Congrats to HAUS Ironmen and women
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009What a weekend for HAUS TRIATHLON at the Ford Arizona Ironman. This race caps off the season for Arizona and it did not disappoint as times were blazing fast. Great weather and good preparation lead to some great times from our HAUS TRIATHLON members.
Paul Bakerman sprouted gills and fins and cleared the water in 1:04 putting him at the top of his age group and in the top 250 participants. Pauls bike seemed to be telling him to slow down but he just couldn’t let it have control over him, he hammered a 5:19 (21mph average) into a great run of 3:41.14. I have never seen a more pumped up Paul Bakerman (if you know Paul he can be a reserved guy) than when he rounded the HAUS TRI TENT corner to finish his 5th Ironman of the year and just weeks after Kona in 10:13.26…congrats Paul for 5th in your age group and 195th overall!
Charlotte Tait just amazed all day! Coming in with an injury she just flat out shocked the HAUS TRI world with a wildly consistent race. Charlotte has tons of strength and showed it with a 1:30 swim coming out 87th in her age group. Charlotte said she battled a bit of a wind on the bike but you would have never known it with a 6:53 bike split! Her last lap was the fastest of the 3 loop bike course showing how much strength she has. Oh did I mention this is her FIRST IRONMAN…Charlotte got to the run and the injury kept nagging at her but she refused to let it bother her closing with a 5:31.56 run with a smile that eclipsed Pauls and finished in 14:14.54. Honestly, Barry looked more worried than you did.
The fancy French guy, Colin Tetreault, came in with an injury as well but left the day as a 2nd time Ironman finisher (’09 Japan). After seeing Colin yelling at the crowd mid swim I knew he was out to take the day. Colin was able to round the last swim buoy at 1:35. Colin was much intrigued by the wetsuit strippers so much that he almost stayed too long to watch the action…oh and there is action there! But Jenny was patiently watching and told him to get a move on! (not entirely true) Colin rode his bike like he stole it and clobbered the bike in 6:37.45. Coming into the run Colin had a nagging knee injury but nothing seemed to get him more than the bear that was on the north side of the lake. Yes, there are big brown bears that live in the rolling Papago hills. When Colin came by for his last lap of the 26.2 mile run he asked for a new knee…well he didn’t need it as he mustered up the strength to finish the course in 14:36.28…Colin you are an Ironman and we looking forward to your completion of your 3rd in France this year.
Bucky Jones, what can one say about you…the Black Eyed Peas said it the best with “Out of my head!” Going into the Ironman with much angst about the swim, Bucky just smoked the swim course. Bucky blew by all of her age groupers and came out of the water smiling with a 1:52…incredible! Bucky greased the wheels on her bike and put the pedal to the carbon with an incredible bike split of 6:31!!! Yes 6:31!! Bucky got to the run in the latest fall fashion of sunscreen and spilled Gatorade and took off charging after each competitor. Bucky came through her last lap saying, “Please don’t wait for me. I am going to walk this last lap.” Well, Bucky we left the lights on for you…you are an IRONMAN!!!! Finishing in 14:49.44 Bucky had the smoothest looking of all the races.
Congratulations to you all! The 2010 season awaits you all after you have recovered.
Thanks to all of the volunteers in all of your capacities. HAUS TRIATHLON had volunteers at the Gatorade practice swim during the week, swim spotters, pre-race dinner, wet-suit strippers, kayaks, and aid stations.
A big shout out goes to Erin Scheidt and her team at Montis who did the Impossible Dinner…and lunch…and breakfast…and dinner again! Always incredible food and it adds to the fun of the weekend to see everyone running around.
HAUS TRIATHLON….we are athletes, we are friends, we are a team!
Christian Bailey
P.S. 6 days until the end of the Bicycle Haus specialized deal…good time to buy good gear!
Wheels down at 10am.