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Last weekend I headed back up to Santa Barbara for the Long course Triathlon. Which consisted of a 1 mile swim, 34 mile bike and a 10 mile run.

It seemed all of San Diego had also ventured up North for the Triathlon  and also for  the legendary party after the race. Plus most people were asking me if I was staying for the party not asking about the race.:)

I just wanted to race to see how my ankle would hold up over 10 miles as I had injured it a few weeks back  and I am way too embrassed to tell you how I did it.:(

I started off with the Elite men and Women plus the Master's elite. I ended up 2nd out of the water and caught the first swimmer within 5km of the cycle. I was thinking it was pretty cool to be leading the race outright but I knew at any moment a flash would come by and my moment of glory would be gone.:) Actually I did not get caught until 25km into the ride as the new leader flashed by I yelled "about time".:)

I transitioned off the bike in 4th place overall only because I got caught behind some traffic the last few miles and got passed. Once on the run I just paced myself to the turn around because once you get up the long hill after the turn around it is pretty much downhill. No guys passed me on the run and I felt really strong. Which was great since I had not done that much running leading into this event. I did cross the line 4th overall ( eventually 11th) and 1st female.

It ended up being perfect race conditions not too cold or hot. Maybe that is why I took off almost 5 minutes from the time I did in 2006 or maybe like good wine I get better with age.:)

I also have to add a big Thanks to Kristin for my new race kit you are the best. in matched perfectly with my 09  Felt DA. 
Yes, the Her Sports Team crushed the GoMichellie Team. All I can say is REMATCH!

Kristin the "Diva" I mean Team Captain of Her Sports and MJ.

This week I has the opportunity to be in Santa Barbara for a few days. So of course I searched  the web to checkout the local activities. I was luckily enough to come arcoss the Night Moves series which consisted of a One mile swim, 5km run or a swim/run over those distances. So every Wednesday  evening during the summer you can join in the fun. I am always up for a race.

So as I lined up for the Swim/Run and I chatted to a few locals who warned me how hectic the swim start is. There I was thinking that I have done plenty of swim starts how bad could it be. Let me tell you it was the World Championship for all the locals to reach the first buoy. I have never passed so many people after the first buoy and  been beat up so much in the first 50 yards even when I compared it to an ITU swim start or the swim race I did a few week ago when all the young whipper snippers beat up on me.

Once out on the run the 5km run had already started so I could chase down and feel like I was flying as I passed so many people. Love that feeling. I think I finished in the top 5  overall so will have to check out the results.

After the race we all chowed down on pasta, salad. and beer. I also got to share some birthday cake. Home made birthday cake is the best.

I hightly recommend this event as who wants to cook after a hard workout.:)

  Yesterday I competed in the Camp Pendleton Sprint Triathlon. It consisted of a 500yard swim, 18mile bike and a 5km run. I got up nice and early to ride the 25km to the race you have to save gas anyway you can.:) Actually I just did not want to have to go through the process of getting on the Marine base with a car so much easier to ride your bike.

I also got to start in the very last wave I can not remember the last time that happen or maybe it was the first. I am not sure if I like the waiting around I think it made me more nervous. Yes, I get nervous before every race.:)

My goal was to catch as many people in front of me and see how many younger women I could catch as the 35 and under  Women started 7mins in front of me.

I got through the waves really quickly those Ocean swims may have payed off the last few weeks. On the bike it took a little while to get my legs adjusted to going so hard so quickly as I have not  raced for a while because I  had "tweaked" my ankle. So I have been trying to get some running in my legs by using some races to get some race fitness back. It was great passing so many people I even started catching some of the 50 plus men on the bike who started a couple of waves in front of me.  He he he he.

Once I got on the run we had to run straight up a hill. I heard a few people say before the race that it did not look so bad. I was thinking wait till you get off the bike and yep I was right. I tried to get into my pace as quick as possible plus I had to catch a few more girls from the wave in front of me.:)

I caught Bob Babbit from Competitor Mag so he owes me dinner and I also caught Ed one of the guys I coach and as I ran by he said he was hoping I would not catch him. I told him to run faster. Just kidding I didn't tell  him that instead I said to stay relaxed and concentrate on his running form.:)

Well I almost caught all the women from the wave in front of me but two were a little too speedy.:(

The best part was crossing the finshing line and then walking over the hovercraft vechile or whatever they are called anyway is was very cool.

Molly from my GoMichellie.com team did a great job to finish third in her Age group. Go team!

Over the weekend I competed at the Multisports.com new event the Surf Monkey. You could choose a 5km run, 1mile Ocean Swim, a Swim/Run which consisted of a 1mile swim and a 5km run or a 8mile Paddleboard. I decided on the Swim/Run. Although a lot of other people did multiple events.

It was also the Her Sports Team verus the Gomichellie.com team. We figure we one because I won the overall Womens and Brandy Bounds was third overall. We sandwiched Misako Winn from the Her Sports Team. Althought I am sure Kristin Mayer would disagree.:)

Luke Bell won the overall mens Swim-Run and I knew I had him scared over the first 50meters of the swim.:)

Check out my cool trophy. By far the best trophy ever.:)

Misako, Nicole, Kristin, MJ, Neels and Brandy.