Elite Triathlon and Ragnar Wasatch: The Allstars

MVPT is continuing to grow and change.  Since the beginning the mission has been to surround ourselves with passionate people and accept the navigation that is a result.  This weekend was no different. 3 separate events happening states away from each other at the same time.  Some of the people involved started as patients and became coaching clients; some are strength clients, and some just coaching clients.  At MVPT the services we offer are orthopedic principles that are health and medical related usually involved in the rehabilitation of athletes and then there are some coaching and performance related services as well.  We believe that healthy training combined with healthy bodies makes for the best in performance.  Here is how the weekend went:

USA Triathlon Junior Elite Series, Western Region Triathlon, JAGs Championships

HYPERSPEED LAS VEGAS was started out of necessity.  The Las Vegas valley has talented youth triathletes but lacked the training stimulus to help them reach their goals.  At the same time our valley has a mentality that specializing in one sport is how you get to be a professional or get a scholarship.  That simply is not the case.  Our young athletes are exposed to repeat stresses and are more often injured.  Not to mention, the NCAA will be sanctioning triathlon within the next 5 years.  Why not create an environment where these triathletes can push each other to cross training excellence?

               4 athletes made their way to Monroe, Washington for this elite race.  A swimmer and 3 cross country stars vying for elite status in triathlon.  It was a learning experience.  Each athlete had some difficulties and each athlete had some bright spots.  The torrential downpour was an issue.  We will learn and we will grow from this experience.  One of the 4 got a roll down spot and has achieved entry into the elite race at nationals.  At the time of press, it is possible one more could achieve the roll down.  All in all, the strength training, the run, bike, and swim training, and the attention to details pay off.  We are so incredibly proud of these 4 warrior athletes.  They work very hard and compete.  I am proud to be their coach.

               2 athletes made their way to California for this championship swim meet.  They both had amazing outcomes.  1 athlete qualified for the 200 free and dropped 2 sec off her PR.  The other qualified for 4 events: 200 back stroke and dropped 12 seconds, dropped 31 seconds on her 800 free, dropped 2 seconds on her 200 back, and then dropped 2 seconds from the 200 free.  They both had huge performances in a big meet.  So proud of these sisters with huge hearts and will to compete!

RAGNAR WASATCH

               Ragnar Wasatch the flagship race for the Ragnar cooperation of races.  These relay races offer unique challenges and had the interesting idea of racing with all MVPT coached runners.  When MVPT was conceived I didn’t know that I would have enough athletes to even consider an all MVPT team possible.  I started looking at who was available to ask and I thought they would get along, we can work the training and racing into their programs, and may be they can learn from each other.  What a learning experience it was for me and for them.  Here are some tidbits about each runner:

Runner #1:  An ultra runner with huge heart and a knack for leading wanted to most miles.  She is training for huge races and is even scheduled for a non-orthopedic surgery and wanted a last hurrah pre surgery.  She is a work horse and an inspiration.  She has overcome severe foot pain and returned to running and triathlon.  She is going to run 100 miles.  She needs no pep talks because she is already ready to rumble.

Runner #2:  An experienced Ragnar and marathoner with a fast motor.  She can flat out run, as she outran her projections.  She refuses to go easy and if I say run 6 she goes 8.  She is a devoted mother and an outstanding professor.  She overcame a few years of severe back pain to return to pain free running.  She brings some speed and fire to the group and is a joy to have around!

Runner 3:  A quiet, humble runner gaining more and more confidence.  She has taken to trail running after overcoming foot and knee pain.  She is getting more and more experience meanwhile getting stronger and faster.

Runner 4:  She has overcome foot pain, lower back pain, and is in the middle of changing her lifestyle through personal growth.  She outworks 90% of people and trying to find her confidence and gets closer everyday.  A foot issue did not prevent her from completing her legs and pulling her weight.  Any day now she is going to turn a major corner and start really putting down some fast running times.

Runner 5:  She has come so far and her belief in herself is growing daily.  She has taken her running up a notch and is training for a marathon.  A feat a year ago she never thought she could do.  She took on big miles this weekend and did it with some personal issues back home.  She is an inspiration and her work ethic is second to none.  She has overcome some serious injuries through strength training, biomechanics, and proper training. I cant wait to see how many barriers you will knock down.

Runner #6:  Most likely one of the most accomplished teenagers around in the endurance world. Her resume includes a few ragnars, a few half marathons, a triathlete, very smart, very devoted member at her church, and all around a great girl.  She brought some flair and she is going to be a senior in highschool.  She is a HYPE captain and every day that goes by she shows more and more why she belongs as a leader.

Runner #7:  This runner may prove to be one of the best accomplishments MVPT has seen. She is going to complete an Ironman 9 months removed from ACL reconstruction.  Rehab plus coaching=Ironman.  She made it through the rehab portion of her training with no set backs.  AMAZING!  She ran Ragnar as a celebration of her ability to run!  She is a mother to all and friend to many.  Cannot wait to see how she reaches past the fitness she had when she tore her ACL! 

Runner #8:  This guy was an absolute warrior.  He did a leg that was basically hiking a ski slope.  He attained a “king of the Mountain” medal for his efforts.  He passed 22 people.  He killed his legs.  A veteran of the Mojave death race, he was able to lean on that experience.  He also was a calming force, a voice of reason, and logistically a huge help.  I hope to be closer to his guy and I hope for more adventures with this guy!

Runner #9:  She has overcome a lot to get to the place she can run a half marathon and we borrowed that fitness to place her in the Ragnar team.  She has overcome several years of severe back pain in order to run.  3 months ago she could not run 4 miles without severe pain!  She slept outside on the grass with the bugs and smiled about it.  She was so much fun and was able to break even more barriers down.  What is she capable of doing next?

Runner #10:  She hasn’t run for almost 2 years.  Got bored, got lost with running.  She took on some strength and HIIT and has now got the running bug again.  She said the sleep deprivation and the running wouldn’t happen.  Not only did she handle those things, she handled them with a smile on her face.  She killed her legs and did not complain once!  Way to go girl!

Runner 12:  Some athletes learn and some athletes are students.  This athlete is all about learning.  She is learning her body and her performance is changing every day.  She has overcome knee pain and complete frustration with running.  She has learned how to run without any pain!  She is a veteran of OCR and is now learning the skills of triathlon and is an inspiration to many!  I cannot wait to see what she will accomplish as well!

All in all, the performances of the people of MVPT were brave and exciting.  I am so proud to be your PT, your coach, your mentor, your friend.  I am humbled you choose me to help.  Helping you is my life's work and to watch this many people succeed is a joy.  What will WE accomplish next?  Enjoy the pictures!