St. Paul Race Report: First Win, but..... I need a swim coach

I did the St. Paul Triathlon (1 mile swim, 40K bike, 10K run) this morning and finished first overall for female participants! It feels great to get a win under the belt (but I need a swim coach). The swim was a little longer than most distances I do but I was disappointed in my time coming out of the water. The bike course was super fast and you had to do two laps so you were able to see where your competition was on the course. When I got off the bike my sister told me I was about a minute and a half behind first place. The run course went around Lake Phalen twice so it was hard to come around the finish line knowing that you had to run 3 more miles! I kicked it into gear and it felt great knowing I was getting to the finish line as the first female for the International course.


Derek also did the race too and did the Sprint course (.5 mile swim, 20K bike, 5K run). He did great, and ran the course 5 minutes faster than what he did last year, a personal best!! I am so glad he got me involved in triathlons - without his drive and determinition to improve I don't think I would be participating in them.
My mom was here this weekend and was able to see me race for the first time. I heard her cheering me on as I was getting out of the water to start the bike course. Derek's Dad was here as well as my sister and her husband to watch. It was fun having them here so they could watch us as well as having someone watch Owen so we both could do the same race.
Today was also special because Owen finally took a nap - I think he has been so excited having my mom here that he doesn't want to sleep!!

Whoo Hoo

Got a cool mention in midwest events website today - check it out http://www.midwestevents.us/news/124.
Also, my mom is going to be here to watch me race for the first time this weekend. She was funny the other week when she asked me where I swam - I told her in the lake. Her reply was - "did you wear a lifejacket". Umm no mom - that would be cheating!

Anyways, also wanted to say thanks to my brother in law - Jared who helped me with the header on my blog.

Turtleman Race Report: No way am I getting 8th!

Yesterday was the Turtleman Triathlon in Shoreview, MN. It is probably one of the most competitive amateur races races in Minnesota besides the Lifetime Fitness triathlon. I was suppose to do this race three years ago but I fractured my elbow that year and wasn't able to participate. It is a great race - very well put together with volunteers, organization and spectators. I would definitely do it again! I was pretty nervous for this race as the people I have been reading about winning and performing well in other races were there and my sister was coming to watch me for the first time.

Coming out of the swim I was 9th - I knew I didn't have that great of a swim - my sighting was pretty bad and I should have kept up with some other swimmers and tried drafting off of them. I kind of let people do their thing in the beginning of the swim and not get involved with the battle of positioning. I need to try and be more aggressive with the swim for the next race. Getting on the bike I felt great - averaging 22.5 miles per hour - the fastest I have done so far. Getting re-fitted at Gear West (thanks guys) on my bike has definitely helped - and I may try and see if I could ride a little more aggressively. Coming off of the bike I felt great and wasn't quite sure what position I was in until I saw Derek and he told me that I was in 8th place and that I was close behind 6th and 7th. I thought well if I am close - No way am I getting 8th! My goal for running was a 6:45 min/mile and I topped that running a 6:31 min/mile. I caught three racers on the run and finished 4th! I was very happy with that performance and race announcer Jerry McNeil mentioned that I could be a nomination for Rookie of the Year. I am not sure what this title entails but would be very honored to be considered in that category with other great women triathletes.


After the race Owen was getting pretty antsy in his stroller so we played on the beach for a while - you couldn't have asked for a better day. Of course, during our playtime I got my shirt dirty for pictures - it never fails. I seriously cannot wear white. Ask any of my family members - especially my husband and they will tell you it doesn't shock them anymore!

Booty call!!!

Yesterday was a very fun day with Owen. We went to Elm Creek Park Reserve and he played in the water there for about 2 hours. One the way home he was pooped out but the once I put him down for his nap he was not interested in his nap and was a crazy man in his room for about a half hour before falling asleep. I put him down in just a diaper and shirt because it was warm outside and his shorts were a little wet from changing him out of his swimtrunks. When I went to go check on him he had taken off his diaper and it was lying by his crib and his little bootie was staring me right in the face. It was a precious sight and one I won't forget for a long time.

This weekend is the Turtleman Triathlon in Shoreview, MN and it should be a great race - expecting great weather and it will probably be the most competitive race I will be in this year. I haven't started feeling that nervous about it but I think once I pick up my packet at Gear West I think I will start. My sister is going to stay at our place on Friday so we don't have to wake Owen up so early in the morning and Derek can help me prepare. I am so glad that she is in town to do that for us. Hopefully he will get some good pics this weekend since he won't have to entertain Owen while I am racing.

My very FIRST blog!

I decided the other day that I should start blogging - so here it is - my first one! I am not sure how well I am going to do on this but am going to try to blog at least once a week.

I am still on a high from my race this past weekend - I did the Big Creek Triathlon (Olympic distance) in Polk City, IA and placed 2nd overall for female. I gave this race my all and achieved a 2:16. My goal was 2:15 but had some difficulty in the transition area with getting my wetuit off and then ran out the wrong way on the run. I don't think that caused a full minute but perhaps it could have.














My next race is Turtleman on August 9th. I will be really nervous for that one - there will be a lot of experienced and competitive racers.

My husband is such a great supporter with my racing and is really proud of me with what I have accomplished. I do wish I didn't have two accidents that kept me out of racing for two years but as they say you learn from your mistakes. We will have to see what the future brings with racing - I am just enjoying my first "real" year of racing.