I have been racing triathlons since 1980 and competed in 2 of the first Ironman Championships races at Kona (1982 and 1983). I took some time off in the 90’s to focus on my family and job and returned to triathlons in 2003. It was my son Tim that got me back into the sport. In 2003 he asked me to train and race triathlons with him. How could you turn down such an invitation! I agreed. It was a bonding year, plus I finished 3rd (age group) that year at Wildflower Long Course and Escape from Alcatraz. That’s all it took to get me back into the sport.

After a few years competing at the championship level of the Olympic and Half Ironman (70.3) distance triathlons, I started searching for something to compliment my road triathlon racing. A friend introduced me to the XTERRA triathlon series. I found off-road cycling and trail running challenged my skills. And training was fun. Training in the hills would get me safely away from inconsistent drivers, and in the hills I enjoy the beauty and quiet of nature. Since then, mountain bike racing and triathlons have become my passion.

Last year, the highlight was competing at the Leadville 100, a 104 mile mountain bike race in Colorado, all above 10,000 feet. I finished 5th in my age group. Additionally, last year I finished 1st in my age group at 5 races: Tri for Real, XTERRA DelValle, Coolest 8/24 Hour race, Sea Otter Classic, and Chanoko Duathlon.

I belong to the Forward Motion Race Club Elite Team. We support each other at races and also have individual goals to give back our knowledge and encouragement to the local community. Every year, I co-lead a series of triathlon clinics for new athletes. This year the triathlon clinics will be in April, and will focus on preparing for the XTERRA off-road triathlon at Lake DelValle in Livermore. Because of the popularity of mountain biking in this area, it looks like lots of athletes will be stepping up to the challenge and the fun.