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Triathlon History

This Saturday and Sunday the inaugural Olympic Trials for triathlon will
take place in Dallas, Texas.  The women race on Saturday and the men will
follow on Sunday.  I will be in attendance to view this exciting event, and
moreso to support two athletes that I have had the privilege to work with
during the past several years.  

Karen Smyers, who needs no introduction, and Gina Kehr are primed and ready
to pursue their Olympic dreams on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. 
Karen and Gina can earn a trip to Sydney by being one of the first two
American athletes to cross the finish line.

Can they do it?  You bet they can.  Here is how.  

Karen needs to have a strong swim and exit transition with several cyclists
who are as capable as she is of working hard enough to close the gap that
will exist after the swim.  There are several top Olympic caliber swimmers
who are untouchable in the swim and will be collaborating to hold off the
likes of Karen and other top runners who will beat the swimmers if they can
get off the bike within striking distance.  If Karen gets off the bike in
striking distance, then her running prowess, her savvy race experience, and
proven mettle in big races make her a scary prospect for all those women
who are in her vicinity.  

Gina comes at the race from a different perspective.  Her swimming is very
strong, and although it is not enough to stay with the Olympic swimmers
when they truly launch, Gina will very likely be in that first main swim
group that follows.  Her challenge is to then stay with that group of
cyclists who will be powering through the first loop of the race.  Our
training has focused on this aspect of the race when you must dash to your
bike and then work immediately at an intensity well beyond threshold in
order to not get dropped (you can imagine that these have been strenuous
training sessions).  

Some of the local men who I train that have ridden with Gina can testify to
how strong  she is this year on the bike, thus, we are all anxious to see
how she does in this crucial segment of the race.  Those who have trained
and raced with Karen need no explanation of what this amazing athlete can
do.

Finally, let's hope for heat.  Gina and Karen both perform very well in
heat and adverse conditions.  One can guarantee that difficult conditions
will always thin out a competitive field as the strongest truly do survive.
 

As a coach, I have been thrilled and honored to participate with these two
terrific individuals in their pursuit of Olympic dreams.  Frankly, I feel
as if I am competing this weekend as I have the pre-race edge that I always
have when I race.  You can bet that my adrenaline will be full bore come
Friday and Saturday morning.  

On the other hand, I have a confident calm about the whole race much like I
used to have when I arrived in Kona in top shape.   Both Karen and Gina are
arriving at this race in excellent shape and are well-rested.  They are
smart competitors, have great attitudes and recognize how fortunate they
are to possess the talent necessary to participate in an event many can
only dream of, and theywill bring out everything they have on race day.  
Thus, there is nothing more one can ask for, except

"Let's hope I have to visit my travel agent on Monday looking for trips to
Sydney in September!"