Grandman Triathlon 2016 Saturday June 4 619 finishers In a synchronized movement, the sun began rising, the ominous rain clouds began to dissipate and throngs of racers began to converge on Fairhope Municipal Park. A stroll through transition was a walk through Grandman history with nearly every overall event winner of the past decade present. Swarms of volunteers swept through the area answering questions, marking racers and ensuring a productive morning for all. THE SWIM: It's easy to appreciate the mission of the Mobile Baykeeper when the water conditions are so accommodating - no chop or current to churn things up. The water is surprisingly "fresh" and thus none of that swollen-salty-tongue feeling that plagues most racers along the Gulf Coast after open water swims. And maybe I've watched one too many "Epic Fails" videos on YouTube but there were enough athletes snaking along the pier awaiting their time-trial start that I have to tip my hat to the pier's engineer and builder. The course was well-marked and extremely well supported. THE BIKE: The hill coming out of transition is obviously the most notable feature of the ride and it makes its appearance immediately. All the blood that congregated in the upper body during the swim must do some speed work of its own down to the quads to make the 100+ feet climb. After that quick ascent the rest of the course is a breeze (some years in more ways than one, but it was pretty calm this year). THE RUN: When the available course features a pulse-spiking climb, why not utilize it twice? The run course begins with the same labored-breathing, leg-burning grind as the bike. Fairhope is one of those quaint cities that just has that comfortable, inviting aura with its shady streets beneath overhanging oak-limb canopies and spacious front porches. Residents along the course are scattered throughout offering encouraging words and an occasional cooling, water-hose rinse. CELEBRATION: Crossing the Grandman finish line is almost like traversing the threshold to the Willy Wonka factory of electrolytes and carbs (minus the Oompah-Loompas). Pizza, pastries and produce. (Editors note: if "beer" or "hops" or some other alcoholic reference started with the letter "P" it would have been easier to incorporate...BUT for those serious about their post-race adult beverage, evidently beer on tap abounds here and is kind of a big deal). I, for one, couldn't get over how many times they let me come back for another Publix navel orange. One of the reasons I love triathlon is it has a way of invigorating my gratitude for life. That was especially true for this year's Grandman. News of tragedy began to circulate days before the event. And while Chris Miller was not able to physically cross his first multi-sport finish line, he crossed the finish line Saturday morning hundreds of times on the minds of each finisher as symbolized by his initials - CM - body-marked on his fellow athletes. Sincerest condolences to his family and a visceral reminder that life - breathing-sweating-climbing-struggling-celebrating type of life - is a gift to be appreciated. - Jared The Gulf Coast Tri Team had another strong race this year at Grandman. 4 in the top 10 and 8 in the top 20. Here is where the each of the 18 team members finished with the top 8 highlighted in the image below: 2 Stanfield 5 Moore 6 Harrison 8 Felty 11 Striepeck 12 Runyon 19 Storr 20 Cocanour 22 Rothfeder 25 L. Roberts 28 Hon 31 Self 32 Conrad 34 Steed 36 Malone 42 Jones 43 S. Roberts 54 Bailey Complete results from this year and years past can be found here: http://www.thegrandman.com/results Pensacola Beach Triathlon (05/14/2016) Despite numerous team athletes having participated in this annual event this was the first time the Pensacola Beach Triathlon was an official team race and it did not disappoint. Everyone was treated to a fantastic race thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors. A big shout out goes to all those who make this race possible! In contrast to a chilly start at Traditions Triathlon just a few weeks ago, athletes at the Pensacola Beach Tri were blessed with mild and calm racing conditions Saturday morning. The swim starts in waist-deep water and follows the shore before making a ninety-degree left hand turn into the home stretch. A fter lots of dolphin diving in a low tide athletes reached the flat run into transition. Many of the Gulf Coast Tri Team athletes chose to race in the elite wave and enjoyed a clear swim. The wind was eerily, and pleasantly, calm on the bike leading to some speedy bike splits. Even passing the wind funnels of the Portofino towers the bikes were steady in the slight crosswind. Slow swimmers and fast bikers sorted themselves out on the ten mile out and back bike. The course had a lane just for bikes both directions and volunteers and officials did a great job controlling traffic leaving the athletes with only one things to do, race. After a sharp left hook into transition off the bike athletes were left to fight out the overall finishing order on the three mile run. Temperatures were heating up but overall, for Florida in May, it was a pleasant but painful run through the quiet neighborhoods of Pensacola Beach. The postrace celebration and awards at Flounders left nothing to be desired with food, beverages, a playground for the kids, and of course, the beautiful beach. Overall, it was a good day for the Gulf Coast Tri Team athletes who took five of the top ten spots, including overall by Allen Stanfield, in the elite category. Caleb Earhart earned himself podium placement for the 20-24 grouping and Spence Cocanour (who also gets the “award” for most prepared with postrace beverages) topped the 40-44 age group while the one-two punch of Doug Jones and Terry Bailey took first and second respectively in the 60-64 age group. Finally, thanks to our sponsors who make amazing experiences like this one possible! Athlete Race Report - 6th Annual Traditions Triathlon (04/09/2016) Following a fun, social, low-input road race outing (no bikes, no gear bags, no wetsuits) on 03/19/2016 at the Azalea Trail Run, the team officially kicked off the 2016 triathlon season with its fourth team visit to Biloxi in April. Boston has a marathon, Augusta has a golf tournament, MLB starts its 162-game stretch, and Biloxi has Tradition’s! The 2016 weather conditions, save for the pre-sunrise ~40F mist, were a welcome improvement on the early-morning deluge of 2015 and the ~30F chill of 2013. The aforementioned mist would burn off soon after the sun rose with the opening of transition at 6:30am. [cuing this author athlete to stuff the gardening gloves back into the car which he dug them out of during the drive from Ocean Springs that morning] Beyond that, near-ideal weather conditions coupled with the fantastic directorship of Run-N-Tri Company (Lisa McCombs, Dean Morrow, Kevin Goveia, Luke Davidson) came together for a great 6th running of this annual event as reported here… The swim course features a counter-clockwise, upside-down triangle (scalene, obtuse… high school Geometry, anyone….?) in the 70F flat surf of Lake Traditions. Atop the rumors of indigenous alligators and snakes the added energy of “let’s knock the Winter rust off and start the 2016 season” made it a fun time socializing while sorting out the self-seed time trial start. Being self-seed this permits for a very smooth (and safe) flow of wetsuit-clad athletes through the 600 yard swim. The seeding also allowed the members of GCTT to playfully give one another a bit of jawing in regard to who is sandbagging or not… As it turns out, as far as GCTT was concerned, Chad Hon seeded correctly and blew the entire team away proving that a wetsuit as old as the youngest member on the team still can slip through the water. T1 includes a transition area flow from the Lake toward and into the “middle” of transition, which means that every athlete eventually covers the same transition distance once T1 and T2 are considered a “total transition.” A level playing field. The next trick is to skillfully maneuver to the mount line and up the small incline (which has nothing on the Grandman monster) en route to Traditions Parkway. Nonetheless, gearing down on the rig while racking your bike at 7:00am is a helpful tip. The bike course is a fast, efficient 8.5 mile out-and-back track which was blessed with negligible wind this year. Additionally, this is what amounts to a closed bike course — it is no exaggeration to report fewer than ten vehicles spotted on the bike course between 2013 and 2016, and 1-2 of those sightings may perhaps include a Subaru wrapped in Pantone 2925c driven by Joseph Bolton of Pro Cycle & Tri supporting the athletes by performing roadside miracles on otherwise race-ending mechanicals. For the flat-lander GCTT athletes there are a few rollers to keep the legs in check… As evidenced by GCTT athlete Allen Stanfield who claimed the event bike preme on what amounts to his hometown course — he rode like he was on rails, convincing his fellow athletes he could do the same with his eyes closed if need be. T2 can be tricky. Staying upright is always the goal. Turning and burning while entering Village Avenue West en route to the dismount is a delicate balance which requires a coordinated attack in order to maneuver the off-road run which follow. Looking back at T1 entry, this is when those athletes who have a “shorter” T2 feel the benefit of their longer, damp, bike cleat tap-dance through T1. It all evens out. The 3.1 mile run is FUN. Yes, F-U-N. With nearly 0.5 miles of “cross country-esque” terrain, an out-and-back segment measuring more than a mile of road (check in on the competition, encourage other athletes), and a finish in the middle of Traditions this course basically has it all. A couple tidbits of advice: watch for the pinecones on the trail at mile 2.5, consider a pre-race recon mission/warmup run along the 0.5 - 1.0 mile segment as this road changes shape every year it seems, the last 0.5 mile shot is basically an false-flat/uphill run so save a match to burn for late in the game. In the end, the GCTT resident track & cross country specialist, Joey Pocreva, would prove his mettle with a team-best run on the day. The finish and after-party at Traditions is where it is at. Abundant sponsor support and presence, tons of great food/beverages, and an overflow of sportsmanship while cheering in every single finisher — all in the heart of Tradition Village Center, a great place to be on a Saturday in Spring! In the end, congratulations to all finishers who toed the line on Saturday. The GCTT athletes enjoyed a fulfilling day in part due to all the moving parts involved. Thanks to the many volunteers, dedicated race director(s), loyal event sponsors, and energetic multisport community of the greater-Biloxi area for hosting this event. GCTT (and this author) highly-recommend this annual event, consider adding it to your race calendar for 2017… Finally, thanks to the GCTT sponsors which make this team possible. Looking forward to a fantastic 2016 season! *** editorial notes: - the lake at Traditions may or may not have a name, Lake Traditions? - the last alligator seen in said marsh was inflatable - “miracles” as termed may not be referenced for beatification or sainthood - an already fast bike course would be a veritable drag strip if ever re-paved - best post-race food & drink around — nom nom Results link: http://www.splitmastertiming.com/assets/2016/Traditions%20Division%20Final.pdf This weekend the Gulf Coast Tri Team ran the Azalea Trail Run 10k. This was the first time the triathlon team slotted a run-only event on the race calendar. The looming storms held off and made for a great event to kick off the season. Congrats to all the guys who raced - all landing in the top 95 of more than 1600 finishers. Looking forward to starting the tri season in a few weeks! ATR 10k - 2016 Stanfield Runyon Felty Moore Malone Harrison Self S. Roberts Steed Cocanour Storr Bailey Complete results - http://www.pcpacers.org/atr/results/2016/10k.html February 14, 2016 The Gulf Coast Tri Team partnered with the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon organization, Anderson Subaru, and Pro Cycle & Tri to help build and donate a total of 17 bikes to benefit two local youth organizations. 7 of the bikes went to Avalon Middle School (Milton, FL) and the other 10 bikes went to Oakcrest Elementary School (Pensacola, FL). The youth programs were also supplied a helmet to go with each bike, annual USAT youth memberships, and entries for two upcoming multisport events. The build took place this past Sunday at Pro Cycle & Tri. Thank you to all the guys that helped build and to everyone that helped make this happen. By Logan Roberts
It’s starting to become a tradition that, the first weekend of October on beautiful Pensacola Beach, the wind howls and the temperatures are 15 degrees cooler than the week before. This is a tradition that I personally like! The 2015 Santa Rosa Island Triathlon was perfect racing conditions. Around 7:00am, racers were lining the shores of the smooth and flat Gulf of Mexico. The gun went off and they took to the water in this wetsuit-legal swim. Along the swim route was plenty of support, if needed. As racers emerged out of the water, they ran through the soft white sand to transition 1. The bike this year may have intimidated some racers due to the wind, but just remember if it’s hurting you it’s hurting everyone else as well. Brian Fleischmann was the first to return from the out and back course through the beach homes and Gulf Islands National Seashore. The flow of athletes continued into T2 from the fast course. After a brief transition, we ran along Via de Luna and the homes on the Avenidas. The course was well marked and supported with two water stops on the 5K route. The course was fast but no one was as fast as Eric, who, hands down, clocked the fastest run split on the course. The finish line, I’m sure, was enjoyed by all. It let you catch your breath while standing in line for the great after party, beer, and food! The team had an excellent showing with 7 finishing in the top ten. I look forward to participating again next year as part of the Gulf Coast Tri Team! Great racing this past weekend by the GCTT members willing to race in blustery conditions. Here is how they finished up in overall results. 2 - Larson 4 - Moore 5 - Harrison 6 - Runyon 8 - Walton 9 - Earhart 10 - Rothfeder 17 - Malone 18 - S. Roberts 22 - Steed Complete results can be found here. http://gulfsporttiming.com/results.php?rid=evdDw&race=2015%20Santa%20Rosa%20Island%20Triathlon#/results::14438961768280 Great 2015 season, hope to see you all next year! Alabama Coastal Triathlon - 09/12/15 Gulf Shores, Alabama Meteorological Magic & Team Magic by Jared Moore What looked sure to be, at best, a soggy morning (or worse, a cancellation) turned out to be the most pleasant of conditions for this race in recent memory. The imminent rain showers that had been hovering over the area for the days leading up to the race literally departed moments before the scheduled start time. LITERALLY MOMENTS! I know a guy who knows a guy who didn't show up race-morning because he was so sure it would be cancelled due to weather. The time-trial lineup for the Tri-It-On sprint race took formation first for a 400-person train snaking up the beach. The Olympic-distance race of 250 commenced seamlessly after the final sprint-distance racer hit the choppy Gulf waters. Because this triathlete did not participate in the sprint race in Sandestin three weeks prior, little mention will be given to the random spattering of jellyfish tentacles that ignited face, hands, arms and legs like silly-string of electrical current. No substantive description will be provided on how incredibly soothing that mysterious patch of cold water near the shore felt on welted limbs. No, there will be no recount of a completely made-up estimate of the exact number of racers who hailed a jet ski ride back to shore to make the unjust, throbbing, painful stings stop. Certainly any mention of the 2 or 3 mild jellyfish stings this triathlete received during Alabama Coastal's 1500-meter, 2-lap swim would illicit a choir of protests from survivors of the aquatic invasion at the Battle of Sandestin. I'm not as sensitive as most people so the marine life didn't really bother me. ;) At the other extreme, the antithesis to these haters of the native, gelatinous sea-invertebrate is Doug Jones. Although the source of the rain showers had evacuated, there was still a fair amount of moisture on the roads. The bike course is designed for fast times consisting almost entirely of straight, open road. Mr. Jones held his open-road watts during one of the two turns on the course and unfortunately lost a great deal of flesh (and rumored bone fracture??). Well wishes for a speedy recovery, Doug! (again?!?!) Aside from Doug's misfortune, I think most everyone enjoyed the mostly great road-quality, flat, fast cycling course. As a testament to the quality of venue, the bike turnaround doubled as the run turnaround for a neighboring 5K event. The run course for this race is what has seared itself into the minds of many racers and is usually the determining factor for finishing placement. The 3-mile out-and-back on blacktop with the only respite an occasional, fleeting shadow from a passing car has melted many racers to a puddle of humility over the years. I will reluctantly confess that I distinctly remember one year struggling to muster enough willpower NOT to make hateful hand-gestures at the Sun. This year, however, was blithe. The temps capped out around 80-degrees, which allowed for some quicker run splits relative to previous years (overall winner clocked a 34:xx 6-miles). After the final racer had crossed the finish line, GCTT had claimed 2 of the 3 overall podium slots (head nod, Sam and Allen...and the state of Mississippi) and topped 6 age divisions. It was another great opportunity to enjoy racing along the Gulf Coast. On another note, GCTT offers sincerest condolences to the family of Tim Jenkins. Although he passed doing something we all love, the sting of death is heavy. May the memory and impact of his life carry on. Great team results at the Alabama Coastal Olympic distance race in Gulf Shores on Saturday. Way to go guys! 7 of the top 11 places, 2 in top 3, and 6 AG Winners. Sam Hudson - 2nd Overall Allen Stanfield - 3rd Overall Chad Hon - 4th Overall -1st AG 45-49 Master Champ Jared Moore - 5th Overall -1st AG 30-34 Logan Roberts -8th Overall - 1st AG 25-29 Andrew Rothfeder - 9th Overall - 2nd AG 45-49 2nd Master Matt Storr - 11th Overall -1st AG 35-39 Evan Malone -17th Overall - 2nd AG-35-39 Randy Walton -18th Overall - 1st AG 50-54 Kevin Self -20th Overall - 3rd AG 40-45 Terry Bailey -51st Overall -1st AG 60-64 Complete results in the link: http://www.amatteroftiming.com/images/results/2015/coastali-ag.html |
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