Kudos, 2008 Season

Six Sage Endurance athletes competed at the Beach2Battleship half-iron-distance race on November 1. There’s a short report here and a fuller recounting to be written soon. Marne T. was the anchor of the third-place mixed relay. Dave D. finished second in his age group, while Julee W. won hers in the last mile! Derek G., Robyn F., and Katy B. all finished happy and were able to enjoy themselves—and a glass or two of wine raised in celebration!—at the beach later that evening, in the company of Natalie G., Rachel D., and Claire C., all current or former athletes of mine.

Two Sage Endurance athletes represented the USA at duathlon world championships: Julee W. in short-course (Italy, September) and Travis T. in long-course (Belgium, August). Julee took second-place for women in the Finish Strong Winter Duathlon Series and was fifth in her age group at Duathlon Nationals; she won the Ramblin’ Rose triathlon in Chapel Hill after running two hours the day before. Travis, second in his age group at the St. Croix 70.3, competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in November. His early season included age-group wins at the Miami International Triathlon and the Carrboro Classic Long-Course Duathlon (seventh overall).

Other age-group winners include Dave D. (fifth overall, Bel Monte 50K), Robyn F. (Valdese Triathlon), Juliet A. (Carrboro Classic Short-Course Duathlon), and Katy B. (Kidney Kare 5K, a PR!). Natalie G., rehabbing a bum hip, was third in the Kerr Lake aquabike division. Claire C. and Ruffin P. have improved their speed and endurance, with Claire seeing a big drop in her pace times, and Holly S. got in shape for her Naval Academy commission (she passed her PRE and is flourishing!).

Kudos, 2007 Season

Each of my clients had a great year. Juliet A. and Julee W. both placed third in their age groups in the NCTS, shining at the Olympic distance and in duathlon. Katy B. blew her records from last season out of the water, winning her category in the ETS and coming in third against formidable opponents at the Setup Championship. Ruffin P. reached new heights in triathlon, duathlon, and running despite a move to the chilly Northeast.

Sisters Robyn F. and Rachel D.’s Tri to End Homelessness initiative raised around $7,000 for Genesis Home. Along the way, they conquered their first Olympic-distance triathlon and drew some good life lessons from their training.

I’m excited to see my clients rock new horizons in 2008, including ultrarunning and big-time 70.3 racing!

Kudos, 2006 Season

Congratulations to my fabulous clients and students!

Many were first-time triathletes—Cindy and Gregg P. worked together as Two-Pacc to zoom through the Endurance Challenge in their hometown, Hillsborough. Melanie H. finished the Wilmington YMCA race, totally free of shark encounters, after a long summer of training.

Katy B. shone at the Endurance Challenge, putting on a great first race in front of her family, then extended her season to win her category at Angels Race in Winston-Salem, passing a certain Wes R. on the run course!

Lisa F. was 19th overall and second in her age group at her first triathlon, the Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon, where competition included a passel of happy if waterlogged ladies from the Wellness Center clinic, plus Rachel “Big Kick” D. and her sister Robyn F., along with Ruffin P., whose joy shone through on a rainy day. Sheri B. and Leslie M. proved it’s all about the run, but enduring weeks of cruise intervals in cycling class pays off, too.

Julee W. had an especially strong year, fearlessly attacking courses from the mountains to the ocean, consistently ranking in the top 3 masters and top 10 overall females. Watch out, NCTS!