Cascade Tri - Cascade, Idaho

On Saturday I did a small Inaugural Sprint at Cascade Lake in Idaho with my husbands family.  It was just a 'fun' triathlon for me since my Dr. won't let my heart rate go above 150.  It was an absolutely gorgeous place & so fun to campout right on the lake for a few days.  The swim was extremely choppy (of course ONLY during the swim portion) but I didn't think it was bad compare to when Utah Lake gets choppy.  Then because my HR monitor kept beeping at me I had to go extremely slow on the bike and run.  I don't think I've ever had so many pass me in my life--so I just had to concentrate on the view and my breathing to get my HR lower.  I felt amazing on the run (probably because I had to go slow on the bike ;)), unfortunately I again had to walk up the hills because my HR was too high.  So in all it was a fun easy workout, and I did it 4 minutes slower than my very first triathlon--which was quite a humbling experience.  I think I needed a sign explaining why I was so slow--definitely a different triathlon experience for me--but it was still fun.  Because it was such a small tri (only 60 athletes) I still got 1st in my age group--haha.  Here's a post race pic with the family--everyone got a finishers medal & a water bottle belt...and the race was only $40!

You win some and...

Well, I don't actually ever WIN, but I did my first open water tri last weekend and, unfortunately, was accompanied by a nasty cold (highly NOT recommended!) so this one would fall under the "you lose some" category. My time was embarrassing and I had no energy or strength the entire time! Boooo!

Start your engines, ladies!
Deena and I missed our wave because my wetsuit wouldn't zip. Boooo!


Once I was finally suited up I ran into the water and started swimming for my life to get ahead of the next wave of paranas speeding towards me. After launching my cough drop that I forgot to spit out, I totally panicked and was so worried about everyone around me that I didn't focus on my breathing or my stroke and I completely flopped the swim. Boooo!


Isn't it beautiful though?! I love my mountains :)

When I got out of the water I felt like crawling right back into bed (or any nearby hole would have sufficed). I could barely stand on my two feet! And to make matters worse...remember that wetsuit that I couldn't get on? Well, it didn't want to come OFF either!! Boooo!


Getting on my good ole bike was like a breath of fresh air. It was probably the best part of the race. I love the bike leg. It was a beautiful ride along the lake and I tried not to push myself too hard. Yaayyy!


The run was quite comical, actually. It felt like a marathon! I walked about half the time (Booooo!) but in the end had a pretty strong finish (haha! Maybe because it was downhill!).


I loved being there with my girls. You were all such a great support. It's was fun to see you along the course and cheer for each other :) Nice job on your times too! I am so impressed with all of you!!


This was definitely a learning experience for me and, in spite of feeling awful and almost hacking up a lung along the way, I tried to stay positive and make the best of a yucky situation. Overall, it was a fun race and I look forward to doing it again next year...great venue!

Now I'm feeling good and looking forward to redeeming myself this Saturday in my next race (Provo). The swim is the longest I've done in open water, so hopefully I survive!
Until then...happy trails!

Salem Spring Tri

This was the very first triathlon I ever did that wasn't a relay, and I loved it. I loved it then and I still love it. What a fun course. Travis does an awesome job putting this race on every year. We had perfect weather, a great course, smooth water, nice shirts ( oh yeah, they gave us 2), and fun award medals. I'm so glad I got to do it at the last minute.

Daybreak Tri

I'm really glad I have a picture of me smiling with my 2 youngest on this sprint tri because it really was the most miserable tri (of the whopping 4!) that I've done! I did this tri last year and loved the location, people and experience... but maybe that was because they cancelled the open water portion last year... ;]

So, I was determined to do it again this year to try out the lake (Oquirrh Lake in West Jordan, UT). Well, I can honestly say, that this was the most miserable fffffreezing cold lake swim I've ever done! But, I am a BIG WOOSIE in the cold! (Water temp reports anywhere from 53-57 deg.) As soon as I started swimming towards the 1st of 3 buoys, I knew this would be my worst swim ever! I was immediately looking for the nearest exit from the water to "dnf" but there was none, so I kept going. I'm glad I finished but very bummed at my placing and times - it took me 1:50 to finish and I was 17th out of a whopping 19 in my age and 70th of 88 total women in the sprint. So, here ya go, all..... I'm posting this to make everyone else feel good about their times!

One thing I learned, though, was that even a poor time was OK when I finished something that was soooo very hard for me. But, it was really fun to see Melissa there who was a trooper to do the Olympic but unfortunately wasn't able to finish the swim on account of dry heaving because of the ccccold. (Breathing during the swim is always nice, right Mel?) I DO love being able to see those from the team at these things! (And, I believe Ammie Black (from the club?) did this, too? I don't know you, Ammie, but it looks like you did great! ...4th outta 7 in her age in the Olympic! Anyone else on club or team do this one?) Needless to say, I WILL be more careful in choosing my "spring" tri's and look for warmer waters.... or just stick with pools til July or later?... All in all, though, I still had fun, which I think is what matters.... so I'm still at it til it's no longer fun. ;]

My fav. part? When I was running in to the finish with my girls, and my youngest, trying to keep up, kept saying, "Mom! My pants are falling down!" Hee, hee, ha, ha, ha... :D

Timpanogos Trail Half Marathon

I can't speak for Deena, but training for this event was the most fun I've ever had preparing for a race. There wasn't a single time, race day included, when I ran without having deer and other creatures greet us on the trail. I looked forward to each run and a good chat with Deena. She's a stellar training partner and deserves every minute on that beach in Florida! The first round of shrimp is on me.

Race day was muddy and raining, but I still couldn't wipe the smile off my face. We bundled up and got ready for the long haul. There were about 78, that did the half and 100 or so for the full. I believe there were a few that also started at 3am to do both the half and then the marathon as well. The course changed a few days before the race, but we both agreed it was for the best. The views were spectacular, even though we were knee deep in mud it seemed at times. Talking helped to make the time pass and then we hit Dry Canyon and NOTHING made the time pass. It was steeper and longer than I remembered it being in training, but I tried to remind myself that I knew this was going to happen. Luckily, Deena came through with her thought provoking questions. I'm sure after Saturday, there is nothing left for us to talk about. A quick slug of Coke (Oooh, lovely Coke) at an aid station and we finished the climb. I caught my second wind coming down and was ready to finish up the race when I took a wrong turn adding 1.8 miles to my race. Go Jen. Luckily my trail met up with the one I was supposed to be on, no harm done, and I was still able to make it a strong finish.

Tough race, but I will definitely do it next year! Great people, great venue, perfect race!!

all about trail running

I had the privilege of being a guest blogger for R-U-N Events. They are a new race directing company and are putting on a trail run series in Park City.

Thought you might like to read about my foray into the world of trail running. Enjoy!!

Team Pics

These pictures turned out so great you guys! I love all of them!! I hope you like them too :) I had a ton of fun editing them and I tried to get the best shots of each of you. But if there is anything you want edited just let me know. And if you like the coloring on a certain shot, I can add it to any of the pictures if you don't like the filter I chose. This was a really fun photo shoot. We have such a great team! Love you guys ;)

(click on any of the images to enlarge)

Deena and Tammy's calendar shots...grrrrr!