This is an incredible story of a first time Kona Ironman qualifier, Bree Wee, who ended up not only finishing, but putting up these ridiculous results:
           
-9:47 Finishing Time
-Womens’ 25-29 Age Group Winner
-1st Overall Female Amateur
-13th Overall Female Finisher
-New Womens’ Age Group Record Time

The 27 year old mother of a 15 month old son has exploded onto the triathlon scene and may even start threatening the pro scene as she reviews her options in staying among the amateurs or picking up pro checks!

Bree, you’ve said your goal this year at Kona was to finish in less time that you were in labor (10 hrs 6 mins), so we’ve got to ask what hurt more?!

Having a baby!  Even the training for an Ironman was more tolerable than the morning sickness, lack of sleep, back aches, sore chest... the list goes on... that comes with being pregnant!

In preparing for this year’s race, what part was the most intimidating for you?

Learning my nutrition.  I was bonking and crashing left & right till I figured it out on those long runs and rides.

Having a young child at home must make it difficult for you to find time to train?  In terms of your largest peak weeks, how much time are you putting in and how does this training time breakdown by swim, bike and run?

Roughly, 5hours of swim, 12 hours of bike, and 5 hours of run on my peak week.

So, I’m at the Clearwater awards ceremony and your coach is telling this great story about type A triathletes and that one of his pupils (you!) actually came up to him and apologized for walking the last aid station at Kona—on your way to going faster than any other amateur female in history!  Why so much guilt about a 10 second break?

I had no idea I was about to set any records.  I didn't even have my watch telling the time...it was only reporting my heart rate.  When I saw them at mile 24 of the run and they were yelling for me to pick it up (they knew my time and what record was about to be set) I had nothing left.  I wanted to nap in the road-so rather than pick it up, I walked.  Coach Lance yelled at me to drink Coke and they screamed to move it.  So, I just thought I was disappointing my coach by walking.  He didn't coach me to walk but to run (or at least jog).

Speaking of aid stations, race nutrition is an absolute enigma for many triathletes.  What does yours look like on the bike and run?

Bike: I did 5 packs of Cliff Shot Bloks, 3 power gels, LOTS of water, enduralytes every hour, and Gatorade.

Run: 2 Power gels and hour with water and salts.

OK, enough with the “garden variety” questions.  How about “evacuation” during the race?  For top athletes, bathroom breaks over 8-10 hrs can make or break a race.  I know many males (including me!) try to coast along on the bike and “let it fly”, how do you pull it off?

That was my biggest FEAR going into the race.  I did not practice it during training so I was scared!  On the bike I was worried about peeing in my bike shoes and I had to go so bad!  About the time I could not hold it any more there was an uphill climb (which I love) so my mind forgot about "letting it go" and I focused on climbing... during that climb I passed a few tired big guys- but one of them was blocking (he got a penalty) and I could not get around so I also got a penalty for not passing and another man that came up on him got one for passing on the right!  So, thanks to the man blocking the girl I ended up watering the lava in my 4 minute penalty.  During the run...I ran and went-so gross, but I was scared to walk.

I know you feel very strongly about the value your coach (Paul Regensburg from Lifesport Coaching) offers you and the impact he has had on your racing.  What have been the top 3 things he has been able to enhance in your training?

Belief in my abilities, improvements in the swim, and mental toughness.

Motivationally, you’ve reached a huge pinnacle in the sport so quickly.  Where do you go from here and what are your goals for 2008?

I want to give it a go with the pro women.  Just try it out-see if I can make my favorite sport my job.

Who do you look up to in this sport and what about them inspires you?

Lisa  Bentley- she is  amazing!  She finishes what she starts, she isn't too prideful  that she makes excuses for a bad race-she just owns up to them and  does better next time.

Also, Lucy Smith.  She is a mom and taught me a lot about balancing life and sport-especially being a mom that runs.

Last one, what would be your recommendations for all those young moms out there who don’t know how to manage young kids and an interest in triathlon?

Take them with you!  For me bringing Kainoa EVERYWHERE was my only option.  So, I did a lot of running with him in the jogging stroller, that boy has done more 18 milers than most adults!  I also ran on the tready so that made other run possible.  I spent a bunch of time on the bike trainer (sad to say living in Hawaii), and finally, for swim practice I was fortunate to have one of the young kids whose dad swam with us baby-sit.  Also, and most important, I have an incredible husband that make workouts happen for me and a GREAT sister who also took Kainoa during my LONG bricks and rides.  You can find ways to do it-but it takes a lot of creativity.

Bree Wee
Born: 1979, Lansing, Michigan
Age: 28
First Triathlon: 2003
Turned Pro: 2008
Family: Husband Jim; Son Kainoa (19 mos)
Lives: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Congratulations to Bree on her 2007 extraordinary accomplishments. We know that she will be doing big things in the world of triathlon for many years to come.

Interview by Max Wunderle

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