I am as passionate about my other career--as a National Race Walk Champion--as I am about dog training. I feel truly blessed to be able to combine both my work and work-out into one daily ritual. Add music to the mix and I'm in seventh heaven!

I had always loved walking and while training my first Boxer became interested in learning the race walking technique. That was over 25 years and ten dogs ago. I now train six days a week, and never walk out the door without one of my dogs faithfully heeling by my side. All three of my kidz are training partners and help motivate me to get out the door on those days when I would much prefer to stay indoors on my treadmill.

I am an athlete...and Kelly, Sophie and Seamus (new pup!) are athletes, as well. We all take pride in being lean, mean walking machines!

(Photo from feature story in the Racine Journal Times October 12, 2007.)

As a nationally-ranked competitor for nearly 20 years, my accomplishments include:

  * eight-time National Masters Champion

  * broke 3k World Age Group Record in 1999

  * hold three American Age Group Records

  * honored by USA Track and Field as Outstanding Female Race Walker of the Year in both 2004 and 2005

There are two main rules to competitive race walking. The first is that one foot must remain on the ground at all times, the second one is a little more complex and it states that from the time your foot first makes contact with the ground until your leg is vertical your knee must remain straight. These rules make race walking a grueling sport both mentally and physically. Races are monitored by certified judges and if found to be in violation of the rules, a competitor can be disqualified--either during or after the race.

(Photo from 2006 National Masters Outdoor Championships in Charlotte, NC.)

My PR's (personal records) include:

  * 1:59:04/20k (12.5 miles)

  * 1:25:57/15k (9.32 miles)

  * 55:27/10k (6.214 miles)

  * 26:29/5k (3.107 miles) Amer. Record

  * 15:32/3k (1.864 miles) Amer. Record

  * a fast-as-lightning 7:56 mile

I have clocked the fastest times and been ranked #1 in my age group for the past three years in every distance between 1500 meters and 20k. (Not bad for an aging hippie who smoked two packs a day and couldn't jog around the block in the '70's.)

(Advertisement for Runner's Edge store that appeared in Chicago Athlete Magazine, May 2005.)

I am a charter member of the Parkside Athletic Club based out of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The P.A.C.'s mission is to "promote race walking for fitness and competition." Club members meet weekly for workouts with one of the country's foremost race walking coaches, Mike DeWitt.

In my official capacity as Secretary-Treasurer, I recruit new members and ensure that club camaraderie remains high! Other duties include updating our membership database, developing an annual budget and reconciling accounts, organizing business meetings, posting race results, and assisting with various PR efforts and club activities.

(Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, 2003.)

So, as they say in our sport,

"Walk this Way!"

One final note: I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and am proud to say that I'm a survivor. I have no intentions of letting life's little "speed bump" slow me down, either on the track or on the road to training my next client!

As one of the top fundraisers for Milwaukee's 2007 Komen Race for the Cure, I extend a heartfelt thanks to all my friends and supporters!

(In the process of setting an American Record in the 3k at Badger State Games, 2004.)