Check out Runner Triathlete News November Cover!

See anyone you know?

Yes, that's our very own Finish Strong Coach Dana Lyons pictured on cover of November Runner Triathlete News. He is shown behind Andrew Strong, but ended up winning the race. Woo hoo!!

NXN South Regionals

The Woodlands High School girls team finished second Saturday at the NXN South Regional Meet at Bear Branch Sports Field earning them entry to Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on December 4.

The Lady Highlanders finished one point behind South Lake Carroll who earned the first berth to NXN with 116 points. Maddie McLellan (18th, 18:54.17), Hannah Novelli (24th, 19:07.25), Katie Willard (28th, 19:10.25), Ashley Guidot (49th, 19:31.16), Margo Lyons (59th, 19:42.58), Colleen Murray (80th, 20:07.17), and Anna Lyons (110th, 20:33.72) made up the Lady Highlanders' second team to qualify for NXN in three years.

Seniors Margo Lyons and Colleen Murray enjoyed going to nationals in their sophomore year and are excited to return to Nike Cross Nationals for the second time in their high school career. All the girls are excited -- and their parents are, too!!

Run through the Woods

The popular Thanksgiving "Run Through the Woods" race took place in The Woodlands again this year. 5,000 runners started their day either racing in the 5 mile race, teen 3 mile race, or kids' 1 mile race. Among them was Finish Strong Sharon Morin who placed 2nd among women's masters.

Jackie Lewis and her daughter, Taylor, also raced. Jackie ran the 5 mile race in 40:45 and placed 8th in her AG; Taylor ran the 3 mile in 24:18 and placed 4th in her AG.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ironman Arizona

Tempe, Arizona was the sight for Ironman Arizona where Team FSR and Finish Strong athletes - Clint Bryant, Greg Gibbons, and Michael Collins took on this difficult endurance feat all three competing in the competitive 35-39 age group.

Experienced Ironman Michael Collins who has competed in Ironman Arizona numerous times finished the race in 11:10:22. He swam the first leg in 1:20:19, biked the course in 5:35:59 (20 mph pace), and concluded the final marathon run averaging 9:18 per mile for the event.

Close behind Michael was Greg Gibbons who finished the race in 11:11:43. Greg swam 1:09:35, biked a 5:37:18 (19.92 mph pace), and averaged 9:38/mile on the final marathon.

First-time Ironman Clint Bryant finished the race in 11:30:31. Clint swam a 1:17:10, biked a 5:34:05 (20.1 mph pace), and averaging 10:19 per mile for the final marathon.

Congrats to Clint, Greg, and Michael! You earned a big slice of pumpkin pie!

Free Mental Training Worship for Ironman Competitors

Join Adrienne Langelier, MA, a Woodlands-based Sport Psychology Consultant, counselor, and endurance athlete who will lead participants through a different type of “workout”. She is offering a free 90-minute seminar titled "The Mental Ironman: In Preparation for Ironman Texas and Beyond" on Thursday, December 2 from 7-8:30 at the South Regional Library located at 2101 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands.

San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Shani, Clare, Jenn, Alison, Ursula, Courtney, Laurel complete the San Antonio Rock & Roll Half Marathon!

On Sunday, November 14, San Antonio Rock & Roll Half Marathon was the place to be for Finish Strong coached athletes Shani Monk, Clare Winstanley, Alison Paff, Laurel Cutter, Courtney Meyers, Ursula Blackburn, Jennifer Allen and Jon Yarborough. This was the first half marathon for most of the gals and a PR for Jon. Everyone completed the race and judging by the post-race photos a good time was had by all.

Here are the results:

Courtney Myers 2:17:04
Shani Monk 2:19:45
Jennifer Allen 2:53:17
Laurel Cutter 2:53:22
Alison Paff 3:15:56
Clare Winstanley 3:15:56

Ursula Blackburne 3:15:58

Jon Yarborough 1:51:34 PR

Ali Yarborough 2:42:10

Congrats!!!

Firethorne Sprint Triathlon

Team FSR Rodrigo, Manuel and Irasema Abascal and David Holsey all competed in the Firethorne Sprint Triathlon in Katy on October 24, 2010. Rodrigo won his age group and David Holsey placed 4th in his AG.

Here are the splits:

Rodrigo, 1st in 14-18 AG, 9th overall. He swam 7:35.6/biked 43:44 (22mph)/ran 19.26 (6:29/mile pace)for an overall time of 1:12:29.

Rodrigo's mom, Irasema, 15th in her 35-39 AG. She swam 14:03/biked 1:01:23/ran 28:52 for an overall time of 1:48:15.

Rodrigo's dad, Manuel, 14th in his 40-44 AG. He swam 10:29/biked 47:51/ran 21:32 for an overall time of 1:22:20.

David Holsey placed 4th in his 60-64 AG. He swam 10:22/biked 49:18/ran 27:01 for an overall time of 1:30:12.

Congrats to all!