Diva of the Month

Jane

1. Who are you? (Name/age/occupation)

Jane Diaz- 44 years old - Paralegal

2. How did you hear about the Tri Divas?

I got a Tri Divas postcard at the Newport Beach Triathlon.

3. When did you begin doing triathlons?

September 2004

4. Who is your favorite athlete?

Walter Payton (go Bears)

5. What is your favorite/strongest event in triathlon?

Bike Portion

6. What is your favorite sport?

Football

7. How has training with the Tri Divas helped you in the sport of triathlon?

The online workout schedules, (which I needed), the workouts with the other girls and the education on nutrition have definitely better prepared me for participating in triathlons. Also, I have found that my body because it is better prepared is not breaking down as it had in the past.

8. What was your first triathlon? (Where/distance ie: super sprint, sprint, relay, etc.)

Long Beach Triathlon- sprint

9. Which triathlon is your favorite?

The Long Beach Triathlon for participating, but the Santa Barbara for the atmosphere.

10. What inspires you to do triathlons?

It is a natural high and I like the competition. Also, I like to see how far I can push myself.

11. Who inspires you?

I am very fortunate that my twin, Jean, is my training partner. I think we inspire each other to keep on training and exercising. I know that when I am struggling in a race, she always knows what to say to keep me going and focus.

12. What is your biggest challenge/fear?

My biggest challenge is the swimming portion of the triathlon (to be a better swimmer).

13. What do you enjoy most about training with the Divas?

I enjoyed the comradery with the girls. It is nice to be with a group of girls where you share the love of doing triathlons. We are able to share our struggles and triumphs with each other.

14. What are your future goals?

I want to finish the Barbs Race this year. I want to be so prepared for the race that I am able to do the race without any major struggles.

15. Please share a story from a triathlon experience or from training with the Divas.

My stand out experience with the Divas occurred at the Santa Barbara Triathlon. I don’t know was possessed me to sign Jean and I up for the long course for the Santa Barbara Triathlon. After Jean injured herself, I had to accept the realization that I was going to have to do the race all alone. When I first thought about doing triathlons, I never imagine that I would be able to swim a mile, (which ended up being the easy part of the triathlon for me). I really struggled through the bike portion of the race. The hills killed me. By the time I started the run portion, my whole body felt like it was overheated. But I knew that I had gotten this far, there was no where I was going to stop and not finish the rest of the race. I have done 4 marathons, but this race was my most challenging experience. When Jean and Kelly joined me at the last _ mile of the run, I got an extra bolt of energy to run the rest of the way. As I got closer to the finishing line, I got the biggest smile when I saw a group of the Divas cheering me on. I think that the best part of being part of the Divas, being there to cheer, support and encourage each other.

Jean

1 Who are you?(name/age/occupation):

Jean Diaz, 44, Director of Regulatory Compliance

2 Favorite Athlete:

Nancy Lopez

3 Favorite Quote:

Forgetting the past
Looking forward to what lies ahead,
I strain to reach the end of the race
And receive the prize.

4 Favorite Sport:

Participating - cycling
Watching - football

5 Favorite Food:

Mexican

6 First Triathlon? If not, which ones have you done?

Long Beach 2004

7 What inspires you to do triathlons?

The challenge, I love the challenge of things because they push me to go beyond points that I thought I could never go.

8 WHO inspires you?

The other Tridivas, in particular, Janice

9 What is your biggest challenge/fear?

My biggest fear is failing and by failing - I mean not even giving it a try.

10 Any advice for future TriDivas?

People say that once you hit forty its downhill from there; however, I believe being in my forties reflects that best shape (physically, mentally and spiritually) that I have ever been and its only the beginning.

11 What do you enjoy most about training with the TriDivas?

Support and friendship

12 What are your future goals?

A half Iron man in August 2005 and don't talk with Gina because it is not going to be a full Iron man next year

13 Anything else you would like to add?

Ask Jane........