Santa Barbara Triathlon
August 25, 2009
Photo taken at SB Triathlon Sprint Course – August 23, 2009.
Last weekend the Santa Barbara Triathlon kicked off its 28th annual event with 1800 contestants, slated to benefit the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara’s Cancer Well-Fit Program and to honor the memory of Julie Main and world-class triathlete Barbara Warren . Over the years, the Santa Barbara Triathlon and its athletes have raised more than $330,000 in support of many worthy causes. This two day Triathlon event included one long course; 1mi calm ocean swim, 34 mi challenging bike and 10 mi better-save-some run on Saturday and two shorter, perfect-introduction-to-the-sport, sprints (Co-Ed and Women only); 500 yd calm swim, 6 mi flat bike and 2 mi flat run on Sunday.
Race Reports from Fred Kass and Rosie Thompson:
First, I want to thank Dr. Kim Grafton, whose surgical expertise made it possible for me to race the sprint today. Second, I want to acknowledge the incredible group of men 60-64 whose athleticism and extraordinary good nature has really shown me the way all season long.I started racing the SB Tri in 1995 or thereabouts – each year it’s more fun (and increasingly miraculous) just to be out there. Mostly, however, this weekend was an opportunity to celebrate Julie Main. We at the Cancer Center hope to create an endowment for her incredible programs. I think that this weekend’s huge community response would make her smile. Fred
Subject: SB Coed Sprint TriYou probably already have some good race reports from this morning, but here is another one, if you need it.WOW, what a beautiful and fun day! A little fog that burned off early, and the ocean was about as flat as a lake, making for an easy swim. A short bike ride followed by a 2-mile run, and it was all over. It was fabulous having so many SBTC members racing, including many that raced the long course yesterday, as well as those that came to cheer us on. As usual, SBTC rocked with many podium finishes. Rosie
SB Tri Club pulled down 18 podium spots!! Kyle Visin came in first in his age group 25-29 and 10th overall! Kyle is the speedster of our club and has it all. Fast, smart, a very nice guy and his support system Shannon, a true keeper! The Old Boys Club of Gary Maxwell, Dave Groom and Joe Howell swept the podium first, second, third BOTH days in some cases with only 9 second difference. These guys, our fearless leaders, are what cause Fred Kass and I to be left as “best of the rest”, one of my favorite Maggioreisms. One of our original senior members, Vic Birtalan, hauled down a fast second 65-69. Our youngest podium was Linda Kleinschmidt with a first F15-17. Laura Turner nailed a third F35-39. Laura easily past me while climbing up Toro Canyon. A note to the ladies; while senior men appreciate your salutations, please labor your breathing as you go by, it would help on many levels. Patty Bryant was way out in front with a first F50-54. Ricky Ho said he heard Helen yell out “Go Ricky” and turned on his thrusters to pass his opponent for third 30-34 with only 4 seconds before the tape. As Liz Groom crossed the finish line first F35-39 the announcer said she left nothing out on the course. Desa Mandarino followed shortly behind joining her with big hugs and smiles that displays their close friendship. Kelly Knowles ran a nice second F40-44. Tokie Shynk poured on a second F50-54..nice going. Jan Maggiore left her competition in the dust with a first F35-39. Rosie Thompson claimed first F60-64…another nice win.
Here are the race results for Saturday Long Course starting with the men in increasing age groups followed by the women (note: to see your split times just click on your name):
Kyle Visin 03:01:52, Cameron Sublett 03:25:20, Zachary Komon 03:28:23, Fredrik Rosvall 03:35:52, Carlos Gonzalez 03:41:34, Greg Russell 04:08:41, Taj Hudson 03:21:25, Peter Neilson 03:30:03, Jason George 03:33:57, Justin Greene 03:41:24, Jeff Bailey 03:47:17, Andrew Riley 03:20:21, Jon Martin 03:32:48, John Herzog 03:34:56, Troy Hinshaw 03:40:20, David Parker 03:40:56, Karl Weis 03:42:31, Robert George 04:00:10, Jerrett McFarland 04:00:20, Charles Donelan 05:27:38, Shigy Suzuki 03:10:31, Fred Maggiore 03:21:48, John Nelson 03:27:59, Richard Konoske 03:48:59, Gary Maxwell 03:34:06, David Groom 03:42:19, Joe Howell 03:46:40, Vic Birtalan 03:51:18, Lina Kleinschmidt 04:28:12, Sarah Mandes 03:45:24, Danielle Lipski 03:53:00, Karen Schultz 03:59:11, Laura Turner 03:34:58, Liz Groom 03:51:37, Chris Latham 03:58:25, Heather Royer 04:03:20, Beth Bailey 04:16:01, Marie Schnyer 04:18:50, Tamara Berndt 04:34:08, Andrea Stouffer 03:37:59, Elda Rudd 03:49:26, Christina Lund 03:49:30, Cyndi Aghayan 04:13:56, Sue Beatty 03:48:43, Patty Bryant 03:56:35
Here are the relays: NITE MOVES Trost, Matthew, Ballantine, James and Ho, Ricky 3:00:12. NO NUTS, JUST GUTS! Illgen, Anne, Smith, Kelley and Fisher, Mary 3:30:50
Here is Sunday’s Sprint course starting with the Co-Ed:
Jonathan Wang 00:52:24, Ricky Ho 00:43:57, Aric Monts-Homkey 01:04:04, Matthew Trost 00:40:20, Paul Bullock 00:48:54, Mark Polomski 00:51:03, Harold Thompson 00:57:29, Ray Evans 00:51:04, Gary Maxwell 00:43:17, David Groom 00:44:08, Joe Howell 00:45:22, Fred Kass 00:49:47, Irwin Teichman 00:56:44, Karlyn Roberts 01:03:19, Liz Groom 00:45:38, Desa Mandarino 00:47:36, Kelly Knowles 00:49:06, Tokie Shynk 00:56:35, Janice Maggiore 00:54:22, Rosie Thompson 00:56:02
Sprint Course Women Only:Karen Schultz 00:45:03, Jan Dinmore 00:49:07, Sasha Haddad 00:54:46, Emi Umezawa 00:55:42, Pamela Polomski 01:03:44, Anne Marie Donnelly 01:11:11
I would love to do a nice wrap up about this incredible event but I’m really pressed for time to get this posted. Rather I will save many thousands of words by directing you to the photos taken by our talented club members with amazing skills to capture the moment and feeling of this two day event. My thanks to John Herzog for the dolphin photo I used for this posting, we should see that one on a calendar. Also thanks to Kelly and Jan and those I have missed for sharing your photos, cheers and reminding us this is really good fun! Sandy
PS: this was my daughter, Karlyn’s first triathlon, we had a lot of fun training together and she made me very proud!
Fred Kass
August 17, 2009
Fred Kass
We came to Santa Barbara in 1990 when a job opened up at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara where I have been a medical oncologist and research/wellness director ever since. Our son, who was 3 at the time just graduated from UC Berkeley (where is was a 6’5” setter for the volleyball team) and my daughter, who was born at Cottage Hospital shortly after we moved here runs X-country and track at Tufts (and this summer has been my running coach). My first exposure to SB athletics was at Los Baños, and that led to my first SB Tri entry (sprint) in 1995. I am lucky to be married to a great cyclist – Sarah and I have twice done the long course as a two person relay. I swam, we did the bike course on a tandem and then Sarah did the run. Going up Toro on a tandem was truly memorable – I didn’t think you could go that slowly and still stay upright. (But, with all of that aerodynamic weight, we really flew down East Valley.)
The highlight of working at the Cancer Center was working with Julie Main. She motivated everyone in the research and wellness departments. She developed innovative programs that continue to touch the lives of countless patients in our community. Her courage was extraordinary.
The Tri Club has been an absolutely wonderful source of encouragement, support and motivation. This last January, I found myself the proud owner of a new expensive piece of titanium – I had planned for a bike, but it turned out to be a coronary artery stent. It came as a pretty big surprise (Tokie relayed the story at a Tri Club meeting.) But, since then, with Jack Bianchi’s help, I have been able to compete at UCSB, Wildflower, Breath of Life and Vineman – I have been truly blessed.
But, mostly, I am grateful to my wife Sarah, who tolerates my obsession with training schedules, diet, body fat %, anaerobic threshold, Nite Moves, time trials, bricks, track workouts, masters swim, and all the other wonderful craziness that makes up triathlon training.
So, why do we do it? When I try to answer that question, I think about Woody Allen in the movie Annie Hall. He told the story about a crazy friend of his who thought that he was a chicken. “So, why are you still friends with him if he’s that crazy?” Woody was asked. “Because,” Woody replied, “I need the eggs.”
Santa Barbara Kid’s Triathlon…Karina’s Day
August 14, 2009
The 4th Annual Santa Barbara Kid’s Triathlon was on July 18, 2009. Returning to its original location in downtown, this event is a specially designed triathlon for kids ages 7-15. The event offers a unique opportunity for family members, volunteers, and sponsors to encourage physical activity and establish a life-long healthy foundation for kids. The Junior division offers 7 to 10 years old a 100 meter swim, 5K bike and a 1k run. The Senior division offers 11 to 15 years old a 200 meter swim, 10k bike and a 2k run.
I must admit I missed this event for our web site race report, however I was reminded by Cyndi last night during our SB Tri bagathon that a race report was heading my way to make up for my omission. Although tardy, this was one of the most gratifying reports all year. Having our offspring’s following in our fitness footsteps is always a delight especially with the trends in our youths today. Here is the report from one of our proud tri club parents:
One of S.B. Tri Club’s younger members participated in her second triathlon on July 18, 2009. Karina Aghayan, age 8.5, completed the Santa Barbara Kids Triathlon full of energy and with a smile on her face. Her time was 27:38, 7 minutes faster than last year! It is amazing what a difference a year can make! She contributes her success to four weeks of Junior Lifeguard camp at UCSB, a second year of Momentum 4 Life kids triathlon camp, and another year of swim team at COAC. Shortly after the race, she commented that it was too easy, and that she wants to do the longer course next year. Unfortunately, she will not be old enough, but will be ready to post another personal best on the short course.
Being triathletes ourselves, it is so much fun to watch our daughter, and all of the other kids, learning about, training for, and participating in the sport. We are looking forward to the day when she will be racing right beside us (and probably passing us by all too soon!!) If you want to be part of an amazing triathlon experience, we highly recommend that you check out the race next year, if you have not done so before. It is a blast to watch all of the ages and ability levels, from 7 year-old first-timers to up and coming teen sensations. We guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face.
Ali, Cyndi and Karina Aghayan
Is she cute or what!!….Sandy
Shawn Smallwood 12/6/1972-Forever!
August 10, 2009
From reading my recent e-mails you would know that we had scheduled a swim/run contest with the Rincon Tri Club to be held yesterday in Ventura. Thanks to everyone who agreed to participate, we will re-schedule sometime later, but I wanted to let you know why it didn’t happen.
A lot of you may have met Brian Smallwood at our UCSB/SB Tri contest, or maybe at one of our local races. If you have seen him racing he is the very fast guy with red hair. A passion for triathlons that is virtually unsurpassed. Very knowledgable and happy to share that knowledge with friends and fellow competitors. Brian was the go to guy at Rincon who was helping organize Sunday’s Race. I will leave the rest to him!
Today, Friday, at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, my son Shawn passed. I would like to take a moment to introduce Shawn to each of you, as my friends and extended family.
Shawn was born on December 6th, 1978. At the time of Shawn’s birth, my wife Sharon and I were in the process of moving from La Mirada, in eastern LA county, to Camarillo. I was working in Oxnard, but we still had our home in La Mirada. I got the call at work at about 2:00 in the afternoon on a work day that Sharon had started labor and was being taken to the hospital, so I had to drive across ALL of LA counties worst rush hour traffic areas (pre 210 freeway and pre cell phones!)) with the knowledge that my wife was in the hospital preparing to give birth to our 1st child. Obviously I made it, and was there in plenty of time to make every mistake possible and somehow still have one of the greatest moments in my life- Shawn’s birth.
Shawn showed a special character from the very beginning, he had an amazing smile and his presence was always friendly and soothing. Shawn made MANY friends as he grew, most of them remaining friends for life. One such friend, Matt, recounted a story of his first meeting with Shawn to me this week. They were both 4 years old and in preschool. Matt was a bit shy and a loner, but Shawn came to him in a play house where Matt was alone, and simply said “Can I be your friend?”. Almost 27 years later, and it is still an indelible memory for Shawn, and it also sums up how Shawn treated everybody- “Can I be your friend?”.
As Shawn continued to grow, it became increasingly apparent that he was not developing physically quite like the other boys. This was still before they had the ability for clinical diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy, which is a disease that Shawn had, specifically Duchenne’s or Becker’s. With this disease, boys muscle fibers are in a state of constant atrophy. So as Shawn aged, he would loose more and more strength, starting with the lower extremities, and progressing through his body.
Shawn lost the ability to walk at 13, and over time slowly lost the ability to do more and more things that each of us take for granted.
As a middle school boy who could barely stand up, Shawn desperately fought to take out of a wheel chair, and was tormented mercilessly by class mates for being different. In spite of this he fought on, and made to the summer after 8th grade before moving into a chair.
As with most boys, Shawn wanted to be like his Dad, and to please his Dad- so not being able to be involved with sports had to be crushing, but as Shawn grew, instead of becoming bitter for what he did not have, and for all of the teasing and tormenting, he became more and more thankful for what he did have, and constantly sought out others that he saw in need of help and offered whatever he could give.
Shawn found a way to ride nearly every major roller coaster in North America,has been to Space Camp, had dinner with Jerry Buss (yes, that Jerry Buss), coached a YMCA basketball team, met with Marge Schott and the Cincinnati Red’s ball team, spent time with 2 of his favorite NHL hockey players,and has had his own car and his own house (thank you, Paul).
But Shawn’s greatest loves were his mother, his partner- Nikki, and his music.
Shawn loved to create and produce “alternative” music. His music was not for dancing, or for singing- but an expression of feelings. He has had his music played publicly on College radio, and wrote the musical score for a successful play that showed in Los Angeles theaters.
His relationship with his mother was amazing. He almost felt things before she would. At 16 years old, after the death of Sharon’s father, Shawn took the initiative to look up some of Sharon’s friends and call them to ask for their help in consoling her.
In 1999, at 21 years old, Shawn found Nikki in an alternative music chat room. 2 years later, they met for the 1st time, and have been together ever since. Their love for each other has been amazing to watch, as they literally gave 100% of themselves to each other.
Throughout his life, with a body that was constantly failing him, Shawn never really complained, and always looked forward to the next day.
So, this is Shawn- my son, my inspiration, my best friend.
If you were fortunate enough to meet him, wether he said it or not, you would have been instantly greeted with ”Can I be you friend?”
Love
Shawn
12/06/1978- forever
Thank you for being my friends, and for you support in this time- Brian
Thank you, Brian, for sharing and on behalf of the Santa Barbara Triathlon Club I want to convey our sympathies to both you and Sharon. I know we will see you at just about every local race carrying the memory of Shawn with you.
Joe Sullivan edges out Fred for crash of the year nomination!
August 4, 2009
Here is the short version of how I crashed. I was riding along Calle Real, going North toward Hollister, by myself last Thursday morning. It was drizzling and I thought I slowed down enough to safely make the left turn over the 101 onto Hollister. Unfortunately, the road had a fresh coat of blacktop put down the day before and the oil and water made it very slick. My rear wheel went out as soon as I started to turn and I slammed into the pavement with my left shoulder first then hit my head and hip. I slid out into the middle of the intersection before I stopped with my bike on top of me (yes the bike is ok). Unfortunately, I broke my collarbone and got quite a bit of road rash. The good news is that I am healing really well.
Rosie T. and Fred K. Score 1st and 2nd at Vineman Aquabike
August 2, 2009
Vineman AquaBike
In 2005 USA Triathlon offered a pilot program called the AquaBike. Events which are participating in the AquaBike program will give athletes the opportunity to compete in a category where they will complete the swim and bike portions of the race, while omitting the run leg of the race. On August 1st, 2009 in association with the Full Vineman, they are offering AquaBike categories for both the Full Vineman and the Vineman Ironman 70.3 distances. Half Vineman AquaBike: Swim 1.2 Miles / Bike 56 Miles.
Rosie Thompson, my most consistent provider, sent in the following race report:
“The Vineman 1/2 aqua bike was awesome! When I signed up, I had a goal of finishing in 4 hours, but after driving the bike course on Friday and seeing all the hills I revised that to whatever I could do and have fun. My husband, John, accompanied me and was a great help – a super domestique. Saturday morning was foggy and 52F at the start, but the water was warm. As I set up in transition, I found that the woman next to me went to HS with my daughter! The swim was good, and I only got whacked in the head once by some guy that could not swim in a straight line. The bike route as beautiful as everyone had told me, and so many of the participants were friendly. It reminded me of riding the back roads at Paso Robles. The sun came out fairly early, but the temperature was very pleasant. The volunteers were everywhere and very helpful. When I finished, John said he had not seen anyone in my age group 1st F60-64 finish, which I found hard to believe. However, when we checked the results, he was right. So that was a great ending to a great day. My time was 4:09:59.3. I met both my goals of swimming in less than 45 min (40:15.8) and biking in less than 3:30 (3:25:32.0). The awards were a bottle of wine. It was a great, well organized race that I highly recommend. Also, thanks to everyone who gave me encouragement and especially to Liz for training me so well.I saw Fred Kass 3:52:23 at the start, but he finished before I did so I did not see him later. He placed 2nd in the 60-64 M in the 1/2 aqua bike.” Rosie
I just heard from Fred and he mentioned he stopped to help a stranger fix his tire during the race. I would suspect that made the difference in Fred moving to first in his age group. I know us “A” types have a tough time with that call so big Karma points for Fred.