Meet SOAS Ambassador, Andrea Astudillo

About Andrea

She’s from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Arlington Texas.  Born in Tulsa, but moved to Arlington when she was 15, so they are both “home”.  But now she resides in Carlsbad, CA with her husband Eddie and 4 year old English Bulldog, Lincoln. She works as a wedding and event planner and is a full time business student, and is excited to finally be done in August.

Outside of triathlon she enjoys photography, traveling, and wine.  Sounds good to us!!

How She Started

Andrea started as a runner, her husband an avid cyclist, but neither of them swimmers.  They decided to enter their first triathlon in Mission Bay in September 2007.  She was hooked, like the rest of us, and signed up for another before the season ended.

Andrea says her favorite triathlon moment was finishing her first Ironman in Florida 2010.  It was also her first marathon. “The first thing I said to my husband, when I finished, was ‘I don’t think I ever need to do that again.’ Of course, 3 weeks later, I was hitting the “register” button for IMAZ 2011.”

She also finished in the top 3 at SuperFrog half iron distance, last September.

What’s Next

Look out for Andrea in her first race of the season at the San Diego International in June. “I haven’t done well the two times I’ve done this race, but I’m going to give it another try. Third times a charm!” She’s also doing Vineman 70.3, SuperFrog, and IM Florida and is really looking forward to racing this year. 

After racing she loves a good Epson salt bath and lavender oil to treat her tired muscles.  Great tip!!

Why Triathlon?

“Triathlon has changed my life in a lot of really great ways. It has made me stronger by teaching me to have faith and confidence in myself. It has taught me about patience and drive and what hard work can achieve. I love being able to see how far I can push myself both physically and mentally in this sport. I also love the tri community and have made a lot of great friendships from it.”

For the Love of SOAS!

I love representing SOAS because:

1.      I love the product! The style and colors are awesome and the kits are made to fit a woman and not a 12 year old boy! Hallelujah!

2.      I love what they are about- two women making the sport of triathlon better for women.

3.      Kebby and Steph J

We are so glad to have Andrea as a SOAS Team member!! Have a great race season!

Meet Professional Triathlete Beth Shutt!

Hey everybody!  It's time for you all to start meeting our awesome brand ambassadors.  This year we've established an awesome team made up of 20 amazingly talented women.  With such huge range of ages and abilities each one has a fantastic story of their own and we'd like to share them with you. 

This week, SOAS would like you to meet Beth Shutt, a first year professional triathlete from Pittsburgh, PA.  Beth's most recent race and professional debut was at Oceanside 70.3 on March 31st where she came in 11th place.  She spent some time building for this race at her family's home in South Carolina, where she was able to actually train outside in the winter.  And then continued on to an elite/pro training camp with Melissa Mantak in Denver.

The choice to become pro was an idea she had been toying with for quite sometime.  As a high school and collegiate runner at Penn State, Beth progressed into marathon running.  Plagued by a Plantar Faciitis injury, she began spinning and swimming as a means of recovery and cross training.  She did her first triathlon in 2006 and fell in love with the sport!  She had many successes in the sport, including Kona qualifying in 2010 and saw going pro as her way of progressing in the sport.  Beth says, "I do think racing with the best in the sport will help me elevate my game and help me achieve the potential that I have in swim/bike/run." We can't wait to see her continue to race. 

Outside of triathlon, she enjoys spending time with her husband Oscar and her dog Roxy.  She also works full time as a registered dietician at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 

Check out Beth's most recent race report from Oceanside here: http://thetrialofmilesmilesoftrials.blogspot.com/2012/04/oceanside-703-race-report.html

Look for Beth racing at IM NOLA and at IMCdA in the next few months.  Good luck!!

Giddy-up! Time for California 70.3

This Saturday marks the beginning (in my mind) of the San Diego triathlon season with the California 70.3 race up in Oceanside. In contrast to what many locals say about the race (too cold, too early in the season, etc.), it is one of my FAVORITE races. You can’t beat swimming in a protected boat harbor, biking through pristine scenery on the marine base Camp Pendleton, and then running along the boardwalk by the Pacific Ocean. It is a race that I hold near and dear to my heart because it was my FIRST half-ironman (and 3^rd triathlon ever) back in 2005. I have competed in it every year except 2010 and now this year, 2012.

           

            The preparation for a half-ironman can seem rather daunting. My masters swim coach convinced me that I would have no trouble handling the distance. As a former competitive swimmer, the 1.2-mile swim would not be a problem. Post-college, I started running more regularly and had completed a couple marathons and half-marathons. The bike? Well, I knew that I had my work cut out for me.

            I spent a lot of time talking to friends, coaches, and other local triathletes who had experience with the distance. What were your longer training sessions like? What did you eat on the bike? How much did you drink? How did you pace the bike and run? What did you wear? I relied on my coaches and more experienced friends to mentor me through the process.  I tagged along with friends on their training rides and talked to ‘seasoned’ athletes about their special tips/strategies for racing a half.

            This year I decided not to do the race for various reasons. However, I learned that one of my friends from masters had decided to take the leap from short-course racing to the half-ironman distance. I was super-excited for her! At that moment, I had trouble containing of my energy to verbally spew out all of my ‘wisdom’ for the race.  I decided that I would act as her ‘mentor’ for the race.  We did several training rides and runs together, and during each of those sessions, I would share various details about the race and the little ‘tips’ that I had acquired over the years.

            Here are a few of the tidbits of wisdom that I have accumulated in preparation for California 70.3. I hope that these little ‘pearls’ can help you have a fantastic day on one of the most fun courses in the series!

1.     Bring an old pair of shoes for transition. The course officials are pretty strict in kicking you out of transition for the race start and if you’re a late wave (like W30-34), you will be standing in your wetsuit for an hour. An old pair of shoes will keep your feet warm, especially because the ocean is pretty chilly in late March.

2.     Similarly, bring some nutrition (water bottle, gels) for the wait in transition. You can discard it in the trash or near the front of the bike racks before your swim. Then you can stay hydrated pre-race.

3.     The bike path through the base heading north (in the first 40K of the course) can get crowded. Just be mindful of passing other riders and aware of the drafting rules.  You don’t want to get a penalty!

4.     There are three significant climbs on the bike course that start just about halfway through the ride. The first one is visible on the approach. If you’re feeling weak on the hills, try to spin up them as much as possible (to save your legs).

5.     Thank the Marines! It’s quite generous of them to let 2000 tri-geeks blast through their base. They are gracious in volunteering at the aid stations and expo. Be sure to thank them for their service.

6.     This year the run has changed but it is still a two-lap course. As a newbie, I would try to negative split as much as possible. Get a feel for your legs and the course on the first lap and then you know where you can really push on the second lap. Make it a game to pass the person in front of you – it  really helps mentally.

7.     SMILE!! Lots of locals come out to watch and cheer. If you’re local, it’s so great to see so many friendly faces! Remember that you’re out there because you CHOOSE to be there so make the most of that experience. It’s a luxury to get to push our bodies to the limits.

I wish you all the BEST OF LUCK this weekend and I hope that you can enjoy and appreciate this race as much as I do.

Lighten up for Spring!

Hello everyone!  Let’s talk food!  With the season changing and with the 2012 race season at our feet, and wheels, it’s time to clean it up and start indulging in what spring has to offer us.  To start, let’s talk about what’s in season and then I’ll share one of my favorite recipes.

Say goodbye to fall and winter dark vegetables and hello to the bright colors and light flavors of spring.  Some of the top vegetables for the season are Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Fennel, Radishes, Greens/Lettuces, Carrots, Potatoes, Peas and Scallions.  Most of these vegetables are easy to prepare because as spring arrives they are at their peak.  A simple seasoning of olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper is all you need to get the most out of the vegetable.  And don’t forget the fruit! ‘Tis the season to find the most delicious citrus fruits, berries and melons around…

Here’s one of my favorite simple recipes.  With only a few ingredients, it is a perfectly easy side dish for lunch, dinner or a snack.

Cucumber-Melon Salad with Goat Cheese

½ c Medium cucumber, sliced in circles

½ c Cantaloupe, sliced bite size pieces

½ c Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, halved

Dressing:

1 T Extra virgin olive oil

½ T Lemon juice

1 T Fresh basil, chopped

1 T Fresh chives, chopped

¼ c Goat cheese, crumbled

Salt and pepper, to taste

Prepare the dressing and toss the fruit and vegetables to coat.  Season to taste with salt and pepper and top with crumbled goat cheese.

Enjoy this delicious sweet and savory salad!

By: Chef Karleen Dirmantas

Texas T

As many of you know Ironman Texas is this weekend. I wanted to put together something a little different to wish all of our dear friends racing good luck. Texas had been on my schedule for a while. Unfortunately, now that I am not racing I wanted to find a way to show my support since I won’t be able to on the racecourse. Plus… I love designing t-shirts! You can really do whatever you want; the only thing limiting you is your own creativity.

During the process of putting together this fun little project it got Kebby and I thinking.

When it comes to leisurely clothing I am a pretty conservative person. I love our colorful and vibrant gear for when I am exercising, but when I’m not sweating in my clothes I seem to gravitate towards things that are much more simplistic. In fact, Kebby likes to give me a hard time about the fact that I pretty much wear anything that is black, white or in between.

With all that being said, it is very unlikely that you will ever see me wearing an Ironman race shirt. Not that I have anything against ironman t’s (they make for great PJs) but for my own personal style the big graphics and multiple colors are just a little too much for me. However I understand the need for them and why so many people love them. People have every right to be proud of their athletic accomplishments or fond memories of a race they participated in.

So I thought, why don’t we try to make a cute triathlon themed t’s? Not just races but also the lifestyle associated with triathlon. This Texas one has been so fun I would love to do more. Put unique, custom designed graphics on shirts that have a feminine cut and are made of really high-end cotton fabrics. There is nothing better than a super soft well cut t-shirt. I think that is why I spend so much money at James Perse.

We feel like this will be a really fun and creative addition to the SOAS line up. Plus it is not like we are always in spandex so we need some cute t-shirts to wear. Look for custom t-shirts from SOAS coming soon!

Happy racing this weekend!

Steph

What is design?

I recently heard someone say “Design is putting focus where it matters”. I would really have to agree with this statement… especially in terms of SOAS.

 

I have worked in ad agencies for years and often “where it matters” was not dictated by colleagues or myself but by our clients. This pays the bills but leaves a little to be desired.

Kebby and I have become very dear friends over the years and during this time we saw a very clear need for “putting focus where it matters”. We started thinking about designing Women's triathlon apparel for a completely selfish reason. We didn’t want to train in black shorts and your typical feminine colored tops that were unflattering and didn’t fit correctly. Let’s be honest, running around in a bunch of spandex is nerdy enough as it is… we don’t need to make the situation worse by dressing ourselves in colors that happen to fall on the cotton candy color wheel.

That is when our crash course in clothing design began. After many long hours, mistakes and learning experiences, I feel like we have designed a product that we can be proud of. There is not one inch of our triathlon kit that we have not thought through thoroughly, tested, and retested over and over again. We really put our focus where we thought "it mattered"… in the look, fit, feel, construction, and quality of our materials.

A year and a half later we are now learning that it wasn’t just Kebby and I that wanted something different. Many ladies were experiencing the same wants we were. I have been thinking a lot about this while working on our line expansion for 2012. We have met so many wonderful people this season through SOAS. I just wanted to express how incredibly touched we are by all the kind words and wonderful feedback we have received. Through what I believe is thoughtful design, we have been able to develop great relationships with some amazing people.

These people reaffirm my belief in the importance of design… whatever the medium may be. I truly feel that design matters, and love that these individuals do too.

Cheers to everyone’s training and racing. We can’t wait to show you what we have up our sleeves next!

Steph 

Some design that has been inspiring me.

The people over at Grove make some of the most amazing products. And yes... I have a custom SOAS iPhone Case!

Another beautiful typography piece by Josh Higgins.

Mount Kimbie's Crooks & Lovers is described as "music for musics sake"

Love the track "Before I Move Off"

2011: Let's Have Some Fun!

It is a cruel fact of nature: losing fitness happens so quickly, but gaining it is slow and painstaking. Kicking off training for the 2011 season this January has been full of stiff muscles, sore joints, little niggles and general oxygen deprivation. 

It would be easy to dwell on the negative: How did I let myself get this out of shape? Why did I eat all those Christmas cookies? Drink all those New Year’s Eve cocktails? When did running 3 miles become SOOOO difficult?!?! It SUCKS getting older!

But then, we have to stop and think. We are soooo lucky to get to do this stuff. We have the physical ability to swim, bike and run. To get out into nature and MOVE. And this gift HAS to be honored when you see people like Sarah Reinertsen, Scout Bassett and Clayton Treska out there racing. It is our duty to use our physical ability. It doesn’t have to be fast, long or pretty. Just do something. Don’t waste it. You will find out quickly how much you can surprise yourself with your ability.

Besides, how fun is it to get to do this stuff with friends and training partners? How about those folks that push you on the track just when you thought you were about to pull a hammy? What about the girl that cracked a joke that kept you going on the last hour of a long, cold ride? How many glasses of wine have you had with friends discussing your last race or workout? 

And, how many inspiring people have you met along your triathlon journey? Probably more than in the normal course of life (see above mentioned people!). I have met a reverend’s wife and mother-of-five from a small southern town who somehow got the Ironman bug. When I first started out, I trained in Atlanta with a bunch of retired Delta pilots who did about 2-3 Ironmans a year. Average age? About 65!!! I had to catch myself every time I wanted to complain about an ache or pain. How about Kim Rouse at our Master’s Program? She is in the 55-59 AG and she is an Ultraman, twice! Its amazing. And they all started somewhere.

Training and racing is also great because it takes you to places you wouldn’t normally go or see. Steph and I had an amazing breakfast at a teeney BBQ shack in remote Boggy Bayou, FL after Clearwater this last November. We witnessed Zombie Night in Louisville after the Ironman (and we athletes thought we were the only walking wounded!). How about riding up a Volcano in a rainstorm? And on my last trail run - while I may have been squatting to "check my shoelaces" behind a certain shrub ;) -  I found a GPS geocache-ing scavenger hunt box. Yeah, I didn't know what it was either! Look it up: geocaching.com

Anyway, without getting to melodramatic, I just wanted put it out there that everytime you experience negativity in your training or racing, come back to center and realize how great this sport is. How wonderful the experiences. The tough times just toughen you up and the great times can put you on top of the world. Get out there!

Enjoy your training and be good to yourself! Here’s to a fabulous 2011!

Kebby