Taiwan Ironman 70.3

Jen has always loved to race and compete but the past six years or so she set that aside to have two kids and also battle some injuries with her hip etc.  This year she has started out slowly with some low-key races and ever so slightly been upping her training.  The training load is still quite minimal when compared to her college days but she does an amazing job of balancing being a mother, wife, and awesome athlete.  This year she has started doing triathlons as the main focus and that has helped with injuries since she doesn't have to run very much, comparatively.

In early November was the big race she had been preparing for.  Her first Ironman 70.3 (aka- half ironman.  70.3 total miles 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike, 13.1mile run).  She flew to Taiwan with our neighbor and good friend Bryant and good ol' Gus met them there from Singapore.  Their wives and I showed up as the cheerleading squad the next day.  The race was on the southern tip of Taiwan in Kenting - which is where Jen and I had a fun trip together in 2006.  

Of course I couldn't let her go to battle with out the proper tools, so here she is on her new tri-bike getting a fitting courtesy of Specialized.  (I know a guy...)

This is the black beauty all fixed up, and Will pulling a face.

Getting ready for the swim.  All the training has come to this but she looks calm on the surface, but likely peed in her wetsuit with nerves....

1,600 other people doing the same thing...  

If you look closely you can see all the people in the water.  Beautiful start to the race.

Out of the swim with the 2nd fastest time in her age group.  A huge feat considering she just recently picked up swimming.

Jen has become quite the cyclist this year.  The black beauty carried her to the fastest women's bike split over the 90km.

The run was home territory for her.  It was 90 degrees and humid but she held it together well for the fastest women's run split.  I ran with her for 200m and got a cramp....

The joy!  Nothing like a post race massage!

Here I am with the three Specialized sponsored athletes that did the race.  They all got on the podium and did very well.  At 48 Gus is as fit as ever, an inspiration.

Jen won.  It was awesome.  2nd place was 21 minutes behind her.  She qualified for the World Championships that will be held in Salzburg, Austria next August.  First 70.3 and she nailed it.  

In order for both of us to go to the race we has to solicit the help of a friend in the branch that was kind enough to watch the kids while we left.  Couldn't have done it without them!  I texted them after the race that Jen had won her age group and qualified for World's and the text back read "Congrats! When we told Will that you won he pumped his fist and said "I knew she'd win", " 

Jen prepared well for this race and took care of the little things like nutrition and strength training etc that were often neglected in her college running days.  We are so proud of her and now looking forward to getting ready for Austria!