IronWoman

Name: Sara Strope

Currently Living In: Boston, MA (by way of Washington, DC)

Hometown: Albany, NY

Part fish by upbringing, cyclist thanks to city living, and runner by necessity. I grew up in the pool – swimming competitively and even dabbling in synchronized swimming throughout middle school and high school. By graduate school, I learned cycling through St. Louis’s Forest Park would get me between classes and my internship just as quickly and full of sweat than driving my non-air conditioned car. The cycling thing stuck when I moved to DC in 2001 – and I soon bought a bike to tackle the AIDSRide 6 and AIDSRide 7 and several WABA Bike to Work events! After a couple other outdoor diversions like climbing Kilimanjaro and picking up kayaking, I took on triathlons in 2006.

Tri-History: 2006-Present

Belleplain Sprint Triathlon (June 2006) - My coworkers from GetActive Software (Peter, Sean, and Chris K) all joined me for this race. The small race was a great start for me – and the park near Cape May, NJ was beautiful (we camped there before the race). It was however, the first time I thought I might drown! I learned the challenges of open water swims – getting kicked, attacked by seaweed/plantlife, and the need to spot the buoy course markers!

Steelman Sprint Triathlon (July 2006) – My friend Susan had convinced me to join the DC Tri Club’s New Triathlete Training Program and this race was our group race. The swim went much better for me, but I learned my lesson of having my bike in the wrong gear coming out of transition and straight up a steep hill! I nearly fell over!

Lurray Sprint (August 2007) – I learned the meaning of false flats on the bike course. And just how good that frozen custard and burger joint in Front Royal, VA is!

Dewey Beach Sprint (September 2007) - Perhaps the most fun hilarious race yet! It poured until about an hour before the race was set to start. Our great idea to camp the night before had turned into us sitting in our cars at 4 am to stay dry. The swim start was a run in from the beach – and let’s just say a wave definitely got the better of me! The bike ride was only 7 miles due to road construction. Oh, and the race ended with beer – and my feet being taped due to crazy blisters!

Black Bear Half Ironman (May 2008) – This was my first Half-Ironman distance.  The swim was great, the bike was hilly and the run was sweltering.  The race t-shirt said “Hope You Finish…”  Check out some pics from the race.

Lake Placid Ironman (July 2008) – My favorite race yet!  I think everyone should at the very least go to Lake Placid to watch this race, or volunteer, or better yet – actually race it!  Read all the details of this great day.

New Jersey State Triathlon (July 2008) – How could I not participate in the USAT Mid-Atlantic club championship race, even if it was one week post-Ironman?  So, I joined up with Nikki and Rachel to form team TriChix and race an Olympic relay.  It was probably one of my slowest swims ever, but what a great way to enjoy a race day.  Just race one leg, then cheer a lot, and volunteer at the finish giving out medals.  Oh, and coming in first in the women’s relay and second overall wasn’t too bad either.

Mooseman Olympic Triathlon (June 2009) - A seriously fun race!  Surrounded by friends from DC and Boston, I tackled my first Olympic race.  It was a hilly course, and only 10 miles from the hospital I had been in just 3 weeks before the race, but I felt strong on the bike.  I made it through the coldest swim EVER and enjoyed the run – for a total finish time of 3:04.

Cranberry Trifest – Olympic (August 2009) – Our club championship race and a little IM Wisconsin warm up!