Recently in EvoTri Category

HURRY! There's less than seven days left before the submission deadline! Be sure check out all the details on the main post. Then get over to the Facebook page and submit your video. Good luck!

Now entering its sixth year, the members of Team Evotri continue to challenge themselves and others to live a healthy and active lifestyle through endurance sports. They have been given an extraordinary opportunity to train and race with the same equipment and coaching as the pros. They continue to dedicate themselves to maximizing their potential, to sharing what they learn from their experiences, and to making a positive contribution to the endurance sport community.

Team Evotri is again ready to welcome a new member to the family. For 2012, Team Evotri and its sponsors have pulled together a one-of-a-kind package to provide an age group athlete the opportunity to train and race like a PRO, while giving back to the triathlon and endurance community. The current team members will be looking for an individual who embraces the spirit of triathlon: a positive attitude, enthusiasm for the sport, desire to improve, and dedication to give back to the endurance community. Years of triathlon experience and good race results are not deciding factors in choosing a winner, but passion is.

The next team member will benefit by receiving an excellent package courtesy of the team's sponsors:

• QuintanaRoo will provide a top-of-the-line CD0.1  frameset with innovative shift technology that will undoubtedly take your bike splits to a new level.
• Zipp Speed Weaponry knows just how to outfit a frame like the CD0.1 with a 404 front and 808 rear wheel set.


• SRAM will add to the bike with its latest cockpit and drivetrain components.
• CycleOps finishes the bike off with its cutting edge SL+ wireless PowerTap hub and Joule 2.0 computer.
• HUB Endurance puts it all together providing a full year of expert triathlon coaching to deliver the newest Evotri athlete to the top of their potential in 2012.

Here's how you can be the next Team Evotri member:
Create a video that's no longer than three (3) minutes. The video should answer the following three questions:

1. Why Evotri?
2. Why You?
3. Can you Evotri?

Guidelines:

• Videos must be posted to Team Evotri's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/evotri.
• Videos must be posted by December 31, 2011, at 11:59 PM CST.
• Videos not within the time constraints will not be considered.

Process:

• The current team members will select finalists from the video submissions.
• The finalists will be notified by January 15, 2012 and will be invited to be interviewed via teleconference by current team members.
• The winner will be announced on February 1, 2012.

Important Notes:

• By posting a video to Evotri's Facebook page, candidates grant contest affiliates permission to use said video for promotional purposes affiliated with Team Evotri and the 2012 contest.
• The winner of the team slot forfeits all awards if he/she is unable to continue as a team member for any reason for a period within two years of joining the team.
• The winner of the team slot agrees to contribute to the Team Evotri web site for as long as he/she is a member of Team Evotri.
• The winner agrees to race in an Evotri team uniform for all multisport events. Winner to purchase choice of uniform apparel upon final selection.
• The winner of the team slot must participate in the yearly Team Evotri event. The 2012 event is a training camp in Chattanooga, TN from April 12-15, 2012. You must be present for the entire time.
• No reimbursement will be made by Team Evotri or its sponsors for the creation, submission or any other expenses associated with the video entry.
• No reimbursement will be made by Team Evotri or its sponsors for any travel, lodging, race entry fees, or other associated expenses in attending Team Evotri activities.

We've been teasing about Evotri's latest bike sponsor for the past few weeks, so I'm happy that I can now announce that Quintana Roo will be a big part of Team Evotri starting right now! You can read the whole press release at the Team Evotri site.

I'm looking forward to getting the bike set up as soon as I can. In the mean time, here's a shot of me with my CD0.1 and another discussing the finer points of the Shift Technology with my daughter, who just had to be in the picture.

Tomorrow, I get to run with my teammate, Michelle, in the 30th Annual Crazylegs Classic. This race usually kicks of my racing season and has always been a great measure of my fitness. I first ran this many moons ago and struggled to finish in 50 minutes for 5 miles. My wife still teases me about the bear paw I ate at the start line that I bought fresh from the farmer's market. I needed it because I was so hung over from the night before. Times have most certainly changed since then, as I hope to get to be early and get some much needed rest. I doubt I'll set a PR, but Michelle is going for it, so I hope my pace doesn't slow her down too much.

As for the rest of the season, I'm planning on the Madison Aquathons, the Capitol View sprint triathlon, and the Minneapolis (formally Lifetime Fitness) Olympic triathlon with my Evotri teammates. There's likely going to be more, too. See you out there!

Here's a quick summary of the weekend that had me (and all of Evotri) at the Rev3 Cedar Point Half.

Stu, Michelle, and I set out Thursday to drive to the point. It was uneventful, except that Michelle thinks that Stu & I aren't normal. Stu & I had two sets of GPS-based directions attached to the windshield along with a MiFi broadcasting 3G WiFI service so that we could get Stu set straight on Facebook. It was awesome. Michelle obviously didn't think so. Once at Cedar Point, Michelle got on the trainer and we went out for a run after while Stu got to work helping with the race.

On Friday, Michelle and I toured the "mountainous" bike course, where we saw all sorts of lions and goats while navigating slowly through the clouds. (I'm lying. It was really flat. There were only horses and corn.) The highlight was a turnaround in the small town of Milan, birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison. After, we checked-in, and then headed to Cleveland to welcome the rest of the Evotri team. While waiting for everyone, we checked out the West Side Market and I found a most delicious sub sandwich, while Michelle got some tasty raspberries at fresh veggie & fruit market next door. I spied a barber shop and needed a haircut, so I stopped to see if I could get my haircut. Turns out, it was a teaching barber shop, so I paid my $4, and waited a few minutes and got first hair cut not done by me in over 10 years. Right as I walked out, Sarah & Steve were parking their car, so we got a seat at the Great Lakes Brewery and waited for the rest of the team to arrive. By 4:30 all were there and we washed down a tasty meal with some even tastier beverages. Then, it was back to the park for roller coasters! Rev3 hooked us up and allowed only athletes, families, and volunteers in the park on a few of their best rides. In an hour and a half, I rode 12 times on four different rides, six alone on the Top Thrill Dragster (three times in the front row.)

Saturday we got interviewed for Sunday's race broadcast (video coming soon) and tested the waves, ate at Perkins, had a team meeting, then enjoyed another tasty team meal at a local Italian joint. The night ended with final preparations for the race and one more interview with Chris answering questions sent to him via Cycleops. (I'll get that video soon, too.)

Sunday dawned cloudy and cool, but without rain. Overnight. the wind shifted and the lake was calmer. We set up our stuff in transition, watched the pros come out of the water and headed to our start. I was in the first wave, and while waiting for the gun, my back made hints of spasming, as it sometimes does. Once I got swimming, it didn't bother me. I was able to stay in front for the whole swim, providing a draft for what I thought was Chris. Turns out, it wasn't Chris, but three other guys, one of which sped past me right before the timing mats, so I didn't even get credit for getting first in the swim. Going out on the bike, I passed lots of folks heading out on their full course race. I wished as many as I could good luck and waved to as many spectators as possible. At mile 11, JP flew by me, tearing up the bike course. (He started a full five minutes after me, too. The man is an animal.) I kept my watts in check, knowing that my fitness was not at a level to test myself. At some points on the course, I really let myself get into some unhappy places. I don't know if it was the pavement conditions, wind, nutrition or all three. I wound up pulling it together and finished with a decent time. Out to the run, I concentrated on holding back on the run, thinking I could pick it up later if everything worked out. After the first five miles, my back reared up again and nearly sent me to my knees. And just as sudden as it showed up, it was gone. By now, I was starting to reel guys in that passed me on the bike and gaining some confidence in my run. (Yes, you read that right. I actually was confident in my run!)

A brief interlude for some sportsmanship. At an aid station, the guy in front of me, missed grabbing a gel from the volunteer, which I noticed was a flavor that I liked better than the one I had successfully grabbed. I took it and discarded the other one. Coming out of the aid station, the guy behind me, shouted to the guy that missed the gel that he had grabbed one for him. He passed it up, and made me looked pretty bad.

All through the race, I was ready to increase my pace once I hit the causeway heading back to the park. But, once I got there, the wind was so strong, it took all of my reserve energy to maintain my current pace. I got to the finish line and was elated to be done.

The rest of Evotri did awesome, with JP taking in second in half overall, Chris finishing sixth (tops in his age group), and the Sara(h)s dropping big times and finishing under six hours. Michelle clipped me by 39 seconds.

We finished out the night at Famous Daves and got a few more rides in the park. On Monday, we drove back, discussing next year's team race, and trash talking how it will all go down.

Fun times had by all.

I'll get a WIBA summary up soon, but wanted to share with you the best part of the weekend. Speedo Steve put together a great video summary with a cameo by yours truly at the end. Thanks Steve! And a special thanks to CycleOps for use of the "trainer"!

I loved reading these tales of my teammates breaking through.

First, JP plays it smart and runs his legs off to finish 4th overall at the American Triple T:

"I just settled into a pace of around 7:00-7:20's. I walked a portion of every uphill to get myself under control as people were detonating all around me. The top 10 looked like a death march. I moved into 9th, then 8th, then 7,6,5. By mile 10 I was sitting in 5th and hunting. My quads were dead but walking and coke had saved me. I pushed hard and caught 4th place with a mile to go. I was jumping out of my skin as he had dominated all weekend. The last .5 miles was like the promised land. It was so gratifying. I beat my best case scenario by 40 seconds!"

And then Michelle breaks through her glass ceiling and finishes first overall in the Green Bay Triathlon:

"Before I knew it[,] I think even unconsciously, I was next to her and passing. There is psychology to racing, I realize. As I went by I said real calm like, "nice bike ride". After I went by, she asked "are you in a relay?" Now, I thought, she's shook! And I will admit in a somewhat cocky tone I said "nope". Then a few seconds later she said, "you're individual?" Ahhhh, she IS shook! "Yep," was my easy, confident reply."

Congrats you two! Keep up the great work!

"Making the Team"
March 15, 2010
Madison, WI

Now in its third year of giving back to the endurance community, Team Evotri once again wants you to be part of the journey.

This spring, the team will be adding another teammate from the endurance sport community. Along with joining the family, the new recruit will be awarded a prize package from the Team Evotri sponsors: SRAM, Robbie Ventura's Vision Quest Coaching, CycleOps Power, Zipp Speed Weaponry, 2XU, Headsweats, and new sponsor for the 2010 season, Specialized Bicycles!

Over the next few months the team and sponsors will be looking for an individual who embraces the spirit of triathlon: someone positive, enthusiastic, and dedicated to giving back to the community. Triathlon experience is not a deciding factor in choosing a winner, but passion is. Do you have what it takes to make the team?

Winners can rest assured their performance will undoubtedly be taken to the next level with the following prize package:

Trusted by world champions like Chris McCormack and Melanie McQuaid, the veteran racing professionals at Specialized will provide the winner with an unbelievable race package. Be prepared to light up the course with none other than the fiercely designed and wickedly fast Transition Pro Time Trial bike, technical helmet, and racing shoes.

Ever innovative CycleOps Power will provide the winner with a cutting edge Joule wireless Powertap SL+.

The endurance experts at Vision Quest Coaching will take the winner to the next level with a dynamic professional coaching package.

SRAM will outfit the Transition Pros with world-class Force drivetrains, engineered for top performance.

The velocity doctors at Zipp Speed Weaponry will provide 606 wheelsets, cranks and bars for the excellence in endurance sport trifecta.

The winner of the 2010 Team Evotri slot will receive a brand new wetsuit and race gear from 2XU, the industry experts in state-of-the-art style.

To top off this incredible package, the 2010 team slot winner will also receive a collection of custom racing hats and visors from the industry leader in endurance accessories: Headsweats.

Team Evotri and their sponsors invite you to submit a video conveying why you are the best pick for the team in 2010.

Making the Team: 2010: Contest Guidelines:

Endurance sport enthusiasts, do you have what it takes to make the team? Tell us how and why in a video submission no longer than five minutes, and be sure to recruit your friends to help you out! Videos will be evaluated by Team Evotri and their sponsors for creativity, quality, and how well they address the following questions:

1. How will you benefit the team if you're chosen? What are your personal attributes?

2. How have you, and how do you plan to give back to the endurance sport community? Nothing is too insignificant, list it all.

3. What are your future plans regarding triathlon and endurance sport?

*Upload all videos to You Tube and send the link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com by April 15 May 3rd, 2010.

*Contestants should provide contact information along with his/her link submission. Team Evotri and their sponsors will announce the winner in May, 2010.

*Videos not within the time constraints will not be considered.

*By sending a video link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com, candidates grant contest affiliates permission to use said video for promotional purposes affiliated with Team Evotri and the Making the Team: 2010 contest.

*The winner of the team slot forfeits all awards if he/she is unable to continue as a team member for any reason.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to contribute to the Team Evotri web site for as long as he/she is a member of Team Evotri.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to attend the WIBA training weekend in Madison, Wisconsin in July, 2010 and race the Rev3 Cedar Point Half-Ironman in September, 2010.

CycleOps Powertaps and trainers are provided by the Madison, Wisconsin-based Saris Cycling Group; makers of industry leading power meters, racks and indoor trainers, as well as home to the top minds in performance science. Visit http://www.cycleops.com for an up close and personal education.

Professional coaching provided by Vision Quest: a dynamic, hands on, fully involved coaching program designed to provide direct interaction between the athletes and the coach for triathletes and cyclists. Please find more information on the diverse and flexible programs at http://www.visionquestcoaching.com.

Wheels of Team EvoTri provided by Zipp Speed Weaponry, flawless craftsmanship makes these wheels, aerobars and cranks the industry leaders in speed and aerodynamic efficiency. For more information, and for a complete product catalog, visit http://www.zipp.com.

Drivetrain components provided by SRAM, manufacturers of world-class bicycle parts including the new Double Tap & Exact Actuation technologies designed for faster Tri, Road & CX machines. See & learn more at http:/www.willyoumaketheleap.com.

Cutting-edge and sleek, 2XU will assure teammates maximize their potential with the industry's most revolutionary wetsuits and race gear. Visit http://www.2xu.com for the latest innovations.

Headsweats custom racing gear surpasses all others in absorption and comfort when its needed most. All seasons, all conditions, Headsweats goes the distance. Check out http:/www.headsweats.com to see the entire 2010 line.

Have you signed up for The Wisconsin Brick Adventure (WIBA) yet? The laid-back, self-supported training weekend on the Ironman Wisconsin course is coming up really soon. Swim, bike and ride with Evotri team members and others that have experience in the race. Check the site out for more information and registration. Hurry! Registration closes soon!

Well, now that was quite the race!

I'm working on a complete race report, but the good news is that I won the bet between Stu and myself. I expect my mailbox to be filling nicely.

Name (S/B/R/Tot.)
RobbyB (28:13 / 2:40:52 / 1:58:17 / 5:13:51)
Simply Stu (34:13 / 2:51:41 / 2:24:29 / 5:56:21)

And you can check out the plethora of pics of me on the race course. See if you can see my bloody finger coming out of the swim.