Georgia On My Mind

TEAM STL is thinking about adding the newly announced Ironman 70.3 Augusta to the 2009 race schedule. Rosenthal has already committed and Cragg is already OUT. The event will take place in the classic southern city of Augusta, Georgia on Sunday, September 27, 2009 (this is 8 weeks out from IM AZ) with a field of 2,000. Ironman 70.3 Augusta will offer athletes the unique opportunity to race in two states, as the cycling portion of this event will take athletes into the great state of South Carolina. Prior to the bike portion, athletes will swim a 1.2 mile point-to-point course in the Savannah River exiting at the Augusta Rowing Club Complex and the Augusta public boat launch. Athletes will then cycle a single-loop 56 mile bike course through the beautiful countryside of South Carolina before returning to the Georgia side of the Savannah River and the city of Augusta, Ga. Finally, athletes will run a two-loop course consisting of 13.1 miles, through the downtown community of Augusta finishing near the Augusta Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

Zion Pepper

Pepper took a break from triathlon training to go Canyoneering in Zion Park, Utah. Not since the swim start at Ironman Wisconsin did Mike find himself in this many life or death situations. Frustrated by losing to Rosenthal at every single endurance activity this year, Mike decided to use this drastically different training approach in order to better his future performance. It remains to see whether this training will bear fruit but it sure looks fun! Make sure that you catch up with Pepper soon - he is in town for a brief visit before heading to Kona soon. Does this guy work anymore or has he succumb to the Rosenthal ways of the FORCE??

Team STL Muskoka Pics

Rosenthal first out of the H2O.

The Doctor gets ready to attack the bike.

Amy O finishing strong!!!

KARNO

50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!

Amazon Book Description: In the Fall of 2006, Dean Karnazes, known as the Lance Armstrong of the running world, took on the ultimate challenge: running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Dean set off in a caravan packed with fellow runners, with nothing more than a roadmap and a determination that defied all physical limitations. 50/50 goes beyond the incredible story of these 50 marathons. It is a firsthand, fascinating story of what it's like to push the limits of strength under grueling conditions -- and how Dean Karnazes pulled off the extraordinary. This book is also packed with Dean's secrets that runners everywhere will want to know. These include what to do when you hit a wall, how to adapt quickly to drastic terrain, how to get motivated after a really tough day, and the best diet and exercise tips to improve your own best time. Complete with Dean's practical tips on building endurance, this book will appeal to marathon runners and athletes everywhere, as well as to readers who crave an inspiring story.

More From Muskoka

Official Results:
Rosenthal: 5:57:13
Noda: 6:26:31
Ohlau: 6:42:34

Rosenthal Recap:
The Doctor and I can attest that the weekend was one for the ages. We had an amazing adventure. Two flights, rent a car, get to the border, get stopped at the border, no green card, get detained for 2 hours at the border, Seiichi calling Kim to Fed Ex green card in a panic, find a Comfort Inn in Niagara Falls, dinner at the Hard Rock, Saturday AM run/ride down to the falls, breakfast, 10:30 Fed Ex arrives with Green Card, leave bike cases at hotel, noon drive to Huntsville, finally find a Starbucks on the way, arrive at Hidden Valley Resort, check bikes in, go to expo, get picture taken with Lisa Bentley/Craig Alexander,relax back at hotel, drive 35 minutes to incredible pasta joint, eat like kings and a queen, drive home, go to bed, wake up, bus down to race start, bikes soaked from overnight rain, down to swim start, race, water cold but nice, bike harder than Innsbrook/harder than Wisconsin except in distance, run the hardest I have ever done in a race and pouring rain at this point, finish, drink Ultragen, change clothes, walk bikes 10 minutes uphill with heavy backpacks on back to resort, lay out wet clothes, shower, nap, out to fancy dinner at Deerhurst, Tuna for me, ELK/Tuna split for SN/AO, drink at the bar, bedtime, wake up, load car, check out, drive back to border, no problems this time, back to hotel, SN puts 3 bikes together, Tommy supervises, back to Buffalo airport, check bikes, return car, hugs to Amy, two more flights, shuttle to my car, drop off SN, finally HOME!!!!

Oh Canada

An international field of athletes gathered at the starting line of the inaugural Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka in Huntsville. Over 1400 athletes joined Rosenthal and Noda for the 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike followed by a 21.1 km run through the picturesque Muskoka region. I am sad to report that neither member of TEAM STL was able to oust Australia's Craig Alexander for the top spot. Alexander won with a time of 4:10:31. Rosenthal was gracious in defeat stating that "Alexander is a world champion at the 70.3 distance in 2006 and is acknowledged as one of the best at this distance." Boulder, Colorado's own Joanna Zeiger was able to hold off STL's Amy Ohlau with a winning time on the female side of 4:37:04. It was a miracle that the three STL competitors were even allowed into the country as Dr. Noda forgot to put identification into his transition bag and was refused admitance into Canada. Furtunately for him, the border patrol guard was smitten with young Ohlau and agreed to look the other way while Seiichi jumped the fence. More details to come once TEAM STL re-enters the United States but let's just say that I am looking forward to some great stories from the US side of Niagara Falls!!!

Editors Note: This post sponsored in part by the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill: Niagara Falls.

The List

I know that Rosenthal will eventually do each and every one of these events listed below. You might want to start talking to your spouse today about the possibility of doing Ironman Malaysia in February. Not even I could pop that one on Suzy last minute. Although, I wouldn't put it past Noda to call Kim from Langkawi to let her know that he will not be home for dinner. Pick your race and start training immediately.

HERE IS THE LIST...

• Ironman Malaysia
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Langkawi, Malaysia
Open

•Ironman New Zealand
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Taupo, New Zealand
Open

• Ironman Australia
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
Open

• Ironman South Africa
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Open

• Ironman China
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Haikou, Hainan Island, China
Open

• Ironman Lanzarote
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Open

• Ironman Brazil
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Florianopolis, Brazil
Open

• Ironman Japan
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Goto, Nagasaki, Japan
Open

• Ironman Coeur d'Alene
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA
Sold Out

• Ironman France
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Nice, France
Open

• Ironman Austria
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Klagenfurt, Austria
Sold Out

• Ironman Germany
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Frankfurt, Germany
Sold Out

• Ironman Switzerland
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Zurich, Switzerland
Sold Out

• Ironman Lake Placid
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Lake Placid, New York, USA
Sold Out

• Ironman Canada
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Penticton, B.C., Canada
Sold Out

• Ironman Louisville
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Open

• Ironman UK
2009 Date TBD
Sherborne, Dorset, United Kingdom
Not Yet Open

• Ironman Wisconsin
Sunday, September 13, 2009
- Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Sold Out

• Ironman Florida
2009 Date TBD
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
Not Yet Open

• Ironman Arizona
2009 Date TBD
Tempe, Arizona, USA
Not Yet Open

• Ironman Cozumel
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open

• Ironman Western Australia
2009 Date TBD
Busselton, WA, Australia
Not Yet Open

• Ironman World Championship
2009 Date TBD
Kona, Hawaii, USA

Wisconsin 2009 Is In The Books

Let's be clear, I am not saying that I will do another Ironman but I will admit that I got sucked back in a little bit last night. I actually logged on and watched the live finish line from the 2009 IM MOO. The music was pumping as competitors crossed the line in Madison while the announcer called out name after name followed by YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!. This truly is an unbelievable race. IM WI has quickly become one of the most popular Ironman events in the world, joining the likes of Lake Placid and Canada as one of the top events on the North America Sports schedule. Ironman Wisconsin provides the unique backdrop of downtown Madison, as athletes finish their day directly in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. A quick 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, followed by a 112-mile bike ride throughout Dane County and then a complete marathon (26.2 miles) in and around the downtown area. If you want to get a sense for how great this race truly is, then click here.

The Triple Bypass

The 21st Annual Triple Bypass
July 11, 2009

(don't forget to sign up early)

This has got to make the schedule next year. 120 miles from Evergreen to Avon over Squaw (11,140 ft.), Loveland (11,990 ft.), Swan Mountain and Vail (10,560 ft.) passes, with over 10,000 ft. of lung-busting gain in elevation! The ride starts in Evergreen at an elevation of 7,220 feet, moves up Squaw Pass (9,807 feet) and then Juniper Pass (11,140 feet) before descending all the way to Idaho Springs (7,524 feet). Next comes a long climb to the top of Loveland Pass (11,990 feet), and then the steep plunge down to Keystone. After a ride around Lake Dillon, riders make their way to Copper Ski Area and then up Vail Pass (10,560 feet) before the long decline into Avon (7,430 feet). The ride climbs 10,310 total feet, and will take Bob Denlow and I at least 10 hours to blaze through. The Triple Bypass is limited to 3,500 participants. Registration opens on January 1, 2009 and will fill within 10 days. Let me know if you have any interest in giving this a go next year. I am sure that the TEAM STL jersey next year will feature this race. I fully expect Tom Stringer to lead the charge in getting everyone to make the trek out west for this phenomenal bike ride. This could also serve as a great warm up for all those who have Ironman aspirations next year. WOW!!!

Trailnet Active Living Awards

Our own Nancy Lieberman is being honored as this year's "Health Individual" by Trailnet for her significant contributions to the health of individuals as founder and president of GO! St. Louis. Trailnet is commending Nancy for taking an upstart marathon weekend and growing it into a year-round community wellness leader that includes nationally acclaimed innovative programs and events. (FYI - Trailnet is also the organization that puts on our favorite Bicycle Fun Club Rides - that's why it sounds familiar!) The Award will be presented on 9/25 at the Alberici Corporate Headquartres at 8800 Page Avenue. Cocktail Reception 5:30-7:30. Award Presenation 6:30. Let's all go to support her accomplishments! Tickets can be purchases online at trailnet.org/m_awards.php.

IM Moo Weather

One year ago the boys from TEAM STL hit the road in Big Red and headed up to Madison, Wisconsin to compete in IM MOO. Can you believe that it was one year ago? Wow, things have certainly changed. I now work out twice per week instead of twice per day!!! Oh well, life happens. Anyway, a quick check at the weather conditions for this coming weekend's race shows a low of 51 degrees and a high of 72 with isolated thunderstorms. I post this forecast for nostalgic reasons since a year ago TEAM STL was completely obsessed with weather conditions, receiving hourly updates from meteorologist, Tommy Rosenthal.

Sarah Reinerstein

TPR and Pep got a shot with my favorite Ironman, Sarah Reinerstein. It was just three years ago when I sat at home watching NBC's coverage of the Ironman World Championships. Tears streamed down my face whan Sarah missed the bike cutoff. That's right, I can admit it - I WAS IN TEARS. The next year she completed the race and the following year she got her picture taking wtih Rosenthal and Pepper. Now that is what I call a phenomenal career!!! What's next? A latte with Bob Denlow perhaps.

Andy Potts

Is it me or does it look like Andy Potts and his two young sons? This guys is a man - Pep and Rosenthal look like children compared to this Olympic hopeful.

Good Look Or Bad??

You will have to be the judge on this one. Yes, the aero helmet will shave one second off of your three hour time however, is it really worth breaking every fashion rule out there??? What I can't figure out is how did Marianne even let him out the door looking like this!?