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"Don't close off the possibility of a new truth because you have been comfortable with an old one.  Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
-Neale Donald Walsch

I love this quote.  It perfectly captures my feelings and outlook on life in general.  When I feel like I am slipping into the status-quo, I know there is always something more amazing on the horizon if I can put trust in the process.

In real life, I work in healthcare.  In sport life, I like bikes (I mean, really like bikes), and race triathlon to keep things fresh and interesting.  I train with Central Virginia Endurance in Richmond, VA, and for 2016 will be racing with Team GQ-6 Powered by Wattie Ink.

Quick overview how I've arrived to where I find myself today.  I rode and competed horses all through middle and high school.  I went off to college in 2004 and realized I couldn't take the horses with me.  I needed something else to fill my time, and started mountain biking on a borrowed rig.  A friend challenged me to start running so we could do a race in 2005, and thus began my running career.  I eventually secured my own mountain bike, then a road bike, then decided I wanted to try a triathlon.  I continued to grow from there, trying as many new things as I could: mountain bike races, one season of cross country, collegiate road cycling, trail running, and off-road triathlon.

Late in 2007, my very close friend, Eleanor, passed away in a riding accident.  She was the most dedicated and determined person I have ever known, so focused and unrelenting in chasing her dreams.  She started competing at the highest level in her sport of three-day eventing at only 17 years old.  A shot at representing her country in the Olympics was so close on her horizon.  She was a bright, beautiful soul who was taken from us so unexpectedly.  Life is so precious.

Very insignificant in light of all that had been turned upside down from Eleanor's passing, but I signed up for my first marathon in 2008 as a way to honor her spirit and drive.  I definitely had her with me that day, and continue to carry her spirit with me in all that I do.  Living life to the fullest, always in pursuit of something new.

- Erica