Our spotlight athlete today is our very own red-headed firecracker Dana Kornreich. Dana is a fierce and determined athlete, Louisiana girl and fun teammate!
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
I joined the team in May 2018. I started swimming with PGK after hearing about Gemma from people at the track with the Finish Strong group. I met more fun people at PGK and discovered Valhalla.
I joined the team in May 2018. I started swimming with PGK after hearing about Gemma from people at the track with the Finish Strong group. I met more fun people at PGK and discovered Valhalla.
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
My first triathlon was The Woodlands Inaugural Spa Girl in October 2016. I wasn’t too traumatized from the nuts lazy river “swim” in about 3 feet of water which consisted of basically standing up and jumping through the crowd or the sketchy bike course sections dodging and weaving around people on the sidewalks of Grogan’s Mill.
My first triathlon was The Woodlands Inaugural Spa Girl in October 2016. I wasn’t too traumatized from the nuts lazy river “swim” in about 3 feet of water which consisted of basically standing up and jumping through the crowd or the sketchy bike course sections dodging and weaving around people on the sidewalks of Grogan’s Mill.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
Wow! Where do I begin? This journey started 9 years ago. January 29th, 2015, Catherine Breeding, a young lady that had just started her career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office tragically died at the young age of 21.
Wow! Where do I begin? This journey started 9 years ago. January 29th, 2015, Catherine Breeding, a young lady that had just started her career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office tragically died at the young age of 21.
Catherine’s father, Steve Breeding, was my son’s swim coach. Sitting on deck during practices I got to hear many stories about his children, some swimming related, some not. So many stories that I felt like I knew them myself. You could see and feel the pride and joy this father had for his children and it was very heart warming as a parent to experience. Having young children can be grueling at times and being reminded to remember the good events of their lives and wonder what funny, crazy things they will do tomorrow is always welcome, especially in these busy times we live in.
I read an article from a local paper about Catherine and all the things she had done and accomplished in such a short time. I was AMAZED! I cannot even put into words to express the feelings and chain of events that started to form in my mind. One particular thing stuck out in my mind, a triathlon. I didn’t even know there were different types of triathlons. I heard the word triathlon and I immediately thought of the Ironman, which requires running a marathon. Well, I hate running so that was out, but there is a sprint triathlon that is only a 5K. I may hate running but a 5K is doable. So by the end of the day I had talked myself into doing the CB&I triathlon!
First I needed to learn how to properly swim and since my kids were always at the pool, I decided I would start there and I could get Steve, Catherine’s father, to help me. It took some time for me to work up the courage to even approach the topic . As a perfectionist, its very difficult to have someone analyze your every move in a field you know little about and be critiqued. But I grew to love the sport of swimming and it became my main source of exercise and I had been swimming for over a year before I took the next step of buying my first road bike.
I decided to do a “baby” triathlon to familiarize myself with the event and boy was it an eye opener! But I got through the day and felt great afterwards. I thought I was ready to take on an open water event but I would still need to train for it. I began to think of training groups others had told me about but they required raising money to pay for your “free” training. I thought if I’m going to raise money, I would rather raise money for a memorial fund that was started in honor of my inspiration and pay for my own training. I ended up raising $7000 that went to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the new cadets that graduate each year. I placed 15th out of 50 at the 2017 CB&I and that sprint is still my fastest sprint to date, even with the heavy, non fitted road bike with aero bars added to it. Having time goals that if I beat them my husband would double whatever funds I raised helped a lot. I beat my goal by 1 minute and 45 seconds. 
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
This is a tough question as my racing nerves go off the chart in a bad way so I prefer training to racing. I would say my favorite distance is Olympic because I can run the entire run course without giving into the need to walk. But of all the races I have done nothing compares to the pride I feel after riding the tailwind and fighting my way back through the headwinds of IMTX 70.3.
This is a tough question as my racing nerves go off the chart in a bad way so I prefer training to racing. I would say my favorite distance is Olympic because I can run the entire run course without giving into the need to walk. But of all the races I have done nothing compares to the pride I feel after riding the tailwind and fighting my way back through the headwinds of IMTX 70.3.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
Qualifying for and completing the 2022 USA Triathlon National Championship olympic distance. Ironically enough that race has been the only true olympic distance I have done and the last triathlon I participated in. I raced 2018 Kemah Trathlon olympic but the swim was cancelled and it turned into a run-bike-run.
Qualifying for and completing the 2022 USA Triathlon National Championship olympic distance. Ironically enough that race has been the only true olympic distance I have done and the last triathlon I participated in. I raced 2018 Kemah Trathlon olympic but the swim was cancelled and it turned into a run-bike-run.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Open water swimming related fears, anxiety and panic attacks and also running a 70.3 without walking. That has been a goal of mine I have yet to accomplish.
Open water swimming related fears, anxiety and panic attacks and also running a 70.3 without walking. That has been a goal of mine I have yet to accomplish.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
Food…after a race. I usually don’t want anything real to eat until the next day. After long races my stomach can’t tolerate anything after all those sweet gels and drinks. And after short races after sprinting my stomach also says no thank you. I’m doing good to not vomit on anyone. But I always drink my recovery drinks and electrolytes post race and munch on what I can find tolerable.
Food…after a race. I usually don’t want anything real to eat until the next day. After long races my stomach can’t tolerate anything after all those sweet gels and drinks. And after short races after sprinting my stomach also says no thank you. I’m doing good to not vomit on anyone. But I always drink my recovery drinks and electrolytes post race and munch on what I can find tolerable.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I have been married to Craig for 19 years and we have 2 boys, Colin and Connor. They turn 16 and 14 this month. I don’t have any other family around here as I am from a small town, Jonesboro, in north Louisiana and Craig is from Miami, Fl.
I have been married to Craig for 19 years and we have 2 boys, Colin and Connor. They turn 16 and 14 this month. I don’t have any other family around here as I am from a small town, Jonesboro, in north Louisiana and Craig is from Miami, Fl.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
I graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I moved to Houston and worked at Baylor College of Medicine as a research assistant until I decided to go to Pharmacy School at University of Houston and received my doctorate degree, PharmD. I worked as a pharmacist until I had my first child and we moved to NYC for Craig’s law firm. Colin was 4 months old when we moved and I decided to enjoy exploring my new city with my baby instead of having to go through the trouble of getting my license to practice in New York since we did not know how long we would be there. We eventually moved to Connecticut where Connor was born and shortly after that I was tired of the 3:30pm sunsets and summers that required jackets and we moved back to Texas where I have continued on as a stay at home mom.
I graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I moved to Houston and worked at Baylor College of Medicine as a research assistant until I decided to go to Pharmacy School at University of Houston and received my doctorate degree, PharmD. I worked as a pharmacist until I had my first child and we moved to NYC for Craig’s law firm. Colin was 4 months old when we moved and I decided to enjoy exploring my new city with my baby instead of having to go through the trouble of getting my license to practice in New York since we did not know how long we would be there. We eventually moved to Connecticut where Connor was born and shortly after that I was tired of the 3:30pm sunsets and summers that required jackets and we moved back to Texas where I have continued on as a stay at home mom.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I skipped my senior year of high school and graduated early. I was on the dance kick line in school and tried out for Louisiana Tech’s dance team and was the youngest member to make any spirit squad at 16 years of age. I may still hold that record, I don’t know.
I skipped my senior year of high school and graduated early. I was on the dance kick line in school and tried out for Louisiana Tech’s dance team and was the youngest member to make any spirit squad at 16 years of age. I may still hold that record, I don’t know.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I cherish the friendships I have made and the awesome cheer support we have during races. My favorite moment to date is Ana Hardy holding onto the team tent for dear life during the tornado of IMTX 70.3 and still managing to cheer me on as they closed the course and made us all seek shelter.
I cherish the friendships I have made and the awesome cheer support we have during races. My favorite moment to date is Ana Hardy holding onto the team tent for dear life during the tornado of IMTX 70.3 and still managing to cheer me on as they closed the course and made us all seek shelter.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
I don’t have a favorite currently.
I don’t have a favorite currently.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
La Griglia Italian restaurant in Houston. Their Autumn Salad is to die for and no longer on the menu but they always make it for me.
La Griglia Italian restaurant in Houston. Their Autumn Salad is to die for and no longer on the menu but they always make it for me.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
Right now I am totally lacking in this area, but I have to hand it to all of my teammates. Seeing you all keep pushing forward does help me to continue looking for my next challenge.
Right now I am totally lacking in this area, but I have to hand it to all of my teammates. Seeing you all keep pushing forward does help me to continue looking for my next challenge.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
Maybe a bike race in Colorado this summer maybe Waco 70.3. Still thinking about those.
Maybe a bike race in Colorado this summer maybe Waco 70.3. Still thinking about those.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
This past year it really hit me just how soon my kids will be out of high school, off to college and out of the house. While I am excited for them, it really tugs on my heart that they will be gone soon. So I have been going to all the things they do and prioritizing their schedule over everything. I’m still here and I will eventually find my way back to racing. There is a time and a place for everything.
This past year it really hit me just how soon my kids will be out of high school, off to college and out of the house. While I am excited for them, it really tugs on my heart that they will be gone soon. So I have been going to all the things they do and prioritizing their schedule over everything. I’m still here and I will eventually find my way back to racing. There is a time and a place for everything.
