Race Coverage

Bad Mantras and a Face Full of Ocean...

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ED. At MTN we love stories like this. We'd like to hear about your introduction to the triathlon lifestyle. You can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Facebook.

By Mary Miller (beginnertriathlete.com

It was 2009 and I was going to turn 50 soon. I wanted to feel like I at least accomplished something in my life before I hit the big 5-0. So, hey, why not do a triathlon?! I was overweight by about 100 pounds. I trained by myself and followed one of Beginner Triathlete’s training plans, which was crucial because I would not have trained correctly and probably would have had an injury. Beside my stomach in knots and not breathing for the hours leading up to the start horn at the lake, I felt I was ready. Unlike the majority, I was not worried about the swim. I love to swim. But the bike and run were different – I’m a LOT less buoyant! 

The most important lesson I learned about my first tri was, don’t worry if you’re last or not, or what place you’re in. You won’t know for sure until it’s over anyway. Just do your very best and finish – no matter how you get there! I was so consumed with not being last, it ruined the whole experience for me. It was horrible. What a horrible mantra that was. Yes, I finished. No, I was not last. Sure, I knew I had work to do, but I failed to see the accomplishment of all the hard work I had put in. ...

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Bazooka Laps & Track Clumping...

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By Ted Treise

Clash Miami Race Report - Hands down my favorite race ever – a curvy lap course on the Homestead Miami NASCAR Speedway, world class competition, and a race promoter that treats triathlon’s elite like actual professionals. Let’s dive in.

Lead Up

The lead up into the race started with Ironman Florida, the second week of November 2021. After I found out Ironman’s are in fact quite hard; I took 6 weeks off and put a start to structed training around mid-December. Getting going from the off-season to race season is something like…

1. I took too much time off, there’s no turning this liquored fueled pizza ship back into an athlete.
2. I guess that workout wasn’t a complete disaster and we might have a chance.
3. I am a god – may the lord have mercy for those who stand against me!  ...

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Rust Busting and Instant Friendships...

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By Kristen Hawkins

Oro Valley Intermediate Triathlon Race Report - Great to be back racing. Grateful for the opportunity to do an early season race in ideal temps with top-notch scenery and the excellent company of Katie Deregnier

It was a little chilly off the bike but we were just glad we weren’t dealing with frozen water bottles and the icey eyelashes Minnesota has given us the last few months. 

Pool swim was smooth and surprisingly quite seamless. Rolling hills on the bike were fun and a refreshing challenge after hours on the bike trainer.  Flat, looping run course in a dry 60 degrees was a nice cherry on top of a great race. This race was a great start to the season, a good rust buster and has me hungry for more of what 2022 has in store!  ...

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Snake Swimming, True Hills & Fun With Friends...

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By Katie Deregnier

Oro Valley tri: Intermediate distance 

What a fun experience at the Oro Valley triathlon! The best part was having 3 other Minnesotans and training partners there! It is so uplifting to cheer one another on throughout the race and I am so grateful for the community triathlon in Minnesota has brought me! 

 One unique part of this event is that the swim is in a 50 meter pool. The intermediate distance did a snake swim up and down each lane. The pool was to my advantage, being that my first sport was swimming.  Flip turns and wall push-offs sure do beat open water! I finished the swim just behind pro triathlete, Lara Gruden. 

The bike was a bit chilly at about 55 degrees but I'm not complaining coming from Minnesota! The 3 loop course was beautiful and felt incredible just to be outside going up and down true hills! ...

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Triumph in Tucson...

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Four Minnesotans enjoyed a successful start to their 2022 racing seasons yesterday (Saturday) at the Oro Valley Intermediate Triathlon (750m-22.2-4.5) in Oro Valley, an upscale northern suburb of Tucson, Arizona.

Leading the way for the Loon State contingent was Farmington's 2021 Most Improved nominee KATIE DEREGNIER, who earned the women's amateur title by finishing behind local pro Lara Gruden, who rocked a 2nd place overall finish behind men's winner Soren Jensen. Deregnier, who according to our records, now has three career triathlon wins, finished 6th in the overall results.

Women's 3rd place / 2nd amateur went to another Minnesotam, one who also was part of the Most Improved discussion in 2021, KRISTEN HAWKINS of St. Paul. Winner of three multis in 2021, Kristen has landed a podium spot in five of her last seven races. ...

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Ironman Florida - Stacked Fields, Golf Ball Blisters & Chased Dreams...

 

FLrachel.pngED. Rachel, Katie and Ted reflect on their Ironman Florida experiences:

 

RACHEL ZILINSKAS - 8th place - 9:35:04 - PR

"First pro race in the books at Ironman Florida! It was a great experience lining up with such a stacked field. There was a lot I executed well but even more that I learned. I’m so excited and motivated to go on from here.
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"Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and supported me this past weekend. I really felt all the love and that’s what makes this community so special. Special shoutout to my sister for crushing her first experience as my race support, to my fellow @yoderperformance teammates on course for the encouragement and inspiration, and to Andrew and @pennltz for driving the whole way from PA to support us!" ...

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