Featured Member - Dawn Jacobson

Dawn Jacobson

Tell us about yourself (where you're from, family, work, other hobbies and interests, etc... whatever you'd like to share): I am originally from a small town in Iowa and am a proud Iowa State University alumni. My husband and I moved to Sparta this past summer, where we relocated to be more centrally located between families, with his family residing in northern Wisconsin. I am a certified athletic trainer, working at Black River Memorial Hospital in Black River Falls. My previous 10 years was spent working in collegiate athletics, so this has been a big change, but a good one for finding life balance.

How long have you been doing triathlons? I did my first triathlon in 2002 and hated it, vowing to never do one again. However, eventually the itch came back to try it again a few years later, this time far more successful with better training. I have been actively participating in triathlons and loving it for about the last five years.

How long have you been a Bluff Buster? I just joined! I am anxious to meet with team and take advantage of some of the training opportunities, as I have primarily trained alone throughout my time in triathlon.

What is your triathlon background (How did you get started? Do you have a background in swim/bike/run, etc, have you done many?) I started with sprint races for a couple years, then added in a few Olympics races, and then in 2013 completed my first 70.3. I usually compete in about 3-4 races per year, as I can fit it into my schedule.

What is your favorite race distance? Olympic-distance

What are your triathlon goals for 2015? My goal this year is simply to compete in a handful of sprint distance races. I took last summer off from racing due to relocating, starting a new job, and everything that goes with that. I am itching to get back into my training routine and feel that exhilaration that can only come from triathlon!

What is an interesting fact about you? I am an identical twin. My sister has focused primarily on running events in the past, but she is doing her first duathlon this summer, so maybe I will get her into triathlon in the future!

What is your favorite song or album to workout to? I very rarely listen to music when I work-out. Exercise is my time to get away from all the noise in life, think, and de-stress.

What motivates you? The thrill of setting and reaching new goals. The awesome feeling of accomplishment that you get from pushing your body to its limit and achieving something challenging.

What is your favorite workout? A long bike ride out in the country, where I can get away from the busyness of life and just enjoy the blessing of being able to be physically active.

What can’t you live without? In terms of triathlon, my Asics Gel-Kayano shoes!

What is one book that everyone should read? The Bible. All the answers for life are hidden in that book J

Maggie's Corner - 5 Runs: 4 states and 2 Countries

The joy of running is often about the locations and roads where I run. The weather, the smells, terrain, scenery, company... Here's a diary of my long training runs back in 2012, as I prepared for Big Sur marathon, a point to point marathon along HWY 1, up the California coast. One of the most scenic race I've ever done and it was a fun one to prepare as well, as you're about to read. I was living in California back then and had multiple trips scheduled during that time, which made for a fun preparation. As they say: " its not the destination, it's the journey!"

February: Palo Alto, California. It is bright and early morning... I've got to hop on a plane shortly for Germany and I made sure I stayed up late last night to adjust for the jet lag ahead. I am quite tired and a little (a lot?) grumpy. There is something unique about the California sun that makes everything automatically better. And the wonderful smell...I'll never forget this fresh smell of pine trees that is refreshing. It invigorates me as I run through the redwood trees and beautiful rolling hills. It's February afterall. I am lucky I'm not in Wisconsin right now fighting the snow!

February: Munich, Germany. It is cold and grey here, but I bundle up and I am ready to run through the English Garden. No better way to visit than by foot. It is so beautiful and again, I enjoy so much discovering a new country, and Munich is now one of my favorite city with it's history, culture...and world class bakeries! (and beer...of course). As I run by two German, one yells: run Foresst run!" in a thick German accent. I guess it is pretty obvious that I am from America with my bright Nike shirt and bright shoes! I then discover that Apple Strudel and German Beer make for the perfect recovery snack post run (yep, even consumed together!)

March: Las Vegas, Nevada: I have a business meeting but I have my priorities...As soon as I land, I take my rental care straight to Red Rock Canyon, change in my running shoes and up the road I go. I then wonder how many people will skip the casinos for a run today? Well, I soon find out I am not alone. I apparently am running on the same route, amongst participants of a stage running race. Plenty of cheerful spectators, supporters and running mates accompany me during my long run. And it doesn't hurt that I am running in one of the most scenic part of Las Vegas: along the red rocks formation. I am certainly ok skipping the smokey casinos right now. Did I say it is my favorite place to run...? (ok...most places seem to be my favorite!...)

March: Minneapolis, Minnesota. A quick junt in snowy Midwest to visit my boyfriend. I am somewhat sadden by the fact that I fit perfectly in a pair of tights...His tights! (shouldn't it be too baggy?...oh well!). I am frozen to the core as soon as I step outside, struggling with my footing as if I had just learned how to walk. But soon I am reminded why I love the Midwest so much in the winter: the stillness of freshly fallen snow...nothing more picturesque than this (again..every run seem to be my favorite...you get the point!).

April: Naples Florida: Hum...I had no idea that people still wore velvet-like old school running suits...while walking their dogs. This should certainly banned! I am running in a retirement community and soon get somewhat lost/stuck in a gated community. Which has me jumping the fence...Oups! Maybe I'm too old for that? (I then had to explain to my boyfriend why have bleeding scratches on my arms and legs!)

There are days when training for an event can seem like a chore. But most times, I just find it to be pure bliss, being able to run, being able to experience everything and what every route has to offer. I am seldomly bored and until I become bored, I'll keep on going back for more.

Stay healthy!

Recipe of the month - Scott's Power Truffles

Power Truffles - like a powerbar but bite sized
1/2 cup honey or corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup nut butter (I use peanut butter)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 cup oats
2 cup rice krispies

• Take a 1 quart glass measuring cup or bowl
• Add first three ingredients and heat in microwave for about 2 minutes to melt the peanut butter. 
• Add in chocolate chips and stir.
• Pulse oats and rice krispies in a food processor and add to melted ingredients.
• Stir with a heavy spoon and then mix with your hands and roll into truffles.
• Place on a plate to cool and then put into baggies and toss in the fridge or freezer.

Running Symposium at St. Mary's Winona

2015 Runners’ Symposium
An educational workshop to help you run stronger
Saturday, March 14
8 a.m.-1 p.m.
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona

Gundersen Sports Medicine experts will teach runners of all ages, paces about:
· Overuse injuries in running and how to avoid them
· Whether barefoot running is better
· The best foods to fuel your run
· Training programs to help you succeed

Plus, enjoy hands-on activities including shoe checks, core exercises and a group run.
Space is limited - register now!

Cost will be $15 Contact Maggie if you have any other questions.

Team Event at Trinona

We are in luck, the two local Triathlons are on different weekends this year, first time this has happened.

Trinona in Winona June 7
Got Energy in West Salem June 14

Trinona has offered our club a team discount. When you register, use the code BLUFFBUSTERS to receive a $10 dollar discount.

The team event is going to be scored cross country style with the team's top 3 male and top 3 females. There is also awards for largest team.

Our team can also use this code for any of the other MN Tri Series to get the same discount. (Minnipolis and Maple Grove)
Tri MN Serries Website

Race Series Award

New Race Series Award
Remember, we are trying a new Race Series Award this year. The award will be given to the male and female who accrue the most points. Points are awarded based on participation and age group placement in triathlon races:
-2 points for participating in any triathlon
-1 point for finishing in top 25% of age group
-1 point for an age group win

Double points are awarded for the following races:
-Got Energy
-Trinona
-Castle Rock
-USAT Age Group Nationals, Milwaukee (sprint and olympic)
-Ironman Wisconsin

We always like to have a large BluffBuster contingent at Got Energy as it is an event that only happens with a lot of local effort from the YMCA. Let's show them we appreciate that effort by turning out in large numbers.

Trinona and Got Energy are on different weekends this year. Trinona is also adding club scoring with awards going to the top male and female club teams. Scoring is similar to cross-country meets-add up the overall finisher place of the top three males and females from each club and the lowest total wins. It would be nice to take one or both of these trophies. We really need our faster club members to commit to this race.

Sportsman/Sportswoman of the Year Award
Another award change will be how the Sportman/Sportswoman of the Year award is given out. We will be tracking how many official BluffBusters events people attend, either as a participant or volunteer. Things like the panel discussion will count, the weekly time trials will count, organized BB run sessions will count, that kind of stuff. The first opportunity to starting earning those points is coming up with our panel discussion February 23. Organized training sessions will be announced soon-as they become more planned.

Triathlon Panel Discussion Feb. 23 6 PM Schmidtys

We are having a Triathlon  panel with a local group of experts on February 23 at Schmidty's.  Social at 6 pm, panel will start at 6:30.  Send any questions you would like discussed to our bluff buster email.

Panel will include:  

Maggie Fournier - Elite Ironman distance athlete that has completed 12 Ironman races and qualified for Kona World Championships an amazing four times and counting.
Chris Schubert - Resident swim export and elite short course triathlete that most recently placed top 5 at short course national last year.
Ron Rasque - long time triathlete that brings a rich history of racing sprints to Ironman distance races.  Semi retired, you will find him optimizing his training plans or testing the newest research on HIIT and recovery.
Kevin Dubois - second year racer that can offer a newbie perspective on triathlons as he is a recent convert.
Scott Cooper will be moderating the panel with over 20 years of triathlon experience on all the race distances.