Camper Kudos

Now that we are three weeks removed from camp, athlete kudos are long overdue! Though it's

hard to single out folks when everyone performed admirably and added positive energy to the

group dynamics there are always folks we present special awards to. We know now that the camp was marred by heavy rain and wind but it certainly provided a different dynamic and tested everyone.s patience. Though we didn't get in the normal cycling some folks achieved personal bests in other sports because of that. Lets get started ...

Cemented on the first days riding, Pat Krueger took the KOM competition in his first camp. Not too mention the KOM, Pat (along with me) took honors for most yards swum during the camp. (That's a picture of Pat and I above) During the camp we developed a silent alliance that helped us both achieve a little bit more than we would have individually. One thing Pat realized after the camp (while kicking himself) is that if he had run the minimum on Day 1 he would have taken the overall. Next year Pat comes in as the marked man ... for those that are "playing the game" ;)

In a competition that came down to the last day, Phil Johnson took the overall points title by marking Danny Walters yard for yard in the last days swim. Phil won out at the end because he received 2 extra "veteran bonus points" for his two camps previously finished. Along with Pat, it looks like we have another guy to watch next year!

We had a new award, maybe just a new name, but this one went to two female rookies ... the Diva Award. Two of my wife's team members / team mates Annette Niewald and Twyla Robert performed admirably and were consistent over the entire weekend. Not bad from two ladies who had no idea what to expect.

One of our other rookies quietly drew out the best in everyone. On the opening night of the camp Danny Walters outwardly stated that his main goal was to achieve all the maximum training limits set for the camp. DOH!! Personally, (and i think Phil and Troy may agree) because Danny was going for the max bike, run and swim volumes, we would have to match his efforts to stay in the hunt for the overall. Danny achieved his goals AND lifted the level of the camp by expecting a little more out of himself. Thanks Danny! The photo above is Danny cresting a hill on Day 1 in the pouring rain.

Final applause go to my sister Amy for providing incredible support before and during the camp. Also to Loni Behler who unselfishly supported Amy, and the rest of us, by donating her time ... I think we may see Loni participating camp next year ;). Finally, thanks to my wife Jen (who took overall points amongst ladies at the camp) for supporting me during the stressful period before camp with all the adaptations that needed to be made and helping clean up post camp as well! Plus she made me a mean grilled turkey and cheese plus a bowl of tomato soup the day my bike was stolen ... NICE!

Overall it was a great group of folks to work and train with. Each year the history of the camp gets richer and it brings out more personalities and more stories. I am looking forward to some mini training camps this summer and of course the 4th Annual Winter Training camp next year!

Cheers ... DL