Offseason Swimming!

Now that the tri season has come to an end here is a great article on 3 things to focus on for the offseason!

1. Drills

2. Long Slow Distance

3. Yoga and/or Weights

Offseason Swimming: 3 Things to Focus On

Danskin 2009- We did it!

We did it! We crossed the finish line again this year at the 2009 Danskin. Not only did we accomplish this race with many friends and family by our side, but we did it surpassing our fundraising goal. A big thanks to all of you, we raised over $3,700!!!! I cannot speak for everyone when I describe my race experience, but I do know that we were all proud to be racing for Mark and his foundation.

I woke up that morning at 4 am feeling nervous, excited, but ready. We rode in the dark to the expo center and waited in line until being bused out to the race site. Once there, we setup our transition area, went to the port-a-potty about 10 times, sang the national anthem and cheered everyone on before entering the water. The swim was great once you got through the pack of people, the bike was quite crowded but everyone on the road were very motivating, then the run was ROUGH! The weather started changing and the heat was rising! All the people cheering me on at the finish line were very encouraging and I couldn't have done it without them! At the end of the day my body ached a bit/a lot and I was ready for my free massage! We headed home after cheering on friends crossing the finish line to celebrate the day.

After the race, everyone came back to the lake house for burgers, beer, and swimming. A dip in the cool lake is just what we all needed!

 Thank you everyone who came out to the race, the after party, and for donating/helping us raise money! Congratulations to all those who participated in the race! You all did amazing and I am so proud of you for completing the race and can't wait for next years!

Here are some photos from the race and a link to the event websites images: Danskin 2009 Images.

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Danskin After Party

For all of those triathletes, supporters, donators, and party people...I hope you will join us to celebrate the finish of the Danskin Triathlon on Sunday, June 7th and the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund!!

The party will be at the Francese lake house after the race. We will be grilling out, floating in the lake, and celebrating with some beers.

I hope you all will make it out either after you come to the race or roll out of bed. We will probably get home around 12ish or so. Please come on out around 1ish and bring a towel, suit, and koozie to help us celebrate! Spread the word!

If you want to come to the race to cheer us on please check out the blog post for more information.

Danskin 2009 Spectator Information

I hope you will be able to come out on Sunday morning and wear your Mark Felice TRI-ing For A Cause t-shirt or a blue shirt. Let me know if you have any questions. My entire family will be out there as well as all those supporting the other triathletes. If you bring a water bottle there will be an area to fill it up and it will be hot so be sure to.

Spectator parking will be at the Travis County Expo Center parking lot. YOU MAY NOT park along the roadsides in the race area. After you park you can catch a shuttle bus or walk one mile to the race site.

Here is the shuttle schedule:

• 5:00am to 5:30am for volunteers (If you're there earlier than 5:30, please let the volunteers board these first shuttles. There is nothing that you can do at the race site without volunteers

there!)

• 5:30am to 6:45am for participants and spectators. If you are participating, we suggest that you plan to be at the parking lot no later than 6:15am.

• 10:00am to noon for people heading back to the parking area

Spectators who wish to arrive after 6:45 a.m. must walk approximately one mile to the race site. All walkers must stay on the grass inside the fenceline and off the race course.

Sunday, June 7, 2009 (all at Walter E. Long Park)

• 5:30am – Transition Area opens for gear drop off and final preparations

• 6:45am – Transition closes

• 7:00am – Race Starts

• 8:00am - Post Race Party with refreshments

• 10:00am – Awards Ceremony

For more information go to the Danskin Austin Race Website.

The first wave starts at 7am with the older women going first. Last year I started at 8:04am and it took me a little under 2 hours so even if you show up late it will still be well worth it.

Words of Encouragement from CHRISTINA

There is nothing like your first triathlon. You will be a different person as you cross that finish line. I loved every minute of it...the anticipation, the dedication, the excitement, the accomplishment!

There are three reasons the Danskin meant so much to me:

1) I had reached this goal with the help of my mom, sister, and aunt. We all pushed each other through training and had a blast talking about our gear, strategy, outfits, and goals. Watching them start/finish the face was an overwhelming feeling. I remember being so proud, altogether forgetting my nerves and the fact that I was about to follow them into the water. Whether it was your mom or best friend supporting you these past couple of weeks, it will be a memorable day for you both.

2) People had told us the Danskin would be different than any other triathlon. It was. This is because it's a race for only women and they are here for a cause. It was a competitive race, but as my competitors passed me, they would shout out encouraging words. "You're almost there! Doing Great! This is the biggest hill, then you're done!" Why would the person trying to beat me want to encourage me to bike harder or run faster? That's what makes these women so special. Make sure you encourage others too!

3) Mark. Raising money for something he strongly believed in is very important to us. And even more important than the money, is keeping the memory and spirit of Mark alive. Ann Marie knew a sporting activity would fit Mark's personality well and I remember pushing it through each part of the race and thinking of Mark. I thought about him wakeboarding, playing school sports, and fighting cancer. I dedicated myself to the race, like he did in everything he accomplished. I'm sure you will have your reasons race day will be special and memorable. Just remember to enjoy the day and set goals for yourself (my goal was to finish).

Words of Encouragement from my MOM

Next weekend many of you will be doing your first triathlon. You will always remember your first one. It brings excitement, some anxiety, and lots of packing to make sure you don’t leave something behind, like a helmet or running shoes. I think I knew that once I was finished with the swim and I hadn’t drowned, (just kidding, but that is how I deal with anxiety) then I definitely could do the bike ride and the run even if I had to walk and crawl. We arrived at the transition area as the sun was coming up. I had to start thinking about getting in the water at 7am and how that would feel. Who swims at 7am!!! YIKES! I just have to stay in the water for about 30 minutes and then I am onto the bike! The Star Spangled Banner played as Christina and Ann Marie stood with me arm in arm at the start line. It was a very special moment for the three of us as we had talked daily for months about training, and gear, and this was it. When I came out of the water I saw Christina and Ann Marie cheering me on. Ann Marie had tears in her eyes. Tom was there too at this point. Transition was as practiced.

The bike was exhilarating especially as I cheered on the riders around me and I was so happy to have the water in the rear view mirror. After 12 miles on the bike, I knew that I could do this! I was a Tough Cookie and with that comes lots of sideline cheering. Crossing the finish line was an unbelievable feeling. I now was a Tough Cookie Triathlete! The family fans were there to cheer me on. Knowing that I had entered this race to benefit the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund made the finish that much sweeter. We did it and I did it with my girls! What more could a mom ask for!! I know this year will be even better since so many of our friends and family are joining us. I wish everyone a great race, but just know, this is a personal race for many of you and one you will always remember. Good luck! And keep your head up! We are all cheering for YOU!

Danskin Triathlon on Sunday!

The Danskin Triathlon is this SUNDAY!! It came quicker than I remember and am so excited. Everyone has been working so hard in preparation for this race. Last year it was an early start to the day but well worth it. As we were riding on the bus to the race site a lady munching on a McDonald's big mac told us to remember our first race because there is never another feeling quite like it and to enjoy every second of it! I didn't realize how wonderful hearing her say that until the middle of the race on the bike when it was extremely windy and I realized every woman on the course was doing this for a cause and I was doing it for Mark. It changed my view of the race knowing everyone was supporting each other.

Once we got off the bus we setup our transition area. I got in the water at 8:04 right after my mom left at 7am and my sister at 8am. I was so nervous as all of the women in my age group stood on the ramp in the water waiting for the gun to go off. Before we went the announcer gave some words of encouragement. Once I got half way through the swim i felt great and couldn't wait to reach the finish.

We had plenty of supporters and that made all the difference. I hope everyone will be able to make it out this Sunday for the race. I know it is early but even if you show up late someone will still be on the course needing support.