Ironman Wisconsin Pre-Race

Robin Rongey a 48 year old mother of 3, has climbed up through the ranks, starting out as a runner and transitioning to a triathlete, from triathlon she moved on, to bike racing, both road and mountain, and finally finding her way to Adventure racing.  The world of triathlon has not been an easy journey for her. Although, she was a good runner and picked up the bike quickly, she was never a swimmer, she worked long and hard trying to make the swim work for her, but even after years of training and working with top notch swim coaches she still struggles with the swim. Her ability to come back on the bike and run has allowed her great achievements in racing, which has spurred her to move to the challenge of Ironman. An Ironman that starts with a mediocre swim can prove to be heartbreaking in the end, so that pushed Robin to work toward, becoming a better swimmer. 

 

Although, 2011 started out well, with Robin’s Adventure racing team, “ROCK Racing”, holding at 2^nd Place in North America in the National Adventure Racing series, it came with injury, leading to heartbreak. After suffering a broken tailbone just 5 days before the National Race, Robin had to bow out of the race and with tears in her eyes, watch her teammate and her team replacement head out for an adventure of a lifetime.  It took a big effort for her to watch her team finish in a cloud of fog hanging over the water as they canoed to the finish line of the national championship race without her. 

Now on the mend and just 22 weeks back into training, Robin prepares for the ultimate race of her 2012 season, the Ironman.  Ironman Wisconsin is on the horizon and Robin is just 3 weeks from race day.  She is training for the event by swimming, biking and running using the equipment and nutrition she plans to use on race day.  The Pinarello FT1 is the bike of choice, and she wouldn’t attempt it without her xx2i sunglasses and a jersey pocket full of honey stinger waffles. Her Metro Tri Club teammates along with her ROCK Racing teammate Chuck, have kept her grounded and on track, helping her come back from injury and attempt to succeed at the challenge that lies ahead. 

Chuck Vohsen a 45 year old father of 2, has exploded onto the Adventure racing and mountain biking circuit. A late starter into the sport, he has only been racing for 5 years, but has amazed the race world with his smoking fast times and spot on orienteering in many races across the US. Chuck started his career in the area of Martial Art, as his fitness built, he looked for something more challenging, that is what brought him to adventure racing and then onto mountain biking and trail running. Now that Chuck has risen to the top of his field in the Midwest race world, he is ready for an even bigger challenge, the Ironman.  Ironman Wisconsin is his choice for his first attempt at an Ironman race.  Chuck is banking on his heightened fitness level to propel him through the bike and run, but still struggles in the swim. He says “his biggest challenge will be to complete the swim in his goal time”.  

2011 started out well, with Chuck’s Adventure racing team, “ROCK Racing”, holding at 2^nd Place in North America in the National Adventure Racing series, but it came with injury, his teammate suffered a broken tailbone, just 5 days before the national race. Chuck quickly found a new teammate, which happened to be his wife, Lori.  Lori gave it her all, and they completed the race, but Chuck’s hopes of winning were washed away in the foggy finish of the race. The effort put forth by Chuck to race with such a advanced field of athletes with a new teammate, who was also, a first time racer was tremendous, but Chuck ever the competitor finished with determination, perseverance and honor.  

Now Chuck prepares for the ultimate race of his 2012 season, the Ironman.  He is just 22 weeks into his 25 week training plan.  He is training for the event by swimming, biking and running using the equipment and nutrition he plans to use on race day.  The Specialized Roubaix is his bike of choice, and he wouldn’t attempt it without his xx2i sunglasses and a jersey pocket full of honey stinger gels. His Metro Tri Club teammates along with his ROCK Racing teammate Robin, have kept him grounded and on track, helping him train and attempt to succeed at the challenge that lies ahead.