Don't Mess with Our Pumpkins

Your favorite rammies just finished up a spectacular fall season! The early morning swims and Bingham hill repeats paid off, as the girl's team finished the season in the lead of the Mountain Collegiate Conference with 200 pts, and the guys are in a close third place with 180 pts. High fives for everyone, especially those who changed their first flats, learned what "brick" means, and survived racing open water.

Congrats to this very smart, very athletic, very coordinated bunch

In September, the team competed at Oktoberfest Triathlon in Longmont. This was a fun and fast course, and CSU had 9 new triathletes and 100% finish rate! Some guys and gals raced had the opportunity to race draft legal, with the girl's team coming away as the Collegiate Club DL Champs!

First DL race ever, and Megan wins. NBD

There were many fantastic moments captured by our awesome photographer, Eric Forbes. When Eric's around, you really gotta be careful with the faces you make.

Carter trying out his new lady-charmer goggles (and flexing)

Katrina annoyed (and charmed) by Carter's ridiculous goggles

Neil thinking about Kin's favorite food

"My pre-race handshake with imaginary Peanut Butter boosts my mental game"
-Grayson

The Red Feather camping trip was a fun and successful bonding experience. On Friday, a few adventurous (and rather dumb) rams tried to bike 50 miles up to the lakes in the rain and fog but had to be rescued. On Saturday we went on a beautiful run, learned about bow hunting, ate some delicious smores, swing danced, and rescued a dear friend from the fire. The highlight of the trip was the trek up to Disappointment Falls, which lived up to its name!

When your friend steps into a campfire and doesn't step out

Natalie the breadwinner

Is Ian 28 or 78? Boom, roasted!

The team traveled to Boulder City, NV for the final conference race of the season, Pumpkinman! While our pumpkins may have been destroyed in T2 and our legs destroyed shortly before that, we had lots of successful races and many smiling finishers. And despite injury and sickness, our ladies came away as champs and guys finished 3rd. S/o to Hayley for her fantastic podium finish (2nd overall), and to Ian for being up $40 at one point! 

Kate is well on her way to earning that pumpkin pie!

Erik doesn't yet know that he's about to lose $150 to Hoover Dam security

Finally, please remember these messages from Coach Mace (presented by Sophia):

"It's always better to undertrain"

"This team does not believe in carb loading"

Ian is Buying Tacos Soon

The season is underway! We started off with a kicker at Boulder Sunset. Only one week into the school year seems a bit unfair to race an olympic triathlon, don’t you think? But despite 2 very flat tires and a lost travel coordinator, our team came away with a conference victory for the first time in ram history. Congrats to Ian for snagging the overall W on the male side, to Hayley and Meg for going 2-3 overall on the female side, and to Katrina for winning the female 20-24 age group!

Ian is feeling lucky that Shea got a flat

Team Husband was happy to see Hayley's smile atop this podium

Good thing Katrina didn't follow Carter's directions on the bike

Is this Ian holding up the "I Love You" sign for Shea to see? Does Ian love Shea? Did Ian pop Shea's tire?

Other notable races of the summer were Age Group Nationals and Ironman Boulder 70.3. Age group nationals showed our team that we are pretty good, but our coaches are even better. Huge congrats to Tess and Mace for winning their age groups! Other amazing performances include our very own Shea Butter winning the 15-19 age group (damn!) and Hayley Belles with two podium finishes, two days in a row (also damn!) Shout out to Grant, Ian, Molly, Makena, and Neil for racing the 70.3. While everyone’s race was very impressive, it was extra impressive that after Grant raced, he spent the night recovering on Pearl Street and still managed to place 4th at the Adelante 5k the next day. He could’ve won, but says “The ironman made me tired”. 

When Shea's gf says "come over"

Grant proves the popular theory that wearing Sperry's (now banned) is an unfair 5k advantage

Aside from triathlon, our team is pretty neat. Katrina, Grant, and Carter conquered the hardest 14er in Colorado, Capitol Peak. Josh cycled with the Air Force Cycling Team across Iowa to help fix broken bikes. Kin self deported himself back to Hong Kong, which is sad but not surprising. Many of our teammates improved their rock climbing, hiking, and scuba diving skills while becoming renowned world-explorers, of both land and sea.

Carter leads the way on a seemingly casual and easy hike

Sarah is ready to explore the deep sea, proving that not all fish are born with gills

Grayson, backpacking all alone

Miranda, getting sendy

The dearly missed Sierra Dinges, traversing a dangerous river

Father-son road trip. At what age will Shea be allowed to choose his own outfits?

Coming up we have Oktoberfest (only half the distance!!) and our team camping trip to Red Feather Lakes. And of course, Tuesday night Tacos (on Ian's Wildlife Tri victory dolla dolla bills).

Grant Haley stages of thinking about tacos:

"Yo Ian you're a homie for buying me tacos"

"I am very very happy. Tacos are my favorite food besides Halo Top and La Croix"

"Oh shoot I am supposed to be studying something"

"Come here taco. Mmmm"

Memories and Save the Bees

As we change our calendars to 2018 and fill our lives with resolutions and fresh starts, it is beneficial to take a moment to reflect on what made 2017 one for the books. Join us in a trip down memory lane, you might want to bring some tissues.

Winter Training Camp

The team post run, looking thirsty as ever.

Within the first few days of January the whole team drove down to Tuscon Arizona for the University of Arizona's Training Camp. Throughout this 1,928 mile trek, we cleaned the local supermarket fresh out of sweet potatoes, learned just how many people can fit in a hot tub, and only got pulled over once.

One of our first workouts entailed ascending the infamous Mount Lemmon. The 7,300 foot climb left us all pretty wrecked, but some of us more than others. In what was supposed to be a victorious summit picture, Katrina Lems' body failed her. The bike-above-head pic (a right of passage for many avid cyclists) proved to be too much for Katrina's debilitated arms. In an unfortunate series of events, her bike came crashing down.  Pictured below, you can see the moment it all went south.

Katrina ruining the moment

The saving grace, however, was provided by Nimblewear, keeping the team looking snazzy in every moment, good and bad.

From the top of the LaCroix tower to the bottom of the pool, this year's University of Arizona Training camp was full of highs and lows, and we relish in every altitude.

Kiley Dindinger, our trusty architect, constructing a beverage monument. 

Pumpkinman

In October of last year the team competed in the Pumpkinman Triathlon in Boulder City, Nevada. The race proved to be less spooky than the name let on. Despite the hilly course, most competitors found themselves making the same face as Makena Ingham when we told her we were having mac and cheese for dinner.

For example:

Ian King, downright overjoyed.

Neil Lovell, excited to saddle up his two-wheeled friend.

Grayson Barber, throwing up some sort of gang sign.

Nick Johnston, thinking about how cute bees are.

And then remembering that they're dying at an alarming rate.

Although some looks may be deceiving, Pumpkinman was absolutely a standout in the highlight reel of 2017 and we look forward to competing again this year.

Green Events

We love that Green Events allows us to help out with local races. Their eco-friendly approach to race coordination is unmatched and the lighthearted, easygoing atmosphere makes for a fun and memorable experience. Not to mention the guarantee of a dog-rich environment at every event. This month we helped out/raced the Front Range Freeze 5k and the canine turnout did not disappoint. Here are some photos to commemorate that wonderful day:

In Conclusion:

Daisy, Scratch Labs, MP Multisport, what more could you want?

But let us not forget the most important pup of all, our loyal mascot Miss Daisy. Through thick and thin she is there for us, supporting and inspiring. Witnessing her accompany Laila on runs with legs of her size proves that you really can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Let us approach this new year with the courage and tenacity exemplified so consistently by Daisy. In a world so big and full of opportunity, it is only appropriate to make the most of every moment.

RAM IT!