I was a distance swimmer growing up and always watched Ironman Kona when it was on tv on lazy Saturdays thinking that it was AWESOME! After taking about a 10 year hiatus from exercising in general, I finally decided to get off my lazy butt and go after it! I remember anxiously writing an email to inquire about membership in 2010, but I didn’t actually join until 2011. I think the pressure from medical and graduate school had finally built up enough that I needed a release through exercise! I soon realized that my anxiety was silly because this club had the most amazing and helpful people! I did my first race at Newtown in 2011 and have since done 2 Ironman races! I definitely have the bug, and I am looking forward to giving back to the club that has rekindled my athletic spirit!
My favorite and least favorite gel flavor? My favorite is Powergel Kona Punch…until I have to eat it every 45 minutes for what seems like weeks straight, then it becomes my least favorite 😉 I also do not like the vanilla gels at all!!!
My most challenging moment you’ve had during a race? I LOVE this question…mainly because I love that triathlon throws both physical and mental challenges at us all race long and constant on the fly troubleshooting is what gets you to the end! My most physically challenging moment was during Triple T in 2013 when I decided to drop out of the race on Sunday with only 6 miles to go! I somehow had injured my knee over the long weekend of racing, and I hated to quit but knew it was the best decision for my season. It taught me that sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do what is wise even though everyone always tells you to HTFU. I was truly grateful for all of the support I had from the tri community that weekend and it also taught me that the Tri Club is more than just a group of athletes who race but a community who cares and helps in amazing ways.
What is the worst food you’ve ever tried in training or racing and why? When I started training for long rides, I picked up this book called The Feed Zone that had recipes for rice cakes to eat while cycling. Although they are quite tasty after you have just made them, the appeal of eating a rice cake that has cooked egg and bacon in it that has been sitting in a foil package on your back in >100 degree weather is not high. I know I never admitted it to my training buddies back then…but it was a BAD idea 😉
Tip for new (and veteran) triathletes? Do it because you love it and always remember to be patient and smile when racing 😉
