Lent

What's Up!?

This Week: Lent

If anyone has been on the 40 day and 40 night fast of Lent, you know that TOMORROW,  Holy Thursday, April 13th, is the final day!

Our days of sacrificing are over until next year.  I wonder why it is so much easier to complete something like Lent, versus a New Years Resolution? Maybe because there is an end goal in sight. Then it made me ponder the theory of goal setting and achieving success. How effective weight loss strategies are with no deadline, and even more related to my challenge of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in 4 years. It's a goal and a deadline, but so far in the future. Us as athletes really have to break it down into yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals.

Anyway, if you know me, I'm not too religious, I grew up going to church and what not. However, I do have faith in humanity and being the best person you can be. 

Reasons I find Lent beneficial

1. Makes me a better person

    It allows me to pick a weakness that I have work on it. Something from my life that isn't necessarily helping.

2. Part of Lent observance is mourning 

   Lent marks the final days of Jesus life and ministry. Lent is known for the association made between the crucifixion of Christ and human sinfulness. It allows me to mourn people in my life that have helped me and made sacrifices for me. 

3. Redemption is a good time to apologize and forgive

    Any troubles or trials I have with people, I want to forgive and move past the pittiness. I want to be able to grow. Jesus, who died for our sins, is triumphant over sin

4. Fasting is hard, and it makes you a bad ass

     It gives me power, self-control, discipline, and the ability to say NO.

5. Sacrifice is good for the soul

    Many religions (in fact all of the major ones) advocate fasting. They believe sacrifice is good for a human being’s spirit. It gives your body and brain a vacation. You get to operate out of something bigger that’s on the inside.

6. You're able to say you've achieved something

    The feeling of accomplishment is something no one else can give me.

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Last year I gave up chocolate and was successful! Wahoo!

I wanted to try something a little more difficult for me this year, like dessert, but I found myself eating a bowl of ice cream on the very first day while I was thinking of this, so clearly that was not going to work...

This year I decided to give up alcohol.

I'm not a heavy drinker, just the occasional drink at dinner and with friends

Lessons from giving up the forbidden fruit...

Wrong Misconceptions

- I'll lose weight- I actually would supplement with other sugary drinks like, Ginger Ale or Soda.

- I'll save money - Logan would actually still by my drink, and drink it himself. Two for One for him.

Pros

-I was able to say 'no'

- Detox

- No hangovers, wake up every morning feeling refreshed

Cons

- Some social gatherings were a little more dull

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In conclusion, 40 days isn't really that long. I recommend everyone to try and sacrifice something sometime, for Lent or for yourself.

Take an extended period of time and fast. Fast to serve as a reminder to be grateful for things you might otherwise take for granted. We don't really think about the incredible opportunities we have in life.

And...

HOPPY EASTER FRIENDS! 

Major League Triathlon

Weekly What's UP?! 

This week: Major League Triathlon

This week I just wanted to take a minute to talk to you about the first and only professional triathlon league in the United States, the Major League Triathlon. It is a super sprint, relay team format that is short, fast and intense racing. The fun doesn't stop there, it is also sanctioned around an amateur racing weekend! There are four races throughout the year you can race and spectate at:

Saturday May 20th, 2017

Charolette, North Carolina

Saturday June 3rd, 2017

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Saturday August 26th, 2017

Vail Valley, Colorado

Saturday September 9th, 2017

Cleveland, Ohio

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This is my second year racing with the Major League and it is a blast. It is a big weekend of racing, drinking, vendors, and a concert. For the professionals, we have a drafted team that we compete with all year. This year I will be representing the Carolina Gliders, along with my teammates: John Rasmussen, Graham Pimentel, and Amber Zimmerman. It's going to be a big year.

Some changes from last year also include two different race formats, one being: man, woman, man woman, instead of just the traditional woman, man, woman, man. Also, there are even more individual primes, which means more pride is up for grabs and that will encourage faster racing. There are also all new destinations!

You might be new to MLT and ME, so here is a little bit more about me...

I grew up in Hood River, Oregon. The great Pacific Northwest. I loved all sports when I was younger. I've always had that competitive drive. I loved playing softball, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, etc.

I started solely focusing on swimming when I was 8. I joined the Hood River Valley Swim Team under my coach Shelly Rwading. She was my coach for 10 years. I learned the value of technique and the process at a young age. I swam throughout middle school and then stopped swimming year round and only swam for high school season because I found a new hobby, running. I ran cross-country and track in high school and ended up getting a scholarship to run at Oregon State University. 

I started getting into triathlon when I was 17. My dad bought me an old Trek 1000, didn't even have clip in pedals. In the summer I used it to cross train. I did a couple local races and one USAT junior elite race. I lacked the skilled experience I needed, but knew I would return eventually. I fell in love with it, but in Oregon there weren't may programs, and none in the NCAA. 

In college I studied exercise and sports science. I stopped swimming and any other cross training and focused on track. My junior year in college I was reading in USA Triathlon magazine and found that they were starting a developmental program at the Olympic Training Center. I took my chances and wrote to them. They brought me out to the OTC and I haven't left since. 

Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do, create your own path. 

My strengths in triathlon come from my swimming background. Thanks to coach Shelly, I never got burned out and had the technique to build volume on. 

The areas that I need to improve one is my diet. People tend to forget about it, but it is that extra 1% that makes you the best. I love food too much. 

Other than triathlon I love to hang out with my husband, Logan Storie, who is also from Oregon. He is a Pentathlete for Team USA and in the US Army. We like to explore new places to eat, go adventure and experience life. We like to hike, play Pac-Man, and hang out with our cats. 

We have lived together in Colorado Springs for the last four years. I have been all over the world and trained in a lot of cool places, but Colorado Springs is a hidden gem. It has mountains and flat lands, sunshine every day, and the Olympic Training Center for all of your training, sports medicine or recovery needs.

I have travelled from China, Japan, London, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Barbados, just recently Cuba, all over the United States, but my home is in Colorado Springs.

My goal for the next 4 years is to make the 2020 Olympic Team. Everyday there is a purpose and a process. I want to train smart, stay healthy, and be happy.

 I love volunteering and mentoring young athletes. It also gets me really excited about the future of triathlon. I started triathlon so late, when I was 17, for those young athletes I just want to tell them to put in the time. Olympians aren't made over night. You may not see it now, or tomorrow or at the next swim meet, but success will come to those who put in the work and are patient. Also, HAVE FUN!

After racing triathlon I would love to coach with the NCAA and continue to keep the sport rolling. I could also see myself working with USA Triathlon or the US Olympic Committee in the long run. I've been on the athlete side of athletics for so long, I want to take my experiences and use them.

This year I hope my team, the Carolina Gliders, bring home that MLT championship trophy!

Come out and compete, watch, be a part of the party!

Go GLIDERS!

That One Second: Sarasota Race Report

What's UP!?

This week: Race Report Sarasota

Life is a series of split-seconds.

We train months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds, for that one split-second decision that has to be made whether we are going to give up or fight.

It's a subconscious decision that we have to train our bodies and minds to make. It may be something we are born with, but it's definitely something that can be taught if we habitually practice over and over again.

Try not to think of Triathlon as one big race, but break it down into three sports, even further, break it down into the minutes and seconds. It's those split-second decisions where you train your mind to pick the right pontoon spot, to cover that gap on the bike, to go with the girl or guy when they surge passed you, or to lean or dive at the end of a race. It's that response that we are training our minds over and over again. 

That one second where:

Andrea Hewitt chose to out sprint Jodie Stimpson at WTS Abu Dhabi

or

Nicola Spirig chose to lean past Lisa Norden for the Gold Medal in 2012

or

When Flora Duffy breaks away from the pack on the bike

For Andrea, Nicola, and Flora, the outcomes were positive.

For Jodie, Lisa, and the rest of the pack, they were not.

They had to go back and think, "where was that one split-second decision that cost me the win?"

Fast forward to my Sarasota CAMTRI Championships

I was ranked 2nd to Taylor Knibb on CAMTRI points, but there were girls ranked below me that were higher than me on the ITU start list.  All these girls have strengths. Never pay attention to the start list, they are just numbers to keep you in line, don't ever let them define your race.

For the pontoon start, I just went far left and basically followed Taylor. Strong swimmers gotta stick together. However, there are always strong swimmers in American races. 

The horn went fast. I knew there would be some good swimmers, so I wanted to get a good jump. 

The first buoy was 200 meters out. Surprisingly, it was not very aggressive. Some years it's bad, but I also think it's where you start and who you start by on the pontoon has a lot to do with it. Taylor and I gave each other a lot of room to swim.

We rounded the last buoy and I came out about 6th. I wasn't worried. I knew there were some strong cyclists behind me that I could catch a wheel if I needed too. 

We got out of transition and on the long straight away. There were surges and surges and surges. A lot of heavy cyclist. True, Knibb, Spivey, Jaminkey, Brown, Boutin, a lot of girls with some series bike power. 

The course is the same every year. It's a 5km course with the west side, curvy and usually a head wind, and the east side has a long straight away with a tailwind. The transition is the tricky part that always splits bike groups because you go down hill into a sweeping right hand corner and you go straight into a sweeping right hand uphill turn out of transition. It's narrow, fast, and easy to break away if you're in the front. 

For me that split-second lapse came around that transition. The second Taylor and Domi opened a gap it was like a slingshot effect off the back. I needed to position myself better, but by then every one was surging, to catch up. On the west side, I was behind a couple girls that I thought were going to close the gap and didn't. The gap grew and I finally went around them, but it was too late, I ended up frying my legs trying to catch front group. When I caught the group, it ended up being a pack of 4 that were just being dropped by the main group. I should've just went around them and tried to catch the front, but I needed break, lost all momentum and got stuck.

It's funny when you're in the lead group, you have no idea what is going on behind you, but when you are in the chase, you know exactly what is going on in front of you.

That split-second thought came into my head, I shouldn't positioned myself better, I shouldn't have let that first gap open up, I should've kept riding passed this chase group. It was frustrating. But you take these split-second decisions and practice for next time. 

We lost about 30 seconds coming into transition.

By that point my legs were fried. I came into run and I felt like a sloth. No pop.

I ended up 9th on the day, 5th American.

Congratulations to Joanna Brown who is a BOSS lady. Sarah True to fight back, and Taylor Knibb the rising star. Three talented young women.

After the race I got to meet up with some friends (Lauren and Candice Henry) that live in Sarasota, it's always a nice break to see them. 

Next Day... Mixed Team Relay

Mixed Team Relay

I LOVE mixed relays and super sprints!!

They are fast, fun, and I love the, ‘sprint to the death’ mentality!

I can't wait to see more of them in the future.

My USA Team was with Chase McQueen, Erica Ackerlund, Alec Wilimovsky

I lead off.

300meter swim was fast. I lead out of the water.

5km bike was just conserving energy enough for the run. 

1500m run went by way too fast.

Our relay team ended up 5th!

This last month I have had so much fun being in Florida. 

I'm trying to convince my husband to buy a condo down there. 

I want to give a HUGE thank you to The Hovius Family (John, Jodi, Lachlan, and Joel) for letting me stay at the AAA camp. It's my favorite place for isolation training. The riding and running is beautiful and I have my own individual pool. They are always so welcoming. 

Back to Colorado.

Thanks to my sponsors ALWAYS

Brooks

Huub

Oakley

Clif Bar

Amanzi Swim Wear

NYAC

Cycleops

WildFriends Nut Butter

Swiftwick Socks

Our Storie

Weekly What’s up?!

This Week: Our Storie

     In honor of my husband's birthday today, I have decided to write a blog about how we met and our journey together! Logan has been the most supportive husband. He continues to spoil me every day. He takes me on dates and does the little things. He listens and holds my hand. He always puts down the toilet seat. He laughs at my jokes. Most importantly, he respects me and we have been an equal team.

     I am not able to be with Logan today and in fact, 4 out of the last 5 years I have missed his birthday. This is what comes with the professional athlete territory. We are constantly missing our friends and families birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc, because we are training and traveling around the world. Sorry! We still love you.

2013- Logan was in Basic Training Camp

2014- WE WERE TOGETHER!

2015- I was in Abu Dhabi competing

2016- I was in Sarasota competing, Logan was in Hungary competing 

2017- I am in Sarasota competing, Logan is working for the Army           

The first half of the blog is 'OUR STORIE'

The second half of the blog are photos over the last four years. So funny to see how we've grown together.

 This is OUR STORIE

Erin was born in Longview, Washington, growing up with her brother Tyler Jones and supported by her loving parents Tony and Debbie Jones. Debbie worked as an analytical chemist and Tony worked in the Union as a excavator operator.

Logan was born and raised in Corvallis, Oregon. He was the third of four children. His older older brother tyler, older sister Malia and younger sister Sloan. His parents Judy and Jeff were swim coaches at the local pool.

In middle school, Erin played every sport she could. She was the hood river swim team all year round. Played softball in Portland, volleyball in middle school, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. She knew she loved to play sports. She was an honor roll student with high hopes and big dreams.

In middle school Logan committed his time to swimming. He swam 9 practices a week, 18 hours, and countless meters. He was a nationally ranked swimmer destined for the Olympics. 

In high school Erin moved to Hood River Valley high school. She was a 4-time letter winner in cross country, swimming, and track. She was always volunteering, on prom court, and active on student council. 

In high school Logan went to Corvallis High School. He was a four time letter winner in Cross Country, Swimming and track. he was always volunteering, on student council, leadership and was even Crowned Mr. Spartan.

In college Erin went to Oregon State University. She ran Division 1 cross country and track, she studied exercise and sports science before transferring to the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs in 2012 to pursue her dreams of qualifying for the Olympics in triathlon. She graduated from UCCS in 2014 with a degree in Health Care Sciences with an option in Strength and Conditioning.

In college Logan was a hot ticket swimmer. He had the opportunity to swim anywhere in the country. He chose a full ride scholarship to University of Florida. While in College Logan competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Swimming Trials. His highest places were 11 and 13th. Logan graduated from Florida in 2011 with a degree in Outdoor Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

*Erin moved to the Olympic Training Center in June 2012

*Logan moved to the Olympic Training Center in September 2012

They met in the cafeteria of the Olympic Training Center in October 2012

Erin and Logan were friends until Logan went to Basic Training for the Army. Once Logan joined the Army, Erin knew in her heart that she had fallen for a hero. When Logan was gone they wrote letters to each other every single day. After two months of writing letters, Logan went to meet the Jones’ and Erin went to meet the Stories’. After that Christmas trip home, they new they were destined to be together forever. It had become an official relationship in January 2013.

Nothing about their relationship was traditional or easy. Their first year of being together, Erin was gone about 3 months out of the year. In 2014 Erin was gone about about 6 months out of the year. In 2015 Erin was gone about 9 months out of the year, but knew something had to change, so in 2016 she moved back home. Logan started to travel more and more as well so when one would come home, another would leave. Logan would always be there for Erin, but after buying a house together in Colorado Springs, they got two cats and both live their full time. 

Erin and Logan’s paths were destined to cross. they believe they are each others soul mates. Both growing up in the same state, same circle and sports, same city, same friends, but never ever meeting each other. One day the universe brought them together in the cafeteria of the Olympic Training Center. It was a matter of time before they met. Erin wearing her Oregon State sweatshirt just getting done with practice grabbing a To-Go Box. She caught Logan’s eye. 

Most people would say distance was difficult, but to Erin and Logan it was simple. They knew they wanted to be together forever, but they also knew they loved competing and doing what they do. They understood each other. In reality, distance made the heart grow founder. 

Logan and Erin spend almost all of their time together, training and lounging. They swim and run together, and go to movies and play Pac-Man together. Between the two… I don’t know who is more competitive? 

After training for the Olympics together the last 4 years, they have been through the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Both Erin and Logan fell short of making the 2016 Olympic Team this year. They couldn’t make their dreams reality. However, by getting married to each other they are fulfilling another dream into a reality. They are became Mr. and Mrs. Storie for the rest of their lives.

After their wedding, the Mr. and Mrs. went right back to training. They won the Mixed Bitahle World Championship Relay title just weeks after their wedding. After that they went on their honeymoon and took some much needed R and R, but are back on the hunt for 2020. Logan is going to Officer Candidate School in June 2017 while Erin continues to travel around the world in her swim suit.

I hope you continue to follow our journey and love for each other.