Club Emerald Triathlon Team Earns Medals, Honors in 2012 Season

's Triathlon Team announced a successful close to their 13th competitive season on Sunday, Aug. 26 as several local athletes crossed the finish line at Ironman Canada in Penticton, British Columbia.

This year, Club Emerald participated in the , Mt. Rainier Duathlon, Boise 70.3, Ironman Coeur d'Alene, Lake Stevens 70.3, and Ironman Canada. Most teammates also participated in other events individually. In all, the Team crossed over 70 finish lines and brought home multiple overall and age-group medals.

"We covered a lot of ground this season," said Team Founder and Club Emerald co-owner . "With individual goal events for the athletes ranging from sprint triathlons all the way up to full Ironman events, each athlete was provided with individual training plans designed to get them across their finish lines."

Training began in early February of this year and over the course of the next seven months, the 27 athletes (primarily Mercer Islanders, such as local dentist ) on the Team swam over 1,000,000 yards, biked over 50,000 miles and ran over 10,000 miles both indoors and out during their training. 

Group training sessions were based at Club Emerald and Mary Wayte pool. Once the weather warmed up the Team hit Lake Washington for some open water swim training.

Pietila is a USAT Certified Triathlon Coach, as well as ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. For more information about the Club Emerald Triathlon Team or for those interested in joining in 2013, visit www.triclubemerald.com or contact Pietila directly at ginny.pietila@gmail.com.