MULTISPORT TEAM
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EVENTS CALENDAR 2009
Longmont Triathlon weekend was May 30-31st. We had a great time sharing information about sun safety with the community. We had hundreds of kids and adults sampling sunscreen from Kinesys, an oil and alcohol free sunscreen with broad spectrum sun protection. Soon you will be able to purchase Kinesys sunscreen from our website. Check our MM store for details.
We shared tons of info, pictures and stories with the community about skin cancer & melanoma. We met skin cancer & melanoma survivors from all over Colorado. We also met some curious kids from the community, who had questions and comments about the powerful sun.
Our Triathlon team participated in the Adult Triathlon on Sunday May 31st. The weather was perfect! No rain! A litte hot though, so a lot of sunscreen, hats and sunglasses were used.
Happy to report that each team member had a fantastic event, no flat tires, no major issues, no injuries and we all improved our overall times from last year. All team members were listed in the Times Call paper under the top 100 male and top 100 female finishers. Way to go Melanoma Militia!
Check out our race results below & see our pictures from our team booth & of course pictures of us during the race.
Special thanks to Cindy K. for sponsoring our team booth. And Great Harvest Bread Co. of Longmont for donating yummy Oatmeal Raisin cookies & Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies for our team members. They hit the spot after all that hard work!
Relay for Life at Roosevelt Park June 19th, 2009. Photos will be available soon. We walked and walked and then walked some more. We had a team of 6 walking together for about 4 hours. 2 of us survivors and the others for support! We had a few curious folks ask about our team. Great response about the name we chose and a thumbs up for finally bringing attention and awareness to this under funded and under researched form of cancer. I walked in honor of my Dad who is currently under treatment for a recurrence of melanoma, stage IV. Our next event is Roger's River Run in Longmont on July 11th.
Roger's River Run at Roger's Grove Park July 11th, 2009. Bitter Sweet. Saturday 4 members of Melanoma Militia participated in this fun, fast 3.2 mile run. Happy to report that I pushed myself hard and ran at a pace faster than I thought capable of. I placed 3rd out of 35 finishers in my age/sex division. Overall I was 24th out of 257 women finishers. My husband Brian had a great race as well. He placed 58th overall out of 204 men finishers. Two other members, Nicole and Madilyn participated together and did a walk/run version of the race. Nicole was struggling with severe leg cramps that day, but she and Madilyn pushed on and finished the 3.2 miles together.
Sadly, later that afternoon we got a call from my mom, who was concerned about my Dad's health. My Dad, 65 years old had been fighting stage IV meatastatic melanoma since the end of May this year. A recurrance from 4 years ago. My husband and I rushed to my parents home to find my Dad very dehydrated and unable to leave from his chair. An ambulance arrived and they said he needed to go to the Hospital. After 3 hours of blood tests, ultra sounds and xrays, we learned he had a life threatening situation that would require surgery. A hole in his abdomen was leaking air into it. An hour into the surgery to repair the hole, we learned from the surgeon that my Dad had over 200 golf ball sized tumors in his abdomen, liver, kidneys...he said he could not sew cancer cells to cancer cells to heal the hole. Nothing he could do but make my Dad as comfortable as possible and let God take over. So that is what we did. We cried, we prayed, and had family and friends in and out of ICU at Longmont United Hospital until my Dad passed away on Sunday July 12, 2009. The past couple of weeks have been very difficult to say the least, but at least he is not suffering any longer. Thank you for your continued support of Melanoma Militia as we move forward and continue on with our mission.
Stay active and keep fighting!
-Shari MM Director/Survivor
My Way or The Tri Way July 25, 2009 at Aurora Reservoir Brian and I were the only team members for this race. We got lost for about 20 minutes on our way to the reservoir, because mapquest gave us the wrong exit #!!! Luckily we had an internet connection on our phone and used google maps to get back on the road in the right direction to the race site.
Brian did the traditional Swim (1/2 mile), Bike (14miles) and Run (3.5miles) triathlon. He did great with an overall place of 69th out of 260 finishers. 13th out of 23 in his age division and 56th of 143 men. His time was 1:36:53! We had wonderful cloud coverage, so it was not too hot. But we put on tons of sunscreen before the big start, because you can get sunburned even on a cloudy day!
The thought of racing that day, felt strange to me, like being in a dream. I felt guilty for doing something normal (and fun) for myself just 13 short days after my Dad passing. But I told myself this race was in memory of my Dad, and I kept up my mantra (you are a fighter, keep fighting, just keep moving) through all three legs of the race. I chose the Run (3.5miles) Bike (14miles) and then Run again (3.5miles) order of the race. I was the first overall female finisher of the duathlon with a time of 1:49:44. 1st out of 21 females and 8th overall out of 36 finishers. I guess I took all that sadness and anger and used it out on the course that day! I got an award and gift certificate (my first ever). I am a fighter. Next race is the Indian Peaks Xterra Off Road Triathlon and La Sportiva 10k Trail Run on August 1st.
Xterra Indian Peaks Off-Road Triathlon & La Sportiva 10k Trail Run at Eldora Resort August 1, 2009 Wow! What a chilly morning at 9200 feet elevation. Shari enjoyed a scenic and challenging trail run in the beautiful Colorado mountians. Although she was still recovering from her victory at My Way or The Tri Way (injured lower back and right hip) this did not stop her from participating. Started in the middle of the pack and worked her way past other competitors. Tons of friendly faces on the trail that chilly morning.
Brian and Jeff bravely battled the Xterra off road triathlon. The open water temperature was only about 60 degrees that morning. They sucked it up and bravely swam 1000m in the cold water. Then raced on the slippery and challenging mountain bike course (it rained a ton the night before) and then finished with an almost 5 mile trail run. We all enjoyed a post race beer from Avery Brewery, that really hit the spot!
Fat Tire Off Road Triathlon at Horse Tooth Reservoir August 30, 2009
Brian, Jeff and Lysa had a great race day. Nice weather, really fun course and a new challenging trail run a lot different from the 2006 Fat Tire Tri we had all previously participated in. The race took a 3 year break and came back with a new race director who did an excellent job! Lysa had a great race this year, compared to the 2006 race where she had gotten a flat tire and had fell off her bike, and had to finish the race with broken rear brakes (or lack of rear brakes) during the first loop of the bike portion. 2010 she came in first place in her division and even won a beer mug trophy! (empty though:o(...overall great day for all racers and teamates.
Dakota Five-O Fifty Mile Single Track Mountain Bike Race, Ride & Tour in Spearfish South Dakota September 6th, 2009
Brian grew up in Spearfish, SD and Labor day weekend we got our butts kicked by the black hills of South Dakota! Whew! Shari and Brian braved the single track course that covered the lollipop loop of the Northern Black Hills, Tinton Trail, Old Baldy Trail, Crangle Connection etc. Shari was offered a "free" mountain bike rental from Bike N Hike in Longmont, CO by owner Rick to use in SD for the race weekend. A bike that retails for over $1700...Shari was afraid that if she broke the bike or it got stolen she couldn't replace that kind of $. SO Shari decided to use the Mountain bike her Dad bought her at a garage sale (a Walmart or Target Brand) for $50. This mountain bike meant a lot to her since her Dad had passed a couple of months prior. The bike weighs a ton! It comes with grip shifters (gears that shift in the handle bar grip). It has a full suspension, however the gears do not switch over when you want them to. Shari endured 9 hours and 2 minutes of He@* and was so happy to be alive at the end of the race. In the first 7 mile stretch of the trail she flipped over her handle bars on a washed out area of the trail when her tire got stuck in between two rocks and another particpant was following behind her way too close and almost collided with her. But she shook it off and kept going. Most of the race she rode alone , as Brian finished a good 2.5 hours ahead of her on his bike. Brian and Shari both witnessed riders of all ages and abilities falling off their bikes on slippery streams or logs, Brian watched as one guy actually ran into a tree and broke his nose, Shari saw a gal who had passed out on the trail from heat exhaustion and dehydration. During the first 2 miles of the race a climb up a gravel rode was causing riders bike chains to break. Bummer! There were lots of aid stations along the way to help you refuel. Brian's favorite stop was the last stop before the 12 mile stretch to the finish line. The official PBR and Bacon Station stop. Shari was promised when she signed up for this thing that there would be one PBR with her name on it at the stop. NO such luck, as riders who came to the stop hours ahead of her...decided it was ok to down 2 or 3 PBR's instead of their "one". By the time she got to the stop they offered her a half drank beer (hot beer) that had been touched by many other mouths...yuck! They were out of water, and the Bacon was covered in Flies Gross! So she had to push on by herself the last 12 miles of single track without fuel or water. Navigating on the way back was a bit confusing at times, but she managed to figure it out and cross the finish line! Shari did not finish last overall there were a lot of riders (men and women) who came in after her. Brian had a fantastic day finishing in 6 hours and 39 minutes. They both looked like they had been run over by a mud truck but were happy with their accomplishment and thankful that they did not have any flat tires on the trail (a lot of flat tires for other riders that day;) or any major injuries. Both enjoyed a tasty beer from a local brewery after the race. What a fantastic and terrifying experience.
Boulder Marathon Full Marathon 26.2 miles on the Boulder, CO backroads on 9/20/09
Yes, thats right Brian and Shari are crazier yet. Just 2 short weeks after their 50 mile single track mountian bike race, they decided to participate in the Boulder Marathon! This was Brian's first full marathon. Shari's 2nd full Boulder Marathon and 3rd full marathon overall. Beautiful weather for a 26.2 mile run! Brian and Shari started the race together, and kept a 10 minute mile pace for the first 1/2 of the race. Mile 18 fatigue set in and joints started tightening for both. The aid stations were low on water that day, so it was a little frustrating at times. It was hot! This is a really gorgeous course, that is a little easier on your body because about 80% of the course in on dirt roads. We met some nice folks along the way. Around mile 21 Brian decided that he was gonna finish before Shari and tried to "ditch her" he kept looking back and at one point they were about a mile apart. Brian had turned on his music and got in the groove. Shari turned her music on around mile 22 and it gave her that second wind that was desperately needed. She managed to catch up to Brian who said that he had slowed down a bit to "wait" for her. The last 2.2 miles Shari and Brian traded off first place. The last aid station was equipped with M&M's candy, but once you stop after running for hours, it is soooo difficult to get going again. Your legs litterally feel like they will snap at the knee and fall off. Shari skipped the candy and picked up the pace. In the final stretch (the finish line chute) Brian was slightly ahead of Shari, but Shari made sure to close the gap as much as possible and sprinted the last 1/4 mile to almost catch Brian and finished a mere 10 SECONDS behind Brian. Shari needs to start finishing faster because yet again they were out of food!!!!!!!! With a 4 hour and 41 minute (26.2miles) under their belts, the food was gone! There are always more 1/2 marathoners than there are full marathoners. Obviously 13.2 miles takes less time to run and so all the halfers ate all the food! (with the exception of the elite full marathoners and regulars). They did manage to talk one of the sponsors into giving them a free pizza that they were actually charging spectators for. As long as they didn't tell. So they enjoyed conversation, pizza, beer responsibly and listened to some really great bluegrass. Brian did awesome for his first marathon!
TEAM race results
Date Race Div Place Member Time
2011 Results
6/5/2011 31st Longmont Triathlon F35-39 7 Shari Ellwanger 1:26:35
525yd Swim 12Mile Bike 3.2Mile Run
6/5/2011 31st Longmont Triathlon M35-39 9 Brian Ellwanger 1:20:47
525yd Swim 12Mile Bike 3.2Mile Run
6/5/2011 31st Longmont Triathlon M30-34 9 Jeff Burianek 1:22:59
6/5/2011 31st Longmont Triathlon
F35-39 8 Lysa Burianek 1:26:40
2010 Results
07/2010 Rogers River Run Longmont 3.2mile run M35-39 9 Brian Ellwanger 27:00
07/2010 Rogers River Run Longmont 3.2mile run F35-39 3 Shari Ellwanger 24:12
06/2010 30th Longmont Triathlon M35-39 13 Brian Ellwanger 1:20:12
06/2010 30th Longmont Triathlon F35-39 10 Shari Ellwanger 1:26:12
2009 Results
9/20/09 Boulder Marathon Full M35-39 28 Brian Ellwanger 4:40:54
26.2 Miles
9/20/09 Boulder Marathon Full F35-39 11 Shari Ellwanger 4:41:04
26.2 Miles
9/20/09 Oktoberfest Sprint Triathlon M30-34 6 Jeff Burianek 1:18:28
9/20/09 Oktoberfest Sprint Triathlon F30-34 6 Lysa Burianek 1:22:43
9/6/09 Dakota Five-O Fifty Mile Off Road M30-39 83 Brian Ellwanger 6:39:10
Bike Race South Dakota
9/6/09 Dakota Five-O Fifty Mile Off Road F30-39 13 Shari Ellwanger 9:02:43
Bike Race South Dakota
8/30/09 Fat Tire Off Road Tri M35-39 10 Brian Ellwanger 2:14:34
8/30/09 Fat Tire Off Road Tri F30-34 1 Lysa Burianek 2:27:31
8/30/09 Fat Tire Off Road Tri M30-34 21 Jeff Burianek 2:20:47
8/1/09 Eldora 10k Trail Run F30-39 15 Shari Ellwanger 1:07:01
8/1/09 Xterra Indian Peaks OffRoad Tri M30-34 20 Jeff Burianek 2:45:41
8/1/09 Xterra Indian Peaks OffRoad Tri M35-39 27 Brian Ellwanger 2:53:47
7/25/09 My Way or The Tri Way Aurora Reservoir F35-39 1 Shari Ellwanger 1:49:44
Run 3.5miles/Bike 14miles/Run 3.5miles
7/25/09 My Way or The Tri Way Aurora Reservoir M35-39 13 Brian Ellwanger 1:36:53
Swim 1/2mile/Bike 14miles/Run 3.5miles
7/11/09 Roger's River Run Longmont 3.2 Mile Run F35-39 3 Shari Ellwanger 25:01
Overall 24/257 women
7/11/09 Roger's River Run Longmont 3.2 Mile Run M35-39 11 Brian Ellwanger 24:20
7/11/09 Roger's River Run Longmont 3.2 Mile Run/Walk F30-34 35 Nicole R. 58:04
7/11/09 Roger's River Run Longmont 3.2 Mile Run/Walk F11-14 11 Madilyn P. 58:04
5/31/09 29th Longmont Triathlon 525ydSwim 12MileBike 5kRun M35-39 13 Brian Ellwanger 1:14:10
Overall Plc 76/389 SexPlc 57/180
5/31/09 29th Longmont Triathlon 525ydSwim 12MileBike 5kRun F30-34 10 Lysa Burianek 1:21:28
Overall Plc 148/389 SexPlc 44/191
5/31/09 29th Longmont Triathlon 525ydSwim 12MileBike 5kRun M30-34 12 Jeff Burianek 1:22:03
Overall Plc 156/389 SexPlc 101/180
5/31/09 29th Longmont Triathlon 525ydSwim 12MileBike 5kRun F45-49 8 Debra Ipsen-Jones 1:23:59
Overall Plc 176/389 SexPlc 56/191
5/31/09 29th Longmont Triathlon 525ydSwim 12MileBike 5kRun F35-39 21 Shari Ellwanger 1:28:09
Overall Plc 233/389 SexPlc 85/191
5/9/09 Battle The Bear at Bear Crk Lake 10 Mile Mtn Bike BegM 5 Mike Stahlman 52:50.2
5/9/09 Battle The Bear at Bear Crk Lake 10 Mile Mtn Bike BegF 4 Mary Rose 1:05:41
Team training
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Team membership drive the months of June & July 2009
If you know of anyone that may want to join our team and help us raise awareness of skin cancer & melanoma, please ask them to email us at MelanomaMilitia@gmail.com That way we can email them a membership packet for their review.
Congratulations to Mike and Mary for their hard work in the Battle The Bear Mountain Bike Race. Even though Mike's bike chain broke on the way to the start, this did not stop him from participating and having a great time! A bike mechanic at the race took out a link on the chain, which made it a little harder on the course. Both Mary and Mike started their races late, but still had strong finishes! Way to go team Melanoma Militia!
Team Member Discount Cards have arrived!!
Thanks,
Shari-MM
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