After a very relaxing week spent outside of Cumberland, MD we returned to Wisconsin. I still had knotted quads and a bit of a cold, but decided I was good enough to go in the Best of the U.S. Wisconsin State Championship. It was held in Verona, Wisconsinand was a bit longer than an Olympic distance race. The swim consisted of 3 loops through a quarry, a 2 loop extremely hilly bike course and a 3 loop run which did not give the legs any respite.

I came out of the water in 3rd really overheated in my P-Flex wetsuit. The water seemed a bit warmer than 78F to US athletes. But I got onto the bike and moved up into the lead at the mile 1 mark. I pushed the hills hard, knowing that my good friend and stellar racer Michael Boehmer was back playing on his strength of the bike. The legs felt tired but I ignored them and arrived into T2 with a lead of around 1:50. I look off onto the run and just tried to relax through the hills. On the out and back section of the course I was able to see how things were playing out. Through the first two loops I pushed the pace a bit and then settled down on the third. I crossed the line in 2:06:06 and earned the title of Wisconsin State Amateur Triathlon Champion. I am now headed out to New Hampshire to race for the national title on August 20th.

Thanks to everyone who supports me along the way: Oomph! Zipp Wheels, Hammer Nutrition, Justin Daerr who coaches me, and my family.