Race Weekend

Ironman Wisconsin and Muskoka 70.3

Last weekend Endure It! was out in full force at Ironman Wisconsin.  Sunday was capped off with 3 Endure It! coaches qualifying for world championships.  Most notably, Kathleen Weisman won her age group (by 12 minutes!) and punched her ticket to the 2014 Ironman World Championships in Kona. Mary Tobiason also KQ'd as they say with an impressive 11:08 3rd place finish.  Additionally, Dan Dziubski qualified for the 2014 70.3 World Championship in Mont Tremblant with a 2nd place finish.  Congratulations to all the Endure It racers this week!

Below are a couple photos from the weekend, many of which were supplied by Liz Flowers!

Andy and Meg with Dane at the finish

IMOO swim start

 Everybody's favorite mechanic, Bird

Erik

Sadie Briggs before the swim

David takes a moment to squeeze Andrew on the run

Olivia and Charlie with a little motivation for David

Olivia and Tami

Liz must have gone through the sunscreen line 5 times

Julie climbing, looks too happy, must be the first loop!

Tony Metoyer

Mark pumps up the crowd on the hill

Dziubski with his Mont Tremblant ticket

Blaine racking his bike Saturday before Muskoka 70.3 - had an impressive Run PR on a challenging course

Kathleen dominates the field

Liz climbs though the crowds

Mary staying aero on the climbs.

Sara cheering! Going crazy for EI.

Lauren Lemke looking strong

The Willowbrook Ladies!

Ironman Wisconsin

Endure It! @ Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

Ironman Wisconsin is a club favorite every September.  This year Endure It! is sending up a great group of athletes, from Ironman veterans to first timers.  Even if you're not racing hop on the Endure It! caravan to "Madtown".  If you've never seen an Ironman this is the closest one to Chicagoland.  Or perhaps you're considering signing up for next year, there are still volunteer positions available on the IMWI website (volunteering guarantees you a slot for 2014 (Ironman Wisconsin sells out in a matter of minutes).

Spectating

Swim - Your best bet to watch the swim is from Monona Terrace, get there early to grab a front row spot on the helix (spiral parking garage ramp).  People will be 3 or 4 deep, so if you don't get there early make sure you're tall.  Athletes will run up the helix, through a sea of spectators on their way to T1 (swim to bike transition), creating an Alpe D'Huez like atmosphere! You'll also have a decent view of the swim from the shore, ground level south of the terrace. 

Bike - Endure It! camp will be set up on the hill per usual.  We will be out in full force with tents, coolers, food, drinks, chairs, costumes, you name it.  This is probably the most brutal of all the climbs on the course.  The hill is located on Old Sauk Pass Road.  Directions to the hill are listed below.

Run - The Run course makes two loops through downtown Madison.  9-17 hours of cheering isn't easy either. This is the perfect opportunity to grab lunch or a beer at one of the restaurants or bars on the run course.  Many have outdoor or sidewalk seating.  If you plan on spectating around dinner time make sure you make your reservation the night before.

CLICK TO ZOOM

Directions to our location on Sauk pass are as follows.

• I-88 W toward Aurora
• Take the exit onto I-39N/US-51 N toward Rockford
• Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-39N/US-20E/Wisconsin-Belvidere Rockford and merge onto I-39 N/US-20E
• Continue to follow I-39N
• Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 90 W/Interstate 39N and merge onto I-39N/I-90W
• Take exit 142A on the left to merge onto US-12W/US-18 W toward Madison
• Take exit 251A toward Spring Green/La Crosse
• Turn right onto US-14 W/University AVe
• Continue to follow US-14W
• Turn left onto Cleveland Rd.
• Cleveland dead ends at the top of a monster hill.  Park anywhere along that hill, there will be a lot of other people parking there as well.  After you park, walk to the top of the hill and take a right on Old Sauk Pass (you can only go right or left).  You'll walk to the top of the hill where the endure it! tent will be set up.  
• If you are going to watch the swim and will be leaving from downtown Madison - just make your way to University Drive and head west out of town.