Humboldt Redwoods
It sounded like a reasonable plan until I got out there on the Humboldt Redwoods ½ marathon course. My legs felt great, the pace was easy, so I was back to my original plan. I crossed the finish line in 1:40:40. A new PR and a new course record, beating the course record set back in 1988 by 11 minutes and 11 seconds- fitting for an 11 year-old. I am not done with the Redwoods yet though. It is a very magical place and I love to run there. But more so, I love to just run and play and hike through the groves of the Redwoods. Next year I will go back to break the 12 and under course record in the 5k. Oh, and yes, the very next day I did win the 3000 m middle school event showing my coach that maybe the youth don’t have quite the recovery issues as adults. I went on to be the All-City x- country Champion for Middle School several weeks later.
Junior Olympic x-country racing culminated in Hoover, Alabama this year. I was proud to be part of a great team this year, Bowerman Athletic Club. This is Nike’s youth x-country team and they have a lot of great athletes and coaches. I managed to take 48th at Nationals in the 3000m. I raced against some amazingly fast girls. Even more amazing, therewas only a minute from first place to my 48th place finish. That means almost every second a girl was crossing the finish line.
With x-country now done, my coach still has me running around 25 miles a week to keep my base and I hop on my compu-trainer 2-3 days a week. Swimming is still 4 days a week with my local swim team. Every weekend is now full of snow. I am thrilled to be back in the mountains racing downhill for another great season. I will spend the next two months focusing on my Winter sport.
My mantle looks bare where I keep my winnings. Right before Christmas I sent out my last two first place trophies. They made very unique x-mas gifts for two people. One gentlemen said it was probably one of the best gifts he had received in 44 years for x-mas. My National Championship trophy will now be at the Prostate Cancer Foundation. I chose to give that special trophy to Mr. Milken. He is not only a prostate cancer survivor, but runs the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help find cures for prostate cancer. I could think of no better person to give my National Title trophy to. I look forward to the 2011 season and have lots in store for Team Winter.
Happy New Year!
Winter
]]>
12 y/o IronKids Champions
The last three weeks of travel have been full of excitement. My first stop was South Shore, Lake Tahoe for an IronGirl Sprint Triathlon. I battled cold temperatures on the bike and slight cramping on the run, but won my age division and managed to take 19th place overall women. My bike split was the 10th fastest out of almost 400 women. The 46” Carbon frame I am on, as well as great coaching by Boulder Coaching’s- Simon Lessing has really helped turn me into a much better cycler. Becoming a better cycler was my main goal for this season.
Last weekend I was at the starting line of IronKids National Championships in St. Petersburg, Florida. Over 500 kids ages 5-15 who had previously qualified this season by placing top 5 in their age group, came to compete for the title of IronKids National Champion. Last year I placed 4th. Not bad, but definitely not what I had in mind. I spent this summer following a very structured training regimen, thanks to three great coaches; Coach Geoff (my local swim team coach- Northwest Aquatics), Coach Simon (cycling) and Coach Bob (running). We all had one goal “for me to win the 12 y/o National Title”.
Race day brought together the “perfect race”. I was able to keep within reach of the leaders on the 300 yard pool swim and was down by only a minute coming out of T1. Coming off the 8 mile bike I found myself with the lead heading into my best discipline—the run. Months of speed work on the track helped me maintain 6:58 min/miles for 2 miles and expanded my lead over 2nd place by almost 2 minutes. This race was not easy mentally or physically. The top 4 girls had beat me the last several years including just months ago at USAT Youth Triathlon Nationals in San Diego. The best part is that as much as we are competitors, we are all great friends. But that is not the best news. Three months ago I started recruiting kids and adults to race on Team Winter. At IronKids National Championships I had over 20 kids racing on Team Winter. We managed to pull off a 3rd place National finish out of 17 youth teams! Team Winter stood up on the podium and put prostate cancer awareness on the map! I am sending out a huge thanks to those incredible kids who raced on Team Winter in 2010. I can hardly wait to see what 2011 has in store for Team Winter. Let’s make Team Winter the largest Youth Triathlon Team in the Nation!
To follow through with tradition, I will not be keeping my National Championship trophy. As I have done all season, my first place trophies go to families affected by prostate cancer. This title and trophy I wanted to win for one particular person, Mr. Michael Milken—founder of the Prostate Cancer Foundation www.pcf.org and more importantly, a prostate cancer survivor himself. He was diagnosed and wouldn’t except “no cure” as an answer so he acquired the Prostate Cancer Foundation and changed the way research was done. By doing this, they found a way to cure his cancer and help save the lives of many people since then. It is not a failure that they couldn’t save my dad. My dad is just one of the victims that spurs research for different, more rare, tumors.
Lastly, I had a visit to the Big Island of Hawaii, home of Ford Ironman World Championships. My Newton teammate, Craig Alexander, just happens to be the 2-time World Champion and I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to watch him vie for a three-peat and get some training in on the Ironman Course. Although Craig could not pull off a victory again this year, he said, “I’ll be back to race another day” and accepted his 4th place finish. His fellow Aussie, Mirinda Carfrae showed me it was possible to “run like the wind” as she set the course record for the marathon in a blistering 2:53, proving that 5’3” can get you a world title. I left the Island with great respect for the Ocean and the Land. I explored Kailua Bay, the Queen K Highway and the famous Alii Drive. Most importantly, I became friends with the people of Kailua-Kona and look forward to returning next year.
I am off to the Humbolt Redwoods of California this weekend to hopefully set a course record for 12 & under in the ½ marathon, a record that has stood for 22 years—I am spreading prostate cancer awareness “one race at a time”!
Won’t you join me?
Winter
Alpharetta has a perfect set up for a great youth triathlon. The course is one of the best I have seen and provides great views of the athletes for friends and family. The pool was a 50 meter pool which really cut down on the traffic and congestion in the pool. The bike was great. They closed off the entire road and it was uphill one way and down hill the opposite direction making a great looped course. The run was shaded to keep the hot sun off of you. Since I finished first at Alpharetta in the 12 y/o division, one more prostate cancer family will be receiving an IronKids trophy to remind them to “Never Given In”.
Carmel Elementary School
I was invited into a local elementary school on the outskirts of Alpharetta, GA on Friday before the event. Carmel Elementary is a great school who already had 18 kids signed up to race IronKids. I started off the morning by being interviewed on their morning TV announcements that are broadcasted through out the classrooms in the morning. Afterwards, I had the privilege of hosting an assembly in the gym for 400 4th & 5th graders to talk about triathlon, IronKids and Team Winter. I received an incredible welcome by these kids as they were all eager to see my bike, wetsuit and other triathlon gear. They asked many great questions. I then visited with the 1st graders in their gym class. It was so great being swarmed by little kids who looked up to a girl-athlete role model trying to help fund a cure for cancer.
Next year I am hoping to go into many more elementary schools as part of being the IronKids Ambassador. The response by the kids was incredible and I was able to get the message across to them about living an active, healthy and positive lifestyle. If you have an elementary school near one of the events I will be at next year and would like me to come visit, please contact me. I will be posting my 2011 race schedule sometime around January.
Best Wishes,
Winter
Team Newton/Team Winter
The end of August brought together some of the most amazing people in the most amazing place. On August 29th, Ironman Canada took place in the spectacular town of Penticton, BC. This place definitely deserves to be in your bucket. What’s a bucket for those who don’t have one? A bucket is a place where you put places you must go, things you must do, people you must meet, goals you must reach and dreams you wish to seek. The bucket inspires you to do great things and offers you a reason to live. Your bucket can be a 50 gallon drum or but a cup—neither matters. It is how you empty it that counts.
I have been to Ironman Canada in 2007 and 2009. At Ironman Canada 2009 I was introduced to a special man who you met in one of my last blog entries. He is co-founder of Newton Running Company, Jerry Lee. A coincidence my middle name is “Lee” (Winter Lee Vinecki), probably not. Always remember, “things don’t happen, they are made to happen”. As you recall, Jerry is a prostate cancer survivor; a survivor with a huge heart. We stood at the Ironman Expo last year and I made him pinky swear he would do his first triathlon at age 61. Not just an ordinary triathlon, IRONMAN Canada 2010. Yes, all 140.6 miles in one day (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run)… for one cause…. one team. Team Newton/Team Winter was born.
On August 29th I stood on the shores of Lake Okanagan not only cheering my mom and uncle on but the other 30 Athletes committed to finishing the race not for themselves but for the 1 in 6 men affected by prostate cancer. Jerry’s weakness was swimming and everyone knew it. I swam the course with him just days before the race. All I kept saying was “kick Jerry KICK”. Seeing him come out of the water at 2:05 (15 minutes before the swim cut off on race day) was a site I will never forget.
The bike turned out to be equally nerve racking. Jerry came cruising in just minutes before the bike cut off. The bike turned out to be quite a challenge even for the most seasoned athletes as storms blew in dropping rain, hail and strong headwinds on the course.
Seeing Jerry exiting out of T2 onto the run brought great relief. Everyone knows his strength is the run. You see, Jerry is an ultra- marathoner. He doesn’t just run marathons at 61, he runs distances 2-5 times that. Ten miles into the run Jerry caught up to my mom and 4 other Team Newton/Team Winter athletes. A lot of bonding took place that night out on the course as they strolled into the finish shoot amongst the cheers of the midnight Ironman crowd. Special thanks to Graham Fraser, owner of Ironman Canada, whose a close friend of Jerry’s and graciously helped see Team Newton/Team Winter make its debut at his race. Mr. Fraser and I greeted them at the finish line shortly before the midnight cut off. Jerry and my Mom crossed the finish line hand in hand with our Team. Jerry had done it and my Mom was now an Ironman for the second time.
Don’t think that is the end to the pinky business. At the awards event Jerry and I were caught once again with our pinkies bound. Jerry will be with me out on the course when I am old enough to do my first Ironman Canada at age 18. Ironman Canada 2017…Watch Out!
The event was such a success, raising close to 100K, we are continuing Team Newton/Team Winter for Ironman Canada 2011. Some amazing stories are developing from individuals who will be joining my Mom back out on the course next year. Tears will be shed, dreams realized and Ironmen made. Won’t you join us next year? Be a part of a Dream Team to stomp out prostate cancer….you will be changed forever. Just ask any of those who raced that day. Just ask my Mom or Jerry.
Contact me if you would like to join us for 2011—slots will fill quickly.
Twitter…TeamWinter
FaceBook…Winter Vinecki or fan page Team Winter
Or email info@teamwinter.org
Thanks to all the Athletes, new friends and old friends who gathered in Penticton. Hope to see you next year!
Winter
]]>The race was extremely well organized this year with no timing glitches. The swim was a bit tight as we narrowly squeezed between two boat docks and as usual was a time trial start. The bike course was flat and fast. A combination of a new carbon bike, thanks to Mach Bikes, and some great coaching the prior week with Boulder Coaching, Coach Simon Lessing, gave me a great bike split. I posted the second fastest split in the Nation for my age group. I was extremely pleased with this result given the bike has always been my weakness. Overall I took 6th place in the Nation, which is my best finish yet. This race is tough since it is an all out sprint. The distances are shorter than at IronKids events. Next year I will move into a whole different age group. I will be racing Elite- draft legal. I will race for points throughout the season.
The best part of the weekend was meeting up with lots of my friends and fellow triathletes from across the US. It was great seeing Jochi founder of Team Jochi. He and I first met in May at IronKids Florida. He was inspired by the concept of Team Winter and so he went back to Puerto Rico and started his own team, Team Jochi. He is helping to raise money for transporting kids to the US for medical treatments not available in his country. We are hoping to team up together in his home country of Puerto Rico in March 2011.
Alex was there cheering on her team, Multisport Madness, despite wearing a cast from a broken wrist at Carmel IronKids. She took a bad spill on the bike and was forced to take a month off triathlon. Thanks Alex for coming out and cheering all of us on. Then there was Jack, who I mentioned previously. He had fundraised over $2000 for Team Winter in just 2 weeks and was sporting his Team Winter Race Kit. Summer came all the way over from Florida with a nice 5th place finish. Summer and I will spend sometime together right before IronKids National Championships in October since the event is in her back yard. There are so many other great kids who I also met up with and can’t wait to see on the race circuit next year.
Stay Fit!
Winter
The next several days were spent getting acclimated to the Boulder altitude and living life like a triathlete. The Lessing household are early risers and we were out the door training by 7am. Each day had a swim, bike and a run. I met many great athletes during my visit to Boulder. Boulder is the training grounds of many great triathletes and runners. One of the female pro-triathletes favored to win IM Canada in a week, joined us for a morning run. Watch out for Christine Syms, she could win Canada. Another great moment came when Craig Alexander and I finally got to meet in person. We had only chatted through facebook previously. His family is so much fun. I helped get his daughter, Lucy, into some Team Winter gear to do her first triathlon. Boy does she run just like her daddy. I have the great fortune of heading to Kona in October to help Lucy cheer her dad on to hopefully another Ironman World Championship Title.
One of my most memorable moments in life came in Boulder. Many did not realize what this IronKids win meant to me. This race was more important than National Championships for USAT and more meaningful than the upcoming IronKids National Championships. As I have mentioned, my first place trophies go to Prostate Cancer survivors and victims. One of my real heroes and role models in life lives and works in Boulder, CO. He has believed in me and my mission since I first started Team Winter at age 9. He puts no restrictions on my age and considers me one of his “Newton Athletes” even though my name may not quite fit in amongst the other Newton, world-ranked athletes. Jerry Lee, co-founder of Newton Running Company, has fought prostate cancer and won. He remains a strong supporter of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Team Winter. I had my 1st Place IronKids Boulder trophy in my possession for only 6 hours. I can’t explain my feelings as I presented Jerry Lee with my Boulder trophy at dinner that evening.
Who do you race for?
Winter
Raleigh, NC was the next stop on the IronKids circuit. I loved Raleigh! What a great town and great race course. The lake swim was great—really clean water. I was able to repeat with my second victory of the year and retired my Trek 1500 bike. I met some really cool kids and even had a few kids out there racing in Team Winter gear. You will see them posted soon on this website. I encourage all of you to send me your pictures of you racing in your Team Winter gear so I can post them.
Before heading to my next IronKids race, it was off to beautiful, hot, Scottsdale, AZ. Home of Mach Bikes. Who is Mach Bikes you might ask? Regan Braumberger has broken the mold for Carbon TT Bikes. I had the privilege of helping launch his new company and Bike line. Mach has built a 46” custom carbon TT Bike for me to chase cancer with. Cancer does not stand a chance against this bike. Pro-triathlete, Lewis Elliot and I debuted our Mach Bikes at the JCC Fourth of July Race and took 3 first place finishes. I won the overall title at the Youth Race, managing to pass the lead boy in the last mile of the run. I then hopped back on my Mach and won the 15-19 womens division for the Adult Sprint. With the help of my new Mach, I am now within medal contention for placing in the overall womens division, a goal I have been looking forward to for years. I had a 10th place overall finish in the womens’ field. I left Scottsdale with a 16# tri bike and more importantly a close bond with a family who is determined to help me chase down cancer and stomp it out like it stomped my dad out. Thank-you Scottsdale and especially —– thank-you to the Braumberger Family!
Next stop was 7,500 feet in Avon, Colorado. What a gorgeous area. This part of Colorado is filled with many great athletes including young triathletes. I learned quickly how little air there is at that altitude. The start of the race saw temperatures in the 40’s. My normally smooth, quick, transitions proved to be my weakness in Avon. Numb fingers made for a tough time getting my running shoes on and gave me a one minute deficit I couldn’t make up on the run. I was very happy with a second place finish given the challenges of this race. This, by far, is my favorite venue. One special person introduced himself to me at this race. His name is Thomas and he is riding his bike from San Diego, CA to St. Petersburg, FL this summer. He will be doing six IronKids races during his travels across the USA. He is doing this to raise money for the Safe Parking Program. Please check out his website http://site.ttaa.us/. He is an Ironkid!
Next stop…….IronKids Carmel, IN
See you there!
Winter