FEATURES
Numbers Crunching Spiritual Artist...
-
Thursday, 16 January 2020 23:10
B
y Erin Lahti (Facebook)
I told myself I wasn't going to do a typical year end post. But, I'm a big fat liar. The last few years, I post my total milage (swim, bike, run) for the year. This year's numbers just didn't stack up to previous years. And I'm totally okay with that. Its ironic how important those numbers used to be to me.
Yes, I logged less. But, I smiled more. 😁
2019 was simply the most interesting year of my life thus far. Navigating through a divorce, single parenting, a car accident, injuries, a new job, and my first DNF, just to name a few things.
I've never been so afraid. I've never cried so much yet laughed so hard. I've never traveled so much and met so many amazing people. Learning to always be grateful for whatever comes my way. Slowing down and being kind to myself.
I'm continuing to learn about myself, the universe around me and where I fit into it....
Thinking About 2020...
-
Tuesday, 14 January 2020 23:10
2019 
was an odd year. A few prominent athletes either didn't race at all (Wade Cruser, Matt Payne, Suzie Fox, Jesson Baumgartner), or raced in out-of-state events only, (Gaby Bunten, Joe Adriaens), or only sparingly (Elaine Nelson, Kevin O'Connor, Dani Vsetecka, Nicole Heininger, Sam Hauck).
Sean Cooley only raced in one Minnesota tri last year. We're used to seeing him at between five (2018) and nine (2017 and 2016) local races. Likewise, Jordan Roby is also a veteran of 5 - 9 annual local races, but like Sean, he only raced in one Minnesota tri in 2019.
No judgment here. We just miss watching these great athletes do that voodoo that they do so well.
On the positive side, there were those who filled in some of the gaps in 2019, like our state's most decorated female multisporter Cathy Yndestad (photo L), who returned to Minnesota after having lived abroad for four years; and up-and-coming collegians Rachel Zilinkskas and Jenna Horner, as well as elite rookies Paige Schulz and Caryn Herrick.
Will everyone be back in 2020? ...
Another National Honor For Tony?
-
Sunday, 12 January 2020 23:10
The
re seems to be two categories of Elite Age Group athletes. The largest category is comprised of men and women who score within the parameters of recognized performance standards. The smaller "eliter" category consists of those who are capable of setting new standards, and sometimes do just that.
They are the "bar raisers."
Who are some of the male bar raisers? 2018, 2017 USAT Master of the Year LEE WALTHER, 56, of Oklahoma City is certainly one, as are Midwesterners TONY SCHILLER (61, Chanhassen, MN) and GREG TAYOR (65, Yankton, SD).
Tony and Greg are two of the most decorated American AG triathletes ever, and both appear destined to be 2019 USA Triathlon Grand Master of the Year finalists. Greg took home the GMOY in 2017 and 2015. Tony became eligible for the award in 2018, and, in our opinion, raced well enough to be named GMOY Honorable Mention, but was overlooked....
Full Circle...
-
Friday, 10 January 2020 23:10
By Guy Limbeck (postbulletin.com)
Rochester's Ruth Brennan Morrey didn't get to indulge too much over the holidays. That's because she was in training, like she has been virtually her entire adult life.
The former professional triathlete was also recovering and celebrating from a recent marathon that earned her a spot in the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials.
The 44-year-old qualified during the California International Marathon on Dec. 8. The women's standard to qualify, within a two-year window of the Olympics, is two hours and 45 minutes. Brennan Morrey had a time of 2:43.41.
"It was super exciting because it was a goal of mine for the last two years since I retired from triathlon," Brennan Morrey said. "It was just a goal that was pretty special as it was the 20-year anniversary of when I qualified for the first time." ....
Another National Award for Patrick?
-
Wednesday, 08 January 2020 23:10
Bas
ed on our research, three men, all of whom are upper Midwesterners, appear to be slam-dunk finalists for USA Triathlon's 2019 Duathlete of the Year. They are RYAN GIULIANO (IL), 2018 DOY TODD BUCKINGHAM (MI), and Mnnesota's PATRICK PARISH, a four-time DOY, thrice as an Elite, once as an AGer.
Buckingham, a totally cool guy, won Sprint Nationals and placed 2nd at Draft Legal Nats. These results appear to be the extent of his du racing in 2019, thus an Honorable Mention is probably the best he could hope for.
Patrick's du resume was slightly more voluminous, and featured victories at Standard Distance Du Nationals, our country's most competitive run-bike-run, and the resurrected Gear West Du, plus a silver medal effort at Apple.
Good enough for another DOY nod?
We hope so, but reckon that Giuliano will win the prize. If we are correct, Patrick will have to settle for an HM.
Here is Ryan's 2019 Du scorecard: ...
