Starting off the year spotlighting the amazing Sheri Bell.
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
End of 2021
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
TriGirl SuperSprint May 2012
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
Right after Charley was born in 2011, we went out to cheer on the contestants from Biggest Loser when the bike route used to go right by our house. I told my husband, Mills, that one day I would do this race. I’m sure his response was like “ok – must be the post-partum hormones talking.” I was in no shape to consider this, I couldn’t even run ¼ mile straight, much less ride a bike for that long or even swim 1 length of the pool. Fast forward one year later and I completed my first triathlon at the TriGirl SuperSprint. I was instantly addicted to the finish line and encouragement while racing; I kept increasing my racing distance each time – I thought – “Well, I didn’t die on that length, guess I’ll sign up for the next distance.” 😉
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
IMTX – can’t beat that run crowd
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Finishing IMAZ four weeks after IMTX – I wanted to quit that run SO bad and sat down at mile 24 until I got a text from Mills saying that him and the kids were waiting at the finish line, so I pulled myself up and stumbled to that finish line.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Balancing a household and training
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
In-N-Out Burger, Fries and Chocolate Shake
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
Mills (best sherpa/bike mechanic around 😉) and I have been married 20 years we have a 12 year old son, Charley and 10 year old daughter, Sydney. We have a 5th Wheel Camper and like to travel across the U.S. including to races. Race mornings are literally the only morning my kids jump out of bed excited to be up at 4am. They are my biggest supporters and best cheerleaders! They have never missed a finish line! We have two doodles – McKinley and Sadie.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’m a retired (😉) full-time CPA. I still help out a few friends and not-for-profits with their accounting on a part-time basis. I volunteer at my church (TWMC) as the lead coordinator for a few big events and run the best kids taxi service (so my kids say). I can help back in a 40 foot 5th wheel into a tight storage unit, so if you need help backing in a trailer, I’m your gal!
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I graduated high school a semester early to tour the southwest of the US as the drummer of an 8-piece ska band (think No Doubt) before I started college. I originally went to college to be a sound engineer until I took my first accounting class – what a turn 😉
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I love the team support and being able to meet others that think running a half marathon any given weekend is normal and all the new kits 😉
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Don’t really have one – although the last book I read was Mike Reily’s
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
My kitchen
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
Everyone out there training for something – no matter who you are or what you do – you have to balance life and training and somehow we all get to that start and finish line
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
After a year of injuries and having to defer/cancel races, I’m hoping for more racing in 2024 – Rocky Raccoon 50K, IMTX and then we will see….
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
End of 2021
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
TriGirl SuperSprint May 2012
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
Right after Charley was born in 2011, we went out to cheer on the contestants from Biggest Loser when the bike route used to go right by our house. I told my husband, Mills, that one day I would do this race. I’m sure his response was like “ok – must be the post-partum hormones talking.” I was in no shape to consider this, I couldn’t even run ¼ mile straight, much less ride a bike for that long or even swim 1 length of the pool. Fast forward one year later and I completed my first triathlon at the TriGirl SuperSprint. I was instantly addicted to the finish line and encouragement while racing; I kept increasing my racing distance each time – I thought – “Well, I didn’t die on that length, guess I’ll sign up for the next distance.” 😉
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
IMTX – can’t beat that run crowd
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Finishing IMAZ four weeks after IMTX – I wanted to quit that run SO bad and sat down at mile 24 until I got a text from Mills saying that him and the kids were waiting at the finish line, so I pulled myself up and stumbled to that finish line.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Balancing a household and training
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
In-N-Out Burger, Fries and Chocolate Shake
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
Mills (best sherpa/bike mechanic around 😉) and I have been married 20 years we have a 12 year old son, Charley and 10 year old daughter, Sydney. We have a 5th Wheel Camper and like to travel across the U.S. including to races. Race mornings are literally the only morning my kids jump out of bed excited to be up at 4am. They are my biggest supporters and best cheerleaders! They have never missed a finish line! We have two doodles – McKinley and Sadie.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I’m a retired (😉) full-time CPA. I still help out a few friends and not-for-profits with their accounting on a part-time basis. I volunteer at my church (TWMC) as the lead coordinator for a few big events and run the best kids taxi service (so my kids say). I can help back in a 40 foot 5th wheel into a tight storage unit, so if you need help backing in a trailer, I’m your gal!
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I graduated high school a semester early to tour the southwest of the US as the drummer of an 8-piece ska band (think No Doubt) before I started college. I originally went to college to be a sound engineer until I took my first accounting class – what a turn 😉
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I love the team support and being able to meet others that think running a half marathon any given weekend is normal and all the new kits 😉
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Don’t really have one – although the last book I read was Mike Reily’s
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
My kitchen
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
Everyone out there training for something – no matter who you are or what you do – you have to balance life and training and somehow we all get to that start and finish line
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
After a year of injuries and having to defer/cancel races, I’m hoping for more racing in 2024 – Rocky Raccoon 50K, IMTX and then we will see….
