Posted: 7/5/07
Best Friends to compete in Chisago Lakes Triathlon
 Jesse Bottomley, left, and Alissa Mell are in the midst of training for the Chisago Lakes Kids Triathlon July 28. Referring to themselves as BFFs, or in sixth grader lingo "best friends forever", the two have been training with Bottomley's grandpa in preparation for the race. |
By Steve Morris
If you type in "best friend" into Wikipedia, you will find a picture of Rush City sixth graders Alissa Mell and Jesse Bottomley.
The talkative girls have been best friends since kindergarten and do nearly everything together. At the end of the month, the resume on their friendship will have one more item as the two will compete in the July 28 Kids' Chisago Lakes Triathlon.
The triathlon is held at Paradise Park in Chisago City and it will be Mell's first and Bottomley's second. Last year, Bottomley finished 11th out of 35 kids.
Mell, who turns 11 in August, will compete in the 9-10 year-old bracket while Bottomley will compete in the 11-14 bracket.
Mell's race includes a 200-foot swim, one mile bike ride and a quarter mile run. Because Bottomley is in higher age division, her race is double in length.
Training isn't taken lightly by the girls as Mell has spent hours at her cabin swimming and biking.
With one completed triathlon already under her belt, Bottomley is looking to improve upon her time and iron out some of the finer details.
"Last year I put my helmet on backyards," she said with a smile followed by a laugh.
The family support has helped Bottomley train for the race. She has spent time training with her Grandpa who she sees as her fitness role model.
"They don't sit still all day, that is their training," Jesse's mom Liz said.
Considering the girls have already completed the entire distance during training, race day shouldn't be a problem. Yet, the jitters will still be alive and well.
"I am nervous about the transitions," Bottomley said. "But I like to be nervous."
Comment from D. Buerkle & Liz Bottomley, 7/9/07
Nice write up! Thanks for taking the time to check out others in the triathlon.
Comment from D. Buerkle & Liz Bottomley, 7/9/07
Nice write up! Thanks for taking the time to check out others in the triathlon.
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