Meet DelMo Athletes Jodie & Kim

1. What are your race goals for the 2019 season?
As of now, we are registered for Escape the Cape (Sprint), Tri AC (Sprint), and if all goes as planned, Lake Placid 70.3. Knowing us, will most likely sign up for Tri the Wildwoods and some other races, as long as we start saving now.

Kim: Kim: Personally, my number one goal is to maintain a healthy, BALANCED lifestyle. Committing to races motivates me and helps to hold me accountable to a training plan. I will always strive to be stronger (mentally and physically) and faster.  “My only competitor is the person I was yesterday.”
Jodie: I don’t set race goals. I just hope to have fun and take it all in.

2. Best racing advice?
*Anyone who is interested in this sport, we would encourage to join a tri club. We are members of the Wild Harbor Tri Club… ”Work hard to play hard.” This club not only offers many group trainings, but more importantly, a friendly network of amazing, diverse people who inspire one another, regardless of ability or age, motivating each other to live our best life. It’s encouraging when you surround yourself with people who share similar goals and “get it”. THANK YOU Maggie, Val, Lisa, and Jill! Extended thanks and a shout out to my brothers, Gary and Ryan Osmundsen, awesome triathletes who support, encourage, and continue to inspire us the most!

*Enjoy the training. It’s all about the journey! It’s become so much of who we are together and how we live our lives. It’s just more fun training with your best friend, and...it’s also fun enjoying a burger and beverages afterwards without too much guilt. Try to keep in mind that while you’re training, you are also preparing mentally. When you’re faced with that moment of jumping into that water on race day, you need to remind yourself that you have put in the work, you know what the pain feels like, and you have endured it all, so enjoy every stroke, pedal, and step, all while having faith and confidence that you’ve got this. There’s nothing like that race day energy. It’s addicting!

*Train in all conditions. When we completed our first Tri AC Olympic, we were prepared for that humid run. We knew what it was going to feel like and how to manage it. When we completed IMAC 70.3, the rainy weather did not matter. Become friends with the wind. There is a lot you can prepare for and should, but you also need to learn to embrace what you can’t control and enjoy the experience, because every race brings different elements and uncertainty.

*It’s your journey... don’t expect everyone to understand it.

*Give it everything you’ve got on race day, so you don’t have any regrets.

*One last bit of advice... if you’re not having fun, don’t do it.

3. Favorite pre-race meal?
Kim: I have a very sensitive stomach, so I have to be careful what I eat before a race. I stick with half a cinnamon raisin bagel and half a banana. I also drink water with Spark.
Jodie: Dinner at Carmines at the Trop the night before if we’re in AC.

4. Favorite race to do together and why do you like to race together?
There is something special that we enjoy about each race that we sign up for together. We don’t always finish together. We only race together when it’s a long race and know we can push each other, more like Jodie can push me, to get to that finish line. It’s more fun having someone to talk and laugh with, and yes, sometimes bitch with, during those hours on the course. Sprint distances, we go our separate ways. Jodie can turn it on and tear it up. Our favorite is probably any race in AC though, because we make the weekend a mini vacation.

5. What is your race mantra?
Kim: My race mantra is “Focus on this moment”. Whether I’m swimming, biking, or running, I have trained my mind to take in my surroundings and appreciate them while feeling grateful that I am here, alive, and able.
Jodie: My race mantra is “WWDD” “What Would DelMo Do?”

7. What activities do you enjoy in the off-season?
We enjoy skiing/snowboarding. We try to get outdoors as much as possible. We long for swimming in the ocean, but we get in some pool swims until we can. We enjoy spending time making special memories with our family and friends.

8. Tell us three things we should know about you.
Kim:

• I have two amazing sons, Garryn 20, and Braden 17. Braden was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. It has been both challenging and rewarding raising a special needs son. I could write a book. I do have my masters as a reading specialist...maybe someday I will.
• I am a Penn State graduate and have taught for 22 years.
• I am SO grateful for Stephen Del Monte’s vision, because it brought triathlon to my hometown. The experiences have positively changed me in more ways than one, beginning 5 ½ years ago when I crossed that finish line at Escape the Cape.

Jodie:

• I spent most of my youth in San Diego, California, playing in the mountains and Pacific Ocean.
• I don’t take too much seriously.
• I’m a man of few words...