Julie Seale W30-34

vancouver, washington

How did you get your start in Triathlons?  I joined a gym that had over 100 Ironman finishers and decided I wanted to learn to swim, so I started my lessons in January. I couldn't just be a runner and learn to swim at the same time without the other athletes in the gym spreading their triathlon enthusiasm to me! So, In April I did my first sprint distance and knew I got the bug!

What is your favorite workout? My favorite is the Saturday 6am 2000+ meter swim followed by a long ride into the hills of the Columbia River Gorge with friends.  ALWAYS followed by coffee or lunch with my training partners.

"When I'm not training/racing, I enjoy…" I really enjoy spending time with my friends who are not insane like me, we meet up a couple nights a week for Happy Hour plus go out on weekends. I also enjoy spending time with my 2 kids who are 4 and 8, my life is pretty well balanced between friends and this sport that I LOVE!

If you could have one superhero power what would it be? There are so many great choices that my one superhero power would be the ability to take everyone elses away from them!  I'd be so powerful!!

Describe your biggest race disaster.  Knock on wood...never had a race disaster...

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? The night before, I always have whole wheat pasta, chicken and beer. I don't race without having a beer.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don't normally partake of)? Cheeseburger and Fries and  Beer

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? (For example, have you driven into the garage with a bike on the roof, run over race wheels, etc.) Oh yes...last 4th of July some friends and I went for a great ride. I was driving my friend who just the night before purchased a brand new Orbea Ordu with Zipp 404's. On our way home from the ride, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw his bike slowly falling backward.  I slammed on the brakes and ran  to the back of the car and started picking up peices.  Turned out the pieces were parts of my bike rack and his bike was ok.  But his Zipp wheel was cracked! He and I both donated $500 to the cause and he now has a replacement wheel.  Talk about a sick feeling in your stomach!

What is the worst job you've ever had?  I have loved them all

What adjective describes you best? dedtermined

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? HAVE FUN! of course because there is too much work in this sport to not have fun with it. But also take it slow, don't jump from a sprint to a full Ironman. Sit back and take time to learn and enjoy the sport. There is plenty of time to get serious.

Recent Results: 4/8/08 Beaver Freezer Sprint, 2nd AG and 5th OA, 6/9/08 Blue Lake Sprint, 2nd AG, 6th OA, 7/20/08 Vineman Half Ironman, 13th AG, 5:10, 08/03/08 Blue Lake MidSummer Sprint, 1st AG, 1st OA