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

Adventures in China

It has been nearly three weeks since I returned back to the USA after a few months away training in New Zealand and South Africa, leading up to my first race of 2014 in Chengdu, China. What an experience that was! I had never been to China before, so I was looking forward to traveling to a new place, and REALLY excited to race again after eleven months away from the ITU scene. 

Emly, Tony, Me, Anneke, Ingrid from left to right. Our homestay family in RSA.

I had a phenomenal four weeks in Stellenbosch, RSA, with an amazing homestay family (THANK YOU Smiths!). Great training, lots of sunshine, good coffees....happy days.  I took off for China on Tuesday, flying from Capetown to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi, and finally Abu Dhabi to Chengdu. I was quite exhausted when I arrived late on Wednesday night, which made it easy to get on cycle with the time zone. I woke up Thursday morning feeling pretty normal, and after a few coffees I was ready to get back into things with two of my Dsquad teammates, Anneke and Melinda, and the group of USA athletes.

Anneke, Melinda and I with some Panda heads in the lobby of our hotel.

The language barrier made things interesting to say the least, but I knew that China wouldn't be a walk in the park experience, so I approached each situation with patience, an open mind and a smile. Despite smiling at everyone I saw, I got very few smiles in return. I was convinced that this would change if the sun decided to make an appearance.

Hotel in Chengdu on a gloomy day.

Not much happened before the race. I ate lots of rice, watched several episodes of Suits in between pre-race prep, held up peace signs when locals asked for photos, and relaxed in our palace-like hotel room. We were well-prepared with insight from USA athletes Chelsea Burns and John O'Neil, who had been in China for two weeks scoping out the ins and outs of Chengdu, and USAT head coach, Jarrod Evans, who had been to Chengdu for the Continental Cup the previous year.

Anneke and I at the race site for some pre-race prep.

Over 100,000 spectators created an environment unlike anything I had experienced before. Jarrod had told us that there would be an overwhelming number of people attending the race, but I didn't actually understand what he meant until I arrived at the race site on Saturday morning. Holy cow! It took me about twenty minutes to travel the final mile into the park, where the road was bombarded by mopeds, cars, people and animals, none of whom understood "On your left," or "Excuse me!" The sun actually came out that day, but I didn't notice more smiles, so my previous theory was proven false.

Once in the athlete lounge, I went into my personal bubble and ticked off my check list for pre-race prep. And just like that, I found myself on the pontoon, seconds before my first race of 2014.

The swim consisted of 2 loops- one was 1000m and the second 500m. As I came out of the water after the first loop, I could see that I was at the tail end of the front group of 8 to 10 girls. I stayed in this position, exiting the water in 8th, with a trail of girls sprinting down the blue carpet in front of me. I heard the crowd roaring and used this momentum to run as fast as I could to get to transition. I knew that there would probably be a front group of 10-12 girls, which would be a great number to work with. I had a solid transition and found myself in the front group with 14 others. We never really got organized on the bike, but 6 or 7 of us rotated through the front and we moved along, increasing the time gap to the chase pack. With two laps to go, I experienced some mechanical issues and was unable to shift my bike..which made things interesting! I remained calm and had to muscle up the hills, but was able to stay with the group and enter T2 at the front. I exited transition in third and found a good rhythm the first lap of the run. I tried to stay in my bubble and focus on what I needed to do to run well, and found myself in second place by the halfway mark. I kept working at the time gap to first place, but was unable to get there and ended up second place overall. My first ITU podium- I am thrilled!

I was overcome with emotions running down the finishing chute- there were tears, smiles, a sense of relief, shock, and lots of pain. I was also thinking about how many amazing people I have behind me, and how this journey would not be possible without them.

I think this photo sums up all of my emotions on the day. Thanks Delly Carr for capturing it.

A big thanks to my sponsors Team Psycho, OTF Multisport, Revici and HUUB for your support. Thank you to Darren, Rick and the Dsquad for challenging me to be the best athlete I can be. And last, but certainly not least- thank you to my family and Chris. It isn't easy being away from you all, but knowing I have your support and belief fuels me everyday to chase after my dreams. I love you guys!

It was really special standing on the podium with fellow American teammate, Kevin McDowell. I may have cried during my post-race interview, but I wept while standing up there. I also struggled to open the champagne bottle, partly because my vision was blurred from tears, and partly because I am a total newbie. Despite the troubles, it was one of the coolest moments I have experienced in my athletic career. A big congrats to Kevin on a stellar day, and for never giving up in his incredible fight the past year.

Up next is PATCO champs tomorrow here in Dallas. An awesome group of women on the start list should make for a great race. Looking forward to it.

Jess

My 100th Post

Greetings from South Africa!

I haven't been the best about keeping up with my blog, but I am here now! This is my 100th blog post since I started writing back in 2009. I hope you enjoy it. :)



Camp in New Zealand flew by- we were in the beautiful country for five weeks, and I really enjoyed my time there with the Dsquad. Living with the entire crew up at the lodge was quite different from our first camp in Cali, but I really enjoyed getting to know everyone better. We certainly have an amazing group, and I am really lucky to be a part of it. We shared the lodge with other triathletes, runners, and cyclists over the course of our time there, and it was awesome to be surrounded by so many professionals, getting the job done each day and working toward their individual goals.

Rainbow on our way up the mountain one day.

We drove down the mountain each day for training in Wanaka, which did get a bit old after a few weeks, but good music and company made the time pass. Wanaka has a lot to offer- AMAZING trails for running, beautiful riding around Lake Hawea, shops and quality cafes. The stellar views and clear water in Lake Wanaka made for some serene (yet cold!) open water swims.

Pre open water swim in  Lake Wanaka, staying comfortable and warm in my HUUB.

Overall, NZ camp was a consistent block and I am really proud of the progress I made there. Under the watchful eye of Darren and Rick, I worked hard, kept an open mind, and made smart choices, which resulted in five weeks of good work.

I had a few blissful moments while out exploring the trails in Wanaka that made me really appreciate this journey I am on. There are certainly good days and bad, but I have learned a great deal about myself through dealing with both. I have grown a lot both emotionally and physically, and am embracing it all. What an amazing opportunity it has been so far, and I am certainly going to make the most of it.


Next up was a domestic travel to Auckland with Darren and most of the Dsquad to spectate both the women's and men's WTS races. This was a great opportunity for me to watch and learn from the best in our sport. I found it extremely valuable to see both races unfold, while chasing Darren around the course and listening to everything he had to say about race tactics, technique, decisions, form, etc etc. It was a pleasure cheering on my fellow Dsquad teammates- with my American accent and tendency to talk loud, I know they definitely all heard me. Getting a hug from Jodie after she claimed victory was a special moment- it has been truly remarkable training alongside someone who is not only a top notch athlete, but a total class act and absolutely lovely chick. Congrats Jodie- so awesome to see you break the tape!

Sunrise cruise w Anneke + Jodie.

I have been in Stellenbosch now for about 3 weeks, and have only another week left before I leave for China! I am living with a wonderful family here and feel very welcome in their home. South Africa has been quite enjoyable so far, and I am bummed to be leaving here soon, but eager to toe the line again for my first race of 2014 on May 10 at the Chengdu World Cup.

Morning ride in Stellenbosch with Miss Norden. 

Keep smiling!

Jess

Hello, NZ!

I have arrived in NZ! It is my first time to this beautiful country, and I am excited for our four weeks here. The San Diego training block went well- I stayed healthy (thank you Rick!), and got in a consistent eight weeks of work, making progress in a lot of areas and taking new tools and knowledge with me onward to Camp #2. I am transforming as an athlete in a lot of ways, and changes aren't solely physical.

It was great to visit with Chris in Manhattan Beach, CA before flying out of LAX on Wednesday night.  Chris was flying in a different direction to Florida for two early season ITU races in Clermont and Sarasota (GOOD LUCK :)!!) Although it is tough to be worlds apart, we are incredibly supportive of one another, and I can't imagine being on this journey without his encouragement and love.

I am currently in Queenstown, a few kilometers from the airport, waiting for Darren and a few of the other Dsquad athletes to land this afternoon so we can make the trip up the mountain together. This camp will be at altitude, an environment I am familiar with after five years in Boulder, Colo. I am eager to get settled and take on new challenges in our temporary home of Snowfarm.

View from hotel in Queenstown, NZ.

Just a short post- mainly for friends and family who asked me to update my blog more often so they can keep tabs on me ;)

Love you guys!

Jessica

Handling injuries LAVA article

Got an injury? Check out my LAVA article to get some tips on how to handle it in a healthy way.

http://lavamagazine.com/handling-injuries-in-a-healthy-way/

Article for LAVA: Why do you do sport?

http://lavamagazine.com/friday-confessions-why-do-you-do-sport/

Thank you to Matt Reed, Joanna Zeiger, Cam Dye, Joe Maloy, Angela Naeth, Jimmy Seear and Jodie Stimpson for contributing!

Big Changes

It has been awhile since I have posted a proper update on my blog- since late September to be exact! A lot has happened in the past four months, so I will try to keep it brief and use photos to distract you from the less exciting paragraphs of text.

My apartment may have been a goner, but the silver lining was that I got to spend the next three months with the amazing Hoops Family, who soon became family to me. With the help of Rich, Traci, Lexie, Payton, McCall and Remi, I emotionally recovered, got some new clothes, and went on with my life. The love and support that the Hoops showed me during this time is something I will be eternally thankful for. 

In the midst of this transition, I wasn't really sure what my next move would be. There was no exact date on when the remodeling of my apartment would be finished, and as much as I would have loved to stay with the Hoops forever, I knew that I would need to make some decisions for the upcoming year.

After communication for several weeks, I received an email in early November from Darren Smith, an Australian triathlon coach, welcoming me to his international squad of athletes. I still remember the incredible mixture of emotions I felt when I found out, mainly pure excitement. I knew this was going to be the start of the next chapter of my life.

Came home to find this from the Hoops in my room. One of the many gestures that made me feel so loved!

Traveling home for Thanksgiving was next up on the schedule. Seeing family is always a treat, and I embraced our time together. My parents and sisters have been my biggest supporters from the start of my career, through the highs and lows, and everything in between. Celebrating the news with them was very special and I could see just how excited they all are for me and the journey ahead. 

With all my sisters on Thanksgiving day.

Before heading back to Colorado for my final two weeks, I made a stop in Arizona for a few days to meet Darren for the first time. Both Lindsey Jerdonek and I were invited to spend a few days shadowing world-class sprinters, vaulters, hurdlers and jumpers training at Athletes Performance in Phoenix, AZ. We met Dan Pfaff, an incredibly wise and experienced coach, who has worked with nine Olympic medalists and five world record-holders during his 39-year career. These three days with the athletes, coaches, and Darren were a peak into the sphere of high level sport, and the attention to detail and focus it takes to be absolute world class. 

Dan Pfaff in the center with some amazing athletes surrounding!

The two weeks following flew by- I packed up all of my belongings into my car, trained, met up with friends for one last coffee or lunch date, shipped boxes, and celebrated Chris' birthday and graduation.

Birthday boy. Coke and cake- combination of champions.

Proud of my graduate! 

I also came down with the flu (Yes Mom, I should have gotten a flu shot) during my final day in Colorado, which made an already emotional goodbye even more painful. The Hoops organized a farewell breakfast the morning of my departure, and despite waking up with a 104 fever, I refused to miss it. Chris's mom, Cindy, and sister, Brittany were in town as well, so it was a great gathering with lots of people I love. As I sweat out my fever, tears filled my eyes while hugging everyone goodbye- I was an absolute mess! The photo below is prior to the emotional breakdown.

Traci, Rich, me, Payton and Remi after farewell breakfast. 

If there is anywhere I would want to have the flu, it would be at home. My fever was often so high that I could barely walk, and I missed out on some holiday fun. My sisters took good care of me, bringing me new blankets to sweat through and water to chug down. By the time the holiday was over, I was starting to come around, just in time for my departure on New Years Eve to California. 

Christmas Eve, before Santa even came!

And here I am now in Chula Vista, Calif., less than two weeks away from heading off to New Zealand. Camp here has flown by and I am learning so much from Darren, Rick (our physio master), Nico (our Swiss physiology intern), and all my D squad teammates. I am seeing improvement every week, and continuing to tick away at the job. Consistency is key, and I know that I am doing the best job I can at getting better every day. 

Run session towards the beginning of camp. Photo credit: Kevin Koresky

Overtraining article for LAVA

http://lavamagazine.com/overtraining-a-self-monitoring-system-is-key-to-prevention/

Goal-Setting

Need some tips to help you reach your goals in 2014? Check out my first article for LAVA magazine.

http://lavamagazine.com/set-your-goals-how-to-get-results-in-2014/#.UtbpwKBU3zI

LAVA magazine contributor

I am excited to announce I will be a contributing writer to LAVA magazine starting January 13th. I will be posting once or twice a week on a variety of triathlon related topics.

Here is a brief Q+A about me :) Enjoy!

http://lavamagazine.com/introducing-jessica-erin-broderick/#.Us4wD6BU3zJ

“What’s for you shall not pass you.”

I have never really believed in a higher power, or that someone up above has a plan for me. I like to think that I am in charge of what lies ahead, my own pilot in this journey called life. That was until recently.

After finishing school in December 2012, I made the decision to go “all in” with triathlon, and see what I can make of myself. Since earning my pro license in 2009, I have had amazing opportunities traveling the world to compete, and have enjoyed every minute. Triathlon has enriched my life in so many ways, and for that I am incredibly fortunate. 

After graduation, making the decision to pursue sport as my career was a big one, with much thought put in to it. I chatted with old coaches, friends, family, and realized that if I don’t go after my dreams, I will definitely regret it down the road and always wonder “what if?”

That being said, I can’t say that it has been the transition I hoped for. I didn’t think that miraculously after committing full-time to sport I would become the best in the world, but I have struggled to transfer all the hard work into race performances I am proud of. What I have done, however, is keep at it despite every road block I have encountered. Perhaps the biggest test of character has been the most recent obstacle- the Boulder flooding. 

As the water washed through my apartment, taking a majority of my belongings with it, I felt helpless and out of control. I purposely avoided going back to my apartment because I was in denial about all the damage and what I had lost. Thankfully, my apartment manager scheduled a meeting, and recruited friends to help me save as much as I could. Four hours of solid assembly line work later, I had garbage bags filled with dirty, drenched clothes, jewelry, and random things we were able to salvage. Perhaps the first  sign of a light at the end of the tunnel was what happened next.

My apartment manager’s friend, Traci Hoops, and her husband, Rich and daughter, Payton, had come to help me that day and invited me back to their home to run laundry loads and try to save some clothes. I followed them back to their home and found some of my things already hanging up to dry in their garage. I felt incredibly overwhelmed with how kind and generous these people were to me- I have never been one to accept help easily. This entire process has left me realizing that it is okay to let others help you in big ways, and I am eternally grateful to Hoops family for taking me in. Traci and Rich have four daughters (an environment I am very familiar with as one of four girls), and I have found it amazing how parallel my world is to theirs, making me feel very much at home. Traci invited me to stay until I figure out my plans, and I can’t help but think that our worlds collided for a reason.

Since the flood, I have had so many conflicting emotions: gratitude, sadness, appreciation, stress, happiness, confusion, and exhaustion. I used training as a way to get away from it all and clear my head. I went for some bike rides with good friends, and felt liberated as the wind blew over my face. I went swimming and enjoyed feeling the sun on my back, and the serenity in moving through the water. 

I decided to end my 2013 season due to a knee injury and all that I have been going through lately. I can’t help but see this flood as an opportunity to cleanse, appreciate and grow as an individual. I am putting my energy into doing all the things I can never do when I am busy training, as well as planning for 2014. 

While going through a garbage bag full of dirt and belongings, I came across a bracelet that my mom sent me after breaking my elbow earlier this season. I ran it under water to get the mud off, and turned the charm over. Dangling from the bracelet the charm read “What’s for you shall not pass you.” 

I know that this season has been a true test for me as an athlete, and an individual, and I am confident in being able to come out the other side stronger. I have a feeling that the stars will align and what is for me is just around the corner. I can't wait.

Perspective

I am sitting here in my friends apartment watching the rain fall outside and thinking about how difficult the past few days have been. A disaster like this one in Boulder makes you really put things in to perspective.

After my bike crash early June, I spent a long time rehabbing and getting healthy. I went to REV3 Maine after two months away from racing- and I was really excited to get back out there again. I raced okay, but walked away frustrated with a costly mechanical on the bike, and disappointed with the result. The weekend was a lot of fun with OTF Multisport, and our team had a big showing. I also got to catch up with Kurt Perham, my first triathlon coach. Throughout the years, he has always remained a mentor and good friend, so I was really excited to meet up.

Photo from the run in Maine.

I went home to Connecticut for a week, and as always, the time with family was much needed. We went to Rhode Island to see some of my mom's side of the family on Labor Day, a bittersweet feeling without my Grandma being there. My mom insisted on getting some family photos down by the beach- it is rare that we are all together, and photos are always a great way to savor the memories.

The fam. 

Since then, I have been preparing for the Pacific Grove triathlon and the Las Vegas Super Sprint. When I was home in CT I began to develop an old knee injury, which I think came from the combined stress of riding lots of steep hills (the riding where I live in CT is brutal!) and also from running on the roads (Boulder spoils me with trails). I have had the injury before, so I know how to deal with it and what it takes to get healthy again. This unfortunately means I won't be racing this weekend at Pac Grove, and most likely not in Vegas either. This season has certainly been filled with frustration- I felt like I was coming in to good form leading up to Edmonton, then the bike crash happened, now injury is putting me on the sidelines. However, after the past few days here in Boulder, I think the injury was a blessing in disguise.

I was supposed to leave on Wednesday for CA, but decided I wouldn't be able to race, and instead was able to be here to deal with the Boulder floods. My apartment is completely ruined, but I did get home from errands on Wednesday evening in time to get a lot of it raised. If I had left to race, I would have come home to a really really bad situation. Now, after staying at a friends place for the past few days (Thank you Kevin Collington and Lindsey Jerdonek), I am a bit scared to go back and see what further damage was caused by the flooding. Last time I left my apartment the water was 5-6 inches deep throughout the inside, but I got word from my apartment manager that 2-3 feet of water is pooled outside my apartment door and no one can get in to pump it out. (YIKES!) I am just hoping that 2-3 feet of water is not also inside my apartment.

Regardless, with this horrible disaster in Boulder, I have been reminded that things are just things, and the way people have come together to help others is truly remarkable. The next few weeks will be interesting as I am able to assess the extent of damage to my place and my personal belongings, but I know everything will be ok.

I am hoping to get healthy for Cozumel in October- I had a great, fun race in Cancun last year, so Mexico is a place I would love to return to. Until then, amidst the frustration with injury and flooding, I must remind myself to focus on the positive and keep moving forward, one day at a time.

Jessica

Summer Adventures: Connecticut, Canada and California

It has been over a month since I have updated my blog, so I am long overdue! I haven't been in Colorado since June 12, so I have been traveling around and quite busy. It has been a great few weeks all in all- lots of smiles, some tears, but mostly a lot of fun. Instead of writing a ton about my travels, I am going to use a mixture of photos and text to tell you what I have been up to lately.


Connecticut

I made a decision to travel home for Father's day and my little sisters' graduation from middle school, and it just so happened that there was a hometown race for me to compete in while in CT! The Griskus Olympic triathlon was the week before Edmonton, so I figured it would be a great tune up, and it is a rare occasion that I get to race in front of my entire family. My aunt and grandmother came to watch my race as well, so I had quite the cheering squad.

I had competed in the Griskus Sprint Triathlon as one of my first triathlons ever in 2007 (I think?), but had never taken on the challenge of the olympic distance. My mom warned me about the hills, but I honestly did not know what was coming. Riding in CT is actually quite challenging, even after living in Colorado for 5 years where we ride in the mountains all the time. Instead of being able to climb for miles (like in CO), riding in CT is like a roller coaster, and it is very hard to find a rhythm. You go up steep little climbs, then down, then up again...over and over again. I actually wish I raced on my road bike it was so hilly! Regardless, it was a very fun and rewarding course, and I was happy to put together a strong swim-bike-run combo to take the win. I also got the course record, so I have a free entry if I want to go back and race next year! :)

 

Chris Thomas and I after taking the overall male and female wins at the 2013 Griskus Triathlon.

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I enjoyed my time at home and got to see my baby sisters graduate from middle school! My older sister Emily and I held back tears as we watched them receive their diplomas, in disbelief that they will be headed off to high school next year. I am so proud of all they have accomplished so far, and I know they have very bright futures ahead of them!

The whole family after the twins graduation. From left to right: Me, Mom, Hannah (twin 2), Emily, Scarlet (twin 1), Dad.

Canada

After my week at home, I was off to Edmonton, Canada for my second world cup. I was eager to see my Apex teammates, Flora Duffy and Lindsey Jerdonek, and race hard after a confidence booster the previous weekend in my hometown. A major goal of mine this season has been to transfer the relaxed nature in which I approach low key races, into my big races. This is much easier said than done, but I am making progress. I think it is really easy to over think and get in your head when you are on a big stage and have expectations. I always seem to surprise myself in low key race situations, so now it is about transferring this confidence and mentality over to my ITU races.

I was really pleased with my race in Edmonton- I had a great swim, ended up in the first chase pack, ran hard and ended up 18th.

Swim Start- I am on the right side between the green suit and the Canada suit.

The one down side of the race was a hold up in T2- I made a surge to the front of the pack at the end of the bike and dismounted first in our group. I knew positioning would be key heading out on to the run. Unfortunately, I had a few people cut in front of me from the right side as they came across their transition areas (mine was towards the far end), and I nearly face-planted trying to slow down my momentum with my bike. Transition is always chaotic, so I just stayed calm and tried to get through there as quickly as possible. I was towards the back out of transition after nearly colliding with a few different girls, and I spent over half the run just trying to make contact with some of the athletes. The run course was TOUGH, basically two massive hill repeats. I ran very hard, and was pleased with my race effort-- I had nothing else to give on the day, and crossing the line after giving your best effort is a great feeling! I have made a lot of steps in the right direction, and I am really proud of that. I still have work to do, but I am patiently enjoying the journey, and always looking forward.

We had quite a few men and women racing in Canada, and it was a great trip all around. A big thanks to Greg Mueller and Lindsey Hyman for being great coaches. It was awesome to get to spend time with both of you, as well as all the American athletes.

USA women with Lindsey Hyman and Greg Mueller pre race. A great showing by Team USA!

Me with Chelsea Burns and Katie Hursey, my OTF Multisport teammates!

 California

My travels from Canada included a flight to San Francisco (which was delayed quite a bit due to fog), a missed shuttle to Monterey (due to the delay, due to the fog), a later shuttle to Monterey, CA, and a short car ride to California State University- Monterey, for a week of coaching at a Junior Triathlon Skills camp.

I had an absolutely incredible week- I think I learned just as much from the campers as they did from me. Spending time with young, talented triathletes brought me back to my roots and made me remember the fun and positive approach I had towards the sport when I started about six years ago.

The whole crew pre open water swim in Monterey, CA. It was chilly!

A few big takeaways from camp----For one,  I absolutely LOVE coaching and am thinking about getting my Level 1 USAT certification now. I really appreciate Sharon Osgood (camp director) getting me involved with such an awesome group of athletes and coaches, because I had a truly incredible experience.

With some of the campers and coaches at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Second big takeaway- even though I have been doing the sport for awhile now, I still have a lot to learn! I now understand what people mean when they say "teaching is the best way to learn something." I kept my eyes and ears wide open throughout the week, and through engaging with other coaches and athletes at camp, I can honestly say that I left camp with a lot more knowledge than when I arrived.

Third big takeaway- Enjoying the process is the key to success. I saw all of the campers smiling throughout the entire week- even during some really hard sessions, and I think that having a positive attitude is essential for achieving goals in sport. It is definitely hard to maintain the mentality I had when I was 16 years old and just getting started in triathlon, because I had no expectations and really no care in the world- I just had fun and worked really hard. Now, I have fun and work really hard, but also put a lot of unneeded pressure on myself on race day. Racing is racing, and you have to have fun to be successful.

A quote I read recently that relates.... (I also met Olympic swimmer, Eric Shanteau at an open water swim yesterday in Santa Barbara and read this article later that day, where I found the quote).
"If you're enjoying yourself in sport and enjoying the competition, you're going to get better."

On the second to last day of camp, we were descending a steep climb and I crashed my bike pretty hard. The hardest part of the day was behind us- It was 110 degrees and we had climbed lots of miles in the mountains. I was moving my hands from my hoods to my drops, and in the split second between I hit a huge hole in the road and went flying.

The hip battle wound.

At the end of the day- a hairline fracture in my elbow, lots of road rash, and my first crash down in the books. I would say that 1 bad crash in 6 years of riding is a pretty good record! Sharon took great care of me, and I tried not to cry in front of the campers even though I was in a LOT of pain. The shower post crash, and the day after were just as bad as the crash itself, but every day since has been getting better and better. I went to the doc and he told me to use pain as my guide and swimming is actually "good" for the elbow."
So, I am still able to swim-bike-run, and things could be a lot worse.

Chris and I in Santa Barbara at the Dolphin Fountain.

I was able to catch a ride with one of the campers' parents to Santa Barbara, where I have been now for a week. It has been great to visit with Chris and his family- I turned 23 (ah!), and I absolutely LOVE everything about southern California. We went to the beach on my birthday, and that was probably my favorite part of the whole week!

Chris and I at the beach on the 4th.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to do all the fun local events (swim-runs, open water swims etc), because of my elbow, but I have been able to watch Chris compete. The cheerleader role is actually quite fun! I have one more full day in Santa Barbara, and then I will be headed back to Boulder. I am looking forward to sitting down with my coach and coming up with a plan to attack the second half of my season with full steam! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Jessica

Butter Braden and I at the beach. :)