Q: Congratulations on completing the recent Ironman California race! What first interested you in competing in an Ironman race and when did you compete in your first Ironman?
A: I started doing triathlons in 2012 and caught the Ironman bug while volunteering for the 2013 Lake Tahoe Ironman. It was so inspirational. I did my first Ironman in 2015 in Arizona.
Q: It had been a couple of years since your last Ironman and then the October 2021 Ironman was canceled at the last minute. That had to have been so disappointing. How did you feel and how did you motivate yourself to train for the Ironman California this last October?
A: This year’s race was a series of postponements. I originally signed up for Ironman Santa Rosa in May 2019. Unfortunately, early in January, my older dog started to have some health issues and I didn’t think it was fair to her to be gone so much for the training. I had the option to defer so I took it, which was a blessing because my younger soul dog started having bad seizures what would have been race week. So my race moved from May 2019 to July 2020. We all know what 2020 brought and the race was delayed and then there were talks of an October 2020 race which never happen and then the new date and venue of Sacramento. Then the downpour on race morning 2021. You would think all these postponements would make for a good long training program, but there was a lot of stopping and starting. It was really hard to motivate to train without events and races. Mentally it was really a struggle to put in the work. Each cycle brought less training. Luckily, I had some friends that kept me going at least getting in long rides most weeks.
Q: Besides crossing the finish line, which must have felt amazing, what was the best part of your experience competing in this most recent Ironman?
A: It was nice doing a big race in your hometown. Just the convenience of being in your own bed and not having to travel. Also the bonus of being able to ride on the course and knowledge of every bad spot on the road. Also, form a stronger bond with those you train with.
Q: What was your biggest challenge during the race and how did you overcome it?
A: The hardest part is really getting to the start. There is a lot of training and it really becomes like another job. The wind definitely made the day more challenging. Much of the day just becomes mental because you know you can just stop. I pretty much knew the run was not going to be much of a run. It helps to have times and pace pre figured out and I knew my minimum pace to finish and just watched my average pace.
Q: Some of our members have considered participating in a triathlon. What would you say to one of our members who has a dream of participating in a triathlon or possibly even an Ironman?
A: It is nice if you can get in with a group or club to get helpful hints. I think there is a lot of technical pointers and like most things, it’s nice to have others to train with. An Ironman seems daunting, but there really is a lot of time to actually finish. You don’t need to be fast. You do need to know your body and how hard to push it and what you need for hydration and fuel for a long day. You learn this through long training days which really become the tough part and trying to stay healthy.
Q: When did you first join R4R and how did you learn about us?
A: I joined R4R in 2013. I think I was going through a mild midlife crisis in 2010 and CIM was happening and I realized it was going to be on my birthday the next year. I hadn’t even done a 5k, but decided doing CIM on my birthday would be my goal, but not in a year. I went through a run series and picked out 4 half marathons for 2011, doing one every 3 months. I did everything wrong from the wrong shoes to mileage. I developed a bad stress fracture at mile 10 of my second half. Rehabbed and made it back for my third and fourth. In 2012 I took on more events and met Rachelle Hightower at the Running of the Elks, promoting triathlon training. I join their triathlon training program which lead me to R4R. I was a little familiar with them just from some of the local runs I had done. I have been a part of the group since. And I did do CIM on my birthday 2016.
Q: Describe yourself in 25 words or less.
A: Introvert, extrovert, goofy, serious, night owl, dog and cat mom, triathlete, seeker of knowledge, aggie, veterinarian.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: That info is withheld for reason. Lol
Q: Other than training, how do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies of note?
A: I spend a lot of my free time with my pets. I like to hike and snowshoe with my dog. And I used to do agility. My current dog is still learning social skills so this limits group involvement. I enjoy yard work and landscaping, housework not so much, but do like big projects. I like watching football on tv, and baseball.
Q: Congratulations on completing the recent Ironman California race! What first interested you in competing in an Ironman race and when did you compete in your first Ironman?
A: I started doing triathlons in 2012 and caught the Ironman bug while volunteering for the 2013 Lake Tahoe Ironman. It was so inspirational. I did my first Ironman in 2015 in Arizona.
Q: It had been a couple of years since your last Ironman and then the October 2021 Ironman was canceled at the last minute. That had to have been so disappointing. How did you feel and how did you motivate yourself to train for the Ironman California this last October?
A: This year’s race was a series of postponements. I originally signed up for Ironman Santa Rosa in May 2019. Unfortunately, early in January, my older dog started to have some health issues and I didn’t think it was fair to her to be gone so much for the training. I had the option to defer so I took it, which was a blessing because my younger soul dog started having bad seizures what would have been race week. So my race moved from May 2019 to July 2020. We all know what 2020 brought and the race was delayed and then there were talks of an October 2020 race which never happen and then the new date and venue of Sacramento. Then the downpour on race morning 2021. You would think all these postponements would make for a good long training program, but there was a lot of stopping and starting. It was really hard to motivate to train without events and races. Mentally it was really a struggle to put in the work. Each cycle brought less training. Luckily, I had some friends that kept me going at least getting in long rides most weeks.
Q: Besides crossing the finish line, which must have felt amazing, what was the best part of your experience competing in this most recent Ironman?
A: It was nice doing a big race in your hometown. Just the convenience of being in your own bed and not having to travel. Also the bonus of being able to ride on the course and knowledge of every bad spot on the road. Also, form a stronger bond with those you train with.
Q: What was your biggest challenge during the race and how did you overcome it?
A: The hardest part is really getting to the start. There is a lot of training and it really becomes like another job. The wind definitely made the day more challenging. Much of the day just becomes mental because you know you can just stop. I pretty much knew the run was not going to be much of a run. It helps to have times and pace pre figured out and I knew my minimum pace to finish and just watched my average pace.
Q: Some of our members have considered participating in a triathlon. What would you say to one of our members who has a dream of participating in a triathlon or possibly even an Ironman?
A: It is nice if you can get in with a group or club to get helpful hints. I think there is a lot of technical pointers and like most things, it’s nice to have others to train with. An Ironman seems daunting, but there really is a lot of time to actually finish. You don’t need to be fast. You do need to know your body and how hard to push it and what you need for hydration and fuel for a long day. You learn this through long training days which really become the tough part and trying to stay healthy.
Q: When did you first join R4R and how did you learn about us?
A: I joined R4R in 2013. I think I was going through a mild midlife crisis in 2010 and CIM was happening and I realized it was going to be on my birthday the next year. I hadn’t even done a 5k, but decided doing CIM on my birthday would be my goal, but not in a year. I went through a run series and picked out 4 half marathons for 2011, doing one every 3 months. I did everything wrong from the wrong shoes to mileage. I developed a bad stress fracture at mile 10 of my second half. Rehabbed and made it back for my third and fourth. In 2012 I took on more events and met Rachelle Hightower at the Running of the Elks, promoting triathlon training. I join their triathlon training program which lead me to R4R. I was a little familiar with them just from some of the local runs I had done. I have been a part of the group since. And I did do CIM on my birthday 2016.
Q: Describe yourself in 25 words or less.
A: Introvert, extrovert, goofy, serious, night owl, dog and cat mom, triathlete, seeker of knowledge, aggie, veterinarian.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: That info is withheld for reason. Lol
Q: Other than training, how do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies of note?
A: I spend a lot of my free time with my pets. I like to hike and snowshoe with my dog. And I used to do agility. My current dog is still learning social skills so this limits group involvement. I enjoy yard work and landscaping, housework not so much, but do like big projects. I like watching football on tv, and baseball.
