The only thing more exciting than meeting the reigning Ironman 70.3 World Champion is getting to meet her AND a group full of future World Champions!
The Dream Team Youth Triathlon Club invited both me and “The Champ” Mel Hauschildt to their practice and a Q&A Session in Athens, Georgia. Mel was in town racing Ironman 70.3 Augusta, and I am always looking for an excuse to visit Athens, home of my alma mater, the University of Georgia!
The kids taught Mel and I some dynamic stretches before taking off on a run around the park.
I’ve been involved with the Dream Team for about a year and must say the kids and parents are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Not only do the kids have great race results, but they seem to genuinely enjoy the sport. I think a few of them (Aidan Landrum!) are even encyclopedias of triathlon facts!
One of my favorite questions came from David Andrew. He wanted to know Aussie Mel and her husband Jared’s best “21k times.” I’m pretty sure his new half marathon goal is a 1:12!
I had the BEST time hanging out with Mel and Jared.They are two of the coolest people and I really admire the way Mel’s raised the bar with her blistering fast bike and run splits. And after doing a swim workout with her, I’m confident saying there’s still more to come!
The Dream Team parents were nice enough to let Mel and I crash their swim practice and the workout we did is this week’s TYR Swim Set of the Week! The set has a fair amount of kick, which I think feels GREAT after a long bike or run workout. Big thanks to Harvey, Kim, and the whole Dream Team for including me in such a fun event! And HUGE Congrats to Mel for her dominating win in Augusta! Fingers crossed I’ll get to see her, Jared, and the whole Dream Team at some races in 2014!!
