Triathlon National Championship

Where have we been!??!?!?!  First off our home computer needs a new graphics card or better yet we probably need a new computer!  So we decided to use Trent's work laptop, the only problem is we won't be able to upload pictures, what a bummer. 

This summer has come and gone so fast. 

First lets start with the Age Group Sprint Nationals Championships for triathlon, which took place 8/20/11.  Holly and I went up to Burlington, VT with the help of her mom to compete in Nationals.  What a trip!!  Our flight that Thursday was delayed so we didn't get to Boston till midnight on Friday.  We tried to drive to Burlington (which is 3 hours away) that night, but we only got as far as Concord, NH.  Friday morning we finally got to Burlington,VT.  Once there we had to reassemble our bikes since they we boxed up in travel bags, those bag fees were not cheap!  That afternoon we got our race numbers and had to set up our bikes in the transition area.  We tried to stay away from downtown Burlington to be away from other competitors and calm our nerves.  I will say Burlington is beautiful it reminded me of a smaller version of Grand Lake, CO. 

That Saturday was race day.  Our bodies didn't travel well and we were both nervous. Our legs were cramping from being stuck on an airplane for so long.  This race was the hardest race we both have competed in.  The jewel of the race had to be the start of the run.  Right as you get off your bike and started running you typically try to get your "run legs" going.  But this course had a very steep 200 meter hill right at the beginning of the run course.  So you had to be careful how hard you pushed otherwise you could burn all your energy reserves going up the hill.  But you couldn't catch your breath because you had the hill you had to climb and mentally it was daunting. 

The Swim, Lake Champlain

A picture of Holly finishing the swim made it into the newspaper!

The Transition Area (it looks like everyone is on the bike course!)



Part of the Bike Course



The Finish Line
The American flags waving, the sun shining and tons of spectators cheering you on!
 It was a perfect way to finish a tough race!



Not only did we get to compete against some of the best triathletes in the nation we also were trying to do well enough in our age groups to earn slots for 2012 World Championship race!  We had to finish in the top 18 of our age groups to qualify for a slot.  Trent finished 5th in his age group and Holly we learned later since she turns 25 next was competiting in the 25-29 age group not the 20-24 age group as we thought.  She still finished 7th in the older age group.  So we both earned slots to represent Team USA in the 2012 World Championships!!!  We are both incredibly excited to compete against the rest of the world!  Training for the race will be the easy part getting there will be the challenge.  The rest of this year we will be saving money so we can get to Auckland, New Zealand next October!!!  We both are proud of our race year and what a way to finish the 2011 season.  We can't wait for 2012 to start and being able to represent USA against the rest of the world. 

  

Resting by Lake Champlain after the race.

Our Team!