Two of my boys ended the season on pretty high notes and I'm both super proud of them and really excited about where we're headed in 2011. I might even be more excited than they are right now as they are both basking in the well earned glow of reaching their (lofty) goals and taking some time to recover physically and mentally from the efforts.
Mike Festa and Mike Hebe wrapped up their seasons with a second place overall finish in the MAC Men's B competition and by snapping up the last Kona qualifying spot in the Cozumel IronMan for men 40-44, respectively.
Festa built his MAC success on consistent high placings from the start of the season through the last race and in the process grabbed a win at Granogue. Perhaps even more impressive was that this November success came at the end of a season that saw Mike take on some big challenges including riding extremely well at the Trans-Sylvania Epic in May and making a strong run at Battenkill Roubaix in April that had him in the final selection at the end of "America's Hardest One Day Race." Coming into form for three events in one season is no mean feat that takes work ethic and mental toughness and a solid plan.
Festa in action:
Festa on the Bald Eagle Coburn stage of Trans-Sylvania, courtesy Abe Landes Photography
Festa riding the steps at Granogue on the way to victory. Captured by Scott Hendrickson.
And speaking of mental toughness, Hebe could be the proverbial picture in the dictionary defining the term. His season was highlighted by some great performances in TTs, Tris and a Aquathon, but what was really impressive was his commitment to training. Hebe didn't race a lot this year and really very little after making the decision late in summer to make the run at IM Cozumel. In fact, the longest triathlon Hebe raced since returning to tris in prep for his assault - again, not just to finish the damn thing, but to qualify for Kona - was an Olympic distance event. As any IMer will tell you that marathon at the end of the day is the real killer. Hebe prepped for Cozumel on the strength of his very focused approach to training. He went out and did what was needed and through strength of mind - both in belief of his ability to compete and in his willingness to train as hard (or harder) than he needed to race - grabbed that last qualifying spot for Kona.
As an aside, the other very cool bit is that way way back in the day Hebe took a shot at Kona and just missed. He decided that at that point in his life he needed to focus on his career and turned to road, cross and mountain bike racing for 20 years. In less than two years he's made a return to multisport racing and now we're building to the World Championships. That's a good story, but it ain't finished. Now to the "Kona Here We Come" plan.
Crossing the finish in Mexico. On to Kona.
Here's a little interview with Hebe, who has also organized the MAC and PA 'Cross series the past several years about all this stuff - http://www.cxmagazine.com/macs-iron-mike-hebe-trials-series-director
Nice work fellas,
Coach
