Jeannie Samson - Race Results

2007 USAT National Championship Triathlon

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:01:02 GMT

Portland, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in the United States! Of course it seemed that much more spectacular that the weather was in the 60's and 70's the whole day, with very low humidity - something that is unheard of in Austin, Texas in the summertime. I had just gotten over a pretty bad cold coming in to this race, and my fitness level was considerably lower than last year, but I have also done some really hard training. My outlook for the race was positive, and I had a clear goal to win my age group and do well overall. Before the race we saw some folks we met last year at Worlds in Switzerland, including our friend Stephen Jonas. I also got to hang out with my Team Sirius training buddies Karen Burks, Kathleen Ebert, and Liz Supples. Jude took some cute pictures of us as we pumped each other up for a great race . He also got a good one of me in front of the beautiful lake.

As the gun went off for my wave to start I just sprinted out as hard as I could, kicking and pulling with all my might. I was nervous because I could not see ANY of the first bouys due to the glare on the water, but I thought "No problem, I will see them when I get closer." One disadvantage of being near the front in the swim is that often I am not following anyone - I have to see the bouy and turn with no one to lead the way. This turned out to be a problem, as I got lost and I had to stop and get my bearings to know where I was going. I did this two times, and started to see women who are usually at least 30 seconds behind me in the swim.

When I exited the water I had that sinking feeling that it was not going to be my day. Unfortunately I let those negative thoughts take over. On the bike I had a battle in my mind to go HARD and fight, or give up. My biking skills in the hills of a course like that one need a lot of work, but I got through it ok. I had a pretty good Transition #2, then off to the run. I worked hard and did not stop, but I just could not dig deep enough on the run to do my absolute best. This was not my day, but I learned a lot about letting go of the results and judgement of how I am doing. I look forward to the next race where I will focus on only myself and giving it all I have got!! Fortunately this effort was good enough to go to Germany for 2007 Worlds. Congratulations to Mary Miller, also my friend and member of Siri Lindley's tri team, who got 3rd in her age group and 10th overall. Once again, I have the honor of representing my country abroad in this great sport! Go USA!

2007 Sylvania Triathlon Ohio World Championships qualifier.2nd overall

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:35:26 GMT

2007 Danskin Triathlon 2nd overall

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:35:16 GMT

As I tossed and turned the night before the 2007 Danskin Triathlon, I thought a lot about what I have accomplished in this sport so far. I have had an amazing few years of training and racing - I am so thankful for all that I have been able to accomplish so far. I was also was very anxious and nervous about the race. I won the race last year, and had a fear that I might not be able to do it again. When I woke up for the race I shook that fear out of my head, and just focused on the task at hand. Also, I was so excited that my Mom and Dad came from Virginia to see me race! This was the first time they had seen me do at triathlon since the early 90's when I was competing with little training. Jude, Shanti, and David were also there to cheer me on!

We got to the race in plenty of time and all was looking good for a great event! When the gun went off, I was just determined to give it everything! I sprinted out in front very fast and did my best to hold that intensity the whole swim. As I got out of the water I powered up the hill to transition. I was once again by myself on the bike, but did not know how far back everyone else was. I just pedaled as hard as I could. I am glad I knew the course well, because toward the end of the bike it was not clear where to make the right turn to go into the park (good preparation was a must)! After a good T2 I began to run, but realized that my legs had no spring. I felt like I was running in sand. I knew I would have to dig deep with some fast runners on my heels! I just ran as fast as I could and prayed I would be able to run HARD to the end! I looked back a few times to see if they were getting closer, and didn't see anyone. I worked so hard that I could not stand on my own at the end of the race! I gave it my best effort!! On this day a young Avery Visser (14), who started 1 minute after our swim wave, had a faster time, so I was second by about 24 seconds. Congrats to Avery! I will have to train harder so I can attempt the win again next year, but the fight was exciting and fun! It was a great day.

Also, I was so proud of my friend Barbara for completing her first triathlon! She did a fantastic job and had a lot of fun. Congratulations to her and all the other women that finished the race!!

2007 Corpus Christi Triathlon Race Report April 29 2007 1st overall

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 07:41:00 GMT

For several years my family and I have made the four-hour trek to Corpus Christi, Texas in late April for the Corpus Christi Triathlon. We are lucky enough to stay with our very close friend Kathi DeLack, who lives in town. We have so much fun being with her and her teenage kids, and going to the beach before the race. They are brave to let my husband and I invade their home with our four loud children! I really like the Corpus Tri. as an early season tune up and to see what areas of my training need work. Today I got great experience swimming in VERY choppy water! There had been high winds the night before, and the morning of the race seemed even windier. After the gun went off and my wave of athletes ran in the Corpus Bay, we were swimming UP and DOWN, trying to go forward across the 1K out and back course, and avoid gulping a huge mouthful of water. I was having flashbacks of the massive jellyfish I yanked off my neck and face last year during the first half of the swim. I was relieved to get out of the water with no stinging skin, and on to the bike! There was a strong headwind going out on the 30k bike course, but I felt strong and pushed hard. The way back (with the tailwind) was FLAT, FAST, and FUN! I had a quick transition to the run, but when I started running my legs felt rubbery and strange - they just didn’t have any spring. I knew I would have to put in maximum effort to run well today. My mind just focused on having good form, and keeping positive for the whole 5k course. Although my time was several minutes slower than last year’s time, I was happy with the hard work I did! It was good enough for my second win in the women’s race!! Next time my goal is to beat all the men too!

2007 Corpus Christi Triathlon Results

2007 Ford Ironman 70.3 California March 31, 2007

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 22:06:58 GMT

2007 Ford Ironman 70.3 California March 31, 2007 Race Results

Two weeks ago I came down with a bad virus/infection that the rest of my family had. High fever and NO exercise for an entire week. I had decided to go to the race just days before my flight was scheduled to leave. I was feeling pretty good, but looking back I guess I was still recovering. As I arrived at the airport a few days before the race, I was very happy to see that the bad weather they had that week was gone, and it was one of the most beautiful places I have been. Palm trees, warm temperatures with low humidity, and what looked like a great course was all I needed to have faith that this was going to be a great race!

Race morning I got up, ate my usual breakfast at 4:15am (peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich), then headed out to the race. I had on a warm up suit, but as soon as I pumped my tires and got my bike racked in transition I started feeling VERY COLD! I don’t think it was any below the mid 50’s, but I was literally shivering. I tried to stay calm, but my body would not stop shaking. I was worried. Maybe this was a mistake. – was I racing too soon after being sick? What’s strange is that I didn’t see anyone else in this condition. I did my best to stay warm before it was time for me to line up. I had to wear my water shoes up to the start of the swim to keep warm. The wetsuit and thick neoprene cap did it’s job in the water, but it was a chilly 65 degrees - it took my breath away for the first few minutes. It was a good, solid swim, but I could tell I was not going as fast as I could go.

Out of the water it felt like pins and needles were stabbing my feet, but I did my best to run to my bike and tried to keep my focus on getting on to my bike without crashing into someone or falling down. Luckily I did that, and had a strong bike – there were some very strong women out there, however. The course had a few challenging hills and some dicey moments inside the grounds of Camp Pendleton Military Base (narrow passages, and fast turns behind some dumpsters), but overall it was a beautiful bike ride.

On to the run, I was feeling strong, but not super fast. My first mile was just under 7min/mile pace and I kept about 7:10 pace for the next several miles. About the half way mark I started to slow down a bit. It got warm outside and I was getting hot and tired. I focused on having good form and kept my spirit’s up, trying to enjoy the race and the tough competition. The last mile or so I got a little more energy, so I really went hard to the finish. I was 3rd in my age group!! Not a magical day out there for me today, but I am so glad I went. I was proud of my strong effort and even though my time was slower here than the last Half Iron race, I got great racing experience and an excellent result!

After the race I congratulated my friend and fellow Sirius athlete Karen Burks for an outstanding race, went back to the hotel to pack up for the early morning flight home, then headed out to dinner. I was meeting my Boulder, Colorodo friends (who are also coached by Siri Lindley) Kathleen and Liz. We ate at Joe’s Crab Shak and enjoyed the beautiful Oceanside waterfront.

2007 - AT&T Marathon - Half - Austin, TX February 18 2007

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 11:46:01 GMT

AT&T Half Marathon - Feb. 18, 2007

This morning, as it was three weeks ago at the 3M Half Marathon, was in

the upper 30's for the start of the race. I was determined not to make the same

mistakes twice, so I was sure to leave the house earlier this time. We headed

out by about 5:20am so we could get there in plenty of time to park, go to

the bathroom, and eat my carboom before the race. The 3M Half was a solid

race, and a PR (personal record) for me in that distance. However, I knew I

could have worked harder. We got to the race site on Congress Avenue about

6am, and I warmed up (as much as I could on this frigid day) near the site

and was ready for a great day of racing!! Several people told me to prepare

myself to go about 3 to 4 minutes slower on this hilly course. I did NOT listen

to that, and just kept the possibility open to have a FASTER race than the

3M half (which is mostly downhill). After the start it took a while to get out

of the crowd and really start cruising. My first two miles were under 7:00/mi

pace, but I was not worried! I just kept saying to myself "Forget Conservative!"

I was going to run a smart race, but push the pace more that I had ever

done for 13.1 miles. At about mile 2 I saw my friend Lisa Preeg. I knew

she was a faster runner, but I really tried to stay with her. We ran together

for the rest of the race and pulled each other along - it was so great to

have her there. We ran in silence until about a 1/2 mile left. Then we

checked in with each other, and both just hammered it home. She was able

to pull ahead of me at the end, but I can honestly say I gave it EVERYTHING!

A breakthrough effort, and the time showed. Almost under a 7:00/mile pace!

WOW! A great day!

2007 AT & T Austin Texas Half Marathon Womens Results

2006 Corpus Christi Triathlon 1st overall

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 13:32:11 GMT

Corpus Christi Triathlon-1st overall

Corpus - This was a great race for my confidence! The swim was in the bay, and I started out really

strong. About half way throught the swim I felt something slimy on my neck and face. Immediately

I swung at it to get it off, and quickly realized that it must have been a HUGE jelly fish! My skin started

to burn and tingle, but not badly enough to stop. I just kept trying to focus on the race, and my form

for the rest of the swim, the bike, and the run. My pain was an assett in some ways - it forced me

to focus on the task at hand. I knew that stopping would not make the stinging go away. It was

my day - my bike and run felt great, and I won the race by several minutes. What a great feeling!

2006 Corpus Christi Triathlon