Age-Grouper of the Week

I was listening today to IM Talk, a podcast created by a couple of triathletes from New Zealand. They have this segment called "Age-Grouper of the Week" where they highlight an extraordinary age-group triathlete.

This week their age-grouper was Gary Taylor. It was funny hearing them say (Use your best New Zealand accent here) "Gary Taylor from Little Rock, Arkansas". We all know he's a phenomenal athlete but his nomination was as much for helping someone else as it was for his race performance.

As he was getting ready for his wave prior to the Austin 70.3 last October he noticed someone struggling in the water in the group that went off before him. This person was having an anxiety attack. According to IM Talk Gary went out to offer help and the swimmer was still in full attack mode and tried to pull Gary under with him. After a little struggle Gary manage to help this person to shore safe-and-sound.

After that Gary went off with his wave and torched the course to the tune of a top-5 age group finish earning a spot at the 70.3 championships in Clearwater!

Great job all the way around, Gary! Congratulations.

Going Long

Saturday's long ride calls for 3:30.

Who's in?

Top 10

It seems no matter what the topic or list, Arkansas ranks at or near the bottom. It doesn't matter if it's population, education, income or teacher pay, if you'll quickly scroll down near the bottom....you'll find Arkansas.

I found a list yesterday that has Arkansas in the top 1o!

Naturally it's not a list you want to be in the top 10 but nevertheless there's Arkansas.

What's that old saying? "Thank God for Mississippi!"

Saturday Long Ride

Long ride Saturday....3:15.

Who's in?

Cook's landing out towards England.

Rolling by 6:15.

OVT Results

After much delay and apparent gnashing of teeth the OVT folks posted results from the race this past weekend.

Our crew really represented!

Heather had an incredible 2nd place finish in her age group posting a 1:49:41...a scant :38-seconds from claiming the top spot! Great race, Heather!

Once again, Bird was stellar overall posting a 1:31:31. He was strong in all three disciplines with good times in each. The finish put him in the 6th spot in his group.

TBras was dolphin-like once again coming out of the water 8th overall! I told him we have the number 8 in common because I was one of the last 8 still in the water! Overall Troy came in at 1:40:07 and 11th in the group.

Rory was solid in all three disciplines as well finishing in 1:47:09. Good race, Rory!

I came in at 1:41:17 for a top 5 finish in my group.

This year's OVT was a qualifying race for the USAT Age Group Nationals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to be held August 22nd. Because of our finishes (top 33% in each age group or top 5, whichever is greater) Heather, Bird and I have qualified. Wow!

As is the case, it seems, in every race I'm sure everyone was pleased with some aspect of the race, wished they would've done a little better in another, but overall happy with the end result and enjoying the endurance life.

Congrats to all!

-Brick

New Venue for OVT

I just noticed that the venue the 2009 Ozark Valley Triathlon changed. Read about it on the website <http://www.ozarkvalleytriathlon.com>. I'm sure you guys saw an email about it, but just in case, I thought I'd mention it here. So who's in so far?

-bird

Winner, Winner...

Hey everybody, check out my new wheels! I'm winning IMFL for sure!

Couple that with my new strategy in the water (notice the fins).........

....now if I can just do what that guy from "The Biggest Loser" did and have someone drive me in their van for a good portion of the marathon I can complete the cheaters hat-trick!