Tell me about your triathlon history & how you got started in the sport...
I had been an athlete for my whole life and had been used to training very hard. When I graduated from college I found myself training extremely hard with no real goals in mind, so I decided to give triathlons a whirl. I did my first sprint triathlon in 2006 and haven't looked back, and have since completed both olympic and half-ironman distance races as well as a marathon and ultra marathon (60k) distance runs.

Looking ahead, what athletic goals have you set for yourself in 2008 ...
For 2008 my plan is to really focus on half IM distance, in particular improving my technique in the water and getting much faster on the bike. Specific goals include breaking 5 hours in the half IM and 1:20 in the half marathon.

What is your favorite thing about competing in triathlons?
My favorite thing is the mental ups and downs you go through from the time you wake up in the morning on race day until the time you cross the finish line. The whole day almost seems surreal with all of the emotional peaks and valleys you go through - the pre-race jitters and anxiety, the relief of getting done with the swim, the monotony of the bike ride, the pain of the run, and then the satisfaction of crossing the finish line... what a wild ride

What gets you motivated for a big race, or hard training session?
Competition, challenging my mind and body, and food.

What's your favorite meal to eat before and after a big race?
I'm not much of an eater before races so I typically eat a piece of fruit and a plain bagel. After the race is typically a two course meal - first course is pasta carbonara, and second course is sushi.

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
Skiing, surfing, climbing, mountain biking, and any team sport

What is the best piece of advice you have for other triathletes?
The best piece of advice I can think of is to set goals, stay focused, and not take it too seriously - train hard, have fun, and stay balanced.