TRIATHLON TRAINING DADDY : Addicted to Triathlons? Me too. Follow along as I navigate faith, family, work and triathlon in every day life, share some tips and secrets, and help others fit it all in without missing out on life.

Friday, June 17, 2016

2016 Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon coming up fast! Are you in? Pick a team! #‎oosmtri

July 10th.... it seemed so far away.

But, it's less than a month away and that means 2016 Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon!

I've either raced this event or raced the KC Corp Challenge Tri or Du that is on the exact same course since 2004.  It's been a while.  Seems like weather has interfered with the races every other year, but hopefully this year it's just hot and steamy, no storms.



I was approached as being an ambassador for the race through Open Options early this year and through winning and entry last year, I have learned a lot about the mission of Open Options.

At first, I just thought they were a title sponsor and didn't really think anything of it.  But the past two years they formed teams with captains and have been trying to be an active entity in the race and proceedings.  They have teams with fundraising goals and the captains hand out medals to team members at the end of the race.

How do you get on a team?  Simple.  Select a team in the Active registration and you're in!  They may even try to assign you after you sign up for the race and do not select a team.

I'm on Team Red with Sheryl and we're tied for first place!  Don't fret, you do not have do commit to raise funds for Open Options and the whole deal is voluntary.  BUT, if you don't join a team, consider kicking some donations anyway.  ;)

I joined Sheryl and the Open Options board for lunch a few weeks ago and it was great meeting Sheryl and the people that help her live an outwardly focused life that is enriched through the Open Options program.  Without the program, Sheryl would most likely be in an assisted living facility without the access to outside activities that she gets.  She's very much into art and loves turkey sandwiches from First Watch!




Open Options KC seeks to become the premier provider of supports and services for people with disabilities, signifying quality, innovation, and person-centered principles.  Read up on all the services they offer here in Kansas City.

What's also awesome is the fact Open Options is making a huge finish line festival for the race.  Bringing kids and worried they'll get hot, hungry and bored?  FEAR NOT!  It starts at 7am and is free with suggested donation of $10 at the shelter house by the DJ (where Chris Cakes has been). You can prepay or pay at the event.  They'll have:
  • Chris cakes
  • Games
  • Face painting
  • Balloon drop
  • Arts and crafts for signs for racers
  • Raffles and prizes
Sign up, come watch, volunteer or donate NOW!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Pre Race Hospital Hill Run 5k + Half Marathon ReRun + Legends Free State 70.3 Triathlon #HHR2016 #BeLEGEND #LEGENDTri

What has 86.5 miles and will take up an excessive amount of my time this weekend?

An EPIC weekend of endurance racing, that's what!

  • Friday night // Hospital Hill Run 5k
  • Saturday Morning // Hospital Hill Run Half Marathon
  • Sunday Morning // LEGENDS Free State 70.3 Triathlon

Why am I racing so much and packing so much awesome and selfishness into one weekend?  Because I can and my family is tolerating it.  :)

Not to make light of the stress it puts on my family, but for some reason this has been the case for the HH Run and LEGENDS Free State (Formerly IM 70.3 Kansas) since they started the 70.3 race in Lawrence.  It's lined up pretty much the same weekend.  A couple of times they were offset by a week, but mostly the same weekend.

I have been running HH in one form or another for the past 10 years, so it's basically a tradition at this point.  I can't mess around with tradition and HAVE to keep the medal collection going, right?

This will be 70.3 Triathlon number 8 for me.  First time not as a part of an IRONMAN branded 70.3.  I raced this event in the 100 mile version last year after the 5k and half marathon and it was a suffer fest.  More for the mileage leading up to IM Boulder than anything.



I figured they had good early bird pricing and I know the course, so why not.  But, I'm definitely not up for another 100 miler with a new baby and a new job.  I would like to be able to walk the week after.

Contributing factors to deciding to race all events:
  • LEGENDS Free State 70.3 isn't a target race for me.  More for the training miles for IM 70.3 Racine in July.  Good practice.
  • HH Half Marathon is no way ever going to be a PR course for a half marathon.  They have the HILL in the name for a reason.  Lots of reasons...
  • They separated out the 5k to Friday night and made the ReRun for those that want to race the 5k and either 10k or Half the next day.  If you're going to race one, might as well race the other.
  • Early bird prices can't be beat.

So, stay tuned for a race report that may or may not be posted in a timely fashion before the next race.  How will it go?  Will I make all the events?  2013 I skipped the half with cold, rain and had the two older kids with my wife working that weekend.  I didn't feel it was exactly nice to drag them out of bed and run the race in the rain with them.

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