It feels like I did and Ironman myself. Sun burnt and tired. Off to bed.

Here are some pics from today: What a battle.



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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Gordon Wright/415.561.6266
gordon@outsidepr.com
or visit GUenergy.com

GU Signs Conrad Stoltz

New Energy for “Caveman” and MelRad Racing Team

February 18, 2009, Berkeley, CA – GU Energy Labs is proud to announce that the best male off-road triathlete in history, Conrad Stoltz – known to many as the Caveman – has selected GU as his exclusive sports nutrition supplier. Conrad joins an elite team of GU athletes including Melanie McQuaid, Craig Alexander and Michellie Jones. Stoltz and McQuaid have an impressive history as the top male and female athletes of off-road triathlon – and in 2009 they’ll both seek their fourth World Championship title in XTERRA racing.

A native of South Africa, Stoltz is a two-time Olympian, three-time XTERRA World Champion, five-time All Africa Triathlon Champion, five-time South African Triathlon Champion and he has won the legendary Chicago Triathlon.

Currently based out of Bend, Oregon, the Caveman spends six months in the U.S. racing, two months in Stellenbosch training and three months in Mpumalanga farming with his parents.

Stoltz said, “GU products are universally known as essential gear in the endurance racing community. I’ve been exposed to the brand throughout my XTERRA experience, and am thrilled to join the GU team in an official capacity.”

Visit conradstoltz.com for more details on the Caveman.

GU will serve as the nutrition supplier for MelRad Racing, a team formed in 2008 by Stoltz and McQuaid. They will coach and mentor 20 age group athletes in a variety of events, from cross-country mountain bike competitions to Olympic distance triathlons, with a special focus on XTERRA and Ironman 70.3 races.

McQuaid said, “We want to give these athletes the chance to ride our same bikes, to run in our shoes, to use our training equipment and nutrition and to wear our uniforms, all while having Conrad and myself as their cheerleaders, mentors and coaches. This is our way of giving back to the sport and its participants. Having fun and kicking butt will be MelRad Racing’s main objective!”

The MelRad Racing Team will participate in all stops on the US XTERRA Cup Series, long supported by the GU brand, as well as select stops on the Ironman 70.3 calendar. Most of the team will be focused on the XTERRA National Championships, the XTERRA World Championships and/or the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

In addition, the MelRad Racing Team will hold invitational team camps where non-team members can join professors Stoltz and McQuaid for a concentrated weekend of XTERRA education. To learn more about the MelRad Team and McQuaid log onto racergirl.com.

About GU Energy Labs

GU’s original Energy Gel was launched in 1994 in Berkeley, CA. To this day, GU remains the market leader and the premium gel available to endurance athletes. GU’s product line is designed to provide athletes with scientificallyproven, performance-tested nutrition. For more information about GU, log onto GUenergy.com.

photo by Rich Cruse

Chrissie Wellington had a flat, spent 10 mins fixing it and still won by 15 min. Amazing – she caught many of the pro men on the run including my Pilot Butte Burger eating buddy Matt Lieto.

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For what its worth… I’m not an Ironman expert, but I personally know many of the top male contenders from the years of racing short course.

Andy Potts

I trained with Andy at the Olympic Training Center. He arrived fat and unfit – just starting his tri career 2 years after barely missing the US Olympic swimming team. Andy is a great guy, but he had no respect for reputations and limitations. He says he is just here to “see”. Its his 1st Ironman, he will race from the front, and together with a number of very strong cyclists (Larsen, Sinballe, Stadler) they could blow those drafting runners out the water. Andy has a strong head, but he is a big guy, this place is hot and it has reduced great short course champions to rubble. (Simon Lessing, Macca)

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