On October 11th, IWU senior, Mike Hermanson, participated in the World Championship IronMan in Kona, Hawai'i.  Below is the race report in his own words: Swim – 2.4 miles The swim started out in the bay in Kona. It is amazing how much more bouyant people are in salt water in comparison to fresh water. It took some getting used to the taste of the water too. Fortunately I had some time to practice swimming in the ocean before race day. During my practice swim, two dolphins came up beside me and swam with me for a little ways.  They started doing tricks and jumping out of the water.  What a cool way to start out my vacation in Hawaii!  The swim started with the sound of a cannon firing and the 1600 amateurs all took off. It was mass chaos for the majority of the swim. I never really found a rhythm because of all the swimmers around me and fighting for position in the water. Thankfully, I was so focused I didn't notice the nasty tasting water (too much anyways).  I came out of the ocean in 59 minutes. Thankfully they had some showers going into transition to wash out our mouths and rinse the salt off our bodies. I never was so happy to rinse my mouth out in my life. Bike – 112 miles This was by far the hardest bike I've ever done before. It started out nice with a slight tailwind. I was going 22 or 23 mph and making my way towards Hiwa (pronounced Hy-vee). However, about half of the way there the wind switched directions and we had a nice cross wind that was picking up. After the race was over, I heard that some of those cross winds were 30 miles per hour!  The bike was pretty desolate... and it made the miles go by pretty slow. There wasn't much scenery to look at except a bunch of lava fields. The last 7 or 8 miles into Hiwa was absolutely brutal. It was all up hill and the headwind/crosswind was so strong I couldn't even stay in aerobars. Those last 8 miles took over 30 minutes to climb into Hiwa. Even on the way back going down the hill out of Hiwa wasn't the easiest thing. The cross wind, which got even stronger, still made it impossible for me to ride in the areo-position. The northern part of the island was also hotter than Kona. By the last 15 miles of the bike, by back was really started from fighting the wind and being on the bike for a long time. Plus, on the way back towards Kona, the winds switch directions again and I had yet another headwind. I was never so happy to start the run and get off my bike. Run – 26.2 miles The run started out really good for me. I felt great (considering the circumstances) and was passing several people and cruising through the aid stations. It wasn't until about mile 16 on the run that I really began to hit a wall. Everything I tried to keep going wasn't working... so I had to swallow my pride and walked through some of the aid stations. I almost got to the point of fainting before I did this. I saw a thermometer in the 'natural energy lab' portion of the run that read 95 degrees! (Afterwards, I heard the surface temperature of the road got up to 108 at some points along the run)  I was really upset about walking... but I knew that if I wanted to finish the race I had to walk. The other part about the run that made it really hard was that between miles 11 and 24 there was no spectators on the course because of going out of town. The only people I saw were other athletes and the volunteers at each aid station about a mile apart. Coming back into Kona, I was able to pick up my pace because of knowing how close I was and also having people cheering along the way. I crossed the finish line totally exhausted. Overall: I finished 519th and 15th in my age group. My time was 10:26. I was hoping to be about 30 minutes faster than this. Afterwards, I took advantage of the free massage offered my a school of massage located somewhere in HI.  My parents finally found me among the huge crowd of athletes, volunteers, and spectators.  The first thing my dad asked me was, "How was it?"  I replied, "That was the hardest thing I've ever done before!"  So the next day while my parents and I were doing some much needed touring of the big island, I was thinking about why I couldn't hold it together on the run after feeling so good for the first portion of it. I realized that I may not have been taking in enough protein. I know that on the bike I alternate gels and powerbars and then when I get to the run I switch to gels only. I'm thinking that if I kept the same cycle of nutrition on the run as I do on the bike it could make a difference. However, I will have to wait until next year to find out if that theory holds true. Thanks for reading and supporting me in accomplishing my life dream of racing in Kona. Your prayers were much appreciated! Thanks for taking time to read this too. I Timothy 4:7b-8 "...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

3rd Annual Mighty Mississinewa Triathlon On September 13th, 2008 the IWU Cycling/Triathlon Club made a trip over to the Miami State Recreational Park to participate in the 3rd Annual Mighty Mississinewa Triathlon.  The club brought out about 11 racers and several spectators to watch the 500 yard swim, 16.6 mile bike, and 4 mile run.  The weather the morning of the race was a bit threatening, because the area was under a tornado watch.  Thankfully, that was lifted just before the start of the race and the worst any of the particpants faced was a challenging wind and some sprinkles on the bike and run.

There were several first time triathletes that came out for the event, including Brandon Morris (pictured to the left), Matthew Nygaard, Nils Anderson, Evan Warner and Billy Delisle.  Other athletes that participated were Aimee Odum, Courtney Forman, Kelsey Devereaux, Luke Rasmussen, and Mike Hermanson.  All of the first time triathletes said that they really felt a sense of accomplishment after they finished.  Everyone agreed that the event was well organized and they had loads of fun.  The consensous among the new triathletes was that they needed to work on the swim because they weren't used of fighting for position in the water, which made a couple people a little nervous. Once we all arrived back at school, most people went back to their room and took a nice long nap to recover from waking up long before the sun came up and putting forth the effort to complete the race.

Inside-Out Triathlon Race Report April 13, 2008 Inside-Out Triathlon Race Report The Second Annual Inside-Out Triathlon was another success again this year.  However, the weather failed to cooperate for the second year in a row.  Despite the conditions, the participants and volunteers still showed up with a 100% turn out rate.  This year’s race started with a 500 yard indoor swim, followed by an 8.3-mile bike ride, and finished with a 5K run.  People could compete in this event individually or as a team.  We had 12 teams, 6 guys, and 6 girls sign up to compete this year.       There was lots of talent on the course, with ages ranging from eleven years old (Eden Brackenbury) to an anonymous age (Harry Hall).  Not only was there lots of talent, but there was also a cloud of enthusiasm that each participant and volunteer carried with them.  Over all we had about 50 participants and 15 volunteers.     Of those participants, IWU Cycling/Triathlon Club is proud to acknowledge this years winners for the individual male, individual female, and Team Relay.  The overall winner for the males was Luke Rasmussen (Freshman), with a time of 1:12:33.  The overall female participant was Aimee Odum (Freshman), with a time of 1:17:02.  The over all team relay, consisting of Heather Knowles (Senior/Swimmer), Greg Hege (Marion Bike Club/Biker), and Mike Manning (APS Adjunct/Runner), finished in 52:26.      IWU Cycling/Triathlon Club would like to give a big thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors for the event.  It would be impossible to make the event happen without them.  Including the t-shirts that were handed out, there was about $935 given away in the form of merchandise and gift certificates.

Swim Across Indiana is Over, and Will Return Next Year March 19th, 2008        Article by Mike Hermanson The First Annual Swim Across Indiana was a success.  We had 84 people sign up for it.  The ages ranged from elementary school all the way up to... well... we won't say.  Anyways... three of the seventeen teams finished the 283 mile trek from the Northern part of Indiana to the Southern tip.  Those teams were the Morning Maniacs (Tina Root, Ron Brackenbury, Tim Taylor, Suzy Darter, and Grant Cheney... all Alumni members of the Rec. Center), Can't Guard This (Heather Knowles, Stephanie Curfman, Mike Hermanson, Celeste Rasmussen, and Olivia Parks), and Wet Bandits (Aaron Gregroy, Aimee Odum, Trent Shaffer, Andrew Vernon, and Pete Andres).  Morning Maniacs finished in 5 weeks, Can't Guard This finished in 7 weeks, and the Wet Bandits finished 8 weeks.   Good job to all the teams that participated. With all the t-shirts and prizes, we gave out about $950 in merchandise and prizes!!  Thanks to all our sponsors and all the hard work by the participants. Next year we plan on doing this event a little differently.  People will be able to choose which way they want to swim across the state, North to South, or East to West.  Thanks again to all those who took on the challenge.  And even if you didn't finish, I was very happy to see people consistently exercising.  I hope that this event helped get people into a routine of consistently exercising.  I know I always feel better when I exercise.

IWU Cycling Club News       March 27, 2007 Article by Mike Hermanson   Inside-Out Triathlon IWU Cycling's new Triathlon division is about to host it’s first race in its short history.  The Inside-Out Triathlon will be the first triathlon held on campus property in the history of the school.  Please come out on April 14th to take part in this inaugural event.  Start time is 12:15 p.m. for the first wave..  Distance:  500 yard swim, 8.3 mile bike, 3 mile run Date:  April 14th (the Saturday after Easter) at 12:15 pm Cost:  $10 per individual, $25 per team Prizes:  Each participant will receive either an official IWU Cycling water bottle, or a t-shirt with this year's triathlon logo on it.  Local restaurants (such as Ivanhoe's) will also be donating gift certificates to category winners as well as random participants. Categories:  Fr./Soph.         Jr./Sr.            Faculty/Staff/Community What we are working on:  We are hoping to have a company donate food for participating athletes after the race What we need:  This event needs about 15 volunteers for the race (another person to life guard, some people timing, some people on the bike course, some people on the run course, and some people in the transition area) Rules:  All bikers must wear a helmet.  No audio devices allowed at anytime.  Failure to comply will result in a disqualification with no refund.  And, because of insurance reasons, no one under the age of 18 on race day can participate. Start Times:  The first wave will begin at 12:15 and three more waves will start 15 minutes after the previous wave.  Also, if you don't finish the swim you ARE NOT disqualified.  Time will be added to the allotted 12 minutes to complete the 500 yards based on your average pace. Race-day check-in:  Please be at the transition area (between the Rec. and Performing Arts buildings) by 11:30 for body marking.  Body marking is where we write your race number on your arms and legs so we can identify who you are on the course so that we can get your times for each of the three sections.  Once you have your body markings, you are free to leave and come back for your scheduled start time, which will be e-mailed to you and based on your last name. Volunteering:  Let Mike Hermanson know if you wish to volunteer, and your preferred position.  Volunteers should arrive at the same time as athletes. Field size:  This event is limited to the first 50 people that sign up, so get those entry forms in quickly!! REGISTRATION:  Email iwucycling@gmail.com for entry forms.  The entry form must be filled out and returned to Mike Hermanson by April 4th.  This allows enough time to place an order for t-shirts or water bottles so that they will be in for participants on race day.  Also, we NEED to have the waiver/release form filled out and signed by EACH PARTICIPANT in order for you to race. Please remit entry forms and cash or check to: Mike Hermanson 512 Student Center Building Marion, IN 46953 **if paying by check, make it payable to IWU Cycling, memo: Triathlon Questions can be emailed to: iwucycling@gmail.com Thanks to our sponsors:  Curfman's Cyclery, Ivanhoe's, Richard's, McConn Coffee Co., Cici's Pizza, and Payne's Coffee and Custard. Hope to see you there!!  Feel free to spread the word, even if someone doesn't go to IWU!         March 17, 2007 articles by Chase Hoefer   Spring Collegiate Racing Update In case you don't know, the collegiate road racing season started the last weekend in February.  However, due to bad weather, only 4 of the scheduled 6 races have taken place - 1 at Ohio St., 1 at Depauw, and 2 at Missouri.  So how is IWU Cycling doing?  Well, we haven't been able to show up yet!!  Thanks to injuries and broken bicycles, the start of our season has been delayed a bit.  The good news is that there's a brighter future ahead for our racing days.  Freshman Stephen Bruegge broke his wrist at the end of December; he's now well on his way to recovery and was able to ride outside (and up mountains) during Spring Break.  His first race will likely be March 31 at Western Michigan.  Junior Aaron Cloud currently does not have a roadworthy bicycle - his downtube-shifting steel bullet suffers from an ailing rear wheel and rear derailleur, neither of which will likely stand the grind of racing.  We're hoping to have him in races a few times this season, although they will likely be time trials or wide open road races.  As for myself, I've suffered from severe abdominal spasms since a crash last June and was forced off the bike a little after Christmas.  I had an answer to prayer a few weeks ago when my doctor referred me to a nerve and soft tissue specialist who has since relaxed the spasming and got me back on the bicycle.  Next Wednesday I'm getting an injection (nothing performance-enhancing!) into my inguinal ligament which should release the rest of the spasm.  I'm planning my first race for Western Michigan on March 31, same as Stephen, and then I should be good for the rest of the collegiate season.  To view results from our conference races, go to www.mwccc.org and click on "Spring 2007."  The race schedule is posted on our "events and races" link.    IWU Cycling Hosts Successful Spring Break Cycling Trip This past week marked the first annual IWU Cycling Spring Break Cycling Retreat to Townsend, Tennessee.  11 people faced the challenge of climbing some of the toughest mountains in North America!  The trip went from March 7-11 and included about 60 miles of riding per day, mostly within the Smokey Mountain National Park.  Rides included Clingman's Dome, the Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap, Cades Cove, and Deals Gap (The Tail of the Dragon).  Thanks to all who took part!  If you're interested in going next year, please contact Chase Hoefer at iwucycling@gmail.com.   IWU Cycling Introduces Triathlon program Mike Hermanson is heading up IWU Triathlon - a new branch of IWU Cycling.  And it's only fitting because he's one of the best triathletes in the Midwest!!  He and junior Maity Peet will compete around the region while sporting the IWU Cycling racing kit.  Around 10 students are involved in the triathlon portion of the club, and those interested should contact Mike to be put on the mailing list.  Mike will also offer swim lessons and training advice if you're new to the sport.    Collegiate Triathlon Nationals The University of Alabama is hosting this years Collegiate Triathlon National race in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Saturday, April 21.  IWU Cycling's very own Mike Hermanson is ready to give it all he's got.  His training program has been efficient and on schedule, and he looks to be in good form.  Also, his newly built TT rig should serve him well - complete with the just-released Spinergy Full-Carbon-Tubular (FCT) aero wheelset.  Be sure to check our site for his race report on his experience.