Hy-Vee is nearly upon us!

We just got to hang out at the race site for this weekends Hy-Vee Triathlon here in Des Moines, Iowa. This is going to be fun. I don't want to spoil all of the surprises, but there will be some big things happening. The ITU course is very spectator friendly and looks sure to thrill. Look for us near the beer tent and giant TV screen that will be showing the race. This race is very well put together. Everyone that we met was friendly and organized. The water is an absolutely no wetsuit 83 degrees. We are off to explore the grocery store some more. I know where we will be stocking up on our supplies for the weekend! Hy-Vee!
Look our for these athletes at the race:
Women
Laura Bennett (USA)
Jenna Shoemaker (USA)
Sarah Haskins (USA)
Emma Moffatt (AUS)
Lisa Mensink (NED)
Emma Snowsill (AUS)
Men
Matt Reed (USA)
Kevin Collington (USA)
Jarrod Shoemaker (USA)
Matt Chrabot (USA)
Bevan Docherty (NZL)
Tim Don (GBR)
See you at the race!

Topeka Tinman

I raced the Topeka Tinman in Kansas today! I finished 7th in my age group with a time of 1:12:22. My best time so far!
I had a great time. I was in the last wave of people. I started around 9am an hour and a half after the race had officially started. I was a little worried about the heat but race conditions were perfect. The temperature started to drop right as I was about to get in the water. It was still around 80 degrees but the cloud cover kept everything cooler.
The swim was a quick 300 yds. I only got bumped a few times nothing serious. This was my second open water swim and I still freaked out like I always do but this time it was with a little less panic. Something like "ahh so many people I can't even stroke properly" then "SUCK IT UP ITS 300 YRDS MOJDEH!" I talk to myself a lot during my races.

Putting on my technically cool eyewear.

Then I was off on my bike. My transition took a little bit longer then I wanted it to. It was a 1:34. Which I guess is pretty good? I am now racing in cycling shoes so they take me a few more seconds to get on and clip in. I was very nervous about this part because I have only been training with the new shoes for a week or so. Everything went well. As always I kicked ass on the bike! ("Kicked ass" according to my standards) I averaged 17 miles per hour through the rolling hills and beautiful farm land of the "boonies."
I impressed myself when I decided to take my feet out of my shoes before getting to the dismount line. I have never done this before, but it is something that experienced triathletes do all of the time. The best part was that I maintained my 17mph!!! Oh yeah!
So I made it to transition. Slipped into my running shoes and was off on the run. My least favorite part because my legs still have not gotten use to cycling then running. I hate my legs for that! I was happy that the sun still had not come out. The run course was a little hilly. There were a few aid stations.
I had a very interesting encounter with the last aid station. I was so happy to be on my last mile and I was heating up a bit so I decided to get some water and pour it on my head. I ran through the aid station and said "water" the guy handed me a cup and processed to say something. I was running by so I couldn't hear him. I think he was trying to explain that they had run out of water and gatorade was the only thing they had left. I didn't realize what he was saying until after I poured the cup of gatorade on my head. I finished the race sweet and better smelling than everyone else.

Thanks to Bill the race director who let me do this race! I had a great time. Thanks to all the volunteers, I hope I made a few of them laugh.

 Be sure to check out the rest of their events this year!

June 20th, 2009
29th Annual Topeka Tinman Triathlon & Duathlon
Lake Shawnee, Topeka, Kansas

July 19th, 2009
5th Annual Midwest Mayhem Triathlon
Lone Star Lake, Lawrence, Kansas

August 23rd, 2009
27th Annual Jackson County Triathlon & Duathlon
Longview Lake, Lee's Summit, Missouri

August 30th, 2009 NEW DATE
6th Annual Midwest Meltdown Olympic Distance Triathlon & Duathlon
Lake Miola, Paola, Kansas

Kansas 70.3

Kansas! What a great day for a race. The threat of thunderstorms has been lingering all week. The morning of race day was a bit wet and cold, but that quickly went away and the race was on! Luke Bell threw in a surge on the run at about mile 12 and came away with a win. Chrissie Wellington was a class act. After dominating the women's race, she stayed and handed out medals to many age group finishers. She posed for pictures, signed autographs and chatted happily with everyone.

There is a yellow brick road at the end of the Kansas 70.3! Here is Luke Bell enjoying it.

Colorado races.

Longmont Triathlon was a success. I mean that in a way that nothing bad happened. People swam, biked, then ran. I couldn't see any of the race except when people were in the pool. For some reason, pool races are almost more exciting because they are so spectator friendly. There was a kids triathlon the day before and I had a lot fo fun there. Our booth was placed next to the bouncy castle so the younger kids would do their triathlon and then bounce for hours. I like to eat and lay down after racing.

The following week, we had Tri For Your Cause in Boulder. There, I met Jennifer. She raised over $3,000 for her charity. She had a great swim which she credited to her goggles and wetsuit. She came into transition and had a flat tire. The team at Full Cycle got her on her way very quickly. Unfortunately, she got another flat at mile 10 of her 17 mile bike. Refusing to quit, she rode it all the way back to T2. Then she ran knowing that she was going to finish her race. She showed amazing determination and he is hero to many people.