I’ve always had a general love of fitness and being active. I grew up swimming competitively, completely convinced my legs were made solely for kicking. Running was out of the question. It wasn’t until late in my college career that I decided to challenge myself and began running. I was home on summer vacation and my pool was closed for maintenance and I was getting bored in the gym. Wanting to keep my fitness level up, I got the courage to ask my Dad to join him on his morning run. My confidence level was low and I was convinced 2 miles would be far beyond my reach. I told him I would start with 1.5 (and even that made me shudder). We ran on the Navy base where I grew up and when we rounded the corner where I spent many-a-day biking to swim practice and playing hide-and-go-seek, a sense of nostalgia set in. These fond memories of having fun and being active made me think I could grow to feel the same way about running. I finished the full mile and a half and survived. It was this pivotal moment that warm, sunny day in Florida that I learned my legs were more than just fins.
Fast forward a few years, I bought my first bike (since my childhood purple banana seat) in 2007 after registering for my first triathlon– Eagleman 70.3. Go big or go home, right? Crossing that finish line was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. I wasn’t even tired, I wanted to go further! The rush and excitement of it all was incredible. Since then, I’ve been hooked. Most days I love the training and thrill of the sport. In 2008 I was ranked 3rd in my age group in Virginia triathlon series. I’ve got big goals for the 2009 season and hope to spread my experiences along the way.
My healthy habits extend beyond exercise and into nutrition. It’s my lifestyle. There are countless schools of thought on the topic of “healthy” food and what it entails. To each his own. No one is the same and different foods react differently depending on the individual. You have to figure out what works for you. For me, I eat a diet high in protein, high in vegetables, and lower in starchy carbs and sugars. I don’t eat dairy and for the most part I avoid all processed food. No, I don’t deprive myself. Yes, with a high volume of exercise, it is important to refuel with carbohydrates at certain times, I simply get these in mostly with fruit and higher carb veggies, and my oatmeal for breakfast. I get in plenty of the “good” fats. I strive to follow the Paleo Diet for Athletes, which more or less suggests eating like Cavemen. I enjoy cooking and baking and love the challenge of creating recipes that fit within the guidelines of this lifestyle.
When I’m not in the water, out on the trails, or in the kitchen, you’ll most likely find me on my Mac designing in photoshop. I’m an art director/consultant working for a small creative web design agency in Washington, D.C.
