by Alireza Sarebanha  and Maggie Goodson

Ali:

Although some of my non-triathletes’ friends found it irrational (not the exact word they used!) to do this race on my birthday weekend, I was really pumped and ready for it. I couldn’t find a better way to enjoy my birthday weekend doing three things that I love (swimming, biking, and running) with people that I love, my super awesome teammates!

4:00AM alarm went off and 4:20AM I am driving on empty streets of LA on my way to UCLA. Read more »

by Jasmine Stansil and Billy Wegeng

Jasmine:

I was up at 7 am, getting myself together so that I’d be ready to leave at 8 am with Ella and Tyler. I’d packed the night before, so no last minute packing this time! I was heading downstairs when Ella texted me that she’d be a little late, so I was like, ‘Cool. I’ve got time to pump up my tires.’ I went and did that, and then waited for Tyler and Ella to show up. Tyler beat Ella by a couple of minutes, and at 8:30 we were off! Read more »

by Nathan Platt and Jasmine Stansil

Nathan:

I was super excited to race Zot Trot up in Irvine this past weekend. Not only would it be my first triathlon on the triathlon team (albeit a reverse one), but what a great excuse to not study for midterms! After getting lost (slightly) on the way up, Jake and I met the rest of the team at UCI Saturday afternoon to preview the course. I had been told by numerous people so far that this course was very challenging so I was anxious to see what it was like. And indeed with obstacles such as sharp turns, mud, strewn shrubbery, and even worse hills, I wasn’t feeling too hopeful about my performance the next day. To make matters worse, it was supposed to be foggy the next morning! Eager to boost my confidence, I loaded up on some delicious fake chicken and even deliciouser Trader Joe’s bread (carbo loading yo) that evening and settled in at Jason’s house for the night. Read more »

by Joana Coker and Barry Weickert

Joana:

A race report about Tritonman is always bigger than just the race. Because this is my account of the race, I can only talk about the work I did and people I interacted with. And I don’t have space to mention even all of those. Although I’m going to miss many people’s contributions to this awesome event, thank you everyone for your hard work.

On Friday, the day before the race, I spent the afternoon with the registration crew at Moment Bicycles in Point Loma, helping to check racers in and distribute timing chips. I was also attempting to put new tires on my TT bike. With the rain pouring down Friday and a wind advisory in effect, aero wheels were sounding worse and worse for Saturday. I needed some new tires on my bike’s regular wheels if they were going to be ride-able for the race. Putting brand-new tires on a bike wheel is a test of patience and mental stability, and I was fast heading towards instability at Moment. I had given up on the back wheel – after getting the tire on but producing a pinch flat in the process – and was struggling with the front when a Good Samaritan offered to help. He got the front tire on successfully, and then introduced himself as the coach of WeTri, a triathlon team for teenagers. They had come all the way from Sacramento for this race, a testament to how much Tritonman has grown and become respected in the tri community. Read more »

by Barry Weickert and Nailea Regin

Barry:

I check the packing list once again making sure I have everything I need for the trip, all I know is that I am going to the desert and I’m about to have the best time of my life (according to anyone and everyone who has ever gone to UCSD triathlon bike camp before). Everything is good to go, my driver is on his way and I’m about to find out what it means to be cyclist… whatever that is. Read more »

by Beril Polat & Zack Goodman

B:

As a new team member who has never done a multi-sport race before, Coveskipper was my very first official aquathlon! I had to use a (!) mark because I never thought I would get into a multisport race so it was a big deal for me. I see Coveskipper as my initiation to the triathlon madness. So YAAAYYY!! I also need to give a shout out to Zack Goodman (who is also a new member in the team) for his persistent push on making me come to practices. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t try to get into this madness or be aware of all the meetings and events.

Up to the race day, I had been practicing with the UCSD triathlon team which is an awesome group of people (including our coach Kim McDonald). Those practices helped me understand the feeling from water to ground transition which was a part of the Coveskipper aquathlon. I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to race at first because I guess I didn’t want to embarrass myself (which is not a healthy thinking so I highly suggest you to NOT do that). I also had no strategy in mind for this kind of race. However, three days before the race, I changed my mind. UCSD triathlon club was hosting the race so we all had to help set up the race. I think I was also more about getting to know the team rather than trying to finish with a fast time. Read more »

by Justin Runac and Tyler Bailey

Justin Runac:

I took the early lead in the WCCTC a couple of weeks ago and the swim at Aggieathlon was short, I decided I had to keep getting points for myself and the team early in the season

I was a little concerned about racing so many weekends in a row since I’ve been doing cross country running along with triathlon this fall, but since I took the early lead in the WCCTC a couple of weeks ago and the swim at Aggieathlon was short, I decided I had to keep getting points for myself and the team early in the season while they were easy to come by. I didn’t have any good races last season due to fluke circumstances, so I am trying to race as much as I can in my last year at school to help forget about last season. Read more »

by Katie Hosch and Torin Halsted

Katie Hosch:

NCAA Regional Qualifier

We left on Friday around 11am from San Diego and started our 8-9-hour drive to Berkeley. This was the first time I had ever been to the Bay, and it was beautiful. After our drive up we picked up our packets and went to eat at this delicious Mediterranean restaurant.

I had a placard with my name on it, making this race super official. It was the Regional Qualifier for NCAA Women’s Nationals after-all.

On Saturday morning, we left towards the race site before 6am, and arrived at the Berkeley marina ready to start the race morning process. After getting some warm-up on my bike, I put it in transition, which I had a placard with my name on it, making this race super official. It was the Regional Qualifier for NCAA Women’s Nationals after-all.Once I set up my transition, I went for a short run and made my way over to the swim start for our pre-race briefing. Read more »

Ali goes to practice because he loves triathlon. We go to practice because we love Ali.

1. Officer Position: Safety Officer

2. Year: PhD Candidate

3. Major/Minor: Structural Engineering

4. College: N/A

5. Athletic Background: Swimming, Water Polo, and Soccer

6. Why You Joined Tri: Most of my swimmer friends ended up doing Triathlon and they all were talking about it and encouraged me to join the Tri Team.

7. Favorite Tri Experience: What I love about Triathlon is the life style and the community that comes with it. Waking up early, pushing my limits everyday and of course improving my swimming, running and cycling skills at the same time with a group of super awesome athletes! Read more »

Ella racing at Zot Trot

Up next in the Meet the Officers series is Ella Stimson!

1. Officer Position: Vice President

2. Year: Sophomore

3. Major/Minor: Bioengineering

4. College: Muir College

5. Athletic Background: In high school I ran cross country and pole vaulted on the track team.

6. Why You Joined Tri: I love running and coming into college I wanted to challenge myself physically and mentally with something new. Biking and swimming have been challenging but provide great motivation to continue and improve. Read more »