Tri It All
Whoever said 'choose or lose' wasn't a triathlete

Small "s" silent sports afficianados can't deny the allure of triathlons, duathlons, adventure races, orienteering meets ... any and all events that require the use of nearly every piece of athletic equipment we own. Call us Renaissance recreationalists or athletes with ADHD, but we like to do it all.

Terry Labinski of Waukesha, Wisconsin (center), begins the bike leg of the 2005 High Cliff Triathlon. Brain Schaning of La Crosse, Wisconsin (left), went on to win the event. All last season the two triathletes battled for the 5 Star Series title. Schaning ultimately prevailed, winning $2,000, and Labinski took second and $1,800. Photo by Action Sports International.

So, for us comes Silent Sports' second annual weekend-by-weekend calendar of multi-sport events. Included are a mind- and body-boggling array of competitions, big and small. For those who specialize in running, swimming or cycling but would welcome the challenge of trying the other two disciplines, triathlons call for a training regime that's never boring.

There's no shortage of tri's to try, either. The 5 Star Tri Series offers serious prize money to the top finishers as well as expert instruction benefitting folks new to the sport. (See expo dates and presentations below.) New to the series this year is the July 30 Chisago Lakes Area Triathlon. (For more, see www.midwestsportsevents.com.)

Of course, many of these events allow teams to enter. So find a ringer or two and see how y'all stack up. An ambitious example is the Minnesota Border To Border Triathlon, July 24-27, which has participants covering 530 miles by bike, canoe and foot. New this year is a shorter 150-mile event, July 26-28, also for 2-, 3- and 4-person teams. (www.mnb2b.org)

For the truly driven there are 12-, 24- and 48-hour adventure races. But how do you know if you're ready to tackle such an event? Well, by first trying an abbreviated AR, like the short course at the Midwest Monster in Quincy, Illinois, on September 23.

Surely you can handle a few hours of biking, running, sand bag carrying and finding your way through an obstacle course. Opt for the long course and you get to do a little orienteering and innertubing, too. (www.monsteradventure.com)

Some annual events have been overhauled. The Great Race of Portage County (Wisconsin) has had it's date, format, length and name changed. ("Other than that, it is exactly the same as last year," organizer Tim Borchardt insists.) Now called The Longest Day, the June 10 event at the Stevens Point YMCA will involve, biking, running, problem solving, a scavenger hunt "and maybe a little bit of American Idol, too."

Click on the 2006 multisports calendar PDF for lots more options. Pick one or a few and have fun!


5 STAR TRI SERIES EXPO SPEAKERS

The following expos and presentations are free.

Paper Discovery Duathlon Clinic & Expo
Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Paper Discovery Center, Appleton, Wis.
11 a.m.: "Running Strong" by Dr. Matt Clover who will discuss how to prevent shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, iliotibal band syndrome, runner's knee, stress fractures and hip pain.

Green Bay Triathlon Clinic & Expo
Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ashwaubomay Park, Green Bay, Wis.
1 p.m.: "Resistance Training You Can't Resist" by Brian McWilliams, M.S. LAT CSCS, who will discuss the importance of resistance and strength training for all three triathlon disciplines.
3 p.m.: "I Am, Therefore I Swim" by Dwight Sandvold, B.S. LAT CSCS, a professional triathlon coach who will teach balance in the water and efficient swim stroke.

High Cliff Triathlon Clinic & Expo
Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, Wis.
11 a.m.: "Plyometrics: Ignite Your Performance" by Brian McWilliams, M.S. LAT CSCS, to demonstrate how explosive exercises can draw power from the core and produce faster and stronger athletes.
1 p.m.: Open water swimming with Dwight Sandvold, B.S. LAT CSCS F.A.S.T. Bring your swimsuit and learn how to be comfortable in open water during a triathlon.
3 p.m.: "You Can Run but You Cannot Hide" by Craig Congdon, a USAT-certified coach. A review of common biomechanic running inefficiencies. Congdon will then take you for a run so bring your running shoes.

TDS Pewaukee Triathlon
Clinic & Expo
Saturday, July 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Radisson Hotel, Pewaukee, Wis.
11 a.m.: "Anyone Can Do Triathlons" by Mary Steinkraus, a triathlete and triathlete mentor for many years.
1 p.m.: "Swim Technique" by Curt Beutler, a professional swim coach who will cover the basics.
3 p.m.: "Master Your Bike Performance" by Heather Havi-land, professional coach and third female finisher of the 2005 Wisconsin Ironman.

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