NATIONAL CHAMPS!

2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS- THE COLORADO BUFFALOES!

RACE REPORT COMING SOON.

Bike Fit at Retul!

With the season opener (Collegiate Nats) only 25 days away, I figured it was important that I get my bike position looked at. The company, Retul, was recommended to me by various triathletes here in Boulder, and I really enjoyed my experiences today. Mat Steinmatz fit me in the Boulder location of Retul (there is one in Denver, too!) and he spent two hours with me making adjustments to better my position on my TT bike. Right after the bike fit, I went out with a bunch of CU tri teammates for a two hour ride, and felt awesome! I am really excited to see how little changes in my fit transfer over into my power output and efficiency on the bike. Retul, you rock!

Racing season is here!

Hi!

Yesterday marked 40 days out from Collegiate Nationals 2010! Can't believe the racing season is here already. :)

After a very exciting 2009, I am anxious to get back to the racing scene, and see how my focuses these past few months will play out. Training has been going well, and I am loving the sunshine and warmer weather we have been getting in Boulder. Thanks to Timex, I am able to get through a long riding week without having to do any laundry! The new kits are great and I officially own my first pair of bibs- what took me so long, right?!

Collegiate Nationals is April 17th this year, and I am literally counting down the days! It will be an incredibly exciting race for me, not because of the success I had last year, but because of the enjoyment I get out of triathlon being a team event. Traveling and racing as part of a team in Lubbock last year turned out to be my greatest experience thus far in the sport. From May through September(after Nationals), 100% of my focus was on draft legal racing, and my training became very specific and individual. I really enjoy having another dimension in tri, and get this through some training with the CU Tri team , and witnessing their joys on race day when the hard work and dedication shine through.

The buffs are looking strong so watch out!

Hope training is going well for everyone and if racing is coming soon- good luck!

Jess

TEAM TIMEX ROCKS!

Hello all-

After an incredible weekend back on the east coast with Team Timex, I am left feeling extremely honored to be part of such a stellar crew. Beneath the extraordinary talent that exists amongst the members of the team, are individuals who love what they do, laugh all the time, and are seriously kicking ass at living their lives to the fullest. I got these vibes from a mere 96 hours of time with them, and truly believe that being a part of Timex has changed me as an athlete, and most important, a person, for the better. The various athletes are ambassadors for triathlon in that they are modeling figures of what happiness from sport and joy from sharing this interest with others, can bring to your life. I am so fortunate to be part of such a great environment. As the youngest member of the team, I have 48 teammates with more experience, more knowledge and opens arms to assist me in making dreams reality, and being my family in a sport that I am so passionate about. In addition, the Timex staff are simply wonderful, and made my first encounters with the team very memorable.

Parting ways on Sunday was difficult! So many awesome people, so little time! Everyone was off in different directions- Various states in the US as far as Hawaii, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia. However, the great thing about Team Timex is that we all know we will be seeing each other soon enough! And this time, to share some awesome racing experiences, and have some more fun! Until then, I will be missing everyone.

Happy Training!

Jessica

I just couldn't wait any longer!

So, I know I said that I would post AFTER the weekend here at the Team Timex camp, but I have had so much fun that I just had to write about everything so far.

I arrived Thursday afternoon here in NJ, and we went straight over to the Timex Performance Center. We have a recent partnership with the NY Giants, so we have been attending presentations, clinics, and carrying out activities in the Timex center where the Giants themselves train.

The first night was overwhelming to say the least. After meeting several of the team members, we were introduced to all the Timex staff (they are all totally awesome!), and given a little intro to launch the camp off. We had a HUGE surprise Thursday night when we all received the new GPS Timex watches that won't be out on the market until June. I am incredibly excited to incorporate this new technology into my daily training, and use all of its awesome features. After receiving our first surprise, we were guided into the Giants Locker room where we each had our own locker with our name above it. Inside the cubby was our very own Timex team bag filled with tons of goodies from our sponsors. :)

Even though I don't follow football, passing by MANNING printed on one of the lockers definitely caught my attention. "I know who that is.." I thought. We haven't seen him at the facilities yet, but we have met some of the other Giants team members in the weight room and had the pleasure of talking to them about their training schedules and lives as athletes, just like us.

Today was an early morning because after a long day of travel, I wanted to get a session in before the busy day started. It is just about 7 PM east coast time and I have been up for over 14 hrs! However, every minute of the day was fun filled as it included more presentations from some Timex staff members on recent technology developments, a personal video testimonial, work on our individual team videos, and a VO2 max run test. Although we have been going nonstop, the members on Team Timex, along with all the staff members make every experience truly incredible and worthwhile. We finished off the day at the Performance Center with a football game on the Giants indoor practice field, which was entertaining to say the least. Now, we are awaiting an evening out at Medieval Times as a team, which will, without a doubt, add to the list of wonderful memories I already have from being a member of the Timex Multisport Team thus far.

I will post again after the weekend is over!

Best quote of the weekend so far...

"You have to grow old, but you don't have to grow up." -- Thanks Bruce :)

Hope all is well for everyone reading!

Jessica Broderick

Timex Camp!

Hola!

Just wanted to post and express how incredibly excited I am for the Team Timex camp this weekend. We are traveling to New Jersey (hopefully we can get there with all the snow!) and it is going to be a busy weekend consisting of clinics, video making, meeting teammates, photo shoots and more fun activities! I am very anxious to meet more lovers of a sport I am so passionate about, and share memories and dreams we have from and for triathlon. I will definitely add a post after the weekend!

Jessica

Just popping in for a hello!

Hey all! Just wanted to send out a quick note to my followers- :)

Hope your 2010 years have been awesome thus far. Believe it or not, the season is just around the corner and I am totally stoked for it to be here.

Training has been going well. With a run focus, I have been properly building my miles, and am really enjoying getting out on the roads with no equipment, to just run. Whether a long run, speed work, or an easy cruizy day, running has always been an advantageous component of my daily routine in that I can relieve stress, and reflect on various aspects of my life. The weather has been on the colder side, but thanks to my new microspikes(similar to yak tracks for snow running) along with my love for sunshine (which is always here in CO!) I have been getting 90% of my runs in outside instead of the dreadmill. Hooray!

Thanks to Josh Shadle at Tri massage, and his laser therapy sessions, I am recovering well, and able to have the essential repeatability from week to week needed to gain fitness.

We have our first TT this weekend to decide our team for Collegiate Nationals this year. There are a lot of athletes on the club team this year, and with the guidance of Mike Ricci (head coach), everyone is making leaps in all three disciplines. It is a wonderful atmosphere to be a part of, and an inspiration to see so many people getting excited about the sport of Triathlon.

Should be another adventure filled year, and I am looking forward to it.

All for now-

Jessica

A glance into the future...

Here's to a great year ahead!

Things to look forward to...

1) Transitioning into U23 racing, for my first year! No more Junior Elite circuit.

2) Being part of the incredible Timex Multisport Team for my first year. :)

3) Traveling to amazing places to race! (Europe?, Asia?, South America?)

4) Continuing to learn fascinating things in school, as well as sport.

5) Having tons of fun and continue to LOVE what I am doing, and where I am.

What are your plans for 2010 !?

Wish you all the best in your endeavors. :-D BE HAPPY!

Jessica

Florida fun. :)

Happy New Year! (almost) -

I am currently in Jupiter, FL with my ENTIRE mom's side of the family. This is the first time in about 5 or 6 years that we are all together, and it is absolutely awesome. It is so great to spend time with all of the cousins, and catch up in each other's lives. Most exciting, is the newest addition to our family, Sarah, my oldest cousin Shawn's fiance. They just got engaged before Thanksgiving, and we are so excited! The picture here is of all the grandkids(12 of us!) with our Grandma and Papa. We are here to celebrate their 70th and 75th birthdays, which were in November and December.

Anyways, training is going well. I have been spoiled by incredible weather and have been able to train outside for all of my sessions. Runs along the coast or on the beach, biking in the sunshine, and swimming in a beautiful outdoor 50 m pool has been simply wonderful :)

Tonight is the big New Years party at my Uncle's new house, with the whole fam. Should be a big celebration and without a doubt, TONS of fun. Lots of goals set for 2010, but that is for me to know, and for you to find out later! For now, just training smart, being happy, and awaiting a new year filled with new adventures.

Jessica

What are you thankful for?

Hi to my followers-

Sorry for the delay on this post!

Recently on a long run (which is one of the many things I am thankful for now- Running pain free!!) I saw a sign outside a church that read "Have you thanked god for your ability to think, see and walk?" I have never been a religious person, but I began thinking about these simple everyday gifts we have been given. In the spirit of the holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas), I thought I would reflect back on the 2009 year as a whole, acknowledging the various things I am so incredibly thankful for. First of these is family. My mom, dad, and three sisters have been my number one fans in all aspects of my life. From school to triathlon endeavors, their encouragement and support has fueled me through obstacles and allowed me to maintain a clear conscience and realistic outlook on life. Hey, I am only 19 right? My mom, along with many other "older and wiser" training partners and mentors, are always reminding me of this fact. Another thing I can't be thankful enough for is my health. The occasional sniffle and sneeze come along,  and are usually followed by some whining. When I step back to think about just how incredibly fortunate I am to have this body, that month after month responds to a continual beating, I feel terribly foolish for even complaining at all. This incredible place I am living in- Boulder, CO! I am so very thankful to be here in such an amazing place to be a student and an athlete. It is simply the perfect fit and I don't ever see myself leaving. Last, but certainly not least, to all my wonderful friends, you mean the world to me, and I am so thankful to have people like you in my life. Whether I am fortunate enough to see you every week here in CO, or only during holidays (to you east coasters), all the times spent with you are some of my fondest memories. I just know there are many more to come. :)

A quote from the famous John Blaze to leave you pondering what you are thankful for....An ironman finisher who passed in 2005 from ALS, he is an inspiration and a true representation of someone who LIVED his life.

"Live, more than your neighbors. Unleash yourself upon the world and go places. Go now, giggle, go, laugh. Bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. Understand that this is not  a dress rehearsal. This is it, your life. Face your fears and live your dreams. Take it all in, yes every chance you get."

Until next time-

Who's ready for 2010?!

Jessica 

R&R

Hey!

No race reports, or updates on training, but perhaps something even more important(at least to me!) I am beginning to realize that, even harder than training itself is valuing rest and recovery at this time of the year. After going after it for the past months, and having a summer full of excitement and success, my body and mind are telling me to take it easy. This is MUCH harder than I anticipated. However, in order to build a strong base for the 2010 season, I need to be fresh and fired up. Come next racing season, I know my body will thank me. For now, I will be directing my attention towards school, reading the piles of "pleasure" books that I usually have no time for and staying active in new scenery-yoga, hikes etc. This will only last a short while, then time home for Thanksgiving in CT, and back at the daily grind come December. Look for my next post- "Things I am thankful for," around November 26th.

Thanks for reading!

Jessica 

First snow!

October, and we have already had our first snow of the year! This makes for fun indoor training sessions, or even more fun outdoor training sessions ;)

My coach and I have decided to call it a season, get my foot healthy, and get right into base. We were planning on having me race my first world cup November 8th in Huatulco, Mexico. Change of plans! I am very excited to have a solid "off" season of base training in preparation for a successful 2010! 

Will keep you posted!

Jess

Aussie Land!

Hello all-

After being home for almost three weeks from Australia, I am just now feeling like I am sleeping regularly, and back to my normal daily routine of class, schoolwork and training. Although it has been a tough couple of weeks getting back, after missing a week of classes etc, and just trying to feel like my usual self, the trip to Australia was COMPLETELY worth it.

I left for OZ on Sept. 7th, arrived on the 9th and raced on Sunday the 13th. The travel over was not as bad as I thought it would be. I have never traveled that for to race, or even for leisure, so I was anticipating obstacles in adjusting to the change. Besides getting hungry at weird hours of the evening, and forcing myself to stay awake until 9 Pm( I only made it until 8:40 the day we arrived !), normality resumed quickly in the land down under.

I spent a lot of time with Andy Schmits, the junior coach, and the rest of the junior athletes- Kevin McDowell, Ben Kanute, Jack St. Marie, Jen Howland and Marissa Ferrante. We did our training sessions together for the most part, spent time analyzing the race course to prepare for the big day, and had some fun along the way. 

FUN. That is what this trip was about for me. I accomplished all of my season goals, and due to a lagging foot inconvenience (I hate the word injury), was approaching the race without running for the three weeks prior, but very confident in my swimming and cycling. It was Junior Elite Worlds, a race unlike anything I had ever experienced before, and I was ready to trust my training, race hard and leave everything I had out there.

Race morning, I woke up anxious to hear the gun go off. All the nerves and worries always leave as soon as you get on the starting line, and then, you just race. 

The swim: I knew going into the race that I had to swim like a monster, because it would determine the tone of the rest of the race. Making front pack would be ideal, because of my confidence on the bike, and the fact it would put me in the best situation possible for the run. I wore goggles that friend Chrissie Wellington gave to me at the pool one day. Coming from amazing World Champion, I figured they would bring me some speed, so I wore them for the big race! I had a pretty good beach start- nothing compared to Stephen Wright's abilities, but I was pretty happy with the position I had going into the water. Around the first buoy I was comfortably in the top 6-8, and had a solid rhythm. I stayed with a pack of four and could see two that were a few seconds ahead. Coming out of the water I was pretty tired, but very excited to break out in 6th and be in a great place for the bike. Running up to T1, my foot was really bothering me, but I just blocked it out and focused on getting on my bike as fast as possible.

The Bike: Lead pack was a bit organized, but that is typical. A lot of girls were not doing any work, and it seemed like a few girls really wanted to be in the front of the pack pulling, so I did a bit of work but let the people pull who wanted to. Also, I think a lot of the athletes wanted to be at the front to avoid getting dropped since the course was very technical. Speaking of getting dropped, I did. Haha. On the fourth lap, I got boxed out going into the spectator area with lots of turns, and going out of the transition area, the front girls hammered out of a corner and before I knew it, i was OTB!I tried to be in the front 25% of our pack going into the technical portions to avoid that, but on this lap, I simply couldn't. However, Jenn Howland, the other American who got dropped with me, hopped on my wheel and I pulled us back up. Painful! Going into T2, my legs were pretty smashed from bridging the gap, but i was taking each part of the race as it came, and optimistically approached the run.

The run: Surprisingly, the foot didn't hurt all that much on the run. Sure, I felt the pain, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Tuscaloosa. Because I hadn't been run training, I just felt like I lost my sharpness and speed. So, I am pretty happy with being able to get through the race, and stay in pretty much the same position I was in off the bike. Our pack was about 22 on the bike and I finished 17th. Still, I finished my first and last Junior Elite Worlds. Next year- U23 racing!

The trip to Australia flew by! I guess that means I will have to go back to enjoy it more... ;)

All for now 

Jess