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Author Archive

Enduring Beyond Barriers: The Harriet Anderson Story

Kathleen Burke Jensen • May 11th, 2010 • Category: Triathlon

by Kathleen Burke Jensen | When Harriet Anderson crossed the finish line at Kona—the Ford Ironman World Championship—in October 2009, there were a few reasons she stood out. At 74 years of age, she was the oldest female competitor to complete the race. At 11:53 p.m. she finished just seven minutes before the cutoff. And the reason she’d taken longer than usual? The arm taped to her side was a clue. She’d broken her clavicle at mile 80…


The Intangibles of Triathlon Training

Kathleen Burke Jensen • Sep 25th, 2008 • Category: Gym+Training, Swim+Surf, Triathlon

by Kathleen Burke Jensen, Novice Triathlete
It was another foggy morning, but a quiet fog with reasonably calm surf. I felt so comfortable in the water and juxtaposed this experience with the first time I swam with Morgan. It’s pretty amazing that just a few swim sessions with her had so completely transformed my confidence in the open water. I was definitely ready to tackle my first triathlon…


Follow My Bubbles

Kathleen Burke Jensen • Jun 27th, 2008 • Category: Gym+Training, Swim+Surf, Triathlon

by Kathleen Burke Jensen, Novice Triathlete
Today is swim training session number two with coach Morgan Filler. This day is about as different as you can get from our first session swimming outside the lines. The air temp is 50 degrees; colder than the water which is 56 degrees today. The fog is thick and the club is practically deserted…


Swim Outside the Lines

Kathleen Burke Jensen • May 20th, 2008 • Category: Gym+Training, Swim+Surf, Triathlon

by Kathleen Burke Jensen, Novice Triathlete

I’m training for my first triathlon at age 42, and Morgan is coaching me in open water swimming. “Your ankles will tell your body it’s too cold,” she says with a mischievous grin. “So we have to go in fast enough that your brain doesn’t get the message.” Her next piece of advice reminds me just how cold the 55 degree water really is…