Friday, July 8, 2005

Puz pedals to Masters title


By STEVE BENSON
Express Staff Writer

Masters National time trial champion Patty Puz, of Ketchum, celebrates with former coach and mentor Richard Feldman, also of Ketchum, shortly after taking the title. Courtesy photo.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence," or so said our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge.

Patty Puz seems to be living proof of that old saying.

The Ketchum cyclist captured her first Masters National time trial championship on a 20-kilometer course in Utah in late June, capping off years of training and redeeming three prior, unsuccessful runs at the title.

"Some days I'm more persistent than speedy," Puz said. "And that benefits me as an older athlete."

Puz is 66 years old, but according to her former trainer and coach, Richard Feldman, she's not slowing down. In fact, she's just getting going.

"In cycling training, it takes years to develop a good athlete," said Feldman, owner and proprietor of Durance Cycleworks in Ketchum. "And now she's just starting to reap those rewards."

Puz, racing in the women's 65-69 Masters division, clocked a time of 42 minutes, 13 seconds on a hot, windy course in Uath's Antelope Island on June 27.

She beat second place finisher Patricia Arnone by 51 seconds.

"[Arnone] started before me and I thought, 'I have to pass her,'" Puz, who looks 20 years younger than her age, said with a laugh. "That's the only thought I had."

Puz caught her at the halfway mark and never looked back. At one point, she was clocked at 40 miles per hour.

"I was pretty sure if I didn't fall or get a flat tire I'd win," she said.

Feldman collected his own title in the men's 35-39 division in Utah, but wouldn't elaborate.

"This isn't about me, it's about her," he said. "It's not my work, it's her work, and I'm so proud for her."

Puz began cycling about 15 years ago, and under the guidance of Feldman, competing at age 60.

"He gave me a wonderful foundation," she said.

She trains with weights in the winter, and begins cycling on roads in late February or early March. She rides six days a week and logs an average of 600 miles a month. But she admits it's not easy to keep going.

"Some days I think, 'I just can't do this,'" she said. "But I put on my uniform and I vacuum, and I think, 'Maybe I can in an hour.' Then maybe I'll do some dishes and when I don't have anything left to do, I think, 'I might as well go.'"

Plus her husband is there to keep her going.

"Marrying him was probably the smartest thing I ever did," she said. "He supports and challenges me ... he's 100 percent there for me."

By the time she gets to Masters, which doesn't have a qualifier — "All you have to do is be old," Puz joked — the worst is over.

"She will train in all of the junk weather — if it's raining she goes out," Feldman said. "For most Ketchumites, when the weather is kind of junky they just wait."

Puz said, "It's a matter of just showing up."

Despite all the hard work, Puz can't believe what she's achieved.

"It still hasn't sunk in," she said.

Feldman, however, isn't as surprised.

"She's been knocking at the door for the last several years, and she wouldn't give up," he said. "She's tough, she's passionate ... and she's persistent.

"She deserves this so much."

While Feldman maintains it's all about Puz, there is something he's taken out of her victory.

"She's an inspiration," he said. "To be in your 60s and still be competitive, it's an inspiration ... we're all getting older."




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