Superior Man 70.3 Duluth MN August 26, 2012

Superior Man 70.3 Duluth MN August 26, 2012

 Jeff Patrow

Getting the final things packed in the truck and all I was missing was my Team Firefighter tri kit. I knew it was shipped, but I hadn't gotten it yet. It should have already been there. So it was time to take my son to the Grandparents house for the weekend and when I left, my wife was still getting ready. Well, I got home and there was a note on the front door. I thought maybe since the wife’s car was gone that she left me a note. NOPE!! Fed Ex was there, and they needed a signature for the package. Damn!!! Missed them by 10 minutes. So we headed north for the 2 hour ride. Checked out the town a little on Friday and prepared for the big day. Saturday came, got an early run in then it was time for packet pick-up and bike drop off. Sunday morning came quick, got dressed and everything put in my bag, put the Road ID on and got the FLEXR bottles filled with some fluids, and away we went to the start. It was a little cool at the start of the swim but not bad considering the water was colder. My Xterra wetsuit kept me going despite the cold water. The swim is a big psychological monster for me since I have never been the best swimmer, but over the last year I have gained enough confidence to know that I can make it this distance. Well the monster was in the water when I jumped in. With no pre-race swim or dunking in the water, I was a little nervous (did I mention our start was off the back of a boat). So needless to say I finally got into a rythym and I made it back to the water exit, not a very impressive time (58:51) but I made it. The Bike was next up. I was a little sluggish out of the water, but quickly got my legs back.  Even with some hills it was a fast ride out to the turn because of the stiff wind pushing me along, then a slower ride on the way back, but the view riding back along the north shore of Lake Superior was amazing and that kept me going. I finished the bike in 3:02:55. I am very happy with that, would have loved to break that 3 hour mark, but I have to start somewhere. Then the final 13.1 miles came around. I actually felt good coming off of the bike, and was ready to go on the run. The heat might have gotten to me a little, but I just kept hitting the aid stations and that kept me going. So in 2:27:09 I finished the 13.1 and finished the 70.3 in 6:37:55. The best part is I finished, even better I'm gonna do it again.

Freak 5K

Freak 5K

Saturday September 22, 2012

The Freak 5K is a 5k mud run/obstacle course that is put on by Fit Elite, the local cross fit.  The week leading up to the race was very cold and so was the morning of the race.  The low temps were in the 30-40 degree range. Coupled with a steady wind it was going to make for a cold, wet and muddy day. It is hard to describe the course, so I included the promo video, which is video from last years race.

 If you watch this, I am the one cannon-balling off of the Leap of Faith into the pond.

http://youtu.be/FQ18dHp82ZU

 The parts of the course not really shown on the video would be waist to chest deep mud pits and the up and down hills that just about made my legs fall off. There is nothing but trees and roots to grab onto while trying to get up these hills. The mud pits had piles of dirt in between them which made getting out tough unless you cheated and went out the sides. There was some crawling over and under obstacles through tunnels and a lot of mud.

Through all this Pat Hamler and I lead our Fire Department Team to a Victory over the PD. We finished 1-2 with only seconds between us.

What made it all worth it (beyond the beer and after party) was that the event benefits cancer foundations.