In short, I consider myself an accidental athlete of the most extreme kind. Two years ago, I worked in Hawaii as a banker and lived the stereotypical i-bank lifestyle. Working 8am-11pm, eating everything that had a) meat or b) sugar and overall being a glutton. Sloppy would be an understatement. Compound that lifestyle over a number of months and I ballooned to 195 lbs, the heaviest I had ever been. Rummaging through the magazine section at Borders, I came across a running magazine and decided right then and there, I didn’t want to be fat, unhappy and sloppy and I wanted to become an elite athlete.

It started off modestly, with diet [I became vegan] and spirituality [becoming Buddhist]. From there, I got my butt in the gym running 20 mins a day every other day. Soon that became everyday and before I knew it, I had a pro coach and my first Half Marathon, the SF Half marathon. I placed on the podium at third place and was ecstatic and thankful for my newfound athletic life. From there, I went on to place 6th overall and won my age group [group of death: 20-29] in my next half marathon, the US half marathon. My time qualified me for an elite placing at the Boston International Half Marathon this coming year, although I did not run that race.

While cross training on the bike, enjoying the benefits of my fleeting youth and newfound energy, Mike Zagorski, saw potential in me and we began to train together on the bike. He taught me a great deal and although I moved back to California earlier this year, I took with me the lessons I was taught and quickly podium placed in local bike races. The last race I did before a crash set me back was a time-trial up a mountain where I placed 5th. In addition to Mike, I also have a pro coach in cycling who works with me daily.

I recently completed my first ever Olympic distance Triathlon 2 weeks ago and did very well. I’m not sure if Tri’s are essentially for me as I my true loves are cycling and running.