2011 Race Schedule

The clock has struck midnight and it is official; 2011 is here. As we look forward to another year of endurance sports I’m hopeful that you too might join in on the fun. I think the schedule for 2011 is complete. I’m excited about what this year has in store for us. There will be many familiar stops on this year’s journey to Madison and a few new ones as well. I know you are anxious to hear what is in store; so without further a due…can I have the envelope please.

09 April 2011

Half Marathon – 13.1 mile run
Bald Eagle Lake Park

White Bear Lake, MN

website: http://www.trifitnesswbl.com

The event includes 10K and half marathon distances. The event is a fund raiser for Camp Odayin – A camp for kids with Heart Disease.

The half marathon course is challenging and scenic. This is a intimate event with good support and is for a great cause.

23 April 2011
50K Trail Run
Ice Age Trail
New Auburn, WI.
website: http://www.vacationsports.com/chippewa50.html

This is a new event for us this year, it is also our first attempt at an Ultra Marathon, albeit short by most ultra marathon standards (50K = 31.0685596 miles). This is a trail run, again something fairly new, most of our events have been on pavement. The run at the Burrito Union 10 hour triathlon was a trail run, if this is anything like that, it will definitely be challenging.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand-mile footpath – entirely within Wisconsin – that highlights Ice Age landscape features while providing access to some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas.

01 May 2011
100 Mile Ride
Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride
Minnesota Gran Fondo
Lakeville, MN
website: http://ironmanbikeride.org

What the heck is a Gran Fondo?

A Gran Fondo (translated from Italian, meaning “Grand Ride”) is a timed cycling event – a classic, mass participation cycling event for all ages and abilities. Gran Fondos are popular rides in Europe, and gaining momentum on the west coast of the US. It’s not a race, per se, but it gives riders the opportunity to formally time themselves, to gauge their fitness level, and to add excitement to their ride.

14 May 2011
3 Mile Run/ 14 Mile Bike/ 3 Mile Run
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Oakdale, MN
website: http://www.vacationsports.com/oakdaledu.html

This early season event is a good kick-off to the multi-sport year. The race is well attended and a lot of the big guns are out to test their off season training. Vacation Sports, the event sponsor does a good job, it is a well organized event and has good support.

05 June 2011
Olympic Distance Triathlon
A Race No.1
Buffalo, MN
website: http://www.tribuff.com

Out first A race of the year and our 5th visit to the shores of Lake Buffalo. This movie was shot at last year’s event, enjoy.

18 June 2011
Marathon – 26.2 mile run
Duluth, MN
website: http://grandmasmarathon.com

Definitely on the list of favorite events. This year Grandma’s celebrates its 35th Anniversary, and our 5th trip to the north shore of Lake Superior. The 26.2 mile run from Two Harbors to Duluth is beautiful, with breath taking views of the largest of the five Great Lakes. This event will always hold a special place in my endurance heart as my first Marathon.

17 July 2011
Half Iron Triathlon
A Race No.2
Door County Peninsula
Egg Harbor, WI
website: http://www.doorcountytriathlon.com

Our second of three A Races for the 2011 season and our third trip to the shores of Green Bay. The Door County Peninsula is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” This popular Midwestern tourist destination offers an abundance of lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment options. The sandy shorelines and majestic bluffs along Green Bay north of Sturgeon Bay provide an ideal setting for a triathlon.

21 August 2011
Olympic Distance Triathlon
Lake Phalen
St. Paul, MN

Another new event on our schedule and the final tune up prior to Madison. This is another Vacation Sports sponsored event. In total we will participate in five Vacation Sports sponsored events in 2011. The Black Friday prices were just to good to pass up!

11 September 2011
A Race No.3
Ironman Triathlon
Madison. Wisconsin

Our third and final A Race of the year. Since 2002, Ironman Wisconsin has been held in the welcoming college town of Madison Wisconsin on the second Sunday in September. Each year, more than 2,000 athletes converge on Madison to participate in this Ironman, which features a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, a 112 mile bike ride through Wisconsin farmland, capped by a 26.2 mile marathon run through the University of Wisconsin campus to a finish line at the state capital building steps.

Probably our last Wisconsin Ironman for the foreseeable future. This will be our third consecutive trip to Madison and I’m sure it will be as enjoyable and challenging as the previous two. I’m not sure what event in 2012 will take its place but these are some mighty big shoes to fill.

We will close the year with two fun runs, the ‘Run for the Apples’ event on 22 October 2011, a 5 mile trail run which I truly enjoy. And one last new event, the ‘Great Pumpkin Chase’, a unique event were will will run a 10K directly followed by a 5K on 29 October 2011 in beautiful Lake Elmo Park Reserve to close out the 2011 season.