Spring Break 2014

Two weeks ago, CSU had spring break...  

About 20 members of our triathlon team made the most out of the week away from school by traveling to Las Vegas to get in some good training.  The trip worked well with our training plan as it would be the last "big" week of training leading up to Collegiate Nationals.

We drove down to Vegas and rented a house similar to winter training camp.  

We did a couple beautiful rides in the Las Vegas area....

Looking out from the Hoover Dam

Most of us were very grateful to be able to ride and run outside in warmer weather.  One afternoon we did a swim workout in an outdoor pool.  When I had been in Vegas this past September for a race, my dad and I had swam at the same pool (only $2!) and I really wanted to come back.

You know how you always seem to forget something for trips?  Well I forgot bib shorts for this trip.  Not good for a training camp with a lot of riding... Luckily I had my Team EMJ tri shorts from Louis Garneau since we were planning on doing some bricks.  Normally tri shorts don't provide hardly any padding for longer rides.  These shorts performed awesome!  If you're doing a longer brick/race (or just want to have a comfy ride) get yourself a pair of the elite course shorts.

The hot weather required me to pay more attention to my hydration needs.  The Skratch Labs Hydration Mix played a big role in this.  I mostly alternated between the lemons and limes and raspberry mixes.  We also cooked for ourselves again each night which was a blast.

Chicken fajitas

10 avocados in that ice cream container

Most nights we ended up in bed fairly early...the first night I was a little ambitious and joined a group heading down to the strip.  We walked around for awhile, got some gelato, and saw the fountain show.  After that, training dictated my bedtime.

Then to make it the ultimate spring break, we road tripped a couple more hours to Havasu.  The real reason for this was that our collegiate conference championship was taking place the second weekend of spring break.  Most people would rather not race after a hard week of training but our coaches emphasized that it was all part of build up to collegiate nationals.  

I've found that I'm much more relaxed training through a race instead of tapering because I put less pressure on myself by focusing on workouts the entire week instead of one morning during the week.  I think a lot of the training camp crew was surprised with their results. 

Our team had just under 40 people race at Havasu.  For some it was their first Olympic race!  Being able to go through the steps needed to prepare for the race with our team I think was very helpful for a lot of people.  Seeing newer athletes work their way through the race, and enjoy the process is always really inspiring.  Many of them have come a long ways since joining our team in the fall.

This trip could not have been successful without our team trailer.  We fit around 40 bikes and gear in the trailer for this trip.  Big thanks to our sponsors Windsor Eye Care and Vision Center, Discover Massage, ProVelo, MP Multisport who helped CSU triathlon with purchasing and decorating the trailer.

The trailer looking good in Vegas...

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Bro, Do You Even...

This weekend was triathlon's Collegiate National Championship in Tempe, AZ.  

There were so many things that happened this weekend...in order to keep this shorter I'll try and just go over the highlights.

Thursday

Mostly a travel day, but we eventually made it out onto the course.  The team did a short course preview ride, had a pep talk, and a shake out run. 

With having left Fort Collins just after 5 in the morning, the time change, and only a small breakfast...we were getting hangry (I know I was).  The rest of the evening was mostly spent getting ready for the draft-legal race the next day and hanging out at the hotel.  I may or may not have eaten an entire container of hummus during that time. 

Friday, Draft-Legal Sprint

The crowd support was ridiculous.  Just before I got in the water, the CSU Tri team showed up.  All the "good lucks" and "kill its" made me really proud.  Being able to represent our team and school at the race - for the men at least - was really cool.  I tried not to think of it as additional pressure but really just a great opportunity to race for and represent our team!

Coming out of the swim

It was fun being able to race again with people I knew. At Clermont, Andrew tore apart the field and played a big role in the swim/bike in Friday's race.  Getting to ride and work with Ryan Petry was fun.

A couple of bike shots...thanks Jorts Sports for the photos

It was my third draft-legal race but it was a blast!  The course was very spectator friendly and the CSU team members stood out in their bro tanks!

Every time we went by...huge cheers

After getting some ice from the med tent to help with the bruise after falling near the swim exit, I focused on recovering for the next race. Big thanks to our coaches Mace and Tess for offering to get me whatever I wanted.   For the first hour I mostly drank fluids (Skratch and water) and had some fruit. 

The rest of the day was spent cheering the girls on, picking up packets, returning to the hotel, getting bikes ready for the oly race and eating more hummus.  

Day 2: Olympic and Super Sprint

Saturday's race was the main focus of the weekend.  The girls' waves went off first so one of the highlights was getting to watch all of their hard work throughout the year pay off.  The girls all did awesome and from what I could tell were pleased with their races.  

I was happy with the improvement on my swim.  The amount of time I need to make up seems slightly more realistic now.  Thanks to our coach, Tess, and my teammates that push me.  

The team support not only within our team but also for this competition is something really unique about collegiate races.  The entire time during the bike leg I was getting splits from not only our coach but U of A coaches, my parents, Dan Frost and random volunteers.  One thing I noticed for the future when I may be spectating, you really need to yell for bikers to be able to hear.

The run this year was a highlight.  Last year I underestimated the course and went way too hard the first 2 miles.  I tried to run conservatively the first 3 or so miles before really focusing.  It was getting hot out there for everyone and I knew we would all be suffering.  

Coming off the bike, Justin right behind me, EMJ teammate Yoni right in front

Team EMJ headsweats visor was a big help

Running partner for first half

Huge thanks to the volunteers for tossing water on us.  Thanks to coaches and teammates for encouraging/yelling.  

Seeing others succeed in this race was awesome.  Even though he out-kicked me in the finish chute, Bill Jones had a great race after some unlucky bike issues Friday.  Back in January, I saw athletes from our conference preparing for this race.  Riding up a mountain, to get ready for a 2-3 hour event months away is not easy...that's why we have people to do it with.  

Mixed team relay

Trash talking team "B" from CSU was pretty fun.  Unfortunately we lost to them (given a 4 min handicap) and now owe them fro-yo.

Willie tearing it up

Great venue for the spectators

MTR crew

 Going to the awards ceremony was fun as well.  Our team dressed up as minions.  

Yea I know...lame costume Steve

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend.  Too often we get caught up in numbers and results...it is important that we remember why we do these events that can sometimes be painful.  As I knew they would, the races all went by much too fast.  Sometimes we need to smile and think about the big picture...appreciate it.  

Also..APPRECIATE THIS: 25% off Every Man Jack products at everymanjack.com with the coupon code: "mantell25"

Thanks for reading and have a great day!