You teach them fine nuances of swimming stroke and laboring love of running at their limit but they get swept off the feet by the flashy hotness of road cycling… Another bittersweet racing success for a Lifer that is now going to a church of road cycling – Allyson Kutler wins overall yet another crit in South California riding for Dolce Vita. I am not surprised when she wins ITT’s, after all, cycling time trials and long distance triathlons are “kissing cousins” but crits?!… What happened to “triathletes can’t ride” bromide? I guess some can handle their bikes after all – and here is a lesson to the current and future Lifers: not to avoid our drills-and-skills bike handling training sessions.
Archive for the ‘Lifers’ Category
Uncorked Ally K. (note wine bottle being saved)
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010Come and get it, fresh results here… still with aroma of sweat and skin lube
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
First congratulation is going to a Lifer who now prays in “another church” – of road cycling racing. Olivia Dillion took a rare double victory last week in Sligo, Ireland – she won both Irish National Time Trial Championships and the Road Race Championship. Prior to becoming an elite bike racer, she was a triathlete. Her cycling talent was transparent during her half ironman training history with us. Unfortunately, she never had a chance to show off her another athletic talent during our “sandbox training” (she used to play on the National Irish Volleyball team).
Earlier in June, in out own local version of ITT and TTT events at the Bear Mountain Seven Lake races, TriLife Racing (composite team of “Big Phil” B., Tim “Do not make nicknames for me” W. and Michael “8 Pack” F. were second overall in the Men’s TTT event beating out almost all (real cycling) teams. Tim W. also took second overall in Cat. 5 ITT race (making that weekend a pleasant SuperBrick for him - with triathlon race, couple road cycling TT’s and other training). Michael F. and “Big Tim” were respectively fourth and fifth in ITT race.
Back to triathlon scene, Tupper Lake races saw its usual TriLife invasion this year. Megan Wiseman took overall half ironman race, with Michelle Mag. and Colleen H. taking age group spots. In the sprint distance, Mike “8 Pack” F. took either second or third overall (something about equipment-based DQ for a person in front), Jac. Lake was first in her age group (speeding to be also the fastest even among the men in her age group 
, and Jim “Fisherman” C. also taking the first in his age group.
I drop the hammer and hope for the best
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Oh Lenny… how far have you come in one year. From tri-geek bike and (very adequate) nutritional supplies for 100 mile training rides to “I’m jumping through holes 12 inches wide just to stay with my lead out and fighting for every inch of real estate. We hit Cat’s Paw… I veer right and I shoot up the gutter on the right, one rider tries to squeeze me into the curb I start yelling ‘coming through’ hoping he will give way. He does. Now approaching the top I can see the front of the peloton to my left with about 6 riders across. After cresting… I drop the hammer and hope for the best. Next thing I know I’m crossing the line first.”
Congratulations – your first race after upgrade from Cat. 5 and overall win!
For those whose dreams were crashed that race… where are you every Tuesday at 5:00 am when I greet Lenny before his sprint practice and I see noone else training with him?
You should have seen how they looked BEFORE the swim…
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Yes, some triathletes can swim. Here are AB, Deanne, Wendy-Lynn, and Cat AFTER their Manhattan Island Marathon Swim relay. We still not sure “why?” but we will take this as another inspirational proof that once you decide that some goal is a good idea, with motivation and planning it can actually happen.
Since they ONLY had to swim, let’s recognize “little people” who crewed for them (like G-man, who got to paddle kayak for 9 hours straight) and cheered and gave them snippy comments
Holiday season, triathlete version
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Happy holiday season everyone!
Here are 10 examples from actual Lifer’s life on how his holiday season is similar to citizens’ lives.
1. Received holiday cards, at least two from sports medicine specialists.
2. Amazon.com wish-list includes a new bike saddle, Powertap, and running shoes.
3. Holiday party circuit includes a stop at the primary PT’s party.
4. Observed your running coach riding a bike in a Santa suit in Central Park… more than once.
5. Every time you have a chip/dip/cookie, a Russian voice chimes “PWR” in your head.
6. More than 75% of the guests at your own holiday party will have completed a marathon or Ironman.
7. Already recorder location and operation hours of swimming pool where you are traveling for holidays.
8. Race medal(s) utilized as X-mas tree ornaments.
9. Completed more than one race with “holiday” or “jingle bell” in the name in a 7 day period
10. More than 50% of conversations at office holiday party begin with “So, what are you training for now?”
Recent results
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009Random list of what filtrated to coaches for the last couple of weeks…
Lynne Hewitt – 14th overall (32:18:47) in the Grand Teton 100 Mile Ultra run in Wyoming.
Megan Wiseman – 1st Woman overall, 11th Overall (11:01:26) in the Iron Distance Tri at Plymouth Rock, MA.
Green Mountain Stage Race 2009:
Cynthia Lo (3-4 Women field) – 6:15:54 total time. Riding for TriLife Racing.
Peta Takai (3-4 Women field) – 6:08:48 total time. Riding for CRCA/Teany Cycling.
Lenny Galati (4-5 Men field) – 6:55:05 total time. Riding for CRCA/NY Velocity. Finished top 10 on Stage 2 circuit race.
Governor’s Island 2 Mile swim:
Amanda Betsold 50:32
Todd Houchins 1:03:13
Deanne Draeger 1:03:22
Ironman Canada 2009:
Ryan Pacifico 10:52:01
Jen Cennedella 12:07:04
Shawn Duffy 12:48:27
Kristin Duffy 13:50:55
Recent results – weekend of 8/15/09
Monday, August 17th, 2009Cynthia “C-Lo” sprinted into top 10 in her first CRCA road race. Her women’s field did five Central Park loops – lap times: 17:12, 15:40, 16:35, 16:09, 16:27.
Lynne “Can I save your life?” Hewitt flew in for a day to Sacramento to run in 88 degrees “Hotter Than Hell 12 Hours” ultra in order to do required 50 miles under 11 hours (her actual time is sub-10 hours) for qualification into Western States 100. Lynne was second woman and eighth overall (first woman also won race overall and established new women’s race record). Good luck to Lynne in upcoming Grand Tetons ultra on Labor Day and her progression to ever brutal events.
Gerry “No, I did not tow my blue cooler this race” Louw, a part of fab D&G team, did “reversed duathlon” on Mt. Washington – Bicycle Hillclimb 7.6 miles “overgear interval” followed by the downhill scramble/uphill run of part of the Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail.
And now <drum roll>, the weekend’s ultra duration event award goes to Heather Maloy for her marathon delivery session of 30+ hours! At the successful finish line, her support crew (Rick) was increased by one – Riley Anson Maloy, 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 and 1/2 inches. Damn these Lifers are so fertile… must be something about the bike saddles?
PS. Feel free to reveal your own and your teammates race results. Coaches protect their information sources…
Hill repeats in France
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Evidence that Michael Conlon of Finish Line Physical Therapy trains 
even on vacation, even in Provence, even on the Tour de France stage. It would be very interesting to compare his ride time to the top of the Mont Ventoux against running up there. It also would be interesting to know how much faster he and other Lifers on this trip (see evidence of Jason “Flash” below) would climb without “discover local beers and wines” stops.
Depending on route, this climb is 21 to 25 km, with the average of 7+ % grade. And, as its name implies, Windy Mountain has unlimited supply of the Mistral to make miles near the top harder to climb or descend. I hope everyone had enough brake pads and hand strength to survive trip down.
Priceless Series
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
St. Anthony Triathlon race fees – $150
TriLife Coaching training program – $1000
Airfare to Florida – $500
Ability to intrigue race photographer at the finish line – $0 (included in TriLife program).
Being forced to explain forever that time on the finishing clock is from the pro race start – priceless.
There are some things money can’t buy. For triathlon training, there’s TriLife.
Sharing good race results
Thursday, June 11th, 2009TriLife coaches are not known for “selling” their services based on their own athletic achievements (overall race and/or age group wins, ironman distance finished, Kona qualifications, or finishing times). We believe that coaching knowledge and skills COMBINED with personal racing and training successes are needed to provide good advice. Great results are nice, and even very helpful when coaching certain level of athletes, but they are not something that should sway rational selection criteria in choosing coach or his/her methodology. We also feel that one must control your own vanity or size of your head might outgrow available helmet sizing.
Most of TriLife athletes end up following this approach for their race successes – not bragging to the whole world (or even mentioning it to their training partners). In a way, we are proud of such humble and reserved attitude. But sometimes coaches wonder if such silent approach is a correct one. Last couple of month, there were many good and great performances worth indicating but since athletes did not say anything, not all information ended up public.
This week, my cup “runneth over.” Enough being secretive about good results! And we, as coaches, should feel proud to mention our athletes successes. What brought this up – Lenny G. from IronTeam 2009 casually noted that he “was doing just OK” during the long Sunday Brick on River Road, and commented how late he got there since he had to drive from Harriman SP. Well, the reason for doubled location is that he won Seven Lakes Time Trial road cycling race on June 7, 2009. Than someone noted Bill W.’s “King of the Mountain” points at the recent MTB race.
Just before that news, I saw USAT “magazine” with 2008 All Americans and Honor Mentioned lists. I was too lazy and randomly looked into only one age group (I am not revealing it since all our female athletes are so mature but young) but Allyson K. and Aly G. names jumped out.
Before that, Coach Dennis taking second third overall and first in age group (coach note: corrected by Dennis – isn’t he so honest and humble – if I could run that fast, I would be insufferable elitist) at the Hook Mountain half marathon… and Jarod S., Alex DeN., and Cristine T. placing first or second in their age groups…
And this continues probably to some extent… Lifers, please remind us on on your great performances during “training races.”