7@7 Trail Race and MSU Spring Triathlon Race Reports

                Little did I think that either race was going to happen with the cold and snow sticking around, but we finally got somewhat of a break in the weather and both races went on as scheduled.  A few miles from Mankato there were places that got up to 11 inches of snow a few days before which can seriously hamper a spring trail race and triathlon. This weekend I had a race on Saturday and Sunday (4-5 May). 

                The 7&7 Trail race is the only fund raising event that the Mankato MultisportClub puts on to fund events for the club but not all the money is used for the club. It is also labeled “A Race for Your Cause” where 1st place male and female winners of the 7 mile race win $500 each to the local charity of THEIR choosing.  An additional $1000 was given to a local charity voted on by the Club.  Otherwise, the great sponsors that support the club keep us going. So I wanted to help out by taking part in this event. I hear it was a bit of a challenging course out at 7 Mile Creek Park which is about 15 minutes from my house, so why not?

One of the "Walking hills"

                Initially I am thinking 7 mile race should be around 45 minutes right? Well I will get to that, for now I was trying to figure out what to wear on a cool, cloudy, rainy morning.  I ended up with pants, long sleeve, hat and gloves to start.  I fueled with a scoop of UCAN Cran-Raz which kept me fueled through the race. The start of the race started in the park (on asphalt) for about a half mile before we jumped on the trails. I decided to keep a moderate pace through this section since I heard of the hills that lay ahead and I hate getting passed on hills. I started out with a local ultra runner to get some words of wisdom who was well experience running at this park.  After we got on the trails and up the first hill (1 mile in), I figured it was time to step on the gas. So I picked up the pace started catching a few of the groups in front of me.  The hills were the bottle necks, as you looked ahead people were walking.  I also walked them but leaned forward into the hill and swung my arms once I got to the top I immediately started to run again.   I was able to make up some more ground this way.

                The course was difficult but it was really enjoyable. It was the first time running out there so I had no expectations.  I made my final move in the last mile to go on the last group of guys in front of me.  Which got me a finish time of 54:13 (8:12/mile) my watch had the course a bit short, but I am not complaining.  Overall 14^th place out of 122 that ran the 7 mile course and 4^th in my AG so missed a medal there but Eli (my oldest son, 3 1/2) took care of that. They also had a Kid’s 1 kilometer race which we decided to sign Eli up after his debut with the Ironkids race (200 meter race) in St George last summer.  He did the run/walk with Jess but once they started to get cheered on he ran his legs off. He got his participant medal and then proceeded to ask me where my medal was. I told him I didn’t run fast enough to win a medal. He replied “well Daddy you should have run fast like me”.  Yep he is my kid for sure.  The temperature wasn’t getting any warmer so we decided to head for the house.

Eli and his "Winner's Medal"

                Since I am training for a marathon I wasn’t off the hook only running this race today. I had a warm up (6 mile run) before the race and cool down (5 mile run) after the race.

                The MSU Spring Sprint Triathlon is put on by Campus Recreation takes place in the school’s indoor pool then the bike and run on a course south of campus. The distances for this race are 300 yard pool swim (50 yards in each of the 6 lanes), 14 mile bike and a 5 k run.  Your predicted swim time determined your start position in this race.  I was starting 5^th (predicted 4-4:30 swim time) so 2 minutes behind the leader, Paul (President of the MSU Tri Club).  We had some good trash talking going prior to the race.  I kept reminding him with 1^st start position he might as well draw a bulls eye on his back.

                The lap clock started and number 1 swimmer was off the wall. There was one athlete that didn’t start so we had a minute wait between numbers 2 and 4 starting.  Finally it was my turn to start going on 2:00. I knew I wasn't going to gain anytime on the former collegiate swimmer in the #1 position so I swam fast but conservatively to save it for the bike and run. I came out of the pool with a 4:12 swim. The timing in the race didn’t capture transition times so all times after the swim transition is included with each.  It was cloudy and in the low 40’s, so I opted to towel off and put on a dry top and arm warmer for the bike.  T1 was a crossed the street and wow putting on arm warmers was a challenge with somewhat wet skin. I jumped on the bike and knew I had some time to make up on Paul.

                The course was an out and back south of campus with one big hill to climb each way so of course had a good downhill each way, total climb on the course was around 1200 ft. There was a good 10-15 mph wind out of the north so the first leg was pretty fast. I was able to catch 2 other members of the MSU Tri club (starts 2 and 4) with in the first few miles.  I knew now the only person in front of me was Paul.  I tried to keep my power down knowing if I had the legs I had a better chance of running him down.  Keeping track of where he was when I saw him heading back in but lost track as we yelled at each other something like “I am coming to get you” “Come catch me”.  I made the turn around and then the wind I had been riding became a head wind. It was tough going but I just kept aero and pushed what I could. I was able to see how the rest of the field was looking seeing another member of the MSU Tri club (started 6^th move up on the bike in to 3^rd place behind me).  As I came in to T2 I saw Paul running already a good bit out of transition. I came off the bike in 43:27 with my transition coming out of the water.

Last part of the run at MSU Triathlon

                My strongest event, the run, is where I hope to catch him. I took off on the out and back 5k course.  I just ran as hard as I could to see how close I was to Paul by the turn around.  I was surprised with very little triathlon specific training this year being focused on marathon training I haven’t run off the bike this year. So this was a first and it was like I didn’t miss a beat since last season. I was running under 6 minute miles and legs were feeling great.  A few minutes from turn around (little over 3 minutes) I high five Paul on his way back, he was running well.  I just kept the pedal to the metal.  Finally coming in to the finish running a 19:08 with transition so I am pretty sure that was close to an 18:50 5K. Wow that is faster than any open 5k I have ran in the past.

                In the end Paul beat me by 52 seconds but boy was that a fun race. I enjoy having someone to race hard against; I was able to do that last year at Lake to Lake in Loveland with my buddy Louis.  With the Age Group start we were 15 minutes apart so you aren’t racing side by side but you know you need to push when racing that far apart not knowing how fast they are going. I know Paul (21 year old) raced hard knowing a 32 year old was trying to run him down.  I congratulated him and the rest of the competitors. Again the cool weather kept me from sticking around too long. It was a great race only about 20 athletes took part maybe due to the weather but those that showed up had a great time.  It was a great “early” season tri for me to knock the cobwebs off.

Next Race on the docket is the Fargo Marathon 18th of May.