Ah, Summer...the body likes it for some reason...always has, it just runs better hot, and plenty of hot we have had the last few days. I'm not one of those guys that likes/relishes cross season, well, I shouldn't say that, I like cross, just don't like doing it in the cold. Call me a wimp, but when my fingers and toes are frozen, that's just not much fun. In fact, I think we should move cross to the summer. I digress...
The Burke's had a busy weekend last weekend...Friday we drove the troops over to Des Moines for a Youth Elite triathlon called the "flatland triathlon"...go figure. Was a big deal for the kids because there just aren't many youth distance triathlons around. They go from short - 150 yard swim, 3 mile bike, 1 mile run, to sprint distance for adults, 500 meter swim, 13 mile bike and 5 K run. There needs to be an in-between for kids to mature in the sport. USAT (USATriathlon) hitched up with a promoting org in the Des Moines area to put on this Kids only race day. It featured, Youth short distance with Time Trial start Swim for beginners, to Elite racing mass swim start, for age groups 13-15 youth and 16-19 Juniors. The elite race brought kids in from all over the country chasing national ranking points. The race originally slated for downtown Des Moines was again moved because of flooding issues to West Des Moines, and turned out to be a darn good venue. Noah and Abigail did the Youth Elite race - 275 yard open water swim, 6 mile bike (3 laps on course) and a 2.5 K run.
Abigail just turned 13 last May competed against some tough competition as she came out of the water in 17th place and struggled on the bike losing a few places and finishing strong on the run for 27th place. Noah racing age 15 this year came out of the water in 6th place, made the second group of riders and hung on to finish in 7th place. ( I hadn't thought much about Noah's racing age until this tri, but it hit home he'll be racing age 16 next year...scary.) The cycling leg of an elite races allows for drafting so these races make for a unique flavor of Triathlon, the same format used for international competitions for Elite racers.
Also this weekend was the Omaha Cycling Weekend / Dave Babcook memorial races. First up was the Papillion twilight criterium in Downtown Papillion. Missed this race as we transitioned back to Lincoln from Iowa. Just too fried to think I could even keep up on the demanding technical course. Sounds like Ne racers had a good showing, but the Kansas crew tightened the screws capturing the glory and the cash in the Pro 1-2 race. Good job Jay and Kent for representin NE! in 3rd and 4th in the Pro 1-2 race.
Sunday JT and I motored up for the State RR at Mount Michael outside of Elkhorn Nebraska. Slated for a 7-8 mile loop a night of raining played havoc to the bottom of the course leaving mud and running water on the course. Officials made a safety call change and reduced the course to a 3.4 mile rectangle lap with the pro 1-2 field doing 20 laps. Try counting that high after 60 miles and warm humid temps. I've heard some complaints - too many people for such narrow roads, course not challenging enough, unsafe course...ect. Poppycock! There were more accidents then there should have been for sure, but they were probably silly at best with people running into each other. (the worst kind...huh Sydney? Hope you are starting to feel better). The only problem area was probably the feed zone, we were going so fast through there that it was like a war zone as people tried to grab water from the volunteers...which by the way...thank you volunteers for standing out there in the sun on a hot sunny humid day. (that folks is a luxury to have someone doing neutral hand-ups.) The only other problem was the course was short enough that there was some passing of groups during the race and that was problematic with car traffic coming the other direction.
There were many valiant attempts to get a break going during the first 50 - 60 miles of the race lots of attacks with riders going up the road for a lap or two and slowly dragged back by the peloton motoring along - lots of horse power left in the field - anxious for a result. I think it was roughly 60 miles in when the winning move went - Chris Spence (eventual winner...again!), Lucas Marshall (velogear.com and teammate), Jon Nelson from Sioux City and Kevin Limpach from who was coming off the Cat 3 Win from the Papillion Criterim the night before. Good group well represented by the strong teams in the field. This meant the field could go soft after this group got up the road and forced the other teams to make their move - the impetuous was gone, at least for a while. We rolled around at 20 mph allowing the group to get plenty out there and secure the break. With roughly 5-6 laps to go a flurry of attacks sent another group of 7 up the road. I hitched on the back as we rolled around for about a lap before being brought back to the fold. As we rolled through the feed zone 1/4 lap later after being caught, I took a little flyer hoping to roll off again...with someone else...this time they let me go...all by myself...crap.
After I was gone General Jay took charge and gave the secret nod to Luke Lininger from Mercy. Luke rolled up to me after a lap...thank you. We got a nice rotation going and another lap in before two other guys rolled across...Paul Webb and Andy Malcom. Perfect, we got a nice rotation going and after another lap couldn't see the field behind us. The problem was we didn't know what lap we were on...
At 71 miles we came to the last corner, but we were unsure if we were done or not...we sided on the side of safety and did one more lap...which turned out to be the correct decision. We/I wanted to be done - but we motored the last lap and made the right turn to finish it off. As we approached the finish, Mr. Webb punched it up would be the last climb on the finish straight...I was thinking we had another hill and almost didn't react in time. Got going a little late and missed an opportunity to take the sprint from our group ending up 6th overall, 4th pro 1-2 and 2nd State medalist. Total distance around 79 miles @ 24 MPH ave. Pretty happy about the outcome, especially considering my riding legs only seem to be coming around now as we end the road season here in Nebraska. Albeit a season ending a little earlier than I'd like. Been hearing lots of comments that people can't believe it's over here in NE. We need more promoters folks. Be nice and thank them when you see them.
Couple final points...It sure is nice to have the State Road Championship earlier in the season. Also, thank goodness they combined the field for us. It actually felt like a race, even though with this course it was a little bit more like a long chess match since there wasn't a real physical challenge to the course. That is the essence of long road races though you've got to move your pawns around a little and then strike a few times to get something to stick.
There are some MTB races coming up so dust off those knobbies and hope the rain tapers down a bit. Also coming up next month is B.O.L.T and Gravel Worlds.
As I wrap up this post - the Lincoln Mile was on Sunday. The kids did great winning the gender and age group, my running buds from the Y pulled off wins in their age groups. Pretty fast old farts. Must be doing something right!
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