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Runners
Ride n' Tie competitor in beautiful Busse Woods
Photo courtesy of Trudy Wakeman
Fitness store Runners High n’ Tri in Arlington Heights named as one of the top 50 running stores in the U.S. had their annual Ride n’ Tie competition on November 22, 2009 at
Busse Woods Forest preserve and it was an astounding success. How could it not on a late November day where temperatures peaked in the middle 50s. There will not be many
more of these days, so it was fortunate that one of these days shined on 140 pairs of bikers and runners.
The Ride n’ Tie is a unique race where two competitors team up to ride and bike at the same time. They must switch off on the bike at least twice, but after that they can switch off as
much as possible. The two competitors must finish at the same time to complete the race, so the old axiom that we are only as strong as our weakest link definitely holds true here.
Race co-ordinater Trudy Wakeman defines the race as a “fun and killer workout experience,” as the race is ten miles long, so most competitors will leave having run five miles and
biked five miles. Some of the contestants are in great shape and blow away most of the field, but there are others that are there for fun and a workout, so it is nice that the event
appeals to serious competitors and those just in search of a good workout in order to shed off a few pounds in order to make more room for the imminent turkey.
The biking aspect of the race
photo courtesy of Trudy Wakeman
Chris Cogswell and Mark Hendrickson from Elk Grove Village won the race with a time of 52:12, which is an impressive pace of 5:13 a mile. Running one mile at that pace is
worthy enough, but for two people to average that even while switching off on a bike for 10 miles is deserving of a hats off. Second place and the overall coed winner went to Michael
and Brianna Boehmer from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin at a pace of 5:18 per mile. The overall female winner went to Dee Ragalia and Kara Hughes from Lake Bluff, Illinois at a pace
of 6:05 per mile. The overall coed time and the overall female times were the fastest in the last six years in those respective divisions.
There are also cumulative age division winners for men, coed, and female that go up to a combine 98 years. Trudy is considering starting a 115 age group and over since more
and more 50 year old and over competitor teams are joining up. Way to go to the winners and all that competed.
Winning is not everything though and the race is also about fun and Trudy Wakeman felt that fun was definitely had by all. Some teams decorated their bikes and some wore outfits
that matched. Trudy also mentioned that sometimes the teams will have a short and tall member and it is always humorous to see the tall rider have to ride a small competitor’s
bike as each member must use the same bike.
The race is held annually, so get in shape now for next year. In fact the host of this event, Runners High n’ Tri, is making this possible by having a 20% off sale at their store
including the amazing Newton shoe this Sunday, December 6. The Newton shoe uses new technology to enhance the running experience and lesson injury. Read my other article
on this, visit the Newton website, or the Runners High n’ Tri website for more information. This sale is a great way to get in shape or a great Christmas present for fitness
enthusiasts on your Christmas list.
Ted Nelson was recently named one of the top 101 Adventure Travel twitterers on twitter. http://abroadening.com/161 Click here to follow me there.
2009 Runners High n' Tri Ride n' Tri, all photos courtesy of Trudy Wakeman
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Runners High n’ Tri Ride n’ Tie competition
a fun killer workout
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