<p>Thanks! Didn't think anyone would really notice that. The Max Performance RD asked if I was interested after I volunteered at the Title 9 Women's Sprint on Sept 11. Nothin' fancy, just a short write up and a photo. But, it was a nice touch to the end of my 2011 season. I took a DOR today even though I meant to run a bit. Had some great homebrew and homemade sausages at a friend's 10th annual Octoberfest party.</p>
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<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/103063/width/300/height/450/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="cak-FalmouthBike-Jul2011.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="18009" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/18009/width/300/height/450" style="; width: 300px; height: 450px"></a></p>
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<p>Profile -<br>
I live in Cochituate, MA with my husband and two dogs, both rescued Dutch Shepherds. I love that I can look outside and see people running and cycling throughout the year. I work at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. I am a research associate in a biochemistry lab that uses X-ray crystallography to study the structure and function of proteins and how these two properties relate to each other. In addition to working on various research projects, I do a bit of lab management. Though I do really miss some labmates when they leave, I like the frequency of turnover of undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs in the lab. I’ve met and have gotten to work with a lot of people. I volunteer with the North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue.<br>
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The "beginning" - # of years in Triathlon<br>
My first triathlon was the 2005 Appleman Sprint in Littleton, MA. A friend of mine put the tri bug in my ear a couple of years before I finally decided to give the sport a try. I had just lost 35 pounds and had started to run. I’d always been an off and on lap swimmer and was familiar with bikes, but had never been a runner at all. I ran my first 5K in 2003 and haven’t looked back. I’ve been participating in triathlons yearly since 2007. I remember when I didn’t own even one wetsuit and now I own three!<br>
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Athletic Interests -<br>
I am an adult onset athlete. I was “active” off and on through college and grad school, but never participated in organized sports. I used to in-line skate quite a bit, but my Bauers have been at the back of my closet for several years now. When I’m not swimming, cycling, or running these days I like to walk the dogs, kayak and hike.<br>
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Triathlon Accomplishments -<br>
After that first sprint tri in 2005, I ran my first half marathon in 2006 and then completed 3 sprints in 2007, including 2 with Max Performance, the Gilligan’s and Sweet 16 Sprints. In total, I have completed 12 sprint, 4 oly, and 2 half-iron distance triathlons. I think the most fun I’ve had during a tri is completing the swim and bike portion at the 2009 Timberman 70.3 on a relay team with my husband as the runner. 2010 was a pretty busy season for me: 3 sprints, 2 olys, and my first half-iron distance tri at Pumpkinman in Maine. I also volunteered at Ironman Lake Placid. I try to volunteer at a tri event at least once a year and it was such an awesome atmosphere in which to get some great training accomplished!<br>
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Motivation -<br>
Miles now, smiles later.<br>
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Goals for 2011 -<br>
I was able to obtain a charity bib for the 2011 Boston Marathon and raised funds for the Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton, MA. It’s a non-profit, no-kill shelter for dogs and cats located very close to Hopkinton State Park (you may have cycled past it). This was my first marathon and I was able to run the second half faster by 2min 22 sec to finish in 4:58:36. The last 5.2 miles were my fastest splits for the day! The Patriot Half-distance tri in June was on my birthday this year, so it was an obvious choice for this season. I celebrated with a 6:31:13 finish time; I didn’t beat my 6:27:03 Pumpkinman time, but I was still very pleased with my effort. For years I’ve wanted to run the Around Cape Ann 25K and I finally got to do so this year. I ended my official 2011 season by volunteering at the Title 9 Women’s Sprint in the morning and running a 5K PR (27:20!) in the afternoon. This fall and winter, I aim to dust off my mountain bike and get used to riding outside in weather during which I normally wouldn’t ride. I’d also like to add snowshoeing and hiking as a supplement to my run training.<br>
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Please share something fun about yourself -<br>
My nickname is Cake. I always wear pigtail braids for triathlons. I body marked my calf with a “V” when I volunteered for the Title 9 tri this year. I lost 5 toenails this season on 4 toes (from one toe twice!). My favorite running accessory is a tuke with a maki sushi print. I always “pat” the outside of the airplane as I board it.<br>
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Favorite Training Songs<br>
Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen<br>
‘Till I Collapse – Eminem & Nate Dogg<br>
Back in Black – AC/DC<br>
It’s My Life – Bon Jovi<br>
2010-2011 Time Machine Tour Set List – Rush</p>
