Ultra Distance Triathlon - Hammering Since: 2001
How did you get into diving, Triathlons, and other sports you have competed in?
That’s a loaded question!! I was a Pastry Chef in my former life… I had Anorexia Nervosa and ended up doing some travelling (Back Packing on a shoestring through SE Asia) to try and reinvent myself! I did a scuba experience in the Maldives and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a fish!
I became a PADI scuba instructor in 1991, so nearly 34 years ago! I am now a Master Instructor and work full time on Catalina Island CA. Triathlons I saw my first marathon from a hospital bed in England, I remember telling my nurse I was going to do that one day and she replied I could not even run to the toilet! (I proved her wrong!) I saw my first tri in Australia and was not until I reached Puerto Rico that I became a triathlete and really by mistake. I was in Boqueron with a sandy beach I swam every morning and I borrowed a ladies 3 speed back pedal brake bike to get a round, someone suggested I do a 10km run did and won my age group, a coach saw me but I wanted to be a triathlete and this random stranger ended up introducing me to a cyclist who leant me a racing bike and buying me running shoes… My first triathlon was in Puerto Rico and I took a taxi there!!! The rest is history! I went from an Olympic distance to a full ironman in New Zealand to a half to a triple iron distance in France to Ultraman Hawaii.
How did you hear about Hammer Nutrition?
A good friend of mine Bouke had Hammer gels so he gave me some to take with me to competition … I ended up contacting HN and was fortunate to chat with Steve Born and I became a Hammer Nutrition athlete. I used to call the 800 number and Steve would answer my questions about fueling for long events etc. Hammer nutrition has seen me through many races and I could not have done what I have done and still doing for so long without good nutrition. So Mahalo for that!
What are your go to Hammer products?
For cycling I love perpetuem Caffe Latte being my favorite, training and day to day I like Hammer Heed in my water bottle with powdered Endurolytes. I also take the supplements Xoabline, enduromega, and love the clearday and Nasol. but probably the one I use almost daily is the whey protein by HN as I can make into a smoothy and enjoy getting my extra protein for the day (My little min pins Hammer and Polar love their Hammer treats too).
I can't leave for a race/ weekend without…
I love my Hammer bars Apple and cinnamon, always have one of those bars in my back pack! Always make sure I have my Brooks running shoes and a swimsuit packed too!! You just never know when you can swim or run!
What keeps you motivated and Hammering every day?
Every day is a blessing in life. I feel so much more alive when I run or swim, dive or hike or cycle. What motivates me is camaraderie with others too, knowing you are going to join a group and swim together, a plan to do a race and train for it. Motivation is good health, seeing a beautiful sunrise, sharing a trail with my minpins. Motivation is what gets me out of bed in the morning!
I will say I could not get where I was in sport without HN who has always been there for me! After 15 consecutive Ultraman Hawaii's, numerous double iron distances, and 3 triple distances I am in the Ultraman Hall of Fame in Hawaii inducted in 2023, have been a national champion in Puerto Rico, and also the Champion of the Americas when I won a double iron distance event in Quebec.
