Up Side Down DU Review
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sunday morning greeted athletes with sunny skies and calm winds as they arrived for the Up Side Down Duathlon at Camp Ingawanis. The event was the first of it's kind in the area and the participants were going to be treated to some of the best single track in Iowa. After a pre-race briefing at 9:45 the participants placed their bikes about 75 yards from the starting line to get ready for the La Man's start.
At 10:00 they were off. After a short stretch of open grass the athletes hit the challenging single track for the next 4.1 miles or so.(each lap was a total of 4.6 miles) After the first lap Jeff Kerkove of Team Ergon was in the lead with Rob Houlihan from BTR not far behind. The Runner's Flat Scott Gall was in third and Casey Dean fourth. Kerkove(Chad Juel) and Dean(Kasey Smidt) were part of the team competition while Houlihan and Gall rocked the course solo. In the women's field Sarah Gall was first off the bike with Dawn Keller settling into second position. Jill Sinwell was also having a nice race before a mechanical failure caused her to drop out.On the run positioning stayed the same throughout the entire field. The Up/Downs and Sand Wall did not seem to favor any athlete over another. It was looking like those with superior bike handling skills may have the upper hand.
After the run athletes mounted their bikes for the final 4.6 miles of mountain biking. Positions held and crossing the line first with the best overall time of the day 1:32:14 was the team of Kerkove and Juel. Just 5 minutes later Houlihan crossed the line to take the men's overall with Gall crossing 3 minutes later for second in the men's overall.
Sarah Gall was able to hold off the women's field for a first place overall with a time of 2:11:49.
Keller took second with a time of 2:23:28
Full results can be found here.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone that accepted the challenge and attempted the event.
Events like this are not possible without help from a great volunteers and CVA has the best, so another big thank you to them!
And last but not least, thank you to all the sponsors. If you don't know who they are just look to your left and scroll down. These companies and businesses are very passionate about what they do. Their products and services are here to make you, the athlete, better and stronger.
Michale Lubbers completing the Up/Downs
posted by All3Sports @ 7:55 PM,
1 comment,
Up Side Down DU 101
Thursday, May 17, 2007
A few people have asked about a crash course on the Up Side Down DU. So, as best I can without giving aways some of the fun details here it goes.
What to bring: A mountain bike, helmet, shoes, sun screen, bug spray, any other special needs you may have. Just don't forget your helmet!
What will be at the race: Water, hammer gels, orange slices, bananas, apples, sun screen.
The Transition area: This area will be roped off and only athletes allowed inside of it during the race. Racks will be provided for your bike. A Duathlon transition is pretty simple. Since you are starting on the bike your area will have your running related gear in it. My advise is to keep it simple, running shoes. Maybe a hat or sun glasses, have a gel shot or water bottle ready if needed. You may want to bring an item you can use to find your area easier, like a towel.
How's the race going to go? (mileage subject to change)
Everyone starts on the bike. First bike leg is 2 loops of 4.75 miles per lap for 9.50 miles on the first bike leg. You will then come into the transition area, dismounting at the dismount line (safety first!). You will rack your bike at your transition area, remove your helmet, grab your running shoes and exit the transition area. Right off the bat there is a "no way" on the run. The run will be 2 laps at 1.55 miles each for a total of 3.10 miles. In each lap there will be a "you've got to be kidding me", moment.....It's all good. After the run you will enter the transition area, change shoes, put your helmet on, grab your bike and head out for the final 3.36 mile bike leg. You will then cross the finish line, grab some food, chat with vendors, and rock all the killer prizes.
Aid Stations: There will be one aid station that you will pass twice. At the start of the run and again about 1.55 miles into the run. Water and hammer gels will be provided.
Teams: here is how your transitions shake out.
There will be a waiting zone for the team athletes.
So, cyclist will come in the transition area, rack their bike, then run to the END of the transition zone and tag the runner in the waiting area. When the runner returns the cyclist will be at the FRONT of the transition zone in the second waiting area. Runner will tag the cyclist, they will go to their racked bike, remove the bike and exit out the rear of the transition area.
Anybody with specific questions or helpful comments please post and someone will reply.
See everyone Sunday, the weather looks to be fantastic.
Here is a crude drawing of the transition area.
posted by All3Sports @ 9:36 PM,
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Incoming!!!!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Just one more week till the off road duathlon bomb drops on the Cedar Valley. Get the bikes tuned up and your chinstrap tightened, it's going to be a ride!
For those of you wondering about the Duathlon 101 clinic it's going to happen but as a blog post. By midweek I will have a complete overview of how to handle this duathlon.
Stay tuned and keep the rubber side down!
Cedar Valley Adventure
posted by All3Sports @ 8:45 PM,
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3 New Partners!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
CVA is happy to announce the addition of 3 more top notch partners to this years roster.
KINeSYS sun screen
Twin Six cycling clothing
Recover-Ease nutrition
Visit the websites, check them out, see the goods at the Duathlon May 20th!
posted by All3Sports @ 9:10 PM,
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