Triathlon _______________________
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Triathlons brought me immediate success in 1998. It culminated in an impressive finish at the World Amateur Championships and becoming a professional in 2000. The pro tour was more challenging and more fun. I learned many things competing against the best and ended with great results finishing third at the NATS Pro National Championships and fourth at the Dannon Duathlon Pro National Championships. However, soon after that season I was bombarded with injuries. The entire season of 2001 was spent trying to rehab a torn hamstring (suffered while trying to re-start a basketball career), planar fascitis, recurring shoulder joint pain (from a bike crash in 1999) and a broken toe.
Finally, in Jan. 2002 (14 months later), I was free from hamstring, feet and toe problems. I dealt only with shoulder aches from time to time while I played pro basketball in Italy.
The new 2002 triathlon season began. New was the theme that year: new location, new team and new coach. I moved to Palermo in April and began training with Ironteam Palermo, coached by Giuseppe Strano, a successful triathlete in Europe. We started competing in a mini sprint triathlon in Caltanisetta, Sicily. It was a small event, but a first place finish still helps build confidence. We headed to Catania, Milan, Perugia and Venice in the coming months. The season wraped up in an ITU points race in Palermo in late October.
In April, I raced well and was crowned Regional Champion in Sicily. I traveled to Milan and posted my best race time for an olympic distance course, 2:03:14. However, the international field was strong and I garnered ninth place with that time. The following week, I tore my hamstring for the second time.
That proved to be my hardest test emotionally, athletically and physically. It took 3 months, but by Sept. I could start running again. I missed the Italian National Olympic Distance Championships, but was able to race in Tuscany for the Sprint Distance Nationals. I placed thirteenth, which was the best I could do with only one month of training. I continued to train and fight the injury until late October at the ITU points race in Palermo. In the open division I placed second. In the professional ranks, I received fifteenth place, five places shy of earning ITU points. Given the little preparation, I was happy to finish and place in the race.
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2002 Pro Races:
 Oct. 27, ITU Palermo, fifteenth place Oct. 27, open Palermo, second place Oct. 19, Cefalu Olympic, second place Oct. 5, National Sprint Championships, 13th Sept. 22, Mondello Sprint, first Sept. 15, Trapani Sprint, first May 26, Milano International, ninth place May 19, Catania Regional Championships, 1st April 28, Caltanisetta Sprint, first2001 Pro Races:
Played professional basketball and didn't compete in triathlons2000 Pro Races:
Oct. 7, NATS National Championships, 3rd placeSept. 10, Los Angeles Triathlon, 21st place, 2:08:46Aug. 27, Mrs. T's Chicago, Pro National ChampionshipsJuly 23, Pacific Coast Triathlon (0.5mi,12mi,3mi) 3rd place, 1:05:22July 16, La Jolla Swim/Run (1mi, 10k beach run)1st place, 66:00July 9, Carlsbad Sprint (1k,25k,5,) 4th place, 1:20:43June 25, San Diego International (1k,30k,10k) 4th place, 1:45:02; June 11, NATS Oceanside (Olympic) 6th place, 2:12:222000 Amateur:
World Triathlon Championships Team USA, Perth, Australia 2:11:15 4th age group (25-29)2nd Team USA 9th female overallWildflower National Collegiate Championships2nd overall 2:18:14Los Angeles Triathlon Series Champion 2000 1st place in all three races:
April 16 (500yd,24k,4k); 57:48 May 13 (500yd,24k,4k); 57:03 June 4 (1k,40k,10k); 1:56:27UCSD Cycling Team1st place Boulevard Road RaceAdmiral's Cup Point Mugu 2nd place female overall1999 Ameteur:
USTS National Champion (Back to Back) 25-29, 2:26:10USAT National Championships: 3rd place St. Joseph'sPacific Grove Triathlon, 1st Place Elite Division 2:15:34PRO Division Steamboat Tri, 1st Place1st Place: All Ladies Triathlon, Bonelli Park, San Dimas (sprint)4th Place: Sri Chinmoy La Jolla Swim/RunUCSD Cycling Team, 1st place Boulevard Road Race Carlsbad Half Marathon, (Jan.) Time: 1:321998 Amatuer:USTS Age Group National Champion (20-24)1st Place: Admiral's Cup Triathlon1stPlace: Santa Barbara Long Course Triathlon2nd Place: Nautica Malibu Triathlon3rd Place: Pacific Grove Triathlon |
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