How I became a triathlete:

            After wanting to do a triathlon for several years, I dusted off my old mountain bike, had road tires put on it and did Wrightsville Beach in 2006.  I immediately fell in love with the sport and asked for a road bike for Christmas that year.  Santa came through and the rest is history!

Training Tips:

·         Follow a consistent schedule – morning training is much easier than evening for me

·         Train with others – the fun of triathlon comes from the community of training buddies

Race most proud of:

·         Ironman France because it was my first Ironman and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  There’s no way to describe the feeling of crossing that finish line!

Balance training, work, family:

            It is often difficult balancing a rigorous training schedule with a full time teaching job, so I find that early morning workouts are best.  It’s much easier to just get up and do it while you’re still half asleep and then it’s not hanging over your head all day.  I do have to admit that I enjoy my summers off, when I can just be a triathlete!  What most non-triathletes do not realize is that workouts are also social outlets.  It is the people in the triathlon community who make it all worthwhile!

Inspirational quote:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘Whoo Hoo, what a ride!’”