After her husband Pete had competed in one in California, Kirkland triathlete Anne Jenson thought she may enjoy the endurance sport as well, first trying it in 1993. Though Jensen did not race competitively in triathlons until 2000, now she is hooked and recently won first place in the masters division in the recent Kirkland Triathlon.

“It’s pretty amazing that she developed so well,” said Pete. “I created an animal.”

Growing up Jensen, 41, grew up with gymnastics and moved on to soccer at Mercer Island High School. She always enjoyed the aerobic excercise of running, but never ran cross-country. Now she runs distances that the typical high school athletes only dream of doing.

“I really like running,” said Jensen. “It hurts me the most but it’s just something you can do anywhere. Swimming I have really come to like. It’s so good on your body for recovery.”

Even though Jensen competed in the USA Triathlon Championships the day before the Kirkland Triathlon, she was 12 seconds away from being the top overall female finisher on her home turf. In the USA Triathlon she placed ninth in her age group, which qualified her for her fifth ITU World Championships in Australia next year.

Competing in Kirkland is important to Jensen. A local resident since 1992, the familiar Kirkland Triathlon course and tight-knit community were key parts of the race for her.

“You kind of know everyone,” she said. “I had people cheer me and say, ‘We didn’t think we would know anyone out front and then we saw you.’ It’s exciting to have fans.”

Jensen, however, was not the only one in the family who received praise. Her 8-year-old son Kendell placed second in his age group in the Kirkland Kids Triathlon. After racing in Seafair, this was Kendell’s second triathlon.

“I just proposed the idea to him to try,” said Jensen. “I’m so proud of him. It’s a fun little bonding experience for us.”

Says Kendell, “I probably like the biking because it is easiest for me and I pass the most (competitors). I am definitely going to do some more (triathlons).”

Three-year-old Lily is Jensen’s second child whom she stays at home to care for. Spending time with her family is one of her top priorities, which she balances with training.

Despite Jensen’s impressive resume of accomplishments, being on the elite Olympic team is not a goal.

“I’m really happy at the level I am at now,” she said. “I am competitive and I still think I can beat my personal best times.”

After racing in 2000 and realizing that triathlons were something she could excel in, Jensen received guidance from a coach for two years. “This was when she really learned the process of training for triathlons — everything from eating right to heart rate patterns and recovery.

A significant accomplishment for Jensen was participating in the Iron Man in 2003 in Idaho. The training alone was intense, she said. The Iron Man consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. Jensen placed fourth in her age group, which qualified her for the Iron Man World Triathlon Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She admitted to not being able to race well in heat and gave up her spot in that competition.

Jensen has also recently acquired a new sponsor, Team Bear Naked. By being part of Team Bear Naked, she promotes the benefits of the company’s granola to friends and other athletes.

“I saw Bear Naked (online) and it was different because it was more young, fun and energetic,” said Jensen.

Team Bear Naked recently started last August and includes 100 runners and triathletes nationwide, according to Bear Naked representatives. She said she thought that compared to a past sponsor she had, this company has a fresher outlook.

Bear Naked offers all-natural food from trail mixes to granolas in order to promote healthy lifestyles, and Jensen appreciates their products because they are 100 percent natural.

As much as nutrition and training are important to Jensen, who trains up to 18 hours a week, it is all about the attitude, she said.

“Don’t get discouraged. Get help if you need it because there’s a big community of triathletes.”

Kristin Okinaka is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.