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Tri West Preview - Part I - The Men...
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Monday, 17 July 2023 00:10
TRI WEST PREVIEW - This is the first of two Tri West preview posts. This one discusses the men who are likely to fare well. The next one deals with the women's field. Note that the list of entrants we are using is over a week old, and more talented triathletes will most certainly enroll between now and race day (July 23). We plan to update information as it comes to us. We'll do so in the MTN posts and on MTN's Facebook page.
JOE ADRIAENS- Olympic - Two podiums in two starts this season. He could land on the Top Step next weekend.
SAMEUL HAUCK - Olympic - His 3rd at Lake Minnetonka tell us that he should race at the front next Sunday.
CHUCK HENGEL, 59 - Sprint - Undefeated in his AG in three statrs in 2023. He's our pick to win the 55-59M.
BRETT LOVAAS - Sprint - He won last year's sprint race....
Freaking Awesomeness, Mountain Gaps & Horse Manure...
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Saturday, 15 July 2023 00:10
By David Leard
IRONMAN 70.3 PENNSYLVANIA - HAPPY VALLEY - Race Report - After driving the bike course on Saturday, I texted a couple Penn State buddies and told them, “Just drove the bike course. Freaking awesome! Gonna get my butt kicked, but it’ll be freaking awesome!” It was. The whole race was.
I never did a “Ironman” 70.3 before. Always thought them a little overpriced and when I wanted to do a half, there are local ones I’d rather support. But when this race was announced, and it was indeed going to be held at Penn State and finish at the 50-yard line of Beaver Stadium, my travel plans were made, and my sister’s 4th of July picnic was planned before registration opened.
Because of a new job, I didn’t race at all in 2022 and probably only trained a third of what I would have liked for this race. I went in relying on experience, muscle memory and (I hoped) a deep base to just enjoy and try and finish this one with no other stated goal....
Puppies and a Pickle....
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Wednesday, 12 July 2023 00:10
TIMBERMAN SPRINT COVERAGE - Five-time Sprint winner TARA MAKINEN has a new puppy. It's probably cute, as most non-chihuahuas are. It is also in need of training and can be demanding at times. She needs to be taught not to piddle on the carpet and poop on the bedspread. She also needs to learn that when you leave the house, you do plan to return.
So, TARA MAKINEN has been a bit sleep-deprived of late, which can result in limited triathlon training. She came into Saturday's event, her first tri of the year, worried that she was not ready to do her thing in the way she's used to doing it.
Then Race Director AMY DETTMER said "Go" and Tara splashed into Sugar Lake. Defending champ and four-time T-Man Sprint winner BETTINA KEPPERS was the woman to beat and Tara almost pulled that off. In the end, Bettina's swim split proved to be the difference. When the dust cleard, only 14-seconds separted these friendly rivals.
Now that Tara and Bettina both own five Sprint wins, next year's confrontation should b epic.
Placing 3rd for the women was perennial podium finisher--she won in 2015-- JENA OGSTON, a decorated water skier and all-around endurance athlete....
A Special Event...
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Monday, 10 July 2023 00:10
TIMBERMAN OLYMPIC COVERAGE - Approximately 320 triathletes signed up for this year's Timberman, 83 of which participated in its Olympic distance--1900 yds - 25 miles - 6 miles - race. Before PRESTON YOUNGDAHL enrolled on the eve of the event, what appeared to be a three-man battle for first between defending champ JOSH BLANKENHEIM, the Minnesotan who has Top 10ed in both the Sprint and Olympic races at Nationals for the last two years, HENRY JESSEN, and former college runner on the verge of breaking into the elite ranks MICAH WARNING became a three-man battle for 2nd. Since June of 2022, Youngdahl has been unbeatable on Minnesota soil, and that didn't change last Saturday. A quick swim and a brisk run bracketed the kind of bike split that left no doubt who would come out on top. Two-plus MPHs faster than his closest compeitors landed Preston in T2 with an insurmountable lead....
Meet the Fargo-Moorhead Tri Club...
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Saturday, 08 July 2023 00:10
By Mike Combs
Local triathlon clubs are great for the triathlon community and are a wonderful way for athletes to train together. When you go to a triathlon in Minnesota, you see athletes with tri club attire from so many different clubs. Tri West Triathlon is going to highlight the many great clubs around our great state, along with hosting the first annual Minnesota Triathlon Club Championship. Between now and Tri West, there will be articles from interviews from different triathlon clubs....
