Kelly currently lives in Austin, Texas and came from Manitou Springs, CO. She divides her days training for triathlon, and working for Durata Training, a company her husband helped to start. As long as she can be active, make some money to pay the bills and spend time with all of the important people in her life, then all is good…and she considers herself very fortunate.

Growing up in Central Indiana, I have been active my entire life, starting with the swim team at age 4. I grew up playing soccer, swimming and dabbling in basketball, gymnastics and high school track. The majority of my time and energy went into swimming, which took me to The University of Illinois on a swimming scholarship. I had an excellent college experience, as my time was divided among studying, training, competing and of course having some fun in there, too. Definitely taught me a lesson or two in time management.

After college and upon completion of my swimming career, I discovered running and cycling. I guess you could say my desire to be competitive was not yet satisfied. I began competing in triathlon in 2000 and 2001, racing a handful of events my first year and going to Age Group Nationals in Coeur d’Alene, ID in 2001, where I placed 3rd in the Women’s 20-24 age group. I applied to be a part of the US Resident National Team in Colorado Springs, and was accepted, thus moving out west in January of 2002 to train as a full-time professional.

I spent about 3 years racing ITU format (Olympic-style, draft-legal triathlon) and lived on the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center campus. I had some amazing experiences, and a solid rookie year, winning the Pan American Championships in 2002 and being selected as USAT Elite Female Rookie of the Year. In May of 2005, I had a severe bike crash, leaving me with a double compound fracture of my left arm. I had three surgeries that year, and it was not until February of 2006 that I could get back outside on a bike. Thus, it allowed me some time to reflect on my direction with the sport.

In 2006, my (now) husband Derick got into graduate school at The University of Texas, so we ventured to Texas that fall. I shifted my focus and energy to non-drafting, longer distance racing. This brings us to where we are today, currently still living in Austin, Texas. The road has not been easy, but I am loving every single minute of what triathlon has to offer. I have been coaching triathletes as well since 2005, and I frequently hear people expressing frustration about a ‘weak swim’ or a ’slow run’. Well, I can attest to the fact that triathlon is hard work. I grew up a swimmer (constantly in the water) and I am lucky that running has come naturally. However, seeing improvements on the bike has always been an uphill battle and  making the jump to Ironman this year, I have had to work very hard to see gains in this area. Unfortunately I got sick at Ironman Canada this year and was not able to finish, but I will be back in 2010, focusing on Ironman with the goal of qualifying for Hawaii.

To say triathlon is a rapidly-growing sport is an understatement. Many who do just one event find themselves putting an Ironman on their calendar within a year. It is an awesome thing to see so many getting involved in such a rewarding sport. However, I caution you, enjoy the process and try not to get caught up in the results. Take your time as you move through the distances. Learn from each event. Be patient in the quest to get ‘faster’. Let the disappointments raise you up and make you stronger. View your ‘weakness’ as an opportunity to improve. Help others out along the way, we all once were beginners. And most of all, appreciate the ability to get up each day and do it. When people ask me how long I will continue as a professional, I reply, “As long as I am enjoying it and still improving.” The training is a part of who I am, what I do and what I enjoy; the competing is what drives me. We can thank our competitors who propel us to be better, but ultimately, the challenge to be better is always within oneself.