Last weekend I got the chance to escape the snow and cold in Boulder and head over to California for a few days for the Trek/Kswiss team camp. It probably couldn't have come at a better time, as the week leading up to it i had been fighting a virus of sorts. It was great to head down to sea level for a bit, fill my lungs with oxygen, and have a few easier days on the swim/bike/run front.

Many of you that follow triathlon, may have seen reports of the camp on numerous triathlon websites (xtri.com, ironman.com, triathlon.competitor.com ) All of which can give you a great insight into what went on at the camp. From my perspective it was first and foremost - alot of fun. It really is a great group of people to be involved with. There are no big ego's to get past....minus my own of course, which is so important when you try to bring a small group of professional athletes together.

I thought I would give you my perspective of the group:

The Trek/Kswiss Smurfs:

• Pappa Smurf - has to go to Chris Lieto. The elder statesman of the group, and without a doubt the most experienced as well. Add on to that the fact that the man travelled with his own set of clippers, determined to make the rest of the team look like him! He also had an uncanny knack to make up the rules as we went along. All of a sudden we would see him sprint for an imaginary line here or there....an crown himself the victor! I caught him napping on the last one though! Obviously also a great guy, and so open and willing to help out everyone on the team byt sharing his experiences and knowledge. Feel honoured to be on the same team as such a legend. Not so sure about his hairdressing skills though!
• Baby Smurf - while Andrew is the "baby" of the group, there is a lot of respect for him amongst the team. He has a clear vision of where he wants to be in the sport, and i am not sure if anything will stop him. For someone so young..(and someone that looks even younger), he has a solid head on his shoulders. He is driven, yet smart with it. He is often the quiet one, but then perks up every now and then with a comment or two that has us all in stitches of laughter. A great addition to the team, if not for his speed on the bike, for his ability to keep the older guys honest and on their toes.  
• Joe Gambles - a mix between Brainy smurf and Vanity smurf - Joe is the stat man amongst the group. He loves all the gadgets, he loves to know exactly how far or how fast we went, and how many feet we climbed. He will probably know every race split he has ever done, and exactly what he needs to do this year to win. He will be our go to guy for any statistics needed. He also was a most afraid of Pappa smurf with the clippers. After spending a reported $60 on a haircut, some might not be surprised! Best asset he brings to the team is his confidence in his own ability, as well as his smile and aussie/brit sense of humor.
• Fraser Cartmell - Is Brainy Smurf's right hand man. If ever Joe is a little slow to answer, Frase will be right there backing him up. For the most part they agree :) which is a good thing. From my perspective Frase is a great addition to the team....and thats not only because he is another Brit. He has a sometimes firey personality, and likes to speak his mind...like most scots do! And most importantly he has no fear and loves to work hard.
• Farmer Smurf - Paul "barney" Matthews - I went for Farmer smurf because after much harrassment Paul finally told us where he got his nickname Barney from. It's a long story, but has something to do with barns and farms. So i figured it was appropriate. Barney, while quiet at times, has a classic sense of humour that only brits and aussies truely appreciate. I know he had Heather stumped at least once or twice! With his strong aussie accent, at times he comes across a bit brash, but deep down i know he is a real softie at heart. I know he managed to put the fear of god into the Kid Yoder, who sleeping on the pull out couch was too scared to knock on the bedroom door to use the bathroom in fear of waking him up :).  
• Giggler Smurfette - Heather Jackson - Every time I saw Heather i think she was laughing/giggling/ or at very least smiling. She took the abuse i handed out about her swim talent well, and if it wasn't for a "high heels sore toe" I know would have handed out a big load of whoop ass to me on the bike ride on the sunday. Great to see her excitment to be part of the team, and made me feel good when she laughed at all my jokes.
• Matt Lieto -is a toss up between Grandpa Smurf (for his haircut...which was classic and had us all in seriously doubled over in pain from laughing so hard.), and Jokey Smurf.- Matt seems to have a contagious appetite for fun. He always seemed to have a smile on his face, and seemed to genuinely enjoy the whole experience. If given the opportunity i am sure he would have jumped on the chance to play some pranks on some of the other athletes. I think that he really brings a fresh and contagious attitidue to the team, in that he got into the sport from a different perspective than most of us. He even still puts a smiley face on his calf in races to remind people that he...and we all should have fun while we are racing.
• Michael Raleart - Talker smurf - Ya...its like..Ya Ya I dunno...Ya... Just don't give the man a microphone - u might never get it back! Given the right opportunity the man loves to talk, which is kinda funny given his quiet demeanour. He comes across as having a heart of gold which makes you just want to hug him :).
• I guess that just leaves me :). Probably a mix between grouchy, greedy and clumsy :)....and thats just on a good day.

In all seriousness, this is exciting times for all of us. I know there is alot of sceptisism about whether we can really benefit from being a team....but the proof will be in the pudding as they say.

I believe next up for the team is Abu Dhabi for Myself, Brainy and his side kick, and Giggler. Miami for Papa and baby smurf, and Singapore 70.3 for the Farmer boy.

Thanks for reading and check back soon for more insight into the team.

-  Julie Dibens - Ironman 70.3 World Champion and Xterra World Champion

www.juliedibens.com