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.

Race Report J.R. Coleman

Race Report J.R. Coleman
Pumpkin Run 5 k

I ran the race with my brother Jacob. It was his first ever race. We started out great, passing all the walkers and slow runners.  At 1.5 miles, a guy had rolled his ankle on the green way during the run, so we stopped and helped. Our official time was around 45 min, but theactual time was 26:30.

Josh Schwabenbauer

Some time ago, a few of Team Firefighter's members lost a fellow firefighter and a very dear friend to a tragic accident.

"Josh was the kind of guy that always had a smile on his face or could keep you laughing all shift."

After his death, Josh continued to save lives by being a donor.

Kona Sherpa Report

Ironman World Championships - Sherpa Duties Race Report.

It was April and I was walking with Rob after a tough day at the HITS series triathlon at Lake Berryessa.  We were discussing our plans for the rest of the year, among other  things.  Rob was telling me about how he was hoping to get a Kona slot.  I made him a promise, if he got in then I would be there to help.

Fast forward a few months and as I was preparing for Boise 70.3 my phone rang.  It was Rob and he was telling me about the Kona inspired program.  I thought to myself, "There is no way he doesn't get selected for this, I better buy my plane ticket."  Sure enough he was selected and we were on our way for a Hawaii vacation in October.

I arrived on Thursday afternoon so that I could get checked in with the water safety director.  I met up with Rob at Lava Java and we discussed his week so far.  I could tell he was already tired and I started to get worried.  Rob is the type of guy that believes in the mission completely.  He was not going to waste this great opportunity to spread the word about Code 3 and Team Firefighter.  So, when someone asked for an interview or a photo shoot, he was there.  His lovely wife Nicole and I had to gently remind him that he was doing an Ironman on Saturday...

On Friday we met for a swim out to the coffee boat.  On race week, Coffee's of Hawaii staff a sailboat anchored about a half mile from the pier.  We swam out and enjoyed some coffee and cookies.  Then the plan was for Rob to get his gear checked in and get  off his feet.  I took the rest of the day to spread the word about the team and meet some of the amazing people.  I have been to Kona a few times but not in October.  During the WC it is a completely different town.  The town goes from a lazy attitude to hustle and bustle with a buzz the whole week.  You can really feel the anticipation in the air.

After buying some new shoes at the K-Swiss tent, I wandered over to the Zoot tent to say hi to a Cycling House friend of mine.  I heard some commotion to my right and saw Rob in full gear surrounded by people.  I walked over to see what was going on.  He was on his way out to a photo shoot on the lava rocks...  He was sweating and I could tell he was a little stressed.  I got a little firm wit him and told him that he needed to rest!  I don't think it worked...



On race morning I got up at 0400, quick shower and grabbed my surf board and headed to the pier.  I grabbed some coffee and a banana on my way out the door.   I met the other swim safety volunteers at Dig Me Beach by the King Kam.  We got our briefing and then grouped up for a picture.  Athletes entered the pier from the beach side.  I watched them shuffle in with nervous anticipation on their faces.  I looked for Rob but did not see him.  We paddled out to position and listened to the national anthem.  The Pro men started and swam by quickly, followed by the Pro women.  On a surfboard the small group of people swimming by created some waves but it was manageable.  I knew tough that with 2000 people about to swim by it was about to be different.  The Age Groupers started and I had to paddle backwards quickly or I was going to get swam over the top of.  I positioned myself with a lifeguard for San Diego FD to follow the last swimmers.  We paddled close by as they were struggling.  As we got to the turnaround boat I got word from the race support boat that an hour and twenty minutes had passed.  They were probably not going to make it.  I got their attention and urged them to hurry.  They bot looked up at me with blank stairs.  I yelled to the race support boat their race numbers marked on their swim caps.  They advised that they were bot Japanese citizens and didn't speak english.  My Japanese is limited to what I order at Mikuni's so I just yelled and pointed to the pier and spun my hand to signal for them to hurry.  They got that and sped up for a few minutes.  They then returned to their slower pace and as we got close to the finish I could hear the race announcer countdown the final minute.  We waved the support boat over and the contestants realized immediately what was happening and swam to the boat.   I felt bad for them, so much hard work to build up to just a swim in the bay.  They would not be allowed to continue.

I exited the water and took my surfboard back to my hotel room to change.  I dressed for a long day of walking and headed down to Lava Java for some breakfast.  I met up with some of Rob's friends from Wisconsin and we found a place to relax and wait for the pro's to come by.  It was at a second story bar at mile 1 on Ali'i.  After watching a few of the pro's run by I decided to head over to the finish to see the finish.  I crept my way up to the finish line and got some good pictures of the Men and Women's winners.  I then checked my phone and saw that I just missed Rob at T2.


I ran less than a mile down the course and caught up with him.  I looked at his face and saw that the bike was tougher than normal for him.  I asked him about his nutrition and the heat.  He said he was ok.  I didn't believe him.  About a half a mile later we ran into his family.  They walked with him until about mile 6 while I got some dinner and got ready for a long night.

I caught back up with Rob at the turn and we headed up Palani.  The crowds were going nuts as he walked by.  Some people in total disbelief of his attempt.  The Sun had dropped and I checked my watch.  He was going to be ok as long as he didn't slow down.  I knew tat as he walked back up the last hill or if he cramped up he might not make the midnight cutoff.  I checked his mental status and unlike previous races he was pretty beat up.  I could tell he didn't want to chat so I just walked a little with him.  We were both worried about another racer or an official disqualifying him for "pacing."  Ironman is an individual achievement.  You cannot accept any outside assistance.   So, even though Rob was not in danger of any awards he could still be disqualified by having someone pace him to the finish.  The rule makes sense because the completion of an Ironman alone is a reward in itself.  So, I would walk with Rob for a minute or two, then run ahead and wait for him.  We repeated this for a few miles until the NBC camera car showed up.  I think the camera car at first was a blessing.  It seemed to remind Rob of all the great exposure for our cause this would provide.  After the energy lab turnaround the camera car caught up to us again.  This time I could tell it was draining on Rob.  He needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.  His back was starting to really bother him from the heavy SCBA he was carrying.  We were finally on the last hill before the turn onto Palani.  It was at this point that I knew he would make its.






We went down the hill and I told him how proud I was of him.  I knew that we would soon be back on Ali'i and I wanted to make sure that I didn't get in the way of any of his much earned praise.  I ducked into the alley and headed to the finish line.  I got there just in time to see him cross the line on the big projection on the King Kam.  By the time I got to the actual finish line Rob was being escorted to medical.  I stuck around to cheer in the final finishers and watch the closing ceremonies.  I am sure if you have read this far you have heard about the magic of the finish line in Kona.  It does not disappoint.  The final finisher finished with less than a minute to spare, it was magical.

I ran into Rob's parents and helped them carry some of his gear back to their car.  They gave me an update, he was feeling good but needed a couple of IV's.  We said our goodbyes and I wandered up the street for a beer and a bar stool.



Please watch the NBC broadcast on NBC Saturday October 27th at 1am PST

Timothy Sendelbach - Bio

1) Age - 43
2) State (location) - Las Vegas, Nevada
3) Fire Department - North Las Vegas Fire Department
4) Why you race and how/when you got started - Simply stated - I do it for fun.  As someone whose always enjoyed competitive sports, I love to compete.  I got started because a friend of mine challenged me after seeing me post a few times that I had just completed a marathon.  I did my first 70.3 in July (Ironman Racine) and have since done Reno, Las Vegas and will do Pumpkinman (here in Las Vegas) later this month.  Next year I hope to do 5-6 Tri's to include Ironman Boise 70.3, Leadman 250 Bend, Oregon and if all goes well my first full Ironman Louisville.
5) Current Goals - Full Ironman next year, a 3:30 marathon and to eventually qualify for 70.3 Championships (age grouper) Las Vegas.
6) Podiums - No podiums, but did place 2nd in my age group in Las Vegas and 6th in Reno. PR's - 5:27 - 70.3, 3:54 marathon.  Favorite races - Ironman Racine and Chicago marathon.

Events remaining this year - Pumpkinman, Las Vegas October20th, Savannah Rock-n-Roll marathon - November, Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll marathon - December.

 

 

Robby Owens - Bio

Robby Owens
Age: 30
Henrico County Division of Fire 9 years (Fire Service for 15)
Firefighter/Medic

Races Run:

2010 and 2012 Monument Ave 10k https://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=7063 2012, https://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=805 2010
2011 Richmond Beat the Heat 5k http://runriderace.squarespace.com/beat-the-heat-5k-2011/

2011 Virginia Tough Mudder at Winter Green Ski Resort
2011 and 2012 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Richmond Va

2011 Busch Gardens Christmas Town 8k https://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=4060
2012 FDIC Courage and Valor 5k http://www.tuxbro.com/FDIC12.html

Upcoming Races:
2012 Virginia Running Festival Half Marathon (Nov)
2013 Disney World Marathon (Jan)

Began my fitness journey 2 years ago after getting way to out of shape and heavy. I race to keep my self motivated, If I have nothing to train for it is hard for me to work out. Going to complete my first half marathon this year, first full marathon in Jan 2013, then who knows alway looking for the next fun race.

Blog: www.averagejakeff.wordpress.com
twitter: @averagejakeff