Is there one word that describes the joy you receive from your sport?
Why am I so bad with that question? It is definately Super Cool! I really hope everyone gets to feel that once in their life!

How did you become interested in your sport?
I saw this truly unbelievable race on television. I didn't even know the name of it. I watched this girl crawl across the finish line and I thought she was seriously crazy. Years later someone dared me to do one. I borrowed a bike, picked a race, and never looked back.

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
Huge love for Adventure Racing, Kayaking, Climbing, rainy day reading, and yes, anything playing at the Lincoln Center. I'm also dying to try an X TERRA triathlon.

What's your favorite meal to eat before and after a big race?
Pre race...plain penne pasta post race...chocolate milk, ice cream, pretty much anything but pizza. You name it I'll eat it.

Do you have a favorite song, favorite music group, or is there music you like to train to, or is there a certain song that plays in your head when you race or ride?
D.J. Tiesto, P.V.D., I love the Cello and Violin. Race morning my MP3 will only have classical or trance on it.

Do you have a personal motto?
Albert Einstein- Only a life lived for others is a life worth living. Unknown- When I was young I admired clever people. Now that I am older, I admire kind people.
F.D. Roosevelt- When you get to the end of your rope. Tie a knot and hang on!


The most memorable and meaningful race you've been in and why?
There are two...

My first time at St. Croix will always be most memorable. I got a bike a week before the race. Silly age -grouper, I rode the Beast 2 days before. I didn't know until the awards that I got a slot for Hawaii. I think I tripped twice walking up to the stage. I didn't have any idea what I was getting myself into. My first Hawaii IM I had a pretty lofty goal of finishing without getting a glow stick. I crashed on the bike and got pretty messed up. Let me tell you, I was really happy to finish that race with glow stick in hand! (Two actually) Last years race was entirely different. I learned so much from the first time I rode down those barren lava fields. If there is any advise I can give it's to listen to the old timers...they know their stuff! What they taught me is priceless. Keep it Simple. Really Simple. I only drink what they give out on the race course. Gatorade, water, and coke. I have not found any magical potion to mix out there. I learned to stuff two cliff bars in my cheeks and ride looking like a chipmunk until it actually makes it way to my stomach. I learned to put the hours in. And more importantly, I learned what it means to have people out there who love you. I rode up to a good friend last year and he said to me. "Don't even think about slowing down! You rock!" He was my hero that day. He never gave up and never took the smile off his face.. Running past teammates that are on their way to the finish while you're heading into the Energy Lab is unreal! Some make it look so easy going so smoking fast but don't be fooled; training with them I know they earned their speed thorugh a lot of sacrifice and a huge heart. Nothing compares to having someone on the sideline ready to catch you if you fall and ready to hang out to the bitter end no matter what time you finish....if you think you can do this sport on your own you are sorely mistaken. I never thought I would climb up on that podium in Hawaii. I never thought I would finish before the sun set. Christophe was on the phone with Stefan when I finished and I think he was more proud of me than I was! That was a special day

I learned a lot through this sport. Humility is right up there with courage. Time and time again this sport has humbled me. I try not to take a single thing for granted whether it's the friends I've met, the highs I feel, or the sacrifices people have made for me. I am grateful for all of these. I just hope I can give this all back three-fold one day.