Whether on or off the Iditarod trail, it seems Anna and Kristy are always on the run. The summer and fall of 2015 have certainly been no exception. If anything, this year had the twins busier than ever before!
After decompressing and unthawing from the big race, the twins got themselves and their dogs settled back in their home base in Knik, Alaska. Before the snow melted, Kristy got some fat tire biking trips in around southeast Alaska. In early May, Anna and Charley made the long trek to Juneau with 30 dogs bound for camp, where the dogs would be giving tours on the glaciers to summer tourists.
After decompressing and unthawing from the big race, the twins got themselves and their dogs settled back in their home base in Knik, Alaska. Before the snow melted, Kristy got some fat tire biking trips in around southeast Alaska. In early May, Anna and Charley made the long trek to Juneau with 30 dogs bound for camp, where the dogs would be giving tours on the glaciers to summer tourists.
 Kristy gets her fat tire bike on. |  Summer Touring Camp for the dogs in Juneau, Alaska. Imagine caring for these 120 or so "campers"!! |
In mid-May, Kristy went to the twins' home town of Port Wing, Wisconsin, to visit our Mom and catch up with other old friends. She then hopped across the border to Canada to see sister Kat in Toronto. It was a super fun visit featuring some indoor rock climbing, tasty food, a concert, and a visit to the Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. At the end of May, it was Anna's turn to catch up with family. She grabbed a flight with Charley to Colorado to rendezvous with our Dad in and around Colorado Springs, where our Aunt, Uncle, and Grandfather also live.
There were barbecues, camping, and hiking. A little cat yoga… They ditched their kennel clothes for something with a bit more flair to attend a friend's wedding in July. Also that month, Anna flew with Charley to his home-away-from-Alaska near Chicago, Illinois. While there, she gave golf a try, enjoyed some time jet skiing, and took in a Cubs game.
In October, it was Kristy's turn to venture to Colorado. There, she and friend Andy caught up with family and hit a couple of attractions, including the Budweiser stables.
There were barbecues, camping, and hiking. A little cat yoga… They ditched their kennel clothes for something with a bit more flair to attend a friend's wedding in July. Also that month, Anna flew with Charley to his home-away-from-Alaska near Chicago, Illinois. While there, she gave golf a try, enjoyed some time jet skiing, and took in a Cubs game.
In October, it was Kristy's turn to venture to Colorado. There, she and friend Andy caught up with family and hit a couple of attractions, including the Budweiser stables.
When the twins weren't traveling, they were hard at work. Caring for their dogs as well as Team Janssen's during the off season is no small task. They also worked for Janssen Funeral Homes. They made some improvements to their own dog truck, adding their own and sponsor logos, and a great dog box! They got creative when they found someone discarding plastic containers, improvising some pretty cool canine condos. There is always something constructive getting done when these twin minds combine.
That already seems like quite a bit, right? Well, one or both twins competed in SIX major running or triathlon events this summer. And to not only survive but thrive in the following events, they had to find time for training, too. You may want to do a few warm up exercises yourself before even reading this...
May 23: Trent Waldron Half Marathon (13.1 miles). Sunny and 60F.
Kristy: 15th place amongst women, 1:46:40, 8:11 min/mile pace
Anna: 23rd place amongst women, 1:50:10, 8:27 min/mile pace
May 30: Red Shirt Lake 10k Trail Run
Kristy: 10th overall of 74 finishers, 48:30.
June 13: Mr. Miles 24 Hours of Alaska Palmer, Alaska. Kristy ran a track (stopping permitted) for 24 hours, covering 85.5 miles, coming in 1st of 7 finishers (5 men, 1 other woman) and setting a new course record!
June 14: Tri the Kenai Olympic Triathlon. 1,000 yard swim, 20 mile bike, 6.2 mile run. Anna completed this olympic-distance event in 2 hours 32 minutes. Even after the first two draining events, she did the run at a 10:11 min/mile pace. She finished 10th of 29 overall, 2nd of 9 in the female 30-34 category, and 6th of females overall.
July 25: Sourdough Triathlon, Fairbanks, Alaska. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
Kristy: 21 of 32 overall, 10th amongst females, 5:59:59
Anna: 26 of 32 overall, 13th amongst females, 6:52:12
Oct. 10: Zombie Half Marathon (13.1 miles). This is a test of endurance, creativity, and your love of Halloween! There were 671 finishers, and the Zombie Twins enjoyed themselves, coming in a comfortable 401st and 402nd place after 2 hours and 17 minutes. They were a respectable 35th (Anna) and 36th (Kristy) place amongst 71 females age 30-34.
Phew!
May 23: Trent Waldron Half Marathon (13.1 miles). Sunny and 60F.
Kristy: 15th place amongst women, 1:46:40, 8:11 min/mile pace
Anna: 23rd place amongst women, 1:50:10, 8:27 min/mile pace
May 30: Red Shirt Lake 10k Trail Run
Kristy: 10th overall of 74 finishers, 48:30.
June 13: Mr. Miles 24 Hours of Alaska Palmer, Alaska. Kristy ran a track (stopping permitted) for 24 hours, covering 85.5 miles, coming in 1st of 7 finishers (5 men, 1 other woman) and setting a new course record!
June 14: Tri the Kenai Olympic Triathlon. 1,000 yard swim, 20 mile bike, 6.2 mile run. Anna completed this olympic-distance event in 2 hours 32 minutes. Even after the first two draining events, she did the run at a 10:11 min/mile pace. She finished 10th of 29 overall, 2nd of 9 in the female 30-34 category, and 6th of females overall.
July 25: Sourdough Triathlon, Fairbanks, Alaska. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
Kristy: 21 of 32 overall, 10th amongst females, 5:59:59
Anna: 26 of 32 overall, 13th amongst females, 6:52:12
Oct. 10: Zombie Half Marathon (13.1 miles). This is a test of endurance, creativity, and your love of Halloween! There were 671 finishers, and the Zombie Twins enjoyed themselves, coming in a comfortable 401st and 402nd place after 2 hours and 17 minutes. They were a respectable 35th (Anna) and 36th (Kristy) place amongst 71 females age 30-34.
Phew!
You might have noticed that there was a lull in competitive events in August and September. Both Anna and Kristy battled injuries this year, including plantar fasciitis and calf muscle strain. They recovered thanks to Northern Edge Physical Therapy.
That pretty much sums it up. It's been busy, but it's been a blast. Now we're busy hitting the fall trails, training puppies, and signing up for this season's sled dog races. Bring on the snow!!
We hope everyone else had a happy, healthy summer.
Happy Halloween!
See you on the trails…
Anna and Kristy
That pretty much sums it up. It's been busy, but it's been a blast. Now we're busy hitting the fall trails, training puppies, and signing up for this season's sled dog races. Bring on the snow!!
We hope everyone else had a happy, healthy summer.
Happy Halloween!
See you on the trails…
Anna and Kristy
