Ficker, Cleveland Top Podium at Couples Tri

Ficker, Cleveland Top Podium at Couples Triathlon

Austin, Texas (July 2011) - The 14th edition of Couples Triathlon, held July 10th in Austin, Texas and presented by Jack and Adam’s Bicycles saw former Pro Triathlete Jamie Cleveland and Pro Triathlete Desiree Ficker take the overall wins. Rounding out the top three men were Matthew Russell and Pro James Bonney, with Hollie Kenny and Keri Remil taking the 2nd and 3rd spots for the women. The gold for the overall team went to Jamie Cleveland & Darrel Williams. Hundreds of other participants, spectators, and volunteers filled the venue at Walter E. Long Park for a fun-filled day of swimming, biking and running.

Couples Triathlon is a unique event format where teams of two, whether they be friends, spouses, or family members combine their ages and sign up in the appropriate category. Each person on the team does the entire triathlon, and then their times are combined for the overall results.

With temperatures starting in the upper 70's and partly cloudy skies, the team triathlon went smoothly from beginning to end. Before the gun went off, a male-female signing duo led the crowd with the singing of the National Anthem. From there the 700 finishers, ranging in age from 12 to 73, began the 800 meter open-water swim, then progressed to a beautiful 11 mile bike ride through the Texas Hill Country, and ended with a 5k run. Event producer, Dan Carroll of High Five Events, has received numerous thank you emails and compliments from participants, with one being from Sally Colombo, “Great race today! Very well organized, well supported and great after party! Also, love the new "girl" tech shirts! As always....great job and thank you for all that you do for the tri community!!!"

The event concluded with the fantastic finish line festival, including items from sponsors Jack and Adam's Bicycles, Skeese Greets, TYR, Pure Sport, Honest Tea, Boundless Nutrition, and Clif Bar helped to create the fun atmosphere. Finishers also received free post-race massage from Advanced Rehab, reusable water bottles, tacos from Zocalo, Fat Tire Beer, fresh fruit from Texas Iron Training and ice cream. Chip timing by Run Far Racing Services and professional sports photography by Kreutz Photography, along with all the volunteers, also helped make this year's event a success. The 15th Annual Couples Triathlon is being planned for July 2012.

Check out the video from it HERE.

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Ficker, Cleveland Top Podium at Couples Tri

My First Tri: Desiree Ficker

In the J&A premiere newsletter back in April of 2006, Pro Triathlete, Desiree Ficker was our first author of the Training 101 Section. In it she describes her first try at a tri:

Two days before my first triathlon in 1999 I walked away from my local Maryland tri shop with a brand new Litespeed Saber. The bike was a 48cm. For those of you who don't know me I am 5'7! At the time I had yet to compete in a multisport event so I walked into the store and casually, but with great hope, threw around my 10k time thinking maybe they could get me some leverage on a lower price. I was pleasantly surprised with the amazing fee I was quoted! I took my new bike out on the roads and was shocked at how scary it was riding in the aero position for the first time. I had the similar feelings inside to when I was forced to walk the balance beam in gym class. I tried reaching down for my water bottle over and over but to my dismay was unable to comfortably reach anywhere at all while in the aero position.

Before my race a few days later I asked a friend who was there with me how I should gage my speed over the 12 mile bike segment....I had been riding a mountain bike to my teaching job at the time. He said "Just pretend you're riding to work, and you're really, really, REALLY late!!". Great advice I have to say.

Looking back I realize how the combination of my boasting and my lack of bike fit knowledge landed me a too small bike for the same size price......In my pictures from first IM Kona I seem to represent some version of Clifford the Dog on his tricycle.

Fortunately today, with the help of Jack and Adam's and Guru bikes, I am happily riding a 53 cm Guru Crono that doesn't make me feel like Clifford.

Best of luck and happy training!
Desiree

Check out Desiree's website!

My First Tri: Desiree Ficker