It’s been a super busy past month which is no excuse for huge gaps in blog up dates. Since I am still pretty new to all of this (the art of blogging) I hope some of my faithful followers can cut me a little slack. Consistency is key when it comes to mastering any skill and making improvements……..something I do easily preach to others but find it difficult to apply to myself. This lack of consistency not only in blogging could shed some light on my very subpar start to the race season this past weekend…more on that later. Anyway, I will do my best to be timelier with up dates.On an athlete update note, the BIG NEWS is earlier this month USAT Elite Professional Kevin Collington took a step up to the big time competing in his first ITU World Cup race ( this is comparable to a minor league baseball player getting his first major league start). As part of USAT’s Elite Development Team and some hard work earlier in the year to score ITU points, he was able to get himself on the start line for the New Plymouth BG World Cup in New Zealand.
It was a quality field with the men’s winner being one who many predict will capture Olympic Gold this summer….. the fast footed Javier Gomez ( he clocked a 29:37 10K!!). Through http://www.triathlon.org/ website I was able to watch Kevin’s race unfold.
The swim was a very fast start but Kevin managed to stay in contact with the main group and latch on to the large train of athletes leaving T1. This was good start because if an athlete misses the front/main pack then he or she has to work really hard on the bike to make up time and will need to produce a stellar run in order to have a good finishing place. As bad luck would have it as Kevin was getting into his bike shoes, one of them came unclipped and fortunately stayed in his hand. This is not a big deal in nondrafting races BUT when you have to slow down to get your shoe on and clipped in.........then look up and realize the “train has left the station”....... your tough day has now just gotten even tougher. To Kevin’s credit, he did not give up on this day. One of things I discuss with an athlete racing at any level is regardless of what the day throws at you, you have to make the most of it. A race gone sour may mean the plan may have to change but quitting is NEVER an option…. unless of course mechanically or medically there is a reason one cannot go on. Sometimes the greatest successes are born out of defeat......as long as we can be accountable for the outcome and learn from any mistakes we can make sure the next time is hopefully a much better day.
To finish up Kevin’s story, he did manage to get himself in a small group on the bike ( those that got pinched out on the swim) and tried some race tactics to see how it might play out. Unfortunately it did not play how we all hoped. A strong mind and cheers from a group of newfound Kiwi fans helped him to the finish line…….and luckily not in last place. Kevin has a good sense of humor about his 58th place finish and taking it all in stride and is looking into getting a better pedal/shoe setup. The biggest misfortune is not being able to see how his improvements in his cycling and running fitness stack up against the international fields on the ITU circuit. As Phil Leggit seems to say every year during the Tour de France……"he’ll live to fight another day!”
Kevin’s next big “fight” will be in Alabama this next weekend. As a University of Florida Senior he will be going to Tuscaloosa to defend his Colligate National Championship title (the photo is Kevin winning in 2007). Of course, I do hope he follows in the foot steps of another one of my favorite young professionals… 2 time Colligate National Champion ( 2006,2007) Justine Whipple….who by the way had a VERY nice World Cup debut in Ishigaki Japan this past weekend....... OTC life and training is serving her well.
Well thats enough for now…..will report on the events of the past weekend ( my return to racing and some great athlete results) after I wrap up this month’s Ironman.com article……topic-----Caffeine
To finish up Kevin’s story, he did manage to get himself in a small group on the bike ( those that got pinched out on the swim) and tried some race tactics to see how it might play out. Unfortunately it did not play how we all hoped. A strong mind and cheers from a group of newfound Kiwi fans helped him to the finish line…….and luckily not in last place. Kevin has a good sense of humor about his 58th place finish and taking it all in stride and is looking into getting a better pedal/shoe setup. The biggest misfortune is not being able to see how his improvements in his cycling and running fitness stack up against the international fields on the ITU circuit. As Phil Leggit seems to say every year during the Tour de France……"he’ll live to fight another day!”
Kevin’s next big “fight” will be in Alabama this next weekend. As a University of Florida Senior he will be going to Tuscaloosa to defend his Colligate National Championship title (the photo is Kevin winning in 2007). Of course, I do hope he follows in the foot steps of another one of my favorite young professionals… 2 time Colligate National Champion ( 2006,2007) Justine Whipple….who by the way had a VERY nice World Cup debut in Ishigaki Japan this past weekend....... OTC life and training is serving her well.
Well thats enough for now…..will report on the events of the past weekend ( my return to racing and some great athlete results) after I wrap up this month’s Ironman.com article……topic-----Caffeine
Train smart & eat well,
~Jennifer
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