Bio:
In preparation for my first sprint triathlon in 2009, I did my research and read a few books on the subject. One highly recommended book quoted the great Jürgen Zäck. Within seconds of reading that name, I was transferred back to Germany, my native country, and the first day of fifth grade. While introducing herself, a classmate made sure to mention that her cousin was none other than the successful triathlete Jürgen Zäck! Back in my Seattle living room, I realized that this must have been the first time I heard the word triathlon, and I made the connection that one of Germany’s most famous triathletes is from my hometown. I was impressed! He must be famous…would he be quoted in a US publication otherwise?
More than twenty years after that, I was ready to try triathlons for myself. Quickly, it became clear that I was about to face one of my biggest challenges in a very long time: freestyle swimming! I never expected changing from a breaststroke to freestyle would be such a big thing. That was a mistake! It took many lessons, endless trips to the pool, and then some more training before I could finally see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. My first race was competing at Beaver Lake, and I fondly remember sitting on my bike cheering to myself, “I made that damn swim!” Making that swim felt nearly as overwhelming as crossing my first finish line! More importantly, it taught me that if you set your goals and work hard, you will be awarded with success. A truly amazing and life changing experience!
Future goals include further improving my swimming and learning more about biking techniques. Now that I have a top of the line bike, I want to put those gears to work! I really would like to make sure that cyclists I pass uphill will not catch me on the downhill again. So here is to becoming more courageous on the bike and celebrating speed!