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I like to joke with myself that I am an athlete in a bigger girl’s body. I was ALWAYS the girl who was envious of her college roommate’s athletic talents and accomplishments, her friends running in marathons, and the crazy people who did Ironman triathlons on tv. After I expressed an interest in doing a triathlon and with a little nudging from a friend, I attempted my first race in 2010 and a few months later I found Team Z. Team Z has fully embraced me as a member of the Z family and has given me the knowledge, support, and structure that I was looking for both in a triathlon team and in a social group. Not only have I gained so many invaluable friendships but more importantly I have gained confidence in myself that has allowed me to continue to do things that I never thought was possible. With the support of coaches, friends, and mentors I continue to grow as a person and an athlete and just one year after joining the Z family I tackled my biggest challenge to date and successfully completed Ironman Cozumel. Since I have joined this family I often refer back to my favorite Dr. Suess book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” because I believe that I have stumbled upon a pretty amazing journey.

Team Z literally changed my life. I was a nationally competitive cyclist growing up, but I put that aside to pursue a legal career. Before we had kids, I already set triathlon as a goal because I wanted my kids to live an active life. But a non-Team Z coach said I would never be able to complete an Ironman. Well, I went from 240 pounds to 180, and Team Z helped me complete Ironman Cozumel in 2011 by helping me tackle the scary swim and providing a framework for training and racing. Now, I give back as a Team Z cycling ride leader. But more importantly, I am now able to compete without being hyper-competitive, I have an incredibly supportive group of fellow triathletes/friends and our family has a blast training and going to races. Our oldest child isn’t even in preschool yet, and he already wants to race, I’m healthier and am doing more.

I fell in love with triathlon in 2007. I had just completed my first marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, and was at home watching TV when Ironman Kona (the world championship) came on. I was glued to the TV. With the memory still fresh in my mind and the amazing, indescribable feeling of crossing the finish line at Marine Corps still in my heart, I watched as the pros crossed the finish line, arms up in the air, some of them even getting on their knees to kiss the ground after finishing. Although I’m not a pro, (in my dreams I often am), I could relate to the feeling of accomplishment, complete exhaustion, and the inexplicable rush of energy that overcomes you when crossing the finish line and I thought to myself, “I want to do that”.

I had never heard of a triathlon before watching Kona, but a little while after, a friend told me she was training for a triathlon. She invited me to be her Sherpa (the person that would help her out on race day to carry her stuff, before and after the race). While at the race, I saw the Team Z tents set up. I was too shy to come up to the tent to talk to anyone, so I looked them up online, did some research about triathlon and played Sherpa for my friend at a few other races, and finally in 2009, decided to join the team.

I love Team Z! I have made many new friends on the team, learned a lot about the sport, and in the 3 years that I’ve been training with the team, I’ve completed over 15 triathlons, 11 sprint and olympic distance, and 4 half iron distance triathlons. I’m now training for Ironman Lake Placid with the team, my first full iron distance.

Training with the team is fun! The support you’ll receive not only from the coaches, but other members, is amazing.

I’ve discovered that my body is capable of more than I had ever imagined, and that I’m stronger than I ever thought possible, not only physically, but mentally. You have to train your mind to be able to do long distance endurance races!

I recently started teaching bootcamp on Wednesday nights with Team Z MD, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the team and help the other members achieve their triathlon and fitness goals.

I recently started teaching bootcamp on Wednesday nights with Team Z MD, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the team and help the other members achieve their triathlon and fitness goals.