Finding a passion for running and triathlon in 2010, I have been hooked ever since.
Growing up in the United Kingdom where the sun doesn't shine very much, I came late to the sport of running. For several years in my early - mid twenties, I trained as a kick boxer, achieving my brown belt before moving to the United States. I ran on and off as part of my training for kick boxing, but never got serious about it. In 2003, I moved to Colorado and continued to dabble here and there with running and cycling because the weather was much more inviting for outdoor activities. However, my attempts continued to lack traction. In 2010, a friend of mine shared a one month training plan designed to get folks able to run continuously for 20 minutes. I persevered through the run/walk program and finally my efforts stuck. I remember the first time I ran two miles, what an achievement - it even included a small hill. I was very proud of myself and texted my friend triumphantly. That October, I entered my first 5k and I have been running and racing ever since.
A year or so later, another friend expressed interest in doing a triathlon. I owned a mountain bike and didn't really know much about the sport. We did the inaugural Denver Triathlon together, mountain bike and all. My transition from swim to bike was over five minutes as I meticulously dried off, changed clothes, and put on cycling gloves. Miraculously, I came 4th in my age group. That summer, I competed in an additional triathlon, a few more in 2012 and 2013 and then I decided to get serious and hired a coach in 2014 to improve my triathlon and run times.
With consistent training based around my needs and schedule, I exceeded all my goals. I joined Rocky Mountain Triathlon Club and was accepted onto the Runner's Roost Triathlon race team for 2015 and 2016. For 2017, I decided to apply for, and was accepted onto, Vixxen Racing's all women triathlon team. It's a small race team dedicated to advancing women's participation in triathlon. My participation with the Vixxens solidified my commitment to gender equity in the sport.
In 2018, I co-launched the Outspoken: Women in Triathlon Summit with former pro-triathlete, Sara Gross. Its goal was to take the conversation about gender equity and inclusivity to a deeper level with women from across the sport--beginners, age-groupers, pros, business owners, and coaches. I am also a co-founder of Shift Sports, a nonprofit providing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting and training to endurance sport organizations. I also co-host a podcast, [un]phased unedited about DEI and life with Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold. You can follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast app: Apple, You Tube, Spotify.
While my competitive nature kicks in now and then, I try to race against myself and enjoy the opportunity to grow and learn as an athlete. Since I began running consistently, I have competed in over 25 half marathons, 12 marathons, 6 half iron distance triathlons, and numerous sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. I have qualified for the USAT Olympic Distance National Championships eight times, and raced Nationals in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. I also qualified for the Boston marathon at the Mountains 2 Beach marathon in 2017 and raced in the blistering wind, rain, and cold in 2018. Definitely a race to remember!
It is with a philosophy of consistent and fun training that I turn to coaching. Assisting folks to meet their athletic goals is an exciting prospect to me because there is so much we can achieve with the right support and guidance. Balancing work, life, family, and other commitments can be tough. Trained by Road Runner's Club of America and USA Triathlon and with a doctorate in Communication, my goal is to build strong and supportive coach-athlete relationships rooted in open communication, attention to detail, active listening, and understanding an athlete's individual needs. I can provide guidance whether you are looking to simply get moving, run a 5k, half marathon, or marathon, try your first triathlon or challenge yourself with a longer triathlon distance. By providing you with an individualized training plan and ongoing feedback, you can train consistently and with flexibility, allowing you to make progress towards, and ultimately achieve, your goals.
Learn more about coaching packages to assist you in achieving your goals! Check out a variety of local and national training resources below.
Certified and Insured through RRCA and USA Triathlon
Chicago Marathon 2015
défi (n) - challenge
