Q: What is your athletic background?
A: The funny thing is growing up I took tap, jazz, and ballet. I was always the girl in the back running into the curtain at performances. In 1994, my freshman year of college, I started teaching group exercise classes and found my true love for fitness. A year later, I became a certified personal trainer and now 24 certifications later, I am still doing it all and loving it. My new certification, which I am most excited about, is my USAT Level 2.

After graduating from college I became a more serious runner. I had always enjoyed running, but never raced. So I signed up for my first 5K and then two months later my first half marathon. Then, I decided to do the Rock and Roll Marathon with Team in Training. In high school, I lost a friend named Jeff Calloway to Leukemia and decided to do the event for him. After that I was hooked. I went on to run four marathons the next year and threw the Lake Norman Triathlon in the mix as well (4 marathons were not enough). I loved doing Lake Norman and signed up for a half ironman distance triathlon right after it.

Q: What is your typical weekly fitness routine?
A: During training season, I typically do two a day workouts three times a week. Monday is a run day, Tuesday I swim and bike, and Wednesday is a run/strength training day. Thursday I usually do a longer endurance swim, take Body Flow, and ride my bike with Friday’s being my recovery day. Weekends consist of a long bike ride on Saturday and a mid distance run on Sunday with some yoga if I can fit it in. During the off season/winter, I always do the Kiawah 1/2 marathon as it keeps me motivated and I love the event. Kiawah has become a tradition for me and some of my friends, and this year marks my seventh year doing the race. Then in the spring I try to do another 1/2 marathon. Last year a group of us from work did the Folly Beach 1/2 Marathon, which is a small race but tons of fun.

My typical off week consists of running and strength training on Monday and Wednesdays. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I’ll teach a spin class, teach body flow, or swim. Friday’s are usually my off day. On Saturday, if the weather is warm enough, I’ll go for a long run and on Sunday I might take a short bike ride. I have to admit I hate riding in the cold.

Q: What made you take your fitness level to the extreme of doing ironman distance triathlons?
A: Actually, one of my dear friends, Burly Day, who we just lost to an accident while running, was training for Lake Placid the year I did my first lake Norman race. Burly and I taught a spin and total athletic condition (TAC) class together every Monday night. He would meet me before class in the pool to help me with my swimming, and believe me, I need all the help I could get. After Ironman Lake Placid, he came back and told me that I need to do the race. He was such a motivation to me that I signed up for it the following year.

Q: What is your typical daily diet?
A: I try to eat three meals a day with two healthy snacks. During the peak season of triathlon training, I basically eat all day. With each meal I try to incorporate a protein, a carbohydrate, fat, and tons of veggies. I tend to stay away from soda and eat all natural, organic products.

Q: What diet advice would you offer our readers?
A: Carbs are not all bad; there are actually good ones, too. Carbs have gotten a bad rep with all of the crazy diets out there. For Endurance athletes, you need carbs to be able to sustain energy. Now don't rush out there and eat a packet of oreos, but do eat your whole grain pastas, breads, and sweet potatoes.

Q: What is the most common mistake you see people making with their exercise routine?
A: I think people over train more than anything. I have done it myself. If you miss a work-out, do not double up and try to swim, lift, bike and take yoga all in one day. Sometimes too much is worse than nothing at all.

Q: What would you recommend to fix this mistake?
A: Stick to your work-out plan. Use a personal trainer or a coach to help you design a work out plan that is going to help you reach your goals.


Q: Tell us about your position at the Childress Klein YMCA?
A: I am the Senior Wellness Director at the Childress Klein YMCA. My job duties include supervising the personal training department, massage therapy department, and fitness floor. I am also the Race Director for the Alston & Bird LLP Corporate Cup 1/2 Marathon, the TRYMCA Triathlon Coach, and a Team Captain for the YMCA Xtreme Team, which pulls 180 members together for the Y2Y Ride and the MS 150.

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