“I got into triathlons after a friend recommended it to me. A group of friends and I were already running marathons and cycling for fun, so I figured, ‘I already like biking and running, so why not?’ Swimming, though? That was the hard part.

To this day I don’t really enjoy swimming, but I do it because it’s the first part of the race and if I don’t finish I can’t get to the other two sections. The swimming portion is the most intimidating part because in the murky water you can’t really see where you’re going compared to a pool with a line drawn at the bottom.

What drew me into the sport was the variety it provided. Compared to marathon training, triathlon training is much more evenly distributed. Instead of running everyday, I’m able to switch between swimming and biking, which helps with my body recovery while I stay active. One of my favorite things about the sport is the challenges you face as you walk through each obstacle and how much you learn about yourself. Within the process you just see so much character development and growth that happens. To me it’s not just about finishing the race, but working hard to push your limits.

One thing I’d say to beginner racers is that endurance training takes a lot of patience. Progress happens slowly and you need to respect your body’s process. I’ve done two full Ironmans (2.4 miles swim, 112 miles bike, full marathon – 26.2 miles run) and several half-marathons. It takes about a year of consistent training for an Ironman. I remember crossing the finish line of my first Ironman and I was just completely overwhelmed and shocked. Immediately afterwards I was hooked up to an IV and rehydrated for 30 minutes in the hospital. I couldn’t walk properly, but at least I finished. 

Now that I have kids, finding time to train is my biggest challenge. Everything revolves around the family schedule. It could get really busy at times having to juggle and make time for everything, but I make it work. My goals aren’t just to race, but to stay healthy and active for my family. I’m currently training for a marathon in Sacramento this December, and I’m considering the Half Ironman in Oregon, next year too. Having new races to look forward to helps to stay motivated and consistent.

Triathlon racing has taught me about patience, consistency, and balance. And even though it takes a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice, I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. There’s always another goal ahead.”