BONJOUR!

I have been in France for five weeks now and I must say, I LOVE IT HERE! Time is flying by, training is going well, I celebrated a birthday (24!), and I am one happy chick. I think I have also finally figured out how to say hello (bonjour) properly. Well, at least I can say it better than when I arrived.

Me, happy in France with flowers from Chris on my birthday!

But first- an update on my last race in Dallas.

I had a great weekend with my Dad and Chris in Texas, and I guess third time is the charm. Two years ago I had a heat stroke in Dallas, last year I was affected by the heat and performed poorly, but this year I can honestly say that I am really pleased with my race.

With my Dad and Chris in Dallas.

I had a great two week build up to the race at home in Connecticut. Being with family is always such a treat. My parents would take off for work in the morning, and my little sisters would head off to school, and I would go about my daily routine of swim-bike-run-strength-eat well-rest-stretch-treatment etc. I spent a lot of time in the dungeon (basement) doing hard treadmill runs and bike-run sessions to prep for the Dallas heat. I think the pain and suffering paid off, so thank you Darren!

By the time everyone got back home, I was usually done with my training for the day, and got to spend some quality time with my parents, sisters and dogs. I hadn't seen everyone since Christmas, so I made the most of our time together. 

With the legend, Moo Moo at home in CT.

The race:

I exited the water at the front of a group of seven or eight girls, which would eventually become the chase pack, with three Americans up the road 40 seconds. We caught the group of three towards the end of lap 2 on the bike, and ended up forming a front pack of about twelve. The course was pretty straightforward- an out and back on a flat road, which meant not an overwhelming number of turns or technical bits to deal with. We entered T2, and besides the transition rack completely falling as I placed my bike on it, it was quite smooth! I came out of T2 a bit back after this chaos, but found myself at the front about 400m in.

Heading out of T2. Photo credit: Talbot Cox.

By the halfway mark I had opened up a gap of about 30 meters, and continued to focus on my checklist- what I needed to do each step to run well. Every time I came through the turnaround near transition, I could see my Dad giving me a thumbs up, and Chris was out on the run course encouraging me every lap. I took the run out hard in Dallas, which was quite different than the conservative approach I took in China. I got passed with just over a kilometer to go by an athlete from Mexico, and the eventual winner. I surged to get on her shoulder, re-passed her at the last turnaround, and she surged on me again on the slight downhill bit. With just under a kilometer to go, I dug as deep as I could, but didn't have the extra gear to go with her.  I definitely risked a lot on the run, and perhaps could have raced a little smarter...but I also learned a lot, which is part of racing and becoming a better athlete. I finished second place, tank empty, all smiles as I got to hug my Dad just after crossing the line. What a special day to share with him.

After my time at home, and a solid race, I felt recharged and ready to head to Europe and join Darren and the squad for our summer camp.

FRANCE:

I lived in Morzine for the first two weeks, then moved 12 kilometers up the mountain to the beautiful Avoriaz. It felt a bit like a ghost town for the first week, but families are flowing in now for holiday, shops are opening and it is certainly a special place.

Swim training in Morzine. Photo credit: Rob Holden.

After falling in love with New Zealand earlier this year, I didn't think a camp could top the one we had there. However, France is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in the world. I love the environment Darren has created here- simple and effective.

Running at Lac de Montriond. Shadow is Coach Daz.

Run session with the girls at Lac de Montriond. Photo Credit: TriDynamic.

I am currently in full-on training mode for my next race- the Jiayuguan World Cup in China on July 26. Back to China I go- hopefully it will be good to me again, and maybe I will get some more smiles this time :)

Lunch w Aileen and Jodes in Morzine.

au revoir for now!!

Jessica