D3: Can you tell us a little bit about your sports background? Which sports did you do as a kid and as you got older?
Liz: I learned to figure skate and play soccer about the time I started walking. I tried other sports up through highschool including softball, basketball, track, gymnastics, but the main sports I stuck to were figure skating and soccer. In college and law school……… a whole lot of nothing, well partying, and I would run the occasional 5K but that’s about it. I started triathlons 3 years ago after I moved to Colorado from Minnesota.

D3: What is your current job and what do you do?
Liz: Assistant City Attorney for the City of Westminster – what do attorneys do…………Talk a lot? I provide legal representation and advice to the City Council, City Manager, the City’s Boards and Commissions, the City Department Heads, and other key City Staff regarding the legal implications of contemplated policy and administrative decisions. It doesn’t mean they always listen!

D3: You were a member of the all women’s D3 group going into IM AZ last year, how did that impact your training and motivation?
Liz: I think that D3 was instrumental in being able to complete IMAZ. Having the support of Mike and to train with ladies that were doing the same or similar races was helpful to bounce ideas off of and to have as training partners. It was very motivating to know that I would always have the support of others at practice and we were all working towards the common goal of completing an Ironman. You also feel a bit of responsibility to be there. The other people in the group are counting on you. I believe that when you train by yourself, you often fail to make it a priority, and then the opportunity can slip away or you may find it easier to cut the workout short. Additionally, it was helpful to be able to draw upon the energy of the group. There is a form of energy-sharing that becomes apparent when you are training with a group.

D3: You’ve raced a lot this year and set new PR’s as well, what is the biggest factor in your success this year?
Liz: It’s all about “the secret.” If you know the secret, you can do anything. On a more serious note, I think it comes down to several factors, commitment, positive attitude and having the support of others who believe in you, and of course great coaches!

D3: Since you race all different distances, which is your favorite and why?
Liz: That’s a hard question. I like switching it up and doing lots of races at different distances. I have to say that as of lately, I think that the Olympic distance is my favorite because it’s just long enough to get in a good hard race and still feel pretty good afterwards.

D3: You recently went under 6 hours for a Half Ironman at 70.3 Boulder, did you expect that?
Liz: I was hoping for it! I did 6:18 at Boise 70.3 and wanted to try and break 6:00 at Boulder 70.3. Although on race morning, I was thinking I would be happy with 6:15, because it looked like it was going to be HOT!! ☺ I felt strong in the swim, last year it took me 48 minutes and this year 38 minutes. Up next, the bike, I pushed myself on the bike and took off 30 minutes from the prior year. The run…… at Boise, I ran 2:06, so my plan that I had so eagerly written out with the help of Ricci was to run 1:57. Well, things don’t always go according to plan as everyone knows, so I was happy with a 2:11 and finishing in 5:56. 4 minutes under my goal time! And a PR on the course of 1 hour and 20 minutes! I couldn’t be happier!

D3: What’s on your schedule for the rest of 2010?
Liz: Let’s see, if you ask anyone that knows me, what isn’t on my schedule?!!! Next up is Georgetown Half Marathon, Horsetooth 2.4 mile Swim, Irongirl Sprint, Tri for your Cause, Oktoberfest Sprint, and Pumpkinman Half Ironman. I’m sure I’ll add a few others! Let’s not talk about 2011!

D3: What are your long term goals for endurance races?
Liz: It’s what most people want, to go to Kona! But, realistically, it would be to continue to become stronger and faster and of course have fun!!!!!!!

D3: If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be?
Liz: Nicki Leo, she has been an awesome training partner and supporter of my success since last summer, but because I have access to train with her anytime, I would say, Chrissie Wellington! I think it would be interesting and exciting to see what she does on a typical training day.

D3: What’s your favorite workout?
Liz: Running Hills or a Long Simulation Day.

D3: What’s your least favorite workout:
Liz: Anything on the bike. ☺