Training Camp was SAAAAWWWWEEEEEETTTT!

Andy Suter

Posts: 186
Joined: 2007-08-26

First off, I would like to speak for the team and thank everyone who helped plan this weekend. The campsite, the races, the food, the training, everything was awesome! Instead of writing a lot, I am just going to post my highlights from this weekend, only because I am a poor writer. Feel free to add you highlights. POSITIVITY PEOPLE!!!

1) Chillaxin by the fire on Friday night. Exchanging good conversation, roasting marshmallows, being serenaded by Kiley's mad skillz (even with the bronchitis), and finally, sleeping with Lowen.

2) Saturday started off the right way with some trail running, that was sweet. Then came the Grasky lectures, who doesn't love these? The bike ride was sweet, especially the skunk! Some more Grasky lectures! Then we ate some lunch, played euchre, and geared up for my favorite part, transition practice. A little later, we had money dinner, thanks to Jill and Brian and the grillers (you guys are real men). Then Yann fixed my bike, dude's a genius. Then more sweet campfire activities! DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA DONNIE!!!

3) Today was also money, the early wake-up from Makko yelling into our tent that it smelled like sex. The races were also cool. Probably the best though was how Tractor kicked Shawn Burr's ass in the Grasky Challenge. (sorry shawn)

Great weekend guys and girls! Thanks again.

#4 for life!

SconnieTown represent.

Submitted by Andy Suter on February 24, 2008 - 21:03.

Kyle Watson

Posts: 155
Joined: 2007-08-12

hey great thread suter. i

hey great thread suter. i also enjoyed all those things along with the original composition by the suter-kosuke duet. (i especially liked the kosuke call though: "doo doo do do do doo dooo do dooooo....KOSUKE!!" also amazing was the mansion we slept in on the mattress that took four methods and 45 minutes to blow up. as for the training part, we rock guys. i had an amazing weekend and love you all more than ever =)

February 24, 2008 - 21:23

Andy Wyatt

Posts: 86
Joined: 2007-08-20

What about the fact that we

What about the fact that we destroyed NAU and took home the collegiate trophy?

TRACTOR

928.856.0807
awyatt@email.arizona.edu

February 24, 2008 - 21:34

Matt Grabau

Posts: 224
Joined: 2007-08-15

For me: Everyone

For me: Everyone encouraging/inspiring each other to push harder and farther, going at my first oly-ish distance event (ouch!), learning how to mount/dismount with shoes in the pedals (transition practice in general!).

Campsite was AWESOME! It was great to get away from Tucson (school/work) and just do the fun stuff. Most of all, I really enjoyed getting to know everyone. This really is an awesome group!

Looking forward to getting more involved and doing more events...Havasu is going to rock!

February 24, 2008 - 21:45

Shawn Burr

Posts: 62
Joined: 2007-08-22

So i figured i'd continue

So i figured i'd continue the fun of highlighting "MY" weekend at this amazing event we call training camp:

It all began Friday with a late arrival in Mr. Wyatt's "FOOOCCUUUSSSSS" and failing to be being as quiet as a mouse while setting up our sleeping area. Unfortunate rainshowers landed us in his car where we became surprisingly close while Andy entertained me with his ability to breath hard, ie- i barely slept..

Saturday began with the sight of my team :) and the havok that comes from boiling water and making breakfast. The trail run to follow was a joyous occassion as everyone tested their ability to stay upright in several inch-deep mud and ruggedness while climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro. The bike ride was OUTSTANDING, besides my ridiculous tan and Gabi's tribike making music that was not pleasant on the ears ;) The most beneficial part of training camp came next with practicing T2 (bike to run). Although i was DQed my first time around, i was surprisingly entertained when Wyatt cheated on the second time, and Suter showed us how to protect ourselves while running with his helmet left on. The food, campfire, entertainment was unbelievable. I wasn't going to say anything, but Kiley's singing almost brought me to tears, and i know a few of you can agree that she has a B-E-A-Utiful voice and is going ot kick some ass and take some names in Nashville next month. Also, the serenade by Suter and Kosuke after hours of practicing topped off an already LEGENDARY night.

Sunday began with a Wyatt-Burr techno dance clinic. If you missed it, well...you missed out on a great opportunity to advance your techno dancing and head bobbing skills (your loss). I was most happy seeing the newbies kick some major BUTT in the DCD with everyone either placing, PRing, or i guess...finishing (as some of you claimed to be a feat in itself). In response to Suter's comment above, I agree and commend Andy for killing, nay, murdering me in Grasky's race.

SOOOOO.... All-in-all i deam this training camp a GREAT SUCCESS and am glad that i participated in this monumental weekend. You guys are AWESOME!! oh yeah...TriJacks are pretty cool too ;)

February 24, 2008 - 21:45

Adrienne Contos

Posts: 180
Joined: 2007-08-25

I loved the look on the

I loved the look on the Mexican national's team member's face when she saw the rankings and she realized that this Kathy girl beat her by a good ten minutes. She asked me, "Who is this Kathy?" expecting her not to be real...

Also, thank you to all of the drivers and tent and sleeping bag lenders, you made the camp happen (In my case, thank you Renae for all three and putting up with me, you're amazing)

Brian and Jill, that dinner was great (pasta salad, yum)

February 24, 2008 - 22:07

Kosuke Amano

Posts: 73
Joined: 2007-09-08

3 years on tricats, and this

3 years on tricats, and this was my first training camp...and I regret not going to the previous ones. I was amazed at how people performed today in the real race and the post-race race, even after saturday. I enjoyed the cheer led by jumping monkey man makko. And I got my ass handed to me by andy and shawn.......and chris, sean, jared, BK, sara, etc etc etc...I also realized I want to be Kathy Rakel when I grow up. Feel the rhythm feel the rhyme...

February 24, 2008 - 22:52

Brian Grasky

Posts: 531
Joined: 2007-08-14

To all TriCats at Training

To all TriCats at Training Camp: I, for one, had a GREAT time! Thanks you all. I'm continually impresses by not only your growth in triathlon and things fitness, but in your attitudes, drive, vision, maturity, and class. Congrats!

You all did extremely well on whichever race you did, and judging from the results...to all those at Nationals...BRING IT...JUST DONT BRING IT WEAK! Lots of podiums and PRs.

Highlights for me were your questioning and desire for learning; your ability to push through cramping, fatigue, the feelings of defeat, and the feelings of being the last one--to you go the kudos of determination; your grilling and fire-making expertise; and your singing and songwriting skills. (OK, maybe I retact the "maturity and class" comment above, Suter and Kosuke. Kiley--bravo!)

To all those TriCats not at Training Camp: You missed out!

THANK YOU ALL for a great weekend. CONGRATS!!!

PS-Suter...so what are you saying???

Shift Up!

Coach

www.graskyendurance.com

February 24, 2008 - 23:06

Zach Hillman

Posts: 33
Joined: 2007-09-04

Training camp for me was

Training camp for me was sweet success. It was the first time I have ever done a race on a bike and I appreciate all the pointers both from Grasky and the rest of the tricats. It really got me pumped up to keep training and work on my weaknesses.

For next training camp, do you think we could find something better to sleep on than rocks?

Representative from New Mexico

February 24, 2008 - 23:16

Kosuke Amano

Posts: 73
Joined: 2007-09-08

touche coach...touche right

touche coach...touche right to the heart.

February 24, 2008 - 23:31

Rachel Wordelman

Posts: 112
Joined: 2007-10-05

I loved this weekend

I loved this weekend SOOOOOOOO much. As a "newb," it was super awsome trying out a race and having as much fun with everyone as I did!!! This team has seriously the coolest people Ive met!!

Although there was no swimming(tear) Im still going to bring my wet suit swim practice tomorrow!! Dude, I might as well get some use out of it, and the looking ridiculous on the pool deck...well, it never stopped me before!!

the one and only...

wordy@email.arizona.edu

520-668-3702

February 24, 2008 - 23:51

Eugene Quackenbush

Posts: 133
Joined: 2007-09-10

Training camp served one

Training camp served one main purpose. I realized yet again why i love this sport and ridingin 30 degree weather, and having one rest day per week, forfeiting new real clothes to make way for new tri gear, crazy conversations while riding to TC, meetings that sometimes dont' have a point, going comppletely anaerobic while halfway though main set, "tie-bands" and mimosas in ALABAMA, and so many more countless memories. It is because of the people, plain and simple. Everyone who is on our team is willing to push themselves and everyone around them to the limit. Everyone at Camp that raced ("real" on "not real" ala brian Grasky) was awemone! you may not agree bit it's true. I was so impressed how faster the vets were and also to see the rookies digging down and giving their all (even why they asked me to shoot them haha!). Its great to see that many people buying in to what Grasky, jimmy, Bri, Sarah And Koskue have been trying to teach us.

Also sean beat me to this (and i'm al little jealous lol) but i have to completely agree with he when he says how absolutely Amazing Kiley's "unlugged at camp fire" concert was. Nashville hasn't seen noithing yet!

Official quote of TC Spring '08 "shut up or i'll rip out you fallopian tubes out!"AhahahhaAhahahahaAhahahahah

See you all monday.

One Love

kinda tha coolest person i've met

February 25, 2008 - 04:06

Jessica Boessneck

Posts: 49
Joined: 2007-09-04

Training camp was awesome I

Training camp was awesome I especially enjoyed getting better aquatinted with people on the team. It's great to be able to spend a weekend with a group of people that you admire and respect. My parents were finally able to see and understand the reason I have been training so much this year (which was a relief). They were also able to witness the end of Grasky's race...thank you Andy, Shawn (claiming that Andy was only beating you cause there was no swim as you ran by) and Chris (going out of your way to throw a rock at Andy...my Mom thought you should be DQed) for putting on a very entertaining show. Three moments that will live on in my memory from Training Camp:

1. Spigot showers

2. Kiley attempting to eat a rock (fattie)

3. Being hit-on while simultaneously passed by a 50 year old in the duathlon...nice

Thank you Makko and Brian for making this training camp possible!! You guys are truely incredible.

The Ram

February 25, 2008 - 07:07

Kathy Rakel

Posts: 87
Joined: 2007-08-12

I echo everyone's feelings

I echo everyone's feelings and comments about how amazing training camp was!!! I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to train with and be apart of a team as awesome as the Tricats. I want to thank everyone who helped encourage me during the race--nothing rocks more than having team members cheering for you in the middle of a tough race!! Also, the pre-race cheer with Makko leaping into the middle and pumping us all up was great! We made other people wish they were a Tricat, and we'll do this all over again at Havasu and Nats:-)

2 tips for the race that I found most helpful: 1) run like a duck through the loose stuff (thanks for the great demo Coach...quack!), 2) with that particular run course, push on the uphill b/c your heart rate will come back down on the downhill (great advice Cameron...thanks!)

PS Kosuke, let's trade some swimming speed for some bike/run speed.

"Have a good one."

February 25, 2008 - 07:02

Jessica Boessneck

Posts: 49
Joined: 2007-09-04

PS...Looking forward to

PS...Looking forward to seeing what everyone can do at Havasu!!

The Ram

February 25, 2008 - 07:40

Makko DeFilippo

Posts: 349
Joined: 2007-08-08

All the planning in the

All the planning in the world wouldn't mean anything if it werent for you all actually showing up, and the amazing attitudes that you all brought to training camp. I personally am so impressed with every single person on this team, not just physically (although you do all rock, and impressed the crap out of me), but mentally as well. I think we all learned something important this weekend... Besides where the blood flows for Andy in T2 haha!... No matter how diverse of a group we are, we are a team in the full sense of the word, and I hope everyone is as proud as I am to call themselves a Tricat!

I enjoyed getting to know everyone that I didn't know way better, trying to chase kathy on the bike (damn she's fast!), hanging by the camp fire, and the countless jam sessions. I am so thankful for everything that you all do, and I can't wait for Havasu/rest of the season!

Thank you all for your undying support, and I will see you all tonight.

Makko

Cheers!
-Makko
(520) 440-9145
mdefilip@email.arizona.edu
Tricats President

February 25, 2008 - 08:58

Kyle Watson

Posts: 155
Joined: 2007-08-12

I agree with that last line

I agree with that last line Makko, and just wanted to add that the unity of the team through our various situations is just astounding to me. I hear you guys speaking, and its with one voice. And that makes me so completely ridiculously proud of everyone and so proud to be able to be a part of it.

February 25, 2008 - 10:46

Lee Van Duzer

Posts: 190
Joined: 2007-08-27

I enjoyed hanging out around

I enjoyed hanging out around the campfire, getting to know people better, and learning more about the sport - especially transition practice because that was one of my biggest weaknesses in my first Triathlon.

I agree with Kathy in thanking Brian and Cameron, those two tips also helped me a lot in the race on Sunday. I was struggling in the gravel for a little then remembered the duck run and passed the person in front of me. Then I passed a few more people as I ran up the hill knowing I could catch my breath on the way down.

It was also great getting cheered along by teammates throughout the race - and thanks to those of you who were at the aid station in the second run.

Some of my highs came after the weekend - showering, sleeping in my own bed and looking at my times and realizing I ran 9-min miles.

Thanks again to everyone who made this possible - especially Brian and Jill who subjected themselves to a weekend camping with college students, albeit in their sweet camping trailer. ;-)

February 25, 2008 - 11:33

Andrew Predoehl

Posts: 121
Joined: 2007-08-10

I really had to push myself

I really had to push myself last week to get free this weekend, but it was worth it. The morning trail run felt really good, and the bike ride was a blast. It's always so much fun to ride with Tricats (and Trijacks). We went 37 miles on Saturday and the time just seemed to fly by. The park is beautiful, and the hills seemed less forbidding than last year. I think our transition practice helped me out too, and getting fed at the end of the day was indeed money, as Sconnie-boy says. For the campfire tormallos, thanks, Tractor, and toasting-support thanks also to Rachel and BK.

The race was great. I love that post-race feeling of accomplishment, exhausted relief . . . and endorphins I guess. Perfect weather. The ride up the last hill was pretty hard, with a headwind near the bottom. Also it was good practice to brick at race pace; I haven't done that since last summer, and I'd forgotten just how hard bricks are. I appreciated the cheering on the second run a lot; I was so tired. (I couldn't even really focus on who was there, I just heard you!) Racing WITH my team is such a big part of the whole deal. Veterans, newcomers, all of you, you are really inspiring. Somehow we manage to make this "individual" sport also a team sport at the same time.

February 25, 2008 - 14:26

Renee Lawton

Posts: 245
Joined: 2007-10-19

Training camp was

Training camp was awesome! I'm sure that everyone else in my life outside of TriCats is wishing that I'd stop talking about it.

The DC Duathlon was my first multi-sport race ever and sub 2:30!! I couldn't have done it without the support of everyone on the team and superb coaching! I'm so proud of our team and the enthusiasm that we had throughout the entire weekend.

So I'm hooked and that means that all of you will have to deal with me for a loooong time.. :)

and Adrienne I will always put up with you and love every minute of it!

Unofficial Team "Mom"

520-909-5501

rlawton@email.arizona.edu

February 25, 2008 - 21:29

matt ward