FEATURES

Why Wade, not Sean?

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MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - Until now, we have explained the reasoning behind the categories with slam dunk, and semi-slam winners, women's Most Improved notwithstanding,

Now we move to the remaining categories, those that are controversial, thus much harder to explain.

Let's start with male TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR, a race that came down to two guys: 2017 TOY SEAN COOLEY, and this year's honoree WADE CRUSER (photo L).

Let's look at atheir respective highlights: 

SEAN (photo below) - 

- 1st @ Liberty Long Course

- 1st @ Minnespolis Olympic

- 1st @ Superiorman Half IM

- 2nd @ Heart of the Lakes ...

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Metabolic Syndrome: Gaining Weight During Training...

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By Gale Bernhardt (trainingleaks.com)

 

In the fall of 2014 an athlete, Mike Berland, came to me frustrated because whenever he began training for events longer than an hour, he gained weight. He trained for the New York Marathon twice and each time he put on about 12 pounds or so, in spite of doing several weekday and long weekend runs building up to approximately three hours. Sound familiar?

On Mike’s bucket list was a goal to complete the Hawaiian Ironman. He was concerned that training for an Ironman would make him gain even more weight. He sought the advice of doctors and other experts, who told him that he should never do workouts over an hour long because he had a condition called Metabolic Syndrome.

Not willing to settle for an answer of “No Ironman,” he contacted me....

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Why Hanna? Why Jesson?

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MINNESOTA MULTISPORT HONORS - We have already discussed the slam-dunkiness of the selections of HEATHER TAYLOR for Rookie of the Year, BECKY YOUNGBERG for female Master of the Year and TED TREISE for male Most Improved.

Let's add another: HANNA GRINAKER for Long Distance Athlete of the Year.

Though her fellow nominees--SEAN COOLEY and TED TREISE--turned in multiple impressive long course efforts, Hanna's resume was almost perfect. She raced in three half IMs, winning each time in sub-4:30, or equivalent, clockings (Liberty's course was abbreviated & Superior Man's swim was long), and made her IM debut at Wisonsin, where she placed 2nd in 10:08:33, the fastest first-time 140.6 ever by a Minnesota female amateur. 

Every one of Hanna's long distance performances were worthy of a POY nomination, indeed every race she entered last season produced a POY nomination-worthy result. ...

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Tattoo Boy's Journey....

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By MedCityBeat.com (Oct.22, 2018)

 

Among the brilliant neon tones of running shoes and technical outerwear at TerraLoco in Rochester, there’s another bright spot: Team USA triathlete, 36 year-old Michael Karau.
Just a few short years ago, though, you’d have been hard-pressed to get him into a shop like this.


“I thought athletes were silly,” explains Karau. “I thought, ‘They wear bright stuff, they look like goofballs, they’re wearing spandex. Who would want to do that?’”


“At that point in my life, I wasn’t really taking care of myself the best. I was using drugs, drinking a lot of energy drinks, drinking a lot of alcohol, just making a lot of bad decisions.”  ...

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Embracing Setbacks...

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By Bonnie Gagnon


“Can I touch it?” I asked my friend Adam. I had never seen a prosthetic leg this up-close and I was genuinely curious as to what it felt like.

“Absolutely,” he beamed.


Then he took off his leg and handed it to me.


I met Adam Warden in 2009 when we were racing triathlons. By 2012 both of us had jetted off in every direction that outdoor activities could take us. Adam has always been passionate about adventure. So passionate that on October 14th he competed in the Paratriathlon Word Cup. He kicks my butt.


The prosthetic leg was lighter than I thought it would be – it was made of carbon fiber and built to last. He also has a Blade for when he runs and races - he pulled it out of his car and let me check it out as well. Crazy impressive technology.


It was almost surreal seeing Adam standing there in my living room. He was fit, smiling ear to ear and exuded a confidence that was deeper than ever. I asked him for his autograph which elicited a hearty laugh and a bear hug. In July of 2016, Adam underwent amputation surgery due to what he calls a tree allergy – “Allergic to having them fall on me!” On June 23, 2013 he had initially undergone surgery after a tree fell on him, breaking his back, several ribs and nearly amputating his left foot. The doctors...

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