IRWINMAN

With the bacteria levels being questionable for HY VEE, Tom Irwin took the initiative and created his own event...the first (annual?) 'Jake' Irwin Triathlon (aka Irwinman). This was billed as a fun event with a competitive edge. Tom and Bernice both did an outstanding job officiating the race. They somehow managed to get everyone to the race start on time, timed each event, directed bikers on the bike course at various points, manned the water station, and hosted a post race breakfast of bagels, doughnuts, and coffee, while reporting the results faster than any race has done - including several calls to John throughout the day to provide real time updates. Also, a special 'thank you' to Nancy for working with Tom and Bernice to design the race. In addition, the service at 'Hotel Irwin' was great!!...anyone staying there must have a serving of Bernice's meatballs (except Tommy).

Kona Bound

New rumours out of STL regarding a TRI BULL trip to Kona. The trip just happens to coincide with the Ironman World Championships. Just to be clear, this is a spectating trip - we don't want any confusion on that point. Details are just starting to slip out but needless to say it seems that there is substantial plotting and planning surrounding an October team trip to the Big Island. More info soon but let's just say that Tommy, Both Peppers and Noda have lost their collective minds.

Good Luck Kevin

Good luck to our favorite Top Chef, Kevin Nashan, as he tackles Ironman Coeur d' Alene this weekend. This guy has been training incredibly hard and we know that he will have a great race.

This is a phenomenal destination race that is named after the Coeur d'Alene Indian tribe. The race is held in a former logging and lumber town boasting a population of 50,000.

Kevin will complete a two-loop swim course which has the potential to be tough, but has even more potential to be a really nice start to the day. It's become the norm to hear that the water is cold ... the word is that the athletes can expect water somewhere between 63 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit (too cold for Jim Wright).

All of the courses at Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene are two-loop affairs, and both the bike and the run pass by the finish line and transition area four times, so spectators are in for a great day. The bike course is more challenging than it initially would appear. The course is very technical, with enough difficulty to keep things interesting. It would be hard not to have a picturesque run course in Coeur d'Alene. It's relatively flat, it's fast, and it goes through some of the most picturesque neighborhoods this picturesque town has to offer. The limiting factor on the run ... the heat!

We are all looking forward to hourly updates from Mina who will be there cheering him on. Go Get 'Em Kevin!!! A sub 12 hour finish and it is free appetizers all around (and Sidney Street has the BEST apps in town)!

Rec Plex Pics

Let me be the first to admit that the only evidence of my past Ironman experience is my Ironman Finisher t-shirt. Without this, it would have been impossible to tell from my performance this past weekend that in fact, I AM AN IRONMAN!

That said, it was great to once again be one of the boys out there on the triathlon circuit. Somehow Seiichi, Tommy and Mike convinced me to sign up last minute for the St. Peters Recplex. Forget for a moment that my weekly workout regime has lately consisted of working long hours and getting one spin class in PER WEEK.

It didn't matter though, this was all about feeling like a triathlete again. Thanks to my wife, Suzy, for letting me spend Father's Day morning in a pool, on a bike and running out in St. Peters. It was awesome being out there with the rest of the TRI BULLS even though they were much faster then the slow, out of shape kid in for the weekend from Denver.

Stern's List Of Excuses

From Scott Stern - reasons why he did not have a good race...

I forgot to mention a few things (excuses):

1. I got kicked in the swim.
2. My goggles fogged up.
3. My bike got moved in the transition area.
4. I got a flat tire on the bike.
5. I got stopped by the train.
6. I stopped on the bike to give milk to a hungry kitten.
7. Someone spilled GU in my running shoes.
8. Someone put vodka in my water cup.
9. I took a wrong turn on the run (added 2 miles)
10. To build endurance, I did whole race with 20-pound ankle weights.

Or perhaps this was god punishing me for not wearing my Tri-Bull racing shirt!

And one question to ponder? Why does everyone kick Rosenthal’s ass during every TRAINING swim, bike and run but he dominates come race day???

Rec Plex Results

Finishing SLOW but FINISHING!

Team TRI BULL

THE RESULTS

Team Noda 9.26 1:13:15 (19.5) 31:38 (7:11) 1:54:20
Tommy 9:16 1:11:49 (19.8) 34:50 (7:55) 1:55:57
Pepper 9:59 1:13:56 (19.4) 33:52 (7:42) 1:57:48
Scottie Stern 9:38 1:15:32 (19.1) 37:15 (8:28) 2:02:27
Strassner 10:33 1:25:38 (17.6) 41:14 (9:22) 2:17:26
Shawn O'Neal 7:50 56:47 (26.6) 28:38 (6:30) 1:33:16 - WINNER!!!

Other notables...

Kevin Brennan (Sean's Dad) 1:52:34
Stephen O'Neal 2:06:38
Carol Wright 2:05:04
Jim Wright 2:21:33
Francisco 2:18:37
Amy O. 2:29:50

Highlight for sure was having John back for the day in his Tri-Bull jersey.

Lowlight for sure was Dr. Noda not doing the run and costing Tommy 6th in his age group, but loved having Chris out there with us.

Welcome To Sweat Louis

WARNING!!! If you thought the picture of TPR shaving his legs before Ironman was bad then you are not going to like the picture below...

I am very happy that I was not in town for the sweat test that took place last week. The test included a scale that was brought out to measure weight loss after a workout. This has been weighing on my mind (pun intended)...Rosenthal loses 4 lbs in 52 minutes...who needs Atkins!!! I can only hope that no females saw the boys weighing in - it would kill their chances (as if they have any) at Parties In The Park.

"come hill or high water...I'm biking"

Noda at the Mighty Mississippi Riverfront at flood stage

There has been so much talk lately regarding all of the flooding in the midwest, but hey, this is IRONMAN TRAINING BABY and nothing can get in the way of that!!! Dr. Noda (dressed appropriately in full TRI BULL Garb) braved the high waters in order to get in his bike workout. Personally I think this was short sighted. He should have taken advantage of the flooded MIGHTY MISS and ditched his bike in favor of a wetsuit. Now that would have been an open water swim!