“Motivation gets you going, commitment keeps you going, hard work gets the results.”
I have been racing multi-sports since the early 90’s at the University of Iowa. I cut my teeth in duathlon, something I have dedicated my life to and have traveled the world, nearly died, lost and gained friends, lost jobs, gained and lost relationships because of it. But the gains and experiences have all been worth it and outweighed the losses. I have been a 8 time confirmed* All American (2014, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2005, 1998, 1996, 1995) with USAT (duathlon). I have been on numerous USAT Duathlon World Championship teams with a top 5 in the USA in my category at the olympic distance worlds in Spain in 2014 – my final duathlon (at this stage). I have had national and international rankings over the years. I have raced duathlon through 6 USAT age group categories, and have raced hundreds of them in total in numerous countries and states and of all distances. Duathlon will always be in my blood and I could always go back, but after over 20 years of doing it, I knew it was time for something profoundly new – a different type of challenge – as I had done all I had set out to do (and then some) in duathlon. I needed a new mental, physical, and endurance test.
This is where OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) comes in. Although I have raced all kinds of races along my multi-sports career (OCR, duathlon, mud runs, all distances of running road and trail, adventure racing, mountain bike racing, etc.) – as I never wanted to be a one trick pony – I really wanted to see what I could do if I went 100% into OCR and focused solely on that. I did the same thing years ago with trail racing, so I could take a duathlon break, and it worked out great. So for 2015 and 2016 (and likely 2017) I have worked uber hard to reinvent myself and I have become 100% dedicated to OCR racing, Spartan Races specifically but not solely, with the new goal to earn a top Masters Elite ranking and reputation. In 2015 I earned a 3rd in Category at Spartan OCR Worlds in Tahoe, I have had several Masters Elite wins and top placings since then in 2016. I have already earned a 2016 OCRWC slot for Canada and will be racing Spartan Worlds (coin heat) in Tahoe again for 2017.
For you scientific types, my thesis was titled, “The Influence of Two Schedules of Mental Practice upon the Performance of a Gross Motor Skill” (see it here) and the purpose of this study was to determine if two schedules of mental practice frequency (one-a-day or five-a-day), independent of any physical practice would significantly improve performance of a given gross motor skill task in comparison to a control. Additionally, the purpose was to determine if one of the two schedules of mental practice would improve task performance to a greater extent than the other. I believe in and use mental practice heavily in competition preparation and other skills (like shooting and archery) I involve myself in.
