OutRival Racing has been tearing it up at the Cyclocross Races in Texas! Mikey Benes, Connor Barry, Raul Luzardo, Brandon Barber, and Coach Nathan Winkelmann have have had some incredible races this Cyclocross season.
Mikey Benes has raced over 5 Cyclocross races and finished in the top 10 of most of them. Brandon Barber raced the Texas State Championship in the Cat 3 division, and finished 21st place.
Connor Barry and Raul Luzardo raced the Texas State Age-Based Championship in the Woodlands on December 18th, and had great experiences (and stayed upright the entire race?!).
Coach Nathan Winkelmann raced the Texas State Category Championship on Saturday in Houston and finished 4th overall in the Single Speed division and 15th overall in the Pro/1/2 division.

12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc

Congrats to Liz Baugher and Coach Matt Hemberger for big PRs at the BCS Half Marathon in Bryan College Station. Liz ran 1:27:42, or 6:42 min/mile pace and finished FIRST OVERALL female (and 7th overall finisher!) at this race. This was over a 4 minute personal best for Liz at this distance. Coach Matt ran 1:35:16, or 7:16 min/mile pace, which was also a personal best! Way to run!!

Liz Baugher

Liz (on right) and friend

12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc

Congrats to Leslie Dupuy and Nicolle Mallette for great racing at the RunGirl Half Marathon last weekend. Leslie ran a 1:53:01, or 9:01 min/mile pace for 13.1 miles. She finished 5th in her AG! Nicole raced with a friend on the "Prego Runners" relay team. Nicole ran 9:01 min/mile pace for half of the race, and together they finished in 1:59:30. Way to run ladies!

Nicole (on right) and pal, Team Prego Runners

12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc

Congrats to Blake Henning and for great running at the Sugarland 30K race. Blake ran the event in 3:01:20, or 9:41 min/mile pace. Next up for Blake is the Houston Marathon!

12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc

Congrats to Woodie Zachry for a big marathon PR at the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Despite cold and rainy conditions, Woodie was able to run a 19-minute personal best in 3:50:58. Way to run, Woodie!!!! Below is an excerpt from Woodie's awesome race report:

"...The lake portion was brutal; too much wind, relentless rain. Eight miles after I felt on top of the world at mile 13.1, reality set in that I was cold and tired. The wall. Was this what everyone talked about? I had never felt this miserable on a run. I had hydrated and used nutrition at regular intervals, but felt tired.My body probably needed more fuel to keep warm on top of run. As I grabbed a chocolate goo pack, I realized I was focusing on negative thoughts – cold, tight muscles, fatigue. So much of running is mental, and fear and doubt are killers. I rummaged through memories and began thinking of my happiest moments: My first date with my wife, our wedding day, my son medaling in Tae kwon Do, my son defining honor from the back seat of the car as we drove to dinner, my sons wanting to train like Dad to become Ironkids – so many positive thoughts. Though the next three miles were the hardest, but my body found a groove. Mile 24 I had a second wind. I took in the crowd and fed off the energy, The last quarter mile I sprinted. Crossing the finish line, I grabbed a thermal wrap and walked for the first time in about 4 hours. I checked my watch – 3:50:58. I had just shaved 19 minutes off my personal best. Over congratulations and a beer in the runner warm up area I had a funny thought that made me smile. In six weeks at Chevron I will run 3:40, and in May, God willing, I will be an Ironman.Thanks Karen, I have completely bought into this now."

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12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc

Congrats to all the OutRival Racing Athletes who ran the Las Vegas Half Marathon last weekend. This huge event is held on a Sunday evening down the Vegas Strip. Several ORR athletes raced, and the results are below. Many of them, however, also lost some money post-race. But, we can't blog about that. Whatever happens in Vegas...

Shannon Butkus, 2:15:27
Sandra Braniff, 2:07:08
Melissa Rothe, 1:40:40, PR!!!
Shane Clotiaux, 1:43:51

Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon

Melissa Rothe, post PR!

12/15/2011 | | Michelle LeBlanc