Ok, so on Monday I’m flying over the pond to Minnesota for a 10 day visit. Bringing all my gear, was thinking of doing a tri over there, but decided focusing on training for my first IM.
So…what to do?
Probably gonna visit every tri/bike shop in the area (and the Lifetime Tri expo) and spend stupid amounts of money on some useful but mainly useless gadgets. What I’m also looking for is advice on clinics that offers stretching etc. (I am the most in-flexible person especially my hams). I also tried contacting two TI swim coaches in the Minneapolis area but didn’t get any replies.
Were is the best place for open water swims? Are there any open water swim.gatherings? Any group rides for slow people?
Are there places that are a must visit while I’m in the area?
Also if anyone offers to act as tour guide for a visiting Norwegian, either on the bike or run, pm me (I’m slow).
Gear West is the triathlon store in the Cities. Kevin is a doll, and the store is well stocked. Lots of stores carry stuff, but Gear is pretty much the authority. If you want to buy tri stuff, or talk tris, that’s he place to go. MN has one of the best tri communities in the country–and Kevin O’Connor is pretty mcuh the reason why. But don’t tell him I said that, or he’ll get a big head Also bop over to the Gear West run and ski shop run by Jan–another great place.
If it’s still open, try getting in to Heart Of the Lakes Tri in annandale–I know you said you’ll be training, but this is a great race, and put on by great people. Haven’t heard if it will be full or not.
There are some other group rides that leave the Snelling Ave. NOW bikes and fitness store on tuesday nights at 6 PM–I think the Arden HIlls locale is on Wednesdays at 6. I don’t know how slow is slow, but I’m guessing there will be a group to ride with.
Come up to the Velodrome in Blaine on Thursday nights and watch track racing. It is a BLAST…and if you ride on a track at all, rent a bike and join in
Regarding slow, I avg 19-20mph on my solo easy rides on rolling hills where I live. I’m not the best at hills. As for track rides, never tried and if I am to try the track better be empty.
I sent an email to the Heart Of Lakes people to ask if its full.
the baker park preserve is a great are to start rides from (you can checkout libertytri.com for oly/half im that does that course). Lifetime of course is a blast and it is a great chance to see a bunch of pros. If you want to head out east, there are quiet a few lonelier roads out in the stillwater area (94 east towards wisconsin) by the river. You can also find great running paths on both the east river road and west river road (home to the twincities marathon - mtcmarathon.org). You can find chainy ty[e stores at ericks and penn cycle, or of course gw which has been mentioned above. Excel cycles is a new store in excelsior which is a drive from st. paul (but closer to gear west.)
There are some great runs right from the twin cities. When we used to visit University of Minnesota for indoor meets in University, we’d stay right on campus and had a great 60-90min run route along the Mississippi, slightly uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back. you even run by a house that looks like a smaller version of the Whitehouse.
If you’re there to train more than race, i’d recommend checking the expo and than volunteering at the LifeTime fitness race, just so that you can take in a race of that sort. I love volunteering at big races if I’m not racing, because you see all the errors others make and it better prepares you for your next event.
I’m one of the folks that lives out on the “lonlier roads” by stillwater/Lake Elmo. The east side has some FABULOUS roads for riding–big wide shoulders, rolling hills, pretty country. You can get there pretty easily fro St. Paul–just zip out 94…or go up 35 e and get off in Shoreview and head east thru white bear, grant, and into stillwater.
If you contacted Minnesota Tri Masters (http://www.mntrimasters.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/) about swimming and didn’t hear back, don’t worry, Dave is not good at responding, but he’s a good coach. I’ve been travelling up to Minneapolis for work and usually swim with them every week. I only know of the long course practices right now, I don’t know about open water. You can just show up their practices.
Figured there would be a few Scandinavians living in the Twin cities area. No longer at Porsanger, at a different Ranger/LRRP unit now.
R7950 : Yup its Dave that I contacted a while back. Gonna try and give them a call when I’m in town. Some lessons wouldn’t hurt either if they’re available.
I’ll definately PM for suggestions on routes around St.Paul / Minneapolis once I’m over there. Whats supposed to be a vacation is turning into a 10 day training camp. So much for rest & relaxation.
Bringing my Tri bike along for training. 23 days until IM race and I still need to learn how to swim
Waiting for me in St.Paul, I’ve bought a Ergomo which I can’t wait to install.
I might, might be buying a new road bike while I’m over there. If, when properly fitted, and my tri bike frame doesn’t fit me I might get a new frame instead that fits me. If not then its a toss up between new road bike or some race wheels. Hell…maybe both if I get a good deal.
Also bringing wetsuit for some openwater swims, and maybe for entry to Heart of Lake tri if its not full.
Also bop over to the Gear West run and ski shop run by Jan–another great place.
Sort of like Roller Derby on bikes.