Welcome to the Big Leagues: Thoughts from My Inaugural Pro Race

There is a moment I remember with distinct clarity: dressed in a loose-fitting borrowed jet-ski wetsuit and following a poorly sighted line through Lake Michigan during my first triathlon I was struck with a thought of, “I can’t believe this is real, how amazing!”  The same sense of wonder came over me on Memorial Day as I rounded a turn buoy (this time equipped in my snazzy Blueseventy Speed Suit) at Lifetime CapTex in Austin, my first official race as a professional triathlete.

Race weekend was wonderful as friends, family, and perfect strangers reached out to make everything run as smoothly as possible.  After not seeing one another for five years, I was able to temporarily move back in with my roommate from sophomore year in college, Brianna (if the whole PhD thing doesn’t work out for her she has a definite career as a Race Sherpa – talk about accommodation!) and my aunt and uncle drove up from San Antonio just to feed me a pre-race dinner.  I’ve said before how much I love Lifetime Tri events (see Minneapolis and Oceanside) and I feel fortunate to have chosen to begin my next chapter with a series that cares so much about its athletes.  The pro coordinator, Shawna, graciously answered all of my silly questions and, knowing it was my first race, the race officials sought me out specifically in order to ensure that I understood all of the pro rule differences.  Events staff and crew cheered throughout the race and checked in on me post-race; even the announcer Dave Kappas took the time to hear my story (and learn the proper pronunciation of my last name).

Pre-race dinner with my Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy

Shhh I'm totally not sneaking in to the closed lake for a little swim ... 

Enjoying the view from the top of the Hyatt - you can see the buoys out already!

Celebrating post-race in true Tex-Mex fashion with Brianna

 The race itself was humbling; those women are phenomenal athletes and I feel so inspired by them.  As anticipated, I got my butt totally kicked (and didn’t mind a single bit).  In a field like that, there is nowhere to hide and my weak areas were presented to me with stark reality; I definitely know what I’ll be working to improve for the rest of the season!  Overall, though, I was happy with my results.  Dressed for success in my Blueseventy kit/speed suit and fueled by Hammer Gel/Heed I raced to an 11^th place finish, including a one minute run PR which was good enough for the 5^th fastest run split.

As I hobbled through a short cooldown on a wooded path along the river, I was suddenly overcome with emotion as I reflected upon the past few years.  Four and a half years ago, I had barely even heard of a triathlon.  I was sedentary, exceptionally unhappy, partying far too much, and pushing 190 pounds; I didn’t like who I was and had no direction in my life.  Now, I’ve finished my first race as a professional athlete.  It hardly seems possible it’s not all a dream; I am filled with happiness and humility at the blessings I have been granted in abundance.  I may not have won the race yesterday but I sure as heck feel like I had a big win at life.

A huge thank you to my parents for their encouragement, my incredible coach Jon Mason with MP Multisport for getting me here, and my rad sponsors Blueseventy and HammerNutrition for their continued support.  I am so excited to keep pushing forward and to see all that the future holds! 

Vegas Sunrise Race Report and Thoughts on Race Integrity

On May 10^th I had the awesome opportunity to race in honor of my dear friend Megan Peterson (if you missed my earlier blogs about the girl, check them out here and here) by supporting the Melanoma Research Foundation at the Your Cause Sports event, Vegas Sunrise.  This event was put on at the same venue and by the same incredible crew as Rage last month.  Knowing how beautiful and how much fun Rage had been, I had high hopes for the event; I definitely was not disappointed!

Going into race day I had four goals: 1. Race faster than last month, 2. Beat the boys, 3. Make some friends, 4. Have fun!!  I didn’t hit all of my targets (next time I’m throwing sticks at the three guys who came in ahead of me) but hey, three out of four ain’t bad. 

Halfway through the bike, I found myself ahead of the women by a decent margin and far enough behind the lead men to catch up.  The race was fairly small so I was racing alone for much of the course.  However, my goals were never far from my mind and as I strove to reach them, the day morphed from a pure physical challenge to a mental test and a test of what I like to think of as “race integrity.”

What the heck is race integrity?  Does that mean not cutting the course when no one’s watching, thanking volunteers, and not throwing sticks at those pesky fast people?  Nope.  While these things are clearly important, my version is about going hard when no one is watching.  Could I have slacked off a bit on the run?  Yes, I probably could have (and the volunteer I accidentally threw water all over in my effort to keep the pace up probably would’ve appreciated it); but where would that have gotten me?  Race integrity is about giving the event, your preparation, and the other racers busting their butts out there the respect to push your full potential. 

I believe this sentiment extends far beyond race day to a foundation of a fulfilled life.  We all know that jerk who skates by in life doing everything halfway and getting away with it.  While we’re secretly jealous of said individual and their outwardly easy life, I have a hunch that deep down the slacker lifestyle isn’t exceptionally rewarding.  Anne Frank stated, “Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.”  For example, to say I struggled with my science classes in graduate school is an understatement of epic proportions; in both human physiology and neuroanatomy I devoted hours to studying on a daily basis, attended study groups, and utilized multiple tutors.  The letters next to these classes on my transcript are far from stellar but completing them was two of the happiest and proudest moments of my entire educational career.  The joy was not in a “win” but in the knowledge that I had put in every ounce of effort possible.

Next week, I will toe the line of my first official pro race.  The competition will be stiff and I think a win would require six girls to break their legs in the next week and another six to get flats on the course (and that’s being generous).  The test will be not to stay strong and keep pushing when I’m ahead but to keep pushing from behind, to have race integrity no matter where I fall in the rankings.  In the words of Theodore Isaac Rubin, “Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”  Win or lose, we must strive for this happiness not only on race day but every day. 

All smiles with my first place finish!

**THANK YOU Your Cause Sports for the opportunity to race and to Blueseventy, Hammer Nutrition, and MP Multisport for supporting my win and another happy day!

Race Details: 

1st overall female and 4th overall finisher

Fastest female swim (3rd overall)

Fastest female bike (8th overall)

First overall run split (regardless of gender)

Season Kickoff, Woohoo!!

Things that stink include 3+ hour trainer rides and 15 mile treadmill runs (because even with every inch of skin covered in three layers it is still too cold to go outside).  Things that stink include getting up before dawn to jump in a cold pool when it’s cold outside and you haven’t been warm in months.  Things that stink include replacing ice cream with nonfat/unsweetened Greek yogurt (eventually you can pretend it’s the same thing) and having a route response of, “I can’t, I have to train in the morning.”

Things that don’t stink: RACING.  My recent move to Las Vegas allowed me to bump up the start of my season and get outside for some much needed competition.  After a brutal Wisconsin winter of lonely indoor training, I jumped on the opportunity to race in the Hammer sponsored event, Rage Triathlon, at the incredible Lake MeadNational Recreation Area just outside of Vegas; the fun and well run BBSCEndurance Sports event was the perfect way to kick off my 2014 season. 

Now THAT is a Good Looking Venue

After six months out of the racing circuit, I was feeling nervous and a bit rusty (especially after crashing in a parking lot during the previous day's transition practice).  Fortunately, my confidence was bolstered by my super cool new Blueseventy TX3000 tri suit and BSaccessories (for the record, this is by far the most comfortable kit I’ve ever worn and I experienced absolutely no chafing, bunching, riding up, or miscellaneous discomfort).  My new Blueseventy Helix wetsuit fit like a dream (see my previous Helix rave in my sponsorship announcement) and I felt instantly comfortable back in the open water.  In the last minutes before the gun, I downed an espresso Hammer gel and it was go time!  After swimming stroke for stroke with another woman for the first half of the swim, I was able to break away and emerged first out of the water (third overall if you include the boys). 

LOVE my new Blueseventy Kit!

Out on the road, there wasn't time for complacency as constant rollers kept me on my toes.  With the southern Nevada heat, I knew that hydration was exceptionally important (something that wasn’t as big of a deal in all of the disgustingly cold races I did last year) so I fueled with Hammer’s Heed and Endurolyte powder in my two water bottles, adding in a tropical Hammer gel at mile 22 (I have to note that this was my first time racing using Hammer fuels exclusively and I don’t think it was a coincidence that this was the first time I’ve raced with absolutely NO bonking or tummy trouble).  

Despite my efforts on the bike, I was passed around mile 18 and came into transition second.  Fortunately, Coach Mace and I have been working on my bike cadence lately so my legs still felt pretty decent exiting T2 even after all the hills.  As my run has magically transformed from a huge weakness to my strength (thanks MPMultisport), I was able to leave T2 with some sense of confidence.  While the woman ahead of me was not yet in view, I soon sighted her blessedly bright kit in the distance and trained my eyes on her back.  Battling rough terrain and a steady false flat upwards, I reeled her in and crossed into first right around mile two.  For me, this is where it became mentally challenging: I knew I was in first but had no idea of what was behind me so I had to keep my pace up without a proverbial carrot in the distance.  Fortunately, the volunteers and other racers were blessedly supported and I was boosted by cheers of, "You go girl" and the like.      

Eyes on the Prize!

Approaching the finish line for my first place finish (fourth if you count those pesky boys), I was all smiles knowing I had raced hard and successfully started the season.  For me, one of the best parts of the day was post-race (and no, not just because I was done).  In the days leading up to this event, I lamented that it would be my first race alone, not knowing any fellow racers and not having a support person along.  My fears were completely baseless!  I had barely entered transition to set up when I happened to see NAU’s Allie Nath who had come down to race with her teammate Elizabeth Wright; I have trained and raced with both of these girls and it was so great to see them!  At the finish line, I was met by MP Multisport teammate Mike Dunn who had come down from the Air Force base in Colorado Springs to race and we were able to get to know one another a bit (btw, all of the above mentioned had great races, congrats all!).  But that’s not all!  The woman who finished second, Carly Johann, and I recognized one another from last fall’s Oceanside Tri and we were able to catch up.  I feel so blessed to be a part of such a loving and supportive community and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this season brings!

All smiles for the Finish!

Oh wait, I take back my previous comment about the best part of the day … the best part was getting a ginormous bottle of wine for my first place finish – now that beats a trophy ANY day!

Hammer Product Reviews

This season, I am fortunate enough to be representing some pretty awesome sponsors.  One of these is the endurance fueling gold-standard: Hammer Nutrition (if you follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter you see me raving about them constantly).  I am so proud to represent Hammer because I truly believe in their products, using them on a regular basis.  One of the great but potentially confusing things about Hammer is the wide variety of products (fuels, supplements, gear, skin care, EMS, even coffee!) they offer; to help you get started/navigate the options; I’ve detailed some of my favorite Hammer products below. 

My first package of love from Hammer: It was like belated Christmas!!

Endurolytes: This past summer, I started adding electrolyte beverages to training and noticed a dramatic difference in my ability to feel like a human before/after tough sessions.  However, most beverages are full of either sugar or artificial sugars and not overly cheap.  Enter Endurolytes!  I personally like the powder as it is flavorless and I can control how much I consume.  I’m curious to see how my dosage will change once I leave the tundra of Wisconsin for the dry heat of Nevada.  While I’m at it, I’ll plug the purist bottle – it’s easy to drink out of while running/cycling and doesn’t hold onto stale flavor the way a typical plastic bottle does.  If you like flavored drinks, the fizz tabs are pretty awesome too and equally effective; for a quick shot of electrolytes, they carry capsules as well. 

Not one but TWO bottles full of Endurolytes for this session!

Gel:  Fueling while training has long been a battle of mine.  Tummy troubles have led to my avoidance of taking in calories which has resulted in mid-late workout bonking.  Hammer gel offers a boost of natural sugars for quick and sustainable energy.  As an added bonus, the espresso and tropical flavors are caffeinated and the new peanut butter flavor contains a gram of protein.  For economic purposes, I buy in bulk and portion by filling my handy Hammer flask.  As an added bonus, this method allows me to mix and match flavors (peanut butter/espresso yum!) and to take in partial servings if desired. 

Hammer gel fuels my training ... 

... and my racing!

Heed: I will never forget the first time I put Heed in my water bottle for a 5k swim: I felt like I had jet fuel powering my limbs (so that’s what it feels like to not bonk after an hour)!  While it is usually necessary to take in calories quickly and less frequently on runs, I’ve found it beneficial to take in a slow but steady stream while biking/running.  A scoop of Heed in my water bottle gives me 100 calories of fuel that I can sip on and extend over an hour or so. 

Single-serve packs filled out my carry-on last time I traveled

Recoverite:  There was a time when I avoided eating immediately after a workout as my appetite was usually suppressed and I wanted to “save” those calories for food later: turns out that is a BAD plan.  As I’ve learned more about training nutrition, I better understand the incredible importance of consuming carbohydrates, protein, and other essential nutrients as quickly as possible after a workout.  As very few people have the time/energy/feasibility to prepare a perfect recovery meal after every session, Recoverite offers a quick, easy, and portable option with a perfect blend of necessary recovery elements.  While a serving size is two full scoops (170 calories), as a small person I typically use just one scoop.  While you’re technically supposed to drink this, I have some weird reaction if I don’t cook it down a bit, so I’ll usually add it to applesauce or egg whites and throw it in a pan or the microwave (most people just mix it like a protein drink though)  For the record, while chocolate milk is often regarded as the “perfect” recovery drink, the factsshow that Recoverite is even better (and don’t worry, it comes in chocolate). 

Whey Protein: As an endurance athlete, protein is important.  I am a big proponent of getting nutrients (including protein) from whole/natural foods and I do eat my fair share of eggs, meat, and Greek yogurt.  However, adding a scoop of whey protein is a quick and easy (not to mention tasty) way of boosting protein intake on busy days.  I most frequently utilize this product in cooking/baking (again because of the odd reaction I have to it plain, for this same reason, I will be getting a jug of the soy protein or the vegan protein with my next order).  For example, one of my favorite recovery meals is grain free pumpkin protein pancakes (which I make by combining ½ cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup egg whites, 1 scoop of protein powder, and 2 Tbsp of ground flax seed: 230 calories and 27 grams of protein in those gems). 

Handing out some Hammer goody bags at the local YMCA's beginner tri program

Premium Insurance Caps (Vitamins): For those who have known me a long time, you may remember that I have a history of being a bit sickly.  I tend to attract germs and can’t seem to be around stress and/or other sickies without coming down with something (and it always seems to manifest in my throat/tonsils, frequently in the form of some obscure infection).  Well, knock on wood, since I started taking Premium Insurance Caps, I have been around a lot of sick people (including those I live and work with) and spent time on an airplane without so much as a scratchy throat.  BOOM!  I am fairly small and eat very well so I do not take the full recommended dose, I probably would up my intake a bit though if I was to start feeling ill or run down. 

Enduromega: I am a huge proponent of getting one’s omega-3’s.  They are not only good for your heart but are a powerful anti-inflammatory (and muscle inflammation is a major factor in recovery time).  I frequently eat salmon and consume flax/chia seeds almost daily, but I still feel it is important to take this supplement.  As an added bonus, Enduromega doesn’t have the fishy aftertaste often associated with omega-3 supplements (though I have noticed a hint of tuna-burp if I take it within a few hours before a workout, so don’t do that). 

Got some pretty tasty fiesta recipes from Hammer's magazine: Score!

Tri Shorts:  I have some other apparel from Hammer and, don’t get me wrong, I like it.  However, I LOVE the tri shorts.  They are the perfect length, breathable, and downright comfy.  I can bike and run in them (while sweating like a kid in the principal’s waiting room) without even a hint of chaffing.  As an added bonus, the seam design seems to be made just for ladies with no sausage casing spillage effect.  Plus, they offer a pink option. WIN!

Love these shorts!

Hope this helps navigate the awesomeness that is Hammer Nutrition a little bit, please feel free to contact me with any questions.  Don’t forget to use me as a referral and get 15% off your first order!!

World Cancer Day and the Inspirational Survivor in my Life

I’m angry.  I have no trouble accepting that imperfection is interesting, struggle shapes character, and life is never fair (a paradigm which I am blessed to be on the fortunate side of).  However, the disproportionately bad cards that some people are dealt can just infuriate me. 

Today is World Cancer Day, a day to spread awareness, share in our support, and to celebrate survivors.  This day/week has special meaning this year as tomorrow is a major surgery day for my dear friend Megan and Friday marks another milestone in her battle.  Megan is young, vibrant, warm, smart, and adventurous.  She also happens to be a cancer survivor.  For those of you who do not know, Megan was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 21 and was told it was metastatic soon after (read more in my February, 2013 post).  This Friday is her six year “cancerversary” meaning she is one strong lady and has defied the odds. 

Celebrating Megan's Birthday

Unfortunately, the odds are not always in Megan’s favor.  Soon after the New Year, a nasty biopsy confirmed fears that Megan had a dual diagnosis of melanoma.  That’s right folks, not just one cancer diagnosis before 30 but two (never mind that these two diseases are considered exceptionally rare in younger populations).  Now THAT is unfair; THAT just makes me mad.

As an athlete, I’ve become accustom to my actions directly effecting an outcome.  If I train hard and do as my coach tells me, I will have positive results.  It may not be as perfect or happen as quickly as I would like but the correlation is more than coincidence.  However, in this situation, there is absolutely nothing that I can effectively do.  Sure, I can offer my love and support but that’s hardly a gama-ray magic tumor-zapper. 

Anger (and fear) can do two things, however: it can paralyze us or it can inspire us.  While I believe I could easily fall into the former category, Megan is one strong lady that isn’t paralyzed by fear, and if she’s not then I really have no excuses.  In honor of my girl, her surgery tomorrow, and her milestone on Friday, I offer a few lessons from Megan.

Never a Dull Moment with this Girl!

1. Defy Statistics: Megan was given a 15% chance of seeing 5 years and we’re hitting 6, take that, doctors!  Seeing that miracle, it is suddenly less shocking that a sedentary girl, seventy pounds overweight, would turn her life around and become an elite athlete within three years (ie me) and the journey I have in my inaugural pro season doesn’t look so daunting.
2. Eliminate Excuses: One of the most beautiful and inspiring things about Megan is that she continues to live LIFE.  While many people (myself included) would curl up in bed never to come out with the pain and struggles she faces, Megan puts on dancing shoes, shakes her booty, and celebrates being young and alive.  When I look at this, I have trouble establishing an acceptable excuse to hit the snooze button in lieu of the pool when the alarm goes off hours before dawn. 
3. Ignore Naysayers:  On a similar vein, people sometimes give Megan crap for not behaving like a “typical” cancer survivor.  Who are they to judge?!?!  This absolutely infuriates me but that girl somehow is able to say, “I don’t have time for that drama” and let it roll off her back.  I, on the other hand, get mad when people give me crap for my stringent eating/training regimen or, on the flip side, for not having particular training toys/equipment.  I’m pretty sure if Megan can forget her much more ignorant haters, I can ignore mine. 
4. Smile and Keep Going: This is probably the most obvious lesson.  My friend deals with more heartache, pain, and stress in her young life than most of us will ever come close to in our lives.  Yet, she keeps a smile on her face and has an infectious laugh that is always close to her lips.  That said, no matter my race misery, there is no reason a smile should leave my face, no matter the misery, while gritting through a race or tough training session. 
5. It Isn't Fair: I have never heard the words, "It isn't fair" out of Megan's mouth.  Ever.  Given the comparison, I don't think I have the right, EVER, to say that about a bad race, a slow metabolism, or the inability to train in warm sunny weather.  

On this World Cancer Day, send your love and support to the survivors in your life, and give thanks for the body and health you are blessed with.  Love you Megan!

Reflections and Resolutions

My, what a difference a year makes!  365 days ago I was stressed about my thesis, wondering where I would intern, and ecstatic to eek out a 6:30 mile.  Now, just one short year later, my thesis is long complete, my internship is done, and I seem to have gotten more than a little quicker.  As I seek full time employment and anxiously look towards my first pro racing season it is easy to get a bit overwhelmed about the future; but if history is any indication of the future, I know that there are good things ahead if I only allow them happen!   As I reflect upon 2013 and look towards 2014 three important categories come to mind: 1. The things/people I am most grateful for over the past year, 2. That which I am most excited for ahead, and 3. Setting those pesky resolutions!  Here are the top 5 in each category.

Thank you 2013!

1. First and foremost, I am thankful for my parents; they are my biggest sponsors and have supported me through my internship so that I have the opportunity to follow my career goals.  Along with this, I am incredibly grateful that I have been able to establish an adult relationship with them (which is so much different than what we had the last time I lived at home as a surly teenager).                                                                 
2. My coach Jon Mason at MP Multisport: hardly a week goes by that I am not pleasantly surprised by the progress he has led me to achieve. 
   
3. That after nearly 15 years of struggling, I have finally found a happy place in my nutrition and have achieved/ maintained a healthy weight.
4. Having graduated in a field I am passionate about and that my internship is complete! 
   
   
   
5. My support network: my friends, family, and teammates encourage and inspire me from near and far, thank you all!

CSU Tri Ladies!

Team in Havasu

A few of my dearest college friends: Will, Alex, and Tron

**See "Thankful Thirty" for an extended list!

2014 Excitement

1. So jazzed to be going head to head with the fastest women in the world as I venture into professional triathlon!
2. To start working as a music therapist, I know it won’t be long now.
3. Very pumped (and proud) to represent my brand new sponsors Hammer Nutrition and Blueseventy for the 2014 season. 

                                                       

   
   
4. Before the year is out I will be an auntie!
5. Excited for the unknown and for all of the possibilities which await.

Resolutions

1. To be more optimistic: I have realized that I am a bit of a pessimist.  I tend to catastrophize situations and I have been really working at being more positive/ resilient.  I got a cute little day calendar for Christmas to help with this goal!                                                                                                                                                       
2. To regularly send letters and greeting cards: my goal is one per week though that may be a bit ambitious.
3. To get faster, darn it (bring it MP Multisport)!  Goals are sub 4:30 for a 70.3, regularly getting under 2:10 (on a legit course) for Oly, and running at/ under :36 for the 10k.  I also hope to up the power on my bike and to have better starts and good pack placement in the water (good thing I’ve got Blueseventy on my side for that one!). 
                                                                                                       
4. ABS!  Continuing to work on my core both through strength training and through nutrition.  My goal of having a 6 pack by Christmas didn’t quite reach fruition and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think it may be correlated to more than a few holiday treats.  Kicking off the new year with a month without added sugar.  This is going to be tough but thankfully I have lots of delicious and natural options from HammerNutrition to keep me fueled!
5. To be more grateful for the many blessings in my life.  Each night I plan to write down (on my optimism calendar) something from the day that I am thankful for.  Looking back at these notes will remind me of what a truly amazing life I have.

Happy new year everyone, here’s to an amazing 2014!

2014 Sponsorship Announcement!

When I was about seven I reached an impasse at level one of gymnastics as a result of my inability to do anything but hang on the parallel bars.  At nine it seemed swimming wasn’t for me when my biggest accomplishment was a heat winner ribbon in the first of about 12 heats (for those unfamiliar the first is the slowest 8 of 96 swimmers).  In the seventh grade my knee pads and hair ribbons allowed me to be a very stylish member of the volleyball team on which I played the esteemed position of bench.  Throughout high school track and cross country I was no more than a medium sized fish even in a very little pond.  As a college student I moved between being twenty to sixty pounds overweight.  Needless to say, I still find myself in a state of disbelief to be finding myself entering into an elite level of sport at the age of twenty-seven.

And the unbelievable part doesn’t end there; I have offered sponsorship from two absolutely amazing companies for the 2014 season!  I am proud, honored, and humbled to announce that I will be representing HAMMER NUTRITION and BLUESEVENTY as an elite triathlete for the upcoming season.  I only applied for sponsorship from companies that I truly believe in and would endorse with or without sponsorship so I am especially thrilled that Hammer Nutrition and Blueseventy have chosen to believe in me the way that I believe in them.

Hammer nutrition offers a very wide array of products including gel, protein powder, fueling and recovery bars (including vegan and gluten free options), hydration options, essential supplements, and gear.  I am especially pleased to represent Hammer as their products are not only yummy (seriously, there’s not a bad flavor in the bunch) but are among the very few that fit my dietary needs and don’t bother my extremely finicky stomach.  Please check out Hammer for your fueling needs and make sure to give them my name as your referral!

Blueseventy specializes in wetsuits but offers so much more!  My first wetsuit (after the water-skiing wetsuit I borrowed from my mom for my first few races) and absolute preference is the BlueseventyHelix.  It fits like a glove even as my weight has changed and has survived nearly 30 races worth of abuse.  The material of the arms allows for the unique combination of a full sleeve while still having a feel for the water and the top-down zipper makes for easy removal when (and only when) I hit T1.  Blueseventy also has swimwear, speed suits,tri-suits, and gear (my goggles are still going strong despite their storage location in the back seat of my car).  If you want that first leg advantage over your competitors I highly recommend Blueseventy!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Hammer and to Blueseventy for taking a chance on this new kid on the block, it feels good to finally get off the bench.  

Ready to sign on the dotted line

Aaaaand I'm official!