XTERRA Ambassadors

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am very blessed and thankful for my good health and fitness . Over the last 10 years I have experienced the toughest and hardest events in my athletic career. I like to set new goals each year…whether they be athletic or non athletic.

Non Athletic:

Most definitely proud of our two amazing children, Caren and Robbie, and married almost 30 years to the same awesome guy!

Athletic:

• Qualifying for the 2009 Maui World Championships at 52, finishing injury free and being able to put my bike back together to ship home!
• Being a 6x Mid Atlantic Region XTERRA Championship.
• “Queen of T” (transitions) for Sprint Triathlons back in Virginia (fast transitions at my age is something I am proud of).
• Earning my 2nd degree Black Belt.

When you’re not racing you like to...?

Inspiring others to become as fit as they can be regardless of their genetic footprint. I do this through some group fitness
classes at the gym, TRX training and community 5k’s I organize . Love skiing, playing with my pup “Maui” and hanging out in Facebook with all my crazy lovin' peeps. If not that, I am roasting coffee beans for my java junkie customers!

What’s the craziest experience you’ve ever had with XTERRA?

Got off my MTB at the 2009 XTERRA World Championship in Maui to absorb the beautiful scenery at the top before final 1.5 mile descent on lava rocks.  Treasuring a huge-oid THORN that came from my tire at Maui Worlds. Kept it on my laptop for 4 months. How dorky is that?

What’s the best thing about racing?

Cannot rule out one thing, it’s the people, places and foods of “another“ other than home sweet home.

XTERRA has opened the door for me to travel and see some family I have not seen in over 30 years and accidentally seeing myself on an XTERRA World Championship video highlights (2009).

What is the coolest piece of gear you own?

An XTERRA World Championship water bottle for my bike. It goes everywhere with me... pool, gym, races, hikes, church, funerals and weddings. And a cool Team Gear bag.

What is your favorite quote or words of wisdom?

“Your Attitude, not your Aptitude, determine your Altitude”, Zig Zigler.

“Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it”, J. Maxwell.

Role model / inspiration / favorite athlete: I feel blessed knowing Jamie Whitmore. She is a true champion on and off the course. Strong in Faith and has never been ashamed of that.

What do you do when you aren't training/racing?

Teaching group fitness classes at a local gym. Connecting with my Facebook peeps, bonding with puppy and hubby over and over again (lol). Running my coffee roasting business. Planning a fundraiser 5k with my church and other local organizations. Trying to balance training, racing, family, business and church.

Which 2011 XTERRA races do you plan to attend?

Hopefully inaugural ITU Worlds in Spain! East Championship in Richmond, EX2 in Maryland, Charlottesville , Grizzly, Nationals and hopefully Maui.

Favorite XTERRA venue: MAUI WORLDS! Love that swim in October when every water hole back in Virginia is freezing cold, he he.

Dreaded XTERRA venue: Lake Tahoe. My first Nationals (2008) before the venue switched to Ogden. Whoa! I do not like snow and freezing temps in a.m. before any triathlon. 50 degree water swim… brrrr… long run to transition… frozen hands…could not get shoes on… then snow on Flume. Was very blessed snow melted by the time I got up there and the sun was brilliant!!!

Top 3-8 racing accomplishments: In over 8 years of racing XTERRA, I am happy to say I sustained only one injury, a sprained ankle at a race in 2007 in Virginia (still finished and won age group). Finished every one of my other races injury free, always top 3 if not age group winner. Richmond East Championship, EX2 , Charlottesville XTERRA, doubled up on two (road) triathlons in one weekend.

What’s your favorite aspect of XTERRA?

XTERRA allows me to experiment and appreciate nature and God’s planet like nothing else. Swimming, mountain biking and running across this beautiful country. Over amazingly different terrains, to elevations and heights I would never ever be at if not for XTERRA

Define / Describe XTERRA:

A life changing experience that will transform, consume, grow and humble you.