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Coffee on Race Morning? Yes or No?

Saturday, 15 September 2018 23:10

By Laura Anatonucci (triathlete.com)

Q: I love my morning cup of coffee. Should I cut it out on race morning to stay hydrated and improve my performance? 

A: Every time I give a sports nutrition talk to a group or team, this question is asked. I too look forward to my morning coffee for a host of reasons—taste, warmth, morning ritual, and a wake-up “boost.” Should we cut it out on race morning? Thankfully, the answer is no!

First, let’s dispel the dehydration myth. When consumed regularly, and at moderate amounts (see below), caffeinated coffee does not lead to dehydration or excessive urine loss, and therefore may be counted toward total fluid needs (phew!).

Now what about caffeine’s performance benefits? Dozens of studies have shown performance benefits of caffeine consumption in athletes, including lower RPE (rate of perceived exertion), improved endurance performance and clearer concentration....

It's Party Time!

Wednesday, 12 September 2018 23:30

You are invited!

In the last few years, the Minnesota Multisport Awards Party, though billed as an "excuse to have a party for everyone," had attracted mostly decorated athletes, which is to say, award nominees. Changes needed to be made to make the post-seson party more inclusive.

So, this year's party will not include the MMAs, which have been renamed the MMHs (Minnesota Multisport Honors). The organizing committee hopes that by removing the ceremonial chunk of the event, thus making the the festivities less formal, but more social, that attendance will increase. The goal will not only be to celebrate the 2018 season, but to build community.

The event--2018 Tri Social--will not be in November, or in the evening, as it had been in the past. Instead it will be earlier, and during the day (11:30 AM - 2:30PM). It will happen on Saturday, October 13, and feature a potluck picnic. ...

The Coveted #1 Bib...

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 23:20

Sometimes to be #1, you need to know what it’s like to be last.

By Doobie Kurus

Wow, has it been 5 years already for the Hopkins Royal Triathlon (HoRT)? It seems like just yesterday, I was sending out our first swimmer on a flooded beach, creating signage out of yellow cloth napkins, and forgetting to order the post race fruit. Flash forward to last Saturday, and although I constantly get positive feedback about my attention to details, and my endless energy, rest assure, there are still plenty of things going on behind the scenes I feel I missed, and I slept really well Saturday night after the race.

People have often noticed we do some things a little differently for the HoRT. For starters, we offer a true mini-sprint, with 2 entry level swim distances (50 and 100 yards), and a chance for newbies to pick the long or the short distances for each the swim, bike, and run. We have a special place in our hearts for Clydesdales and Athenas, by which they get the middle row in Transition, chairs to sit down upon, and the chance to start off our race. We also assign starting positions mainly by the order in which people register, not by age, gender, or ability. In other words, we reward those who take a chance on us, sometimes 9 months in advance. Some race directors have shaken their heads when we describe the things we do. Other (current and former) race directors, like Bill Copenhagen, Ross Rogney, Kris Swarthout, Scott Tripps, Kevin Christenson, and Tony Schiller, have not only liked what we do, but have come out to either volunteer, or even participate in the HoRT. ...

Taylor's Next Chapter...

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 23:10

By Taylor Lundquist (sisterwhotriblog.com)

Wow it’s crazy to think it’s already September and I’ve been at college for two and a half weeks! I haven’t had the chance to sit down and reflect on the whirlwind of chaos I’m living. However, if I could sum it up into two words I’d say it’s “crazy awesome!”

I am a freshman at Black Hills State University and I am on the triathlon team. My whole life I have always competed on and for a team. I knew there was no way I could survive college without being on a team. So when the opportunity to be on BHSU’s triathlon team came up, I was ecstatic!

 I love triathlons, but the past few years it hasn’t been easy training by myself. This past summer was especially difficult working and trying to fit in training here and there. Plus, I didn’t have a team to train with. Last summer I would at least run with girls from the cross country team, but this year I no longer was on that team and training just seemed kind of empty. I think that’s why race day was always so special because we would meet up with friends, race, and celebrate afterwards....

Let's Make it a Party!

Sunday, 09 September 2018 23:20

SQUARE LAKE SPRINT COVERAGE & ONE LAST TRI PREVIEW - In our Square Lake preview we made some 70.3 predictions but said little in that regard about the sprint, except that we would keep our eye on Duluth's SHYANNE MCGREGOR, because a great performance could round out a resume that could earn her a Rookie of the Year nomination. The reason we didn't make more predictions is, like with the St. Paul Triathlon, we believed that late registrants would lead the way.

Man, were we right. (We were also right about Shyanne, too. She finished 4th in the women's competition, and a ROY nomination seems likely.)

Late registering elites ANDY WIBERG, 40, and DIANE HANKEE, 41, led the way for their respective genders, both recording substantial margins of victory last Sunday. For Wiberg, the win was the 8th of his career. For Hankee, the 2017 Minnesota Female Master of the Year, the victory was #32.

RYAN COLLISON's name was on the original roster, and we believed that another podium finish, he now has three of those in 2018, including a win at Big Lake Olympic, would come his way. He finished 2nd at Square Lake, one of the most beautiful, and beastly, triathlon locales anywhere. ...