2013 Kona Hawaii Report

Well...we are FINALLY home from one of my favorite places to visit - Kona, Hawaii.  This was my 5th year going to the Big Island for the Ironman World Championships, and I can safely say we packed plenty of new experiences into this one!  I actually feel like I could be a tour guide or trip planner for Kona, I've got this down!  Maybe there will be more on that in the next post :)

If you are following me on twitter or instagram you have probably seen plenty of updates...but here are some of the highlights!

1.  Mark made it through his first Ironman race in Kona!  This was the main reason for actually being in Kona this year, so obviously this is a big one :)

Age-groupers getting in for the swim

Happy Campers at the Finish Line!

2.  We hiked --  After a winding drive around the north most point of the island,  I emerged from the back of the SUV slightly car-sick, but excited for a fun new place!  We made it to Pololu Valley where we  hiked down to the black sand beach and up the other side of the valley.  This was a super scenic hike anyone can do!

We also had a short hike up to an awesome view point at the visitor center at Mauna Kea - super steep and windy, but worth it!  Mauna Kea is a volcano standing 13,803 ft above 
sea level, its peak is the highest point in the U.S. state of Hawaii.

3. We swam with dolphins!  We hopped in Kayaks and traversed Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook monument....getting lucky with a couple pods of dolphins joining us on the way there and the way back!

4. We got 'stranded' for 2 extra days.  We first tried to leave on a red eye Thursday night.  After a dead battery, maintenance, and sitting/waiting on the plane for OVER 3 hours, our flight was cancelled.  After waiting in multiple lines, we made it to our new home at Waikoloa Village where they put us up for a couple days.  It was a pain to be up all night with a cancelled flight, but we certainly made the most of our 'bonus' days on the island :)




5.  Charter fishing boat!  We went out with Captain Shawn of the Night Runner, per a recommendation, and it did not disappoint!  They were all about catching as many fish as possible of all different types.

Check out a couple videos of the fun!

Thanks for reading and let me know if there are other things from Hawaii you want to hear about!!

-Jackie

Ironman WI - My First IM WIN!!

WOW!  So I'm writing here about my first Ironman VICTORY, right here on my home turf in Madison, WI.  I'm so happy and thankful I don't know where to start!!

This year certainly started slowly - if you read any of my earlier blogs this year it was a long process getting back into 'race' shape and getting my run back up to speed.  Winning an Ironman was the farthest thing from my mind in February, where I could barely run a 7 minute mile!  I put in a lot of work this year, day in and day out, and even though I was tempted to try a earlier IM, I waited until Ironman Mont Tremblant (IMMT) in August.  At that race I felt it, I was ready.  My run was back and I my mind was strong to push through an Ironman.

This was my first time racing Ironman WI since 2010 (where I was an age-grouper and raced in prep for Kona that year) and it was just 3 weeks after IMMT, which would make it my shortest time between Ironman races.  In 2011 I raced Ironman Lake Placid and then 4 weeks later went on to have one of my best races at Ironman Louisville - putting up my fastest run (at the time) and somehow nabbing 2nd place.  So with that in mind, I was hopeful for this short turn around between races!

Ok- so I have a TON to say....but I'll go through the race quick here!
SWIM:  Love the 1 loop.  Don't mind the chop, as it favors 'swimmers' and usually leads to a larger gap from the 'non-swimmers'.  I got out hard (too hard) and was quickly in recovery mode - reminding myself I was in an Ironman and not a swim race :)  I settled it as much as I could w/the choppy conditions and found myself behind some feet that were just swimming all over the place!!  We did not swim straight AT ALL...BUT it's pretty crazy how swimming alone in a straight line is just way harder and no faster than drafting easy on some feet that just happen to be swimming a little whacky.  So I just went with it and had a fine swim.  At the last turn bouy I bailed on my crazy lead train and took a beeline to the finish, in hopes of losing as little time as possible to the lead girls.  Time: 57:00

BIKE:   I headed out 3rd female on the bike and was on a (controlled) mission to ride smart and not lose time on the ride.  I ride on feel, and the plan was to just push the bike harder than I normally do in Ironman.  I was feeling great, loved the support on the course, and knew it was going well when I was nearing the end of the first lap and wasn't getting passed by any women!  YAY!  So I kept on with the 'harder than usual' effort and stayed on the hydration/nutrition, just trusting that if I kept the fuel going in no matter how spent I felt at the end of the bike my fitness would take me through the run.  I certainly had some low points in the ride, like everyone, but just pushed them away and kept on the mission of finishing the ride strong.  Time: 5:27:30

RUN:  This is where you find out what you're made of.  This run happened to be one of the toughest IM runs I have had.  I thought I was coming off the bike in 3rd, but someone dropped out either at the end of the ride or in transition, so I was in 2nd, only 5-ish minutes down!  At that moment I was thinking 'oh man, I think I can do this!'.   So this run was interesting because I was pretty sure I would catch Malaika, however I knew there were strong runners coming from behind...and for the first part of the run I really didn't know how much space I had.  So goal 1 was to catch Malaika, then it was to maintain so I didn't get caught!!  It was a serious mind/body struggle, with my body wanting to stop SO BAD.  My legs have never felt that awful during a race.  I kept my mind from wandering and just kept at it, concentrating on nutrition and keeping 'steady'.  My newest saying is "just like this, all day long" which seems to work :)  Wow, so here is where I was SO THANKFUL to know so many people!  I took in each and every cheer and tried to truly BELIEVE what people were saying.  Each time someone told me I could do it, I tried to take that and literally run with it.   The last few miles were a mix of amazing and painful.  The crowd support was UNREAL and my legs were each like 50lb cement blocks :)  I was convinced I was running 11 minute miles (turns out I wasn't, but geeeez)!!  Time: 3:16

FINISH:  AMAZING!!!  I was told I had a 5 min lead on 2nd, but still found myself looking back in the finish shoot in complete disbelief that this was actually happening!!  I was greeted at the finish line by my Grandma Mary, Aunt Kiki and Mark :)  I was interviewed by Dave Erikson, the Madison Newspaper and taken to drug testing.  

THANK YOU!!!  Friends, family, training partners for loving me and keeping me motivated! 

SPONSORS: Timex, QR, Shimano, Blue Seventy, Rudy Project, Powerbar, Computrainer, Powertap, Nathan Hydration, Training Peaks, Peak Performance Massage, Speed Cycling, Assocaited Podiatrists

I would not be doing this without the support of my amazing sponsors!!!!  

Thanks for reading....more to come :)

Ironman Mont Tremblant Race Report - 9th Place

Another IM in the books and I'm happy to report that I'm seeing some improvements on the run and am optimistic for more improvement all around!!

This was my first trip up to Mont Tremblant, in beautiful Quebec, Canada.  I was lucky enough to be able to stay VERY close to race start with Marks college friend, Chris Boettcher.

Leading up to the race was nice and relaxed, getting in some easy swims, bikes and a run while getting comfortable in Mont Tremblant.  On Thursday I rode the short hilly out and back (which is at the end of each loop - map on right) and decided I for sure had the wrong cassette on my bike.  Now usually last minute bike changes are not a good idea, but when you have a 12/25 and it's challenging to climb when you're rested and only riding an hour it's for sure going to suck (be impossible) at the end of an ironman.  I took my bike straight on over to the Shimano tent and had them throw on an 11/28.  Best decision EVER.

Saturday morning swim 

Ok, we are ready!!  

Pulled out the red carpet for the Pro bike racks! 

AND our own personal transition chairs!

WAY at the end, but still a good spot :)

We got everything checked in on Saturday and decided all we had to do on Sunday was show up :)  The transition area was awesome, one of the nicest set-up's I have ever seen!!

Race day: 

SO thankful to be staying within walking distance to the start!!  No hassle with parking, we woke up, breakfast, and headed down the hill.  Threw our special needs bags in the buckets, pumped up tires, put bottles on the bike, and started the 10ish min walk to the swim start.

I think this is my 'YIKES!' face :)  Taken just a couple minutes before swim start.

Swim:  This race is a beach start, which makes me pretty nervous...I really like to avoid contact in the swim at all costs.  So, I let everyone go and swam a nice clear path :)  It worked...I found my friend Jess Smith's feet a couple buoys in and just hung out there for the whole swim.  Thinking in my head it might be a bit easy, but hey, Ironman is a long day and I want to be strong on the bike and run!  

56:14

Heading out on the bike!

Bike:  Best part about this was that they were handing out Honey Stinger Waffles...this was a surprise to me!   I love my nutrition plan, but also enjoy waffles during training...so I went with it :)  YUM.  Legs were alright, had some shining moments, but also plenty of 'blah' moments when getting passed by a few of the slower swimmers.  I just hung in there and kept it rollin' steady, and stayed on top of eating drinking.  It is such a different day out there depending where you start the race, can be pretty lonely for much of the ride and it's tough seeing the packs of people on the opposite side of the road.   Just gotta put the head down and ride!  5:22

Run: Here is where I was looking to really be strong and test myself.  This is the first race since 2011 that I have really been able to train the run correctly (no injury, etc.).  I felt pretty great most of the time.  It was fun not having mile markers or any real idea of pace, or at first, how many K's I had to go :)  I just ran along at what felt like a solid clip and worked on keeping form in tact.  I know I can be faster here and am excited to keep pushing the limits!!   3:13

Overall, I am happy with this race.  It was a strong field, as it was the North American Ironman Championships, as well as the last big point race for the pro's.  It's tough to leave empty handed (one spot out the money) but is very motivating to keep working and improving.  I want to race where the competition is strong, but may mix in a little more 'cherry picking' next year :)  

9th place woman overall, 9:38:09.  

BIG HUGE THANKS to my friends and sponsors for being there for me.  Namely:  Mark, Timex, Endurance House, QR, Powerbar, Shimano (the Di2 shifting on the bullhorns was KEY on this course), Tri-Bike Transport, Rudy Project, Champion System, Nathan Hydration, Cliff English Coaching, Blue Seventy, Speed Cycling

Cracked a smile in the finish chute :)  Always feels good to run in strong!

Done... and pretty happy about it.

Great to see the town from up high :) LOVE this place!!

IM Mont Tremblant

Well, I'm sitting here in Mont Tremblant, Quebec Canada and finally feel like getting a blog out!  I don't really know what to say or think about this Ironman that's looming....somehow almost a year between this distance race is just too long for me!

Here's what I CAN say:

- I have come a LONG way since training camp in February.  I built my run up slowly and carefully and am finally getting back to decent form here.  Just sticking to the consistent work day in and day out, and not forcing the racing before I'm ready, has allowed me to have a nice fitness progression.

- I have a fire in my belly to race and my body is capable.  I felt it for the first time this year in Racine.  The legs were working and I was able to actually race.  I still have a lot of improvement to do on the bike, but it's coming around.

- I have a great support system in Madison and LOVE my busy life.  I am finally in a place where I am enjoying all parts of life and am truly grateful for everything and everyone that is a part of it.

It's been a relaxing afternoon working on my computer here in a little bed and breakfast outside of town.  I may not have done much 'race prep' today, but there is something to be said about getting the travel done and having a couple days to settle into where you are racing.  I took today completely off of exercise and it feels awesome :)

Hope you are having a great week!!  I gotta run, the guy at the front desk, who is also the owner, and the chef, just made me some sausages for dinner.  I will have some pictures to post as the week goes....stay tuned.

Santé!

SUMMER FUN!

Hi Friends!!

Wow, summer is busy!  So much coaching, swimming, biking, running, camping, grilling, and fun I have just not gotten around to posting.  SO, what's the update?

1.  Triathlon - training has been going well and I think I have crawled out of the depths of out of shape-ness and am starting to get back into my groove!  I am racing Racine 70.3 this weekend, which I would really consider the kick-off of some bigger races for the year.  After that it's Ironman Mont Tremblant Aug 18, Ironman WI Sept 8th, and either IM Florida or Cozumel at the end of the year.   Whew, I will be a tired girl come December!!  But man do I love racing :)

Love this girl!  Whitney and me after Kansas 70.3...she rocked it, I got the cobwebs out...

2.  Coaching - I've been busy this summer w/ Open water swim training, individual coaching, and the Fourier Fitness Youth Tri Team! 

This is the 3rd year for Tri-Swim Madison open water group and we just keep growing.  It really becomes a close-knit group and I am so happy to spend the early mornings and evenings with such fun people.

Plenty of time in the Kayak and on the Paddleboard this summer! 

For individual coaching I partnered with Endurance House this year to be able to provide more group workout opportunities as well as store discounts and a real team atmosphere.  I have a great group of athletes and have enjoyed getting to know each person better and work toward goals.  It's crazy how much you become invested in your athletes as a coach, and I'm excited (and nervous) every time they race!

The youth tri team is a new adventure for me this summer.  The team has 25 members, ages 10-15, and meets twice a week for practice. Our team races are coming up quick:
August 10 
Oregon Kids Tri, Oregon

August 17 
Tri 4 Schools, Middleton

August 24 
IronKids Madison

3.  Other stuff-  I have an amazing boyfriend and we have been just doing as much as we can this summer!  It's great to have someone with a similar lifestyle and goals to spend time and go on adventures with.  We are pretty much packing up my car to the brim each weekend and heading out to race, camp, spend time with family, or sometimes all 3!!  I am a lucky girl :)

THANKS for reading and I hope to see you at the races or out training!!  There will be many race reports coming soon :) 

Sponsor Spotlight - Timex!

Timex is my main sponsor and I am so excited to be with them this year, for the 5th year!



I came on to the Timex Multisport team as an age-grouper with only 1 year of 'real' racing under my belt (2008 Racine 1/2 Ironman and Ironman WI).  Timex took a chance on me and I am still SO THANKFUL for that :)  The Multisport Team offered so much more than product and discounts, it offered a triathlon family.  The depth of knowledge and experience on the team is unreal and really the greatest resource a new, aspiring triathlete can ask for.  If there is one thing I have learned in this sport is that you have to be ALWAYS open to learning, criticism and growing.  There is no one person that 'knows all' and we can really all learn from each other.

I spent 2 years on the team as an age-grouper, both years making the podium at Kona, and then with Timex's support, transitioned to the professional ranks in 2011.  This is my third year racing as a pro and I can say I have continued to learn and grow each and every race I do.  I have dealt with injury, family changes, ups and downs and through everything my Timex family has been there, knowing that not every race season is your best but that with every struggle we come back even stronger.

I'm excited to race in the Timex colors again this year and hope to keep being a positive ambassador for the team I truly love :)

First year on the team!  2009 Timex team camp in sunny California :)

Fun racing w/Teammates...here Leadman Vegas 2012 :) 

2012 Team Awards - Given at our annual Team Camp!

Fun Team photo from camp, 2011

2013 Timex Ladies :)

Sponsor Spotlight - RACC

I'm starting a new series of posts here on my blog...not committing to a frequency, but rather just want to make a special post about each of my sponsors for this year!

My first Sponsor Spotlight is going to a new sponsor and partner this year, RACC - Racers Against Childhood Cancer.  The team's "Mission is to use the passion and competitive spirit of Races to raise awareness and money for research and the fight to defeat childhood cancer".  Learn more here: RACC Story.   RACC is based out of Milwaukee, WI and is my charity partner for the year!  If you would like to help me support the cause please let me know.  I will be racing with the RACC logo on my kits in hope of raising awareness and funds for the families and children affected by cancer.  I'm excited to have a cause 'bigger' than me to be racing for this year :)  

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend and happy training!! 

Mark and me at the Great Lakes Multisport - Cooney Duathlon (to benefit RACC) this last weekend, so fun and SO MANY RACC racers!