Crossfit 4th Annual Sprint Triathlon - Oskaloosa, IA- Saturday, August 13, 2016

I found this outdoor triathlon and it was only 80 minutes away. The best part is it was in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  A great smaller town in Iowa.  It happens to be a town where some relatives of Amy's live.  Her Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy Larkin.  The best part of his triathlon is the swim is done in an outdoor pool!

Amy and I did our best considering the heat of a typical August day.  We placed 1st and 2nd in our age group and there were more than 2 in our age group.  After the race we went to lunch with Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy!  The bad part about this race is I lost a contact in the pool.  Weird and not sure how it happened, but when I took off my goggles after the swim it was gone, so it was probably stuck in my goggles, but I never found it.

Before the race began.

Not a great picture of my Garmin at the end of the race.  I actually swam with it.  This was for 500 meters in an outdoor pool, 12 mile bike and a 5K.  My final time was 1:35:24.  Not bad for a Sprint distance triathlon.

Right after Amy finished.  I was still beat red.  I had ran back to find her after I finished.

The race wanted a picture of everyone who placed. 

A finishing picture after getting cleaned up with our new shirts on!

Aunt Amy, Uncle Joe and Amy Larkin!

Tri in July - Super Sprint Triathlon - Sigourney, IA - Sunday, July 3, 2016

There is no way you could ever have more perfect weather in July for a triathlon. Today was just amazing. It started at around 58 degrees and just stayed in the low 60's with low humidity the entire race, with a nice breeze.

This race is a super sprint triathlon in a small town.  A fun race that you can sprint all out for the entire thing.  Only 300 yards swimminginan outdoor pool, so no openwater! Then almost 6 miles biking and a 2 mile run.  Perfect for a first time triathlete.

I talked my friend Chris into doing her first Tri.  She did great.

The shirt

A picture before the triathlon began.

My garmin time.  I beat my last time 4 years ago by 3 1/2 minutes.

Chris finishing her first triathlon.

The three of us after the Tri.  We all did great and were happy.

Chris placed in her age group!

By some miracle I also placed in my age group.

Water bottle in race packet.

Close up of my medal!!!

Quad Cities Triathlon 2016 - Saturday June 18, 2016- Davenport, IA

An absolutely perfect morning for a triathlon. Couldn't ask for a better day. Tyler, Amy and I all stayed in the same hotel room to save money and because the hotel had only one room left with a King bed we all shared it.

 Yes, three people in the same bed.  Nice that the bed was massive.  None of us touched all night.  I got the middle so I was happy.

We woke extremely early, body glided everything,  dressed, loaded our bikes and left.

This was Amy and Tyler's first outdoor triathlon so they were a bit nervous.   I was nervous because I always freak out in the water portion of the race.  I very much dislike open water swimming.

The race went well for all of us.  I didn't go as fast on the bike as I thought I had so I was disappointed with my bike time. But I didn't panic at all in the swim and that's huge for me.  Amy who just learned to swim in January completed the entire triathlon and was happy.  Tyler did excellent for his first time out with really fast times in all three sports.

Results are Here  if you care.

Me, Amy, Tyler

My bike spot

Our feet pre race

Us three showing off our race tattoos

The sunrise that morning. 

Performance Indoor Dri Tri - North Liberty, Iowa - Saturday February 27, 2016

I wasn't going to sign up for this because I never use the rowing machine. But Susan encouraged me to try this new type of Triathlon. My only thing was I had a 15 mile run to do with Juli before it so I wasn't sure how it would go or if I would even have any energy left at all to compete.  Susan, Amy and I decided to do this race and be in the same wave time.

You had to row for 10 minutes on a rowing machine, then bike 30 minutes on a stationary bike, then run 20 minutes on a treadmill.  Easy right?  NO, not when you've already ran 15 miles and not when you are going FULL out effort to compete.  But for some reason I had TONS of energy.  I felt fantastic when I started the competition.

I gave it my best and tried hard to just do my best with each event.  Taking one event at a time and not worrying about the entire competition.  The first event was rowing and it went okay.  I didn't row as far as I thought I could go, but it went well.  The biking went amazing.  I biked super fast and felt great.  I had the 2nd longest distance for females biking and I'm not sure how, but I did.  Ok I do know how.  I pushed on that bike harder than I've ever biked in my life.  It paid off.  When I got to the 3rd event of running I was sure that I wouldn't be able to run given how much I pushed in the 2nd event, but to my surprise I felt so awesome, so incredibly great.  So I pushed on the running and ran 2 miles in the 20 minutes which may not seem like much or fast or anything to you, but I've now done at least 7 indoor triathlons and I've NEVER ran more than 1.80 in an indoor tri.

After all the distances were added I actually won my age group, that surprised me.  I figured I'd place with such a huge distance on the bike, but to win my age group was fantastic.  Awards were only given for overall winners and #1 in each age group.  I won a $25.00 gift card to Performance which I can use on smoothies.  Below are some pictures and then I copied all the results below that if you care.

A picture of just the people in our wave.

The first event:  Rowing on a rowing machine.  You can see Amy in the yellow jersey and I'm next to her.  

Here we are in the 2nd event Biking on an indoor spin bike.  I may not look like I'm working hard cause I was laughing and goofing off, but I was pushing that bike like crazy.

The third event, Running.  I felt strong and ran well.  Amy and Susan are beside me.

The cool certificate I received for winning my age group.

The amazing dri fit shirt that I love.  It fits great and I have worn it several times since the event.

A Message from Performance Health & Fitness: Thanks for a great morning of racing!  Here are the results of the 2nd Annual DriTri. Your certificate and Gift Card will be at the front desk for you to pick up.  Have a great weekend! Top Overall Male & Female - John Martinek &Kelsey Morfitt Top Overall Team - Greg Lybeck, Evan Tepoel, Mike Ogoli Age Group Winners - 18-29 - Jim Vogt & Lyndsey Kent Age Group Winners 30-39 - Kelly Nelson & Erin Hill Age Group Winners 40-49 - Vito DiBeasi & Michelle Clark Age Group Winners 50-59 - Eric Wortman & Lizann Bolinger Age Group Winners 60+ - Vicki Siefers Part. Rowing Rowing Bike Bike Run Total Age Div # Participant Name (meters) (miles) (miles) (adjusted) (miles) Distance Wave 5 31 F 40 Kelsey Morfitt 2315 1.44 22.90 11.45 2.78 15.67 Wave 7 47 M 56 John Martinek 2632 1.64 21.60 10.8 2.71 15.15 Wave 7 51 M 60 Eric Wortman 2689 1.67 19.90 9.95 2.72 14.34 Wave 1 35 M 1 Kelly Nelson 2555 1.59 20.60 10.3 2.35 14.24 Wave 4 25 M 32 Jim Vogt 2632 1.64 19.10 9.55 2.52 13.71 Wave 6 36 M 50 Wes Hepker 2728 1.70 19.20 9.6 2.33 13.63 Wave 3 32 M 27 Jon Pippert 2277 1.41 19.70 9.85 2.36 13.62 Wave 3 T T 24, 25, 26 Greg/Evan/Mike 2683 1.67 18.70 9.35 2.5 13.52 Wave 3 38 F #VALUE! Erin Hill 2187 1.36 18.70 9.35 2.66 13.37 Wave 1 32 F 2 Stephanie Yoerger 2286 1.42 19.30 9.65 2.1 13.17 Wave 1 T T 6,7,8 Amanda/Alyssa/Ashley 2266 1.41 18.60 9.3 2.43 13.14 Wave 6 43 F 52 Michelle Clark 2030 1.26 19.60 9.8 2 13.06 Wave 7 T T 57, 58 Molly Brown/Jeremy Stephens 2460 1.53 18.10 9.05 2.43 13.01 Wave 6 39 F 49 Daniela Williams 2354 1.46 17.50 8.75 2.74 12.95 Wave 5 28 M 46 Nate Strabala 2718 1.69 16.80 8.4 2.61 12.70 Wave 5 26 M 47 Justin Strabala 2551 1.59 17.80 8.9 2.15 12.64 Wave 7 54 F 61 Lizann Bolinger 2170 1.35 18.40 9.2 2.05 12.60 Wave 3 41 F 62 Mary Abdel Malek 2433 1.51 17.50 8.75 2.2 12.46 Wave 5 60 F 41 Vicki Siefers 2163 1.34 19.40 9.7 1.41 12.45 Wave 4 24 F 31 Lyndsey Kent 2240 1.39 17.10 8.55 2.42 12.36 Wave 6 57 F 48 Susan Ludwig 2261 1.40 18.30 9.15 1.72 12.27 Wave 2 37 M 49 Lane McMullen 2784 1.73 16.20 8.1 2.34 12.17 Wave 5 27 M 45 Trenton Kos 2730 1.70 17.00 8.5 1.9 12.10 Wave 4 42 M 29 Vito DiBeasi 2267 1.41 17.60 8.8 1.87 12.08 Wave 1 44 M 9 Brian Tanner 2097 1.30 18.90 9.45 1.32 12.07 Wave 3 37 F 10 Amy Rickels 2285 1.42 17.40 8.7 1.92 12.04 Wave 6 45 M 54 Anthony Hargrove 2373 1.47 16.90 8.45 2.11 12.03 Wave 6 38 F 53 Andie Higgins 2329 1.45 17.40 8.7 1.84 11.99 Wave 1 56 M 3 Andrew Ruiz 2351 1.46 16.50 8.25 2.24 11.95 Wave 8 51 F 72 Wendy Trom 2099 1.30 17.40 8.7 1.82 11.82 Wave 4 37 F 36 Julie Stein 2129 1.32 15.60 7.8 2.42 11.54 Wave 3 46 F 37 Dawn Foss 2200 1.37 16.00 8 2.16 11.53 Wave 6 40 F 55 Amy Larkin 2156 1.34 17.20 8.6 1.54 11.48 Wave 5 46 F 39 Jody Rausch 2267 1.41 16.10 8.05 2 11.46 Wave 8 27 F 69 Carly Lewis 2355 1.46 16.10 8.05 1.9 11.41 Wave 5 T T 42, 43 Rae/Jason Mosier 2418 1.50 14.60 7.3 2.55 11.35 Wave 7 26 M 68 Tory Hackert 2196 1.36 15.80 7.9 2.08 11.34 Wave 1 62 F 4 Cheryl Reiff 1965 1.22 16.70 8.35 1.56 11.13 Wave 3 54 F 5 Krista Ockenfels 2292 1.42 15.50 7.75 1.9 11.07 Wave 4 40 F 37 Kris Mowatt 2070 1.29 15.90 7.95 1.54 10.78 Wave 1 61 F 5 Kristine Koser 2076 1.29 15.40 7.7 1.76 10.75 Wave 8 57 M 71 Bob Sangster 2307 1.43 14.80 7.4 1.9 10.73 Wave 7 T T 65, 66, 67 Kevin/Lisa/Matt 1903 1.18 14.30 7.15 2.34 10.67 Wave 4 40 F 38 Jennifer Kurka 2200 1.37 14.60 7.3 1.97 10.64 Wave 3 44 F 28 Lori Genkinger 2154 1.34 14.10 7.05 2.14 10.53 Wave 2 15 F 29 Abigail Arens 2104 1.31 14.60 7.3 1.89 10.50 Wave 2 18 F 30 Kylie Heisdorffer 2090 1.30 15.30 7.65 1.49 10.44 Wave 5 41 F 44 Carol Crabtree 2140 1.33 14.50 7.25 1.7 10.28 Wave 2 17 F 45 Megan Paulson 2260 1.40 13.60 6.8 1.78 9.98 Wave 4 T T 33, 34, 35 Ashley/Michelle/Jessica 1995 1.24 14.70 7.35 1.37 9.96 Wave 2 15 F #VALUE! Brooke Goodman 2120 1.32 12.90 6.45 1.69 9.46 Wave 7 36 F 59 Kelly Oelmann 1860 1.16 13.90 6.95 1.31 9.42 Wave 2 43 F 60 Amie Kelley 1680 1.04 14.50 7.25 1.12 9.41 Wave 2 43 F 61 Kris Arens 2050 1.27 13.20 6.6 1.54 9.41 Wave 4 41 F 30 Marisa DiBeasi 1825 1.13 13.10 6.55 1.56 9.24 Wave 2 47 F 31 Karla Brock 1726 1.07 12.70 6.35 1.06 8.48 Wave 7 T T 62, 63, 64 Becky/Gwen/Marci 2033 1.26 9.60 4.8 1.44 7.50

Quad Cities Sprint Triathlon - Saturday, June 20, 2015, - Davenport, Iowa

Quad Cities Triathon is a Sprint Distance Triathlon in Davenport, Iowa at 7 a.m. The weather was perfect this year and didn't really start getting warm until the running portion of the race.  Jason and I did this race together.


This Sprint Triathlon was a 600 Yard swim, 15 mile bike ride and then a 3.1 mile run.  Not all Sprint distance tris are created equal.  I wish they were because then personal records would be easier to track for your progress.  One great thing about doing the same race for the 2nd time out is that I knew I had improved and I'm two years older so I'm doing something right in training.  I wasn't sure how I would do because I just completed a marathon just 2 weeks prior to this race.

Here are my comparison stats:

2013   My overall time was 1:50:15

Swim time 16:07
Transition 1 time:  3:23 (your time getting out of the water, getting shoes on, getting wetsuit off, getting on bike and out of transition area)
Bike time: 57:11
Transition 2 time:  51 seconds (your time getting off your bike, hanging up your bike, getting helmet and sunglasses off and getting out of the transition area):
Run time:  32:42

In my age group for 2013 I was 24th out of 33 in my age group and 146th place out of 206 women

2015   My overall time was 1:45:40

Swim time:  15:28
Transition 1:  3:37
Bike:  54:07
Transition 2 time 44 seconds
Run time:  31:44

In my age group for 2015 I was 28th out of 39.  I was 145th place out of 237 Women.


So from looking at all those stats I have shaved a little time off the swim, but still have tons of work to do in that area.  Not panicking in the water would help me a ton.  But so far it happens every time and then I have to flip to my back and end up swimming back stroke as fast as possible.

My transition 1 time was slightly longer this time
My bike time was 3 whole minutes shorter, so that was nice.
My transition 2 time was 7 seconds shorter
My Run time was 58 seconds shorter.

So overall I did better, but still lots of work to do. I would like to be in the top 10 in my age group.  I am glad that I finished for that is the most important part to me, however I can do better with more training.


Full results are here:  http://www.qctriathlon.com/results.htm   if you really care.

A great race to do every year.  Very well organized and fun!

Ready to race, showing off our race tats!

Jason posing with his bike.

With the bike before the race started.

Jason coming out of the water. 

Jason running.  The look on his face is how I felt running.
I just tried to smile through my pain.

Me during the run portion.  I knew the photographer was taking
pictures so I smiled even though I was dying.  You try running after you have
swam as fast as you could for an average of 12 laps in a pool there and back, then biked
at a racing pace for 15 miles, then try and run.  It hurts, but it's awesome to finish!