some fast riding for fun and hard training. Well, that's a fine idea but one that isn't likely to be achievable outside. So they took the riding inside, renting an enclosed series of soccer fields for us to use. Only trouble, those fields get a lot of use and we couldn't start until 11pm. Yes, that is 11 at night. Racing/riding would consist of a series of short events in 2 categories, one for advanced and one for more beginning riders. Specifically cross bikes were recommended but there would not be any obstacles or dismounts. We would complete a series of track style races over a changing course on fake grass. In the week prior to the first of these events, I was talking it up that I was going and how much I was looking forward to it. This was true. It was also true that at about 8:00pm of race night, I was less than thrilled with the prospect of waiting another hour and a half to leave. Registration opened at 10pm and while I was not expecting a huge crowd, I didn't want to rush. After much internal dialogue, I willed myself out the door. Showing up, all seemed to proceed well. I got registered, put on my number and once the warm up period began, started riding around the fields. And the fun started. I was enjoying myself.
Here is a view of me riding with some folks ahead, actually can't see me as I'm holding the camera . . .
Above is a pic I took of myself, you can tell how fast I'm going by the very blurry view:) After warm up, the action started with a 10 lap mass start event. The initial course was simply a square marked with cones on the field. To get around the corners with some speed, you ended up riding an oval. This course layout was basic but fun and I enjoyed pedaling a bike and having it move under me. The initial field was small for our event, like 8-10 people. I lined up on the outside and off we went. I slotted in towards the front but not on it and hung on as a few different folks took turns at the front. I never got to the front, though I did practice moving around a bit. I am not a bad bike handler but I want to get better, particularly in tight conditions that are not on the road. All went well and with about a lap to go, the push to the finish started with a jump from one guy. He stayed clear and I came in 3rd. Next race was a win and out. Group did 5 laps and then at the end of the 5th lap, the first across the line won and stopped. Two laps later, same thing for 2nd place. I started mid group in the early laps and then moved up towards the end of lap three but a guy got a gap and nobody would or could pull him back. I hit the front with about half a lap to go and tried without success. I had a choice to make as I watched the guy coast to a stop. In my quest to get the leader, I had separated from the rest of the field. I knew I could drop back and then surge again or I could gun it now and try to hold my gap for the next two laps. Since part of the fun of the evening was all about the work, I opted for the 2nd of the two options. I gunned it and worked the last 2 laps hard. My plan worked as the rest of the field shut down the chase with a lap to go. I rolled across for 2nd and got to stop, yeah! Next race was unknown distance, in that the race official was the only one who knew how many laps we'd ride. Off we went and all proceeded pretty well. I worked towards the end and came in 2nd or 3rd if I recall correctly. More group riding action and I enjoyed being around others and moving around within the group. The fourth race was a combined field for the two different categories and was a miss and out. Last one across the line had to quit. I was excited to mix it up with the big boys, so to speak as I had been in lower category field. With each lap, the tension built as the pace up front didn't quit. I was working pretty hard and was doing quite well. With the field down to about 10, it started to get real hard for me. A group of 4 to 5 was up a few seconds and me and the 4 or so guys around me were not closing that. Each lap became more difficult as we battled to stay in. I made it several more laps before there were only a guy or two left after that initial group and me. I did what I could be was last across the line and was out. I was pleased with the event itself as I made it longer than all the other low category riders and farther than many of the A category guys. Likely my best event of the evening. Last race was to be a 1.5 lap 5 rider spring from a standing start. Of the 5 in my field, 2 were track female track racers, a strong cross guy and one other guy. The start was uneventful though I had been hoping to get into 2nd position and ended up 3rd. I held this for the first lap. Since the initial couple of races, the course had changed to include an S turn that was pretty close to the finish line. I was holding 3rd position into the S, I wanted to be close to the front but I couldn't pull it off. I was resigning myself to 3rd when out of the S we came and a huge gap opened in front of me. One of the track racing women had gotten the hole shot and held the lead throughout. As we came out of the S, she drifted right to start the final sprint to the line. The guy in 2nd drifted too so as to keep a draft. This is what opened what looked to be a major gap on the inside for me. Being that I'd turned on the racer in myself, I saw the gap and jumped! Here is my chance I thought and while I don't have a great sprint, my chances were good. At least they were good until the two folks in front, who had left the gap, closed it. The leading woman came back towards the left and so did the guy in 2nd. His rear wheel came to where my front wheel was and you can guess the rest. Rear wheel touches front wheel, someone goes down and it is almost always the front wheel rider -- me. Damn! As my bike shot left, I fell on my right hip and elbow with the bike hitting on the drive train side. While I was fine, the derailleur hanger was not. Major bend there. All in all, not a bad outcome given what happened. The dude whose wheel took me down was nice about it, though the blame goes on me. I saw a gap and tried to put myself somewhere that I might not have fit. While the gap was huge when I jumped, in any race, such gaps are not guaranteed to stay there and it surely didn't. Oh well, while I was not thrilled to hit the deck, it was not an ending to detract too much from a fun night. I enjoyed mixing it up and plan to be back in a few weeks for round 2. Post script, I had been planning to double back with an outdoor ice race the next day, in fact less than 12 hours after this ended but due to the logistics of bike repair, I was not able to make it. Oh well, I'll work to stay upright next time! |
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January 23 Upcoming Dig It Triathlon and Multisport lecture for the Lakes Area Multisport club on Racing Selection and Season Planning. if you're in Brainerd area on Thursday, January 26, make sure to come. Email Jason for full details. January 16 The cyclocross racing spectacular contined with Coach Jason in Louisville, KY for the UCI Masters Cyclocross Championships.
It was a great weekend of racing, though some tough conditions and competition had Jason ready to go home and train even harder for next year. Check out the mud on the bike.
Jason post race with his finisher medal (muddy of course), and a lot of the course still on his bike. January 9 Coach Jason's been doing some cyclocross this fall and "winter." He was in Madison, WI this past weekend for the USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships. It was a fun and hard weekend, just like cross is suppose to be.
Above is the Dig It kit with pinned number. Always exciting to be putting on a National Championships number.
Above an upward look at one of the uphills on the course, in much better shape than when Jason got to experience it.
Here is the bike on the verge of taking the start. Not the dirt and grime and that's after being pressure washed a few times. January 1 Dig It Triathlon and Multisport wishes you a Happy New Year. If this the year for athletic improvement, we're here to help. December 15 Dig It Triathlon and Multisport's Threshold Thursdays (TT) has begun. It's a free, Facebook based workout group dedicated to training bike threshold. Coach Jason analyzes his first TT session in the article below..
December 12 The 2012 racing season is beckoning. Dig It Triathlon and Multisport and the Buffalo Triathlon are teaming up for a 5 week Introduction to Triathlon Course. Details on the race site at www.tribuff.com/active_training.htm Coach Jason in action at the Badger Cross in Madison, WI yesterday. With only 4 weeks until cyclocross nationals, it was great chance to check out the course on a day with crazy nice weather (for Wisconsin in mid December). December 8 The Dig It Triathlon Facebook page is now live at www.facebook/DigItTri We have a new training group, Threshold Thursdays, starting up. A free workout is presented each week for all who join. November 21 At Ironman Arizona, Andy has a great race, knocking over 40 minutes from his PR and getting oh so close to a Kona slot in the toughest of AGs. Coach Jason has a great time at the MN State Cyclocross as well. November 8 Dig It's Jill rocks the NYC Marathon. Wow, what a month for Jill as she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and then came home and ran a great marathon. Major props! Coach Jason had some fun at the VeloCX in MN as well this past weekend. October 31 Despite a lack of updates on our part, it's been a busy October for Dig It Triathlon and its athletes. Dan had a solid run at the Marine Corp Marathon with a PR, Kathy rocked the Toyota Cup Tri in Dallas, Coach Jason was in Colorado for a coaching conference. Last and certainly not least, Jill and Cliff put their endurance training to a real test and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Now that's how you celebrate a special event! To Learn more about Jason's confernece
October 16 Coach Jason in action at the Cross at the Y in Hudson, Wisconsin
today. A fun event. Here Jason gets ready for some cross fun. October 2 It was great to hear that Dan broke through with his first multisport overall win today at the Half Full Tri in Maryland. Way to go Dan, can't help but love the podiums with Dig It on the top step!
Dig It family also in action at the Twin Cities Marathon, doing our annual 5K time clock volunteer duties.
September 25 The Dig It crew was in action at the Duathlon World Championships in Gijon, Spain today. Rob, Greg and Richard flew their national colors (USA, UK, and USA respectively) for strong races amidst serious competition. Nice work, gentlemen!
Above Rob rocks the run. Below Greg on the bike.
September 18 Coach Jason's cyclocross skills clinic was a big success as we got our CX groves going, and it even rained. Nothing says cross like cool temps and rain. September 11 In Madison, Eric had a strong debut Ironman with a well balanced swim, bike and run. Way to go Eric!
September 10 As the multisport season wraps down, Rob and Tony showed great running fitness. September 4 Tony rocked the St. Croix Sprint Tri today, putting a great and fast end on an IM focused year. August 28 Today was an Ironman kind of day and Dig It's Lindsey was rockin' it in Canada while Keith kicked it hard for a great IM in Kentucky. Way to go crew. August 28 Dig It's Eric showed his fitness is there for Ironman Wisconsin with a 2nd AG placing at the Lakes Country Triathlon in northern MN one day after racing the Tri 111 event. Wow is all we can say. August 27 The inaugural Tri 111 in the United States was in Minnesota and Dig It was there with a strong showing. Andy went top 10 overall and Betsy and Eric were showing their fitness off as well. Nice job gang! August 27 Coach Jason was in action at the Big Ring Flyers TT near Hudson, Wisconsin. It was a great day and Jason had fun while doing his best and getting soundly beaten. Nice way to end the TT season nonetheless.
August 22 It must be a USA Triathlon themed week as Coach Jason's article on bike training into goal races came out in the USA Triathlon Coaches Newsletter and Dig It's Kathy and Dan rocked USAT Age Group Nationals with outstanding performances. Dan earned a berth on the World's team, always a tough ticket and a particularly challenging one this year. Way to go Kathy and Dan. August 9 Coach Jason taught a transitions skills clinic in Buffalo, MN tonight. It was a fun and useful evening. August 8 Always fun to wrap up a weekend when athletes reach new highs of performance as Kathy scoring another strong race and an AG win in PA and Andy notched up another win in MN, toping his own course record along the way. July 17 At the ever competitive Heart of the Lakes Triathlon in Minnesota, Cliff and Jill swelter to AG wins. Nice work! July 9/10 Across the world, literally, and Dig It athletes are having fun and getting it done.
Above Greg wins his division at a local duathlon in the UK.
Kathy scores an AG podium at the Lifetime Minneapolis Triathlon. Dan wins his AG with a 4th overall at the DITR in Maryland. In Colorado, Lindsey had fun racing the the Boulder Peak Triathlon even while living at sea level. July 2 The month might be on its second day but Dig It athletes are already rockin' as Jill scores an AG win at the Minneman Triathlon. June 27 Dig It's Betsy and Tony had great races at Ironman Couer 'd Alene. Dig It couldn't be prouder of these two as they braved a rough winter here in MN for some great training that carried over to successful races. June 21 The Nature Valley Grand Prix was a great time with bike racing fun run amuck. Jason's got a report about it and a TT.
Jason was in action too, as you can see at the Tuesday Night TT.
June 13 Ho hum, another summer weekend, another batch of strong performances from Dig It athletes. Eric, Josh and Tony show their fitness with great races at the Liberty Triathlon, Kathy earns another AG placing at Trinona with her 2nd in the 40-44 AG and Lindsey gets 2nd overall woman and 1st in her AG in Wisconsin. Well actually, weekends like this are never boring! Keep it up Dig It crew. June 7 Tri season is here and Dig It clients came out swinging. Kathy had a great race in Minnesota at the Buffalo Triathlon, taking minutes off her PRs from last year and Jennifer had a great return to multisport racing in Utah with a strong performance. June 6-8 Coach Jason in Colorado for coaching meetings with a bit of riding thrown in when possible.
Above Jason poses for a pic in Ward, Colorado a great ride up and out of Boulder. Note interesting decorations in Ward. May 22 GearWest Duathlon a big success as we had some great performances. May 21 Coach Jason's clinic at the Land Between the Lakes Triathlon was a success as Jason talked about race execution and various other topics in Albert Lea MN. Also of note, Dig It clients Rob and Richard officially in for Duathlon Worlds in September. They'll be rocking the Team USA kit in Spain, awesome work dudes! May 15 Duathlon season in full swin for Dig It crew and the great performances keep coming. In Minnesota, Cliff and Jill won their age groups with Jill 5th overall woman at the Lake Elmo Duathlon and Rob scored his first ever overall podium in Florida while winning his age group too. Nice job gang! April 30/May 1 Wow, what a weekend! In one of the best weekends of action for the Dig It gang ever, and we're not ones for exaggeration, this weekend will go down as a great one.
Dig It's Dan pictured below gets ready for his swim.
Coach Jason was in action to at the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico.
Coach Jason above in Dig It kit during day 3 of this stage race, his first. The article below covers the details.
April 18 On a day for the ages in Boston, Dig It's Jill ran a great Boston Marathon today. Nice work Jill! April 17 The first of Dig It's bike skills clinics was a big success. We fun and improved bike awareness and riding skills.
Above Jason and Eric pose with some of the orange cone course visible in the background. April 2/3 Dig It's duathlon racing gang in full swing as Richard shows off the Dig It shorts in Florida and Greg kicks to a great race in the UK.
March 14 Let the racing begin! Dig It's Dan has a great debut duathlon with a 5th place overall and an AG win in Maryland and the MN crew threw down some good runs at the local 10 miler. All in the name of St. Patrick's day. Weekends like this make us proud! February 4 One of the age old questions regards doing versus teaching. In
triathlon, the particulars relate to coaches and their athletic accomplishments.
Coach Jason writes about it in his article, "Athletic Success and
Coaching, Is there a Connection? January 30 The great performances are starting already as Betsy and Richard rocked the Miami Half Marathon today. It was a great way to start the season and we're expecting great things from these and all the Dig It athletes. November 29 Coach Jason had a roller coaster cyclocross season with some
high highs, such as highest placing ever in a bike race and an category
upgrade, and some low lights. A good way to think about it was these two
images. As the cliche goes, it was the best of times, it was the worst
of times...
November 22 Tony had an impressive race at Ironman Arizona after battling a nasty bug in the last 2 weeks into the race, Tony used his fitness to a PR time, nice work Tony! October 15 Coach Jason’s thinking about 2011. It’s a time of the year when athletes look back on their racing and make plans for the following year. Jason’s got some thoughts on racing goals and the article, “Is Longer Better?” goes into more details. October 10 The multisport season is winding down and the Dig It crew is showing the world how to end a season. After raising her game all fall, Kathy goes to the US Open Championships in Dallas and scores an impressive 2nd place in her AG and top 25 among all the women and she’s only been doing this a year. Watch out 2011!
October 3 On a glorious fall day, Jill rocked the Twin Cities Marathon and Cliff did the same to the 10 miler. Another fall weekend, another great batch of Dig It performances. While it is routine, it never gets old! September 12 Ironman Wisconsin this year was a great day for Dig It’s athletes with great weather and inspired performances from Andy, Betsy, Sean and Alex. With determination and joy they swam a long way, rode a long way and ran a long way. Great performances all around. Way to go guys, Coach Jason enjoyed being there and hanging with you as you rocked it! September 3 The setting for this year’s Duathlon World Championships couldn’t have been better as the event was in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dig It’s Jill and Cliff made the trip and were in action. Jill had a great race and Clifford did his best as he caught a flu bug the day before but hung tough and finished. You don’t go all that way to DNS. Impressive display on both accounts September 1 Apologies for the lack of updates, we're working on a few look Dig It site with expanded features and educational content. A short recap of the summer's accomplishments among the Dig It gang includes more PRs than I can recall, numerous world championhip qualifications in duathlon, at the Olympic and half IM distance. Athletes got on the podium for the first time, won races, moved up to the elite field and no matter their place in the field just had a lot of fun using their fitness to the fullest. The fall's racing looks great as well, watch out Duathlon World Championships, Ironman Wisconsin, and races throughout the country, the Dig It crew is coming and ready to rock and have fun along the way! April 24 Duathlon Nationals weekend was a success for the Dig It gang. April 17, 18 and 19 A great start to the racing season for Dig It athletes across the country. Tony gets it done in the Big Easy at the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, Debi grabs 5th overall woman and first master at a sprint tri in Virginia, the Minnesota gang throws down some great runs at the Trail Mix and last and certainly not least, Jill sets a PR at the Boston Marathon. Wow, this weekend would make many coaches proud for a given year and it's 3 days in April, awesome!
Coach Jason also raced, in green Nature Valley team kit, at the Durand Road Race, photo courtesy of www.skinnyski.com
April 13 Dig It now serves as an official coach/dealer for Quarq power meters. Contact Coach Jason for pricing details.
Here is the first order on Coach Jason's bike.
March 27 Dig It's Lindsey has a great day in Oceanside at the California 70.3 to grab her first ever world championshis slot. Way to go, Lindsey! March 27 Coach Jason leads clinic for GearWest tri club on duathlon performance along with Kevin O'Connor. March 13-14 Coach Jason was in Texas for a USA Cycling Coaching clinic on teaching bike riding skills. It was great, watch here for an upcoming clinic on bike handling.
Above Jason poses with camp participants outside in the sun, yeah Texas! December 3, 2010 Coach Jason reflects on training in the off season.
November 22, 2009 Dig It's Dan made his Ironman debut in Tempe at Ironman Arizona. He might have been new at the Ironman distance but Dan was fast and had a great performance. Nice job Dan! October 3 and 4 Minnesota cyclocross season is underway and rolling. Michael and Coach Jason got their seasons going with some fun and hard racing this weekend.
Michael in action at the Hudson CX. Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com.
Jason at the Planet Bike Orono CX race. Photo courtesy of Seth Iverson Photo.
September 26, 2009 It was a wet and tough day for everyone at the ITU World Short Course Duathlon Championships. Dig It athletes were out to play and did what they could on a challenging course in the midst of a downpour.
Debi is among this group of fast ladies before the skys opened again.
Here Justin Hurd closes in on the transition after a speedy first run. September 13 Wow, what a day for the Dig It gang. Debi was 12th overall, and 3rd woman, at a sprint tri in Virginia. Maria set a new half marathon PR in Chicago, and Forrest set a 5K PR by over a minute in Kentucky. Oh and then there was Ironman Wisconsin which was the scene of outstanding performances by Andrea, Lindsey and Henry. A successful debut and 2 PRs made it quite the day in Madison. Jason was there to cheer and take it all in.
Here Coach Jason hangs with Andrea after the race.
May 31, 2009 Dig It's friend Justin Hurd captures the US National Long Course Duathlon Championship today in California at the World's Toughest. National Champ baby, that's a good thing to call one's self!
Photo courtesy of Auburn Events October 11, 2008 Justin Hurd, who Coach Jason advises, shows shows his strength at IM Hawaii. On a challenging day, for the big island no less, Justin did great in his first attempt at the World Championships as a pro. September 28, 2008 Jason in racing mode at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Italy. It was a fun day of action.
Here the bike awaiting its trusted rider.
September 27, 2008 Jason serves as Assistant Coach with the elite athletes of Team USA at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy. It was a fun day filled with great competition for Team USA.
Here is the women's team poses for photos immediately after their finish.
October 6 Coach Jason wins the inaugural Kickin' Leaves Duathlon in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The new race had a small field but a great course. Hope everyone can make it there next year.
Jason poses with bike and trophy at home after the race.
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