How old are you?: 30
Where do you live?: Wisconsin
What is your history with sports and athletics?: I have never been an athletic person. I was a certified bench warmer through middle school and high school. When I was 21 I decided I was going to run a marathon despite the fact that I wasn’t really a runner. Six months later I finished my first marathon and vowed to never run a marathon again. I kept running here and there, but really stuck to 5K’s.
I started dating my fiancee when I was 25. He told me that he wanted to do an Ironman some day, and I told him that he was crazy and people that did that were off their rockers. He decided that he was going to do a sprint triathlon, and I did not want to be left out despite the fact that I didn’t really know how to ride a bike and couldn’t put my head under water due to a near drowning experience from my childhood. Somehow I made it through side stroking the entire swim, and using a borrowed bicycle. The next year we did six sprint triathlons, and my fiancee talked me into doing an Ironman. We both finished Ironman Wisconsin last year as well as eight other triathlons and I even placed third in my age group in the Wisconsin Tri Series.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete? : My involvement in triathlons has strengthened my relationship with my fiancee, boosted my mood, improved my body image, and created new friendships and connections with various training groups.
My proudest accomplishment was finishing the swim during my Ironman. It was crowded and wavy and I probably had seven panic attacks throughout. I completed the first half just swimming kayak to kayak. Somehow, I found my resolve halfway through when I realized that I was not going to make the cutoff if I continued at that pace. I was not going to let years of training go to waste. I got out of the water with time to spare and began crying tears of joy because I knew that I could do anything if I made it through that, and I was right!
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?: I have had quite a few challenges with injuries. My hips are not aligned well, and I have hurt my knee, hamstring, and ankle at various times because of it.
What is your “why?”: I am always looking for that sense of accomplishment.
What’s next?: My long term goal is to complete another Ironman and finish in the daylight! My short term goals are to run a sub 25 minute 5K and a sub 2 hour half marathon.
Any fun facts about yourself?: I am an eating disorder therapist, I am obsessed with my corgi, and I love playing the piano even though I’m not very good at it.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?: Don’t compare yourself to others! Everyone starts somewhere.
