| What's your history? |
When I was 14, my dad lowered the seat on my moms old Nishiki for me and I fell in love. I rode that little red steel frame EVERYWHERE! Eventually I started riding with a local shop, which helped me improve and built up my confidence enough to sign up for a triathlon. I competed in the Seahorse Triathlon in Kalamazoo. I took third place (and that was pretty cool) but what really rocked was seeing all the past few months I spent training pay off! I got such a rush from pushing myself and testing my limits and (maybe it was just the endorphins, but either way), I was hooked. |
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| Tell us about a memorable race experience. |
Summer 2011, Team Missel (which consisted of my younger siblings and me) took on the Tri-for-Life Triathlon as a relay. When the race started, my sister high-kneed it into Otter Lake in the same wave as the Men's Sprint competitors. I jogged up to the transition area, expecting to have a while to stretch and wait, but within a few minutes she was tearing up the grassy hill toward me! I was happily surprised as she yanked the chip off her ankle before any of the men from her wave were even up to the transition! We were rockin' and rollin'. I rode off onto the gorgeous bike course, enjoying the beautiful sun and morning mist on my face. When I got back I handed the chip off to my 10 year old brother. It was hysterical to see the looks on the spectators faces as this scrawny little kid went bounding out into the run course! That little guy ran a 24 minute 5k, and I've never been as proud as I was when I watched him cross the finish line, red faced and smiling. My siblings and I exchanged hugs and high fives. The awesomest part of that race weren't the medals we wore around our necks that day, but the excellent (however uncharacteristic) teamwork and camaraderie my brother and sister and I pulled off. |
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| What are 3 adjectives that describe your approach to your sport? |
Positive. Enthusiastic. Determined. |
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| What are nutritional tips you use to gain optimum performance? |
Ice cream. Lots of it. |
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| Give us some inspiration! |
I ride, run, and race simply because I can. God blessed me with a strong, healthy body that is capable of so much! Its a beautiful thing. Its such an amazing feeling to push myself to go further and try harder, just for the sake of knowing I can do it. |
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| What is your single most important goal this year? |
I'd like to medal in an Olympic distance triathlon, and I want to compete in a race with some of my PH girls! |
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| The thing I love most about competing is ____________. |
the watermelon after the race... |
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Are You Ready???