I
first heard about this epic race in 2007. It sounded scary then with all the
dirt roads. This year the course was changed a little and added some mileage:
Total of 62 hilly miles with 12+ miles of dirt/gravel roads spread throughout
the course. Though I have years of triathlon/running/duathlon experience, I am
fairly new to bike racing! It is very exciting I must say! I have no mountain
biking experience and I am sure that would’ve helped ease my nerves on the dirt!
I knew I must relax on the dirt descents and if I hit the brakes, I must do so
carefully and focus on the right (rear) brake! I was very psyched for the race
but a bit nervous!
At the race start I was ready to rock! The beginning of the course is
paved. Early in the race, we pass through the ‘legendary’ Battenkill bridge
house! The dirt/gravel roads greet us quickly! The steep hills in the loose dirt
were quite challenging…. but AWESOME! I felt amazing on the up hills and got in
a breakaway with about 15 other women! On the down hills I was more nervous than
the others and let them go ahead a little. Then after each dirt descent, I had
to ‘Time trial’ to catch up….A waste of precious energy but I felt safer. A
little after the second feed station (mile 42) the craziest hills came!
The next series of dirt descents created
a gap between the lead group and me. Then we hit some paved roads again and I
hammered to catch them! I caught the lead group on the last and I believe
steepest dirt climb. Then there were 5 of us leading. We pushed in the last
miles to keep our gap. Some other riders from fields that started earlier than
our field were on the road and we had to be careful maneuvering around them. It
also was raining a little during the last miles of the race. After the last turn
into the finish I was in 5th position. I was going to sprint to the
right but there were people there from an earlier field so then I went left. I
threw the bike at the line and thought I was 3rd! I am very happy I
was 4th in my first try at this Epic Race. I highly recommend
training on hilly dirt roads to prepare for this race! There were several
accidents and I hope all heal quickly and are back on their bikes ASAP.
Saturday, April 18th is a day I will always remember!
Donna McMahon
Coach Donna! USAT Certified Triathlon Coach, USA Cycling Certified
Coach,
Certified Personal Trainer, and Certified Core Instructor.
Racing,
training, learning….loving it all!!!J
I
cannot put into the words the feeling of accomplishment when dedication and
perseverance is put into working towards a goal. That goal could be completing a
mile, 5K, ½ marathon, marathon, duathlon, Sprint triathlon, Ironman, cycling
race, or anything in between!
I coach
athletes of all levels from beginners to top finishers. Honestly
one of the greatest joys in my life is to help people achieve his/her goals. I
love racing and I love coaching. My thirst for knowledge keeps me learning about
all aspects of training on an ongoing basis.
I train
and have been very successful coaching athletes with and without a power meter,
or Heart rate monitor; My only requirement is to be honest with me and give me
feedback
on each workout. I tailor programs for each individual’s needs and goals based on
feedback on each workout, sickness, missed workouts, and other
stressors…
I will ‘tweak’ the upcoming workouts to best fit the athlete and his/her needs.
I have been commended on my genuine caring and individual attention I give to
each athlete.
CORE
Proper
core training is invaluable for an athlete of any level to reach his or her
potential as well as for injury prevention. For core instruction, I like to give one-on-one
classes mostly because it is VITAL that the exercises I teach are done with strict
form in order to ensure top effectiveness
and safety!
I teach several routines but have one that an athlete can do in less than 15
minutes and
I guarantee that he will feel more than conventional methods (sit ups, crunches,
etc,) and is much more effective!
As a client you will receive premium coaching, achieve uncommon results, and you
will find that my rates are very competitive.Donna's Core Picture Compilation
Info about me!
I have been active
all my life including playing baseball (hardball!), handball, basketball, horseback riding, running, cycling, swimming, and
strength training.
The teams I have been
on include Little League (I was the only girl!), an adult baseball team called
the Americans (2001) where I was the only woman (pitched and played first base
usually), Equestrian Team in College, running teams, triathlon teams and now - Radical Media Cycling Team! I love
a challenge and pushing myself!
I have been competing
in running races since 1991 and triathlons since 1992. My first Ironman was The
Ironman World Championship in Kona in 1997. I have done a total of 12 Ironman
Distance races including 2 in Kona andbecame a Professional Triathlete in 2000.
I have won several5k’s, 10k’s, ½ marathons,marathons, duathlons, Sprint,
Olympic, and ½ Ironman distance races. I have Two top 5 finishes in and Ironman
Distance races (2nd in The Great Floridian and 4th in
Ironman Florida). Some of my specific
race results and stories are listed on the website!
Last year I
started doing some bike racing and raced at the Empire State Games (which one
has to qualify for). It was 4 amazing days of racing where I earned a Gold medal and 2 bronze medals. My
year started off great this year with a 2nd place
finish in the Grant’s Tomb Criterium in NYC, 1st
place at Branch Brook Spring
Series Race in NJ,
and 4th place at
The Tour of The Battenkill! Battenkill Race Report
I have had a few
injuries throughout my career and know how hard it is to deal with
mentally. I have learned through reading and experience methods to help myself,
or an athlete I am coaching, to cope and make a strong comeback! I had foot
surgery late last year and recovery is going great and I am psyched for a great
year! I feel better than I have in years!
