When racing consecutive weekends in a row on the road, (3 this time) there is always the week in between races that needs to be filled. This can be expensive and tedious as you stay in a hotel by yourself twiddling your thumbs.
However, sometimes you get lucky and your friends Nate and Sara have family in the city and a cabin just South. After talking to Nate in Des Moines about my racing the Lifetime race he generously offered his parents house for me to stay in Minneapolis. After checking with his Mom it was actually ok for me to stay with them but that they were going to be going down to there lake side cabin afte the race…oh darn! So it was off to the cabin with Nate after the race to hang out with his huge extended family till Monday. We raced early Saturday morning so we arrived midday which is a great thing about these races, you finish at 9am. Early start but you have the whole rest of the day.
I had a great time hanging out with all his brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends over the weekend and chilling on the pontoon boat in the evenings. They are a great family and a lot of fun. I learned a new game called Polish Golf aka “Testi Toss,” a foot long piece of rope with two golf balls at each end that you toss and try to get to hang from a three rung rack. Good fun, especially when the international team (Myself and a Venezuelan inlaw) beat the local team (Nates brother and cousin), but not without a lot of trash talk.
It wasn’t all play and no work though. After lazing around Sunday morning I went out for a 3hr ride to flush out the legs and get some more time in the TT position (another alteration made on the ride). Then Monday morning Nate and I went for a 75min base run with some drills at the end and followed by a 40min open water swim.
After a great weekend at the cabin Nates Mom Cheryl and I dropped Nate and Sara off at the airport and then we returned to their house just North of Minneapolis. The last few days here have been great hanging out with Cheryl in the evenings and taking my time to train during the day. I have been enjoying the local Minnesota coffee shop “Caribou Coffee” before hitting the Lifetime Fitness gym for my swim in the 25m pool (usually gym pools are yards but I got lucky that this one is meters).
The organizers of the Lifetime Race are great and really treated us like professionals. The hotel was covered for three nights, the race meeting was quick and had drinks, the pro carbo party was classy and tasty and they have provided the gym facilities for training before and after the race. I have enjoyed my time here and will definately be back next year.
I am off to New York on Friday at 1pm. Having never been to NY I am looking forward to this trip. It is short as it is so expensive to stay there but I will fill the three days I am there with checking out the city. Should be fun!
10 Comments
Are you ok? Unbelievable shots of you crawling acorss that finish line, courtesy of the Brightroom photo people. That kind of determination is Olympic-material, and we all know it. But it\’s great to see that you have risen above the controversy and are still out there (nearly) winning the big races.
Hey Brent,
I read about you on my brother\’s blog(http://meyrickjones.blogspot.com) and saw the pics from Nautica. I just want to say that my brother is right, \”McMahon is the man\”.
I agree, the shots at http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=37141&BIB=19&LNSEARCH=1&PWD= are very hard to look at. You are an unbelievable athlete and this proves that you have some big things ahead of you.
I saw your finish on television today. You are amazing!
Good luck!
Where did you see it on TV? I did an interview with Inside Edition and was wondering when it was going to air and if it was any good?
Thanks for the support as well and for those that have negative things to say and don\’t have the courage to put there name on it I will not be posting your comments. Above \”anonymous\” comment is fine. Still would be nice to know who is supporting me though 🙂
Hi Brent,
I raced NYC Tri as well and finished in 2h10 (2nd AG). I saw the image on TV this week end(race coverage). I was moved by your determination. I have raced for many year\’s and I never managed to push myself as hard as you did. It takes special qualities to do what you did. I admire your fighting spirit. You were the man that day.
Pascal,
Scary pictures and remain speechless of admiration in front of such determination… an example to a lot of us (but maybe not pushed to this extrem…)
Hope that you\’ve recovered.
Stefane (Switzerland)
Hi Brent,
Just got back from vacation and saw the pictures from NYC, gonna have to call you Julie Moss now.
My heart did ache for you as I watched the men line up on the pontoon in China last night. I hope you realize that your accomplishments were all part of Simon\’s race. The people who know and respect you know what you did to make it all possible.
Next year, I will be on the start line at Calgary 70.3, would be great to see you there as well.
Jeff Cooper
Brent,
Wow, it has been a month and the courage you shown at NYC amazing, you were like Rocky battling Apollo, except there were no cut scenes or props but an incredible will to cross the line. If this doesn\’t fire people up to race for the finish than I don\’t know what will. Glad you are o.k. , and i\’ll be hoping to use a little bit of that determination the next time out. Thanks! (just on the Yes Network – in NY)