Yokohama WTS 2013

gwen_yokohama run

PRE YOKOHAMA: It was bitter sweet leaving for Yokohama after spending a precious ten days at home.  I wasn’t looking forward to the long flight, nor leaving home and Pat, but I knew work needed to be done. There was a small field at Yokohama, which may cause some to say it was an easier race; [...]

San Diego WTS

run san Deigo

I left the Southern Hemisphere knowing my training was on point. I was confident in my form, but I was also a bit shook after the DNF in Auckland.  I spent two weeks in Chula Vista, CA at the Olympic training center with my training partner Aaron Royle, and a few other international triathletes. Training wasn’t too [...]

Auckland

gwen DNF auckland

I wish there were do-over’s in triathlons, the reality is there isn’t. All I can do is learn from my mistakes. I prepped for the 2013 season opener in Auckland better than last year’s World Championship, when I placed 2nd. However, I got to the race and made a mistake. I was cold to begin [...]

The offseason is over

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Hard to believe I’ve been in Australia for three months.  It’s time to pack up and start racing.   Things I’ll miss about Wollongong The beach view My new training grounds My new training partners Roundabouts Perfect weather/the sun A coach on hand daily at any, and every moment TV - especially Master Chef, My Kitchen [...]

Devonport

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This year the Oceana Sprint Championships had me headed to Devonport, Tasmania, Australia.  Previous to this I’d never been to Tasmania, and I was looking forward to the first race of the year in a new location for me.  It’s no secret that I need to work on my front end of triathlon (swim/bike).  I’ve [...]

Better safe than sorry

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Yesterday we went for an afternoon run around 4pm.  We could see smoke from bush fires less than 15k away.  We were told it was fine, so most of us relaxed and went on with our day.  I returned home to shower and prepare dinner when Jamie Turner knocks on my door. “You need to [...]

Training Camp

Falls

  January 1 Pat and I flew to Australia to train for the winter.  We spent one day relaxing at the beach in Wollongong, before heading to Falls Creek in Victoria, Australia for training camp.  It’s my first time at altitude, so we are cautious.  I’m working out often, but without much intensity.     [...]

An Unexpected Year

gwen run

I had a year I wouldn’t have predicted.  Before World Championships, I would say I had a disappointing season.  I had subpar races, bad luck, and mediocre results.   My competitors were racing smarter, and possibly harder.  I went into World Champs knowing a good result wouldn’t make up for my Olympic (or other) performance, but I was determined to [...]

First time in Japan: can’t wait to go back

Pat Gwen the Gong

Japan: loved the food, and the people were incredibly polite. I ate rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and was always trying new treats (salad, miso soup, and curry for breakfast? Yes please!) Yokohama was my first race post London and it felt great to be racing again.  I was mentally itching to race, however [...]

Off Road

Gwen CX

I’ve never been so unprepared.  I showed up at Tuesday Night Cross (TNC) in Minneapolis, MN with my cyclocross bike.  The bike was perfect, and I felt like my fitness was great.  But I lacked essentials: mental will and skills. I had ridden my cross bike a few times at the river bottoms in MN (my [...]