Congratulations to Team Trout members for making quite a showing at the 25th annual Reeds Lake Triathlon Saturday, September 6, 2008!!

We had several athletes place at the top of their division, and in the top 5% of all triathletes in the field (1000 competitors). Here are the results:

Men’s Division Results
3rd Overall - Tom Trout
4th Overall - Matt Smith
9th Overall - Aaron Zuelke
11th Overall - Jody Williford
13th Overall - Kraig Schmottlach
16th Overall - Dan Socie
23rd Overall - Tom Klaver
27th Overall- Chris Niquette

Women’s Division Results
29th Overall/1st Overall Woman - Marie Dershem
196th Overall/8th AG - Melissa Sandman

Challenged Athletes Results
2nd Overall/1st Female - Pam Otto - Towing “Olivia”

I had a snow day today….our fifth one of the year at Grandville Public Schools. Some school districts have had 7 or more. I was feeling a little frustrated with the fact that it has been dangerously cold outside, and my “normal” workout routine has been compromised. I was scheduled to run 16 miles yesterday in prpeparation for a marathon in April, but opted for an indoor bike workout in my basement instead. I was thinking (incorrectly) that this morning would be a great opportunity for me to get in my long run.

After calling everyone on my school phone tree to tell them that school had been canceled, I decided to venture out of the house in search of another pool and a lonely treadmill (Byron Center Pool, where I normally swim, was also closed today). I decided to try MVP this morning for the first time, and thought I might see a few Blink members out for an early morning workout. I was fortunate enough to be granted a free pass this morning by the manager after telling him that I was associated with the Blink team. Nice guy! Otherwise, I would have had to pay a $30 visitor’s fee….no thanks.

Anyway, I started in the pool for a warm-up, and had a nice 40 minute swim in cold waters (compared to Byron Center, I felt like I needed a wetsuit this morning!). After changing into my running clothes, I headed upstairs looking for a treadmill tucked away in a corner where I could put in some serious miles without bothering too many people with my flying beads of sweat. I was pleasantly surprised to find a treadmill with lots of cool gadgets, including a tv with headphone jacks. I plugged in, amped up and rolled for my long run. What started as a moderately long run of 12 miles turned into 14, then 16, then….what the heck….. 18 miles on the treadmill! It was the longest I have ever run on a treadmill before. I liked the consistency of my pace, and the feel of the repetitive movement. I was in a zone. After cooling down a bit, I noted that I had lost 5 pounds on the treadmill even with drinking two full 20 ounce bottles of gatorade.

I certainly would not recommend 2+ hours on the treadmill for everyone. However, it worked for me today in a pinch. Treadmill running can also be beneficial for someone trying to train neuromuscular pathways to “fire” at a faster rate. I’ve done mile repeats on a treadmill before, and have found this method for establishing pace and following a specific protocol very effective. HR, speed, time, and distance are easily monitored and adjusted. Today, I enjoyed settling into a groove without my pace wavering. I was literally forced to keep pace. At times, I wanted to go faster, but I stayed the course, and paced the run perfectly. I enjoyed my first MVP experience immensely.

Congratulations to the following individuals on Team Trout for outstanding performances in recent races:

Hawk Island Sprint Triathlon (June 3, 2007)
- Jef Mallett - 3rd Overall/1st AG/1st Masters

Lake Macatawa Triathlon (June 9, 2007)
- Tom Trout - 3rd Overall
- Jef Mallett - 1st AG
- Dan Socie - 6th AG
- Pam Otto - 2nd Overall/1st AG
- Michelle Hankinson - 7th Overall/1st AG
- Deb Semeyn - 10th overall/1st AG

Johan’s Trifest (June 16, 2007)
- Pam Otto - 2nd Overall
- Pam Kruse - 1st Masters
- Todd Meredith - 5th AG
- Michelle Hankinson - 2nd AG
- Jill Meredith - 2nd AG
- Shawn Halloran - 5th AG
- Jackie Weeber - 7th AG
- Sarah Joliffe - 1st AG
- Deb Semeyn - 1st AG

INTERLOCHEN MUSIC FEST (JULY 15, 2007)-
-Jody Williford - 2nd Overall

Great Lakes Triathlon Championships (July 21, 2007)
-Tom Trout - 4th overall/1st AG
- Matt Smith - 6th overall/1st AG
- Kraig Schmottlach - 7th overall/1st AG
- Todd Meredith - 2nd AG
- Pam Otto - 5th overall/1st AG
- Michelle Hankinson - 1st AG
- Pam Kruse - 1st AG/2nd Masters
- Jill Meredith - 4th AG

Ironman Lake Placid (July 22, 2007)
- Deb Semeyn - 4th AG with a time of 13 hours and 18 seconds!!