Team: USA!!!!

Here is the team!! Or at least most of us....from left to right.....
Reene Fiack (sprint)
Anne Yates (sprint)
Joanne Gilchrist (sprint)
Gabrielle Walters (olympic)
Darlene Henderson (sprint)
Margaret Bomberg (olympic)
Sue Kamrar (sprint)
Maryanne Bachus (olympic)
Teresa Kludt (olympic)
Elizabeth Brent (olympic)

Sprint or Olympic refers to the distance of the race.

Not pictured: Kim Agur(sprint), Susan Clavey(olympic), and Bill Brent(sprint).

Now that I know how to do this there will be more photos to follow........Go Team!!

We Are Cooking......

It has been a busy weekend for Team: USA from Chico. On Saturday we got together for a group training in our uniforms. KHSL was there to film us practicing. A piece about the team will be aired on Tuesday evening on channels 12 and 24. There was also an article about the team in the Enterprise Record this past Sunday. I have to say it was very exciting to see us all together in our uniforms. It made us all very proud of being a part of this.

A group also met at Sue Kamrar's on Saturday afternoon to practice the transition element of the race. We have learned from experience and our knowlegable coach that this is an area to shave off some overall time on your race. The transition is the points between disciplines, the swim to bike and bike to run. We have learned various ways to accomplish these as fast as possible. When we are up against our competitors we are always the fastest at transitions. This is a great area to make up time as it does not require any strength or endurance. Believe it or not races have been won or lost based on the time spent in transition.

On Sunday a group went down to Sacramento to participate in the all women Luna Bar sprint triathlon. This was a great place for some to hone their skills and gain some confidence. The remaining women either rested or participated in a 36 mile bicycle road race. The race started at Ord Bend park and circled around to Butte City and back. This was also a good opportunity for us to work on speed and concentration as the course is similiar to what we will be doing in Australia.

So as you can see no rest for the weary. This week should be spent on getting ready and a few little speed things here and there to keep us sharp.

I am working on getting some photos posted here....having trouble with it so if anyone has any hints?

Meanwhile be sure to check out the local media for our team who will be in force representing Chico and the United States!!

More Links and Updates................

As the time draws nearer everyday we are getting busier and busier. Last night a group of us met at North Rim Adventure Sports to learn how to take our bikes apart, pack them in a travelling box, and put them back together. The incredible staff at the shop was on hand to teach us and help us and provide travel boxes. They gave up their time and energy to help us. I was very nervous about this because lets just say me and tools do not often get along but I braved it knowing my team mates were doing the same. Now I am very proud of the fact that I can do this (at least I hope I can!). A huge special thanks to Mike, Paul, and John for their efforts and support of our team. They are always on hand to give advice, expertly work on our bikes, and provide quality merchandise. I am now inspired to buy some tools!

And now for a couple more links to keep you in the action.....

For course maps go to www.worldtriathlongoldcoast.com/eventguideathleteguide.html#map

For past ITU races go to http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRZeQ

Next up will be look at our team. I will give you a brief profile of each competitor and hopefully some photos.

News Coverage

As I said in a previous post our Darlene Henderson had a write up about her upcoming trip to Australia in the Corning Observer....here is the link to that article...http://www.corning-observer.com/sports/triathlon-5720-mile-challenge.html

Keep posted for further coverage of the Women's Tri Club and our Australian adventure.

Way to go Darlene!!

Another One....

I was also given this link to try......http://www.triathlonlive.tv/index/home

Hopefully these links will help in being able to follow the action!

New Link.....

Hi, It was brought to my attention that the link to follow the championships was not working so lets try this one......http://triathlon.org/worldchampionshipseries

Link to ITU site to follow race....

Here is a link to the International Triathlon Union web site.....http://www.triathlon.org/worldchampionshipseries/index.php-series

The Time is Drawing Near.....Part 2

We are down to just a few days before most of us leave for Australia and 16 days from race day! Everyone is busy now taking care of all the deatils required for a trip like this. There have been a couple of meetings and lots of emails for details like packing bikes, phone service, how to handle all our baggage, visas etc.

There has also been increased interest from the media wanting to cover our story! Most recently a local television station came and filmed and interviewed some of the women at a training session. They will be coming again to take some more photos of us in our uniforms. Also our very own Darlene Henderson had an article printed about her upcoming trip to worlds in her local Corning paper.

The excitement is truly mounting as the reality sets in for all of us. I find as I tell people about our group and what we are doing there is a realization about what a big deal this is for our community and for us.

Another Bump in the Road......

Well just when I thought things couldn't get any more difficult for me I crashed on my bike. Really I am fine, no broken bones just stiff and sore and bruised which makes training a little difficult. Is the universe conspiring against me? I would like to think so...I want to blame something! But hey if this is the worst thing that ever happens to me I am lucky.

Many of us have now gotten our uniforms which is very exciting. For me at least....it is very cool. At this point things are really winding down, a little more "training", and preparing for travel. So that is where I am at...just tying everything together and keeping my head on straight.

The Time is Drawing Near.....

Hello All, It certainly has been a long road as I anticipated in the beginning of this blog. It has just been such an up and down experience for me this year and I have learned a lot about myself as an athlete and a person. I went down to Sacramento on Sunday to do a practice race. I was really dissapointed about it at first because it was the first race ever that I have bonked on. But I was there to practice and that is what I accomplished. I have been concerned about my performance in Australia. I have put a lot of pressure on myself to perform because I thought that is what others expect out of me. I have had a difficult year both emotionally and physically and it has taken its toll. Since I have opened up to friends about all of this and my fears of not doing well at worlds I have had an outpouring of support and love. It has changed my whole attitude about going to this race. I have had a great run for the last few years racing. It has been a wonderful time of meeting challenges and exceeding expectations. I have made a great bunch of friends and have been able to train and compete with an amazing group of women and an incredible coach. So onward from here as we draw nearer to departure time and everyone is getting ready for this trip and this race.

Thanks for listening and thanks to everyone who has supported me through this. I will continue to blog through this event as 13 of us hit the big time!

As Predicted....

As I predicted Barb's Race and The Vineman were a huge success for the tri group.  Jeanne O' Regan won her age group!!!!  She had an incredible race and truly represents what our club is all about!!  The other women who raced that day also had fantastic races.  I do not have all those details at this time but will post them this week.

The energy around here is getting very exciting as we get closer to worlds and we now have such a big group going.

I just spent a week at 6500 feet on Lassen and did a bunch of running and swimming.  My leg hurts if I push it too much but I have clear go ahead to go for it.  So as my husband and I were talking...I am going for it in Australia.....I may be limping for a while after but I know I won't do any permanent damage.

Tomorrow I go to Rancho Seco to test things out a bit.  I am back in civilization now and will keep everyone posted on our progress.  I will also be able to keep you updated in Australia as everything unfolds.

Keep on Truckin'..........