Bison BBQ Thank You Vermilion!

A big, big, big thank you to all those who came to our Bison on the Bun BBQ and Bake Sale in Vermilion on August 14th.  Everyone was so incredibly generous and amazing.

We sold lots of Bison Buns and I had some really great chats with those who came to hang out.  I was very blessed to see all these people who came out to our event in support of my athletic pursuits.

A BIG BIG thank you goes to my parents at Farkash Farms who donated all the bison meat and the Bison prizes.

With all of the money raised I was able to purchase a Bike Bag for travel, Draft-legal Areo Bars, and a new bike seat!!  Also, we are able to use some money to take me to USAT Nationals in Buffalo, NY this September 15!

Me in my bike bag! See if you really want to come to New Zealand with us you really CAN come in my suitcase!

So again, THANK YOU Vermilion!

Around the Region

What you all have been waiting for...our triathletes on TV!

NewCap Media did a story on our Vermilion triathlon group that aired (finally!) on Aug.29.  If you did not catch it then watch it now!

Why I LOVE the Olympics

1. So many sports to watch: and I get to watch diving!
2. The human body at its MAX = Amazing.
3. 'G' rated television ALL day
4. The No-names beating Stars
5. The tears upon winning an Olympic medal
6. Broken Records
7. Olympic ring tattoos
8. Learning the background stories on athletes (like Clara Hughes!)
9. Picking up freestyle tips from the swimmers (loving the slow motion)
10. Our Canadian woman weightlifter is a beautiful woman!

Oh yeah, AND I have a great excuse to wear my Team Canada jacket :)

Brent Hayden Canadian swimmer

Christine Girard Canadian weightlifter

Women's Freestyle swimming

GO CANADA

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!

Mark Your Calendars!

*CORRECTION* Wednesday, August 29, 7:30pm – Check out Lloydminster area local news for ‘Around the Area’ to get the run-around on Vermilion’s triathlon group!

Tuesday, August 14, 11:00-2:00 – Bison BBQ Fundraiser at The Edge (near Co-op grocery in Vermilion)

• Bison burger or smokie and support Project New Zealand by sending me to Worlds!
• Bake Sale - grab some goodies from the homemade bake sale and auction
• KIDS bring your bike and test your skills in our bike obstacle course!
• Additionally, sign up for a pledge sheet to help me with various triathlon items

Oops I did it again...

I hiked up a mountain.

Week 'fore a race! 

Oh ouchie, ouchie.

Yes, oops is right for hiking another Rocky Mountain peak the week before a race!  But…but…it was only a 4 hour round trip hike!  I am still not sure why I was so sore and could barely walk 3 days later!  Am I not used to walking up steep inclines? Or was it the running down the mountain that did it?

Ha'Ling Peak (2296 ft)

Anyway, I won’t complain too much about it because I was able to finish the race (I didn’t think I would get any farther than the swim) and I actually placed quite well.

The ITU was a great practice to get ready for elite racing.  Our swim was wetsuit prohibited, I practiced my transitions and ran barefoot in my shoes (without getting any blisters!).  The hardest part was the bike portion where I had no ‘umph’ in my legs for the hill (which are usually my favourite) and it was my aerobic training that got me through the run on a base pace...or was it the AMAZING fans that were there cheering???  My husband being my #1 fan and media man :) 

Thanks to out AIA teammates who cheered and had a cold freezee waiting for me at the finish!!!  ALSO thanks to Amber and Matt, Leah and dog, & Katie and Carrie for coming!!  Yay!!!

Looking forward to training hard for the next 38 days leading up to Kelowna – August 19^th!

Keep A Lookout For:

- Local TV Interview of me!  (They found me on THIS blog!) 

- Fundraiser event in Vermilion August 4^th AND WATCH THE LONDON 2012 WOMEN’S OLYMPIC RACE 

Final time 2:18:17.9 20-24 Age Group Winner and 5th Female Overall

Complete Results HERE

FREEZES . . . FREEZIES? FREEZEES?

How do you spell it?  You know, those delicious-colorful-pipes-of-frozen-sugar-water?

Well, our sign said ‘Freezes’ and kids still came for a refreshing treat.

Here in Vermilion I connected with the man who first introduced me to triathlons and found out that he has a crew of 14 or more kids that he has been preparing to race at a kids triathlon in a nearby city.  Right away I asked if I could help.  On a Thursday before the race, we met the kids at the pool to run through transitions – the heart and soul of triathlon racing.  It was great, the parents set up bike racks and the kids excitedly arranged their gear.  I was given quite the introduction which excited everyone that a small town girl is competing on the world stage in triathlon!

After practice, I made sure everyone got a box of raisins.  It is wonderful: teaching kids about race nutrition AND they like you better!

Anyway, this practice led me to bring our Athletes in ActionTriathlon group to volunteer at the Vegreville iTri Kids Triathlon and set up an AIA booth to hand out…

      Freezes.

Alex and I got there early Saturday morning of June 2^nd to roll out mats and body mark the competitors.  Ian set up the tent. 

Then we cheered the kids on from 7&under to Adult to Special Olympic racers.  I confess, I cheered a little bit louder for our Vermilion kids :)

After the race, our tent was the favorite stop for all the competitors:  It was a HOT day!  And I was so blessed that the Vermilion gang asked me to sign their t-shirts – and I haven’t even been to Worlds yet!

Yup, I love triathlons.

And I love that God loves triathletes :)