Ashley Tousley Homepage

3/16/08	Thanks for reading! If you think I should be the next fully-sponsored member of Team Evotri, please write down (or copy) the URL of this web site: http://www.ltcycles.com/ashleytousley/blog.html and have it ready for voting when you click the EVOTE button below. Thank you!
3/15/08	Making the Team: 2008 "Go Big or Go Home." I have to remind myself of this every time I think about having to complete a 1.2 mile swim. To be honest, swimming 2,000 meters in a pool is something I can barely stomach. I just bought a Specialized road bike last summer, and it took me about a month to master clipping into my pedals without crashing. Making sharp turns and stopping for traffic was also a problem. That being said, running has always been a passion of mine, and it is the one part of triathlon where I can say I am truly comfortable. After running track and cross country in high school, I made the decision not to run competitively in college. After a few years, I got the itch to compete again and decided to run the 2004 Chicago Marathon. I have continued to pursue my passion with the goal of trying to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials, but just fell short. I aim to run in the 2012 Olympic Trials, but in the meantime completing a triathlon has sparked an interest. I think it is important to set goals, even those that may seem unattainable at the time. It is truly amazing what your body can do when you put your mind to it, and I think triathlon is a perfect example. After volunteering at the Big Creek triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa for the past 2 years, and watching a dozen other triathlons around the world, I am finally convinced that I need to be apart of this amazing group of people. Des Moines is a city of about 500,000 people, yet has one of the fastest growing triathlon communities. We have gone from a triathlon club of about 6 members to 200 plus. Des Moines is now host to the largest prize purse race in the country, along with the final race of the 200 Olympic Trials. Big things are happening in Des Moines with the triathlon community, and I cannot help but want to become involved. Not only am I a marathon runner, but I am also a second year law student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Additionally, I work for Hartung & Schroeder Law Firm as a law clerk. Finding time to train is a bit of a challenge. Most of my days consist of getting up at 4:45 am, and falling asleep with my Evidence book on my lap sometime around 10:00 pm. Even though my days are long and completely exhausting, I wouldn't change a thing. I am a daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, law student, law clerk, teammate, and marathon runner. All I need to add to that list is a "triathlete".
	Check out myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ashleytousley
	Check out my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=14812338
	What is Evotri? Evotri is the brainchild of Simply Stu from www.Simplystu.com Stu formed a team in 2007 and will continue to work with a team in 2008. Each member of the team, once selected, will be outfitted with complete training and racing equipment along with professional coaching services in order to race at the Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon Ironman 70.3 in August. The members of Team Evotri will challenge themselves and others to live a healthy and active lifestyle through endurance sports. Given the extraordinary opportunity to train and race with the same equipment and coaching of the pros, they will dedicate themselves to maximizing their potential, to sharing what they learn from their experiences, and to making a positive contribution to the endurance sport community. Check it out: www.evotri.com