Sunday I competed in the Boots On The Ground 5K and 5 Mile race in Canal Fulton, Ohio

I finished 6th overall in the 5K and 1st in my age group with a time of 22:34.

My review is below.

Boots On The Ground 5K/5 Mile Race Canal Fulton, Ohio

Military service appreciation was in full display at the Boots On The Ground 5K and 5 Mile run. This event in its second year is a charity event put on by the good people at www.runcanton.com to benefit Team RWB. Team RWB’s mission statement is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Both the 5K course and the 5 mile course are mostly flat and fast with a few rolling hills. The 5K course has 3 rolling hills in the first mile and then flattens out for a fast remaining 2 mile run to the finish. The course makes its way around the beautiful and historic downtown Canal Fulton and Ohio Canal utilizing roads and scenic trails alongside the canal. Many runners paid tribute to veterans by wearing their favorite camouflage or patriotic attire. Team RWB proudly displayed there team shits on the course as well. Runners were greeted at the finish line by the National Guard that awarded finisher medals. www.runcanton.com provided each runner with great swag that included a camouflage tech shirt and finisher medal. Runner awards included custom dog tags and certificates for future races. This was a great event to support a great cause. www.runcanton.com even offered a virtual run option in the registration for people that wanted to support Team RWB but could not run on the day of the event.

Our team did really well at the Great Western Reserve Triathlon. I think everyone placed in one way or another.

Carlo, and Steve Z completed the Sprint and Stacy completed the Olympic on Saturday. Ashley completed the half on Sunday.

Carlo…2nd age group, Steve….2nd age group, Stacy….3rd age group, Ashley….1st age group

Ashley helped on Saturday at the water station.

Stacy helped Sunday.

I provided kayak water support Saturday. There were 4 lifeguards in kayaks, 2 powered sheriff boats and myself. The strong winds created high chop and poor swimming conditions. We plucked 4 swimmers from the water and transferred them to the power boats to return to shore. We helped several other swimmers in need of temporary assistance. I assisted one sprint distance swimmer for the entire second half of the swim leg. He grabbed my kayak about every 20 yards. I stayed with him the rest of the course. It took him a while but in the end he was able to finish the swim leg safely and complete the race.

S

Twinsburg Du 6-5-2016

The Twinsburg Du is a great local race for me. Close to home- early start, and spring is perfect time to add more intensity into my routine – so the 2 mile run/ 10-mile bike- 2 mile run fits the bill.
A little rain the night before left roads wet- but looking at forecast showed 0 percent chance of rain and 66-degree race temp
Turnout was down from previous years. Even with relay teams- less than 100 people. The weather app was way off- as the race was ready to start a slow rain started.

First run I did in 13 & ½ minutes- was 8th overall and as we went to transition 1 to get bikes I passed 2 people there starting the bike 6th overall. I was alone the entire bike – but pushed as hard as I could with the rain and averaged 19.4 – which was down from last year where I averaged 20.7. Maybe it was small course change because of construction, maybe I was too cautious on wet corners- or maybe its old age. One guy caught me just as we entered transition, but had another fast transition and never saw him again. Second run was a minute slower than first run- and ended up 1st in my age group- 6th overall. My time was 2 minutes off my 2015 time

I took off right away and headed out for a 2-hour ride- so sorry I did not get to congratulate my Team Mates- Scott Orlando had a solid second place finish, and our newest team member Daniel Deckler nailed down 3rd in his age group

Ken Frankenbery

Twinsburg Duathlon Results

Megan Mier first overall female Time 57:22

Ken Frankenbery 6th overall and 1st in his age group. Time 1:01:25

Scott Orlando 20th overall and 2nd in age group. Time 1:07:17

Dan Deckler 55th overall and 3rd in age group. Time 1:30:25

Stacy Rhea volunteered to run the aid station on the run course.

Mickey Rzymek of North Coast Multisports once again proved why he is known as the Godfather of Triathlons by organizing another great race. The Twinsburg Duathlon consists of a 2 mile run, 10 mile bike and 2 mile run. The first mile of the run course is fast and flat with several downhill sections. The second mile starts with a steady uphill climb that challenges runners. The last section of the run course is flat and fast. The same run course is used for both run legs of the race. The 10 mile bike course had some new sections this year due to construction. Bikers were put to the test fighting rain, headwinds, and rolling hills. The first 3 miles of the bike course were a grind up hill into the strong winds and rain. Once past the initial climb bikers were able to settle into the saddle and find cadence and speed. This race like all North Coast Multisports races was well organized and a lot of fun!

Gretchen 1st age group

Adam Lenz 1st age group 1:29, Paul Lenz 3rd age group 1:20, Roy Miller 5th age group 1:24, Dan Deckler 9th age group 1:53 and relay Team Henry, Scott 2nd 1:28

2nd place age group……Xterra Regional Championship, Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, Alabama

Last night was the Ride of Silence at LifeCenter plus. Ride of Silence is a national movement to increase awareness of cars sharing the road with bikes and to pay respect to bikers killed by automobiles. This was the first year for the local event.

Jerry, Carlo, Stacy and I all road. Jimmy was there at the start with a few Eddy’s bike techs providing last minute bike maintenance. Micky was also there riding and supporting the event. Stacy did a great job organizing and leading the event. The ride was 10 mile course at a 10 mph – 12 mph pace on the roads bordering Stow and Hudson. Many riders from the Akron Bike Club participated. A moment of silence was observed for the 2 local bike riders killed last year and all other bike riders killed nationally.

The ride ended at LifeCenter plus with refreshments and raffle prizes donated by Eddy’s Bike Shop and LifeCenter plus.

I finished 4th overall with a time of 34:48 for the 1.5 mile kayak and 2.5 mile race.

I missed 3rd place by just a few seconds and first by 1:44 seconds. Not bad considering I wasn’t sure I could even run with a torn calf muscle. With two good legs I probably win the race.
Below is my review

The Sweat Now Wine Later race held at Gervasi Winery is a 1.5 mile kayak followed by a 2.5 mile run. There is a run or walk only option if kayaking is not your thing. I am not sure if this event is a festival of wine and food that starts with a race or a race that ends in a wine and food festival but either way this race is a big hit! The short fast course, beautiful grounds of Gervasi Winery and promise of excellent food and wine at the finish makes this race a local favorite. The race is ideal for multi sport beginners, recreational competitors, and serious athletes looking to test their skill and speed. The kayak leg is in a shallow winding creek. All participants must use kayak equipment that is provided eliminating any individual equipment advantages. The water depth in the creek was not ideal averaging 12 inches or less in most areas of the course. In several spots the water depth was too low and participants had to exit their kayaks and drag them to deeper water. The run course is flat, fast, and scenic as it makes its way back to the finish line at Gervasi. Run Canton Inc and the Canton Park and Recreation Department did an outstanding job organizing the race. Race participants received tech shirts, custom finisher medals that double as wine stoppers, and a voucher for food or wine at Gervasi. The only thing that could improve this race is to offer more awards and an awards ceremony. Only the top three male and female finishers receive awards in the mail. Age group awards would be nice at this race. This is an excellent short race that provides great value, fun and a beautiful race venue. I have no doubt this race will continue to sell out for many years.

Arkansas Xterra off road Triathlon 5-1-2016
USAT National Championship- world Qualifier,De Gray’s Lake

4TH PLACE AGE GROUP