It's A BIG World!

What an AMAZING blessing to get to compete at the 2012 Triathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand!  I give it a ‘whoop whoop!’

'Sola Cafe' and 'Ben' - favorite coffee stops

The food is YUM.

The coffee is excellent.

The people are ‘Sweet As’.

The race was a good race for me too.  The day was the right temperature, although a bit windy that got stronger as the race went on.

Swim time 24:52.  That is not my best this year but this swim was different.  My best time this year was in a ‘lake’ on a calm day – NZ had wind and waves and a current and tide.  28^th out of the water.

Bike time 1:10:39.  This is a grrrREAT bike time and we had wind and hills! 5^th fastest bike time.

Run time 39:52.  Hmm…definitely NOT my best run time.  I was looking for a sub 38min 10K time.  Did I give it all on the bike?  The run was a flat course with a lot of change of surface to run on, and the wind.  At any rate it was still 4^th fastest run time in my age group (1^st girl was at a 35min and change!).

Next Year World Championships will be held in London, UK.  All the podium spots were taken mainly by Kiwis’, Aussies and Team GB.  New Zealand hosted tough competition and I expect London to do the same.  What is better than 11^th?  FIRST!

Alison, Maori girl, Angela at Opening Ceremonies

Movie Night and Bible Study

Hap-hap-happy to be Chaplains :)

Thank you to all those who supported us through Athletes in Action as Alex, Ian and I volunteered to be chaplains for Team Canada at the World Champs.

Thank you to all those who generously gave in support of my athletic pursuits to be World Champion.

Thank you especially to Wentings Cycle and Mountain Shop in Mission, BC and the amazing group of cyclists with Phoenix Velo Cycling Team out of Mission/Abbotsford BC!  The bike and wheels were AWEsome!!!!!

Thank you to Ma and Pa Jackson for your support in many ways.  Thank you to Ma and Pa Farkash for your sideline support AT THE RACE in New Zealand!  That was amazing :)

Thank you Vermilion Rotary Club for your generous donation in support of a girl who wants to do the best she can for her sport and community.

Thank you Trinity Western University and Mark Bomba for your incredible support and elite level coaching.

Thank you Webbs of Vermilion for your support and excitement of a farm-girl turned triathlete.

Thank you Joanne Martin and the Keith Martin fund.

How many people and groups can I name individually who helped?  SOOOOOO MANY!

Thank you Katie Wallbaum for giving out of your student pocket :)

Thank you Wynand Groen, Bonnie Bauer (the first to give), Farkash Farms, Integra Tire, The Lupuls, Mike Smart, Charlie and Andy Lee “Powered by Lee”, Carol McLean, Val and Ross Neufeld, Bruce and Sylvia Friesen, Louise Cartwright, George and Phyllis Webb, Clearbrook Iron, Scott and Toni Ritchie.

NEXT YEAR: LONDON UK

Our Touring Campervan :)

On Our Hike

At the top of 'The Pinnacles'

"How do I get out? I'm stumped."

A few race stats:

Time: 2:21:42

11/63 Women age 20-24

(1^st Canadian; 3^rd in North/South America)

22/686 Women Overall

(2^nd Canadian overall)

DSQ – Not the Greatest Feeling

The short story is that my swim was slow (24:50) and the top two ladies were fast (20:10).  The bike course was short, 8 x 5K loops (8min laps); by the time I got out on the bike course the top ladies were working together really well and ready to start their second lap while I started my first.  ITU rules are if you get lapped on the bike you are DSQ.  Unlucky for me that on the start of my 3^rd lap my seat fell down (that’s a problem) and at the end of that lap the top two girls had overtaken me.  Even without the bike malfunction I don’t know how long I could have held them off.  I passed a few girls on the bike, but the next girl, Rakel, was keeping a steady distance in front of me.  By looking at the race stats, she caught a few Guatemala girls and probably pulled them to keep ahead.  Last year half the pack had been lapped!

After going for a cool down run I watched the rest of the race: really amazing racers out there.  Alex said that he was really proud of me for handling the DSQ like I did: not getting upset, but taking the DSQ as a motivator for hard and consistent training.  My sister nailed it when she said, “Ok, so now you know you have to work that much harder on the swim…I’m glad you got the experience though you had to figure that out somehow.”

Yes, there are a few things I learned about training and racing and a few more things Alex and I learned about traveling!

1) Never fly US Airways with a bike ($200 extra each way!)

2) Sign up for race courses that suit me (longer bike loops or hills)

3) Call very early to book a homestay (save $)

4) Make friends with locals (experience the area)

5) You don't have to park in the valet Park n' Fly (there are 2 lots)

Alex and I really did have a grrrREAT adventure!  Here are some pictures from Buffalo!

Military Ships

That's what I call 'Powered by Bison'

Our B&B hosts from Oma's Guest Haus hooking us up with VIP passes to their favorite Blues bar for live music from Ronnie Baker Brooks

Alex and I at Niagara Falls

Amazing family from Toronto came to watch the race...but hanging out afterwards made it worth it to come to the race :)  Thanks Auntie Annelies and Uncle Justin!

                                                           

Complete ITU results HERE.

Officially Elite

I am officially registered to race elite in Kelowna ITU Continental Cup and Buffalo ITU Continental Cup!  I just need some help getting there!  So come to the Bison BBQ August 14, or email me at triactionjackson@gmail.com to ask about how you can help!

Thanks All!