USAT Level 2 Coach, F.I.S.T. and Serotta Certified Bicycle Fit Technician
2004 Long Course Triathlon World Champion (35-39)

I have a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Louisville. After practicing law for 8 years, in 1999, I began Train Smart, LLC, a coaching service for triathletes, cyclists, runners, and swimmers. I prepare individuals to meet their athletic goals - whether that is to finish a sprint triathlon, run a marathon, or complete Ironman Hawaii.

I always have led an active lifestyle. I enjoyed a variety of sports in high school: field hockey, basketball, track, and horseback riding. In college, I continued riding horses, played polo, and taught swimming lessons during summers. While in graduate school studying Exercise Physiology, I became involved in teaching group fitness classes, teaching aerobics classes, and running for fitness.

I believe in volunteering and giving back to the sport that means so much to me. From 1999 to 2005, I served on the Mideast Region USAT board, ending as Vice President. Throughout the winter of 2004, I volunteered at the USAT coaching office in Clermont, Florida. Currently, I am Kentucky’s Athlete Development Coordinator and coached at the USAT youth development camp at Purdue University in July 2006.

In the early 1990’s, I was introduced to competitive cycling. I have been the USCF Kentucky and Indiana District Champion in road racing (1995), criterium racing (1995), and time trialing (2001). In 2001, I competed in tandem events at USCF Masters Nationals. My partner and I took bronze in the mixed tandem time trial and fourth place in the road race. Also in 2001, I completed the grueling Race Across America, winning the women's four person team division and crossing the United States in 6 days 20 hours and 20 minutes. I completed my first triathlon in 1998, and immediately I was hooked. I have enjoyed every step along the way.

Less is more. I understand that the athletes whom I coach are fitting triathlon into busy lives. I design intelligent, effective plans so that you get the most out of your training time. My clients often believe that they need to do more to reach their goals. Often the answer is doing a lesser amount of training, but in a more focused and tailored manner. This also helps to keep athletes injury free. I routinely attend seminars and clinics to improve my coaching abilities. Recently, I attended, The Art and Science of Triathlon Symposium put on by USAT in Colorado Springs.

Master's in Exercise Phisiology
CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA)
USAT Level 1 Coach (pending), USA Cycling Level 3 Coach

I have competed locally and regionally in triathlon since 2002, highlighted by an AG win at the Deer Creek Pineman Half Iron Distance race in September of 2005. During this time I have gained additional experiences in running completing various races up to the marathon distance, and have recently shifted my focus to competitive cycling. I became interested in coaching during my continued study of exercise physiology, with the goal of helping individuals meet and exceed their individual athletic goals.

I have always led an active lifestyle, beginning with competitive soccer and gymnastics for 11 years, traveling to competitions all over the mideast and southeast regions (cartwheels at the finish line maybe, back-flips – no thank you). This laid the foundation for the dedication and discipline that I carry with me today in regards to the “endurance lifestyle”. During high school I played soccer, pole vaulted and ran the hurdles for the track team, and spent way too much time in the weight room, “curls for the girls”, as the saying goes. It was a foot injury from soccer that led me to cycling for fitness, being unable to run while recovering.

I will be attending a USAT Level 1 coaching clinic this fall and become certified by the end of the year. In addition, I am dedicated to continuing education in the sport and field of exercise physiology. Most recently I volunteered at Ironman Louisville, and look forward to giving back to the sport in various ways as those opportunities arise in the future.

You become faster by training faster, not training through fatigue. That means performing quality workouts, and recovering from those workouts, and following an individualized training program, tailored to your needs. Too often people confuse “training hard” to mean “training more” either volume or distance, when often more rest and recovery is needed. Usually your best workout is when you walk away and you still feel fresh.