This past weekend marked a great moment for AES athlete Brandi Szen.  A veteran of several half-Ironman events, Brandi wanted to step up to the full distance this year.   She chose the Ironman Texas and finished in style, complete with Texan cowboy hat:

Completing this race was the happy result of months of hard training, the likes of which Brandi had never before undertaken.  She truly rose to the occasion, kept her focus through the rough times, and finished strong in the top half of her field.  I think it was nearly as emotional for me to watch her finish as it was for her to finish.  Congratulations, Brandi - you earned every bit of it!

After a solid podium-filled start to 2011, Jane Pearson reached the top step a the Stewart Six Pack endurance race yesterday.  She's been focused on endurance events this year after several highly successful seasons of XC.  Jane often finds herself without a women's class in which to race at which point she beats up on the Expert men, normally ending up in the top 5.  Nice work, Jane!

AES Pro mountain bike racer Jane Pearson opened her endurance account last weekend with a solid 3rd place at the Michaux Maximus endurance race.  Jane's focus this year has moved from XC to endurance and so far she has one win and one podium.  Nice work, Jane!  Here is a photo of her with the other podium finishers Sue Haywood and Cheryl (I think she only has one name - at least that is what it looks like in the official results):