This wasn’t the way I wanted to spent 2012 as a Sugoi Brand Champion.  I was so proud and honored to be selected for the 4th year.  I was having a great training year, in January I got my 10k time (in the snow even) down to 44mins.   My long runs seemed effortless, I was really doing well.  For the first time in 10 years I believed I could get my 1/2 Marathon time under 1:29 (PB 1:32).

On February 10, I was devestated to learn that after a fall skiing I had completely torn my ACL.  I’m not one to let injury get me down, and I persevered through physio, biking and back to running (treadmill first, now I’m able to hit the trails outdoors).  I am a run coach, and I have been teaching a 12 week training program leading up to the North Face Whistler Half Marathon.   I was starting to feel somewhat normal; minus the pink Breg Brace.

With every injury there are good days, and there are bad days, and some days you just wish you could turn back the clock to that frightful moment of impact with the ski hill.  However, you can’t and you must go on.  I’ve had my struggles and as I sit here writing this today, I can’t help but think of how much I can do, not how much I can’t do.  While my ortho surgeon and I were hoping I would make it till September, through racing season, I have had to face the grim reality, surgery is the way to go, and sooner rather than later.

FYI … 30% of people who have torn their ACL can live without itL, 3% don’t know they don’t have an ACL.  And while I fall into that 30% category, there are things I can’t do that I want to do, and racing marathons and half marathons is one of them; and I want to do it at 100%.  So we have decided that on July 9 I am going to have my ACL reconstructed; and hopefully if all goes well I should be back up and running by mid October.  Don’t worry … you’re going to see me spinning and road biking my way back to health.

I hope that all of you out there who have suffered an injury can provide some advice, tips n’ tricks.  I’ve been reading everything in sight, have 3 friends who have had the same repair, I know this is going to be a long and grueling process, but I’m tough, strong and determined.

I will still wear my Brand Champion gear with pride, and know that soon I’ll be back out there with the rest of you showing off my ‘stuff’.

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, the 31st running of the Ice Age Trail 50 mile run occurred at the Kettle Moraine South Unit near La Grange, WI. Nearly 400 runners began the race and I am proud to be among the 286 who managed to finish within the 12 hour time limit. Being my first ever 50 miler, I was focused merely on finishing and enjoying the day and I sure did. During the run, I got to run with many running friends as well as meet new friends from Iowa, Texas and Minnesota. Fortunately, my Brand Champion shirt arrived in time and I wore it and my Sugoi RSR shorts during the race which I completed in 11:50:38. Next year, with a better knowledge of the course and knowing better how to train, I’m shooting for a time under 11 hours! Next on my calendar is a half marathon in July in Chicago and then the North Country 50 in Manistee, Michigan in August.

After months of challenges I am feeling strong and ready to race.  Two months ago, when I hit the 24k mark on a training run, my arch began to ache.  This resulted in my foot clamping and grasping onto the bottom of my shoe, clinging desperately as if it were about to fall off of a cliff.  To overcome this, all I could do was slap my foot down and press on.  After orthotics in my casual shoes and a meditarsal pad, a weekly schedule of one massage, two physio appointments, daily physio exercises, and two chiropractor visits, I successfully ran my final 36k training run Saturday with no issues whatsoever.  I was very comfortable in the humidity in my Titan T during the run, and felt like a champ when I zipped on the amazing podium jacket afterwards.  Now, I am less than 3 weeks away from my goal race, the Ottawa Marathon, and I am feeling stronger and fitter than ever.  Last year, I hobbled the last 3k of my 32k peak distance.  This year, I nailed every stride of a 36k.  I am optimistic that a new PB is in the works!

I’m sure most people at one point or another in their lives have been students, and I am 100% sure that all people who share a love of SUGOI are athletes. It’s a great balance, the one between academics and athletics. Academics challenges mainly mind, but also body, while athletics is largely challenging to the body- there is a huge mental aspect. I enjoy being a full time undergraduate student and being a development athlete in the sport of triathlon. I feel as though the two worlds balance nicely and keep me grounded in my everyday “normal” life. So, if anyone out there is a student-athlete, I encourage you to stick with it and stay strong! Do what you can, when you can, and take breaks as you need. If you truly enjoy both, you will eventually find that sweet spot where everything fits (at least for the moment). Are there any other brand champions out there that are student athletes? What are your reasons for staying in the school game, while committing to being a competitive athlete?

Eva

What makes seemingly normal people sign up for endurance events? Maybe I need to review my definition of the word “normal”. The Netherland household has a full summer of endurance events including the Leadville 100 (crazy husband), the Triple Bypass (122 miles) and Elephant Rock (100 miles) cycling events (crazy me), and a kids triathlon (crazy daughter). We have a couple of shorter races including a 50-mile run, a half-iron distance triathlon, and a triathlon as a relay event. Our son is abstaining from crazy this year. Events like these are “normal” for us. Now.
Last week, my husband (Gary) and I were looking through some old pictures. We had his college graduation picture and our wedding pictures out. We barely recognized ourselves. When we made a commitment to improve our lives, we also made a commitment to exercise and overall health. Here’s where the definition of “normal” changed for us – we were in Ironman Village in 2006 and waiting in line to weigh ourselves on the new Tanita scales. I still have that card with my numbers on them. We were both so embarrassed by our weights and body fat measurements. It took us another year to understand that we needed to make changes – and soon. Our kids started at a new school that year and had several running activities – there was no way that we could participate in those programs at our poor fitness levels. We hired a trainer, adjusted our nutrition and slowly the weight melted off and our fitness levels increased. Then came the fateful day when my husband uttered those words, “I want to finish an Ironman.” At that point, the idea of doing an iron-distance race was mind boggling. No way! Too far! Five years later, we’ve both finished iron-distance races.
Work is ramping up. My personal training clients want to be bikini or board short ready by summer. As a personal trainer, my daily schedule is getting busier. As a group exercise instructor, I’m adding two new classes to my weekly schedule – Cycle and Senior Fitness.
Stay tuned! The next month is a crazy one! I’m taking the USAT Level 1 coaching certification class, crewing for a 50-mile race, and starting my triathlon season. It’s another exciting year of “normal” in the Netherland household!

This Spring I officially became an ultrarunner having completed the Clinton Lake 30 mile trail run, the Potawatomi 30 Mile trail run and the Earth Day 50K. Now, I am aiming to complete my first 50 miler and get my belt buckle at the Ice Age Trail 50 Mile run on May 12! I am excited and looking forward to wearing my Sugoi RSR shorts and Brand Champion shirt!

Can you believe that we are already 1/3 of the way through the year?  I’ve now logged 635.80 miles for 2012.  April was a good month, finished with 283.56 miles.  My long ride was 50.27 on the 15th.  That’s the best April I’ve had!

Rode in the Roswell Mayors’ Ride yesterday, 42 miles in and around Roswell, GA.  1st ‘formal’ group ride of the season and a great place to sport my Sugoi Brand Champion jersey (along with my RSE shorts and arm warmers).

Bruce

The day began with a slight drizzle.  As the start approached the drizzle did not let up in Paris Ontario.  At least it was somewhat warm at 13 degrees and was predicted to top out at 15 degrees Celsius by mid afternoon.  

This was my first attempt at the event in 2 years.  in 2010 I crashed early on breaking my helmet and 2 fingers.  Last year I was recovering from cancer so racing was out for the most part.  I entered the line up in the 3rd wave.  I was dreading the muddy sections as I could only imagine what was to come.

Finally the start of the race came.  The Ridley X-Fire handled like a charm in the goo, soup and limited road that we were on.  I mostly rode the long slide downhill actually passing some mountain bikes on the way.  The narrow tires actually cut through the mud better than some mountain bikes.  This bike was made for this as I came to realize.

I finished the event in 3 hours and 41 minutes.  I finished mid pack in the overall time.  Not even close to my best time for the event but I finished without flatting or crashing.  I am definitely looking for ward to next year to improve my time and qualify for the second wave.

I would also like to point out that the day was made much more enjoyable by the technology build into the Sugoi clothing I was wearing. The Sub Zero Bib Knickers kept me warm and comfortable for the race and the Sugoi all weather jacket (not available for several years now) kept me warm and dry.

Now with a week til I head to Las Vegas to tackle one of hardest Ironmans in North America…Ironman St. George.  I’ve been training since about Janurary with a huge amount of indoor work, and have been slowly transitioning to the outdoors.

I feel that a sub 10hr races is possible for me on this course and hope that the conditions will let me achieve it. I’ve been looking at the weather for the last 5 days and it looks to be just like last year. Freakin HOT! This of course makes me worried since last years Ironman Canada as well as my first Half iron of the season really killed my ass, mostly due to heat. This year I feel I’ll be a little more ready with a lot of overdressing for bikes and runs, and sauna sessions after my swims.

I hoping my new tri kit from Sugoi will keep me cool!

You can read more here: http://www.nathanveldhoen.com/ironman-st-george-count-down/

Nate

I have been wearing my new SUGOI gear to the gym and have had lots of compliments. Not only does it fit great but looks good too, Thanks SUGOI! I especially love the Jackie knicker.  If you don’t have them yet make sure they are your next purchase.

I am doing Tough Mudder Whistler in June and am having a bit of a dilema when I think about what to wear. I want to wear my new tights and tank but I have  feeling that after the event they will never be the same. I don’t think I am going to be able to get the mud out of them, lol. Guess I still have a bit of time to figure that out.

Hope everyone is enjoying their training, whatever it might be for. See you out there!